Watch as the Dreams Unlimited Podcast team talks MyMagic+

[Isildur's Bane]

I don't know if I agree..............the legacy system benefitted those who got to the park the earliest...........didn't it? All I needed to do was get in early.........as you said...........didn't that penalize those who weren't early risers? Now to be up front I only really got to use the legacy system 1 time............I will admit it was easy to use...........but was it any fairer than what we have now? I've never really had a problem getting a FP for 7DMT......during any of our past 4 visits. Yeah I stay up late to make sure........but that's my choice.........and everyone can choose to do that.........but I'm at home doing that.......not running through the MK to get to a FP kiosk.

I guess I'd need more of a history of how the legacy system worked.........didn't it benefit those utilizing EMH......since only those "onsite" benefit from that perk, not an advantage for those off site........ For me the FP+ system allows me to start my day later if I choose by reserving more popular rides for later in the day............from my perspective that's more control..........I don't have to get up early.

It seems to me there are pluses and minuses in both systems.............it most definitely impacts those who've visited for more years than me Change sucks................but it's inevitable.........and I just don't see things going back......do you?

Doug

yes. any line benefits those who get there first... isn't that what first come first serve is? isnt that why theres a line in the first place? do you expect to show up at a line at Disney or walmart or starbucks and have people who show up after get through before you? I think if you want something you should go get it not have it come to you first because your special in some way (in a hurry, have more money, stayed at the poly, whatever)

you couldnt get fastpasses during emh either by the way maybe because Disney didn't think that was "fair" but Disney figured out they could make more money not worrying about fair so much so no theyre not going back... thats life unfortunately

 

[disneysteve]

yes. any line benefits those who get there first... isn't that what first come first serve is?

Exactly. The old system was perfectly fair because everyone had the same opportunity to participate. You could choose to sleep in but that was your choice. Now, some people (onsite guests) are put in line first automatically, 30 days before the offsite guests, and 60 days before the day guests. That is not a fair system.

 

[dkrauss]

Exactly. The old system was perfectly fair because everyone had the same opportunity to participate. You could choose to sleep in but that was your choice. Now, some people (onsite guests) are put in line first automatically, 30 days before the offsite guests, and 60 days before the day guests. That is not a fair system.

Fair is a point of view......isn't it? The new system is fair from "my" perspective, for how my wife and I like to tour.........but that's me. We don't stay offsite so I guess I don't have that perspective.

You know..................you're same opportunity to participate statement does have merit, in that Disney has a 60 day window and a 30 day window depending on your situation.................. Interesting discussion

Doug

 

[Isildur's Bane]

Fair is a point of view......isn't it? The new system is fair from "my" perspective, for how my wife and I like to tour.........but that's me. We don't stay offsite so I guess I don't have that perspective.

You know..................you're same opportunity to participate statement does have merit, in that Disney has a 60 day window and a 30 day window depending on your situation.................. Interesting discussion

Doug

if fair is a point of view than why ask which is fairer? nothing is more fair than first come first serve from my point of view, from yours its more fair because it favors your touring style (no offsite)

 

[disneysteve]

Fair is a point of view......isn't it? The new system is fair from "my" perspective

Something that is only "fair" to certain people isn't actually fair, even if those certain people think so.

Bottom line is that the old system gave everyone a fair shot at getting FPs, even for the most in-demand attractions. The new system does not. I was going to add "in my opinion" but I deleted that because this isn't really an opinion, it's fact.

 

[mcd2745]

Enjoyed this episode. Just disappointed it was so short. Could have easily been twice as long and still just as entertaining.

 

[dkrauss]

Something that is only "fair" to certain people isn't actually fair, even if those certain people think so.

Bottom line is that the old system gave everyone a fair shot at getting FPs, even for the most in-demand attractions. The new system does not. I was going to add "in my opinion" but I deleted that because this isn't really an opinion, it's fact.

It is...........your opinion..........which you are welcome to but it is not fact! ..........and yes that is my opinion.

Doug

 

[disneysteve]

It is...........your opinion..........which you are welcome to but it is not fact! ..........and yes that is my opinion.

Sorry, Doug. I realized after that post that it may have come off as snarky or high and mighty, which was not my intent. I apologize for that.

