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

[SRUAlmn]

That's the key. On every single one of our previous trips, we've been able to ride everything we want using FPs to avoid waiting in long lines. If that changes because of the new system, and we'd have to spend more time in longer lines, we will choose something else to do.

Speaking only for myself, I don't spend thousands of dollars on a WDW vacation to end up waiting in a 40, 60, or 90 minute line for anything, ever. I guess some people find that OK, but we don't. After our trip next month, I'm leaning toward holding off on booking anything else until we see how this shakes out in the parks over the next 6 months.

And that was the point I was trying to make earlier that 'cracked someone up.' We only took 2 trips prior to the existence of Fastpass and we've taken 9 since then. Part of the reason we go much more frequently is because Fastpass makes touring easier and we can experience so much more. Yes, we've all survived and stood in standby lines before, but it's not anyone's first choice of a touring plan.

 

[mom2rtk]

No one said you would do 3 attractions. If they limit to 3,(which I don't think they will due to all the increases and categories) you will still be able to get on the rides using standby. we all know the attractions that don't have lines typically.

Anything we have seen so far is testing-- already I believe it as been reported that MDE now says about 4 depending on your "package" , and this is still testing.

As far as $95-- It seems they are gearing all of this towards resort guests, so the entry cost would be a lot less due to length of stay tickets.

I think this will end up to be you get what you pay for.

Well maybe you are fine with standing in long standby lines. I'm not. You aren't fine with getting up early and doing rope drop. I am. We're all different. For me though 3FPs translates into 3 rides with a few more in standby at rope drop. But that has me finished in the park by around 1 or 2 PM. I don't consider that value for my money.

And yes, I get that the price goes down the longer your stay. But my last visit was for ONE day. And yes, that was $95. I honestly don't CARE if it is better for MOST. I'm spending MY money and care about the value for ME.

And the verbage is "UP TO 4". Not "you get 4". And while 4 is greater than 3, it's not enough to move the needle for me.

 

[WillAustin]

I honestly don't CARE if it is better for MOST. I'm spending MY money and care about the value for ME.

That's all that really matters in the long run when choosing how to spend vacation dollars.

 

[SRUAlmn]

This is something I was wondering about too. They have already said there is no penalty but even limiting the number of FP+ what is preventing AP's from doing this and canceling. Although for now it looks like room and ticket booking must be linked for it to work, not great for AP's right now.

This is my concern right now. As glitchy as the new website is the one interesting point was that you could link family and friends and plan your vacation together. If you are not buying your tickets at the same time or your friends are staying offsite though you basically can't book FP+ together right? So the one interesting point of the website is also useless. If it were possible they should make it that one main person of the account can register the FP+ for everyone and link the tickets day of... With FP you could always meet your party in the morning and get FP together.

This will for sure impact our trip this year since we are meeting with family in FL. Some of us staying onsite some not, some with AP's, some getting tickets day of, some buying in advance. I'm thinking I need to delete the people I've added to the website so it doesn't affect the FP+ booking.

Good question, and I will also be interested in seeing how this plays out. For our next trip I will have an AP and the rest if my family will be purchasing tickets from UT. I am the main name on the account, so I am hoping I'll be able to manage everyone!

 

[beer dave]

Well maybe you are fine with standing in long standby lines. I'm not. You aren't fine with getting up early and doing rope drop. I am. We're all different. For me though 3FPs translates into 3 rides with a few more in standby at rope drop. But that has me finished in the park by around 1 or 2 PM. I don't consider that value for my money.

And yes, I get that the price goes down the longer your stay. But my last visit was for ONE day. And yes, that was $95. I honestly don't CARE if it is better for MOST. I'm spending MY money and care about the value for ME.

And the verbage is "UP TO 4". Not "you get 4". And while 4 is greater than 3, it's not enough to move the needle for me.

Yeah-- I understand you. I am suspecting that the 1 day or offsite visitor will be left behind in this new system.

