Our FP+ testing experience 7/19

[delmar411]

One more question regarding FP double dipping.

So, you were chosen to test the FP+ system which meant you got the wrist bands, right? How were you able to use the regular paper FP machines? Did you also get the old Key To The World card as well?

My basic question is, how were you able to use the regular FP machines if you were using the wristbands for all the other stuff?

Thanks!!
Dan

We got KTTW cards as well as bands.

 

[Truelovernr1122]

We got KTTW cards as well as bands.

We got our bands in the mail, should we expect to get the KTTW card at check-in?

 

[Simba77]

It's been terrible the past few weeks. I rarely can connect to it at all.

There are inherent problems with wifi when it comes to serving massive amounts of users in the same area. If there are 500 people all huddled together in a certain area (such as waiting for a parade or fireworks), the math doesn't work, there are technical limitations, interference from competing wifi devices... it's just flat out ugly trying to connect anything 30-40 devices to a single access point, especially if people are trying to upload and/or download anything other than text-based data. Photo and video upload/download will all be competing for bandwidth on the access point itself, and on the entire network.

 

[delmar411]

We got our bands in the mail, should we expect to get the KTTW card at check-in?

At check in

 

[DisneyFive]

We got KTTW cards as well as bands.

We got our bands in the mail, should we expect to get the KTTW card at check-in?

At check in

Great! Thanks for the reply.

Well, Here's hoping that POR is a testing resort in Sept! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I enjoyed FP double dipping last year when were were chosen as one of the very early FP+ testers in Sept. 2012.

Dan

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Thanks so much for posting about your experience. I'm so glad to hear confirmation that we should be able to still get regular FPs. DH is not eligible (he's meeting us at BC and we're doing a split stay), so I was concerned about that. DS will love it if they say his name at Star Tours too.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Sorry if I missed the answer to this but do I need to print a list of my reserved FP+ times or do I get a list at check in? Thanks!!!

 

[Mary Anne]

Unless you have smart phone with the my disney experience software on it, I would print out a copy. I guess you could also ask at Guest Services if you need it.

 

[Tekneek]

Photo and video upload/download will all be competing for bandwidth on the access point itself, and on the entire network.

Indeed. The technical limitations of the technology itself will be something that could bite Disney hard. If they somehow got all the backend ops working in the most ideal way for FP+, they would still have the issues of constant connectivity for guests that they will struggle to resolve (unless Disney is about to roll out some sort of Wifi innovation that will change the game, and somehow have it be compatible with any "smartphone" a guest walks into the park with).

 

[Mary Anne]

I'm here now using fast pass plus and after only less the one day need to say I LOVE THIS.

We checked into Pop this morning about 10 am; I had done a on line check in and all the requests I made were granted. Ground floor, near transportation. We walk out of the room, cross a small street and are at the bus stop. Can't beat that. Our fast passes were sent to my son's house so we had them with us at check in. I did notice a LOT of boxes of them behind the check in counter and tables set up in a corner helping people get them set up. What I've heard also is they didn't get a really big response from people they sent emails too so they are offering it to people as they check in if they did not previously sign up. While there were a lot of people on the bus (with plain gray ones by the way) once we went into the Magic Kingdom I did not see ANY people with them. Also from what I could tell a lot of people were clueless as to what you could do with the magic band and how fast pass plus worked. You use both the band and your finger scan to get into the park. Our fast pass reservations are for the Studios tonight but we were able to get fast passes in the MK using BOTH our room key and our annual passes. I am pretty sure this is a small glitch that will not work once the wrist bands are fully rolled out. It is my understanding from that it is Disney's aim to have it fully rolled out by the 1st of the year.

I was also lucky enough to get an email to get a "fast Pass" to eat at BOG. For today anyway, this did not take away from any of out other fast passes. I ate there this after noon at 1:10 -- we arrived about 30 minutes early but they would not let us check in until our ADR time (no problem) I was more concerned if they weren't going to honor it, since it was not with our other fastpass + reservations but kind of a stand alone and I wanted time to stand on line if needed. No problem at all getting in at our preset time. We ordered our meals last night (there were 4 of us) and we went right to our table and food was brought very quickly. The only small issue we had was my one son in addition to his counter meal wanted to use a snack credit and get a soup. For some reason, and I know I've heard this before there is always an issue with mixing counter and snacks at BOG. So we just paid out of pocket for the soup actually they charged it to our room using the credit card on file with our magic bands. BEST MEAL WE'VE HAD IN A LONG, LONG TIME in Disney. Loved, loved, loved using a fast pass for this. Would definitely do it again, even if it meant using one of our fast pass options. The key to really moving it along is to order your meal ahead of time. We did the reservation over a week ago but just ordered our meal last night.

