This just in from Disney Parks blog!

[Disneylover99]

Well, having the chance to get more than three is better than three and done. I'm not dancing in the street, but I'm happy to at least have the chance to fight over the scraps.

Here's what I'm thinking, the rule is that you have to use your three FP+ before getting another one, but no one is saying you actually have to ride the ride. I think tapping and dashing is going to be my new strategy.

Here goes- make a FP+ for Spaceship earth from 9-10am. Tap yourself in as you are walking by right after rope drop, but instead of riding the ride, just continue on to ride Soarin'. When you are done with Soarin' take a ride on Living with the land and then head over to TT for a 10-11 FP+, and then when you are done with TT walk over to Mission space to tap yourself in for a 11-12 FP+, but don't ride, instead rush over to the nearest kiosk to book yourself another ride on Soarin' or TT (or even better do it on your phone as you walk over if that is available).

Most times of the year you'll still be able to get a TT or Soarin FP at 11 am, and then you'll still likely be able to get a FP for Malestrom after that. Since you don't really need FP for anything else at Epcot, you'll be golden.

Take that tiering!

Interesting thought, but you have to tap the second Mickey Head where FP/Standby lines merge in order for your FP to be considered used.

 

[babydoll65]

I think this is a step in the right direction since I feel like I wasted my money on parkhoppers during my last trip. Normally I do rd but I was travelling with my 70 year old mother and it wasn't easy getting her up and out the door. I don't think I would want to be there the day they implement this.

 

[Jennygt]

This whole thing gives me a headache. The overall result of fp+ is longer lines, less availability to repeat rides, and waiting on line to get a 4 th fp? Seriously why has this been done? Am I missing something

 

[mom2rtk]

This whole thing gives me a headache. The overall result of fp+ is longer lines, less availability to repeat rides, and waiting on line to get a 4 th fp? Seriously why has this been done? Am I missing something

This is the sort of thing that happens when you put the locomotive in motion while the track is still being built.

 

[Planogirl]

This is giving me a headache too. I'm trying to be patient and see what Disney has in store but tonight I'm cranky. I'm tired of waiting for Disney to get their act together and get this thing done. Yes, I know that these things take time...yadda yadda... but please do it already!

Then I'll know for sure whether it will work well for us or not. I still dislike planning so far in advance and the idea of standing in line at kiosks and tiering.

Rant over. (For now. )

 

[Nemo32]

I don't see this as an improvement to the system at all.

Guests are reporting the FP+ kiosk lines are too long as it is. I can't see why Disney thinks adding more people to those lines for additional FP+ is a good idea. Now, if guests had the ability to add from their MDE App, that would be an improvement. But I guess, like others said, Disney needs to retain its guests in the park.

But even if guests had the ability to add additional FP+ from the MDE App, as with FP-, most FPs for major attractions are gone for the day by midday. So, by the time a guest would use their pre-booked 3 FP+, the ability to add a 4th, 5th...and so on...would be gone, unless they wanted to ride only the minor attractions. Even if they weren't, who wants to waste their precious time in WDW on the above mentioned kiosk line?

Hopefully this is a move toward Disney allowing guests to add additional FP+ from anywhere, at anytime for any park, even before arrival and even before guests have used their 3 FP+. But maybe I'm being greedy...FP- spoiled me.

 

[TheMick424]

I wonder what impact this will have on availability during the day. When I booked our 3 FP+ selections for MK, I was only able to select ETWB for late afternoon into into the night time. In this scenario, I would only be able to get an additional FP+ after using up the early evening selection, which wouldn't really be of much benefit to our family. Balancing headliners vs. number of OK FP+ will be tough.

 

[prudence64]

This message board is the most negative place on the internet I think.

1st world problems for sure. I'm just going to see for myself in November and just pay attention to ride/restaurant threads for the time being

 

[sethschroeder]

A vacation should not be this complicated and stressful.

