So, FP+ basically not affecting anyone's wait time. Now what?

[summermac]

Why do people keep suggesting that people who favored the previous FP system (like me) used tricks and loopholes? The system said I could get a FP now, so I got one. It told me I could get another one at X time. So I got another one then. Etc, etc. I completely fail to see the loophole or trick.

Thank you! Exactly. There were no tricks or loopholes. You got a FP at least every two hours. Now you could get one sooner if your return window opened sooner so maybe FP savvy ppl did have a one up on that particular rule but even going by the every 2 hour rule, it was possible for EVERY SINGLE VISITOR to obtain 6 FPs under normal park operating hours. (And by normal I mean 9-9.)

Keep FP+ for the 75'ers. That's fine. But there is no reason to not allow paper to return so guests can get additional FP rides on their favorites or at the very least be able to hop and have FP options!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Disney could have programmed the legacy FP system to only distribute X passes per ticket at any time.

And unless I missed something, child swap is the only means of working the system I've seen yet. Three is three. There is no "taking advantage" of that.

So I'm still kicking around renting a baby for our next trip.

Ooh, I wonder if a friend would let me use her baby? Seriously, we never actually used that "loophole" when we could have. We only collected child swap passes when we rode standby in the mornings before the lines got long while holding FP for a different ride, exactly the purpose of child swap. Using FP late was a "loophole" that we took advantage of occasionally to avoid criss-crossing or missing a DHS show, but that wasn't a loophole that allowed us to get more FP.

 

[EMode]

yea but maybe Disney originally intended the legacy system to only be able to be used for 2-4 fastpasses per day and then as with most things people find the loopholes and the tricks to get more of them. Disney might just be closing these loopholes and go with their original plan.

We will obviously never know but I for one am glad the days of people fastpass planning and getting 6+ per day are over.

EDIT: to add to my above comments there's already a thread on this very board going over ways to take advantage of the new FP+ system.

If they intended people to only get 2 they would have put a 2 limit. There were no tricks or loopholes, we used the FP system within the rules the way we were allowed too. There was no taking advantage, unless of course you mean taking advantage as in using the system the way it was set up
Sorry there were people who didn't know enough to use it the way it was allowed too. That's not my problem that they all have sour grapes because some of us knew how and they didn't.

 

[mesaboy2]

What we did notice in the park were inefficient lines that are solely because of FP+, pirates being the worst. I have never seen stand by take up so much room of the courtyard there. The line itself took about 25-30 minutes but it was looooooong and snaked through the courtyard area at the entrance, as the entire right side is now FP+ only.

I'm not arguing with you or saying this isn't because of the new system but I have seen that wait before under the FP- system.

How would that be possible, since PotC wasn't an option with legacy FP?

 

[summermac]

Sorry there were people who didn't know enough to use it the way it was allowed too. That's not my problem that they all have sour grapes because some of us knew how and they didn't.

And truthfully I don't feel much sympathy for those people. Every guide book in the world about WDW explained how to utilize FP. Pony up $20 for a book and read it.

Furthermore in today's world, there is even less of an excuse for understanding legacy - hello, one quick google is all you need.

 

[EMode]

Here's the way I see it (and I'm not saying any one opinion is more right or wrong than another...and I could be way, WAY off with my assessment, and I'd be happy to admit as much if that's the case)

FP- "worked" for so many people as far as pulling more than 3 because while you were pulling 6, there was another family not pulling any at all. (Whether by choice or by design, nobody knows).

The distribution is just different. You get three, and now the family that wasn't getting any gets three.

I'm not saying it's "fair" (because that's not why or how it was designed) it just IS.

I genuinely feel bad for the people that this affects the most.

It isn't "fair" though in the way the old system was because with the old system everyone had an equal chance on the day of to get FPs for what ever rides.
This new system gives an advantage to those staying onsite being able to get the most coveted FPs first. The off siters have to wait until the day of and wait in line at a Kiosk hoping to get the ones they want. (as of now, but it appears that is changing).

I'm in no way arguing about fairness because I don't think Disney is obligated to make things fair for all their guests. Those who do legwork, research, get to RD, have their runners etc deserve the FPs they were able to get. Those who didn't bother with that deserved the ones they got. I just wanted to point out that if anyone was going to argue "fairness", the old system was better.

 

[summermac]

I agree with that point made above re: that FP+ is actually less "fair" than legacy for off-siters.

 

[EMode]

And truthfully I don't feel much sympathy for those people. Every guide book in the world about WDW explained how to utilize FP. Pony up $20 for a book and read it.

Furthermore in today's world, there is even less of an excuse for understanding legacy - hello, one quick google is all you need.