 

[Shaden]

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.

How can you still be holding on to this ?

It says repeatedly that FP+ bookings are available for prebooking, First Come, First Served. And then says IF ..... IF ... there are FPs still left, you can book them same day ...

 

[Chubby]

Well maybe you are fine with standing in long standby lines. I'm not. You aren't fine with getting up early and doing rope drop. I am. We're all different. For me though 3FPs translates into 3 rides with a few more in standby at rope drop. But that has me finished in the park by around 1 or 2 PM. I don't consider that value for my money.

And yes, I get that the price goes down the longer your stay. But my last visit was for ONE day. And yes, that was $95. I honestly don't CARE if it is better for MOST. I'm spending MY money and care about the value for ME.

And the verbage is "UP TO 4". Not "you get 4". And while 4 is greater than 3, it's not enough to move the needle for me.

Disney, or any theme park, isn't going to cater to you. They are going to cater to the masses and to their bottom line.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney, or any theme park, isn't going to cater to you. They are going to cater to the masses and to their bottom line.

As I would expect them to.

It remains to be seen if this approach works out for them. Because they believe it will work out for the best does not mean it will. JCPenney thought their new pricing structure was the best for the masses and their bottom line. Then they decided it wasn't.

I am but one person. I will do what is best for me. Beyond that it will just be what it is. But it won't stop me from voicing my opinion. I don't exactly think I'm alone. All the fuss might fade away as folks decide to just accept it for what it is. Or one by one they might stop booking new trips. Nobody knows yet how this plays out.

 

[Shaden]

Disney, or any theme park, isn't going to cater to you. They are going to cater to the masses and to their bottom line.

Although I am sure that this is true, its what companies do, I do wonder how many people that go to WDW are repeat guests ?

I don't know if anyone has any data on this ????

But here is the thing, people always say here (when it suits their argument) that the people on DiSboards are just a small minority, and there is some truth to that, BUT, are we representative of many of the return guests ? I think there is some truth to that as well. My group of friends/family are Disney "pros" ... people who like to go at least once a year, but I am the only one on DisBoards. But when I talk to them about any of this stuff, their opinions usually mirror the opinions of many people here.

And none of them like the sounds of FP+ ...

On top of that, many people have suggested this new system will not benefit people who don't plan ahead enough, or don't know how to plan ahead well enough, or day guests, or last minute guests.

SO, if the majority (and its pretty clear the majority of people here aren't fans) of return guests aren't served well by this, and Disney newbies wont be served well by this, and day guests will be completely left behind by this ....

Who exactly is this helping ? How is this going to make Disney money ? Unless of course they monetize the system (which I am pretty sure they will) ...

How important are the return guests to Disney's Bottom line ?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I am probably part of the "masses"....not a FP superuser by any stretch.

Disney is also setting themselves up for cancellations if even people like me dont like the FP plus schedule they get at 60 days out. Before, you didn't really know what you were going to get to ride on the actual day. Now you will, and I think that people, whether superusers or not, are going to be looking at their schedule very critically on day 45 before they make that final payment.

Anyway, I'm not sure this was about catering to the masses...I think they built this to monetize a previously free (with park admission) service. That's the bet they are making, IMO.

 

[Chubby]

Although I am sure that this is true, its what companies do, I do wonder how many people that go to WDW are repeat guests ?

I don't know if anyone has any data on this ????

But here is the thing, people always say here (when it suits their argument) that the people on DiSboards are just a small minority, and there is some truth to that, BUT, are we representative of many of the return guests ? I think there is some truth to that as well. My group of friends/family are Disney "pros" ... people who like to go at least once a year, but I am the only one on DisBoards. But when I talk to them about any of this stuff, their opinions usually mirror the opinions of many people here.

On top of that, many people have suggested this new system will not benefit people who don't plan ahead enough, or don't know how to plan ahead well enough, or day guests, or last minute guests.

