Staying offsite and just booked advance FP+ for next week!

[clsteve]

I don't mean "balance" like hold the line. . I mean balance like give out only enough FP+ during the window times to still have enough ride capacity to move a standby line through at a resonable pace. They know how many FP+ can move through in an hour. The standby lines manage themselves because people self opt-out on how long they are willing to wait.

They did before FP+ capability was added to so many rides that didn't need or have it before. Now, the options are so much more limited for pure SB. We'll really begin to see it now that off-site is getting on an even keel

 

[jimandami]

I would think the AP ticket would have to be shown to enter the park for the day to use the FP+. If the AP ticket never enters the park then the FP+s linked to it would not be useable.

It used to be that way for standard FP, but with FP+ it hasn't been necessary. I agree that I don't know why anyone would take the risk but after having seen what some will do for money, well...nothing would surprise me. I will admit I have a good friend who is taking her kids on a once in a lifetime trip and I for just a moment, began to consider how I could let them use our MBs but then decided it wasn't worth the risk.

 

[Planogirl]

Speculation is that they have increased the percentage of ride capacity used for FP. Reports are that it is as high as 70% (or more). And the addition of FP to rides that didn't have it at all have taken away the opportunities that used to be there for a reliably short wait. FP does not happen in a vacuum. Every person they decide to put through FP is one less standby person with access that day.

I used to be able to ride everything with no more than a 20 minute wait. Why would I decide something is now a "plus" if many of those rides now require an hour wait?

This is a concern. We might be tempted to pick rides such as Star Tours and the Haunted Mansion based on reports. These would have been simple to ride for the most part before FP+. However is that still true? I hear mixed things now.

 

[2Tiggies]

The standby lines manage themselves because people self opt-out on how long they are willing to wait.

This was true under the old system. The problem is now they aren't able to give out accurate standby wait times and I don't see how they can get around this because there is no way of telling if at any given time there is going to be a surge of FP+ guest joining their line for that attraction. So you can't even look at a 10 minute wait and expect 10-15 minutes anymore because you could be there 45. This is the problem. (Yet another one)

 

[ArwenMarie]

If the finger scan doesn't match up can't they take the AP from those guest and you would lose the benefits for the remainder of the year?

From what I understand, you don't need to use a band for park entry to use the FPs linked on it. So you would need to use your own band/ticket to get in (and finger scan). The extra band would be just for the FPs.

 

[ThisIsMyName]

Most people don't like to wait more than an hour. They are cutting down on repeat riders or people who don't really care to do something. If you really want to do it, you'll wait the hour. If you just did it last year, it's not your thing, etc. you will skip it. I really wanted to experience the Toy Story ride since I hadn't done it and have a little guy who likes Buzz/Woody so I waited an hour. Next time I went, I'd skip it as it wasn't "worth" an hour wait but it was for the initial experience. I felt like it was my kids playing an Ipad game. We atually enjoyed the hour wait with the fun stuff to look at in line and met some nice families more than the ride!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

It used to be that way for standard FP, but with FP+ it hasn't been necessary. I agree that I don't know why anyone would take the risk but after having seen what some will do for money, well...nothing would surprise me. I will admit I have a good friend who is taking her kids on a once in a lifetime trip and I for just a moment, began to consider how I could let them use our MBs but then decided it wasn't worth the risk.

I agree that I can't see that it would be a huge problem and maybe once all AP holders are able to use the system, get MBs and able to pre-book 60 days out they will change not having to enter the park with the AP to use the FP+s.

 

[lugnut33]

For the AP thing to work, or for that matter any magic band holder, you would need to meet them inside the park and they would have to give you their band with the fast pass selections already made. I've given my band to my girls on numerous occasions inside the park so they could get an extra ride in.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would think the AP ticket would have to be shown to enter the park for the day to use the FP+. If the AP ticket never enters the park then the FP+s linked to it would not be useable.

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think so. I remember reading on here about a local AP holder who mentioned something once that if half their family goes to the parks, they can take their other family members' bands with FPs and use those too (in a totally unrelated conversation to this one). I could be wrong though.

 

[jimandami]

For the AP thing to work, or for that matter any magic band holder, you would need to meet them inside the park and they would have to give you their band with the fast pass selections already made. I've given my band to my girls on numerous occasions inside the park so they could get an extra ride in.

Why couldn't you just mail it to them?