 

[ArielRae]

So what did everyone eat at BOG? : )

 

[Mary Anne]

1 - French Onion Soup $4.99 Disney Dining Plan Symbol


ENTREES

1 - Grilled Steak Sandwich - with garlic butter spread and pommes frites $11.99

1 - Croque Monsieur - Grilled sandwich of carved ham, Gruyere cheese, and bechamel with Pommes Frites. $10.99

2 - Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin style) - eight-hour slow-cooked pork with mushrooms, onions, carrots and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beens jardiniere $11.99


Desert
3 - Triple Chocolate Cupcake - chocolate sponge cake, chocolate mousse filling, and choclate ganache $2.99 Disney Dining Plan Symbol

1 - Lemon Meringue Cupcake - Vanilla sponge cake, lemon custard filling, flamed merinque icing and crunch $2.99 Disney Dining Plan Symbol

4 - soda's

 

[MattRyan]

I really wanted to test the FastPass+ for BOG on 8/11/2013 and I even set one up, but I have a dinner reservation for BOG that day so, think I will have to pass.

 

[WeddingPrincess]

I'm here now using fast pass plus and after only less the one day need to say I LOVE THIS.

I was also lucky enough to get an email to get a "fast Pass" to eat at BOG.

Thanks Mary Anne, and Delmar! It is great to read reports of those doing the testing in the parks.

Mary Anne, it sounds like you really made the system work for you, that is fabulous!
I will miss having 8+ fp- a day but with a little one our touring has already changed quite a bit.

Very interesting about the "bonus fp+" as a BOG ressie. When you got the notification email about BOG, I'm curious if you had already selected all of your fp+ reservations. And for the ressie, was it on a pre-determined date/time or was that something you had the option of selecting?

 

[ArielRae]

I have Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin style) and the strawberry cupcake booked for myself. Plan to add a cup of ice water when I get there (Aug 27th) since that wasn't an option on the website.

 

[delmar411]

Thanks Mary Anne, and Delmar! It is great to read reports of those doing the testing in the parks.

Mary Anne, it sounds like you really made the system work for you, that is fabulous!
I will miss having 8+ fp- a day but with a little one our touring has already changed quite a bit.

Very interesting about the "bonus fp+" as a BOG ressie. When you got the notification email about BOG, I'm curious if you had already selected all of your fp+ reservations. And for the ressie, was it on a pre-determined date/time or was that something you had the option of selecting?

The BOG email is something totally separate from the FP+ testing so ppl don't have to be testing FP+ to test this. When we got in on this I had an entire week to to pick from and then 3 time slots once I picked a date.

It also told me that I could add ppl when I arrived at the restaurant so I'm not sure how that would work long term if ppl booked 3 or 4 and then showed up with a lot more ppl.

 

[delmar411]

I have Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin style) and the strawberry cupcake booked for myself. Plan to add a cup of ice water when I get there (Aug 27th) since that wasn't an option on the website.

It is self serve fountain drinks so you can just get your cup at the station. I discovered that when we went the other week. It was nice because we didn't have to wait for the food to get a much needed drink.

 

[WeddingPrincess]

The BOG email is something totally separate from the FP+ testing so ppl don't have to be testing FP+ to test this. When we got in on this I had an entire week to to pick from and then 3 time slots once I picked a date.

It also told me that I could add ppl when I arrived at the restaurant so I'm not sure how that would work long term if ppl booked 3 or 4 and then showed up with a lot more ppl.

Gotcha, thanks! Do you think it is part of the MM+? I had not heard of it before now.

 

[delmar411]

Gotcha, thanks! Do you think it is part of the MM+? I had not heard of it before now.

It is part of the MM+ but there is an entire separate site/link for this testing of BOG lunches where you can order your meals in advance, set times and browse the menu.

 

[WeddingPrincess]

It is part of the MM+ but there is an entire separate site/link for this testing of BOG lunches where you can order your meals in advance, set times and browse the menu.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I've never heard of guests receiving random emails offering an ADR before. I really like the idea though!