Lovers = system looks like it will work, love we can get more that 3 possibly
Haters = no matter what I will hate disney, I want FP-/no waits/300 FPs/$1 rooms

It's not that stressful people make it that way... Haters going to hate keeps coming to mind after reading some responses after this slam dunk upgrade in the system.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Lovers = system looks like it will work, love we can get more that 3 possibly
Haters = no matter what I will hate disney, I want FP-/no waits/300 FPs/$1 rooms

It's not that stressful people make it that way... Haters going to hate keeps coming to mind after reading some responses after this slam dunk upgrade in the system.

Must be nice to live in such a black and white world.

Though, I have to say, I think I've seen quite a few previously labelled "FP+ haters" be interested/happy with these changes, while also seeing previously labeled 'FP+ lovers' be unhappy with these new changes.

That sounds more like shades of grey to me than black and white.

 

[tlady]

Sorry everyone. I am pages behind, but I think we have a winner!!

LOL. And the concept is not all that complicated, even for those who, like me, hated math in school.

Someone posted there was an article that stated usage of FP has increased 40% under the new system. If that is anything close to being true, then it simply supports my contention that allowing for a 4th or 5th or 6th FP per day is not going to significantly reduce wait times or long lines. Because, again, it's not the # of FPs you get per day that is causing the worst problems - its' the NUMBER of people using the system, period.

Disney Mathematics 101: Many more people now aware of FP = many more people using FP = longer waits and long ride return lines. Why? Because with this increased usage, you have not had any concurrent increase in the number of park rides/attractions. The end result should be obvious to everyone.

Giving you a chance for another FP or two isn't going to change that dynamic (or the math) in the least. It will, however, give you more chances to wait in long return lines.

 

[BJSforVols]

The old legacy allowed for park hopping

The blog indicates that is coming with Fastpass+ as well. Below is a quote from the blog where this is stated.


"We also heard that other guests liked the fact that with the FASTPASS service they could use FASTPASS when they park hopped. So we’re working on a service enhancement to add that feature to FastPass+ as well."

 

[tlady]

Must be nice to live in such a black and white world.

Though, I have to say, I think I've seen quite a few previously labelled "FP+ haters" be interested/happy with these changes, while also seeing previously labeled 'FP+ lovers' be unhappy with these new changes.

That sounds more like shades of grey to me than black and white.

I find it comical that, when someone tries to point out the simple logic behind why the lines are long, they are accused of being haters. It has nothing to do with hate. It's simply the plain truth, however unpleasant it may be to hear.

Disney is stuck with a FP system that, on many levels, is failing its guests. All they can do, for the forseeable future, is introduce a few changes to make people feel as if things will get better. And some have fallen for it. But, for the long haul, it's clear that Disney needs to commit much more $$$ to its parks, build more rides and attractions. That strategy is the ONLY one that will have a significant impact on ride wait-times and the long lines people are experiencing.

 

[BJSforVols]

I think it is a step in the right direction. And, maybe they will start to "tinker" with the park-hopping issue.

Park hopping was also mentioned in the blog. See below:

"We also heard that other guests liked the fact that with the FASTPASS service they could use FASTPASS when they park hopped. So we’re working on a service enhancement to add that feature to FastPass+ as well."

 

[Jennasis]

Basically I want them to give me more than 3 FP.

Me.

Just me and nobody else. Can we make that happen? LOL.

Honestly I would be a wicked hypocrite if I said I still disliked FP+ (which I have maintained I disliked from the beginning), after the changed the three things I disliked about it (the limit of 3, the lack of hopping and potentially the tiers).

Whether I LOVE it will remain to be seen.

 

[clsteve]

Thank you Mickey may I please have another......

Hah!

But you've got to hand it to them-- what a brilliant move they made today.

It does nothing to change the base issue of not enough capacity. But, like Andyman, Will, Shaden and others have said- at first glance, it's a positive for a lot of touring strategies.

For Disney, a huge Marketing win: “Only Three…!!??” is now out of the conversation. They've taken the main argument away from many of us who were most impacted by the new strategy! For the mainstream press, analysts and casual Disney Fans, this argument now becomes just a lot of background noise and complaining.