SO, if the majority (and its pretty clear the majority of people here aren't fans) of return guests aren't served well by this, and Disney newbies wont be served well by this, and day guests will be completely left behind by this ....

Who exactly is this helping ? How is this going to make Disney money ? Unless of course they monetize the system (which I am pretty sure they will) ...

How important are the return guests to Disney's Bottom line ?

I think the benefit to Disney is in optimazation of staffing which in turn saves money.

As a father of a 4YO, i'd love for FP+ to be running when we go in Sept as it'd make my life easier. I don't mind sprinting for FPs but I doubt the wife and child will find that very fun

Basically from a guest perspective I see it as wealth redistibution. Take from the 1% and give to the bottom 30% (no more 10 FPs a day for us DISers, more FPs for the masses). While I understand the angst some have with this, I don't have a problem with it personally even if I'd benefit more under the current system.

There will simply be a new "best way" and those of us that are here or are HC disney people will take advantage of it 1st

 

[Shaden]

I think the benefit to Disney is in optimazation of staffing which in turn saves money.

As a father of a 4YO, i'd love for FP+ to be running when we go in Sept as it'd make my life easier. I don't mind sprinting for FPs but I doubt the wife and child will find that very fun

Basically from a guest perspective I see it as wealth redistibution. Take from the 1% and give to the bottom 30% (no more 10 FPs a day for us DISers, more FPs for the masses). While I understand the angst some have with this, I don't have a problem with it personally even if I'd benefit more under the current system.

There will simply be a new "best way" and those of us that are here or are HC disney people will take advantage of it 1st

I can see how this system will help some people, for certain. Although we aren't power FP users per se, we only use 3-5 a day. Its not the number that bothers me most, its the pre-booking.

What would you say if you logged on at 60 days out and you can't book the FPs you want.

You say you don't want to sprint for FPs but what if you find yourself delayed getting to the park, or to the ride, and HAVE to sprint to the FP that you booked 60 days prior ?

What will you do when your 4yr/o is sick, or tired, or just throwing a fit, and you can't do the park you planned for a day, or your FPs that day, and then can't reschedule because all the FP slots have been booked 60 days prior ?

How about if it craps rain and storms on you on your planned MK day, and your child is super upset at missing out on MK, but you can't tell them you will do it tomorrow, because again you will have no FPs, they were booked 60 days prior ?

Maybe not of concern to you, maybe you just hope this doesn't happen, but I can tell you for myself, and many others, these are MAJOR concerns.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the benefit to Disney is in optimazation of staffing which in turn saves money.

As a father of a 4YO, i'd love for FP+ to be running when we go in Sept as it'd make my life easier. I don't mind sprinting for FPs but I doubt the wife and child will find that very fun

Basically from a guest perspective I see it as wealth redistibution. Take from the 1% and give to the bottom 30% (no more 10 FPs a day for us DISers, more FPs for the masses). While I understand the angst some have with this, I don't have a problem with it personally even if I'd benefit more under the current system.

There will simply be a new "best way" and those of us that are here or are HC disney people will take advantage of it 1st

FWIW..... I probably would have felt the same way with a 4 year old. At that age we would have been skipping a number of headliners and not been trying to do RnR 5 times in a row. And we probably would have opted for shorter park days anyway.

But as your child ages, how are you going to know 60 days out what your child will enjoy most? Right up until the day we walked into DHS my 12 year old SWORE she wasn't doing ToT on that trip. Before the day was over, with the help of FP, she did it 5 times and proclaimed it the highlight of the trip. THAT is what I mean when I talk about giving up spontaneity at Disney. That won't happen again with this new system.

I really think Disney is writing off the teenage population with this new system. They are harder to sell on Disney anyway, and this will just decide it for many. My 18 and 20 year old boys are not huge Disney fans, so no huge deal here with them. But this just sort of seals the deal. I don't stand a chance of getting them to ever try it again. If they come along to Orlando again, we'll likely be swapping to Universal.

