The Future of Fast Pass Plus

[theSurlyMermaid]

I resent having to plan every moment so far in advance and I am a planner, so that says something. The old FP system, allowed us to make choices the day of, and it was a level playing field if you were at the park early.

I resent that there are no confirmation numbers if the fast passes disappear

I resent that Disney can change the times of the parks and take away EMH's long after I had to commit to a plan!

We have already had a family meeting that Disney will not be our next year trip, and we are seriously discussing a non-Disney trip after that...we have been the last 6 years this will be our 7th...we are soured on the whole process. It does not help that I have a dark cloud over my head thinking "what if" they lose our Fastpasses, what if the bands screw up. I know this can happen because it just happened on my BFF's trip and she was not happy! She has been 30+ times, she said it is a lot of money and it was quite the pain.

This is the first Disney trip I've ever planned where I just can't wait….for it to be over. I will not be doing any more of these "Bring a large party to Disney for a magical gathering!" things anymore. And that's what we got DVC for! This is just WAY too much planning and hoping and praying that everything goes smoothly. With this system I don't trust it at all.

 

[Jennasis]

Just out of curiosity what would constitute a total catastrophic failure?

Well...at one point MDE lost my EVERYTHING (ADR's, tickets, Resort Reservation). It was just a few hours before I was supposed to be able to start booking FP+. The site didn't even seem to know who I was anymore. Took a call to IT to straighten out...one more call to IT and I win a new set of steak knives!

BUT, on the trip? I suppose a total failure would be bands not working, people being dropped from the plans, FP+ disappearing, ADR's lost, tickets not being recognized, or the whole MDE going kaput (like it did about 10 minutes AFTER our booking window opened). Spending hours in guest service lines to attempt to fix THEIR mistakes (and possibly being treated like a liar in the process)

So, I'm expecting a total failure of MDE to be possible. I'm setting the bar very low for Disney and their joke of an IT infrastructure, and will make the most of our vacation regardless.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

We just returned a week ago from two days at the parks with a family group of 14 total (coming off a cruise). Although I'm a planner by nature, because of the nature of this trip, I was happy just to get everyone to pre-order their Magic Bands. We had no FPs at all when we arrived at AKL on Thursday.

We were going to AK on Friday, and because DH is a CM, our family of four was using our Silver Pass to get in. That meant our group could not pre-plan ANY FPs. We got in the park about 15 minutes after opening, went to a kiosk, and had no trouble getting all 11 of us (who met the height requiremtns!) on EE, Kali, and Lion King show at times that worked for us.

Friday night we went to the concierge at AKL, bought everyone admission to MK for Saturday (blackout day for CMs!), and had her arrange the FPs for everyone. Other than 7DMT, it was easy to get what we wanted.

So yes, I think FP+ will be tweaked, but is definitely here to stay. (Hoping CMs can eventually add FPs early!) It worked well for us. And was a good lesson for me that, even without crazy planning, things can still work out.

 

[Suvadoo]

Get on the good stuff first thing if you can and then go from there.

When FP+ was first introduced, many posters thought the biggest benefit was not having to be at the parks for rope drop. I guess that's just another pipe dream, if you want to experience the E ticket rides!

 

[pigletto]

I resent having to plan every moment so far in advance and I am a planner, so that says something. The old FP system, allowed us to make choices the day of, and it was a level playing field if you were at the park early.

I resent that there are no confirmation numbers if the fast passes disappear

I resent that Disney can change the times of the parks and take away EMH's long after I had to commit to a plan!

We have already had a family meeting that Disney will not be our next year trip, and we are seriously discussing a non-Disney trip after that...we have been the last 6 years this will be our 7th...we are soured on the whole process. It does not help that I have a dark cloud over my head thinking "what if" they lose our Fastpasses, what if the bands screw up. I know this can happen because it just happened on my BFF's trip and she was not happy! She has been 30+ times, she said it is a lot of money and it was quite the pain.

I pretty much echo everything you've said. They've hit my planning/fretting/worrying threshold. We'll be upgrading old two day tickets when we get there so we'll be limited to what is available the week of our trip for fastpass+. We'll have a nice time I'm sure, but honestly I am way more excited about Universal on this trip. Fastpass+ has sucked alot of the joy out of planning and Disney vacations for this family. I just think they've overcomplicated things.

