***MyMagic+ & FastPass+ Official Information & FAQ Thread***

[dayvewc]

I'm sure the usual suspects will roll in here soon enough and explain to us how absolutely wonderful it is.

You mean that this might not be the most magical, uplifting, happiness inducing thing since the invention of raw toast? Say it isn't so!!!

I literally just spewed my "adult beverage" onto my laptop sceen!

Yeah, I was really glad I had already swallowed.

 

[agavegirl1]

In all seriousness though, I am happy to have access to the FAQ. I have been wondering how I will be affected and now have a pretty good idea. Previously, the T&C, an interview with Tom Staggs, one official announcement and test information from DIS members was all I had to go on.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Yeah I caught that too. Very nice of them to not penalize you for missing a reservation for a FREE service. Very Magical indeed.

This is more than likely specified for the annual pass holders. This was actually something I had been wondering about since AP's can reserve the attractions in advance anytime without worry. Haven't had the chance to read the FAQ yet but my next question is what if any limitations AP's have.

 

[Marie17]

Disney's not only got to "sell" this wonderful service to me I gotta also sell it to my family just how "magical" this is going to be too! I am so sorry kids but you know they will still have standby lines available. I don't think I am that good of a salesman.

I am so thankful that we won't be penalized.

Maybe Disney decided to start charging more for Magic Kingdom because they have come to the conclusion that once they roll-out all this magic people will more and more decide on doing just 1 day at Disney and most people love Magic Kingdom. Maybe they will start to seek out other places where they do not have to pre-schedule all their activities so far in advance and go back to relaxing and having fun on vacation. I can think of such places as Universal, Kennedy Space Center, Aquatica, waterparks, ocean and/or gulf if I am no longer locked into buying so many days for MYW. It most probably won't be cheaper but my kids will be able to spout off a much longer list than we went to Disney to the question what did you do when you were on vacation. Maybe this is something we also can all be thankful for too.

 

[WillAustin]

This is more than likely specified for the annual pass holders. This was actually something I had been wondering about since AP's can reserve the attractions in advance anytime without worry. Haven't had the chance to read the FAQ yet but my next question is what if any limitations AP's have.

The FAQ doesn't mention APs.

It repeatedly says this:

"Over the coming months, Guests with select Magic Your Way vacation packages will be notified that they may participate in MyMagic+ testing, which includes FastPass+ eligibility."

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

This is the first time I can ever remember reading about something that was/will be happening at Disney World and it not making me excited but filling me with dread. Nothing I have read makes me look forward to our yearly trip next summer.

 

[Shaden]

Ok .... so where are all the insistant FP+ optimists saying


They will for sure hold back FPs for same day use, no way they will get rid of that or mess over day trippers ..... nope first come first served, but you get stanf by

No need to worry, ton of flexibility, just change your FPs on the day if your trip does not go exactly as planned .....nope first come first serve, but you can stand by

There is no way they will limit your use to three, you will certainly be able to pull more during the day ...... nope, doesnt seem that way either ... well you get 4 maybe, with some other stuff that sounds like tiering or paying extra is possible .... oooh up to 4, even better.


Now, I still dont know if this is final info, or accurate, although it is official from the faq... but I think I am more worried or certain now that this system is just bad news...

 

[agavegirl1]

Q.
I’m concerned that my vacation will feel over-scheduled if I have to reserve access to FastPass+ attractions in advance. Will I have the flexibility to change my mind when I arrive at the theme park?

A.
Yes. You can modify your selections online with your mobile phone or at a FastPass+ kiosk. For even more on-the-go flexibility, download the My Disney Experience mobile app to select and modify FastPass+ experiences—plus access your vacation details, maps and up-to-the-minute information.

While you may lose the opportunity to use an attraction’s FastPass+ entrance, there are no other penalties if you change your mind and wish to skip a FastPass+ experience. All operating attractions still provide a standby queue.

