What are your thoughts about FP+ and DVC resort stays?

[Longhairbear]

I have been reading that they are also testing, or about to test pre ordered meals with ADR.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I have been reading that they are also testing, or about to test pre ordered meals with ADR.

Now that is ridiculous.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Now that is ridiculous.

Yep. And the hits just keep on comin'.

 

[js]

Any idea when this new system is going into effect?

I would love to know this too. Im going in March but thats really since my ds HS is playing baseball in WwoS so will be with a whole baseball group but wi be back also end of August and think I may like this option since it may allow me to sleep in one park day. We are at rope drop 15 minutes or so prior to opening but that is because I make everyone since I dont want to stand in lines but with a 19 and almost 15 year old, my dh and my mom, no one thinks its great but me. Lol

 

[js]

I have been reading that they are also testing, or about to test pre ordered meals with ADR.

I find it crazy if I get a wedding in invitation asking me to choose my meal I would not do this plus I enjoy a relaxing meal at dinner and certainly do not want to rush with a preplanned meal.

 

[Sammie]

My concern is if they limit annual pass holders to a set number of Fastpasses, will being a resort guest trump that, or is the ticket going to be the deciding amount.

If you are held to say 20 per quarter as the rumor is saying, was the discounted APs offered to DVC a way to lock in a percentage of frequent guests to this limited number of Fastpasses.

It is going to interesting to see what unfolds.

 

[Sammie]

Well whether we like it or not, here it comes.

Soon, Walt Disney World Resort will introduce tools that allow guests to use technology to customize and personalize their vacation, along with more guest enhancements that will continue to be tested and implemented in the coming years. Many of these efforts are part of MyMagic+, which has the ability to connect nearly all aspects of the guest experience.

My Disney Experience, a new website and mobile application, will provide a one-stop shop for all things Walt Disney World during every phase of a guests vacation. Guests may use My Disney Experience to get information on all Walt Disney World offerings, reserve dining and other experiences and make FastPass+ selections in advance.

Disney FastPass+ service will allow guests to lock in some of their must-do attractions and show experiences in advance, freeing them to explore and discover the magic in Walt Disney World theme parks and resort hotels. For the first time, guests will be able to reserve firework and parade viewing areas, shows, Disney Character Greetings and more.

The new MagicBand, worn on the wrist, will become the key to unlocking the magic, serving as room key, park admission, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and payment account (optional) all rolled into one.

MyMagic+, as well as other guest experience enhancements, will continue to be tested and implemented in the coming years. We are continually looking at ways to take the entire Disney Parks experience to the next level at all of our destinations based on the unique ways our guests enjoy diverse sites. Guests, Cast, Crew, and Imagineer feedback will continue to be a critical part of the process in shaping these offerings.

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10509

 

[bcrook]

Is there any rumors about FP+ being used as a perk for only owners who buy direct and not for resale? I read something like that last May.

 

[erionm]

Is there any rumors about FP+ being used as a perk for only owners who buy direct and not for resale? I read something like that last May.

No. The Parks & Resorts group of Disney has no reason to implement any restrictions on members based on how they purchased their DVC Membership. Same applies to discounts which has also been thrown out there as a rumor of being removed from those that purchased resale.

 

[bcrook]

No. The Parks & Resorts group of Disney has no reason to implement any restrictions on members based on how they purchased their DVC Membership. Same applies to discounts which has also been thrown out there as a rumor of being removed from those that purchased resale.

That's good. It wouldn't affect me, but it would my friends and other family members. It would make traveling with them very uncomfortable.

 

[Sammie]

Is there any rumors about FP+ being used as a perk for only owners who buy direct and not for resale? I read something like that last May.

No and I agree that I don't see this happening. I do wonder where DVC will fit on the resort scale if they stagger the number of passes passed on where one stays, deluxe, moderate or value.

I would hope that DVC would be equal to deluxe but I guess we will see.

We know it will be tied to your resort reservation and tickets so how DVC will fit into this will be the question.

From the Terms and Conditions on the new website.

To make a FastPass+ selection for you or your Friends, you must retrieve a Resort package reservation including valid park admission through your account or associate valid park admission to your account.

 

[Longhairbear]

No and I agree that I don't see this happening. I do wonder where DVC will fit on the resort scale if they stagger the number of passes passed on where one stays, deluxe, moderate or value.

I would hope that DVC would be equal to deluxe but I guess we will see.

We know it will be tied to your resort reservation and tickets so how DVC will fit into this will be the question.

From the Terms and Conditions on the new website.

To make a FastPass+ selection for you or your Friends, you must retrieve a Resort package reservation including valid park admission through your account or associate valid park admission to your account.

I'd love to know how it will work if we only purchase park tickets for the last half of our DVC stay, and intend to go to the other theme parks in Orlando during the first half? For instance, they'll give more Fastpass + on a Monday at MK, but that's the day we go to Universal. We lose out on any upgrade.

