This just in from Disney Parks blog!

[squirrel4569]

For those saying you should only be able to pick a FP for the park you are physically in, I don't have an issue with that so much and it's still possible with the MDX app. It's location aware.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I think they are making you use the kiosks because -- guess what? -- not everyone owns a smartphone.

I don't follow your logic. Currently, guests can use either smart phones or kiosks. By forcing everyone to use the kiosks (which may not even be the case), the kiosk lines will only be that much longer for people who don't have/carry a smart phone, because they will be needlessly clogged by smart phone users. Offering both choices only makes for a better experience for both types of guests.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Fuzzy - for once you and I agree. =) I am struggling to see how it works for headliners. With folks prebooking 3 I don't see there being good availability left. Maybe....I hope they prove me wrong. But I think that pesky math is going to get in the way. Neither FP- nor FP+ has the ability to change capacity or number of headliners which in my opinion is the real issue.

I dont' see it working for headliners...for my family, it will allow DH and I to prebook our FP+s for rides only he and I can ride, and then still be able to FP+ rides like small world, buzz, etc that we can ride with DD, and thus keep her out of longer stand-by lines for most of her rides. That is a plus for our family.

Do I still have some concerns? Yes. But with the validation that Disney is actually listening to the feedback they are getting, I'm a bit more optimistic (not entirely, but moreso) than I was before.

 

[cigar95]

For those saying you should only be able to pick a FP for the park you are physically in, I don't have an issue with that so much and it's still possible with the MDX app. It's location aware.

Plus, you can establish your presence in a park by having entered the admission gate with your band/card.

While they don't track your departure, gaming the system in that manner would likely be a very small effect.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Why not combine the best features of FP- and FP+.

Pre-book 3 FP+ before arriving in a park and then have 1 additional in-park FP+. Anytime that 1 in-park FP+ slot becomes empty you can book another one. Usage of your 3 pre-booked FP+ has no effect on your in-park FP+

This I could totally get on board with.

I like this approach as well. I still wonder though if everyone is orebooking 3, will there be anything worth having an FP for left. I honestly think I'd rather prebook1 and then do day of like FP-.

 

[gdrj]

How can this not be good news? it's a step in the right direction.

I'd rather have the option to have more fast passes, even if that means i have to go to the kiosk to get more.

Agreed. I had written to Disney on this. I also am fine with having to be in 2nd park to get FP for park hopper

No way I'm standing at a computer in a park when I can do it on my phone. So if it doesn't get pushed to my phone I can care less about this. I'd rather pay for a few extra when planning my trip vs standing in another line.

Park hopping would be cool cause then we can save one for after dinner when we go to a diff park usually.

Of course by that time you battery will be drained from the Disney App!

If they do this, but you're still limited to one park with your FP+s, it will KILL park hopping.

Since FP+ has come out many have said Disney will adjust and will continue to adjust as they roll this out, which this announcement shows.

As issues come-up such FP+'s need to be used first before getting add'l, park hopping, parade FP's etc. Disney will tweak and adjust.


For all the posters who said they will never go to Disney again, shhhhhhh! lets not tell them

 

[johde]

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.

That's Interesting, as of right now, 4:11 p.m. I could book ETWB, Ariel, Cinderella, Mickey, or Rapunzel. The only things showing unavailable in the entire park are BTMRR(Unavailable), Anna and Elsa (Refurbishment), and Wishes.

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.

I think some variation on Option B could work as a second valve to getting additional FP+. So, you could get additional FP+ by either 1) using your 3 allocated or 2) use at least 1 and be after 1:00. That would take care of people reserving Fantasmic, Illuminations etc.

 

[Angel Ariel]

To stand in a long line, waiting behind people that can't decide. Hasn't it happend to you that as soon as the person in front of you gets to the cashier THEN they turn to the person with them and ask "What do you want?" As if the big picture menu just appeared magically in front of them.

My comment wasn't regarding whether or not there will be a line - just that you don't actually have to schlep across the park as the person I quoted implied.

Being able to get any FP+ from any kiosk is step up from legacy FP (not talking about availability of those FPs, just the ability to get them wherever).

 

[squirrel4569]

One assumption that many are making is that everyone will use their 3 on headliners. That's just not the case. While TSMM and Soarin being the exception, not all of the headliners are family friendly, so not all will book those. I'll bet the majority of the demographics include families with kids until 48 inches tall, so the thrill rides won't be booked solid. TSMM and Soarin are family friendly, so everyone can ride them.

Before, with FP-, if I showed up at DHS at noon I wasn't riding TSMM. Soarin, during a slow time, might be available late in the day, but when I went Thanksgiving week I did the mad rush at RD to get my FP and secured a time for 1pm. Same with TSMM during August.

