Review - Tested New Fast Pass System December 11 & 14

[SnowyWhite]

We were sent an email to test the new fast pass system during our stay at Disney World in mid-December (it was the test week).
We made our fast pass selections online prior to our trip - Loved that!
We could choose four selections for the times we wanted to ride or visit a particular attraction (Note: not all attractions were available).
Prior to leaving we were sent a plastic card (same size as your room/ticket card) that we used in the park for our selected fast passes.
We were able to make changes to our selections using our smartphone while we were at Disney World.
Cast Members were helpful at customer service replacing my son's fast pass card that he lost on Space Mountain.
It SAVED SO MUCH TIME and A LOT LESS WALKING not having to run from one side of the park to the other to collect fast passes!
Unfortunately, once they were used up we were no longer able to add more fast passes, so we then used the paper ones at the kiosks near the rides.
I would imagine that it would be a bit overwhelming for the first time Disney visitor if they were not familiar with the parks and attractions, but for those who know what they love - it was terrific!

 

[WEDWDW]

Glad you liked FP+.

It will be great for Guests who like "structure".

I will have to get "acclimated" to it,I don't like to do a lot of planning-I always arrive at a Park at Rope Drop,BUT some days,I don't even decide on which Park I want to go to go to until I wake up that day-FP+ will change that "freedom".

 

[Missyrose]

We were sent an email to test the new fast pass system during our stay at Disney World in mid-December (it was the test week).
We made our fast pass selections online prior to our trip - Loved that!
We could choose four selections for the times we wanted to ride or visit a particular attraction (Note: not all attractions were available).
Prior to leaving we were sent a plastic card (same size as your room/ticket card) that we used in the park for our selected fast passes.
We were able to make changes to our selections using our smartphone while we were at Disney World.
Cast Members were helpful at customer service replacing my son's fast pass card that he lost on Space Mountain.
It SAVED SO MUCH TIME and A LOT LESS WALKING not having to run from one side of the park to the other to collect fast passes!
Unfortunately, once they were used up we were no longer able to add more fast passes, so we then used the paper ones at the kiosks near the rides.
I would imagine that it would be a bit overwhelming for the first time Disney visitor if they were not familiar with the parks and attractions, but for those who know what they love - it was terrific!

Glad to see you enjoyed the experience. Quick question though, how would your feelings about the new system change if you hadn't been able to get regular FPs on top of FP+?

 

[Laketravis]

Have you gotten the followup survey yet?

 

[SnowyWhite]

We would have been disappointed if we were only able to use the four choices originally given with the new fast pass system - especially if we were not given an opportunity to get any additional fast passes later in the day once the initial ones were used.

We were lucky to be able to use the paper ones later in the day, but I would imagine Disney will not offer both types of fast passes in the future once they get the new system up and running.

We did receive the follow-up survey. We made suggestions considering how difficult it may be for first time visitors to use the new system. We suggested making category choices for the first time visitor such as selections for the thrill seeker, or selections for those traveling with young children, or selections for those who enjoy shows ...

It would also be nice to have kiosks set up in several convenient locations throughout the park to check your fast pass times if you do not have a smartphone.

Additional note: It was a little time consuming setting things up online for the first time and learning how to navigate the site and make changes. We got used to it and felt it was worth the time and effort prior to our trip. Overall, I still prefer it over the paper passes ... they just need to offer more times a day for fast passes (not just 4)!

 

[Missyrose]

We would have been disappointed if we were only able to use the four choices originally given with the new fast pass system - especially if we were not given an opportunity to get any additional fast passes later in the day once the initial ones were used.

We were lucky to be able to use the paper ones later in the day, but I would imagine Disney will not offer both types of fast passes in the future once they get the new system up and running.

We did receive the follow-up survey. We made suggestions considering how difficult it may be for first time visitors to use the new system. We suggested making category choices for the first time visitor such as selections for the thrill seeker, or selections for those traveling with young children, or selections for those who enjoy shows ...

It would also be nice to have kiosks set up in several convenient locations throughout the park to check your fast pass times if you do not have a smartphone.

Additional note: It was a little time consuming setting things up online for the first time and learning how to navigate the site and make changes. We got used to it and felt it was worth the time and effort prior to our trip. Overall, I still prefer it over the paper passes ... they just need to offer more times a day for fast passes (not just 4)!

Thanks for checking back in with your review!

 

[LaniesMom]

We would have been disappointed if we were only able to use the four choices originally given with the new fast pass system - especially if we were not given an opportunity to get any additional fast passes later in the day once the initial ones were used.

We were lucky to be able to use the paper ones later in the day, but I would imagine Disney will not offer both types of fast passes in the future once they get the new system up and running.

We did receive the follow-up survey. We made suggestions considering how difficult it may be for first time visitors to use the new system. We suggested making category choices for the first time visitor such as selections for the thrill seeker, or selections for those traveling with young children, or selections for those who enjoy shows ...

It would also be nice to have kiosks set up in several convenient locations throughout the park to check your fast pass times if you do not have a smartphone.

Additional note: It was a little time consuming setting things up online for the first time and learning how to navigate the site and make changes. We got used to it and felt it was worth the time and effort prior to our trip. Overall, I still prefer it over the paper passes ... they just need to offer more times a day for fast passes (not just 4)!

It's great that you came back to give us your feedback. Regarding the bolded above: did you mention this in your survey as well? That you would prefer more than 4?
Thanks!

 

[SnowyWhite]

Yes! I did mention that four options was NOT enough!
I made suggestions for first timers (as mentioned above),
And questioned how it would work for Annual Pass Holders and those using park hopper tickets. Also suggested more kiosks throughout the parks for those without smartphones.
Our experience was definitely positive with the new fast pass system, but there are definitely some changes that could make it better.

 

[TaraPA]

Hi SnowyWhite!

So glad you had a great experience using FP+. We were there those dates as well, and also part of the test.

I'm generally structured & have my trip planned down to a "T", but the FP+ didn't work for us this time. It was a trip I took with my friend, to go surprise my cousin & her family who were there for a band trip. Out of the 7 FP I picked before leaving home, I ended up only using 1 of them! We just weren't in the right park on the right day, or near the right attraction at the right time. No fault of the system, it just didn't work for us.

The 1 FP I did use was the Wishes preferred viewing. That was AWESOME! It was a grassy area just to the right of the castle, Tink flew right over us. There were only a handful of people in this area, it was just so nice not to be crammed in like sardines to watch. All the CMs in that area were super nice too.

I have trips booked for this March & April, I'm curious to see what is rolled out by then. If I have to choose FP+ or regular paper FP in the park, I'll probably stick to the current paper FP system. I'm sure if they let you mix both, I'd be happy to give it another try!