Speculation from New FP+ Survey

[mrsmorrow]

I'm not sure if people have shared this on here before, but I know I haven't seen it. I just received a survey about FP+ from the trip we took about a month ago. They're asking some very interesting and specific questions on there that have me optimistic for the direction FP+ may be headed. The survey leads me to believe the 3 FP limit will be addressed sooner than later, as well as the park hopping issues.

After being asked the general what do you think about FP+ type questions, it brought me to 3 specific scenarios to give my opinion on. All scenarios involve the ability to prebook FP+ for all guests and also the ability to use your 3 options in more than one park. Here they are:

-Option A suggested fixing the 3 FP+ limit by changing it to a rolling 3, meaning after you use one you can book another. The 4th (and 5th, 6th etc.) would be subject to availability, but in Epcot and DHS they could be additional tier 1 choices if they were available.

-Option B suggested fixing the 3 FP+ limit by opening up an additional 4th FP+ once the first 3 are used (subject to availability again). This option also lets you choose another tier 1 FP. This is a revolving 4th FP+, so you can keep booking if after using it.

-Option C suggested fixing the 3 FP limit by offering a 4th FP+ selection available to book starting at 1 PM each day. Again, this is a revolving FP+ that you can keep booking after subject to availability. Same as the other options, this one lets you pick from tier 1 for the 4th FP subject to availability.

After answering all the questions about those scenarios, it asked me specifically about hopping. Another thing to note, the way they worded the questions they specifically said to assume for all scenarios that the tiers are in place. There was not even one question directed towards my feelings on them. Just speculation on my part, but I think it's pretty safe to assume they are not going anywhere for a long time.

Sorry in advance if this is old news, it was new to me!

This is very interesting! It does seem as though they're considering some tweeking - hopefully sooner rather than later!!

 

[morethananyonex]

Yes, why I said "scenario" but I felt the survey was to be answered based on that availability.

Their wording:
"Likely Attraction Availability on the Day a Guest Visits a Theme Park"
Rides were listed under the following:
- Available at any point during the day
- Available only later in the day
- Unavailable

I understood it to mean this is an example of what is likely available at that point in time during the day, but anything available is up for grabs. In other words, I think that chart is thrown in their to assist people who are not familiar with hourly FP availability like DIS posters are . I don't think the scenarios are referring to only being able to use extra FP+ for those couple rides per park.

 

[JimmyV]

You're really assuming here that everyone wants to pay for a Disney hotel room so they can book FP+'s in advance. MOST people will arrive at the park and THEN get FP's.

Not true. Disney has always said that everyone could pre-book. They are just taking their sweet time getting to that point. Scan the threads. There are several about off site people being able to pre-book.

Besides, even people who do stay off site can get to the parks early to book their FPs. Your complaint had nothing to do with on or off site. It had to do with arriving early or late. That is not a function of where one stays.
Person A pre-books FPs for 10:00, 11:00 and noon. At 10:05 they can get another. And at 11:05 they can get another. So by noon, they can have 5. Person B arrives at noon with FPs for noon, 1:00 and 2:00. So by noon, Person B only has 3 FPs. This is fair and has nothing to do with staying on site.

 

[HopperFan]

I understood it to mean this is an example of what is likely available at that point in time during the day, but anything available is up for grabs. In other words, I think that chart is thrown in their to assist people who are not familiar with hourly FP availability like DIS posters are . I don't think the scenarios are referring to only being able to use extra FP+ for those couple rides per park.

I agree with you in terms of the reality of the day at the park but the survey specifically said to "consider in each scenario"....availability. For me I took the direction that my answers needed to be made with the information they gave me.

Above the chart of available rides (the bolding is theirs):
"For reference when evaluating these options, please assume the following regarding the availability of Disney FP+ attractions. Attractions would also be available through regular (standby) queues.

