Non-resort guests can not reserve FP+ early

[AmyB2006]

Sometimes I feel invisible...

Anyway, as I've said I think that this is a good indication that at the very least booking FP+ via APP will be likely for even offsite guests. I see this as a good development.

You and me both. :/

I agree with you. I think off site guests will eventually be able to prebook FP+ as well. I think this is an indication of that.

 

[AmyB2006]

We have never cared about EMH. In fact, we avoid parks on those days. It's not a perk for us, even when staying on site. FP has always been associated with a ticket, not an on site resort. So to make that an on site resort perk only...it's just not okay. What's next? Only on site people can make ADRs, and the humble off site guests have to hope that we can get a walk up? That can be difficult during peak season.

I guess we can always find a turkey leg to gnaw on...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Just because you, personally, don't consider it a perk, doesn't mean it isn't a perk that's offered. You just don't like it. I don't think they're making FP+ an on site perk only. Right now it is, but I don't think it's going to stay that way. I think the article posted saying they're going to be testing it for off site guests confirms that.

 

[AmyB2006]

And Disney is way behind their in-town competitors at Universal, who offer all-day front-of-the-line-access their onsite guests. Disney is just playing catch-up, very slowly.

Funny you say this. I forget who but someone recently posted that Universal just filed for a patent on a system similar to Disney's FP+ system. So it sounds like Universal might be moving to "catch up" to Disney.

 

[Hisgirl]

As frustrated as I get with various policies, I have to remind myself WDW is a publicly held company. Their decisions are driven by keeping stock-holders happy. That means focusing on profit.

And if limiting FP+ reservations to onsite will increase onsite reservations, of course they will do this. After looking at onsite rates via travelocity with a 15% off coupon, or Cheaptickets with a 20% off coupon during a room discount time, I would think most anyone could afford to stay onsite. I was seeing rooms as cheap as $68.

I'm quite frustrated by the results of WDW's heavy promotions in other countries which has now filled the parks to overflow. But this brings WDW more profit.

While it started with a mouse, it has come around to the almighty dollar. I just hope they don't forget the mouse in the process.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wrote this on another thread, but I'll post it here too...

Full MyMagic+ testing for offsite guests to take place during January

Disney will soon begin testing the full range of MyMagic+ components for offsite resort guests.

During January 2014, selected offsite guests will be testing most of the MyMagic+ elements, including My Disney Experience, FastPass+ at all four parks and the use of MagicBands. Disney has previously said that MagicBands will be available to offsite guests for a fee in place of using the card based ticket media.

This test is significant, because it will represent the first time that offsite guests can use the full range of MyMagic+ services. The current tests of FastPass+ at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the upcoming Magic Kingdom test are restricted to just the FastPass+ component.

"Most of the MyMagic+ elements"....Hmmm...not convinced this means there will be prebooking for offsite. Sounds like they are going to test letting offsiters have bands and charging capabilities? With the goal of selling MBs one day

I think there is a lot in the definitions...What does "MyMagic+" mean to Disney versus the rest of us. Or even "FP+". I think FP+ to Disney means electronic FP including same-day in the parks. I think FP+ to most of us means prebooked FPs. I think they could say, yes, offsite guests have FP+ now and still keep the same-day kiosks.

In other words, all I read out of this is that they are going to give MagicBands to some offsiters, let them link a CC to it, and let them use it for their FPs that could still be selected in-park, park tickets and charging.

 

[blessedby3]

I hope there is a pre booking option for offsite before our June trip. We are staying offsite for 2 weeks but my dd's and I are also booked at AOA for 2 nights during that 2 weeks. That means that we would have the ability to prebook, but DH, DS, and DSIL who aren't staying on property at all couldn't.
I can't imagine having to wait in a line on the day of park arrivals to try and get them FP+ for the same times as DD's and I (that are already prebooked)

 

[snorkelyn]

I hope there is a pre booking option for offsite before our June trip. We are staying offsite for 2 weeks but my dd's and I are also booked at AOA for 2 nights during that 2 weeks. That means that we would have the ability to prebook, but DH, DS, and DSIL who aren't staying on property at all couldn't.
I can't imagine having to wait in a line on the day of park arrivals to try and get them FP+ for the same times as DD's and I (that are already prebooked)

Could you add extra people (either DH, DS and DSIL) on the AOA reservation? Occupancy allows 4 people in those rooms. Or 6 in a suite. Would they then also have the ability to get a MB and participate in FP+?

