Speculation from New FP+ Survey

[tropicalstorm]

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.

Not necessarily - two of our favourite rides are BTMRR and ToT when it is dark so I would FP+ these two for a late time.
Option B would mean we wouldn't be able to pick up any extra FP+s no matter how long we were in the park - and we often stay all day.

A seems like the best way to go for me.

 

[rluey29]

Honestly I love the option A, that would make this system great! However, I would take option B or even option C over what it is now by a landslide.

 

[ethanwa]

EDIT: I am going to make a new thread so I can update the first post with this info.

 

[HopperFan]

Regardless of the option you most prefer, how do you feel about being able to make Disney FastPass+ selections in more than one theme park per day?

- I would expect to make Disney FastPass+ selections in more than one theme park per day prior to arriving at the Walt Disney World® Resort
- I wouldn't expect to make Disney FastPass+ selections in more than one theme park per day prior to arriving at the Walt Disney World® Resort – only after arriving within a theme park
- I wouldn't need to be able to make Disney FastPass+ selections in more than one theme park per day


BOLD is theirs.

 

[JimmyV]

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.

Except for availability. Don't expect top rides to be bookable all day. With so many people using FP+, top rides will probably be slim pickin's by 11:00 or later.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

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.

I imagine they do have extra capacity at MK, mostly because they've added new FP attractions, plus some capacity at less popular tier ones at Epcot and DHS. I wouldn't mind being able to FP attractions that are not super headliners but might have a 30-40 minute wait.

As an early arriver, I would get the most from option A by booking one early FP and two afternoon FP. I would also be content with option C. Option B sounds like decision-making torture -- book three morning FP and hope you can get more for the afternoon or stick with the plan and book afternoon FP?

 

[WillAustin]

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

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.

A rolling 3 would work for me. And hopping should be allowed.

 

[tecdavidt]

I just completed that survey. It was not as clear cut as the writers thought it would be to somebody who didn't design the question. It was not clear if you could ride the same ride more than once with a FP.

The survey asked my why I gave the response I did in a few questions and it let me type out my long response.

I was honest, when they wanted me to rank them I did my ranking. Then the next question was why I choose the option for my no. one rank but they added a choice that I really didn't have a favorite. That was what I picked and then they wanted to know why. So, I told them. I don't like tiers.

They limit the top attractions. They collect admission to the parks then they tell you to choose, say Toy Story or Rock'n Roller coaster for the FP. You paid admission, you are allowed to prebook 3 FP so why limit it? I also asked why they sold or pushed people to buy Park Hopper tickets when the new system does not account for it. It discourages park hopping. The other key feature I brought up was in the past the attractions that had FP were the ones that needed it. Pirates, Nemo, Haunted Mansion, they did not have FP so why do they have it now? They have created some of the long lines in the parks by having attractions with FP when they never did need it.

The name, quit calling it FP+ when it is the only FP system available to the customers and there is nothing + about it. Even during slow times you need it even if the parks are not busy. It is crazy to see lines when we have been in the parks at slow times and never seen the lines we have seen since this system has been put into place. It is strange to have uncrowded parks yet the attractions have long waits. For those have not had a chance to experience this, just wait until you do and then you too will gask what is going on? We never had to worry about FP during this time period and now we do? It is just odd. We have had trips to WDW and some FP machines of the old system were turned off, the parks were not busy so they didn't need them on. Those days are gone.

I also added my frustration with being an AP guest. We travel often to Disney World and we live full time in Iowa. In the winter our trips are close together. There are limits on how many FPs you can have issued to you in a time period. It limits when we can book our upcoming trips. AP owners should be able to prebook 3 a day since we have access to the parks everyday but that is not how they have the system set up. They just did not account for how often some people visit. We got back on Feb. 18 and fly back on March 18th. I can only book half of my next trip. That is frustrating. What about people who visit for a month? If you have a three week trip booked and planned to be in the parks, you too are limited. They collected admission yet tell people, you can only have so many FP so you can't book anymore. We want you in the park but you can only book X amount of days at a time.

The plus of the survey, Disney knows they have a problem. At least they are thinking of options to fix what guests don't like. I should have added, Magic Bands. Not all people like wearing that hunk of plastic around the wrist. I ended up putting mine in my purse when it got into the low 80's. My wrist was wet with sweat. It will be in the purse during our May and late June trips. I can only imagine how gross it would be to wear when the humidity is sky high and the temps are in the 90's. The cards are available but not all cast members are aware that they are an option. They need to educate their work force.

At least they are trying. Hopefully in another year we will have a better product.

Kathy

 

[wareagle57]

Except for availability. Don't expect top rides to be bookable all day. With so many people using FP+, top rides will probably be slim pickin's by 11:00 or later.

I suppose that's possible, but I'm being optimistic. It would essentially be a virtual version of FP-, and there would be FP available for most rides into the early afternoon (with the exception of TSMM, Soarin', Test Track and maybe a few others)So I don't see any reason that wouldn't still be the case. When are fastpasses for those rides currently running out? Many people on here have said they don't even bother to make their selections until the day of which led me to believe them running out wasn't an issue yet.

Letting EVERYONE make a 4th selection at 1PM would be a nightmare though. I don't think anyone would be able to get through. Every day at Disney at 1PM time would come to a halt. It's an awful idea. Making you use all 3 is also an awful idea because some people are going to want to ride certain things at night, or later in the day. If fastpasses run out, then so be it. There is nothing to complain about. But at least we would theoretically have the chance.

 

[morethananyonex]

I wonder if the ability to book less than 3 FP initially would have any sort of impact on overall use. More being used earlier in the morning for the initial 3 may also make it easier to free up FP later in the day.

