Trial Club Level Fastpass+ Purchase Program Planning & Discussion

[gottalovepluto]

No, no TSL or Pandora - luckily it was a fairly easy do over at the MK.

My older dd is really good with the system so she was able to get most of what we wanted by switching our regular FP+ herself yesterday morning (including 7DMT!). We originally called DSS from the Studios yesterday but the CM only changed the nighttime viewing.

This morning I called again and asked DSS to switch the 3 CL FP+. We got POTC, Buzz and Peter Pan, the only seemingly difficult one for him was Peter Pan but he managed to get 2 of us and then overlap a window for the third.

Ah, ok. Jk then! Glad it worked out for you all that end!

 

[PoseidonsPumpkins]

Wow. Did you talk to the CL concierge or DSS while on your trip about your experience? A CL concierge and I would have definitely had a chat after night 1 of that nonsense.

I called the next day and while they were apologetic there wasn't anything to be done. I also showed the CMs on my phone for Fantasmic but it wasn't any help. When I called I asked how to check in for illuminations and they gave us fast passes for it so I wouldn't have to argue again. The phone didn't help the illuminations CMs either however they were much nicer on the whole. My kids enjoyed the shows; the hassle rather tainted my experience.

The extra fast passes were helpful though I was surprised how long the fast pass lines were. Also it causes a bit if a time crunch we didn't get as many filler activities in as I thought we would. I found them the most helpful in Hollywood studios to do all the toy story land rides, the fast pass lines for slinky dog and aliens went super quick TSMM was slow.

 

[PoseidonsPumpkins]

I didn't see Illuminations but my experience at Fantasmic was just like yours.
I hope your family still got to enjoy the show though.
I wrote an email to DSS regarding the confusion at Fantasmic and my overall experience on the CL FP program.
I think all of us should do Disney a favor to let them know how this program will help them make extra $$ since Disney is in the nickel-and-dime mode.

Thanks. I will make sure to email DSS. It's nice to know we weren't the only ones I felt a bit like Donald Duck stuck with all the bad luck.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

since Disney is in the nickel-and-dime mode.

I don't personally get this sentiment. They're adding new offerings and charging for them, in addition to adding new things to everyone's experience with new rides, shows, etc. I don't see how it is "nickel-and-diming" to charge for an added benefit or experience. Some will think it's worth it and some won't (I'm in the latter category on this one). Or is there something else that I'm missing?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I see a few comments about e-mailing DSS with feedback after your trip.

While that may go somewhere useful (may not), I'd also recommend e-mailing wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

We're all paying testers in this trial and presumably something about this program will shape the basis of something permanent down the road, in some form (maybe, who knows). Both good and bad, might as well let them know what you think.

 

[Tessaf]

Wish I knew EMM toy story land would’ve been an option earlier. I would’ve modified what days we are at which park and could skip CL FP+ for our Hollywood Studios day
But we would lose to many character meals to swap now

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic-toy-story-land/

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Wish I knew EMM toy story land would’ve been an option earlier. I would’ve modified what days we are at which park and could skip CL FP+ for our Hollywood Studios day
But we would lose to many character meals to swap now

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic-toy-story-land/

Hmmm, good eyes there. Thanks for posting this.

 

[IceQueen182]

Wish I knew EMM toy story land would’ve been an option earlier. I would’ve modified what days we are at which park and could skip CL FP+ for our Hollywood Studios day
But we would lose to many character meals to swap now

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic-toy-story-land/

I think this could be a game changer for the value of the CL FPs (at least for me). I was weighing the frustrations and constraints from the CL FP program we experienced on our June trip against the upsides - and now that HEA viewing is gone, the main upside for me was being able to get all Toy Story Land rides in one day. FOP isn't too hard to book if your visit is more than a few days, and it's not impossible to ride Soarin' or pick up TT as a same-day FP. I have EMM booked for both MK and HS now for our November trip, and the fact that they include breakfast and more than just one ride on SDD, SDMT, etc. make EMM a better value to me than the CL FPs. We can do EMM in the morning, and save our FPs for another park in the afternoon/evening.

