should we do a thread on what fp line waits actually are?

[tinkerpea]

The thread might offer an interesting perspective and be a bit of fun.

Remember that a number of factors will influence the wait and queue times e.g. time of year, park crowds, special events.

For those park planning the Disney App or my favourite Lines are probably a more reliable source

But they generally only tell you crowd level and standby wait times,
I've have all those apps however so many people go on about how the fp lines are way longer.

 

[redsbe]

Another comment about FP+, I was at MK last week and there were CMs inside the main gate all day available to help visitors book FP+ or with the ME app, so you are not limited to kiosks for booking or assistance. As crowds picked up throughout the day the FP+ kiosks along with rides did get very busy, so again RD or close to it is going to remain a key strategy for FP+ at all times but especially during peak crowds. Also search around as some FP+ kiosks seemed so much more busier then others.

 

[JDUCKY]

There is no fp-

Sure there is. it's the abomination we have to deal with today.

 

[Magpie]

I was in WDW last week, from the 5th through the 13th.

Once you are IN the FP line, it's generally a walk-on. The one exception would be Toy Story Mania, which appeared to have a LOT of FP returns. With that one, we often waited up to 10 minutes. And if we hadn't been a "two" (and able to skip ahead when we reached the gate), it might have been as much as 15 or 20.

Still, I'll take a 10 minute wait over a 120 one any day!

Other than Toy Story, we had no issues with FP lines.

We did have some issues getting into FP lines, occasionally. People would have issues of one sort or another, and then stand there arguing with the cast members and blocking everyone else from getting in. Long lines would form behind them. It didn't slow us down much, but it was annoying when it happened.

I really do think having a "recovery zone" beside the FP entrance, where people could be scooted off to the side, would be really helpful.

On a plus side, though, I saw far fewer line blockers on this trip, so I'm guessing most of the technical problems that caused them have been resolved, and what we're seeing now is mostly user error. (ie, folks showing up too early or too late or with extra members added to their party. The few arguments I overheard seems to bear this theory out.)

I wasn't looking for FP Kiosk lines, so I can't say if they were long or not. I certainly didn't trip over any, or find them blocking my way. And we did comment that there seemed to be a lot of FP+ uniformed cast members everywhere with ipads.

 

[ParrotBill]

We've also been here this week and agree that nearly all FP lines were less than 10 minutes.

Today, the Safari was about 15, mostly because of long scanning time out front.

Sunday morning was dreamy in the Studios with very low crowds, and again yesterday evening after rain chased away the crowd in the afternoon. You could get a spot for the first parade anywhere along the route at the last minute, and many rides were posting 10 min standby but actually were walk on. Unheard of during Easter week!

 

[redsbe]

With the photos and much debate about FP+ lines I have seen no data or actual experiences from visitors that FP+ lines are long.

When I was in MK last week no one had problems using MB or park card to scan at FP+ entrance even during busiest times of day, 5-10 minutes was typical FP+ line wait.

I think what some having been photographing and observing in regards to "long lines" at FP+ entrances are in fact crowds gathering in front of both SB and FP+ entrances especially at some attractions where the line entrances are close together or back into the walkways with still some confusion over lines and using FP+ scanners. Better line management and signage would help in some attractions.

 

[mom2rtk]

With the photos and much debate about FP+ lines I have seen no data or actual experiences from visitors that FP+ lines are long.

When I was in MK last week no one had problems using MB or park card to scan at FP+ entrance even during busiest times of day, 5-10 minutes was typical FP+ line wait.

I think what some having been photographing and observing in regards to "long lines" at FP+ entrances are in fact crowds gathering in front of both SB and FP+ entrances especially at some attractions where the line entrances are close together or back into the walkways with still some confusion over lines and using FP+ scanners. Better line management and signage would help in some attractions.

There was some talk about Disney making adjustments because of the long lines. (Like only having one member per group scan at the first spot). I wonder if that's what is going on now.

 

[redsbe]

There was some talk about Disney making adjustments because of the long lines. (Like only having one member per group scan at the first spot). I wonder if that's what is going on now.

I am actually questioning whether there even have been any "long" lines as what we have seen are pictures of groups gathering outside certain attractions, comments about delays getting people familiar with scanning their bands at the FP+ station, but no repeated posts from visitors or data of people actually experiencing long FP+ lines (unless the attraction broke down).

We have been in the "Easter" season at WDW last two weeks with top level crowds among the highest all year, any more reports of "lines" or actual delays getting into attractions via FP+?

 

[mom2rtk]

I am actually questioning whether there even have been any "long" lines as what we have seen are pictures of groups gathering outside certain attractions, comments about delays getting people familiar with scanning their bands at the FP+ station, but no repeated posts from visitors or data of people actually experiencing long FP+ lines (unless the attraction broke down).

We have been in the "Easter" season at WDW last two weeks with top level crowds among the highest all year, any more reports of "lines" or actual delays getting into attractions via FP+?

I saw enough reports of long lines earlier to believe it. But I haven't really seen reports recently, leading me to believe they have done something to address the matter.

Sounds like you believe something different, and that's fine too.