That said, do you mean that you don't agree that the old system was fair or that you think the new system is fair?

 

[dkrauss]

Sorry, Doug. I realized after that post that it may have come off as snarky or high and mighty, which was not my intent..............

Hey Steve no need to apologize I never took it that way ............hey we're two fans discussing a somewhat controversial issue........with different points of view.....in what I've thought is an adult way. Nothing wrong with that. Hey maybe there was a bit of "snark" in my response..........passion on a subject isn't bad as long as it stays civil........right.

As for your question..........I didn't really get to use the old system much, maybe 1........or 2 times........I've used FP+ for 5 visits (not all that much either ) I also stay on site for all my visits.............again I don't have your experience or perspective. In my mind I do think its fair.............but again that's me. For my wife and I we maybe do RD once a trip. FP+ gives us a shot at 7DMT or TSMM in the afternoon..........when we choose to do something else in the morning......my take is that wouldn't happen with the old system............again folks like you who've been doing this longer than me...........probably have a better perspective.

Doug

 

[disneysteve]

I've used FP+ for 5 visits (not all that much either ) I also stay on site for all my visits.............again I don't have your experience or perspective. In my mind I do think its fair.............but again that's me. For my wife and I we maybe do RD once a trip. FP+ gives us a shot at 7DMT or TSMM in the afternoon..........when we choose to do something else in the morning......my take is that wouldn't happen with the old system

Gotcha. Yes, the new system does give an onsite guest the opportunity to book a FP for a popular attraction in advance. With legacy FP, you would have needed to do rope drop to get that FP.

I guess you and I are just using the word "fair" in a different way. While the new system might be "fair" for onsite guests, it is unfair to everyone else (which means the majority of guests). The folks, like my family, who stay offsite, can't get that TSMM FP at 30 days out if all available FPs have already been snagged by onsite guests at 60 days out. The same goes for day guests.

Now if Disney would release FPs in batches, as I suggested earlier, that would be entirely different.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Something that is only "fair" to certain people isn't actually fair, even if those certain people think so.

Bottom line is that the old system gave everyone a fair shot at getting FPs, even for the most in-demand attractions. The new system does not. I was going to add "in my opinion" but I deleted that because this isn't really an opinion, it's fact.

I would agree the old system was "fair" to everyone - but it definitely catered to some ways of touring better than others (that is, I hated the "running of the bulls" to get TSMM fast passes ... so even if fair, I view it negatively compared to new system

And with the new system the only real difference is the 60 vs 30 day - everyone has the same chance once you get to 30 days out. I believe they do hold some back for the 30 day period and then some for even closer in (though they could probably do more of that)

 

[disneysteve]

I would agree the old system was "fair" to everyone - but it definitely catered to some ways of touring better than others

Absolutely. The folks who don't do rope drop were at a disadvantage, but that wasn't a fault of the system. That was based on their own preferences.

And with the new system the only real difference is the 60 vs 30 day - everyone has the same chance once you get to 30 days out. I believe they do hold some back for the 30 day period and then some for even closer in (though they could probably do more of that)

I wonder if that's true. Do they really hold back some FPs for 30 days or do they release them all at 60 days?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Absolutely. The folks who don't do rope drop were at a disadvantage, but that wasn't a fault of the system. That was based on their own preferences.

Definitely not the fault of the system - but there must be a reason Disney changed the system. And given the number of people that come on a "once in a lifetime trip" Disney probably didn't want those people shut out of "best" rides because they didn't know they needed to be at rope drop or got turned off by running crowds, etc. - that is, make for a better guest experience, particularly for those that don't have opportunity to ride these rides another day

Though, I fully admit that having FP+ is better for my family's touring style so perhaps I am biased and wanting to come up with reasons in defense of it. I totally get it isn't as good as the old system for some people

I wonder if that's true. Do they really hold back some FPs for 30 days or do they release them all at 60 days?

That was my understanding and I periodically see posts on facebook and stuff of "Disney just released more FP+ times for Mine Train" or whatever, but can't say for certain

 

[disneysteve]

given the number of people that come on a "once in a lifetime trip" Disney probably didn't want those people shut out of "best" rides because they didn't know they needed to be at rope drop or got turned off by running crowds, etc. - that is, make for a better guest experience, particularly for those that don't have opportunity to ride these rides another day

I'll have to disagree with you here.