 

[Tessaf]

I think this could be a game changer for the value of the CL FPs (at least for me). I was weighing the frustrations and constraints from the CL FP program we experienced on our June trip against the upsides - and now that HEA viewing is gone, the main upside for me was being able to get all Toy Story Land rides in one day. FOP isn't too hard to book if your visit is more than a few days, and it's not impossible to ride Soarin' or pick up TT as a same-day FP. I have EMM booked for both MK and HS now for our November trip, and the fact that they include breakfast and more than just one ride on SDD, SDMT, etc. make EMM a better value to me than the CL FPs. We can do EMM in the morning, and save our FPs for another park in the afternoon/evening.

That was my thoughts too, we plan on using CL FP for HS since we will be there the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s our first time a HS and I knew we’d need the CL FP to do all the rides in that day. If I’d know this, totally would’ve done it. But to swap my HS day and either our Monday or Wednesday Epcot day now, I would end up canceling to many character meals and that would not be okay with the kids.

 

[tjmw2727]

I see a few comments about e-mailing DSS with feedback after your trip.

While that may go somewhere useful (may not), I'd also recommend e-mailing wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

We're all paying testers in this trial and presumably something about this program will shape the basis of something permanent down the road, in some form (maybe, who knows). Both good and bad, might as well let them know what you think.

Good suggestion - I am definitely going to recap my pros and cons later this week when I am settled. Will send to both dss and gr emails!

 

[Sarah1024]

Is the viewing for all of the nighttime shows going away? Or only the HEA viewing area? Do they CM's make all 6 FP's? Or just the first 3? Thanks!

 

[Tessaf]

Is the viewing for all of the nighttime shows going away? Or only the HEA viewing area? Do they CM's make all 6 FP's? Or just the first 3? Thanks!

The DSS lady I spoke to last week told me all viewings are doing away.
The CM will book all 6 FP for you. Any day you don’t use CL FP will be booked at your 60 day mark.

 

[ninafeliz]

Is the viewing for all of the nighttime shows going away? Or only the HEA viewing area? Do they CM's make all 6 FP's? Or just the first 3? Thanks!

All of the viewing areas are going away as far as I know. The CMs will make all 6 FPs for the days you book the extra ones. You can then change or adjust the 3 regular ones on your own if you want/need to, you can only change the 3 paid ones by calling DSS.

 

[yaya74]

The DSS lady I spoke to last week told me all viewings are doing away.
The CM will book all 6 FP for you. Any day you don’t use CL FP will be booked at your 60 day mark.

I don't know if it is my wishful thinking... I am hoping that the CL FP+ program will restore the nighttime viewing spots after the holiday season.......
Doesn't hurt to be a hopeful person

 

[Sarah1024]

And for your “regular FPs” that are booked 90 days out by DSS, Disney gives you the ability to “Add Guests” to the regular FPs. You’ll be able to add on yourself and kid#2 to the regular FPs without waiting until 60 days out.

Really?? You can add other guests not doing the extra CL FP's before the 60 days? What if they are staying in a different room, but still in your MDE account??

 

[hiroMYhero]

Really?? You can add other guests not doing the extra CL FP's before the 60 days? What if they are staying in a different room, but still in your MDE account??

Yes. That’s what the new function entails.

The booked FP opens the window for anyone listed or linked to your MDX.

 

[Tessaf]

Yes. That’s what the new function entails.

The booked FP opens the window for anyone listed or linked to your MDX.

But only for the days you booked CL FP right? I was under the impression any of the days you don’t have the CL FP must wait till the 60 day mark for FP... or am I wrong?

 

[hiroMYhero]

But only for the days you booked CL FP right? I was under the impression any of the days you don’t have the CL FP must wait till the 60 day mark for FP... or am I wrong?

Yes, I clarified in my answer...

The booked FP opens the window for anyone listed or linked to your MDX.

 

[Tessaf]

Yes, I clarified in my answer...

Thank you. I missed the “booked” part when I read it.

 

[TriSeb°o°]

I forgot to mention that on our last MK HEA CL Ressie night, I had a cousin meet up with us who happened to be onsite. I went up to the CM at the CL entry point/rope, gave my last name and asked if an additional family member could join us. She had a super stern look on her face and then it spontaneously changed and she said, "Sure no problem!". I was floored. At any rate, posting here to remind everyone that it never hurts to ask, nicely.