please help my understand the evil of MyMagic+ & Fastpass+

[mesaboy2]

Well the more I think about it, you're lucky to pull off more than 3 fastpasses in a day anyway, considering that you're not allowed to pull a new one a few hours after the first one anyway.

Huh?

 

[mom2rtk]

Well the more I think about it, you're lucky to pull off more than 3 fastpasses in a day anyway, considering that you're not allowed to pull a new one a few hours after the first one anyway.

The rule is you can pull one 2 hours after your last one, or when the window opens on your last one. If you are there early in the day, windows open much quicker than 2 hours so you can accumulate and use a lot more than 3 in a day.

This is a huge limitation for those who fully used FP previously.

Just the mere fact that you cannot duplicate a ride with FP+ by itself is a huge limitation for many.

 

[mjallemand]

Huh?

The last trip was almost a year ago, but I'm pretty sure when you pull a fastpass, you had to wait something like 2 or 3 hours before you could pull another one.

 

[mesaboy2]

The last trip was almost a year ago, but I'm pretty sure when you pull a fastpass, you had to wait something like 2 or 3 hours before you could pull another one.

See mom2rtk's explanation above. The most you ever had to wait is 2 hours, so over the course of a day it is easy to accumulate 6 FPs or more.

 

[roxazul]

Just the mere fact that you cannot duplicate a ride with FP+ by itself is a huge limitation for many.

This.

 

[TDC Nala]

Nobody's actually seen anything from Disney yet regarding who will get fastpasses and how many and who can book ahead of time, because they're still testing.

If it's OK for offsite guests to prebook, then they'd need a ticket linked in MDE to do so. That would preclude anyone who doesn't buy their park tickets ahead of time. Brilliant marketing! Guests might not want to wait until they arrive to buy tickets.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Just the mere fact that you cannot duplicate a ride with FP+ by itself is a huge limitation for many.

This is probably the #1 biggest issue I have with FP+ as it's currently structured. We probably only pull 3 FPs on our DHS days...but they're all for TSM. We don't ride TOT or RNRC, and the lines at Star Tours are generally short enough (and the queue interesting enough) that we really don't need FPs for it.

 

[tndisneyfan]

Just the mere fact that you cannot duplicate a ride with FP+ by itself is a huge limitation for many.

I haven't even thought about this aspect of it. .

 

[bjakmom]

I'm not a fan of the 60 day pre-plan - or any pre-plan, locked in to FP times any earlier than morning of. All 4 of my sibs and their extended families of kids and grandkids feel the same - none of us has scheduled our regular trips - in a wait and see mode.

The last two trips I have taken we have changed our plans for at least 2 out of our 4 and 8 day trips. Over the years, I have had even worse schedule changes when the flu hit us 1 by 1. And we sometimes meet FL family and friends in the parks for the day. Sometimes the kids wanted to revisit a park instead of the planned one, big storm moved in, got to the pool and no one wanted to leave and return to a park, someone not feeling well, etc. I am a huge planner - and then I roll with it and change the plan so we are having fun. No way do I want to be picking rides and ride times 60 days out. And you can say, 'then don't', but as this gets rolled out you will be forced to if you want FPs for the headliners at least (IMHO) and not spend your day standing in hour + lines.

FP has been such a successful way of touring for us over the years, that I will miss it - and there is nothing I am hearing about FP+ (I know they are not releasing much info, so maybe I'll be surprised - fingers crossed) that sounds good to me - except maybe for going into a park late and having FP+ for headliners. The thought of trying to coordinate all the different ages and families I travel with gives me a headache. I already spent 45 mins on the phone with MDX just trying to get my DVC res linked for Nov. Now one daughter shows up as a friend instead of family - but she won't travel with me again for over a year, so I'm not going to bother with that for now.

Every trip there is at least 1 ride that someone wants to do over (and over) - I will really miss that opportunity and only ride standby. I don't know why people don't pull FP-s the AK whirl and hurl ride was DGrD10s infatuation 2 weeks ago. The FPs were only 20 mins out and the line was 30 mins. We just kept pulling FPs and she rode 6 times (I don't ride it, so she used my FP).