 

[Planogirl]

Planogirl posted this a couple of days ago in this thread, and then even started a thread about it. No offense Robo, but Planogirl scooped you on this one.

It happens. Thanks.

Funny you say this. I forget who but someone recently posted that Universal just filed for a patent on a system similar to Disney's FP+ system. So it sounds like Universal might be moving to "catch up" to Disney.

I personally doubt that Universal will go for the exact same thing. Universal only has a few resorts so their circumstances are quite a bit different. They have been criticized a lot for charging so much for Express so maybe they are reacting to that?

I wrote this on another thread, but I'll post it here too...

Full MyMagic+ testing for offsite guests to take place during January

Disney will soon begin testing the full range of MyMagic+ components for offsite resort guests.

During January 2014, selected offsite guests will be testing most of the MyMagic+ elements, including My Disney Experience, FastPass+ at all four parks and the use of MagicBands. Disney has previously said that MagicBands will be available to offsite guests for a fee in place of using the card based ticket media.

This test is significant, because it will represent the first time that offsite guests can use the full range of MyMagic+ services. The current tests of FastPass+ at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the upcoming Magic Kingdom test are restricted to just the FastPass+ component.

"Most of the MyMagic+ elements"....Hmmm...not convinced this means there will be prebooking for offsite. Sounds like they are going to test letting offsiters have bands and charging capabilities? With the goal of selling MBs one day

I think there is a lot in the definitions...What does "MyMagic+" mean to Disney versus the rest of us. Or even "FP+". I think FP+ to Disney means electronic FP including same-day in the parks. I think FP+ to most of us means prebooked FPs. I think they could say, yes, offsite guests have FP+ now and still keep the same-day kiosks.

In other words, all I read out of this is that they are going to give MagicBands to some offsiters, let them link a CC to it, and let them use it for their FPs that could still be selected in-park, park tickets and charging.

I still have doubts about prebooking too. I could see allowing use of the online App though. That would be sensible to keep the lines at the kiosks down. They have way too few kiosks to handle the number of people they supposedly hope will use FP+.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I still have doubts about prebooking too. I could see allowing use of the online App though. That would be sensible to keep the lines at the kiosks down. They have way too few kiosks to handle the number of people they supposedly hope will use FP+.

That's a good point. Moving people to the app would be a plus for them, even if it is same-day only once you used your linked ticket to enter.

Getting people to link a credit card to their account and use MBs to charge while they are in the parks would also be a plus (assuming it is true that people spend more while wearing a CC-linked MB).

 

[mill4023]

Why is everyone making a fuss over the argument that "We bought the same tickets as people on-site, why can't we book FP+ early too?" Like, I'm genuinely confused.

For YEARS, everyone has spent the same on WDW tickets, but onsite guests get EMH, so technically they've been ahead of off-siters for a while now. With FP+, it's simply a newer perk to entice people to stay on site, and smart on Disney's end. Have people turned away from WDW in the past because they couldn't enjoy EMH due to staying offsite? Even of they have, they obviously weren't ROI guests anyway.

It all boils down to this: If you want the perks, you stay on site. If you don't, then you don't.

The difference is that EMH is a perk that doesn't negatively affect off-site guests. At least not in any noticeable way.

Eliminating the existing FP system and allowing only on-site guests to pre-book FP+ means that you are taking a large number of FP slots that used to be available to everyone and making them available only for on-site guests.

Are you really surprised that people would be upset when they find out WDW is going to take away something they used to have?

 

[3happydancers]

Just because you, personally, don't consider it a perk, doesn't mean it isn't a perk that's offered. You just don't like it. I don't think they're making FP+ an on site perk only. Right now it is, but I don't think it's going to stay that way. I think the article posted saying they're going to be testing it for off site guests confirms that.

We all have our own feelings on the situation but personally, I find the FP+ system a PAIN not a PERK. Three passes for an entire day, for one park, add in the tier system = PAIN. The old system allowed everyone to chose the ride and were able to ride the same attraction many times if they wished. We were able to pull fast passes at one park, hop to another park later in the day, and pull fast passes there too. Sorry, but for the money we are being charged for hoppers and taking this feature away is very restrictive. And for the record, I stay on property.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

That's a good point. Moving people to the app would be a plus for them, even if it is same-day only once you used your linked ticket to enter.