 

[2Tiggies]

Why couldn't you just mail it to them?

 

[mouserrificmom]

I too will be offsite, arriving on Sunday, and was able to pre-book fastpass. I have a magic band from a previous trip, and was able to select FP+ after linking my tickets. The tickets were purchased through Disney, with the link provided by the convention I am attending.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

So if that isn't changed with APs, couldn't AP shares be set up link photopass shares use to be set up??

 

[mom2rtk]

That must be a really nice perk for local families with APs. Apparently if mom wants to take the kids while dad is working, they can just bring his AP along and BOOM....... extra fastpasses.

 

[jimandami]

It is funny but seriously, if you don't have to use the AP to get in the park for the FP+ to be valid, there is no reason you couldn't mail your MBs to whomever you wish and allow them to use the reservations. Would I do this? No. Would some people do this? Yes.

 

[lugnut33]

Wait, are you people trying to tell me you don't need to enter the park in order to have valid FP? I was under the assumption it was like the old system that the only people eligible for FP use were people who came through the turnstyles. Hence the reason you scan your band and have a finger scan. Is this not the case anymore?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I hope they figure out that the more rides Canadians do, the more they spend on food. And if they have to wait for even 25 minutes they leave and spend all of their money elsewhere. So Canadians should get 9 FP's per day.

You bettcha! Maybe they will even target you for a free beer in the Candian Pavilion.

But seriously, while we were there we were approached 4 times by CMs doing surveys in the parks on the new system. But they didn't want to survey anyone from outside the US. I actually don't know what that says about what they were looking for.

BB ... I think you generally started positive about FP+ ... I notice more and more negative coming from you ?>>

Yep. I am more and more negative myself. I now see setting my alarm clock for 1 AM so I can see Soarin'. There are only 2 headliners in Epcot, yet I only want to ride 1.

Ok wait... If offsiters get to book in advance, they'll be booking the same fp's they would have booked day of. Or was everyone thinking offsiters were coming into the parks, taking a look at the kiosks and saying"nah, I'll pass. I don't want to use fp+"

While I think there are going to be issues I'm thinking we've already seen most of the impact.

But does anybody else feel like a mouse in a maze?

Yes, I feel like a mouse in a maze. However, now that the game changed again with off siter's being added. I can't see how that will make it EASIER for me to move times around.

I'm not saying off siter's shouldn't be added, I have 3 out of 5 trips planned onsite but if I get the same perks cheaper off site, why should I pay more? I hear a Four Season's is opening down there the accomadations are leagues above a deluxe.

I have no idea how Disney will manage this once it goes out of test mode for off-site guests. It seems that anyone with an MDE account and a ticket will be able to "plan" a vacation in MDE and pre-book FP+, whether they really plan to go at that time or not. With the number of tickets out there, this could get out of hand quickly.

Feels like rope drop is moved to 60 days out.

 

[velvetsqueeze]

I too will be offsite, arriving on Sunday, and was able to pre-book fastpass. I have a magic band from a previous trip, and was able to select FP+ after linking my tickets. The tickets were purchased through Disney, with the link provided by the convention I am attending.

Cool! Do you have ADR's as well or did you only link the tickets to be able to choose FP+?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Most people don't like to wait more than an hour. They are cutting down on repeat riders or people who don't really care to do something. If you really want to do it, you'll wait the hour. If you just did it last year, it's not your thing, etc. you will skip it. I really wanted to experience the Toy Story ride since I hadn't done it and have a little guy who likes Buzz/Woody so I waited an hour. Next time I went, I'd skip it as it wasn't "worth" an hour wait but it was for the initial experience. I felt like it was my kids playing an Ipad game. We atually enjoyed the hour wait with the fun stuff to look at in line and met some nice families more than the ride!

What if your a Disney vet who would never wait an hour for anything, ever?

I get completely cut out?

I just had this dicussion with my DD last night. It ended with her saying "So we are just going to ride three rides a day? Then what?"

If you went to RD, you could repeat a ride but if there are so many people in the FP line for Soarin' that WHEN THE PARK OPENS it starts with a hour SB line.

Maybe your first or second trip wandering around the park looking at the sites is enough but after a several dozen there are other ways to spend that kind of money.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Why couldn't you just mail it to them?

How long before we see ebay listing for FP+?

Happened with CRT before the CC were charged, when all you needed was a name.