I am convinced that Disney wants to spread the use of FP+ out among everyone and force-feed FP+s to those who don't usually bother with them. I get this logic and maybe it will be a big boost for them and make many people have a better day - but for us it looks like a minus. I know they are a business and don't worry about us.

Still love Disney - still going to run the race in Nov and maybe do a day or 2 of parks (especially if FP- is still available)- I will even try the MB if they offer it to me (only if FP- is still available) - still going back to spend a couple of days at the new VGF in Jan and maybe 1 park day and a tour. But I already turned down investing in more DVC points for now and I am not scheduling any more trips for 2014 until I see how this all works. Maybe we'll have to do fewer trips for longer periods with fewer park days scheduled - and, after spending 5 days at USF/IOA and Seaworld last week - everyone wants to make that our next big family vacation - staying on site there was soooo stress free it was unbelievable. We'll see. . . I'm still not giving up hope that Disney may open up FP+ bookings at 6 AM day of.
I could adjust to 3 or 4 FP+ if I didn't have to lock in weeks or months in advance. Again - fingers crossed!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Nobody's actually seen anything from Disney yet regarding who will get fastpasses and how many and who can book ahead of time, because they're still testing.

This is what I thought too. I am confused why everyone seems so confident that offsite guests including AP holders are going to be able to prebook.

 

[Golf4283]

I'm not a fan of the 60 day pre-plan - or any pre-plan, locked in to FP times any earlier than morning of. All 4 of my sibs and their extended families of kids and grandkids feel the same - none of us has scheduled our regular trips - in a wait and see mode.

The last two trips I have taken we have changed our plans for at least 2 out of our 4 and 8 day trips. Over the years, I have had even worse schedule changes when the flu hit us 1 by 1. And we sometimes meet FL family and friends in the parks for the day. Sometimes the kids wanted to revisit a park instead of the planned one, big storm moved in, got to the pool and no one wanted to leave and return to a park, someone not feeling well, etc. I am a huge planner - and then I roll with it and change the plan so we are having fun. No way do I want to be picking rides and ride times 60 days out. And you can say, 'then don't', but as this gets rolled out you will be forced to if you want FPs for the headliners at least (IMHO) and not spend your day standing in hour + lines.

FP has been such a successful way of touring for us over the years, that I will miss it - and there is nothing I am hearing about FP+ (I know they are not releasing much info, so maybe I'll be surprised - fingers crossed) that sounds good to me - except maybe for going into a park late and having FP+ for headliners. The thought of trying to coordinate all the different ages and families I travel with gives me a headache. I already spent 45 mins on the phone with MDX just trying to get my DVC res linked for Nov. Now one daughter shows up as a friend instead of family - but she won't travel with me again for over a year, so I'm not going to bother with that for now.

Every trip there is at least 1 ride that someone wants to do over (and over) - I will really miss that opportunity and only ride standby. I don't know why people don't pull FP-s the wait for the AK whirl and hurl ride was DGrD10s infatuation 2 weeks ago. The FPs were only 20 mins out and the line was 30 mins. We just kept pulling FPs and she rode 6 times (I don't ride it, so she used my FP).

I am convinced that Disney wants to spread the use of FP+ out among everyone and force-feed FP+s to those who don't usually bother with them. I get this logic and maybe it will be a big boost for them and make many people have a better day - but for us it looks like a minus. I know they are a business and don't worry about us.

Still love Disney - still going to run the race in Nov and maybe do a day or 2 of parks (especially if FP- is still available)- I will even try the MB if they offer it to me (only if FP- is still available) - still going back to spend a couple of days at the new VGF in Jan and maybe 1 park day and a tour. But I already turned down investing in more DVC points for now and I am not scheduling any more trips for 2014 until I see how this all works. Maybe we'll have to do fewer trips for longer periods with fewer park days scheduled - and, after spending 5 days at USF/IOA and Seaworld last week - everyone wants to make that our next big family vacation - staying on site there was soooo stress free it was unbelievable. We'll see. . . I'm still not giving up hope that Disney may open up FP+ bookings at 6 AM day of.
I could adjust to 3 or 4 FP+ if I didn't have to lock in weeks or months in advance. Again - fingers crossed!