The folks who didn't know they needed to be at rope drop to get the best FPs also don't know that they need to have installed an app, set up an account, and be logged in ready to pounce at midnight 60 days before their trip.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'll have to disagree with you here.

The folks who didn't know they needed to be at rope drop to get the best FPs also don't know that they need to have installed an app, set up an account, and be logged in ready to pounce at midnight 60 days before their trip.

I get what you are saying, but if you book a trip to Disney you are informed of FP+ and Magic Bands, etc. - it's part of the communication. However, knowing you have to be at RP to run and get a paper fastpass or they might be all gone for the day is advice that you would have to seek out, so I see it as slightly different

And to be clear, I agree with you that the old way was "Fairer" - I just think not "having" to do rope drop fits with more people's touring style (but that is definitely opinion not fact)

 

[disneysteve]

if you book a trip to Disney you are informed of FP+ and Magic Bands, etc.

I'm curious what percentage of guests book through a travel agent and what percentage do it on their own. Certainly if you book through a great Disney-focused agency like Dreams, you get the whole education, but I'm sure that's not the case with every agent, and obviously not for those who book directly.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

And I'll interject my .01 worth. I've not been to use the new system, but used to be the "runner" with the old system, since a lot of my visits during legacy FP times were unfortunately with an ECV, so it used to make me feel "helpful" to friends to do that, and to also be used as "portable storage" for their stuff as we were going around, instead of me feeling like I was holding them back going so slowly. However - the comment about "the running of the bulls" ticked my brain to remember that NOT being fun - being "run around" by crowds of peeps, and trying not to hit anybody (or be run into myself) while negotiating in the ECV. Definitely felt at a disadvantage getting to the more popular FP's first thing in the morning with that.

 

[slapwhitey]

That said, do you mean that you don't agree that the old system was fair or that you think the new system is fair?

Just finding this thread and find it interesting that the term "fair" is being used so often. In terms of fairness both systems were fair, but they are 2 completely different systems. The only real similarity is the term "fastpass". There is not 1 system that is more fair. The old system benefited those who arrived early, true but you can't say that everyone has the same opportunity to arrive early any more than you can say everyone has the opportunity to stay on site. With the new system it may benefit those who stay on site. That being said, if you're paying the extra cost to stay on property it should come with some sort of benefit or advantage. I 100% believe that, and I've stayed both on and off site. If I choose to stay off site or if I simply don't have the means to stay onsite I understand that there will be benefits that I can't take advantage of. I still get to attend and enjoy the parks, I still get to use the FP system just not at the same capacity. They're not saying that only onsite guests can ride 7DMT or TSMM.

If I am staying on site I also want to feel like I am getting some benefits and advantages. If I'm paying, double, triple, quadruple...etc., for a 2 queen room than I would 15 minutes down the road I expect more than just theming and a gift shop. I would feel that was fair, while the family staying on 192 may feel that is unfair. That right there shows that fairness is a matter of opinion. With the old system people say it's somehow more fair. Everyone has the same opportunity to arrive early. I have stayed offsite in accommodations with scheduled transportation. If the parks open at 8:00 and my hotel transportation doesn't get me to the park until 9-9:30 then I don't have the same opportunity as everyone else. Families could have many different situations (medical, etc.) that would not allow them to be at the parks for 7:00 or 8:00 so they can't make rope drop. Prefacing all that is why I personally think the new system can be better. Whether it's 60 or 30 days it now means that whether I'm able to or not I don't have to be at the park for opening. I can show up at Epcot at 2:00 for my 4:00 Soarin' fastpass. In years past if I showed up at Epcot at 2:00 I most likely had no shot at a Soarin' fastpass.

I know it's not for everyone and I miss the years when I first started coming down (mid 90's) when there was no fastpass but also no people. I can wax poetic about the "good old days" for hours but reality is those days are gone and so are the days of legacy fastpass. This change had to be made, the crowds just kept getting larger and larger to the point that even the old system wouldn't hold up to the attendance in my opinion. I think the biggest problem with the new system and why some lines appear to be longer was adding fastpass to attractions that were not adequately designed for the system. Adding FP to attractions like IASW, HM and POTC was a mistake I think but that's just me.

