Suggestions for FP+ improvements (keep it reasonable)

[ks-man]

With all the threads about FP+ complaints and after going through my other thread I really do think the vast majority of the complaints deal with the rules Disney has with the FP+ rather than the technology. Apart from potential weak wifi, the non-smartphone crowd and rollout bugs it seems like the technology is quite solid.

Based on this I thought I'd create a list with my (and hopefully others) recommendations on what should be changed with the rules to make FP+ a more positive experience for all. I'm only going to add reasonable ones to the list and ones that would appeal to all groups of people (not just ropedrop superusers). I'll continue to adjust as people chime in and try and put the most important ones up top. Some suggestions might conflict with others but let's just go with it.

1) Eliminate no park hopping (just no reason for this restriction)
2) Eliminate tiering and perhaps move to a credit system. For example you get 15 credits with Tier 1 counting for 5, Tier 2 counting for 3 and Tier 3 counting for 1.
3) More accessibility (better wifi, more kiosks, Disney staff helpers etc.)
4) Discover a way to eliminate throw away FP. Some people are booking FP for rides they have no interest in going on simply b/c they have the available FP. This is undesirable for Disney as it limits people who want to go on those rides. Perhaps unused FP can be traded in for something else or else the credit system above could help
5) Multiple FP for lower tiered rides. I'm going on the assumption that there is a strong capacity reason for not allowing multiple FP on the same ride. Perhaps allowing two FP for the same ride on higher tiers.
6) At the park special FP available. If somebody is at the park for EMH or the FP for Splash Mountain isn't at capacity let people book them on the spot. There will obviously be more availability on slow days but if a normal FP queue for a headliner is 10 mins and can handle 1,000 people/hour (complete guess) there is very little benefit from a macro perspective to have that queue be only 3 mins and only serve 300 people.

Let's recognize the technological marvel that FP+ offers relative to FP- and come up with ways to improve the problems. Sure the days of Superusers going on TSM 3-4 times might be over but I think people can accept that if some of the other restrictions are lifted.

And again, to the people who continue to blast FP+ my question to you is Disney could have just as easily left FP- but limited a card to 3/day, tiered with no park hopping and no multiple rides on the same attraction. Just recognize that you would have been just as upset in that scenario. Recognize there is a reason that Disney changed the rules yet it does seem they might have swung too far the other way.

 

[JanaDee]

Get rid of the 3 max and get rid of not being able to repeat attractions with FP+.

 

[ks-man]

Get rid of the 3 max and get rid of not being able to repeat attractions with FP+.

Recognize there would be a capacity issue. Disney can't allow somebody 60 days in advance to book a schedule like this:

Space Mountain - 8-9
Space Mountain - 9-10
Space Mountain - 10-11
Space Mountain - 11-12pm
Thunder Mountain - 12-1
Thunder Mountain - 1-2
Splash Mountain - 2-3
Splash Mountain - 3-4

So what would you suggest realizing that Disney has to handle capacity with respect to repeat attractions and FP+ limits?

 

[snoopy352]

Get rid of the 3 max and get rid of not being able to repeat attractions with FP+.

those two are huge.

and this one:

do not restrict FP+ times based on ADR ressies. I am more than capable of having a FP+ from 11-12 and making a noon ADR in Epcot WS. I am also more than capable of eating at noon and making a FP+ from 1-2.

 

[snoopy352]

Recognize there would be a capacity issue. Disney can't allow somebody 60 days in advance to book a schedule like this:

Space Mountain - 8-9
Space Mountain - 9-10
Space Mountain - 10-11
Space Mountain - 11-12pm
Thunder Mountain - 12-1
Thunder Mountain - 1-2
Splash Mountain - 2-3
Splash Mountain - 3-4

So what would you suggest realizing that Disney has to handle capacity with respect to repeat attractions and FP+ limits?

c'mon now OP you said be reasonable and you posted an unreasonable assumption on what she wanted.

i think five FP+ at MK is fair based on the quantity of attractions there.

and i think riding the same ride TWO times (no more than that) is fair as well. but i get that TSMM would probably need to be held to one based on capacity issues.

 

[mulan1123]

If someone wants to do a repeat ride, they can have a time limit of how long to wait in between rides (like you need to wait 3 hours), and maybe have a max of how many times a person can do a certain ride.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

With all the threads about FP+ complaints and after going through my other thread I really do think the vast majority of the complaints deal with the rules Disney has with the FP+ rather than the technology. Apart from potential weak wifi, the non-smartphone crowd and rollout bugs it seems like the technology is quite solid.

Based on this I thought I'd create a list with my (and hopefully others) recommendations on what should be changed with the rules to make FP+ a more positive experience for all. I'm only going to add reasonable ones to the list and ones that would appeal to all groups of people (not just ropedrop superusers). I'll continue to adjust as people chime in and try and put the most important ones up top. Some suggestions might conflict with others but let's just go with it.

