The Future of Fast Pass Plus

[4one6]

I set up my fastpass+ 60days out at midnight. Got everything I wanted. Including 7dmt, my sister got 6 A&E fastpasses at the same time. I got all the major attractions at the time I wanted. I don't see a problem with it. It could also be that I'm bit the type of person to run to and from rides. If I miss something I miss something no no deal. Why let something you can't do ruin your vacation.

 

[Jennasis]

I get that part. Not my point. The point is that even the Legacy FP system relied on Disney's IT. To be totally dismissive of Disney's IT department on one hand because of FP+ failures but to laud the legacy FP system which was also IT reliant is a bit contradictory in nature.

And dont get me wrong. I am not saying that all of these issues are being caused by the end user. But the reality of it is that some are. And the problem with 100% relying on anecdotal accounts about using the FP+ system is that we dont have full information and people when giving their accounts by human nature, tend to cast themselves in the best light and leave out some details that might have contributed to issues that they experienced.

IT has blown for YEARS. In particular they have had the one of the sloppiest, poorest performing websites around since day one.

 

[clsteve]

I get that part. Not my point. The point is that even the Legacy FP system relied on Disney's IT. To be totally dismissive of Disney's IT department on one hand because of FP+ failures but to laud the legacy FP system which was also IT reliant is a bit contradictory in nature.


And dont get me wrong. I am not saying that all of these issues are being caused by the end user. But the reality of it is that some are. And the problem with 100% relying on anecdotal accounts about using the FP+ system is that we dont have full information and people when giving their accounts by human nature, tend to cast themselves in the best light and leave out some details that might have contributed to issues that they experienced.

FP- was a "dumb" system - it spit out paper. It spit paper out based on the simplest algorithm possible. All IT had to do was load paper and keep the electricity on.....

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I'm checking again nightly- it seems like they tend to open up around 9:00 pm central time

But how many are you checking for? I was able to find single ones but nothing for a party of 3 which is what a family would be looking for, more than 1. When you make statements that you were able to find openings up until 11:15 today, you should also mention how many that opening was for so you aren't giving the impression that a family will find FP+s for their family of 3, 4 or 5 the day of during peak season.

And if they are opening more spots later, that is another strike against the system in my family eyes. If I am checking right now for a FP+ for my family for tomorrow, then I resent the fact that Disney is holding those FP+ for someone "arriving", at least online, later than me. Shouldn't I get those FP+s for my family? After all, I was there(online) first.

 

[PlutoMars]

I am crushed that after all this time...nearly a year...and we are right back to bickering about super users abusing and hoarding legacy FP and comparing the two systems.

Let's stick to the reality. Legacy is gone and never coming back. We are stuck with FP+. Sometimes it works fantastically, and sometimes it doesn't do so good, and sometimes it fails the guest miserably.

I just want whatever system is in place to work. So far it hasn't for me...not consistently.

Didnt you say that PART of your issue was caused by another person in your party creating an account in MDE?

I am not saying that this caused all the other issues you experienced but it does show that sometimes end users contribute to computer issues.

And I agree, it should consistently work. But should there be an issue, then what do you think the best course of action that Disney's customer service fields a call where someone claims that all of their FP+ have disappeared?

 

[btk2333]

But how many are you checking for? I was able to find single ones but nothing for a party of 3 which is what a family would be looking for, more than 1. When you make statements that you were able to find openings up until 11:15 today, you should also mention how many that opening was for so you aren't giving the impression that a family will find FP+s for their family of 3, 4 or 5 the day of during peak season. And if they are opening more spots later, that is another strike against the system in my family eyes. If I am checking right now for a FP+ for my family for tomorrow, then I resent the fact that Disney is holding those FP+ for someone "arriving", at least online, later than me. Shouldn't I get those FP+s for my family? After all, I was there(online) first.

I'm sorry I was checking for a family of four last night and this morning

 

[MouseClubMama]

I am making a mental note of all the clever retorts posted on this thread for future reference. I am too much of a novice to play here, I must sharpen my skills!!!

 

[surferdave]

I get that part. Not my point. The point is that even the Legacy FP system relied on Disney's IT. To be totally dismissive of Disney's IT department on one hand because of FP+ failures but to laud the legacy FP system which was also IT reliant is a bit contradictory in nature.

It's all relative. I think my 10 year old daughter is a strong swimmer, for her age and size. If she decided she was crossing the English Channel it would be a different matter.

Original Fastpass was relatively simple. I never trusted Disney's IT decisions much, but they at least had that one working well after many years of use. I'm sure many components of it were obsolete and there were going to be pains for sure if they replaced them with modern technology but at least with the original specifications the transparency could have been maintained.

NextGen is by comparison vast and complex, and would have been challenging for an IT group with a strong reputation.

 

[SoonerSean]

I think, in the end, the issue with FP+ is that it just wasn't necessary. It should have been a perk - maybe just allowing you to schedule 1-2 rides in advance as a resort guest. Then keep the original FP system for use in the parks each day.

Still want to rope drop and run to TSMM? Go right ahead. Want to try and snag a FP for three tier 1 rides... go right ahead.

The original system didn't require any more planning than talking amongst your group about what was the first thing you'd FP when you got to the park while you went to ride something else. And it didn't rely on a lot of technology. No one lost a FP because of a computer glitch... they had to physically LOSE a piece of paper.

I'm not an old man... but I feel like one now when I complain about FP+. I just think things were better "back in the good old days".

 

[dbramer]

I am crushed that after all this time...nearly a year...and we are right back to bickering about super users abusing and hoarding legacy FP and comparing the two systems.

Let's stick to the reality. Legacy is gone and never coming back. We are stuck with FP+. Sometimes it works fantastically, and sometimes it doesn't do so good, and sometimes it fails the guest miserably.

