Subtle mention of coming FP+ improvements

[mom2rtk]

Because they don't have more to consistently give away, that's why those rules are in place.

One of 2 things has to be true here:

1) They don't have more capacity to give more than 3. If that's the case, then allowing people to get more, either in the same park, or in a different park, is meaningless.

2) They have additional capacity they have not yet been adding into the FP system. If that is the case, perhaps this is the capacity they were hoping to hold back to "surprise and delight" us. Or use it to get people to book onsite without the big discounts they have previously offered.

Based on the reports of long FP return lines in the parks, and high ratio of FP returns to standby returns fed into the rides, I'd say number 1 looks more likely.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Because they don't have more to consistently give away, that's why those rules are in place.

Notice how in this type of article, and in the survey with the different options, tiering is either not addressed or brushed off with an "assume it is in place". I'll be shocked if tiering is removed on a consistent, no strings attached basis before new attractions are built.

No doubt tiering is one of the most common complaints about the FP+ system, even from lovers. The only way I see around it is the "subject to availability" applied to whatever method they choose to do for extra FP. The lesser tier ones should be available at the very least for those extra FPs. Slower times of year you may be able to grab an extra headliner type tier one earlier enough in the day, but Disney needs to use that capacity to lock in as many guests as possible, which is why I can't see the tiers as we know them being lifted anytime soon.

Exactly. Which is why I don't see any cause for optimism even with these little hints that Disney has been dropping. Also why I don't understand when people say things like "I really liked FP+ if they would just get rid of the tiering, let me park hop and give me more in Magic Kingdom each day."

I think it's exactly what you said in your last paragraph, whatever is left. Same as the current constraint on offsite...sure, prebook, but you get to pick from whatever is left. Which is fine, better than no prebooking, but it is what it is.

 

[morethananyonex]

One of 2 things has to be true here: 1) They don't have more capacity to give more than 3. If that's the case, then allowing people to get more, either in the same park, or in a different park, is meaningless. 2) They have additional capacity they have not yet been adding into the FP system. If that is the case, perhaps this is the capacity they were hoping to hold back to "surprise and delight" us. Or use it to get people to book onsite without the big discounts they have previously offered. Based on the reports of long FP return lines in the parks, and high ratio of FP returns to standby returns fed into the rides, I'd say number 1 looks more likely.

Or option 3, they have enough to give a limited amount of people extras at certain times of year. That doesn't mean they're holding back, just that the restrictions on the system don't allow them to be fully utilized. I know in February we were able to book 5 of us on Test Track at about 4 PM for an I believe 730-830 slot. Now, that's obviously before offsite guess have been able to use their phones, but many of them would have had access to the kiosks before then.

I don't think it's completely unreasonable to think there is some capacity leftover for tier one attractions at slower times of the year earlier in the day. Enough for everyone? Of course not, which is why the tiers can't really be lifted and a 4th advance FP wouldn't work well. However, when they give them away subject to availability after you're in the park, I can see how that could work.

 

[mom2rtk]

Or option 3, they have enough to give a limited amount of people extras at certain times of year. That doesn't mean they're holding back, just that the restrictions on the system don't allow them to be fully utilized. I know in February we were able to book 5 of us on Test Track at about 4 PM for an I believe 730-830 slot. Now, that's obviously before offsite guess have been able to use their phones, but many of them would have had access to the kiosks before then.

I don't think it's completely unreasonable to think there is some capacity leftover for tier one attractions at slower times of the year earlier in the day. Enough for everyone? Of course not, which is why the tiers can't really be lifted and a 4th advance FP wouldn't work well. However, when they give them away subject to availability after you're in the park, I can see how that could work.

I don't doubt that one bit. But this is not something I would get excited about. All that means is that there "might" be additional fastpasses available. As long as you are there at a time you really don't need them.

And it still remains to be seen whether they would allow ride repeats. That's a big issue for us, but I'm doubting that's going to happen, even in this adjustment phase. Oh, and I don't care one whit about TSMM.

 

[morethananyonex]

Exactly. Which is why I don't see any cause for optimism even with these little hints that Disney has been dropping. Also why I don't understand when people say things like "I really liked FP+ if they would just get rid of the tiering, let me park hop and give me more in Magic Kingdom each day." I think it's exactly what you said in your last paragraph, whatever is left. Same as the current constraint on offsite...sure, prebook, but you get to pick from whatever is left. Which is fine, better than no prebooking, but it is what it is.

That's exactly how I feel about it. It's not ideal, but nothing is really going to bring it up to FP- level for those of us who frequently used the system. For those of us who don't have to travel at peak times, it certainly is better than what's going on now.

The possibility to get more is certainly better than no option at all. At the very least, spreading 3 FP over parks would be an improvement for my family.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

 

[LSUfan4444]

2) They have additional capacity they have not yet been adding into the FP system. If that is the case, perhaps this is the capacity they were hoping to hold back to "surprise and delight" us. Or use it to get people to book onsite without the big discounts they have previously offered.