 

[JZCubed]

This is wrong on soooo many levels. Lots of people have touted the benefit of FP+ which allows people to arrive later in the day. Fine you get that benefit, so live with it. Option A does not do anything to pull back a FP from anyone who has already booked theirs. You still can arrive late and get your three rides and possibly more. But don't deride an option that allows early arrivers to get more FPs than late arrivers. It was on thing for people to complain that they did not like FP- because they were disadvantaged and couldn't get passes. Now, with FP+, you can. But why complain about peope getting more if they arrived earlier than you? All of a sudden it has gone from "I love FP+ because I get my 3 and can avoid RD" to "I hate the suggested change to FP+ because I get my three but other people will get more." Yep. People who are at the park for a longer period of time get more.

And Option C is a terrible idea. We already have people lining up for RD. The last thing the parks need is a second "virtual" RD at 1:00 where people start to line up at FP kiosks at noon to be first in line or stop dead in their tracks at 12:58 to log on with their smartphones hitting "refresh".

I agree with this post.

Early birds should be able to get the worm.....as long as late-comers have an opportunity to reserve their 3 FP+.

If FP's are available at any point after a person has utilized their 3/day, then they should be able to get more if available. Rhetorically speaking, why waste potential FP+ to an arbitrary limit.

Presently, assuming a Park opens at 9am and people have 9am, 10am, & 11am-FP+, the next available would be from 12pm-1pm. Making them wait 'til 1pm is yet another arbitrary time that will only create more confusion.
So I agree that Option 'C' is terrible.

Let's keep it simple:

-- 3 FP+ per day in advance.
-- More FP+ as available....once 3 are used.

 

[morethananyonex]

I agree with you in terms of the reality of the day at the park but the survey specifically said to "consider in each scenario"....availability. For me I took the direction that my answers needed to be made with the information they gave me.

Above the chart of available rides (the bolding is theirs):
"For reference when evaluating these options, please assume the following regarding the availability of Disney FP+ attractions. Attractions would also be available through regular (standby) queues.

How far have you gotten in the survey? There's a part that asks how many FP+ above the 3 base ones you could see yourself using. I think one of the options is even 7 or more. Is that even possible using the chart? I don't have the survey open anymore.

ETA: Found the links to the chart and the assumptions for all scenarios in my history. Reminds me I totally forgot about a portion of the assumptions. Disney would be changing the booking process for FP+ so that you could book less than 3 at once! Here they are for anyone who wants to see them..

Assumptions
Examples

 

[HopperFan]

How far have you gotten in the survey? There's a part that asks how many FP+ above the 3 base ones you could see yourself using. I think one of the options is even 7 or more. Is that even possible using the chart? I don't have the survey open anymore.

7 or more.

Honestly, I think it's a trick question.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

Option a is the best. Of course the people that need 900 hrs of sleep per night will disagree.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interesting. Seems like they are willing to let every spot go to FP, even if it means standby becomes obsolete for all intents and purposes.

 

[morethananyonex]

7 or more.

Honestly, I think it's a trick question.

Yeah, some stuff isn't the clearest, but I don't think they intended people to pick apart the survey like we are . I really would like to know if the extra FP+ could be used to repeat rides, that would be great if they could be.

Option a is the best. Of course the people that need 900 hrs of sleep per night will disagree.

I think Option A is a great mix of FP+ and -. Rewards people who put more effort in and spend their whole day in the parks, but at the same time allows people to still get a decent result not putting all that effort into it and casually touring the parks.

 

[JimmyV]

It's interesting that none of these options have been "tested" to see if they are even feasible, yet they are asking people if they would like them.

 

[Winnowill]

If they go with Option B, they'd have to do something about scheduled entertainments like Wishes and Illuminations. If you can't get more until you've used your previous three, but one of your three is something that's scheduled at 10:00 pm, that would not work so well.

 

[EMode]

This sounds promising

I like option A the best.

 

[morethananyonex]

It's interesting that none of these options have been "tested" to see if they are even feasible, yet they are asking people if they would like them.

That's the great thing about subject to availability. They know how giving people 3 FP+ a day works, they know there's clearly wiggle room with some of the rides, so they can give away that extra room without having to worry about there being enough to go around.

They're also subtly pushing people towards the earlier time slots by rewarding them with extra FP+, which many of us here have speculated may be going unused in favour of more popular afternoon times.