 

[dropout]

This is the first Disney trip I've ever planned where I just can't wait….for it to be over. I will not be doing any more of these "Bring a large party to Disney for a magical gathering!" things anymore. And that's what we got DVC for! This is just WAY too much planning and hoping and praying that everything goes smoothly. With this system I don't trust it at all.

What's a large party for you? We have 9 people and it's been pretty easy, other than staying up late to try to get FPs first. My wife and I enjoy planning trips, it's honestly a good deal of the fun, and no real complaints with the new system.

 

[btk2333]

Well...at one point MDE lost my EVERYTHING (ADR's, tickets, Resort Reservation). It was just a few hours before I was supposed to be able to start booking FP+. The site didn't even seem to know who I was anymore. Took a call to IT to straighten out...one more call to IT and I win a new set of steak knives!

BUT, on the trip? I suppose a total failure would be bands not working, people being dropped from the plans, FP+ disappearing, ADR's lost, tickets not being recognized, or the whole MDE going kaput (like it did about 10 minutes AFTER our booking window opened). Spending hours in guest service lines to attempt to fix THEIR mistakes (and possibly being treated like a liar in the process)

So, I'm expecting a total failure of MDE to be possible. I'm setting the bar very low for Disney and their joke of an IT infrastructure, and will make the most of our vacation regardless.

Oh wow that is a horror story! I'm glad that's never happened to us- I would recommend screenshotting everything and/or having hard copies. We once had a FPP drop from the system and when I showed them the screenshot they let me through into the FPP line.

 

[Toadlover]

This thread is scaring me. We haven't gotten our bands. Our trip is too far out and we aren't sure when we are going anymore anyway. I can't imagine my family trying to work around what sounds like a glitch-filled mess. There will be 11 of us. Eleven times the frustration!

 

[Suvadoo]

This needs to happen. Although our trip worked out better than I expected, one thing we've been discussing since we got home is how exhausting FP+ was. So much advance planning, so much time spent waiting in line at FP+ kiosks, so much time walking back and forth to FP+ kiosks. Keeping track of what rides we had FP+ for and what time we had to be there, planning meals around it. It really was kind of ridiculous now that I've had a week to reflect upon it.

This is my problem. I have a job that requires adherence to strict timelines and schedules.

I love planning and dreaming about vacations, but once I'm on vacation I want to enjoy the experience without keeping track of every tiny detail. I'm feeling like FP+ requires the same sort of planning required in my daily life. I don't want to work for my vacation.

 

[Toadlover]

Oh wow that is a horror story! I'm glad that's never happened to us- I would recommend screenshotting everything and/or having hard copies. We once had a FPP drop from the system and when I showed them the screenshot they let me through into the FPP line.

That's a good idea. Print the screen!

 

[btk2333]

When FP+ was first introduced, many posters thought the biggest benefit was not having to be at the parks for rope drop. I guess that's just another pipe dream, if you want to experience the E ticket rides!

You're misrepresenting the FP+ advantage- you now have the ability to schedule headliners for the afternoon meaning you don't need to do RD to do TSM for example. I know people who had never done TSM in the legacy days because they could never get a legacy FP; however, now they can book TSM in advance for 2:00 so they've done it. That being said, RD is still the most efficient way to tour.

 

[redsbe]

Is it just me or does FP+ seem like an awful lot of work for a vacation?

I keep reading posts on how to book fastpasses: First pick the attractions you want, then let the MDE select the times, then go in and edit the times for the times you want. All of this information is only learned from other users' experiences.

Once you're in the parks and have used your 3 FP's go to a kiosk and wait in a line to avoid waiting in an attraction line and try to get a 4th FP.

From what I've read on the boards, aside from the glitches, most people like FP+. The DisBoards,however, are loaded with Disney Fanatics and this is a small subset of WDW visitors. The average WDW visitor does minimal or no research prior to visiting WDW.

How do you think the average park goer is coping with FP+?
Do you believe FP+ will last?
If so, do you think it will remain as it is, or think it will be modified?
What modifications will be made?

