Never Trade my Points ...may start w/New FP+

[dianeschlicht]

We too had misgivings about FP+, but have been enjoying the bands the past 9 days, and now we are ready to embrace this change. Like all changes, it will take some getting used to, but over all it's a good thing.

 

[Brian Noble]

Redistributionist? Absolutely. Right or wrong? Not really my call. But Disney is no democracy. They're trying to make more overall guests happy by intentionally evening the playing field somewhat versus the "pro" tourers. And us commandos are going to have to adapt or choose a different vacation.

I've thought about this a lot, and I think that most of us in the "pro" camp will come to enjoy the new style of trips quite a lot.

Why? It's based on my experiences over the last year or so at WDW, DLR, and DLRP---all of which enforced return times for Fastpass windows as of my most recent trips. That enforcement already changed the game, because now I don't go back for my mid-day break with a pocket full of e-ticket FPs to use at all of the attractions that night. That already means fewer re-rides on the headliners, and we found that we ended up using that time to see "lesser" attractions instead, and often things we never would have time to get to in our pre-enforcement days.

Guess what? We found that those "lesser" attractions were also really quite a lot of fun. In fact, it seemed to us that doing a wider variety of different things over the course of the day made the day better, not worse. My guess is that most people will find something similar in their future trips.

Will everyone? Probably not, and Disney will lose a few of those folks. But, on balance, leveling the playing field seems like it's going to work out very well for Disney. If that does, that will in turn justify even more investment in the theme parks, and that's going to be a good thing for those of us who continue to visit.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Absolutely not. I loved every thing about MDE and Magic Bands. I loved knowing before I even arrived I would actually get to ride TSMM at 4pm and then go to dinner at 6pm.

I loved having a perfect place to watch Illuminations and show up at 10 mins before showtime.

I loved having the magic band at the pool and to run into the gift shop and not carry a room key or money with me.

There was nothing we did not like about the experience and can not wait to go back and do it again.

Where is the view spot for Illuminations?

 

[Sammie]

Where is the view spot for Illuminations?

Behind the gift shops right there overlooking the entrance to world showcase lagoon with a direct straight on view of the globe. First time ever I have actually seen everything projected on it.

 

[Sammie]

I've thought about this a lot, and I think that most of us in the "pro" camp will come to enjoy the new style of trips quite a lot.

Why? It's based on my experiences over the last year or so at WDW, DLR, and DLRP---all of which enforced return times for Fastpass windows as of my most recent trips. That enforcement already changed the game, because now I don't go back for my mid-day break with a pocket full of e-ticket FPs to use at all of the attractions that night. That already means fewer re-rides on the headliners, and we found that we ended up using that time to see "lesser" attractions instead, and often things we never would have time to get to in our pre-enforcement days.

Guess what? We found that those "lesser" attractions were also really quite a lot of fun. In fact, it seemed to us that doing a wider variety of different things over the course of the day made the day better, not worse. My guess is that most people will find something similar in their future trips.

Will everyone? Probably not, and Disney will lose a few of those folks. But, on balance, leveling the playing field seems like it's going to work out very well for Disney. If that does, that will in turn justify even more investment in the theme parks, and that's going to be a good thing for those of us who continue to visit.

Not sure pro would be the term I would use for those upset. Those that are most upset are those that got multiple fastpasses to mainline attractions in multiple parks on the same day.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

In my experience the hysteria over the whole FP+/MB thing is uncalled for. I don't doubt that there have been problems and refinements are needed, but it worked fine for us.

I was really worried about FP+ before my trip and ended up having a blast. I think tweaks are still needed but overall I thought it worked great.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Behind the gift shops right there overlooking the entrance to world showcase lagoon with a direct straight on view of the globe. First time ever I have actually seen everything projected on it.

Thanks! It's where I guess it would be. We did the CP pkg so I didn't both with selecting the Illuminations for the headliner but I had wondered where it was.

Regarding the FP+. Not so thrilled with the attraction limitations nor only being able to get FP's at one park. And the limit of 3. We'll have to take what they give out however and will work with it. I agree it's nice to be able to have FP's set up for a late arrival but that's all negated with the other restrictions.

And we've always done the "lesser" attractions so it's not redirecting us - just limiting us and getting us thinking even more of enjoying other Orlando locations when down there.

 

[AnnaS]

After our first issue with getting into our studio at BCV back in October, we had no more problems with it.

It's really a KTWC just on your wrist. I was not so thrilled with planning so much ahead of time. I only made fps for four out of our 7 days visit.

