The FP+ Gripe

[momof2n2]

The world will not end if we can't get on Soarin' 15 times in a day.

Nope.
But if I can't get on 3 times a day my WDW vacations may end.

 

[bjakmom]

We were also eligible for the fastpass+ test, I called up on two separate occasions to make sure I understood the trial before I linked up my tickets. As part of the trial we will be getting wristbands, and the fastpass+ rides...we will ALSO be allowed to use the regular fastpasses by asking for a disney resort card as has always been the case. The trial is just that, a trial. It can also be stopped at any time, to go back to the regular experience. They are hoping for around 2,000 trialist a day, during the August trial

Hmmmm... they must not be expecting many people to want to or be able to participate in the Aug testing for some reason - 2,000 guests per day seems low considering there are approx 5800 rooms in the participating resorts. Maybe occupancy is way down. I hope it ends up being that low - especailly if they are allowing people to virtually pull 3+ FP+s from the system in advance and then enter the park and use regular FP (if that's the case).

 

[Silock]

The world will not end if we can't get on Soarin' 15 times in a day.

FALSE! That's the only reason we go off-peak!

 

[Vertical]

Hmmmm... they must not be expecting many people to want to or be able to participate in the Aug testing for some reason - 2,000 guests per day seems low considering there are approx 5800 rooms in the participating resorts. Maybe occupancy is way down. I hope it ends up being that low - especailly if they are allowing people to virtually pull 3+ FP+s from the system in advance and then enter the park and use regular FP (if that's the case).

Perhaps it's 2,000 per park?

 

[mom2rtk]

The world will not end if we can't get on Soarin' 15 times in a day.

Yes, I think everyone who used to ride Soarin 15 times a day should absolutely cancel their trips. I'm sure that will clear the crowds right out.

Hmmmm... they must not be expecting many people to want to or be able to participate in the Aug testing for some reason - 2,000 guests per day seems low considering there are approx 5800 rooms in the participating resorts. Maybe occupancy is way down. I hope it ends up being that low - especailly if they are allowing people to virtually pull 3+ FP+s from the system in advance and then enter the park and use regular FP (if that's the case).

A CM posted that they were disappointed in the participation level in the last round of testing. Maybe they are tempering their expectations for this round? If they are actively promoting that the regular FP system will not be available, that might indeed affect the participation level (whether it works out that way or not).

 

[ilovemk76]

ITA

They complain that Disney does not keep up their rides and then complain that Disney changed a ride. They complain that Disney is not doing a ride the way Universal is. Two different perk demographics, so they should be different. They complain that Disney is not keeping up with technology and the. Complain when they implement a new technology. These people must be a joy to live with.

Who is kind of surprised when they see people who LOVE to plan their Disney Vacations (down to the minute) gripe about pre-planning their FP+?

Sadly, I am not surprised.

I would almost think if I enjoyed planning out my WDW vacations that much, I would LOVE the ability to book FP+ 2 months in advance!

Are the gripes about MDE being overblown? I see people saying their are not going to Disney World anymore because of it. They're angry because they say Disney is wanting to use this system to make more money and accuse them of being greedy. If the Disney company had no profits, there would be NO Disney World.

I believe so. We used it on our last trip and it was wonderful.

Walt Disney himself and the Disney company have always considered themselves to be on the forefront of technology, going digital (and paperless) for fast passes seem to be a natural progression. It's no surprise they are trying out newer technologies.

Way way way back in the day when Disney World introduced the KTTW so that it was your room key, park pass, your credit card, etc... I wonder how many people were so adverse to that change.

Sure, right now, there are some bugs to work out with the Magic Bands, FP+, etc... that's why it's still in the testing phase. Usually, Disney does a pretty good job at implementing new tech... In 5 years it will probably seem pretty natural to book your WDW trip, customize your band and wear it to the park so you don't have to keep up with your KTTW card.

I'm not saying that this new program doesn't have it's disadvantages, but it seems no one is talking about it's advantages either.

To me some of the advantages are:

1) Possible quicker park entry because we're not diggin' for cards and quicker check out lines at the gift shops
2) Not being forced to keep a card tucked away in a bag or pocket
3) The ability to customize your child's experience (if you to choose to opt-in and share the information)
4) Touch and go
5) If someone loves to plan, plan, plan - this gives them the ability to plan even more of their trip

6) being able to get the headlines and not arrive at rope drop.

Any other advantages I'm not thinking of?

Someone once told me... "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it"

Not trying to start a flame war, I would just like to see some folks point out the positive points of the MDE with magic bands, FP+, etc... for me.

I am glad to be on vacation with the ones I love. I go with the flow. Life is so much more enjoyable that way

 

[mbrittb00]

ITA
They complain that Disney does not keep up their rides and then complain that Disney changed a ride. They complain that Disney is not doing a ride the way Universal is. Two different perk demographics, so they should be different. They complain that Disney is not keeping up with technology and the. Complain when they implement a new technology. These people must be a joy to live with.

