Warning! New FP Limits for Passholders with Multiple Stays - NOT Split Stays: READ Post #484

[anomamatt]

I have a window open April 27-28 and May 25-27. DH has a window open May 10-12 (I do now because it's within 30 days, but I didn't until then.) I do no have a window open May 18-19. Why is the late May window open and remaining open (May 10-12 and May 18-19 were open and then closed)?

Are you both listed on every reservation?

 

[CaLuCa]

Are you both listed on every reservation?

Yes, myself and one DD are on every reservation. The other ones vary between 3 other kids and DH.

 

[hereforthechurros]

In your case, the offsite stay automatically triggers 7-day FP limit and that is not new, that's the way it has been. If you have fewer than 7 days scheduled in your April trip, you will be able to schedule up to 7 days. As soon as you use your FP days, make your Poly FPs. At least your Poly window won't be shut because your previous stay is not onsite, so you can make FPs for future days as you use your April days.

Really appreciate your knowledge on this. My April trip has four days worth of FPs, does that mean I will have three days of availability to book FPs for my June trip?

 

[ShadeDK]

As out-of-state APs, we make short trips throughout the year (rather than one or two long ones) to visit the parks and enjoy all the different seasons/events. I still schedule FPs at 60-days out because I know there are certain things we always want to ride. This change will now affect 4 trips that we have planned - including a couple that are long weekends or coincide with holidays where FPs will be at a premium. I have no problem with closing the rolling windows that can give APs an unfair advantage, but they've swung the other way by imposing an unfair disadvantage on APs in comparison with similarly situated guests. We all have valid tickets and resort stays - why should APs be treated differently? It has me thinking about other options and offsite stays - in some cases just to preserve the 60-day window for a later visit where it's more important.

Can I call Disney and try to sort this out when my window doesn't open? Yes. Can I still schedule most FPs in the shorter window when it opens and spend time stalking the hard-to-get FPs? Yes. Can I get there and just use refresh constantly to grab those same-day FPs? Yes. But all of that is a lot more work than just spending a few minutes the morning of the 60-day window to get it locked down and done. And I grow tired of the amount of work and time it can take for even a simple trip to Disney.

If this new policy was intentional (as it increasingly seems to be) and the rationale was crowd control by deterring APs from visiting as often, the executive that came up with that one should be fired on the spot. Not only because it's a bad idea to alienate your loyal, repeat customers, but because: (a) APs are still going to visit to get the value out of their annual passes; and (b) they have less incentive to stay on-site with this limitation on FP+ perks. Essentially - it's ineffective while potentially costing Disney money (yes - they'll probably fill those rooms anyway - but the APs are still coming to the parks if offsite along with those new resort guests, so they'll have a net increase in park attendance - and then the crowd control rationale still falls flat). Although I do understand that in some corporate circles that kind of backwards thinking would just be rewarded with a VP promotion and a hefty annual bonus.

Edited to add: I understand this is not just an AP issue - but everything I said above applies equally to those with tickets and non-consecutive stays booked.

 

[vinotinto]

Really appreciate your knowledge on this. My April trip has four days worth of FPs, does that mean I will have three days of availability to book FPs for my June trip?

Correct. I think you will be able to book 3 days. Make them for the hardest stuff to get - SDD and FoP. I have found that the other stuff can easily be gotten within the 60-day window.

 

[AllyElly]

This stinks - we have APs, I booked a surprise birthday trip for my son July 20-27. We have a big family trip (16 people) planned for September 15-20 With a lot of FPs we are going to try and coordinate. So i’m assuming unless this is fixed prior to me making fast passes I won’t be able to make them for my family trip until after my July trip is over.

Which trip would you suggest prioritizing? I’m thinking the family trip, but really want fp for my son’s birthday trip. What a hassle!

 

[vinotinto]

I keep saying this, but this issue is not specific to APs. It's important to understand that (which is why I (and @hiroMYhero ) keep saying it), because if they are not told the actual problem, it won't be fixed.

The issue is specific to two stays in close proximity to one another, but not connected. The second FP window doesn't open. It's not specific to an AP. The problem exists with multi-day tickets, too.

So when you all email, be sure to be clear about what the problem actually is.

My post was more directed at the last page or two, which seems to have veered back into this being an AP issue.