The average visitor (and majority of visitors) never used the previous FP system, so I suspect they are not using or learning to use. In my experience more of those people traveling and vacation are doing more and more of their own planning given all the online tools and information to do so, of which FP+ is another example and one that will become much more common in the future for self planning and booking of vacations. And many people like to micro plan their lives including vacations, a niche FP+ fits well into.

 

[mediadiva]

Is it just me or does FP+ seem like an awful lot of work for a vacation?

I keep reading posts on how to book fastpasses: First pick the attractions you want, then let the MDE select the times, then go in and edit the times for the times you want. All of this information is only learned from other users' experiences.

Once you're in the parks and have used your 3 FP's go to a kiosk and wait in a line to avoid waiting in an attraction line and try to get a 4th FP.

From what I've read on the boards, aside from the glitches, most people like FP+. The DisBoards,however, are loaded with Disney Fanatics and this is a small subset of WDW visitors. The average WDW visitor does minimal or no research prior to visiting WDW.

How do you think the average park goer is coping with FP+?
Do you believe FP+ will last?
If so, do you think it will remain as it is, or think it will be modified?
What modifications will be made?

I am new, I've never used the FP system before. I thought the website is very cool. I never heard the word touring or rope drop until I came here so I wasn't even thinking of those.. I just booked times based on what day we wanted to be at which park (I didn't care so I randomly picked based on the day I could find a reservation, and it worked out great.) and mostly the time of day based on my kids and the heat. I couldn't get A&E or BOG when I first tried, and a few weeks later I found them while looking. I think its great. I know about it because my sister told me about it and did it for us on a past trip.

 

[jco_direwolf]

That's a good idea. Print the screen!

as discussed in other threads. It might work for some attractions. BUt good luck on it working for A&E, 7DMT, Soarin, TestTrack, TSM, or RnRC.

 

[Suvadoo]

You're misrepresenting the FP+ advantage- you now have the ability to schedule headliners for the afternoon meaning you don't need to do RD to do TSM for example. I know people who had never done TSM in the legacy days because they could never get a legacy FP; however, now they can book TSM in advance for 2:00 so they've done it. That being said, RD is still the most efficient way to tour.

I don't think I'm " misrepresenting" the FP+ advantage. I was just stating what I had read from other posters and what I thought was a positive for FP+. But it all comes down to what you want out of your vacation and how much you're willing to work to achieve your goal. If attractions are critical to your happiness, then Rope Drop remains in the plans.

 

[lauradis]

1. How do you think the average park goer is coping with FP+?

My girlfriend hasnt been in 10 yrs but planning a trip she just signed up for MDE today and said wow this is a lot of work and confessing! She also didnt use paper fasspass last time.

2. Do you believe FP+ will last? yes

3. If so, do you think it will remain as it is, or think it will be modified?

Im hoping they modify it

4. What modifications will be made?

Disney really has created a great marking with fp+ to get heads in beds aka stay on property. If they can fill hotels rooms more with packages for magic bands and fp+ they can lessen discounts and increase profit.

The system its self I love the idea, no more cards to find, no more running to fp machines with every ones cards then walking back etc.

personally only had one problem with fp+ it crashed and wouldnt reboot for couple of hours. Smart me took pic of the fastpass plus screens and showed Cast members they just waved us threw.

to little fp+ 3 isnt enough, should get 4- 6 to start then the ability to add more from MDE. teir by the hour. with repeats and park hopping. Really whats the point of buying the hopping option now, with the way fp+ is set up.

window to book fp+ should be 30 days
dinning should be 60 days

i know its not popular idea but magic bands, fastpass plus, should be exclusive perks to on property guest, annual pass holders, dvc members.

 

[dkrauss]

Is it just me or does FP+ seem like an awful lot of work for a vacation?

FP+ isn't a requirement. No one has to use it. It's the process as things stand now. You can always wait in the stand-by line...........

For many (including moi ) it works pretty well. I know in advance what and when I can be on one of my favorite rides. That wasn't the case previously with the old system in that I had to be in the park and accept what was given. To me is seems a bit more fair......... there will obviously be many who disagree.