Reducing capacity and options is how you steer people to where you need them to go.

This is all part of testing.

 

[morethananyonex]

I don't doubt that one bit. But this is not something I would get excited about. All that means is that there "might" be additional fastpasses available. As long as you are there at a time you really don't need them. And it still remains to be seen whether they would allow ride repeats. That's a big issue for us, but I'm doubting that's going to happen, even in this adjustment phase. Oh, and I don't care one whit about TSMM.

Totally understandable that you wouldn't get excited about this. It's not a complete fix, but it's a slight improvement, after all the chance of getting more than 3 is better than a hard 3.

And come on, how could you not care about TSMM. We all know it's the poster child (or ride I guess) for FP+. Did you know you can walk in at 1 PM and ride it now?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I hope improvements will come soon! I can't believe how stressful planning for FP+ is!

They changed the website again but didn't add the Parades.

Let's hope they get some of the improvements in place before Easter so that those people paying rack rates and touring packed parks can at least have some benefit.

I wish I were hopeful but I just read a post where SE had a 30 min wait 3PM during spring break. That was a must do for us before dinner but I am now seriously considering canceling my TS lunches because I doubt I will be the parks then. Meaning I am lowering my expectations to being ONLY able to ride my 3 FP+ attractions.

No no, this was my favorite quote:



My BS-o-meter was pegged when when I read that.

Maybe they were talking about the guest experiences on the new attractions at Universal?

 

[mom2rtk]

Totally understandable that you wouldn't get excited about this. It's not a complete fix, but it's a slight improvement, after all the chance of getting more than 3 is better than a hard 3.

And come on, how could you not care about TSMM. We all know it's the poster child (or ride I guess) for FP+. Did you know you can walk in at 1 PM and ride it now?

I think that's part of the reason I'm so over that ride.

We walked right past it at DCA several times in December with a fairly low wait. And I refused to stop! It felt empowering.

And I agree, what they are proposing is better than nothing. But that's as far as I'll go with it.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

Well, I wasn't expecting tiering at Epcot or DHS, so clearly I have no idea what they are thinking.

 

[Marionnette]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

Yeah, me!

I still won't believe it until I see it rolled out. It will take changes to the current software to allow hopping or instituting "in-park" selection of additional FP+.

They need to fix the current bugs before they even think of tackling that one.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

No but whether they charge for it, give it to resort guest and whether it would really have any value is up in the air.

Maybe they are adding a FP+ line to the Hall of Presidents. Would that be of any value?

Seriously, prior to tiering, was there any need for a FP+ on any of the 2nd tier attractions at Epcot? Turtle talk is the only one I can think of.

At least put Maelstrom in the second tier!

 

[clsteve]

I don't doubt that one bit. But this is not something I would get excited about. All that means is that there "might" be additional fastpasses available. As long as you are there at a time you really don't need them.

And it still remains to be seen whether they would allow ride repeats. That's a big issue for us, but I'm doubting that's going to happen, even in this adjustment phase. Oh, and I don't care one whit about TSMM.

I guess there are ways they can add and make it "look" like they're adding more.

Tier MK after 7DMT and allow 4 there?

Up it to 4 or more across the board in the off-season?

Add more cheap capacity like Meet and Greets and up it?

Increase FP distro percentages and make SB an all day event?​

Now they've got it in the Press, they'll probably have to do something. Hard to see how it will be greatly beneficial during the high season since the number of deck chairs they'd be re-arranging is the same.

 

[Darcy03231]

So what happens to the poor guest who doesn't own a smartphone?

 

[Kate and Family]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

Yea.. I expected this to be the case. 3 FP is ok for a spending half a day in the park - but if you are there all day, 3 can be just a spit in the bucket. Something like 2 hours after your last pre-booked FP you can schedule another. This would lean heavily in favor of those who stay late, rather than rope droppers, though.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I wonder how long it will take or how they will realize they have lost repeat costumers?

As of right now I have 5 trips this year planned. I've already split one over to Universal and cut back one because I can't imagine how my guest experience will be better.

I think that the only way to measure that would be a drop in DVC sales.

 

[Marionnette]

So what happens to the poor guest who doesn't own a smartphone?

You can use any wi-fi capable smart device like a tablet or ipod touch. If you don't have any smart devices, you can still use the in-park kiosks to make FP+ changes.

 

[Kate and Family]

So what happens to the poor guest who doesn't own a smartphone?

Now that Offsite can pre book, hopefully the fastpass kiosk will not have long lines. That is where you can book and change your fastpass choices.

 

[JanaDee]

Serious question, did anything honestly think at some point hopping and additional selections was not going to be another step of FP+?

They can't make the system they currently have work, so no, I hope they don't add more complications to the system.