The Future of Fast Pass Plus

[practicallyperfect77]

2 me and my wife.. I got it but at 12 am on the dot tried to adjust tines at 12:05 am said no FP were available.. Also no A&E..

Wow....kinda scares me for next month when I need to get 6 FPs. Planning on going to MK on MNSSHH days though an praying for low crowds. But never would have thought you'd have problems getting them for late Sept. Guess F&W is going on then though. Kinda makes me wonder if they are putting them out in stages. I know a few months ago a CM posted they were not, but the thing is....we'll never know. One of the reasons I don't like FP+.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Making FP+ this am at 60 days out, no A and E, only able to get Seven Dwarfs at the end of the week. In reference to the OP, I cannot imagine the 'average guest' comprehending the complexity of this system and getting the maximum benefit from it like diser's do, but then again, this is no different then the old FP system now is it?! So 'average guest' has same experience, seasoned Disney fans with repeat visits have to hassle with planning every waking minute of the trip (and when people say you don't have to do this, I say yes you do if you want to take advantage of E ticket rides, new experiences, etc)

I have used it several times, it's a pain and I don't like it, however my love of Disney will prevail and I will deal with it.

 

[donp]

I don't think FP+ will affect the average guest at all. I was talking with a client today and she mentioned she was going to disney in September. I asked if she had made her FP+ reservations and she had no idea what they were or why she should make them. When I hear this my first reaction is always "seriously?" I think lots of people just won't make the selections. First timers (unless told by someone seasoned in disney) won't worry about making FP+ reservations (fairly involved thought process). Just like they didn't worry about paper FP (which of course was the easiest concept ever). So in my opinion the average guest will be affected zero. Who is affected? The people who knew and loved the old system. I think it's here to stay and I'm ok with that.

I agree. I have been on these boards planning my trip for months, and have done likewise two other times. I am a planner, like to suck the last bit of marrow out out of any possible experience, and really like to investigate all strategies. I suppose that the average Dis'er is virtually the same--many have gone before, been able to take full advantage of every opportunity afforded them, and love being in "the know."

But, I think most folks aren't that way. This may be their only trip in ten years, and they make their FPs while they are there. They are happy with things, the magic, the excitement of it all, and do not know that others didn't have to wait in line to see A and E but rather spent ten hours on the Boards planning how to get the A and E , staying up til 2am on 60 days out to get it, being exhausted the next day. I think we are just a different breed of critter.

As an aside, BigAlsGal, I initially read your moniker incorrectly and thought--wow, she is really comfortable with her larger posterior!! Too funny!

 

[Suvadoo]

I assume you apply "perceived" to the numerous stories reports of FP+ success?

I think this level of skeptism is only applied to negative reviews.

 

[mom2rtk]

But you havent generated anything new that hasnt already been mentioned before multiple times about the FP+ system.

I must have missed all the new stuff you have been posting.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Wow....kinda scares me for next month when I need to get 6 FPs. Planning on going to MK on MNSSHH days though an praying for low crowds. But never would have thought you'd have problems getting them for late Sept. Guess F&W is going on then though. Kinda makes me wonder if they are putting them out in stages. I know a few months ago a CM posted they were not, but the thing is....we'll never know. One of the reasons I don't like FP+.

I managed to score 7 FPs for A&E together but I had to do it at the very end of the vacation. There was NOTHING else available and I was searching for 4. AFter I got the 4, I copied the other three and it copied them to the exact same time.

eta: also majorly annoying I have been going to Disney since the dawn of time and have always managed to easily get FP for Soarin' and Test Track on the same park day and now it only lets you pick one or the other. We will have to get there early to do TT without a big wait. It's not the end of the world of anything but for me, the before way was much better.

 

[Suvadoo]

Making FP+ this am at 60 days out, no A and E, only able to get Seven Dwarfs at the end of the week. In reference to the OP, I cannot imagine the 'average guest' comprehending the complexity of this system and getting the maximum benefit from it like diser's do, but then again, this is no different then the old FP system now is it?! So 'average guest' has same experience, seasoned Disney fans with repeat visits have to hassle with planning every waking minute of the trip (and when people say you don't have to do this, I say yes you do if you want to take advantage of E ticket rides, new experiences, etc)

I have used it several times, it's a pain and I don't like it, however my love of Disney will prevail and I will deal with it.

