This just in from Disney Parks blog!

[ChipnDale79]

We'll be there in 38 days, I'll be keeping an eye on this and hoping the change will be made before our trip.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

People have said this, but I have NEVER had a problem with this. Originally it may not schedule them around ADRs, but when I go to change mine, I can get any time I want including overlapping an ADR.

Awesome - thanks much! Was trying to figure out how the strategy would work with late beast or lunch ADRs and trying to get a 4th. My head is spinning. I need to chillax!

 

[FLchick415]

People have said this, but I have NEVER had a problem with this. Originally it may not schedule them around ADRs, but when I go to change mine, I can get any time I want including overlapping an ADR.

Same. I've never had an issue scheduling close to an ADR either.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

In good news, I was able to change a buzz FP+ while standing in the Space line after In had scanned the 2nd time. Worked out well so I didn't have to waste time once I got off Space. Was able to immediately go over to Buzz.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I may have gone too obscure for this board's demographic. They can't all be winners.

 

[buggy2727]

Love this movie!!! Maybe they were a little BI-furious???

 

[FlipHipster]

I have wondered that too. I still want to know what same day availability is by attraction. Then I'd have a better idea if the additional 4th is good. I do think they'll add the ability to hop. That will be awesome in my opinion. Well as long as they aren't subject to tiers. If I can FP+ TSM and Soarin' in the same day, I would view this system as an actual +.

I was holding out for option C, always hold 3 FP. I wonder if a bunch of people didn't read all the options before checking A, or it was just a teaser and they never really intended to offer it?

Under C you could theoretically, book 3 FP for MK, after ride 1 book Soarin', after ride 2 book Soarin' after ride 3 book TT all in the afternoon. Theoretically of course YMMV based on availability blah blah blah.

I would view that system as a big + if the rolling FP were for attractions that actually need a FP. This was never even possible with the old system, grabbing afternoon FP for park 2 from park 1 before you even hopped.

 

[Shaden]

I'll be there the week after you, so you can test it for me, k?

I am there 2nd - 16th. So one way or another we are in the same boat.

I have already ordered enough beer and wine from Garden Grocer, one way or another this trip is GOING to be "magical" !!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Maximum touring strategy is now going to dictate having a FP+ in hand at all times. The times in between you'll hit up the attractions with no wait.

Well, I think the attractions with "no wait" will be the Swiss Family Treehouse and COP. By increasing the number of FP+ reservations guests can have, people will be selecting reservations in the afternoons and evenings with what's "left over" which will be the rides that have had traditionally lower wait times.

I keep seeing the statement "this won't increase standby times because people will just be taking FP+ reservations that are left over" in more or less words in this thread.

I just don't see it that way. Let's say 1000 guests enter the park on a given day (just a random unrealistically low number). Today, a maximum of 3000 total FP+ slots would be filled--not a single one more. In the future iteration of the system, it could be 3500, 4000, 5000...who knows? It's up to Disney to decide how many FP+ slots to create or not create. But every extra FP+ reserved is going to mean longer standby lines for everyone else.

 

[lugnut33]

In good news, I was able to change a buzz FP+ while standing in the Space line after In had scanned the 2nd time. Worked out well so I didn't have to waste time once I got off Space. Was able to immediately go over to Buzz.

I don't know if this is true or he was just messing up, but a friend who is going during Easter week was unable to obtain a Soarin' fastpass for April 14th. He was able to get Test Track (and yes, he knows about the tiering so it wasn't that).

 

[WillAustin]

Maximum touring strategy is now going to dictate having a FP+ in hand at all times. The times in between you'll hit up the attractions with no wait.

I agree. That's why I think it's better than just 3.

I also believe some availability will be held back for changes and new FPs day of. They won't let every slot get filled in advance.

I will look at it like picking my first 3 that I would have used under the old system anyway in advance, and then adding more as the day goes on. Rope droppers will definitely benefit more from this system.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

That's fine and all...
But Soarin and TT handle 17,000 and 13,000 riders, or 30,000 total.

At 70% FP vs Standby, that's only 21,000 FP+ available, total. Even if you go 100%, that's only 30,000 available.

Now 50,000 guests prebook, and pretty much everyone trys for a TT or Soarin.

How do you see there being any left by 2pm? When 50,000 guests got to pick months ago, and many guests pulled a second as soon as 11:15? You're going to have to spend your FPs immediately to have any chance of anything decent being left.

EVERYONE has had a chance to pull them already. In FP-, you could get multiples because most ppl did not pull any - ever. But with FP+, pretty much everybody going is going to have pulled a ticket way before you can hope to get a second.

Sure you can probly get a FP to MS, or maybe even SE. But if it doesn't help you to get on the rides you want I don't see it as being great. Guess I'm just wondering why ppl who don't like FP+ are now cheering... as if they are actually getting a return to FP-. This is simply a return to FP- in which every single guest got to pull 3 tickets from home well in advance -- which is really nothing like FP-.