You’ll find that FastPass+ service provides you with the ability to experience some great attractions throughout the day with a shortened wait time. Don’t worry. When we suggest arrival window times we carefully consider factors such as the length of an attraction and the travel time you will need between experiences. Your vacation should be as leisurely and enjoyable as ever—actually, we hope, more than ever!

As with any popular attraction or experience, we encourage you to make your FastPass+ selections early as this will give you more opportunity to secure your favorites. FastPass+ inventory is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Over the coming months, Guests with select Magic Your Way vacation packages will be notified that they may participate in MyMagic+ testing, which includes FastPass+ eligibility.

Valid theme park admission is required.


i still believe that "Leisurely and enjoyable" and "first come first served" at 60 days to be mutually exclusive, how will this work?

 

[Marie17]

Was the Fastpass+ FAQ thread just released today/tonight on the Disney World website?

If so, isn't there a term for releasing something on a Friday afternoon/evening regarding bad news?

 

[mom2rtk]

I noticed that no "+10" language has been added to the reservation information.
So, for my 2014 reservation, I need to get up at the crack of dawn 180 days before my check-in for ADRs. Then, I get up at the crack of dawn on the 60th, 59th, 58th, 57th, 56th, 55th, 54th, 53rd, and 52nd day prior to my check-in date to make my ride reservations. Tons of fun.

........... and all so you can sleep in on vacation and not have to be at rope drop.

 

[mom2rtk]

Was the Fastpass+ FAQ thread just released today/tonight on the Disney World website?

If so, isn't there a term for releasing something on a Friday afternoon/evening regarding bad news?

Disney's very own Friday afternoon "document dump"........

 

[bjakmom]

I noticed that no "+10" language has been added to the reservation information.
So, for my 2014 reservation, I need to get up at the crack of dawn 180 days before my check-in for ADRs. Then, I get up at the crack of dawn on the 60th, 59th, 58th, 57th, 56th, 55th, 54th, 53rd, and 52nd day prior to my check-in date to make my ride reservations. Tons of fun.

I actually prefer that they DON'T implement a +10 option - we have found ourselves getting shutting out of DVC room reservations since they went to +10 (or maybe it's +7 I forget). Either way, people with lots of points have resorted to 'walking' their reservations for this reason - starting their reservations ahead of when they need them and then adding on and cancelling the unneeded days in order to assure they can get the room/date they want. I can see this becoming a practice for AP holders if they go to +10 for FP+.

When I couldn't get a BOG ADR on my 180+10 opening 'minute', I was helpfully reminded by the CM that guests had been able to book that date/time for over a week prior to me. She said it happens frequently at BOG. At least calling every day gives each person a level playing field and makes your FP+ availability pool larger for your day. Thinking of TSMM and the new mine train - prob not a concern for Stitch - but possibly huuge prob for the rides I def want to ride and def don't want to wait standby for.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Even though the +10 (or whatever number) wasn't explicitly mentioned, I think it is in there. At least for the Magic Your Way package holders that they keep talking about...I think they will be able to make their picks 60 days before their package starts, for the length of their stay.

 

[d1gitman]

Q.
If I don’t reserve access to FastPass+ attractions in advance, will I be able to experience my favorite attractions at the theme parks?

A.
All attractions still provide a standby queue—assuming they are not closed for refurbishment. If FastPass+ experiences are still available, you can reserve access to FastPass+ attractions and entertainment online with your mobile phone or at a FastPass+ kiosk when you arrive at the park.


Sounds like all FP+ will be up for reservation - no holding any back for day of visits.
Also sounds as though they are anticipating that some popular rides will be completely prebooked.

I don't take it that way at all...it merely says IF FP+ is available when you arrive at a park. FP+ for an attraction could be sold out for reasons other than prebookings. Not sure it's safe to take the quantam leap leap as of yet to say that all FP+ slots will be up for prebookings first.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Disney's very own Friday afternoon "document dump"........