So you mean to tell me that the thought of sitting on your phone or a computer kiosk is more daunting then to have to collect 14-15 paper tickets, coordinate walking to the fastpass kiosk (at the individual ride), ensuring the return time is ok once you get to said ride, ensuring all tickets disperse a correct fastpass, re-finding your entire party if you were to run ahead, make sure you aren't completely wiped out when the time comes around.

With Fastpass+ you just click a button and go about your business. You want to change later on you can. Options may be limited but that's the price you pay for wanting to change.

Why does everyone just assume that all fastpass+ will be booked 60 days out? I understand that with dining they get filled up but dining is a finite amount of reservations available. There are only so many tables/slow eaters etc. If a ride is working properly there is a greater amount of people that can go through it then a sit down restaurant. I really hate the ADR and FP+ comparisons cause they're not the same.

 

[Robbi]

First I am not trying to tell anybody they are wrong for feeling the way that they do or that they are getting it all wrong and this is all magic and pixie dust I am just trying to gain some understanding
Please help me understand why people are going to stop traveling to WDW because of the new systems being put into place.
I will admit I have not read every thread about them but have tried to gain a decent understanding. I just don’t get what is there to keep me from not going back.
My background with Disney travel, Disney land in the 60’s very early 70’s before WDW was open and DL in 80’s as well. WDW 1974 and more times than I can count since.
Is it just that it is change? Is there some inherent evil that I am not seeing? I used to plan out every last detail now we make an outline of what we want to do and then I kind of figure out what park on what days to try to see everything. Some trips we never even get a fast pass. Doesn’t bother us as we (DW and I) remember touring before there was such a thing as fast pass and we have ways to amuse ourselves as we stand in line either with a scavenger hunt that we make and print out before we go or take in all the little things that Disney has put in the waiting queues to look at. (There are more distractions in waiting lines at Disney then there is in people watching at Wal-Mart on a Sunday afternoon and there can be some real oddities there let me tell ya lol)
If it is the change thing maybe it won’t be that bad once worked out. I remember being the remote for our TV growing up (hey Dave get up and turn the channel or turn up the volume), only having three channels of TV. And trying to get the channel a little clearer but moving the antenna a bit. That technology seemed to work out (maybe not for the better of society with the 200 channels of garbage that is on but that is another topic)
Is it having to plan every little bit before hand and put it on your phone or wrist band?
Has everybody that is negative about it tried it yet?
Please help me understand because I am not getting it.
Goofydad621

We like to park hop and use FPs. This doesn't look like a possibility with the +.
Also, now we have a grandchild. Everyone with children knows how impossible it sometimes is to plan a day at a time much less try to plan park days months in advance. We really don't like having to make dining reservations in advance so having to schedule TSM at 10:30 in the morning on January 9,2014, for example, is not sitting well.

Many people have to follow schedules in their daily lives with school, work, etc. It isn't something they want to do on vacation.

I can understand how single people or just adults traveling might like it because they can sleep in and go about their way but it isn't that easy with little ones.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think you can assume they will all be booked up ahead of time. But you can't assume everything will be there either.

In either case, it's changing the whole dynamic. Before, everyone was on a level playing field when they entered the park. Now, there will be prebooking head of time, rules yet to be determined.

I think it will end up being similar to ADRs in the sense of getting up early on Day-Whatever to try to get your ride schedule. And they will run out on certain days, just like ADRs.

 

[dayvewc]

This is what I thought too. I am confused why everyone seems so confident that offsite guests including AP holders are going to be able to prebook.

according to the FAQ,

Q.
Is FastPass+ service complimentary?

A.
Yes. FastPass+ service is complimentary for FastPass+ eligible Guests with valid theme park admission.

The only restriction is a valid admission - that implies offsite and AP guests.

Hope that helps.