No system will satisfy everyone.......those like me like it............but those who tend to be more "park warriors" don't like it...........they prefer having access to an unlimited amount of FP's. Yes there are some issues that have cropped up........A&E being one of the biggest. Disney is working that out (with paper FP......... )

Is it some work.........yes but nobody is making you do it.............but then if you want to avoid the line in 7DMT...........I guess they are......

Doug

 

[jco_direwolf]

With FP+ Disney is advertising " Reserving your ride from your recliner" So they are trying to advertise to the general public. Do you think reserving FP+ is user friendly?

Also, now there are long stand by lines on rides that never had long waits. For example: Pirates, Haunted Mansion. Do you think this is from FP+ or do you think it's from increased attendance?

Yes they are pushing it. Want to watch the Planning DVD from 2004/5? In it you'll learn how wonderful FP is, how the wait time for RnRC is long and we'll grab a FP for it, and go ride ToT (yep that is what is in that one, along with Dave testing relaxation stations aka benches.)

Disney has been trying to inform people about FP for 15 years. And people STILL think it's something you have to add on or pay extra for or ... They are trying with FP+ but the general public just isn't THAT informed.

I don't know what you mean by do I think it's user friendly. I had NO issues with making FP+ since Oct 2013. It took me a few tries to figure out the system, but I'm not going to say I'm the average user (Unless you think the average guest has a Master Degree in Computer Engineering.)

it is from FP+, But not due to what the question implies.

Both are slower only because those attractions worked better without FP. HM had FP for years, and it was never used. The through put of the mansion slowed noticeably when the CM had to merge the guests at the FP merge point.

PotC 1/2 the capacity throughput of the attraction is tied up in FP+ now. Since FP+ loads from the right side boat, and the stand by loads from the left boat.

The flaw in all your arguments is this is a system geared at Mom, Dad, little billy and princess sally. It's not geared for those of us that are "Professional level" WDW guests. The system is in place it will be modified and expanded, but it's not for US, we have to do what we can to use it.

 

[btk2333]

fp+ isn't a requirement. No one has to use it. It's the process as things stand now. You can always wait in the stand-by line...........

For many (including moi ) it works pretty well. I know in advance what and when i can be on one of my favorite rides. That wasn't the case previously with the old system in that i had to be in the park and accept what was given. To me is seems a bit more fair......... There will obviously be many who disagree.

No system will satisfy everyone.......those like me like it............but those who tend to be more "park warriors" don't like it...........they prefer having access to an unlimited amount of fp's. Yes there are some issues that have cropped up........a&e being one of the biggest. Disney is working that out (with paper fp......... )

is it some work.........yes but nobody is making you do it.............but then if you want to avoid the line in 7dmt...........i guess they are......

doug

+1

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I am new, I've never used the FP system before. I thought the website is very cool. I never heard the word touring or rope drop until I came here so I wasn't even thinking of those.. I just booked times based on what day we wanted to be at which park (I didn't care so I randomly picked based on the day I could find a reservation, and it worked out great.) and mostly the time of day based on my kids and the heat. I couldn't get A&E or BOG when I first tried, and a few weeks later I found them while looking. I think its great. I know about it because my sister told me about it and did it for us on a past trip.

This is typical of the VAST MAJORITY of Disney guests. And your post is what gives me hope whenever I am on these boards. The FP system IS cool. The website IS cool. The app IS cool. And Magic Bands ARE cool. The [mostly] negative stuff you are reading here comes from people who truly go to WDW too many times. They think they have it down to a science. They are claim to be Disney fans. But many of them simply complain about anything new and different. It's obvious that "change" is not a good thing to many of these people.

And I'm with you on the "rope drop" and "touring" thing. Rope drop makes a sense because it is technically how they used to open most of the parks (by holding guests at a rope, and having an announcement of sorts to open the park). The term "touring" makes me crazy. This is coming from people who have been to these parks multiple times over many years. I don't get it, and it sounds a little crazy. If you are visiting for the first time ever, then I guess you are "touring" the parks. Other than that, it's just strange to refer to your time in the parks as "touring".

Of course this is just my opinion. I will be in the minority, and several people will call me out on this. This is called "flaming". Watch how it works. It's quite amusing.

Welcome to the boards. Use them with a grain of salt. You are going to have a great vacation.