I hope they remembered their insurance wipe.

 

[ses1230]

I'm sure there is some Magic in there somewhere..... right?

This is the screen I get when I click on "make FP+ reservations":

Are You Ready for a New Kind of Magic?

Whether you’re a participant in the MyMagic+ test or are planning your upcoming Disney vacation, please take a moment to get the most of My Disney Experience.

Create your Family & Friends list and link your Resort hotel reservation and tickets to enjoy exciting new MyMagic+ features—like FastPass+ service—when they become available later this year.

Connect to Your Family & Friends
Link Your Disney Resort Reservation and Theme Park Tickets

If you’re not participating in the MyMagic+ test, you can still enjoy the existing FASTPASS service.

Learn More About FastPass+

It's this "new" kind of magic that I am worried about. The new magic of 4 FP+ per day and "use our wonderful improved interactive standby line" is terrible. This makes me dread it even more.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Obviously the people making these decisions have never actually been park guests. Our trips are always in the summer or around holidays since I'm a teacher. Trust me....standby lines are NOT an option. I can't believe that that's their answer to everything!

 

[doconeill]

I don't take it that way at all...it merely says IF FP+ is available when you arrive at a park. FP+ for an attraction could be sold out for reasons other than prebookings. Not sure it's safe to take the quantam leap leap as of yet to say that all FP+ slots will be up for prebookings first.

It may be quite a while before we ever know if they are holding FP+ in reserve or not, unless we're told by a reliable source.

We won't know what the pre-book utilization is as it ramps up, to know whether those available that day are leftovers. The only way we'd know for sure is when utilization reaches the point that you can't pre-book an attraction at all, but get to the park and find out that there are plenty.

And while FP+ and FP overlap, that could make it even harder to know, if they have FP+ and FP in the same "pool".

Here's another interesting possible issue...while the two overlap, and they are from the same pool, if they DON'T limit FP+ reservations to some percentage of the pool for a given time...what happens if pre-books take all the return times between 7pm and 8pm, while I go that day to use regular FP...and the return time jumps from 6:55pm to 8:05pm? Will I be forced to split up my party?

I get the feeling the overlap may not last too long.

 

[mom2rtk]

It may be quite a while before we ever know if they are holding FP+ in reserve or not, unless we're told by a reliable source.

We won't know what the pre-book utilization is as it ramps up, to know whether those available that day are leftovers. The only way we'd know for sure is when utilization reaches the point that you can't pre-book an attraction at all, but get to the park and find out that there are plenty.

And while FP+ and FP overlap, that could make it even harder to know, if they have FP+ and FP in the same "pool".

Here's another interesting possible issue...while the two overlap, and they are from the same pool, if they DON'T limit FP+ reservations to some percentage of the pool for a given time...what happens if pre-books take all the return times between 7pm and 8pm, while I go that day to use regular FP...and the return time jumps from 6:55pm to 8:05pm? Will I be forced to split up my party?

I get the feeling the overlap may not last too long.

Yeah, I think that overlap is fraught with all sorts of problems.

Remember one thing....... they want......scratch that..... they NEED .......... this to be accepted with open arms and much excitement. So how much to you think they will "limit" the prebooking pool?

 

[Jennasis]

Obviously the people making these decisions have never actually been park guests. Our trips are always in the summer or around holidays since I'm a teacher. Trust me....standby lines are NOT an option. I can't believe that that's their answer to everything!

I spoke at length to a CM over the phone who called me to discuss a lengthy email I sent to guest services detailing my many concerns with FP+. The main thing he seemed to stress was that they WANT feedback from guests. If you have a concern, DON'T WAIT until the program rolls out. email them with it NOW.

AND, the WHOLE POINT of FP+ is to make standby lines more manageable and shorter. he specifically said that they spent all that money to make interactive queues for a reason. They expect guests to ride standby.