1) Eliminate no park hopping (just no reason for this restriction)
2) Eliminate tiering and perhaps move to a credit system. For example you get 15 credits with Tier 1 counting for 5, Tier 2 counting for 3 and Tier 3 counting for 1.
3) More accessibility (better wifi, more kiosks, Disney staff helpers etc.)
4) Discover a way to eliminate throw away FP. Some people are booking FP for rides they have no interest in going on simply b/c they have the available FP. This is undesirable for Disney as it limits people who want to go on those rides. Perhaps unused FP can be traded in for something else or else the credit system above could help
5) Multiple FP for lower tiered rides. I'm going on the assumption that there is a strong capacity reason for not allowing multiple FP on the same ride. Perhaps allowing two FP for the same ride on higher tiers.
6) At the park special FP available. If somebody is at the park for EMH or the FP for Splash Mountain isn't at capacity let people book them on the spot. There will obviously be more availability on slow days but if a normal FP queue for a headliner is 10 mins and can handle 1,000 people/hour (complete guess) there is very little benefit from a macro perspective to have that queue be only 3 mins and only serve 300 people.

Let's recognize the technological marvel that FP+ offers relative to FP- and come up with ways to improve the problems. Sure the days of Superusers going on TSM 3-4 times might be over but I think people can accept that if some of the other restrictions are lifted.

And again, to the people who continue to blast FP+ my question to you is Disney could have just as easily left FP- but limited a card to 3/day, tiered with no park hopping and no multiple rides on the same attraction. Just recognize that you would have been just as upset in that scenario. Recognize there is a reason that Disney changed the rules yet it does seem they might have swung too far the other way.

you can eliminate your unwanted FP you just can't get them back right now. Ask a CM with an ipad and they can do it - but they'll warn you multiple times no getting it back.

 

[ucfknight]

I'd be happy if they implemented the following:

1. Eliminate tiering at all parks
2. Increase the limit to 5 per day at the Magic Kingdom and 4 per day at the other parks.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'd be happy if they implemented the following:

1. Eliminate tiering at all parks
2. Increase the limit to 5 per day at the Magic Kingdom and 4 per day at the other parks.

problem with increasing the limit per day is I don't think they have the capacity to do that - the limit has to cover not just the slower times of year but the busier to crazy ones too. I don't think they can physically give 3 FP per person per day out as it is. Maybe once they change every ride/ attraction over to FP they might be able to do that (I can see some like backlot tour will be easy to convert but the carousel will be hard)

 

[ks-man]

c'mon now OP you said be reasonable and you posted an unreasonable assumption on what she wanted.

i think five FP+ at MK is fair based on the quantity of attractions there.

and i think riding the same ride TWO times (no more than that) is fair as well. but i get that TSMM would probably need to be held to one based on capacity issues.

I'm not being unreasonable, just asking for clarity on what was being suggested. I read those comments as being unlimited. I think we all understand that limits are needed so let's say what limits we would suggest. I tried to do this with the credits suggestion.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Recognize there would be a capacity issue. Disney can't allow somebody 60 days in advance to book a schedule like this:

Space Mountain - 8-9
Space Mountain - 9-10
Space Mountain - 10-11
Space Mountain - 11-12pm
Thunder Mountain - 12-1
Thunder Mountain - 1-2
Splash Mountain - 2-3
Splash Mountain - 3-4

So what would you suggest realizing that Disney has to handle capacity with respect to repeat attractions and FP+ limits?

I would suggest a system where if someone wants a FP for an attraction, they go up to a machine in front of that attraction, insert their ticket media and the machine gives them a FP for that attraction. The guest can then get another FP for any attraction that has available FPs either 2 hours later or when the FP window opens for that attraction, whichever is earlier.

It doesn't solve the capacity issue (no FP system will do that), but solves the many other issues with FP+.

(See what I did there?)

 

[JanaDee]

Recognize there would be a capacity issue. Disney can't allow somebody 60 days in advance to book a schedule like this:

Space Mountain - 8-9
Space Mountain - 9-10
Space Mountain - 10-11
Space Mountain - 11-12pm
Thunder Mountain - 12-1
Thunder Mountain - 1-2
Splash Mountain - 2-3
Splash Mountain - 3-4

So what would you suggest realizing that Disney has to handle capacity with respect to repeat attractions and FP+ limits?

You asked, I answered with a reasonable answer. Yours was not.

 

[JanaDee]

I would suggest a system where if someone wants a FP for an attraction, they go up to a machine in front of that attraction, insert their ticket media and the machine gives them a FP for that attraction. The guest can then get another FP for any attraction that has available FPs either 2 hours later or when the FP window opens for that attraction, whichever is earlier.

It doesn't solve the capacity issue (no FP system will do that), but solves the many other issues with FP+.

(See what I did there?)

 

[smitch425]

The tiering limits seem to be off at the moment, and you may even be able to get additional FP+ after you have used all three of your prebooked passes. As I've stated many times, the final FP+ product has yet to be seen.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I would suggest a system where if someone wants a FP for an attraction, they go up to a machine in front of that attraction, insert their ticket media and the machine gives them a FP for that attraction. The guest can then get another FP for any attraction that has available FPs either 2 hours later or when the FP window opens for that attraction, whichever is earlier.

