TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[jcemom]

I am 25 days out, and have been trying since 60 days to get A&E for my trip. Still no availability. My friends are 32 days out, and yesterday I managed to get them 1 A&E (which does them no good, as their DD is 5 and needs an adult to go with her..so I need to pray I score another one for the same time between now and then). Again - I've been trying for them since 60 days out.

It's incredibly frustrating.

Agreed. My SIL is going in November and I have been trying many times each day for A&E, beginning at midnight 60 days out, with no luck. I also have not been able to get them 7DMT, or even ETWB on either of their two MK days. It is incredibly frustrating.

With legacy FP they could have arrived before rope drop and been guaranteed a FP, and they would have been all for the same return time. No, we don't know what the return time would have been, in advance, but they would have been willing to work around whatever time they got. Now they have no FP at all.

For our December trip, I got ONE A&E FP, so DD will be going in alone. I have been trying for another, but even if I do get one the chance of getting the same return time is minimal.

I have invested FAR more time in trying to secure a handful of FP for these two trips than I would ever have invested in the planning of the entire trips, overall, in the past.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well as I said, that's what we had to do with legacy fp. I'm sure there were lots of people who couldn't stay longer then either.

Not debating that...the previous post just came across as "eh, some people just don't like that they have to stay longer to get the same amt done". Just pointing out that in many cases it may not just be that they "don't like" staying longer, but that they *can't* stay longer.

So with the admission that it takes longer to do the same amt under FP+ as it did under legacy, and combining that with the ever rising ticket prices, what many people are disliking is the fact that they are paying more to get less than they used to, and they should just be happy with that.

 

[jcemom]

what many people are disliking is the fact that they are paying more to get less than they used to, and they should just be happy with that.

BINGO!

 

[cakebaker]

Not debating that...the previous post just came across as "eh, some people just don't like that they have to stay longer to get the same amt done". Just pointing out that in many cases it may not just be that they "don't like" staying longer, but that they *can't* stay longer. So with the admission that it takes longer to do the same amt under FP+ as it did under legacy, and combining that with the ever rising ticket prices, what many people are disliking is the fact that they are paying more to get less than they used to, and they should just be happy with that.

No, i wasn't intending for it to come across that way.

Yes, some are getting less done now and some , like us, are finding it much more efficient and we get more done.

I can certainly see why some don't like the new system, but that doesn't mean its a flawed system or Disney made a bad decision.

 

[faneuil]

We found that we only got 2 or 3 OLD FP if we were there at rope drop. If you were not you were waiting standby. I do agree with you that it would be better without Tiering but I would not say it is worse (unless you were a rope dropper).

I never went a day, in any park, that I didn't have 8-10, or at least have the ability. That included park hopping. I never had a FP "runner" either, I did it all.

But this is why cookie cutter vacation planning doesn't work. I excelled at legacy FP. FP+?? I don't have the desire, because my situation has changed. But even if I needed to, I wouldn't enjoy it as much. I don't like planning so far out. Even when I cruise, I don't plan any shore excursions until I get on board.

When I take a vacation, I make a list of everything I want to see and do. But I hate tying down each activity to a specific date and time. I know for some ppl, that's awesome - and sometimes necessary.

This is why I really don't think SB lines are going to disappear like the trolls in Norway anytime soon. Just like some of us like Pepsi, and others like Coke, some like to plan their vacations to the minute and others fly like the wind.

Both can co-exist.

 

[kmarie99]

We were never in the mad rush of people and still managed to make fp work for us. I understand it didn't for many, but that doesn't mean it was impossible to do without getting there at RD.

Sorry, maybe I stated my point badly... I was talking mostly of TSMM. We made FP work great for us in the past but were never able to get a TSMM FP until the introduction of FP+.

 

[Angel Ariel]

.

I can certainly see why some don't like the new system, but that doesn't mean its a flawed system or Disney made a bad decision.