I'm not sure who you are directing this at, but to my knowledge no one on THIS thread has made any such complaints.

Please keep the comments to the topic and posts of THIS thread rather than injection complaints from other threads.

Thanks.

 

[patrickpiteo]

i'm not sure who you are directing this at, but to my knowledge no one on this thread has made any such complaints.

Please keep the comments to the topic and posts of this thread rather than injection complaints from other threads.

Thanks.

 

[JanaDee]

Hmmmm... they must not be expecting many people to want to or be able to participate in the Aug testing for some reason - 2,000 guests per day seems low considering there are approx 5800 rooms in the participating resorts. Maybe occupancy is way down. I hope it ends up being that low - especailly if they are allowing people to virtually pull 3+ FP+s from the system in advance and then enter the park and use regular FP (if that's the case).

I'm curious why they would allow testers to use both systems. That seems counter intuitive since they wouldn't get a clear picture on how the real world use will work once the system goes live.

That doesn't seem fair to people not participating in the test, since testers get to double dip on fastpasses.

 

[Reddog1134]

That doesn't seem fair to people not participating in the test, since testers get to double dip on fastpasses.

I don't want to instigate another "Fair/not fair/life isn't fair" debate but shouldn't they be compensated for their participation in the testing phase?

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm curious why they would allow testers to use both systems. That seems counter intuitive since they wouldn't get a clear picture on how the real world use will work once the system goes live.

That doesn't seem fair to people not participating in the test, since testers get to double dip on fastpasses.

Because they want testers to tell all their friends, both in person and on social media, that this is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Take away traditional FP with the test and people might actually figure out this is ride rationing.

 

[JanaDee]

I don't want to instigate another "Fair/not fair/life isn't fair" debate but shouldn't they be compensated for their participation in the testing phase?

It is an interesting thought, but not one I necessarily agree with. It is a voluntary test and people can choose to opt out.

 

[WillAustin]

I don't want to instigate another "Fair/not fair/life isn't fair" debate but shouldn't they be compensated for their participation in the testing phase?

I'm sure there are plenty who feel it's a privilege just to be in the test, unless something happens to go wrong.

 

[Reddog1134]

It is an interesting thought, but not one I necessarily agree with. It is a voluntary test and people can choose to opt out.

All the more reason to make it more enticing by allowing them access to standard FP.

 

[Disneylover99]

It is an interesting thought, but not one I necessarily agree with. It is a voluntary test and people can choose to opt out.

I would guess most people would opt out, given a choice between regular fp with full access to riding your favourite rides multiple times to fastpass+ with only 3 fastpasses of different rides per day.

 

[JanaDee]

All the more reason to make it more enticing by allowing them access to standard FP.

Yes, I think if they would have been told they'd be limited to 3 fast passes a day with no access to the current fast pass system, people would have chosen not to participate.

They won't be receiving accurate info from the test, though. Right now, all indications point to not being able to use both once it goes live.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would guess most people would opt out, given a choice between regular fp with full access to riding your favourite rides multiple times to fastpass+ with only 3 fastpasses of different rides per day.

I'd probably consider opting into the test. But only because I believe they are TELLING people they won't get to double dip, but in fact will be able to. I just don't think they're willing to take a negative response at this point.

 

[jerivera]

ITA

They complain that Disney does not keep up their rides and then complain that Disney changed a ride. They complain that Disney is not doing a ride the way Universal is. Two different perk demographics, so they should be different. They complain that Disney is not keeping up with technology and the. Complain when they implement a new technology. These people must be a joy to live with.

I am glad to be on vacation with the ones I love. I go with the flow. Life is so much more enjoyable that way

Agreed! For the amount of $$$ folk are paying for their Disney vacation/fix, they really should have a more positive outlook!

It's a vacation! It's at Disney!

Why start hyperventilating about a process that isn't in place yet, may be radically different than what is being discussed/gossiped about on the boards right now, and is so small during pilot mode that it likely won't impact their vacation in any noticeable way?

You're all going to Disney! Stop worrying! Be happy!!

 

[Reddog1134]

They won't be receiving accurate info from the test, though. Right now, all indications point to not being able to use both once it goes live.

If they are testing peoples reaction to FP+ then the data would be slightly skewed by allowing them access to regular FP. But how would that affect the testing of the system itself?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Because they want testers to tell all their friends, both in person and on social media, that this is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Take away traditional FP with the test and people might actually figure out this is ride rationing.

Maybe they want to see how the thing plays out from the booking through the riding. Work out any kinks in the system.

I hardly think they expect a relative handful of users to market the whole thing for them.