UPDATED with FP+ Experience beg post #14 / So Much Pixie Dust

[CarolMN]

that I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop!

1. Drove to the airport very early on Saturday and found an excellent parking spot in long range parking. Checked two bags at the counter, and then SURPRISE! TSA decided DH & I should use the "special" security lane. We bypassed a fairly long line, didn't have to take anything out of our bags, didn't need to take off our jackets or shoes or empty our pockets. Probably took all of 3 minutes. (Felt a little funny walking past all those other people).

2. Left MSP on an early morning SWA flight and in spite of a B1 & B2 boarding pass (and several families boarding right after the A-group), scored two seats together in row 5. Flight landed 20 minutes early!

Now the ME lines were horrendous - beyond anything we've seen in the past. BLT was the 4th stop (after the Poly, the GF and VWL). So we didn't get to the CR until nearly 2 hours after the plane landed. (Guess the pixie dust was being spread elsewhere for that experience, LOL).

3. A CM was waiting for us as we got off the ME bus at the CR. We were checked in and on our way to the MK less than 10 minutes later. Our room wasn't ready, but SURPRISE! my request for the 16th floor was granted. More than happy to wait - we were offered a room on the 7th floor that was ready.

We were assigned 8609 - that studio had a good view of Illuminations and a great view of the electrical water pageant and we were just steps away from the TOTWL. We saw both WISHES and the MVMCP version of WISHES from the deck. The party fireworks were just fantastic - the last barrage seemed as though they were launched right at us! We were impressed. And the best part - when it was done, no lines for the elevators. We were back in our room in under 30 seconds. Best studio location at BLT IMO. Can't believe we got it! Sure feels special to take the elevator to 16th floor with our MBs.

4. There was a long line at the MK Guest Relations, but it moved reasonably quickly. It didn't take long at all to get our DVC PAPs activated (I had previously linked our will call number). Got a plastic card AP and then our bands were activated. Purchased a TiW card and we were on our way. Used a FP for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, looked around New Fantasyland, bought a few snack items and blew off the FP for Enchanted Tales with Belle. (Found out our room was ready and wanted to change for dinner at the CG). Dinner was great!

5. Loving the FP+ experience. It works well for our touring style. All has worked flawlessly for us so far.

6. Moved over to the BWV this morning (via cab) Again, greeted at the door and escorted to check-in. Not only was our 1 bedroom villa ready, SURPRISE! it was one of the coveted corner rooms. Couldn't believe it (and did not ask for it).

Used 2 FP+ after check in at DHS for TSM and Star Tours. Taking a short break now and then hopping over to the Merry Mixer. Plan to use a FP+ for Fantasmic! later (although I understand there isn't a reserved FP+ section anymore, so it's probably not going to get us much.


Hoping for the pixie dust to keep coming! I'll let you know.

I love WDW during December!

 

[cseca]

Sounds like you are having a magical time!
Maybe you got extra magic in your bands...

Have some of those brioche ice cream for me from EPCOT please... I am craving it so bad!

 

[wdrl]

Glad to hear everything seems to be going well for you.

I think the FastPass+ system will work out fine for the vast majority of guests. We made some adjustments to how we planned our Park days due to FastPass+, but we didn't feel we sacrificed or lost anything compared to the old legacy FastPass system.

When we were at WDW in November some resorts were still giving out free accessory clips for your MagicBands that said "2013" and glowed in the dark. AKV ran out of them before we could get one. Check with BWV to see if you can get one.

As you go around the Parks, do you get the sense that the legacy FastPasses are being used up faster than normal?

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[jekjones1558]

I can only imagine how much time you spend moderating these forums so I think it is only fair that Disney pixie dust rain all over you! Perhaps you should buy a lottery ticket???
P.S. I have not seen the corner rooms since the renovation a few years ago. Is the lighting still poor in the dining area or did they make it better?