 

[tinkerpea]

I saw enough reports of long lines earlier to believe it. But I haven't really seen reports recently, leading me to believe they have done something to address the matter.

Sounds like you believe something different, and that's fine too.

I really hope that it has been addressed,as I definitely saw pictures of very long lines and alot of reports when it was first rolled out!
Which is what got me thinking with all the complaints about Fp+ on how bad the lines was still affected.. Ill be very happy with 10 min fp waits when I go at the end of June

 

[redsbe]

I saw posts speculating about long lines based on photos of lines and crowds at the entrance of some attractions, and some issues early with people getting confused or slow with scanning their MBs and FP+ times and locations of entrances, but I have not seen any data or repeated actual posts from those using FP+s that they actually experienced long FP+ lines - if there have been or were please post or refer to actual posts with those statements to help us all, thanks. On 4/7 in MK (7+ crowd day) I never saw any issues or delays at any of the FP+ lines, even when crowds drove SB lines to 60+ on many popular attractions, so crowds were certainly in MK that day

Either way appears from posts here even with busier crowds in recent weeks there are no reports of repeated long waits in FP+ lines (keeping in mind that an unexpected ride closure will certainly cause backups to both SB and FP+ lines). Nice to hear more "Easter" weeks reports as to how FP+ is working for guests.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I saw posts speculating about long lines based on photos of lines and crowds at the entrance of some attractions, and some issues early with people getting confused or slow with scanning their MBs and FP+ times and locations of entrances, but I have not seen any data or repeated actual posts from those using FP+s that they actually experienced long FP+ lines - if there have been or were please post or refer to actual posts with those statements to help us all, thanks. On 4/7 in MK (7+ crowd day) I never saw any issues or delays at any of the FP+ lines, even when crowds drove SB lines to 60+ on many popular attractions, so crowds were certainly in MK that day

Either way appears from posts here even with busier crowds in recent weeks there are no reports of repeated long waits in FP+ lines (keeping in mind that an unexpected ride closure will certainly cause backups to both SB and FP+ lines). Nice to hear more "Easter" weeks reports as to how FP+ is working for guests.

There were posts relating what mom2rtk is saying around presidents day. I believe josh at easywdw talked about it on his blog as well.

I'm also happy to hear that it has not been much of an issue this week.

 

[mom2rtk]

Have any of the parks closed to capacity this week?

 

[Itinkso]

Have any of the parks closed to capacity this week?

Not so far. Major thunderstorm a few minutes ago so that probably cleared the parks as outside rides were stopped and shows canceled.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not so far. Major thunderstorm a few minutes ago so that probably cleared the parks as outside rides were stopped and shows canceled.

Were crowds crazy earlier in the week? I'm wondering if the late date for Easter scaled things back any.

 

[Itinkso]

My info comes from my DD who has been working 15 hour days. Parking was at capacity at MK on Wednesday. Some guests were reporting only 25 minute standby waits for BTMRR early today. The guess is that the parks will be bad tomorrow and Sunday... especially with the rumors of the Mine Train soft opening.

 

[mom2rtk]

My info comes from my DD who has been working 15 hour days. Parking was at capacity at MK on Wednesday. Some guests were reporting only 25 minute standby waits for BTMRR early today. The guess is that the parks will be bad tomorrow and Sunday... especially with the rumors of the Mine Train soft opening.

Courage to your DD. And thanks for the info.

 

[redsbe]

with heavy crowds at times in in March into April due to spring breaks (including MK parking lot closures some days), also have not heard of any FP+ line issues

Looking back on easywdw blogs to January I see topics and posts regarding long lines at FP+ kiosks (and lack of CMs) and impact of FP+ on SB lines of many attractions, but not any discussion about long FP+ lines at attractions, unless I missed the post or the discussion was buried in another topic.

Last report of MK parking lot closure was March 26th, hours were extended (in anticipation of heavy crowds) on April 9th and 10th. MK was at 8 and 9 levels all this week, with EMH at MK as early as 7am - every day!, and closing at 1am (3am today!) Clearly efforts to manage the huge anticipated crowds.

 

[TJA]

We have been in Disney for the past week and I have to say the FP+ system was highly advantageous to us and we had little to no wait times. We walked right on most rides - it has been awesome! Only glitch was today for test track. Took 30 minutes from end of FP line to get in our car. I do think it could've been a ride delay rather than a FP + delay, though.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Angel Ariel]

with heavy crowds at times in in March into April due to spring breaks (including MK parking lot closures some days), also have not heard of any FP+ line issues

Looking back on easywdw blogs to January I see topics and posts regarding long lines at FP+ kiosks (and lack of CMs) and impact of FP+ on SB lines of many attractions, but not any discussion about long FP+ lines at attractions, unless I missed the post or the discussion was buried in another topic.

I remember reading threads with reports of long FP+ returns that weren't just "oh look at this picture, it is so long" - but that were actual reports from the person who went through the line that they were long. I don't remember what threads they are, and I'm not combing back through to search and find which threads they were. But they definitely happened. Your choice to believe it or not, but I'm not making it up (nor was mom2rtk)

Like I said, I'm happy they seem to have resolved the issue.