In reality, people who take multiple trips close in time have APs... but my concern is that when people report this, the response will continue to be about the 7-day limit, which isn't the real issue. And if a CM thinks that is the reason, it won't be escalated to someone who might know something about MDE. It's unfortunate that we understand MDE better than 99+% of CMs, but that is the way it is. But if the error can be conveyed properly, it's more likely to get prioritized and fixed -- as opposed to the CM incorrectly saying there is a 7-day FP limit on FPs.

It would be good to have the title edited, but I'll leave that to you and @hiroMYhero

I completely agree. I actually explained to the CM on the phone that my problem wasn't with the 7-day FP limit, but with the window of my next stay not opening. I was told that it was escalated. But, I have not yet received a response (probably because it hasn't been fixed).

 

[anomamatt]

If this new policy was intentional (as it increasingly seems to be)

I don't think it was intentional. It appears they fixed the rolling-60 by instituting a hard close on the FP window, until you check-out. So that will mess with any reservations that would open for FP booking before you check out. It's not clear anyone at Disney understands the actual problem yet, unfortunately.

 

[mrsap]

I don't think it was intentional. It appears they fixed the rolling-60 by instituting a hard close on the FP window, until you check-out. So that will mess with any reservations that would open for FP booking before you check out. It's not clear anyone at Disney understands the actual problem yet, unfortunately.

There’s always some sort of headache. Hopefully this will get fixed.

 

[ShadeDK]

I don't think it was intentional. It appears they fixed the rolling-60 by instituting a hard close on the FP window, until you check-out. So that will mess with any reservations that would open for FP booking before you check out. It's not clear anyone at Disney understands the actual problem yet, unfortunately.

A lot of uncertainty about all of this - but I hope you're right since a fix is mostly assured in the unintentional scenario (notwithstanding doubts about Disney IT's ability to fix one thing without breaking something else).

 

[Airb330]

First off, should there be a sticky at the front of this thread summarizing who to contact at Disney and what we should say? I'm finding this issue may be complex and confuse people at Disney. Overall, this issue is unacceptable and needs to be fixed. There's been enough 'bad news' for us Disney fans in the last 1-2 years IMO, we don't need this problem affecting their best customers.

My Tickets:

• Annual Passholder
• 8 days left on an old MYW Non-Expiring Ticket

My trips:
All onsite, as I am DVC.

1. October 5 (Part 1 of Split Stay)
2. October 6 (Part 2 of Split Stay)
3. November 23-30

It seems like, to be safe, I should only book FP+ for the thanksgiving trip? Having the MYW NE tickets could allow us for additional choices perhaps. Those tickets always seem to confuse their IT, but I am so glad we have them for times we aren't annual passholders! I shouldn't have to only book FP+ for the longer trip, but I don't want to hurt our chances during a crazy busy week. I'm honestly hoping this is fixed by the time my 60-day window opens but I do want to reach out to Disney to lend my support for those being immediately affected today.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Having the MYW NE tickets could allow us for additional choices perhaps

Other APs, not in this thread, have reported that once the FP system knows FPs have been maxed out for an AP Profile, no additional FPs can be booked even when valid regular tickets are linked to the same Profile.

Tickets would have to be reassigned to new Profiles but in your case, NE Tickets can’t be reassigned.

A few pages back the OP stated he/she was leaving the thread so the first post can’t be reworded.

 

[kes601]

Other APs, not in this thread, have reported that once the FP system knows FPs have been maxed out for an AP Profile, no additional FPs can be booked even when valid regular tickets are linked to the same Profile.

Tickets would have to be reassigned to new Profiles but in your case, NE Tickets can’t be reassigned.

A few pages back the OP stated he/she was leaving the thread so the first post can’t be reworded.

I lied and have continued contributing to the thread. Tell me what you want me to add / change and I'll be happy to.

 

[jkohmi]

I don't think it was intentional. It appears they fixed the rolling-60 by instituting a hard close on the FP window, until you check-out. So that will mess with any reservations that would open for FP booking before you check out. It's not clear anyone at Disney understands the actual problem yet, unfortunately.