By the same token, because others like it also doesn't mean it *isn't* a flawed system or that it is a good decision.

It just hasn't been in place long enough to know whether this will turn out to be a good or a bad decision for them in the long run.

As for the flawed system...with all the glitches it has, I do think it is safe to say the system has flaws. Whether it will remain that way or whether Disney will get all the glitches worked out remains to be seen.

 

[lugnut33]

HaHa-well she does anyway.

She really was impressed, she thinks arriving at 4PM today would normally take about 6 hours to get these 3 done as FP's would have been gone, but also has heard all the horror stories so knows something like this result will only be possible often, if they start building more attractions. But geez if they do-there is some nice potential there depending on how you want to tour etc of course.

Even I'll admit that FP+ isn't so bad at the MK, and it works great for arrival day. BTW, FP+ at the MK when it's dead is an amazing experience.

In order for FP+ to be acceptable then they need to start getting with it at Epcot and Disney Hollywood Adventure (new name for DHS) and build more attractions. That is really my #1 complaint about FP+, it exposed the lack of major attractions at those two parks and Disney needs to step up and start doing what they used to be know for.

 

[kmarie99]

I never went a day, in any park, that I didn't have 8-10, or at least have the ability. That included park hopping. I never had a FP "runner" either, I did it all.

But this is why cookie cutter vacation planning doesn't work. I excelled at legacy FP. FP+?? I don't have the desire, because my situation has changed. But even if I needed to, I wouldn't enjoy it as much. I don't like planning so far out. Even when I cruise, I don't plan any shore excursions until I get on board.

When I take a vacation, I make a list of everything I want to see and do. But I hate tying down each activity to a specific date and time. I know for some ppl, that's awesome - and sometimes necessary.

This is why I really don't think SB lines are going to disappear like the trolls in Norway anytime soon. Just like some of us like Pepsi, and others like Coke, some like to plan their vacations to the minute and others fly like the wind.

Both can co-exist.

I agree, I was talking about TSMM not all FP's. I agree some things work better for me with FP+ and some worked better with FP. I don't think there has to be a love or hate relationship with it, there can be a middle ground.

 

[SColling007]

Maybe Disney should have comped the patrons in the park that helped them compile this data. That would have been a great gesture on their part and everyone would be all warm and fuzzy.

To the best of my knowledge Disney made every effort to appeal to the guests who complained and/or were unhappy, but Disney can't be expected to give every person who rode TSM during the test a comp. These situations are tricky and not just decided on a whim. No matter what Disney does or does not do, it will be represented as not-enough to some fans.
For now I prefer to remain Optimistic that Disney (not me) knows what they are doing, and will make the best decision to keep people in the park. In the end isn't that what they really want, Disney won't implement anything that takes that away.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I have invested FAR more time in trying to secure a handful of FP for these two trips than I would ever have invested in the planning of the entire trips, overall, in the past.

Or "running" across the park to pull a paper.

 

[loveamy]

Others may have given their input but, for what it is worth, here's what I observed at the park last week:

1. There were at least 20 Disney employees outside the ride to deal with upset guests. This included the regular ride employees, additional HS employees, guest service representatives (the outfits they wear when they are taking VIP guests around the park) and executives (in business suits).

2. When I entered the park, a sign was posted (inside the park, after you had already paid and entered) that said "Toy Story Mania has reached capacity for the day."

3. People were very angry and children were crying outside the ride. This was the last day of the "test" and the employees looked tired and worn out.

4. We got to ride (long story). As were were getting in our ride vehicle, I looked at the employee helping us and said "I bet you're ready for a new week, huh?" (S)he (being vague because I don't want to get anyone in trouble) gave me a half-hearted smile and said that (s)he was. I said "Why are they doing this?" (S)he replied "They are testing out a system to make every ride only available via fast pass. The goal is for everyone to stand in line less than 15 minutes for every ride in every park." (For what it is worth, I would be shocked if this was the real reason for the test as it doesn't even make sense -- but I'm just telling you what (s)he told me.) (S)he also made a comment that (s)he didn't know the test was happening "until the night before when our managers gathered us together to inform us of what would be happening the next morning."