I think most of us are aware we're not going to be picking up TSMM FP as the fourth choice, but I think aside from the major 1 or 2 rides at each park there could be some decent options to choose from, especially during less busy times of year. The secondary FP that are usually recommended against suddenly look a lot more appealing if they save us 20-30 minutes but don't waste one of the 3 slots. MK especially has tons of potential with any one of the options.

 

[2Tiggies]

A rolling 3 would work for me. And hopping should be allowed.

Yes

 

[ethanwa]

Here are all the screenshots to the survey. I got it too:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3245883

 

[morethananyonex]

Here are all the screenshots to the survey. I got it too: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3245883

Thanks for sharing those!

 

[Disneyhabs]

We are a very early entry park family so the ones that allow us to get more at 1 etc would be ideal.

 

[MrInfinity]

Did they actually use the word "fix"?! That would be humorous.

Heh... not a chance. The system is not broke, it's working to the desired effect. (tho some may perceive it as bad, it is working to Disney's desired effect).

It sounds to me like this is just Disney further optimizing. They're observing everyone right now -- deciding what they can tweak to squeeze a little more profit out, and seeing when ppl take their FP+'s and for what. I'm guessing most ppl are taking them for mid-afternoon. Thus, Disney is seeing morning FP slots are not getting taken up and afternoons are over-demanded. Don't you see all these options revolve around encouraging you to spend your FP's sooner than you would otherwise like to? For the carrot of getting another, or even another? And you're thinking that this will get you on lots of rides? It won't. These slots will go faster than ever, and you'll have spent yours first thing in the morning on the hopes of getting a 4th, after which they will be gone for the day. And worse, you haven't gotten to use your FP's during peak time, instead you used them at 9, 10, and 11 so you could get a 4th for 3pm. Now from 12-5 is useless to you. Just sayin. Getting on a ride fast at 9am via FP is not a benefit cuz we already get on rides at 9am fast by rope drop. So for Disney to give you "another" by using your first ones when you don't need them is not giving you anything you don't already have. It's just a way to turn "rope drop" into a fastpass slot.

Option A) Encourages you to spend all of your FP's as fast as possible (9, 10, 11) so you can have dibbs on the first of the rest available.

Option B) Encourages you to spend one of your FP's immediately (9:00) so that you can get dibbs on a 4th and then decide from there.

Option C) I agree doesn't make much sense. If all ppl generally take theirs earlier, then some might be avail at 1pm for later, but there is no incentive for any individual to change the current plan of using them midday, so by 1pm you'll probly see no availability on the key rides cuz everyone hoarded their FPs for the 1pm-7pm slots anyways.

All of these involve merely getting you to use your FPs sooner than you would otherwise. Think about it.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Does anyone believe that the system could handle huge amounts of people in and out of the parks for the day logging onto the system at 1 p.m. to see what FP+s are open?? Does anyone believe it would not crash?

Having to use all 3 before you are able to get a new one would keep many guest from FP+ fireworks and parades. And if you wanted one of those then during a busy time, the best you would do would be 4 FP+s.

The option of being able to get one after using one sounds great except for those that wish to spend less time in the park and want to get the same as those that spend more time there.

 

[morethananyonex]

Does anyone believe that the system could handle huge amounts of people in and out of the parks for the day logging onto the system at 1 p.m. to see what FP+s are open?? Does anyone believe it would not crash? Having to use all 3 before you are able to get a new one would keep many guest from FP+ fireworks and parades. And if you wanted one of those then during a busy time, the best you would do would be 4 FP+s. The option of being able to get one after using one sounds great except for those that wish to spend less time in the park and want to get the same as those that spend more time there.

A big hell no to that one. The system can't handle what it's got running right now. I think 1 PM would prove to be a disaster looking at Disney ITs track record. And imagine the lines at the kiosks in that case. People trying to avoid using their own phones might have to have a mini 1 PM rope drop!

If people want to get as much out of the park in a few hours as someone does in a full day they can hire a VIP guide .

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

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.

ITA. Option A (3 rolling FP at all times) is by far the best choice.

The 1PM time limit is arbitrary and just weird (and it's not clear if you would be able to get more than 4 or if 4 is the new daily limit?).

The option where you have to use all 3 before getting a new one is flawed. What if you happen to miss one due to unforeseen circumstances? What if you aren't able to pre-book early morning FP because they are all booked up already? You could potentially get stuck in a scenario where you have your last FP scheduled for late afternoon...so you would be stuck until that time. And it basically makes FP for MSEP, Wishes, and Illuminations totally worthless if you want more than 3 FP.

So yeah...I totally vote Option A.

 

[surferdave]

Does anyone believe that the system could handle huge amounts of people in and out of the parks for the day logging onto the system at 1 p.m. to see what FP+s are open?? Does anyone believe it would not crash?

Having to use all 3 before you are able to get a new one would keep many guest from FP+ fireworks and parades. And if you wanted one of those then during a busy time, the best you would do would be 4 FP+s.

The option of being able to get one after using one sounds great except for those that wish to spend less time in the park and want to get the same as those that spend more time there.

No. I think this system is picking up tons of corrupt garbage when it tries to merge data real time from multiple sources and a process as dynamic as the ones described in the survey will make its output look like a Star Trek transporter accident.

 

[mom2rtk]

Does anyone believe that the system could handle huge amounts of people in and out of the parks for the day logging onto the system at 1 p.m. to see what FP+s are open??

I give that approximately a 0 chance of succeeding.

Just like I gave the system a 100% chance of crashing the morning BOG reservations opened for the first time. Gee, it was hard to see that one coming. Not.