I completely agree with this.

 

[Autumnslight]

So if you use FP+ for Wishes, MSEP, Illuminations, or Fantasmic!, then for the most part, you're not going to be able to get more than three FP+ that day. That stinks. I'm glad they're adding more FP+, but I really wish it was on a rolling basis, rather than only after you use all three.

 

[Shaden]

I completely agree with this.

you missed all the responses to it ...

 

[FlipHipster]

I don't know if this is true or he was just messing up, but a friend who is going during Easter week was unable to obtain a Soarin' fastpass for April 14th. He was able to get Test Track (and yes, he knows about the tiering so it wasn't that).

In the survey they had 3 categories of rides for booking the extra FP.
1. Rides that will usually have available FP.
2. Rides that might have FP available in the afternoon
3. Rides that will be unavailable.

It wasn't clear what unavailable meant. Are they truly booked out in advance and there is no shot at all or is it just extremely unlikely? I hope for the latter vs. the former.

 

[lugnut33]

Well, I think the attractions with "no wait" will be the Swiss Family Treehouse and COP. By increasing the number of FP+ reservations guests can have, people will be selecting reservations in the afternoons and evenings with what's "left over" which will be the rides that have had traditionally lower wait times.

I keep seeing the statement "this won't increase standby times because people will just be taking FP+ reservations that are left over" in more or less words in this thread.

I just don't see it that way. Let's say 1000 guests enter the park on a given day (just a random unrealistically low number). Today, a maximum of 3000 total FP+ slots would be filled--not a single one more. In the future iteration of the system, it could be 3500, 4000, 5000...who knows? It's up to Disney to decide how many FP+ slots to create or not create. But every extra FP+ reserved is going to mean longer standby lines for everyone else.

I agree with what you are saying, but there will always be attractions with little to no wait, at MK you're looking at Tiki Room, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, COP, and People Mover.

Really thinking about it, the MK needs more stage shows with huge stadium style seating.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I was holding out for option C, always hold 3 FP. I wonder if a bunch of people didn't read all the options before checking A, or it was just a teaser and they never really intended to offer it?

Under C you could theoretically, book 3 FP for MK, after ride 1 book Soarin', after ride 2 book Soarin' after ride 3 book TT all in the afternoon. Theoretically of course YMMV based on availability blah blah blah.

I would view that system as a big + if the rolling FP were for attractions that actually need a FP. This was never even possible with the old system, grabbing afternoon FP for park 2 from park 1 before you even hopped.

Yup...exactly. Then I do wonder how it works for folks with FP+ for parades and fireworks. It would be cool if you could always just have 3 depending on availability. I might be tempted to or prebook a fp+ for fireworks if I knew I could grab more in the morning or early afternoon for say PotC, HM, Pooh etc.

 

[squirrel4569]

I'm glad to hear that they are listening to feedback and are working to make changes. The limits they had in place before were too restrictive so expanding it makes sense.

I like the idea of being able to still book a few things in advance, then be able to choose others later on. While I think that headliners might be booked up (TSMM will for sure) there will be some that still have slots later in the day. I know last August when double dipping was allowed we got FP for Soarin when we arrived and then after we used that one got another for later in the day. We weren't testers of the FP+ system then so we were still on paper, but availability existed.

I'm curious if you'll be able to pre-book across parks with the new system. That would be pretty sweet and would enamor me to pay for park hopping.

I'm wondering if some things like fireworks and parade FP+ will move into the disconnected category. That would eliminate some of the issues that people have mentioned.

I'm also betting this isn't the last of the changes and that this will continue to evolve over time.

While I don't think there was a better way to test the full system than how they did it, I feel for those who had their vacations impacted by the testing.

Now I really want to go back to the parks sooner rather than later.

 

[lugnut33]

I agree. That's why I think it's better than just 3.

I also believe some availability will be held back for changes and new FPs day of. They won't let every slot get filled in advance.

I will look at it like picking my first 3 that I would have used under the old system anyway in advance, and then adding more as the day goes on. Rope droppers will definitely benefit more from this system.

I looked this morning at 9:06 and most of the meet and greet selections were not available at MK. Also, a friend told me they were unable to schedule Soarin' at any time on April 14. I don't think Disney will be able to hold anything back.

 

[nkosiek]

So if you use FP+ for Wishes, MSEP, Illuminations, or Fantasmic!, then for the most part, you're not going to be able to get more than three FP+ that day. That stinks. I'm glad they're adding more FP+, but I really wish it was on a rolling basis, rather than only after you use all three.

And see, I look at it as a good thing. Let everyone who wants to "see" Wishes, book the FP; less competition for FPs that are for rides. Another possibility may be that now you won't have to pre-book that FP and you can get it after doing your 3 rides/shows.