I just want whatever system is in place to work. So far it hasn't for me...not consistently.

As far as I see it, no one was bickering about it. I just mentioned it as a possible explanation for mom's statement about not being able to tour as in the past and she confirmed my supposition with her reply. That is fine for her family, my family likes to ride every ride, not just one or two (or however many) favorites multiple times. Didn't need FP- for my style of touring, she did....no one is bickering or even brought up hoarding. It has been mentioned in past threads about super-users getting double-digits in a day...if that's what you want to do, go for it...while you are riding SM five times, I am riding five different rides...just my style...I only posited a potential explanation for a statement.

 

[dkrauss]

Doug, thanks for the link to that great report. However, he did hit on the one thing that bothers me. I am a senior and not tech savvy! I have an old fashioned flip phone to use for phone calls only (what an idea huh?) and will have to make the trek to a kiosk to change times or set up new fp's. I will have to wait and see what happens.
Believe it or not, there are people out there who do not have smart phones, nor do they want one. I ran into a large family last year at WDW, yes with teenagers too, who did not want or have smart phones. They seemed happy I also feel sorry for those other people who think a vacation to WDW is okay to do without any planning. They really have not idea all that is involved. My son and his wife/kids went this past May without any planning in advance; they honestly didn't know it was needed. I did try to fill them in,and they looked at me like I was crazy Surely a vacation wouldn't require that level of planning? Anyway, they went and did not see or do as much as they could have with planning.
So...........I will be trekking to the kiosks to do things and will let you other dissers know how that turned out

You do raise a valid concern regarding the phone. Its unfortunate, more so because I don't know that there's a good answer for you beyond what you'll have to do.

As for not planning a WDW vacation..........I've spoken with people who do it........and many of them swear by it. But I don't know that they're looking for an A&E experience, or traveling during the busiest times or arriving at parks at 11am. For me planning is one of the fun parts of my Disney experience. Yes, it is more work than any other type of vacation I currently take........but I'm aware of that and ok with it. I've run in to things that frustrate me........still haven't got that BOG ADR..........but I just don't get so upset by it to let it ruin the joy of WDW for me..........sounds like you're taking the same approach.

Hope all works out for you on your trip and good luck with the kiosks....One important tip I've read about is in the MK avoid the town square kiosk.....it tends to be the busiest so I've heard........

Have a wonderful vacation!

Doug

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I'm sorry I was checking for a family of four last night and this morning

So that makes me wonder about something else. Are different people seeing different things open?

 

[PlutoMars]

FP- was a "dumb" system - it spit out paper. It spit paper out based on the simplest algorithm possible. All IT had to do was load paper and keep the electricity on.....

I see, so no networking was involved? No IT design involved? No matter how dumb the system was, it was still an IT based system which required some level of design and maintenance.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Nobody is scolding users like this (I was the same way) but it makes sense that Disney would prefer to spread the fp+ out

You are right...you didn't...a PP did. Jennasis - I was 100% completely joking hence the .

I agree the current system is here to stay whether or not I like it or not. I do hope they pour even more money in it so it isn't so glitchy. I would love to see folks be able to preplan rides in more than one park and for the 4th and any other additional ones to be made .with the app. This would be a "plus" in my opinion and I may not dislike the system as much as I do now.

 

[btk2333]

So that makes me wonder about something else. Are different people seeing different things open?

I would add that yesterday at 3:00 there no availabilities just like right now there are none; however at 9:00 pm yesterday and all morning until 11:15 central time there were availability for four

I guess I should mention that theyre annual pass holders and four adults in case that matters

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I would add that yesterday at 3:00 there no availabilities just like right now there are none; however at 9:00 pm yesterday and all morning until 11:15 central time there were availability for four

I guess I should mention that theyre annual pass holders and four adults in case that matters

Our tickets are 10 day NE.

 

[surferdave]

I am making a mental note of all the clever retorts posted on this thread for future reference. I am too much of a novice to play here, I must sharpen my skills!!!

They change quickly. Today's retorts may be no good tomorrow.

 

[Jennasis]

Didnt you say that PART of your issue was caused by another person in your party creating an account in MDE?

I am not saying that this caused all the other issues you experienced but it does show that sometimes end users contribute to computer issues.

And I agree, it should consistently work. But should there be an issue, then what do you think the best course of action that Disney's customer service fields a call where someone claims that all of their FP+ have disappeared?

That was one of my several issues, yes. Though, I see no reason why somebody creating their own account should have any effect on what's already on my account.

 

[stky6]

"We'll keep checking, but I think we're going to be left with the options of (a)running with the bulls at Rope Drop; (b)waiting in a long standby line or (c)not doing 7DMT."


(d) Or just getting in line 10 minutes before the park closes

 

[ziravan]

Back to the customer service question. Should Disney just take everyone's word that the system lost their FP+s and just grant them any FP+ that they desire?

No. But. IF I had A&E booked and can show you a screenshot to that effect, then it's not likely it was changed by me for the benefit of gaming the system.

The problem is that FP+ reservations need confirmation numbers that create a trace on when they are reserved, and when they are released. Just like ADRs.

I just about had a cow this morning when MDE failed to show my ressie for CRT. I called, gave my confirmation number and was assured the reservation was still there, that even though MDE was being glitchy, nothing actually happened to the reservation.

If it were A&E FP that had disappeared, how could I have followed up? My word vs. the machine.

With confirmation numbers, if I change that later, the system would log the change.

"I'm sorry sir, but I looked up your confirmation number and it shows that you changed out this FP on Mar 15th. I looked at your MDE, and at the same time of this drop, you received a new confirmation for Space Mountain." That's a much better answer than, "Who knows why this happened, but we can't help you."

Most of the problems with dropped FPs would be solved with confirmation numbers.