 

[ses1230]

This is my concern right now. As glitchy as the new website is the one interesting point was that you could link family and friends and plan your vacation together. If you are not buying your tickets at the same time or your friends are staying offsite though you basically can't book FP+ together right? So the one interesting point of the website is also useless. If it were possible they should make it that one main person of the account can register the FP+ for everyone and link the tickets day of

That is how it works. Under "friends and family" it specifies if you manage another person.

From the website:

For kids or other Guests who don’t have Disney accounts, enter the name and age—that’s it. You’ll manage all the plans for that person.

To add someone who has his or her own Disney account, use Family & Friends to send an email invitation to connect. Once your invitation is accepted, you can start making plans

 

[ArwenMarie]

Lots of ways for the new system to make Disney money...Other than outwardly selling extra FPs which I think they will do eventually...All of those band cover and decorations, FPPs in place of free dining and room discounts. It's brilliant really when you think about it from their perspective.

I don't think return guests are that important to Disney...I think they need a steady influx of new visitors...Even with DVC, the goal there is to get people to sign on the dotted line in that moment, they don't have to necessarily keep working to get your business after that point.

 

[WillAustin]

That is how it works. Under "friends and family" it specifies if you manage another person.

From the website:

For kids or other Guests who don’t have Disney accounts, enter the name and age—that’s it. You’ll manage all the plans for that person.

To add someone who has his or her own Disney account, use Family & Friends to send an email invitation to connect. Once your invitation is accepted, you can start making plans

I will be surprised if you can book FP+ for "friends and family" who don't have a ticket linked.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

That is how it works. Under "friends and family" it specifies if you manage another person.

From the website:

For kids or other Guests who don’t have Disney accounts, enter the name and age—that’s it. You’ll manage all the plans for that person.

To add someone who has his or her own Disney account, use Family & Friends to send an email invitation to connect. Once your invitation is accepted, you can start making plans

You can manage dining and other things but right now it looks like you have to be linked to the tickets for the FP+ thing. Some of our party won't have tickets until the day we go. I don't think it will let us link until the tickets are registered because it keeps prompting that.

 

[mom2rtk]

You can manage dining and other things but right now it looks like you have to be linked to the tickets for the FP+ thing. Some of our party won't have tickets until the day we go. I don't think it will let us link until the tickets are registered because it keeps prompting that.

Then good luck getting any decent FPs together if this thing rolls out before you visit.

 

[beer dave]

Although I am sure that this is true, its what companies do, I do wonder how many people that go to WDW are repeat guests ?

I don't know if anyone has any data on this ????

But here is the thing, people always say here (when it suits their argument) that the people on DiSboards are just a small minority, and there is some truth to that, BUT, are we representative of many of the return guests ? I think there is some truth to that as well. My group of friends/family are Disney "pros" ... people who like to go at least once a year, but I am the only one on DisBoards. But when I talk to them about any of this stuff, their opinions usually mirror the opinions of many people here.

And none of them like the sounds of FP+ ...

On top of that, many people have suggested this new system will not benefit people who don't plan ahead enough, or don't know how to plan ahead well enough, or day guests, or last minute guests.

SO, if the majority (and its pretty clear the majority of people here aren't fans) of return guests aren't served well by this, and Disney newbies wont be served well by this, and day guests will be completely left behind by this ....

Who exactly is this helping ? How is this going to make Disney money ? Unless of course they monetize the system (which I am pretty sure they will) ...

How important are the return guests to Disney's Bottom line ?

Maybe the majority of people posting on this thread are against fpp, but I don't think this is a fair representative of all DISers. Historically the negatives are more outspoken. How many times is someone interested in saying Yey. Unhappy people like to be heard.

 

[mom2rtk]

Can you imagine the disappointment of MANY when the Mine Coaster is open and someone books a trip to try it out, but doesn't realize FP has changed? How likely are they to be a repeat customer when they are told they needed to book it 60 days prior?