 

[bwvBound]

TSA decided DH & I should use the "special" security lane. We bypassed a fairly long line, didn't have to take anything out of our bags, didn't need to take off our jackets or shoes or empty our pockets. Probably took all of 3 minutes. (Felt a little funny walking past all those other people).

We got that same surprise Saturday morning checking in through JFK. What a very cool surprise!

Enjoy your trip! WDW in December is a very lovely place!

 

[Sandisw]

Very cool!! So glad to hear its going smoothly!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a great experience! Good for you.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Glad it's going magically so far! I hope you let some of that pixie dust rub off on the rest of us Minnesotans! I had some PD this week too...Our Chef's Table WL came through!

We have never taken ME because we always rent a car or drive down. I would NOT be patient for that 2 hour wait to get to the resort.

 

[CarolMN]

Glad to hear everything seems to be going well for you.....

Thanks!

I think the FastPass+ system will work out fine for the vast majority of guests. We made some adjustments to how we planned our Park days due to FastPass+, but we didn't feel we sacrificed or lost anything compared to the old legacy FastPass system.

I agree. FP+ works well for us & the way we tour. It's taken the stress out of the mornings - no stress over getting there early and then standing around waiting for rope drop and the crazy race-walking is no longer required, either.

As you go around the Parks, do you get the sense that the legacy FastPasses are being used up faster than normal?

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Didn't really notice for MK as we didn't even try to pull the paper FP - it felt wrong since there are so many guests who do not have the MBs and have to use the paper FP.

Did notice that TSM at DHS was gone when we arrived at about 10:30 am on Monday. The FP for the Safari ride at AK was showing a return of 9:40 - 10:40 am this morning at a few minutes after 9am.

 

[CarolMN]

........ I have not seen the corner rooms since the renovation a few years ago. Is the lighting still poor in the dining area or did they make it better?

The lighting is still very poor in that area, especially in the evening and night, when there is no natural light. It's the only real downside to the room.

 

[CarolMN]

Glad it's going magically so far! I hope you let some of that pixie dust rub off on the rest of us Minnesotans! I had some PD this week too...Our Chef's Table WL came through!......

That's great! Happy 45th!

 

[Cee]

Oh my...that sounds just wonderful. Enjoy every moment and Merry Christmas!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kbeam]

Glad things are going swimmingly! Question...did you bring a credit card receipt when you activated your AP? We bought it online, as well, and linked up to our MBs. I don't even have the 'voucher number' anymore! Will I need anything other than my DVC card, photo ID and MB? Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Glad things are going swimmingly! Question...did you bring a credit card receipt when you activated your AP? We bought it online, as well, and linked up to our MBs. I don't even have the 'voucher number' anymore! Will I need anything other than my DVC card, photo ID and MB? Thanks!

As I recall, I just told the CM my name, he found the order in the system. I had to give him our photo IDs and my member card. (I did have the email confirmation printed and with me, but he didn't need it so I never even showed it to him). We used the Guest Relations outside of the MK.

The CM had no trouble at all and the whole process took less than 10 minutes - I also bought a TiW card after the PAPs were activated.

Previously (at home), I had linked my Will-Call order number to MDE and made FP+ selections. Our magic bands worked perfectly after the Guest Relations CM was done and all of our FP+ selections were intact. FWIW, I did not access my MDE account at all while there. I printed our FP+ selections at home before we left and used that to refresh my memory each day. We had absolutely NO TROUBLE at all entering the parks or using our FP+.

We each also received a plastic PAP card which we did not use. I believe those could have been used to pull legacy FP, but we chose not to do that. It didn't seem right to do that when there were so many other guests who did not have access to FP+. The paper FP seemed to disappear very quickly in the mornings for the major attractions like TSM, TT & Soarin'.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I also bought a TiW card after the PAPs were activated.

Previously (at home), I had linked my Will-Call order number to MDE and made FP+ selections. Our magic bands worked perfectly after the Guest Relations CM was done and all of our FP+ selections were intact. FWIW, I did not access my MDE account at all while there. I printed our FP+ selections at home before we left and used that to refresh my memory each day. We had absolutely NO TROUBLE at all entering the parks or using our FP+.

