Some FP+ Info

[golf4miami]

That depends on how you define 'regular FP'. Certainly, people who choose to participate in MM+ cannot use the current FP system because their bands won't work with the machines

That's not how it worked during the beta testing. They still had their regular tickets along with the wristband which enabled them to use the regular tickets to get the FP- paper tickets.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I think rope drop crowds will be a wash. I see it as 3 groups of people:

1) Those who won't get up early no matter what

2) Those who get up early just to get FP

3) Those who get up early no matter what


If the group 2 folks have mid morning/early afternoon FP+ booked, will ALL of them still come to rope drop? I am willing to bet a percentage of those folks won't do rope drop any more.

If you want to ride with minimal waits, couldn't get a FP+ in advance, and are willing to get up early to do it, then you have a new group of folks coming in at RD. I think this new group will probably be about the same size as the folks in the group mentioned above who won't see the value in coming for RD anymore, now that they have their FP+ booked.

Again, only time will tell, once it rolls out and people learn how to use it.

 

[dadddio]

That's not how it worked during the beta testing. They still had their regular tickets along with the wristband which enabled them to use the regular tickets to get the FP- paper tickets.

Correct. They had preselected FPs and they had same-day FPs.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's not how it worked during the beta testing. They still had their regular tickets along with the wristband which enabled them to use the regular tickets to get the FP- paper tickets.

I think Daddio's contention is that, while they won't have a regular "ticket" to access the FP kiosks, he believes people on the new system will still be able to book same day FPs via the new RFID system once in the park (in addition to the prescheduled ones).

I'm very skeptical that there will be enough capacity to do this, but there's no way to know. If they do limit everyone to 1 headliner to preschedule there might be some left. But I'm not convinced that it will be enough to matter.

 

[golf4miami]

I think Daddio's contention is that, while they won't have a regular "ticket" to access the FP kiosks, he believes people on the new system will still be able to book same day FPs via the new RFID system once in the park (in addition to the prescheduled ones).

I'm very skeptical that there will be enough capacity to do this, but there's no way to know. If they do limit everyone to 1 headliner to preschedule there might be some left. But I'm not convinced that it will be enough to matter.

I get what he's getting at now, but we have to be able to understand that the transition time between the FP- and the RFID system is going to be painful and won't allow as many FPs as we want.

I agree with your skepticism. Even if there are some left over and they get distributed via the RFID system at each ride like how it's down with FP- now then you're still going to have people complaining that FP's ran out and they didn't get to do as much as they did now. Simply put, the people who do Rope Drop will still get the majority of FPs, just as it is now.

 

[bcrook]

I get what he's getting at now, but we have to be able to understand that the transition time between the FP- and the RFID system is going to be painful and won't allow as many FPs as we want.

I agree with your skepticism. Even if there are some left over and they get distributed via the RFID system at each ride like how it's down with FP- now then you're still going to have people complaining that FP's ran out and they didn't get to do as much as they did now. Simply put, the people who do Rope Drop will still get the majority of FPs, just as it is now.

Don't forget the other perk that is supposed to be part of the MyMagic+ FP+ suite of benefits - Availability to switch on the fly throughout the day. If you are really enjoying your meal at Be Our Guest - and your FP+ reservation for Splash Mountain is coming up, you can simple go to the app, and rebook a ride for later in the day. This is a nice plan.

BUT, if all the ride times are gobbled up early in the day by everyone on their phones getting extra FP (beyond their scheduled) that flexibility is gone! That flexibility is a key component of this new system (and I don't see it as efficient).

Now what happens to the Splash Mountain FP that someone cancels a half hour in advance of ride time? That could go to WillAustin as a bonus FP because he is such a good customer, and he just happens to be wandering over to Space Mountain, and that line is too long. I hope he can hear those text message rings in the park, otherwise he will miss that golden opportunity.

Meanwhile, I will be hanging out at Starbucks enjoying the theming.

 

[WillAustin]

Now what happens to the Splash Mountain FP that someone cancels a half hour in advance of ride time? That could go to WillAustin as a bonus FP because he is such a good customer, and he just happens to be wandering over to Space Mountain, and that line is too long. I hope he can hear those text message rings in the park, otherwise he will miss that golden opportunity.

I like the new system better already. Let's put you in charge.

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't forget the other perk that is supposed to be part of the MyMagic+ FP+ suite of benefits - Availability to switch on the fly throughout the day. If you are really enjoying your meal at Be Our Guest - and your FP+ reservation for Splash Mountain is coming up, you can simple go to the app, and rebook a ride for later in the day. This is a nice plan.

My own thought is that there will be FP's available. They just won't be headliners.