The ride broke down while we were getting off of it. Not only did they clear everyone off the ride, they made everyone in the queue leave the building. It was right before the park closed so I felt terrible for those people as I highly doubt they got to come back inside!

 

[faneuil]

I agree, I was talking about TSMM not all FP's. I agree some things work better for me with FP+ and some worked better with FP. I don't think there has to be a love or hate relationship with it, there can be a middle ground.

Gotcha.

I have to admit - FP+ has helped with popular shows for me. Like Fantasmic, and Festival of the Lion King. I just don't do shows every time.

 

[SColling007]

I think that the Value that MyMagic + initiative adds to Disney is not the things that the guests sees, (i.e. Magic Bands, FastPass +), it everything that they don't see.

FastPass+ is only a small portion of the money that was spent. and I am confident that they will get it right in the end.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think that the Value that MyMagic + initiative adds to Disney is not the things that the guests sees, (i.e. Magic Bands, FastPass +), it everything that they don't see.

FastPass+ is only a small portion of the money that was spent. and I am confident that they will get it right in the end.

I am pretty sure everyone here is well aware that MM+ is about a lot.more than fp+. FP+ is simply the method they get people to buy into the data mining.

 

[vacationer1954]

I have to disagree with this…

Your company operates differently from Disney. That doesn't mean your company is correct and Disney is wrong. People can make up all kind of excuses for what they want but as long as Disney continues to do what Disney does can continues to grow profitably as they have for longer than the twenty years that they've been running the business this way, what's the point in such excuses?

But you're assuming, based on just a couple of unverifiable reports that they are doing this. Right now, there are many negative comments on their FB page. If they do this as a rule, why are those comments there?

I have no doubt that some negative comments were removed. It makes sense that they'll leave what they consider fair complaints and remove what they consider unfair complaints. I can also see why they might delete comments from people restating complaints already made.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have no doubt that some negative comments were removed. It makes sense that they'll leave what they consider fair complaints and remove what they consider unfair complaints.

2 people on this thread have said they have had posts deleted very recently. One said she was just posting a link to DAS information to help someone who asked a question. The other said they posted a polite, professional complaint.

What about those is unfair and deserves deletion? Especially the posting a link to answer someone's question!?

 

[vacationer1954]

2 people on this thread have said they have had posts deleted very recently. One said she was just posting a link to DAS information to help someone who asked a question. The other said they posted a polite, professional complaint.

Clearly Disney disagreed. So we have a he said/she said situation very similar to the one we had earlier in this thread when some posters said the idea of making attractions FP+ only was a bad idea and then other posters said it was a great idea.

 

[cakebaker]

By the same token, because others like it also doesn't mean it *isn't* a flawed system or that it is a good decision. It just hasn't been in place long enough to know whether this will turn out to be a good or a bad decision for them in the long run. As for the flawed system...with all the glitches it has, I do think it is safe to say the system has flaws. Whether it will remain that way or whether Disney will get all the glitches worked out remains to be seen.

I don't think anyone who likes fp+ claims it's perfect. And while we don't know how it will all turn out, I'm pretty sure Disney didnt invest millions of dollars into a system without extensive research to make sure it was going to work well.

When its all said and done, it will cost them some customers - but obviously they believe they gain more than they lose. They have a pretty good track record and I'm confident they know what they're doing.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Clearly Disney disagreed. So we have a he said/she said situation very similar to the one we had earlier in this thread when some posters said the idea of making attractions FP+ only was a bad idea and then other posters said it was a great idea.

Clearly Disney did.disagree...that doesn't mean they are right in what they did.

Seriously, what justification is there for deleting a post where someone links an answer to a question about the DAS?