News Story: FP+ coming to other Disney parks

[OKW Lover]

Thought some of us would be interested in reading this story from the Orlando Sentinel.

An amazing statistic is that half of WDW visitors use FP+ and 90% gave it good or excellent ratings.

The new FP system has resulted in a 50% increase in FP usage.

Hmmmm

 

[jeanigor]

Thought some of us would be interested in reading this story from the Orlando Sentinel.

An amazing statistic is that half of WDW visitors use FP+ and 90% gave it good or excellent ratings.

The new FP system has resulted in a 50% increase in FP usage.

Hmmmm

Although it added extra anxiety and planning pre-trip, it did make our park days more regulated. Instead of just roaming around enjoying the atmosphere and going on rides with little to no wait times, we actually did attractions. And I am guilty of not utilizing the 'classic' FP system much. But I like the FP+ system, at least for small parties.

 

[jcb]

There is something about the OS article that disquiets me but I can't say what it is. I suspect the article is a bit of holiday fluff (but I'm not saying it is "click-bait").

In any event, the citation to the guest satisfaction statistics struck me as odd because this quote is the exact same stat Disney pushed in its August 5, 2014, earnings report conference call. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52037213&postcount=42 Either the statistic has stayed remarkably the same or the OS is using an old statistic (which is one reason I say the article is holiday fluff).

And for the record, I still say that when only half of your guest use "Magic Bands" (which may or may not be the same as saying they use "FP+") and 90% of those rate it "good" or "excellent" that is not a resounding endorsement of FP+.

 

[doconeill]

I haven't been able to read any OS articles that people link because they are behind a paywall by the time I see them.

50% increased FP usage is easy to explain...it didn't increase usage much at headliners, since they were already 100% utilized (although they did increase the pools), but moreso they increased the number of attractions that OFFER FP, and then force people to at least have to select them by requiring selecting 3 to begin with, tiering them at two parks requiring you to select one or two you don't really need, and the lack of headliners available after 60 days makes you choose them even more.

Doesn't mean an increase in the overall experience.

 

[Halbleib1]

We just got back the 24th from an 11 day trip using fp + for the first time. In the past we would use reg fastpass if the wait was 20 mins or longer. Most of the time we did not need it except for the popular rides like toy story mania and soarin. While it was nice not having to rush to get a fp for those rides we found that our schedule was way less flexible than in the past. If we got up and decided we didn't want to go to that park for the day or to go downtown etc too bad unless you were willing to miss out on those rides or were willing to wait in very long lines for some of them. While we have always had dining reservations to work around in the past adding fp+ was just one more thing to work around.

I booked our fastpass for early in the day so that we could get a 4th fastpass if we wanted. We only utilized that option one time as lines at the kiosks were very long. Particularly in the MK and esp this past Sat on. We knew the parks would be very busy from that point on so we went in with a plan and it all worked out in the end.But not allowing you to book the additional fastpass from your mobile device is very inconvenient and hopefully changes in the future as those kiosk lines can be very long. Also in the future I hope they allow you to book your fastpass at more than one park for those with hoppers. Overall we had no problems with the magicbands or fp. I was nervous about the whole system going in but it worked out pretty well.

One day Buzz was down at the end of our fp window and they sent us an email letting us know that we could use it any time that day for either that ride or they provided a list of other rides if you were in a different area of the park. However it needed to be used in that park only so if you were hopping right after you would not have been able to use it. We didn't try to get a 4th that day so I am not sure how that would have worked-if it would have needed to be used first or if they would allow the 4th fastpass. Another hiccup we ran into was getting our 4th fastpass when my husband decided not to go on a ride with us. I could not get him a 4th fastpass with the rest of the group since he had not used his 3rd. I had to go in and change his separately. He had a different time than the rest of us to meet Tink but the times did overlap luckily so in the end it all worked out.

Also there were times that it seemed like the fp line was longer than the standby as everyone was returning at the same time it seemed.

Overall we have mixed feelings about fp+, while we liked fp+ for those hard to get attractions we felt like our day was too planned out and rigid, while at the same time we were grateful to have fp for the popular rides and on the very crowded days. They really got crowded the 20th-23. We have been during this time in the past but this is the most crowded we have seen the parks. I can imagine what it was like yesterday. After Sat in the Magic Kingdom we were ready to come home away from the crowds.