Exactly, FP was there for everyone to use. If someone didn't know enough or how to use it that is their own fault for not preparing themself for it.

 

[FLchick415]

I don't disagree that it's not "fair" CURRENTLY to off-siters, however (and I could be wrong) hasn't it been mentioned that they will also be able to book in advance at some point?

 

[crazyventures]

It'll be interesting to see how the system settles down once advance booking is available to everyone and the higher-crowd season begins (IE: spring break, summer, etc).

I'm trying to keep an open mind but something tells me I'm going to prefer the legacy fastpass system because we really like to utilize FPs while we're in the parks. We're staying off-site but either way we'll find something fun to do in WDW. Drinking my way around the world is sounding like a good option

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't disagree that it's not "fair" CURRENTLY to off-siters, however (and I could be wrong) hasn't it been mentioned that they will also be able to book in advance at some point?

That is the general belief.

 

[EMode]

I don't disagree that it's not "fair" CURRENTLY to off-siters, however (and I could be wrong) hasn't it been mentioned that they will also be able to book in advance at some point?

I think so, but not sure if it will be the same number or days out as onsiters. Only time will tell if its exactly the same.

 

[Laketravis]

"....we’ve not yet studied how long the waits are to redeem FastPass+ reservations"

Why not?

So based on non-scientific measurement of wait times (data is submitted by individual users), you've concluded that FP+ hasn't had a "significant" impact on standby line wait times?

Congratulations.

Now go back and figure out what impact FP+ has had on FP lines, since that is where Disney is diverting many more guests from the SB lines and first-hand reports with PICTURES indicate a "significant impact".

 

[EMode]

What about for rides that never had a FP line, what are their SB lines like now?

 

[Golf4283]

I just want to clarify to people commenting on what I said that "taking advantage of" and "abusing" the system are two different things. I never said you people were abusing it. I just said you were taking advantage of it, meaning using it to it's maximum value.

Disney wants everyone to be in the same boat regardless of if you want to take advantage of it or not. Everyone is at the same level as far as availability of fastpasses and rides. We all get 3.

 

[drew64]

I don't know of any loopholes that allowed you to get more fastpasses than were allowed. Certainly there was the loophole, or accepted practice, that allowed you to use them in a way that seemed outside of the intent.

Using 5-6 FPs per day did not involve any tricks or loopholes at all. It simply required the stamina and intelligenc eto get there early and always get a new FP when the window opened and using them within the windows printed. No tricks, no loopholes, just a good pair of legs and a brain. Am so sick of those who claim anyone who tours efficientyl is tricking the system or being unfair to others who choose to tour differently.
Everyone had the opportunity to have many FPs per day, some just chose to not take advantage of it.

 

[EMode]

I just want to clarify to people commenting on what I said that "taking advantage of" and "abusing" the system are two different things. I never said you people were abusing it. I just said you were taking advantage of it, meaning using it to it's maximum value.

Disney wants everyone to be in the same boat regardless of if you want to take advantage of it or not. Everyone is at the same level as far as availability of fastpasses and rides. We all get 3.

You used the words tricks and loopholes, that implies working around the rules.

 

[Golf4283]

You used the words tricks and loopholes, that implies working around the rules.

I guess I stand corrected. I still meant what I said though. I don't fault anyone for using those tricks or loopholes because they existed. I'm just saying Disney has a different vision for how the system should work.

In the end it's their system and their money. If you don't want to give them your money put it somewhere else I suppose.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I guess I stand corrected. I still meant what I said though. I don't fault anyone for using those tricks or loopholes because they existed. I'm just saying Disney has a different vision for how the system should work.

In the end it's their system and their money. If you don't want to give them your money put it somewhere else I suppose.

What people are saying is that they did.not use tricks or loopholes. They read what time they could get another fp at the bottom of the fp they currently held, and for another one at that time. It was rather easy to get 5-7 FPs just doing that, especially if you spent the entire day in one park (the 5-7 fp number is mostly used in reference to mk touring).

 

[EMode]

I guess I stand corrected. I still meant what I said though. I don't fault anyone for using those tricks or loopholes because they existed. I'm just saying Disney has a different vision for how the system should work.

In the end it's their system and their money. If you don't want to give them your money put it somewhere else I suppose.

There are no loopholes or tricks that existed though.
You could get a FP for a ride and then after a certain amount of time you could get one for another, or even the same one if you wanted.

Yes, Disney has now changed the rules, you can get 3.They didn't change it because they want it to be fair, they are a corporation they don't care about fairness, they care about their bottom line. They changed it so they can better control the crowds, stear them around the parks so hopefully they open their wallet a little more while there.

And you are right, if we don't like it we can take our money elsewhere, which is exactly what I'm doing this year. We'll see what happens next year.