Agreed!!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I think this level of skeptism is only applied to negative reviews.

Totally disagree, I think it depends on the reviewer. If someone from the "Everything Disney does sucks" faction posts a negative trip review, I take it with a grain of salt. If someone from the "Disney is puppy dogs, unicorns and rainbows" group posts a glowing review, I take it with that same grain of salt.

I know it's blasphemous around here because they're considered the plankton of the Internet on this site, but I love reading just back reports from low post count posters who have no axe to grind either way. That's where I feel the most honest reviews come from.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I must have missed all the new stuff you have been posting.

You didn't miss much. It was just stuff like how Gringotts sucks because it's had operating issues. You know, that whole new ride doesn't work crap. But that has died down since the ride has operated much more efficiently as of late. I only wish the same could be said for FP+. Irony 101.

 

[magicbob]

I don't think FP+ will affect the average guest at all. I was talking with a client today and she mentioned she was going to disney in September. I asked if she had made her FP+ reservations and she had no idea what they were or why she should make them. When I hear this my first reaction is always "seriously?"

I think lots of people just won't make the selections. First timers (unless told by someone seasoned in disney) won't worry about making FP+ reservations (fairly involved thought process). Just like they didn't worry about paper FP (which of course was the easiest concept ever).

So in my opinion the average guest will be affected zero. Who is affected? The people who knew and loved the old system.

So, what I'm hearing is that the "average" guest (the purported beneficiary of FP+ re-distribution) will continue to be blissfully ignorant of the system while those evil super-abusers still have their FP quota reduced. So where are all those extra FP slots (the ones "reclaimed" by limiting the uber-users) going?

 

[mom2rtk]

So, what I'm hearing is that the "average" guest (the purported beneficiary of FP+ re-distribution) will continue to be blissfully ignorant of the system while those evil super-abusers still have their FP quota reduced. So where are all those extra FP slots (the ones "reclaimed" by limiting the uber-users) going?

 

[Suvadoo]

Totally disagree, I think it depends on the reviewer. If someone from the "Everything Disney does sucks" faction posts a negative trip review, I take it with a grain of salt. If someone from the "Disney is puppy dogs, unicorns and rainbows" group posts a glowing review, I take it with that same grain of salt.

I know it's blasphemous around here because they're considered the plankton of the Internet on this site, but I love reading just back reports from low post count posters who have no axe to grind either way. That's where I feel the most honest reviews come from.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have never seen anyone respond to a positive review with the statement, " Are you sure you had an excellent time and no issues with FP+or MDE?"
On the other hand whenever someone encounters a glitch that causes FP's to be lost either before or during their vacation, there is at least one person who questions the poster's veracity or implies that the poster's actions are somehow responsible for the loss.

I believe there is a double standard.

 

[mom2rtk]

You didn't miss much. It was just stuff like how Gringotts sucks because it's had operating issues. You know, that whole new ride doesn't work crap. But that has died down since the ride has operated much more efficiently as of late. I only wish the same could be said for FP+. Irony 101.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have never seen anyone respond to a positive review with the statement, " Are you sure you had an excellent time and no issues with FP+or MDE?"

Not exactly true. Often, when there is a positive post about FP+, it is followed shortly by "that's not everyone's experience" or "I'm glad it worked for you, but it is ruining the vacation of others" or "why can't some people understand that it fits SOME touring plans, but not EVERYBODY's?!" And so on.

 

[Suvadoo]

You didn't miss much. It was just stuff like how Gringotts sucks because it's had operating issues. You know, that whole new ride doesn't work crap. But that has died down since the ride has operated much more efficiently as of late. I only wish the same could be said for FP+. Irony 101.

C'mon Hatter, you know MDE and FP+ is waaay better than a new Gringott's attraction in DA! After all, Gringott's is just a repeat of the same ride technology Universal has used on other attractions. Whereas MDE and FP+ is a whole new and fascinating experience!!

 

[momof2n2]

I managed to score 7 FPs for A&E together but I had to do it at the very end of the vacation.

I'm so glad you got them SurlyM!!!
Phew

 

[Suvadoo]

Not exactly true. Often, when there is a positive post about FP+, it is followed shortly by "that's not everyone's experience" or "I'm glad it worked for you, but it is ruining the vacation of others" or "why can't some people understand that it fits SOME touring plans, but not EVERYBODY's?!" And so on.

