This just in from Disney Parks blog!

[DVCFan1994]

While I am glad any type of change at all is being implemented, this is definitely not what I was hoping for. I have doubts about what the choices will be for additional FPs once we've used our 3. Having to use all three before you get a fourth is putting those who want to use it for fireworks or late parades at a disadvantage. I never would do those, but I know many people who like to, and this really limits them. I think even letting you pull a fourth after your second was used would help. Because that late one could be floating at the end. But as much as I hate the limit of three, I would live with that if I could have no tiering and hopping. Both seems too ideal to dream for, so I would take either one.

The way we tend to structure our days, I don't see this change as really helping me at all. I arrive in 19 days, so we'll see if its rolled out then. I don't hate FP+, in fact we made it work pretty well in February for our winter trip, but I do think it is limiting and would like to see more changes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Purely speculation, but if what they're saying about just kiosks isn't a mis-statement, they'd be segregating the kiosks with in-park-only FP's that wouldn't be in the regular FP pool you'd see on the app/MDE. Keeping guests in the Park longer and all that...

That would be interesting. I guess it really won't take long to figure out either. Someone will experiment and let us know (probably a cutting edge investigative piece from Josh!).

I've been thinking about the kiosk thing all day. It could be that the kiosk thing is just temporary, like having off-site guests use them. But it's also possible that it's there as a natural barrier to make what they have last longer. And if that's the case, then maybe the ones you hop for cannot be booked until you are in the second park at the kiosk. For the same reason.

Much remains to be seen on this.

 

[Traub70]

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.

Originally Posted by FLchick415
Something I just read on FB....how will this work if you have a FP for the fireworks or Fantasmic? If you can't get your fourth until you used all three, and one of your three is for nighttime entertainment, are you out of luck?

I wish they would also add a time element in to the equation of getting an extra FP+. For example, say after 2:00pm you can acquire another FP+, as long as you have used at least 1 of your pre-scheduled FP+'s but if you use all 3 of your pre-scheduled FP+'s then you will get a 4th one as soon as you use the 3rd one no matter the time. That way some one can schedule a FP+ for any of the nighttime parades or fireworks and still be able to get more FP+'s. Then add the ability to park hop and it MIGHT no be so bad.

 

[Griffin226]

I don't see how this is anything other than positive. The system is now just like FP- with the ability to preplan three attractions before you even get there. Availability may be an issue, but it was an issue before.

In the end if this evens the crowds out through the entire park network I think My Magic will be a stunning success. ON top of that the data Disney is able to mine as a result of the system will help the guest experience and the company. We all win.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

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.

That's true, because with the exception of Philharmagic, none of those rides are FP+ attractions.

 

[cseca]

Here's what the "4th FastPass" really means: So, you're the type of person who will be in the park long enough to use all 3 of your FP+ and then get a 4th, and hang around until that time slot comes up? You're likely spending a lot of money here....you've earned that 4th FP. Next it will be printed on your purchase receipt: "Congratulations, you've spent $300 in the park today and have earned a 5th Fastpass!"

Holy cow!
Can you imagine if they started using extra FP for Gift With Purchase.
Purchase $100 worth of doodads from emporium for extra 2FPs....

 

[FlipHipster]

That would be interesting. I guess it really won't take long to figure out either. Someone will experiment and let us know (probably a cutting edge investigative piece from Josh!).

I've been thinking about the kiosk thing all day. It could be that the kiosk thing is just temporary, like having off-site guests use them. But it's also possible that it's there as a natural barrier to make what they have last longer. And if that's the case, then maybe the ones you hop for cannot be booked until you are in the second park at the kiosk. For the same reason.

Much remains to be seen on this.

That's a really good point, I read that as a mis-statement as someone else pointed out. I assumed they really meant you could book from the app which would be awesome but you are right it could intended.

 

[clsteve]

That would be interesting. I guess it really won't take long to figure out either. Someone will experiment and let us know (probably a cutting edge investigative piece from Josh!).

I've been thinking about the kiosk thing all day. It could be that the kiosk thing is just temporary, like having off-site guests use them. But it's also possible that it's there as a natural barrier to make what they have last longer. And if that's the case, then maybe the ones you hop for cannot be booked until you are in the second park at the kiosk. For the same reason.

Much remains to be seen on this.

Yep, I've been wondering, as well ever since they announced off-site advanced ressies. The Kiosks were not a trivial investment. Especially when you figure in the network infra, maintenance, kiosk cost, etc. Not a smart investment for a short term placeholder or just for those without in-Park smart devices. If they do hold to the kiosks for in-Park only, they're starting to slice and dice the FP pool into more segregated parts and are following right along with what's in the patent info Lake posted.

They would rather not have people sitting at the pool, deciding to hop after using all three earlier to get their 4th because of availability that shows on the app/MDE. Better to keep those in the Park in the Park.

 

[DisneyMommy9]

I have not read the whole thread, has anyone heard a time frame for this?