 

[kuzco-like]

I had the same issue on my recent trip. I lucked out, and lines weren't too terrible first thing in the morning, so I was able to ride (multiple times) without using some FPes. This became an issue, as you described with your husband. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought that the FPes expired after a while. However, they don't (or at least they didn't for me), and they became hindrances when trying to get the fourth FP. I also had the luck of being awarded FPes when rides went down, and again, these sometimes got in the way. I fully acknowledge that a lot of my problems were my own user error. But I find the system too quirky and full of tricks and rules to be used easily, especially while touring. Just my humble opinion.

 

[MikeTaylor]

My biggest qualm with this system is not allowing more fast passes for on property guests. Under the old system, we could get about 7 tickets, but it was a nuisance running around to the specific kiosks. Disney has to realize the incentives are slowly dwindling, especially with Uni taking days away. The Extra Magic Hours have always had a cloud of rumors pertaining to its demise.

I think FP+ should be a tiered system with selections by room rate without the ability to add:
8 - Villas
7 - Deluxe
6 - Moderates
5 - Pop and AoA
4 - Pass Holders
3 - All-Stars
2 - Campgrounds
1 - Off Property (with the option to charge your credit card $25 for 3 additional fast passes).

People who pay more expect more. The kiosks in the parks should have a distinction between off-site guests and guests staying on property. If you were unable to add fast passes and the kiosks are only necessary to change selections or times, then the lines would be shorter.

 

[lugnut33]

If they ever do what Mike says that will be my last visit to WDW ever.

 

[dawnhaze]

If they ever do what Mike says that will be my last visit to WDW ever.

Agreed, and very little else would make me stop going.

 

[dkrauss]

If they ever do what Mike says that will be my last visit to WDW ever.

Completely agree with you

 

[MikeTaylor]

The FP+ changes may not be that drastic, but with Link-It-Later, the RFID chips in the refillable mugs, and how a dining experience at BoG is almost exclusive to resort guests now by reservation, etc. the writing is on the wall, regardless of the infuriated masses who accuse Disney of penny-pinching.

Uni has Express Unlimited for $99 per adult on a weekend, that's "grass is greener" potential money Disney is losing. Granted, the L-i-L Magic Bands are $22.50 on eBay for generic colors (don't know what Disney charges), so after you link them to a park ticket, that's $7.50 per fast pass selection.

 

[cwojchik]

What are LIL bands? I am reading everything I can on fastpass but missed that?!

 

[jcb]

People who pay more expect more.

People who can pay more don't mess around with FP+. Disney has several VIP tours. The premium VIP tour provides "The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently, even repeatedly" The cost of each Private Premium VIP Tour varies between $360 and $500 per hour, depending on the season.

Other VIP tours provide "expedited admission" or "expedited entry" to specific attractions. These are the "Ultimate Day for Young Families VIP Tour" and the "Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour." Both are $299 per person, plus tax. For these VIP tours, theme park admission is required and is not included with the cost of the VIP Tour.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

 

[doconeill]

What are LIL bands? I am reading everything I can on fastpass but missed that?!

Link-It-Later is just the "feature" that allows you to purchase the regular MagicBands and not have to immediately link them to an MDX account. They don't provide FastPass+ at all, so I think a bigger deal is being made over it than it really is.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Didn't have time to read all the posts so if this repeats what someone else has posted. Sorry.
People who pay more do get more for the RESORT at which they are staying. Bigger better pools, concierge services, larger rooms, benches at bus stops, table service restaurants in the resort are what your extra dollars buy. Park tickets are same price no matter what your resort unless Disney had some promotion available. My dollars for park tickets should get me the same Fast Pass + options no matter what I am paying for my resort. At least in my humble opinion.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Didn't have time to read all the posts so if this repeats what someone else has posted. Sorry.
People who pay more do get more for the RESORT at which they are staying. Bigger better pools, concierge services, larger rooms, benches at bus stops, table service restaurants in the resort are what your extra dollars buy. Park tickets are same price no matter what your resort unless Disney had some promotion available. My dollars for park tickets should get me the same Fast Pass + options no matter what I am paying for my resort. At least in my humble opinion.

I completely agree.