BUT, if all the ride times are gobbled up early in the day by everyone on their phones getting extra FP (beyond their scheduled) that flexibility is gone! That flexibility is a key component of this new system (and I don't see it as efficient).

Yep. And if you can do it on your phone, you will be more likely to actually do it. You can bet I'll be working my phone in those early hours if that is possible. I'll be setting alarms to go off when my next window opens. I'll just apologize in advance now for that awful annoying ring you all will be hearing during Philharmagic, Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion. Just remember........ it wasn't MY idea to change the whole thing! And if I don't set it loud, I'll miss it. You understand, right?

Now what happens to the Splash Mountain FP that someone cancels a half hour in advance of ride time? That could go to WillAustin as a bonus FP because he is such a good customer, and he just happens to be wandering over to Space Mountain, and that line is too long. I hope he can hear those text message rings in the park, otherwise he will miss that golden opportunity.

Surprise and Delight baby!

Meanwhile, I will be hanging out at Starbucks enjoying the theming.

.

 

[golf4miami]

Don't forget the other perk that is supposed to be part of the MyMagic+ FP+ suite of benefits - Availability to switch on the fly throughout the day. If you are really enjoying your meal at Be Our Guest - and your FP+ reservation for Splash Mountain is coming up, you can simple go to the app, and rebook a ride for later in the day. This is a nice plan.

BUT, if all the ride times are gobbled up early in the day by everyone on their phones getting extra FP (beyond their scheduled) that flexibility is gone! That flexibility is a key component of this new system (and I don't see it as efficient).

Now what happens to the Splash Mountain FP that someone cancels a half hour in advance of ride time? That could go to WillAustin as a bonus FP because he is such a good customer, and he just happens to be wandering over to Space Mountain, and that line is too long. I hope he can hear those text message rings in the park, otherwise he will miss that golden opportunity.

Meanwhile, I will be hanging out at Starbucks enjoying the theming.

Furthermore, what happens when I have to cancel my FP time while I'm sitting their eating my food in hopes that I can get one for later and there aren't any? Do I get told before I cancel it that all the FP are gone and that option is no longer available or do they let me cancel it and then give it away before I realize my mistake?

 

[mom2rtk]

I like the new system better already. Let's put you in charge.

Sorry. He's too busy planning the new Wal-Mart/Disney park in Arkansas!

 

[kdnmom]

Hi all,

I'm a Disney-experienced long-time lurker, infrequent poster, on these boards and have been avidly following all of these FP+ threads. (As an aside, thanks bcrook for all of the compiling that you did in the prior thread.) I've been thinking a LOT about this and am concerned about the "big brother" aspect to it, as well as how it will affect the way my family tours the parks. Here's my current thought/concern:

If some posters are correct (I'm not naming names because I've read so many that I'm not sure who said what where) and Disney is trying to control the "uber-users" and re-riders, then it seems like it would be very easy for them to do that with this system. You can sign up for only so many FPs ahead of time, and then Disney can control how many additional FPs you will be offered. They can easily track your every move, every ride you've been on, how many times you've done each ride. They can even do this over an extended time frame, even years. So, if you end up deemed to be an "uber-user" by the powers that be at Disney, then Disney simply won't offer you any more (i.e. in addition to those you're able to preschedule) FPs. You'll be determined to be "gaming" the system too much, and they'll want to "spread the wealth" around to make a greater number of people happier. The extra same-day FPs can be offered to those that are accomplishing less, so that they play everybody to the middle. They may figure that giving a bonus to those that are doing less will have a greater impact on their happiness with their trip than taking one away from an uber-user will negatively affect their trip. This is especially true if the uber-user doesn't directly see it get taken away, but just doesn't get offered a bonus.

Am I even making sense?

 

[mom2rtk]

If some posters are correct (I'm not naming names because I've read so many that I'm not sure who said what where) and Disney is trying to control the "uber-users" and re-riders, then it seems like it would be very easy for them to do that with this system.

If Disney's concern was the "uberuser" they actually could have controlled that very easily under the old (current) system.

 

[mummabear]

There is still the same amount of people in the park and the same amount of rides I don't think the wait times will change that much. Disneys aim is to get people out of the line and into the stores so their system being designed to make lines longer doesnt make any sense

 

[golf4miami]

There is still the same amount of people in the park and the same amount of rides I don't think the wait times will change that much. Disneys aim is to get people out of the line and into the stores so their system being designed to make lines longer doesnt make any sense

The system isn't designed to make lines longer, however that doesn't mean that what they intend to do is actually what will happen.