I spent a significant amount of time on the phone talking about all of this yesterday with the person who called me back in response to the email I sent to Kalogridis' office, and I agree that it didn't sound like this was intentional when I was talking to them...or at least, if it IS intentional, they didn't know to tell me that because they reassured me several times that my second window should open at 60 days (3ish weeks from now) as long as I'm under the 7-day FP limit from my first stay. Obviously, SHOULD open is not the same as WILL ACTUALLY open, but they didn't say anything to make me think this is an intended result.

I also stressed that it is being reported for non-date-based tickets as well as by APs who are under the 7-day limit.

 

[anomamatt]

It seems like, to be safe, I should only book FP+ for the thanksgiving trip?

I would expect that your second FP window (for Nov 23-30) will not open regardless of whether you book FPs over Oct 5-6 or not. (Until you check out on October 6).

(Unless / until this mess is fixed).

 

[Airb330]

I lied and have continued contributing to the thread. Tell me what you want me to add / change and I'll be happy to.

I'm not sure yet, but perhaps we can crowdsource a 1-2 paragraph template we can send to Disney. Also to include the email address of the best target (Kalogridis). I'm drafting something now...and will update this post.

I also apologize for the 2 replies in a row. By the time I posted and realized, I should have just came back to edit this post. It won't happen again.

DRAFT SAMPLE EMAIL (what's the best email to use?):

Good Evening,

I am a DVC owner/on-site guest (which ever is applicable) and an annual passholder. It appears there is an IT issue for those of us with multiple on-site stays within 60 days of one another and booking FastPass+ at our 60-day window for each stay.

Per my understanding, "Passholders with reservations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can start making FastPass+ selections as early as 60 days prior to the check-in date―and can secure FastPass+ selections for the length of stay or up to 7 days. Please note that if your length of stay is longer than two weeks, FastPass+ selections can be made for up to 14 days."

However, with this glitch it seems I won't be able to select any FastPass+ until after check out is completed of the first stay. For my personal situation, I have a stay booked for TRIP#1 and then again in TRIP#2. I will be disappointed if at 60-days I cannot select FastPass+ for both trips independently of one another. Being able to select FastPass+ only after I check out in TRIP#1 does not make sense and in fact punishes those who are your most loyal and profitable guests.

I am writing to encourage your office to investigate this matter and to rectify it because this is affecting all of your most dedicated and frequent guests.

Best regards,
XXX

 

[Airb330]

I would expect that your second FP window (for Nov 23-30) will not open regardless of whether you book FPs over Oct 5-6 or not. (Until you check out on October 6).

(Unless / until this mess is fixed).

Wow. I will light someone (figuratively) on fire at Disney if our trip over a holiday is effectively ruined by this insane IT "glitch." That will be a 'sell DVC' and be finished forever type of screw-up by a company for me.

 

[quandrea]

I spent a significant amount of time on the phone talking about all of this yesterday with the person who called me back in response to the email I sent to Kalogridis' office, and I agree that it didn't sound like this was intentional when I was talking to them...or at least, if it IS intentional, they didn't know to tell me that because they reassured me several times that my second window should open at 60 days (3ish weeks from now) as long as I'm under the 7-day FP limit from my first stay. Obviously, SHOULD open is not the same as WILL ACTUALLY open, but they didn't say anything to make me think this is an intended result.

I also stressed that it is being reported for non-date-based tickets as well as by APs who are under the 7-day limit.

The unacceptable part of that conversation is the seven day limit. That is incorrect. The limit is length of stay or fourteen days, whichever is less. There is no way I’d accept seven days as my fast pass limit. When buying my ap I signed on for fast passes for my length of stay. This seven day thing is a work of fiction if you’re on site.

 

[quandrea]

Wow. I will light someone (figuratively) on fire at Disney if our trip over a holiday is effectively ruined by this insane IT "glitch." That will be a 'sell DVC' and be finished forever type of screw-up by a company for me.

That is exactly where I’m at. Watching this closely.

 

[anomamatt]

The unacceptable part of that conversation is the seven day limit. That is incorrect. The limit is length of stay or fourteen days, whichever is less. There is no way I’d accept seven days as my fast pass limit. When buying my ap I signed on for fast passes for my length of stay. This seven day thing is a work of fiction if you’re on site.

I agree. But also the CM's conflating an open FP window with an FP limit implies they do not understand how MDE works. Somehow we have grown to accept not to believe anything a phone CM says as "business as usual". It's a sad state of affairs.