I know these are the responses, but no one accuses the poster of lying or exagerating their positve experience.
Not the same for people who have lost FP's.

 

[FlipHipster]

So only "average guests" aren't booking A&E and the Mine Train? Someone must know something or else they should be easy pickings for the small majority here on the DIS. Or is it just something "new"?

Ahh adv. booking .

FP is already a limited commodity. Now they've made it even more exclusive by drastically increasing the pool of contenders and removing the location restrictions. How many people that get on at 00:00 are booking 7DMT and A&E for every day they can get just in case? ADR hoarders anyone? BTW, don't hate the playa, hate the game. If average guests aren't even aware they can book them, and they are already gone at midnight, how is that going to work when all those guests figure adv booking out? If attendance is going up every year and they aren't adding more capacity to handle all those guests what will happen to those 90min lines next year or the year after?

I say definitely more changes coming. FP+ was supposed to get guests out of lines but the headliners still have long lines and now you have a group of guests upset they can't book A&E from their recliner. I've been thinking Disney has a number targeted for SB wait times. Sounds like 30 mins apparently. I hope they figure it out, nobody wants a 90 min line for anything. Not us, not Disney. I like the test they did last week, it's very similar to the dbl dipping that was allowed last fall during testing, that was awesome. I've said many times if they can figure that one out, I'm in.

man that's good coffee.

 

[magicbob]

Not exactly true. Often, when there is a positive post about FP+, it is followed shortly by "that's not everyone's experience" or "I'm glad it worked for you, but it is ruining the vacation of others" or "why can't some people understand that it fits SOME touring plans, but not EVERYBODY's?!" And so on.

However, that's not the same thing as questioning the veracity of their report or blaming someone's problems on the bad attitude.

Even some of the most vocal critics of FP+ are consistent in recognizing that it benefits some. But the proponents seem to dismiss any negative report as exaggeration (or even just making things up) or the result of the poster's poor attitude.

I know these are the responses, but no one accuses the poster of lying or exagerating their positve experience.
Not the same for people who have lost FP's.

Precisely. The closest I have seen is when someone makes a statement about the greatness of FP+ and someone else notes that (based on the what the poster has written) FP+ was not the cause of them having a good time (e.g., FP+ was great! We didn't even have to use it and had a fantastic trip!). Others then rush in and scoff at how the OP was told that they didn't really have a good time, which wasn't the case. They were just told that the REASON they DID have a good time may not be the one they reported.

 

[MichiganDVC]

You didn't miss much. It was just stuff like how Gringotts sucks because it's had operating issues. You know, that whole new ride doesn't work crap. But that has died down since the ride has operated much more efficiently as of late. I only wish the same could be said for FP+. Irony 101.

The thing is, you really don't wish FP+ operated efficiently. You had a long rant earlier on this thread where you admitted that you dislike the direction and vision of Disney overall. So regardless of what Disney does, you're going to dislike it.

For the record, I have three trips under my belt since FP+ started: one trip for 6, one for 2, one for 9. The only problems I had with FP+ were of my own doing. I would try to rearrange a FP for a "better" time (day of) and then it would turn out that the original time was better, but I couldn't get it back. I get too fussy and want to micromanage and it doesn't always work out.
Otherwise, I have scheduled 10 ADRs, 30 FPs, and 5 different resort stays for a total of 13 separate people with every type of ticket possible. Between us, we've purchased probably 100 beers at 50 kiosks, 40 CS meals, and probably 30 different items of merchandise all using our MBs.

Zero problems. In fact, it was AWESOME. No credit cards. No finding the room key. Nothing. Just a tap of the band for everything mentioned above.

Not saying others haven't had problems. But lets not assume that if a handful of people HAVE had problems, that it is an overall inefficient system for all. It is not. MDE/MM+/FP+ has worked for me beautifully and I expect it should when I return in December.

And this isn't a case of Rose-colored glasses or drinking Kool-aid. This is anecdotal evidence from a frequent visitor who is no stranger to WDW, from three trips over 7 months, with heavy use of MDE and MBs.

Mad Hattered....where does your experience with MBs and FP+ come in?