 

[mcd2745]

Hi all,

I'm a Disney-experienced long-time lurker, infrequent poster, on these boards and have been avidly following all of these FP+ threads. (As an aside, thanks bcrook for all of the compiling that you did in the prior thread.) I've been thinking a LOT about this and am concerned about the "big brother" aspect to it, as well as how it will affect the way my family tours the parks. Here's my current thought/concern:

If some posters are correct (I'm not naming names because I've read so many that I'm not sure who said what where) and Disney is trying to control the "uber-users" and re-riders, then it seems like it would be very easy for them to do that with this system. You can sign up for only so many FPs ahead of time, and then Disney can control how many additional FPs you will be offered. They can easily track your every move, every ride you've been on, how many times you've done each ride. They can even do this over an extended time frame, even years. So, if you end up deemed to be an "uber-user" by the powers that be at Disney, then Disney simply won't offer you any more (i.e. in addition to those you're able to preschedule) FPs. You'll be determined to be "gaming" the system too much, and they'll want to "spread the wealth" around to make a greater number of people happier. The extra same-day FPs can be offered to those that are accomplishing less, so that they play everybody to the middle. They may figure that giving a bonus to those that are doing less will have a greater impact on their happiness with their trip than taking one away from an uber-user will negatively affect their trip. This is especially true if the uber-user doesn't directly see it get taken away, but just doesn't get offered a bonus.

Am I even making sense?

Yes, you're making sense. I think you're on point with the "spreading the wealth" comment, and I believe it is a key factor (among many others) at the heart of all the NextGen/FP+ stuff. And that is what is worrying many here on the DIS and has them painting all these doomsday scenarios and threatening to never return to World. So many DISers hold their "advantages" - whether real or perceived - sacred. So when Disney announces changes that threatens those advantages (when it comes to FPs, ADRs, etc.), they lash out and act like the sky is falling.

 

[dadddio]

Furthermore, what happens when I have to cancel my FP time while I'm sitting their eating my food in hopes that I can get one for later and there aren't any? Do I get told before I cancel it that all the FP are gone and that option is no longer available or do they let me cancel it and then give it away before I realize my mistake?

We've already seen how that works. You wouldn't be canceling it. You would be rescheduling it. You would see your options prior to making the trade.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Yes, you're making sense. I think you're on point with the "spreading the wealth" comment, and I believe it is a key factor (among many others) at the heart of all the NextGen/FP+ stuff. And that is what is worrying many here on the DIS and has them painting all these doomsday scenarios and threatening to never return to World. So many DISers hold their "advantages" - whether real or perceived - sacred. So when Disney announces changes that threatens those advantages (when it comes to FPs, ADRs, etc.), they lash out and act like the sky is falling.

Very true.

Some very myopic thinking going on as well.

 

[mcd2745]

There is still the same amount of people in the park and the same amount of rides I don't think the wait times will change that much. Disneys aim is to get people out of the line and into the stores so their system being designed to make lines longer doesnt make any sense

Thank you. That simple, basic idea is lost on too many people.

 

[gwmort]

Hi all,

I'm a Disney-experienced long-time lurker, infrequent poster, on these boards and have been avidly following all of these FP+ threads. (As an aside, thanks bcrook for all of the compiling that you did in the prior thread.) I've been thinking a LOT about this and am concerned about the "big brother" aspect to it, as well as how it will affect the way my family tours the parks. Here's my current thought/concern:

If some posters are correct (I'm not naming names because I've read so many that I'm not sure who said what where) and Disney is trying to control the "uber-users" and re-riders, then it seems like it would be very easy for them to do that with this system. You can sign up for only so many FPs ahead of time, and then Disney can control how many additional FPs you will be offered. They can easily track your every move, every ride you've been on, how many times you've done each ride. They can even do this over an extended time frame, even years. So, if you end up deemed to be an "uber-user" by the powers that be at Disney, then Disney simply won't offer you any more (i.e. in addition to those you're able to preschedule) FPs. You'll be determined to be "gaming" the system too much, and they'll want to "spread the wealth" around to make a greater number of people happier. The extra same-day FPs can be offered to those that are accomplishing less, so that they play everybody to the middle. They may figure that giving a bonus to those that are doing less will have a greater impact on their happiness with their trip than taking one away from an uber-user will negatively affect their trip. This is especially true if the uber-user doesn't directly see it get taken away, but just doesn't get offered a bonus.

Am I even making sense?

I have been thinking about this angle as well. If the system sees you've ridden space mountain three times that day, and a spot becomes available that evening will they alert you because thy know you like the ride, or will they omit you from the alert so others who haven't ridden can give it a go...

I think how they manage the alerts will be very interesting. I doubt they would penalize you for past performance though, but they might offer you more early morning opportunities if they see you have a RD history.

 

[mom2rtk]

they might offer you more early morning opportunities if they see you have a RD history.

Just because someone likes to be in the parks for rope drop doesn't mean they would prefer to spend their fastpass opportunities during that time.