On the flip side of that, getting up early is now back in vogue! Those who want to sleep in and do the Parks later also don’t have an argument- if you want more (or more good ones), go earlier and make earlier FP reservations! (funny how it all comes back to that, again)....

The devil's in the details, but they've bought time- a lot of time, and can now say “Don’t worry, we’ll listen and fix it” for just about forever- whether this is true, or this change was always part of the Plan, or it's a scramble because of bad design and planning.

Andyman said it: win, win for the Mouse and some touring styles. But, a big "hmmm, how's that going to work?" for others

 

[Shaden]

Hah!

But you've got to hand it to them-- what a brilliant move they made today.

It does nothing to change the base issue of not enough capacity. But, like Andyman, Will, Shaden and others have said- at first glance, it's a positive for a lot of touring strategies.

For Disney, a huge Marketing win: “Only Three…!!??” is now out of the conversation. They've taken the main argument away from many of us who were most impacted by the new strategy! For the mainstream press, analysts and casual Disney Fans, this argument now becomes just a lot of background noise and complaining.

On the flip side of that, getting up early is now back in vogue! Those who want to sleep in and do the Parks later also don’t have an argument- if you want more (or more good ones), go earlier and make earlier FP reservations! (funny how it all comes back to that, again)....

The devil's in the details, but they've bought time- a lot of time, and can now say “Don’t worry, we’ll listen and fix it” for just about forever- whether this is true, or this change was always part of the Plan, or it's a scramble because of bad design and planning.

Andyman said it: win, win for the Mouse and some touring styles. But, a big "hmmm, how's that going to work?" for others

Very well said

 

[doctornick]

Unless they are trying to discourage people from leaving the parks by making it harder for them to set up later in the day FP on their phone, instead requiring them in park to do it. They could also just be discouraging people from booking the 4th FP altogether so there is more availability, so they're making it more difficult to get.

Who knows, it's weird that they specified it can be done at a kiosk. From the blog post, it seems like they're pretty clear that it's a kiosk only thing.

Seems to me that it is likely that this is just the initial roll out. Eventually, you should be able to book the 4th (and beyond) FP+ from your phone. But just like they obligated day guests to use the kiosks to reserve FP+ and now it can be done ahead of time on MM+.

Whether we like it or not, Disney has generally been very methodically with rolling out new functioning. Having it be a kiosk only setup at first allows greater control and probably will limit how much the system is taxed until they know it can support greater usage that will come with enabling phone booking of 4th FP+ and beyond.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Someone posted there was an article that stated usage of FP has increased 40% under the new system. If that is anything close to being true, then it simply supports my contention that allowing for a 4th or 5th or 6th FP per day is not going to significantly reduce wait times or long lines. Because, again, it's not the # of FPs you get per day that is causing the worst problems - its' the NUMBER of people using the system, period.

Disney Mathematics 101: Many more people now aware of FP = many more people using FP = longer waits and long ride return lines. Why? Because with this increased usage, you have not had any concurrent increase in the number of park rides/attractions. The end result should be obvious to everyone.

Giving you a chance for another FP or two isn't going to change that dynamic (or the math) in the least. It will, however, give you more chances to wait in long return lines.

Still should be way less actual FP's being used because so many threads here included those folks who "used 7-8 FP's a day and Disney was now ruining THEIR vacation with this new system"
Frankly that 40% sounds iffy anyway.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Everyone is now talking about park capacity and how Disney has to build more attractions in order to fix the "waiting in line" problem.

MK has approximately 50 "things to do". Even if they build FIVE NEW RIDES (which would take at least 5 years) that would only reduce the average waiting time by 10%. This means a ride that has a wait of 40 minutes...it would only reduce the wait time to 36 minutes!

Even if you went to the park for EIGHT HOURS you wouldn't even save an hour. And I don't think MOST people stay at a park for 8 hours.

Fact is, waiting is part of the theme park experience, and there's not much that can be done about it. FP+ does not the solve the problem, it just gives you some perceived entitlement.

THE ONLY REASON anyone here might think otherwise is because they previously took part in a drastically flawed system that only benefited a small % of the guests.