 

[BenKling]

Option A all the way.

It would alleviate almost any concern I have with FP+

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think that Option B is the most appealing to me.

"-Option B suggested fixing the 3 FP+ limit by opening up an additional 4th FP+ once the first 3 are used (subject to availability again). This option also lets you choose another tier 1 FP. This is a revolving 4th FP+, so you can keep booking if after using it."

It's a nice combination of FP+ that then morphs into a limited form of FP-. I guess it's best to state that this is enough of a change to make me ok with the system. It doesn't allow the early arrivals to begin "sucking up" all the FP's extremely early since FP+ has hour windows so even if you used your 3rd FP right at the start of the window it would at least be 2+ hours after park opening before they could start getting any extras. And I like that it allows another tier 1 if available although here I'd really like for it to also be something you had already used a FP+ for.

Option A firmly benefits early arrivals.

Option C could be penalizing to early arrivals who don't plan on staying an entire day and could more favorable those who arrive late.

B seems like an improvement to my experience either way whether arriving early, mid day or even later since when arriving later you'll have less time to use your original 3 FP's anyway so adding more may not be a priority for you - or you'd get there earlier.

 

[surferdave]

This doesn't surprise me. I think they realize that nothing that would've been considered a valuable FP- will be available when most people get around to selecting #4, but they've discovered through testing that they can lead a substantial number of guests by the nose to under-utilized attractions with FP+ so this potential change supports the project goal.

 

[wareagle57]

People who think option C is best, what in the world are you thinking? That sounds awful (though still an improvement on what we have.)

Option A is clearly the best choice. It is basically a virtual version of FP - except you can have THREE fastpasses all day instead of 1. Once you juse FP #1, you can book FP #4, you will have 2, 3 and 4 in your queue. As soon as you use #2, you can get #5.

This sounds GREAT to me, especially if you can parkhop with it.

I would try to use it something like this:

At rope drop, hit up the the big rides the first hour or so. Then I would schedule my first 3 FP as early as possible, ideally all within the first 3 hours of the park being open. Then I'd try to get my next round of FP in the mid-late afternoon or early evening if possible at whatever park I plan to be at.

I can see people EASILY being able to get 6 fastpasses in a day like this, and it sounds like the tiers will not matter on your additional fastpasses.

 

[HopperFan]

Rank these -

- Current Disney FastPass+ selection process (3 selections per day)
- Initially receive up to 3 Disney FastPass+ selections for a theme park, while a 4th "revolving" selection would be available once all 3 initial selections had been used and could be selected again after each use
- Initially receive up to 3 Disney FastPass+ selections for a theme park, while a 4th "revolving" selection would be available starting at 1:00 p.m. on the day of your visit and could be selected again after each use
- Initially receive up to 3 Disney FastPass+ selections for a theme park, with the ability to make additional selections as soon as one is used (always holding up to 3 Disney FastPass+ selections)

NOTE: the additional FP+ after 1pm does not require you to have used all your FP+ like the other revolving option does.

None of them are confusing. They all address the needs of additional FP+ that guests are asking for, they absolutely push guests to morning FP+ with the reward of more, and to the heavy FP+ user - the 1 pm slows them down to potentially shop or eat ($$).

 

[jade1]

I agree with this post.

Early birds should be able to get the worm.....as long as late-comers have an opportunity to reserve their 3 FP+.

If FP's are available at any point after a person has utilized their 3/day, then they should be able to get more if available. Rhetorically speaking, why waste potential FP+ to an arbitrary limit.

Presently, assuming a Park opens at 9am and people have 9am, 10am, & 11am-FP+, the next available would be from 12pm-1pm. Making them wait 'til 1pm is yet another arbitrary time that will only create more confusion.
So I agree that Option 'C' is terrible.

Let's keep it simple:

-- 3 FP+ per day in advance.
-- More FP+ as available....once 3 are used.

Us late arrivers are just glad to have 3 scheduled, never have or couldn't care less what the early birds get beyond that. Just not relevant in the least.

Have always said this system is incredible IMO, just need to keep boosting capacity to expand these options.