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

I don't like the changes I've been reading about at all. I'm sure we'll be able to make them work somehow, but I don't see how this can be considered an improvement on the existing system. We just purchased PAPs and have two trips scheduled and I almost wish we didn't because I think the implementation of this system will not go smoothly and I would rather wait until they have worked all the kinks out.

 

[MichiganDVC]

While people love the experience of rope drop. Not a lot do. It is nice to know there are options for those who can't make ropedrop and still get an opportunity to ride popular rides.

YMMV and all that.

I agree completely. I usually spend my mornings drinking coffee on the balcony of the villa (usually BWV), late-mornings/early afternoon at pool, and late afternoon-evening at parks. Once in a blue moon, I'll do an early breakfast at Mk and then tour, but I'm usually there at night.
Point being... I NEVER get TSMM Fast passes because they are always gone by the time I arrive at 3-4-5 pm. And the wait is 120 minutes.
Since I'm willing to ride an attraction between 9pm-2am, I can do standby for most E-ticket attractions, but there are always those few that sill have long waits at 1am...

My best story about this: Arrived at Magic Kingdom at 10pm (EMH) just as parade/fireworks were ending. Walked over to Jungle Cruise and before I could even stop in line, the CM called out, "We need two more...Party of two??" I said, "Yes, that's us" and we literally walked right on to the boat.
Of course, that same evening Pan had a ridiculous wait time...

Anyhow, this new (rumored) FP+ will be great for me. I can schedule my TSMM for 5pm and never think twice about it. Otherwise, I was planning to go to rope drop (ugh) or show up at 11am, get a FP for hopefully 5pm, and return later after my time at the pool.

As a side note, I absolutely L-O-V-E all of these people who are threatening never to return to Disney World because of this. My thoughts are:
A. Don't return. More space for me.
B. Quit whining and roll with the punches.
C. If FP+ will now ruin your experience, then YOU were probably the person riding TSMM 3-4 times a day, using 2-3 FPs for it, and taking those away from others who had yet to ride it once. (Another thing I love about FP+ = 1 FP per attraction per day.)

And in closing, in response to those DVC'ers who are convinced this new system will force them to plan way in advance against their will, here is some unsolicited advice:
A. You probably already plan your resort and ADRs 11-7 months in advance, so you know where you'll be staying and, essentially, what parks you'll be at or near on which days, so don't get so indignant about planning a ride or two.
B. I expect the non-DVC members to be flipping out, now that their once every two years commando vacation might be in jeopardy, but not us. Most of us either go several times a year, or even once every couple of years, but have been enough to not need to ride Space Mountain 17 times in order to have a successful vacation, am I wrong?

 

[ses1230]

Well whether we like it or not, here it comes.

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10509

There is an article about it in the New York Times today. No new info was presented but I guess Disney is starting to promote it.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

The only thing that bugs me abut FP+ is that if you use it you cannot use regular FP, so it will totally NOT be worth it for us.

 

[bwang123]

The only thing that bugs me abut FP+ is that if you use it you cannot use regular FP, so it will totally NOT be worth it for us.

Right. Because you can not stick an RFID wrist band into a current fast pass machine. That makes sense to me.

What if they were to tell us later that they are replacing the existing fast pass machines with something RFID capable and it works the same way except you swipe your wrist band (or RFID encoded ticket)? There would just be a period where both exisit as they phase out the old system and implement new devices.

 

[erionm]

Right. Because you can not stick an RFID wrist band into a current fast pass machine. That makes sense to me.

What if they were to tell us later that they are replacing the existing fast pass machines with something RFID capable and it works the same way except you swipe your wrist band (or RFID encoded ticket)? There would just be a period where both exisit as they phase out the old system and implement new devices.

Everything I'm reading indicates the original FastPass system will remain. You will have to decide which one you want to use (FastPass or FassPass+) and that includes annual passholders.

 

[WolfpackFan]

OP back with a question and a comment. I keep reading posts from people who keep mentioning how much FP+ will cost. I haven't seen any reference to cost anywhere, so where are people coming up with this? I guess I was assuming that FP+ would be free just like FP. I wonder though if FP+ will just be for resort guests and FP left behind for everyone else. Kind of like EMH and ME.

Update - I just read another news article that said initially it would be only for resort guests and even said "certain" guests. I hope that doesn't mean just for resort package guests. That kind of leaves out DVC members as well as AP users.

 

[DougEMG]

Most of us either go several times a year, or even once every couple of years, but have been enough to not need to ride Space Mountain 17 times in order to have a successful vacation, am I wrong?

Yes you are wrong. I'm happy for you that the new FP+ will work for your touring style. It should also work well for my wife, but for my daughter and I the new system will suck. We will be doing less than we are able to do now.