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Whether you agree this is a positive or are reluctant that it will work, the real success is that THEY LISTENED!!!!! Many of us (myself included) have been critical of the systems restrictions and hoping, crossing our fingers and toes that they would listen to us. Honestly it took a bit and I was fearing they would just continue to move forward until people learned to accept this was the new way. But they listened and responded. For that reason, I am grateful!

 

[FlipHipster]

Originally Posted by FLchick415
Something I just read on FB....how will this work if you have a FP for the fireworks or Fantasmic? If you can't get your fourth until you used all three, and one of your three is for nighttime entertainment, are you out of luck?

I wish they would also add a time element in to the equation of getting an extra FP+. For example, say after 2:00pm you can acquire another FP+, as long as you have used at least 1 of your pre-scheduled FP+'s but if you use all 3 of your pre-scheduled FP+'s then you will get a 4th one as soon as you use the 3rd one no matter the time. That way some one can schedule a FP+ for any of the nighttime parades or fireworks and still be able to get more FP+'s. Then add the ability to park hop and it MIGHT no be so bad.

That was one of the options in the survey Option B. After 1:00 you could book a 4th FP. I contend it would never work, the system would crash at 1:00:05 when everyone jumps online to book afternoon FP.

 

[Kate and Family]

I'm not an IT person, so I don't know how hard that is to implement. And I think we can all admit that Disney's track record with IT is not so good.

HOWEVER...I am pretty sure that Disney should know how to do this, because their old app before MDE had this built in. Does anyone remember that? I think it was an app that was only available on Verizon for awhile before rolling out to other networks? Anyway, it wouldn't display wait times, etc. until you were actually in the park. I remember one of the things I actually liked about MDE was that I could obsess over wait times from the comfort of my home. Heh.

Does anyone else remember that earlier iteration, or am I making that up?

I remember Pal Mickey - He knew where I was!

 

[PrncessA]

I have no idea how they are going to possibly add park hopping, but I hope something happens. We booked YC and bought park hoppers specifically to park hop everyday. We have a nice long trip, so with the ability to park hop, we could at least avoid the damages caused by the tiering.

 

[2Tiggies]

Whether you agree this is a positive or are reluctant that it will work, the real success is that THEY LISTENED!!!!! Many of us (myself included) have been critical of the systems restrictions and hoping, crossing our fingers and toes that they would listen to us. Honestly it took a bit and I was fearing they would just continue to move forward until people learned to accept this was the new way. But they listened and responded. For that reason, I am grateful!

I have to agree with you. I saw the announcement, read most of this thread (which was several pages by then!) and was initially optimistic, although there were a few reality bites once I really started to process it. I'm on the fence right now and will give it time to be implemented and for our trusty DISers to test it and report back from their real life experiences before forming too much of an opinion. But you're right, I also feel that the fact that there are changes is a direct result of the responses, and I'm not only talking of negative responses, but even the fans of FP+ had things they would have liked tweaked a little (or a lot).

 

[Davey Jones II]

I think they are making you use the kiosks because -- guess what? -- not everyone owns a smartphone. Of course, they will have to greatly increase the number of kiosks, or some of those kiosk lines will resemble the SB for Mine Train!

 

[FlipHipster]

I have no idea how they are going to possibly add park hopping, but I hope something happens. We booked YC and bought park hoppers specifically to park hop everyday. We have a nice long trip, so with the ability to park hop, we could at least avoid the damages caused by the tiering.

I love strolling WS at night with my honeybunny. If we are at YC I like hoppers just so we could cap nights off with a stroll around the world even if we didn't intend to ride anything at all.

 

[chrismb22]

What I'm thinking is (like others have said) you will be able to book after your initial 3 ONLY for the park you are physically in -- in other words, you used our passes at MK then head over to DHS -- THEN you can book at DHS but not via app.

I agree with others, the glitch would be things like parades/nighttime shows etc. UNLESS they make that an exception.

Who know ... only time will tell, I just hope time tells before December

 

[DougEMG]

My preference would be that you could book your 4th FP+ anytime you are in a park for at that park only regardless on if you have used any of your 3 FP+. This provides the most flexiblity.

 

[squirrel4569]

Something else to think about.

Will the extra FP+ selections be from a range of times or simply what is next available? One of the downsides to the old FP system was you took what was available when you got to the kiosk, which may not have worked with the plan you had, ADRs you had, etc. Will the offerings be automatically scheduled around your ADR?

 

[FlipHipster]

What I'm thinking is (like others have said) you will be able to book after your initial 3 ONLY for the park you are physically in -- in other words, you used our passes at MK then head over to DHS -- THEN you can book at DHS but not via app.

I agree with others, the glitch would be things like parades/nighttime shows etc. UNLESS they make that an exception.

Who know ... only time will tell, I just hope time tells before December

If they follow the scenario they painted in the survey, tiering is only in place for the 1st picks and you could hop with the rolling FP's. They basically tried to address the 3 big complaints, only 3, tiering and no hopping.

OtherScott had a thread yesterday that linked to a blog with the entire survey. Its' worth a read just to know what they are thinking.


Edit: actually the questions address hopping so it wasn't in the "assume this scenario" stuff. sorry bout that.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=51095678