We will be going back in January for 10 days. I have not made any fps. My dd is going down to work (part of her seasonal hours) and I have no clue which days she will be working, which shift, etc. Since we will be driving her to and from MK- won't bother. Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

In my experience the hysteria over the whole FP+/MB thing is uncalled for. I don't doubt that there have been problems and refinements are needed, but it worked fine for us.

I have to agree. I think it is mostly natural aversion to change. But hey, if all the doubters stop going that will free up some ressies for me. Maybe a waitlist or two will be miraculously granted

 

[twinsouvenirs]

You raise several of the valid problems with the system that have been debated ad nauseum over on the theme park touring board. Actually the system works great for park hopping. You do rope drop and ride standby at the first park, and have your guaranteed fast passes reserved for the second park. So that's something that you couldn't do before. You're right on the tiers and on multiple trips on the same ride in a single day. Some people (me included) believe that Disney considered that with the new system, and intentionally decided to reduce the "commando advantage." I think it's in their business model to make one person who wants to ride TSMM eight times less happy, in exchange for making seven other people who got to the park late and didn't get to ride at all before more happy. Redistributionist? Absolutely. Right or wrong? Not really my call. But Disney is no democracy. They're trying to make more overall guests happy by intentionally evening the playing field somewhat versus the "pro" tourers. And us commandos are going to have to adapt or choose a different vacation. It's still to be seen if the tiers and the three per day limit remain after old FP- is gone. But the idea of "one FP per ride per person per day?" I'd be very confident that will stay.

I guarantee the commandos will adapt. The WDW Today podcast with Len Tessla (sp?) and Mike Scopa (of the Unofficial Guide and Lines app) are already strategizing touring plans for day visitors and resort visitors. It's just a new game with new sets of rules. If you are a rope dropper/commando, the advantage here is that you don't have to run for Legacy FPs. You pick your afternoon rides and allow your early bird advantage to deliver lots of waitless standby lines, knowing you do not need to run all the way to fantasyland in between. There are also some good commando plans on the Resortloop podcast.

It's all about adaptation.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not sure pro would be the term I would use for those upset.

I don't mean pro as in "in favor". I meant pro as in "professional FP collector." And I counted myself among them. But, I think the new rules will be just fine.

 

[jagson]

What does it mean "Valid Theme Park admission" in the recent brochure I received from DVC regarding an upcoming reservation in June? I purchased a couple of 10 nonexpiring parkhopper admissions ticket around 10 years ago, and still have admissions left. Is this a "Valid" ticket for FP+ and MB? I didn't get it through Disney. I've got multiple other questions about the FP+, but will start with this one. I'll continue reading the brochure, and listen to the accompanying doo-hickey that came with the brochure, to try and get a grasp.

 

[robinb]

What does it mean "Valid Theme Park admission" in the recent brochure I received from DVC regarding an upcoming reservation in June? I purchased a couple of 10 nonexpiring parkhopper admissions ticket around 10 years ago, and still have admissions left. Is this a "Valid" ticket for FP+ and MB? I didn't get it through Disney. I've got multiple other questions about the FP+, but will start with this one. I'll continue reading the brochure, and listen to the accompanying doo-hickey that came with the brochure, to try and get a grasp.

Yes, it is a valid admission media, but you will have to convert to a card with RFID. You may have to do it before entering the parks, I'm not sure if WDW has any of the legacy turnstyles anymore.

 

[Brian Noble]

you will have to convert to a card with RFID.

Or you could just use your Magic Bands. Once linked, the tickets are "in there".

 

[jagson]

Yes, it is a valid admission media, but you will have to convert to a card with RFID.

After exploring MDE site, I found a link where I could convert my old ticketes to our MBs. The site says I successfully transferred my tickets, but now I'm having trouble setting the FP+ choices. I'll mess around with it some more, or call MS for help.
I customized my MBs for our trip 6/14. How long does it take to receive the mBs, or do I just pick them up when we get there?

 

[Viva Las Disney]

After exploring MDE site, I found a link where I could convert my old ticketes to our MBs. The site says I successfully transferred my tickets, but now I'm having trouble setting the FP+ choices. I'll mess around with it some more, or call MS for help.
I customized my MBs for our trip 6/14. How long does it take to receive the mBs, or do I just pick them up when we get there?

This is actually my biggest complaint with the FP+ system right now, it relies on an app that's slow and glitchy and the interface to make and change FP+'s is terrible.

I'm hopeful they'll change the whole interface because having the app select the times and then having to modify each individually was a major pain.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I think you have to be within 60 days--if this is for your June trip you may just not have reached your 'window' yet