(See what I did there?)

With all the money spent on the system, it would have been easy enough to convert the FP machines to connect to your MB rather than giving you paper. Tap your band. When you do it shows you everyone in your list and you just choose which you want FPs for. Not much different than the old system, which worked just fine. When FPs are gone they are gone. Just like the good ole days. LOL They could always make it 2 hours later to obtain another, regardless of the return time, to make them last longer.

 

[Dreams0308]

What I would like to see is the best of both worlds approach (FP+ and FP-)

I think it would be nice to allow a resort guest to reserve 3 FP+ 60 days out, but then allows you to get repeat ride FP+'s (with limits like FP- had on times when you could get your next FP-) beyond the 3 you reserved already, when you are at the park from your phone or the kiosks. Having the hours limits on these would be the same as it was for FP-, so you wouldn't be able to just book 20 FP+ from your phone at once. You could do them one at a time just like before, but you wouldn't have to send "dad" or someone from the party with all the tickets across the park to wait in more lines for the FP ticket machine. You could be waiting in a SB line for something and pull out your phone and look to see if any FP+ are available.

Maybe the App could notify you and buzz when your next FP+ window is open so that you can add 1 more FP+ if there are any left from the selection screen in the App.
Basically, it would be like the old system, with the added bonus of resort guests getting to book 3 rides in advance of everyone else. Also, it eliminates the need to run around the park and backtrack to get FP's.

The OP is right in that this technology is really nice and I think it can (if the rules are worked out) make it easier and less stressful to get a FP.

 

[surferdave]

Be biggest problem is that wireless technology has a long way to go for this system to be reliable, and so does battery life for devices. Hard wired scheduling devices in the parks that operate quickly might help (they can't keep an army of CMs standing around with iPads for damage control forever).

Find someone who understands web and smartphone app development and let them completely retool the interfaces. Right now they are so user vicious that it's maddening.

Allow an additional FP+ to be scheduled once one has been used. I don't think they can allow pre-scheduling of more than 3 without running out of capacity, but if they do i this way it will somewhat restore some of the flexibility if used to have.

Get rid of the pre-scheduling of the rides that don't need it. It just complicates matters for the users and slows down the lines. Use this wonderful billion dollar tech to just track who walks through.

Come up with a different form factor for those of us who don't like wearing the bands if cards are not going to be issued. I know the card aren't powered and don't have as wide a range, but if they had something like a key chain, belt loop attachment or lanyard form I would be happier.

Do absolutely everything possible to make this tech stuff invisible to the user instead of promoting it as some sort of entertainment in itself. Eventually the dazzle will wear off the glowing Mickey orbs and the smartphone use and more people will get annoyed by the limitations.

 

[ks-man]

It definitely seems that a balance between allocating some FP to the 60 days in advance and some for at the park reservations is preferred by most.

In terms of raising the limits from 3 to anything higher is us just assuming that it wouldn't run into capacity issues. How have the FP+ queues been recently? If they are quick with minimal wait it probably means they could handle more but if the lines for FP+ are still very long (which many people on these boards have complained about) then it sounds like they're already at capacity on the headliners.

This would mean there needs to be restrictions on the headliners and those need to stay where they currently are. While that won't be popular among superusers it does mean that more people are using FP+ as compared to FP- and that is a positive from Disney's POV.

Perhaps one FP+ in advance for a Tier 1 ride and one in advance for anything else. Then when you are at the park you get another Tier 1 FP subject to availability (from a different stock). So the RD crew would likely be able to do 3 headliners (without a long wait). One through the standby line when they arrive, another FP reserved early in the day for a headliner and a FP that was reserved in the advance period.

While you don't want to make it too confusing perhaps you call them something like red and green (or Mickey and Minney) where red/Mickey is the advance and green/Minney is at the park. You essentially get one headliner and one non-headliner from each group. If the park is quiet or there is more capacity on a specific day you would get more Minney FP at the park.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Just two:
1. You're not Universal Express, don't put it on every ride
2. Raise to limit to 5, or raise it just for hotel guests as another perk

 

[johde]

I think prebooking rules are fine. For changes I would say:

1. Day of park hopping utilizing Kiosk or GPS if you want to make sure their in the park. But the ability to drop remaining FP's and get new ones at a different park.

2. Possibility for relaxation of tiers and multiple rides. Again for prebooking, I think they need tiers to ensure an equitable distribution. But a possibility would be similar to the recent "bug" but, same day only and based on Disney's projections of FP+ availability, Rides with large numbers of FP+ slots still available as the day progresses could be open for people when rebooking an attraction without regards to Tiers or having previously ridden it before. For for example, at DHS on a low crowd day later in the day, RNR, Fantasmic, and TOT may show up as choice when you go to switch attractions. TSMM may not be shown because it only has a few FP+ slots left. But TOT is showing because it still has a large number of slots even though you've already used 1 FP+ for TOT.