Getting people to link a credit card to their account and use MBs to charge while they are in the parks would also be a plus (assuming it is true that people spend more while wearing a CC-linked MB).

I don't think you will get many off-site guest to stop when they enter the park to load a CC on to their card over an open wifi system. I think they will be annoyed enough to be stopping to book rides before they ride anything. I will say again. Does it make more sense for Disney to be talking about locking on-site guest into their parks before leaving home or off-site guest? Totally locking off-site guest out of pre-booking locks them into nothing. It will lead to those guest being open to all the other Orlando attractions and that park down the road throwing up new rides and letting everyone know that are doing it! Disney would lose some of those guest linking a credit card to their account to maybe do more purchasing. If those guest gets pulled in by the other local attractions, then Disney losing their ticket money, their parking fee, their food and souvenirs purchases, and the chance to sell that family MBs. Once a family purchase Disney tickets, my bet would that 99% of them are going to Disney. That park down the road has less of a draw because you already have money spent at Disney and very few like to waste money.

I just don't get the idea that there is no financial reason for Disney to offer off-site guest pre-booking. There are lots of financial reasons for Disney to do this. Disney know that there are many people that can't or won't stay on-site and Disney needs their money too.

 

[3happydancers]

And if limiting FP+ reservations to onsite will increase onsite reservations, of course they will do this. After looking at onsite rates via travelocity with a 15% off coupon, or Cheaptickets with a 20% off coupon during a room discount time, I would think most anyone could afford to stay onsite. I was seeing rooms as cheap as $68.

Maybe for some, but for families with several children, these discounts really do not help. Most Disney resorts only allow 4 to a room unless you pay big bucks for a villa. In many cases, even reserving 2 rooms can be very costly. Staying off-site affords these families the opportunity a trip to Disney by saving on the room cost hence, applying that money toward tickets and other necessities.


While it started with a mouse, it has come around to the almighty dollar. I just hope they don't forget the mouse in the process. [/QUOTE]

I think they already have!

 

[3happydancers]

Sometimes I feel invisible...

Anyway, as I've said I think that this is a good indication that at the very least booking FP+ via APP will be likely for even offsite guests. I see this as a good development.

This will help, but only if you own a Smart Phone and many people still do not, my family included. So should we be forced to buy into a Smart Phone for the sake of Disney in order to level the playing ground? I'm sorry, but this whole FP+ thing has my family soooo frustrated. I know Disney is a business and they can do what they want, but it doesn't make it right.

 

[momof2n2]

This will help, but only if you own a Smart Phone and many people still do not, my family included. So should we be forced to buy into a Smart Phone for the sake of Disney in order to level the playing ground? I'm sorry, but this whole FP+ thing has my family soooo frustrated. I know Disney is a business and they can do what they want, but it doesn't make it right.

I know - I was actually contemplating getting an iPhone just for my vacation. LOL

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I think Disney has wised up and i am glad. Just giving EMH isn't enough anymore for many. I think onsite people want more.

As to people complaining about Disney onsite not being affordable for large families, sorry but oh well, it's not on Disney to provide large rooms for your family. The typical family is 4, thats the norm that's what they accommodate.

FP in general, EMH and preferred seating for shows and dining should be given to people willing to spend the money to stay on site.

 

[3happydancers]

I know - I was actually contemplating getting an iPhone just for my vacation. LOL

Even if I wanted to, it is not an option as finances do not allow for this extra. I am sure I am not the only one who is faced with this situation.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Even if I wanted to, it is not an option as finances do not allow for this extra. I am sure I am not the only one who is faced with this situation.

This is our family too. We did purchase a Samsung tablet last year and put wifi on with one of the goals to use it at Disney. The Disney app is not compatible with it and won't download.

 

[momof2n2]

Even if I wanted to, it is not an option as finances do not allow for this extra. I am sure I am not the only one who is faced with this situation.

OT I'm looking at the Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plan no contract. My iPod is dying and it doesn't cost much more to buy the phone.

 

[blessedby3]

Could you add extra people (either DH, DS and DSIL) on the AOA reservation? Occupancy allows 4 people in those rooms. Or 6 in a suite. Would they then also have the ability to get a MB and participate in FP+?

No, we are in a LM room…only sleeps 4. Me, DD24, DD15 and DD6 will be in the LM room. Even with the suite (which I don't want to pay that much for) it would only hold 6 of the 7 of us.