 

[ses1230]

Why does everyone just assume that all fastpass+ will be booked 60 days out? I understand that with dining they get filled up but dining is a finite amount of reservations available. There are only so many tables/slow eaters etc. If a ride is working properly there is a greater amount of people that can go through it then a sit down restaurant. I really hate the ADR and FP+ comparisons cause they're not the same.

Not all. But if Disney releases all FP+ slots for prebooking, attractions like TSM, Soarin, etc. will book up in advance. They run out of FP now. There may be greater availability than ADR slots, but ride capacity is finite also.

 

[ParrotBill]

I read an article interviewing a Disney spokesperson that said a portion of fastpass+ capacity would be set aside for advance booking.

I have not seen anything that suggests advance booking will be possible if you don't have a resort reservation.

But that is yet to be seen!

 

[ArwenMarie]

according to the FAQ,

Q.
Is FastPass+ service complimentary?

A.
Yes. FastPass+ service is complimentary for FastPass+ eligible Guests with valid theme park admission.

The only restriction is a valid admission - that implies offsite and AP guests.

Hope that helps.

"FastPass+ service is complimentary for FastPass+ eligible Guests with valid theme park admission."

I don't see one condition there...I see two that both have to be met.

1. Be a Fastpass+ eligible guest.
2. And have a valid park admission.

So the question remains...Who is a "Fastpass+ eligible guest"?

I think that is the question that has not been answered yet.

 

[dayvewc]

"FastPass+ service is complimentary for FastPass+ eligible Guests with valid theme park admission."

I don't see one condition there...I see two that both have to be met.

1. Be a Fastpass+ eligible guest.
2. And have a valid park admission.

So the question remains...Who is a "Fastpass+ eligible guest"?

I think that is the question that has not been answered yet.

I completely understand that the requirements can be viewed as two separate conditions. I just knew I remembered the press release that addressed that, it just took me a bit to find it.

• Disney FastPass+ service is included with theme park admission.

This is an article from the Official (Original) press release. Now, I'm not saying that Disney can't change their mind, but I have not heard of any official word saying that they plan to.

I prefer to remain optimistic that the "eligibility" conundrum is simply for the testing phase as they roll-out the program, and when it is complete the FAQ will be updated to reflect that.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I completely understand that the requirements can be viewed as two separate conditions. I just knew I remembered the press release that addressed that, it just took me a bit to find it.

• Disney FastPass+ service is included with theme park admission.

This is an article from the Official (Original) press release. Now, I'm not saying that Disney can't change their mind, but I have not heard of any official word saying that they plan to.

I prefer to remain optimistic that the "eligibility" conundrum is simply for the testing phase as they roll-out the program, and when it is complete the FAQ will be updated to reflect that.

Even in that sentence...I guess the question is what is Fastpass plus? What does booking ahead of time mean? Even if you book a ride same day or an hour before, does that mean you booked it ahead?

I am hoping that it is just a valid ticket and not an onsite stay that allows you to truly book ahead of time (60 days etc). And along with that, I hope its the same amount of prebooking time. However, I guess I'm not that optimistic that there won't be a difference between onsite and offsite, unlike now. Even if its just because of the length-of-stay booking.

We shall see I guess! Thanks for that link!

 

[karenlynn416]

I know we aren't the rule, but the exception... DBF and I live about 45 minutes away from Disney and have APs. We'll sometimes decide on a Tuesday, "hey, we're both off this weekend, lets go to disney!" We'll get a hotel (sometimes on property, sometimes off, depending on the deals) and make a trip down there.

FP+ isn't super convenient for us. We're leaving in a week for 6 days at POR and this trip has been planned for MONTHS because its, in part, a birthday gift for my niece who's coming up on Friday for MNSSHP. POR is testing FP+, so at least this time, we're able to plan, however we've changed our mind about what park we are doing on which day at the beginning of the week at least twice and had to shuffle around our fps for those changes. Pretty sure thats not even going to be a possibility, much less an option for our spur of the moment trips. With the APs we've become a little spoiled and don't like to wait in lines. He's more patient than I am and I think his max is about 25 minutes. We also don't have kids, so usually our days are spent hopping for thrill rides. Also not convenient for the new FPs.

Guess we're just going to have to wait and see how it all works out.