 

[disneysteve]

if you're paying the extra cost to stay on property it should come with some sort of benefit or advantage.

For many years, the benefit of staying onsite was the simple fact that you were onsite. You had a bus, boat, or monorail at your disposal to take you to the parks. You had Disney theming all around you. You maybe had a Disney character meal available right in your hotel. For years, that was enough for people.

Then things changed. People wanted more. So they added EMH. That was fine by me. Why? Because it had absolutely no impact on other guests. Onsite guests got a nice perk and offsite guests didn't see their experience in the parks change in any way.

Then people wanted even more. So we now have the new FP system. Onsite guests now get to reserve their rides 30 days before everyone else. Here is where I feel Disney crossed the line. This change does impact other guests. It limits offsite guests' access to things. No longer is everyone equal once they enter the parks. There are now 2 distinct classes of park guests. That I have a problem with. I'm paying just as much for my park ticket as the guy staying at a Disney hotel. I should be able to expect the same experience.

 

[slapwhitey]

For many years, the benefit of staying onsite was the simple fact that you were onsite. You had a bus, boat, or monorail at your disposal to take you to the parks. You had Disney theming all around you. You maybe had a Disney character meal available right in your hotel. For years, that was enough for people.

Then things changed. People wanted more. So they added EMH. That was fine by me. Why? Because it had absolutely no impact on other guests. Onsite guests got a nice perk and offsite guests didn't see their experience in the parks change in any way.

Then people wanted even more. So we now have the new FP system. Onsite guests now get to reserve their rides 30 days before everyone else. Here is where I feel Disney crossed the line. This change does impact other guests. It limits offsite guests' access to things. No longer is everyone equal once they enter the parks. There are now 2 distinct classes of park guests. That I have a problem with. I'm paying just as much for my park ticket as the guy staying at a Disney hotel. I should be able to expect the same experience.

You can have the same experience. I have yet to be "shut out" of an attraction because I wasn't able to do it at 60 days. 60 days is a perk, a benefit, it's not giving you access to attractions that others can't experience. It's also a perk that is easy for them to do, doesn't greatly affect a large number of people and doesn't have any additional cost.

You say just being on site is enough with all you have access to. Everyone has access to the buses, boats and monorails. That's not really a perk. They advertise it as such but it's available to everyone. I'm really going to upset people with this one but I would love to see them develop a tiered system whereas the higher resort category you stay the more benefits you get (fastpasses, etc.). I say this knowing that the vast majority of my stays are at values or moderates. Look at Universal. If I stay at their hotels, even though my ticket price is the same as the family on Idrive, I get front of the line access to basically everything. Now THAT'S a perk. Sure, you could pay to take part of the same program to level the playing field. Maybe that's what Disney should do?

Disney is not going to discount a ticket for you for staying on site but they are trying to find small things to try to sway you over to their resort that ultimately cost them little or no additional expenses. I have no problem with that and again, I don't always stay on site. Usually but not all the time. I just believe that location and theming should not be the only perk of paying well above industry standard rates. I would have no problem with deluxe resort guests getting more fastpasses than value resort guests who would ultimately have more fastpass access than offsite guests. It might annoy me if I was staying offsite but then again it may push me to stay on property. I understand the argument that everyone buying the same ticket should have access to the same things, I really do. That being said that ticket really only gets me entry. It doesn't guarantee anything else. Should my ticket be worth less if 2 or my favorite attractions are closed for refurbishment? If Test Track is down for the umpteenth time when I arrive in the afternoon but all the morning guests got to enjoy it does that mean they had an advantage over me? All I know is when I'm in line for an attraction (FP or otherwise) I don't know if the people in front of me are staying at the Poly concierge level or Motel 6 and it never crosses my mind even once. If I can't get a fastpass for the attraction I want, the day I want, I wait in line or get there early. It really is as simple as that. I can't know for sure that someone else has any more advantage than I have when it comes to experiencing attractions.