I'm not saying Soarin and TSMM won't book up, but it's certainly possible that there will be some available late in the day due to the rationing that FP+ provides.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I dont' see it working for headliners...for my family, it will allow DH and I to prebook our FP+s for rides only he and I can ride, and then still be able to FP+ rides like small world, buzz, etc that we can ride with DD, and thus keep her out of longer stand-by lines for most of her rides. That is a plus for our family.

Do I still have some concerns? Yes. But with the validation that Disney is actually listening to the feedback they are getting, I'm a bit more optimistic (not entirely, but moreso) than I was before.

Even tho I know I sound negative, I am cautiously optimistic. If the additional.ones can be for rides like PotC, HM, Pooh, Buzz....I'm all for it. For MK it'll still require getting to RD or close to it in order to ride all the main headliners with little wait. So after the 4th....can you get a 5th and 6th?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

One assumption that many are making is that everyone will use their 3 on headliners. That's just not the case. While TSMM and Soarin being the exception, not all of the headliners are family friendly, so not all will book those. I'll bet the majority of the demographics include families with kids until 48 inches tall, so the thrill rides won't be booked solid. TSMM and Soarin are family friendly, so everyone can ride them.

Before, with FP-, if I showed up at DHS at noon I wasn't riding TSMM. Soarin, during a slow time, might be available late in the day, but when I went Thanksgiving week I did the mad rush at RD to get my FP and secured a time for 1pm. Same with TSMM during August.

I'm not saying Soarin and TSMM won't book up, but it's certainly possible that there will be some available late in the day due to the rationing that FP+ provides.

Soarin' actually has a height restriction.

 

[minniemous]

All this time it seemed like a no brainer that Disney would be changing the system to make it better. When I went in October/November I received 2 in depth questionnaires asking what I liked and disliked about the system and it asked several questions about Fast Pass.

For everyone speculating as to the problems with this new system, perhaps they will be patient and see what unfolds. I am already hearing about the problems with the lines and it is not even been implemented yet!

 

[nolanboys]

Sounds mostly good to me, although I would prefer to be able to get the additional FP+ by app rather than kiosk.

Absolutely! The kiosks were a madhouse. Lines long.

 

[lugnut33]

That's Interesting, as of right now, 4:11 p.m. I could book ETWB, Ariel, Cinderella, Mickey, or Rapunzel. The only things showing unavailable in the entire park are BTMRR(Unavailable), Anna and Elsa (Refurbishment), and Wishes.

That is interesting, I wonder what allowed them to open up spots later in the day?

 

[ucfknight]

Absolutely! The kiosks were a madhouse. Lines long.

Annual Passholders and other "day guests" have just gotten the ability to prebook FP+ and use the app. Hopefully that will cut down the crowds at kiosks by at least 50% (or even more as people become more aware of the system).

 

[jtowntoflorida]

That is interesting, I wonder what allowed them to open up spots later in the day?

Likely people switching their FP+ experiences, coupled with some same-day availability. Maybe they don't release the same day stuff all at the same time, and let them trickle out instead? Or maybe they have some sort of formula for determining how many people are going through the SB line, and if SB is running at an acceptably fast rate, they open more FP+ spots? The system is supposed to be smart and dynamic; maybe it's running better than some of us (myself included) have given it credit for.

 

[lugnut33]

Likely people switching their FP+ experiences, coupled with some same-day availability. Maybe they don't release the same day stuff all at the same time, and let them trickle out instead? Or maybe they have some sort of formula for determining how many people are going through the SB line, and if SB is running at an acceptably fast rate, they open more FP+ spots? The system is supposed to be smart and dynamic; maybe it's running better than some of us (myself included) have given it credit for.

I think your second idea probably right. JMO

 

[Jennasis]

Curious...if you could book your additional FP by app rather than kiosk, are the changes a win or is it still not enough?

I think a rolling 3 passes would never work. Rope droppers like me would show up first thing in the morning and then continuously gobble up fast passes as I use 1, as the day goes on. Causing mass crowds first thing in the morning as well as all the best FP gone within hours of park opening.

 

[minniemous]

Likely people switching their FP+ experiences, coupled with some same-day availability. Maybe they don't release the same day stuff all at the same time, and let them trickle out instead? Or maybe they have some sort of formula for determining how many people are going through the SB line, and if SB is running at an acceptably fast rate, they open more FP+ spots? The system is supposed to be smart and dynamic; maybe it's running better than some of us (myself included) have given it credit for.

I agree. I think the system has more capabilities than we are aware. I am excited because I liked the new fast pass in October but this is going make it even better!

 

[AmyB2006]

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.

That's for pre-booking though. They have to hold some back for day of guests. Otherwise people would be even more livid. They've been holding some back already so why do you think they wouldn't continue to do so?