We each also received a plastic PAP card which we did not use. I believe those could have been used to pull legacy FP, but we chose not to do that. It didn't seem right to do that when there were so many other guests who did not have access to FP+. The paper FP seemed to disappear very quickly in the mornings for the major attractions like TSM, TT & Soarin'.

I am so glad to hear that, Carol!!! I have been so skeptical of things working correctly, but we have decided we probably won't change anything while there either.

 

[CarolMN]

Just a quick report on MBs, FP+, MDE, online check-in and our split stay:

1. Had a split stay booked. 2 nights at BLT to start. Last 5 nights at BWV. Both reservations were made with points and each was one continuous reservation (no linking of days). rec'd MBs for both reservations, so we each had two. All worked well.

2. At home created MDE account, linked DVC reservations & our will call order for the $399 special PAPs. I made ADRs & FP+ selections. I did make a few changes to FP+ selections as the days went by, but did not change any of them after tiering began. So we had both TT & Soarin' on the same day for our EPCOT days and TSM & at least one of the other "top tier" rides for our DHS days.

3. Also had FP+ for lunch at BoG, but did not make it there in time. (Not totally disappointed because we had an ADR for dinner there another night).

4. The guest relations outside of MK had a long line and we had to wait about 30 minutes, but once we got to a window, the process was quick and easy - see previous post.

5. We did online check in for both BLT and BWV. Again, no problems at all. Did requests through MS but did add credit card during the online check-in process. Incidentally, we got our requests for both reservations. That was unexpected.

6. FP+ system and park entry worked flawlessly. We did blow off Test Track FP+ one day because the line was so backed up and we (me) wasn't willing to wait. FWIW, I didn't think the new version of TT was an improvement. It's just different and will not be one of my must-do's in the future.

7. I just have one login id and password that works for MDE, DVC and www.disneyworld.com/dining.

8. While planning the trip, I was not in a hurry to make FP+ or order MBs. Thought I'd give them a chance to fix some of the problems that were being reported. In retrospect,that was a good decision!

We liked Fp+ and look forward to full implementation. Hoping they allow more than 3 per day or at least more than one park per day so that we can hop & also hope they eliminate tiering. We would not have been as happy if we could only schedule one "top ride" per day, especially given the very limited number of paper FP available on the same day. I felt bad for the off site guests who had to depend on those.

I don't think they are done tinkering yet and I know some people have had problems. We're going with another family next April and I expect things to be different by then.

 

[CarolMN]

The "other shoe" finally dropped - I knew it would!

Left sunny, 85 degree Florida and came home to -2 degree MSP. Car did not start. Had to get jump as battery while not totally dead, wasn't up to the task. Driveway full of snow when we got home. I won't bore you with the rest of the tale last night, but this morning, I had to get another jump, drive to a semi-convenient service station and get a new battery.

All is well now and we had a wonderful trip, so worth all the trouble at home!

 

[Splashboat]

We liked Fp+ and look forward to full implementation. Hoping they allow more than 3 per day or at least more than one park per day so that we can hop & also hope they eliminate tiering. We would not have been as happy if we could only schedule one "top ride" per day, especially given the very limited number of paper FP available on the same day. I felt bad for the off site guests who had to depend on those.

I don't think they are done tinkering yet and I know some people have had problems. We're going with another family next April and I expect things to be different by then.

In the last couple of days I spoke to multiple supervisors at MK, HS and Epcot (to make sure I was getting the same story). They all said they are trying to get rid of the FP system and only have MB FP+. They are going to see how it goes over the busy holiday but the rumor is that there will be 5 (instead of 3) per guest per day and they will work in multiple parks.
The negative feedback that they are currently hearing is that people say they won't buy the park hoppers anymore. They said they are looking for feedback and plan on making adjustments accordingly.
They all said the same things so it sounds like the current plan.
The people staying at the Pop were really mad because they could only access 3 MB FP+ per day when others had access to FP and MB FP+.