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

[erionm]

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.

I saw on another Disney board that AP holders will be contacted about getting the wristbands for use with FastPass+. No time frame was give, thou I have seen rumors of June for RFID support for APs.

One thing I have seen is you either go FastPass or FastPass+ if you have MYW tickets or APs. You can't do both.

As for cost of FP+, everything I've seen says FREE.

 

[bwang123]

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.

You get to decide until they force everyone to RFID. Then they will sell only RFID tickets. It makes sense to have to choose between the two right now because one is RFID and one is not. How long will the paper fast pass machines exist? Probably until they update/replace with RFID capable devices or completely remove them. No one knows which route they are going.

It sounds to me like they want to implement RFID now and then phase out paper thats why there is overlap.

 

[aan1701]

Since we are on the topic if this RFID band, what about Premier Pass holders. I just renewed mine at DL. It does not expire until 1/27/14. From what I understand it will be coming to DL but not till around 2015. So I am really wondering how they are going to handle my pass. Any thoughts? Maybe a new card with a chip instead of a band? Then I guess I will need the band for room key and charges and my pass for everything else? What do you think?

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[Doug7856]

There is lots of great information about Disney's MagicBand here:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/privacy/21610/big-brother-mickey-mouse-monitor-behavior-disneys-mymagic-rfid-wristbands

Looks like

• 3 per day with the ability to gain more "surprise and delight".
• No additional FP for staying on property.
• Everyone will have the same access as they do today to the FP system.

 

[Alan_BLT_2009]

We got ours and are planning additional days at WDW.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I wish they would release info for those of us not using MYW passes. We'll have YES tickets since our kids are doing a class this summer. Hopefully we'll have access to FP+. I like the bracelet idea. I could care less if they track our on property behavior. I love the convenience of having it all on one bracelet!!! No more making hubby run to the other side of the park for a FP! No more worrying if my daughter is going to drop our Fastpasses! love it!!

 

[Longhairbear]

We are taking a wait and see attitude, but are assuming we'll never be able to use Fastpass+. We are the exact opposite of DVC friends that introduced us to DVC. They plan everything in advance, we don't. As such we can never get the ADR we want, or even just walk up to any given restaurant and get seating.
Fastpass was great for us, but if they allow prebooking of Fastpass months in advance we are out of luck. It will be just like the ADR we can't get unless we book months in advance.
We are not going back for a few years anyway, so it will all be worked out in the meantime.

 

[Chuck S]

While I, too, am waiting to see how this all works....I really hate the idea of so darn much planning being necessary to see popular attractions. Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, not planned down to the second. I think the general idea of wristbands for tickets, keys and charging is good...but having to plan each major attraction! Too many unexpected can happen that could ruin such a schedule.

 

[tjkraz]

I really think some folks are misjudging the end result with FP+, assuming that there will be little or nothing left for spontaneous planners. And I don't think that will be the case at all. Consider:

1) Those planning in advance are limited to 3-4 advance FP reservations per day.

2) FP reservations are being added to dozens of new attractions and experiences (parade viewing, character meets, etc.)

3) At each park the attractions are grouped in such a manner as to prevent you from getting advance reservations for all of the headliners. For example, when I tested FP+ at Hollywood Studios, we had to choose either Toy Story Mania OR Rock N Rollercoaster...not both.

4) Many people will not reserve ride times in advance.

When you add all of this up, seems apparent there will be plenty of capacity left for guests who wait until they enter the parks to visit a kiosk and obtain their virtual FP tickets.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are taking a wait and see attitude, but are assuming we'll never be able to use Fastpass+. We are the exact opposite of DVC friends that introduced us to DVC. They plan everything in advance, we don't. As such we can never get the ADR we want, or even just walk up to any given restaurant and get seating.
Fastpass was great for us, but if they allow prebooking of Fastpass months in advance we are out of luck. It will be just like the ADR we can't get unless we book months in advance.
We are not going back for a few years anyway, so it will all be worked out in the meantime.

This is exactly how I feel about it. I quit doing ADRs because we wanted our vacation to be RELAXING and not feel like we are planning out every minute. Now it looks like we will never be able to get a decent wait time for rides either if they go to this FP+.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I really think some folks are misjudging the end result with FP+, assuming that there will be little or nothing left for spontaneous planners. And I don't think that will be the case at all. Consider:

1) Those planning in advance are limited to 3-4 advance FP reservations per day.

2) FP reservations are being added to dozens of new attractions and experiences (parade viewing, character meets, etc.)

3) At each park the attractions are grouped in such a manner as to prevent you from getting advance reservations for all of the headliners. For example, when I tested FP+ at Hollywood Studios, we had to choose either Toy Story Mania OR Rock N Rollercoaster...not both.

4) Many people will not reserve ride times in advance.

When you add all of this up, seems apparent there will be plenty of capacity left for guests who wait until they enter the parks to visit a kiosk and obtain their virtual FP tickets.

I hope you're right Tim, but I have my doubts.

 

[tjkraz]

I hope you're right Tim, but I have my doubts.

I don't know why. At risk of sounding like a broken record, I just don't see how all of the ride capacity will disappear.

Fewer FPs per person (advance) + more attractions offering FP + many people saying they have no interest in reserving in advance.

Where are all of these additional riders coming from who chew through the FP allocation weeks in advance?

 

[BCV23]

I really think some folks are misjudging the end result with FP+, assuming that there will be little or nothing left for spontaneous planners. And I don't think that will be the case at all. Consider:

1) Those planning in advance are limited to 3-4 advance FP reservations per day.

2) FP reservations are being added to dozens of new attractions and experiences (parade viewing, character meets, etc.)

3) At each park the attractions are grouped in such a manner as to prevent you from getting advance reservations for all of the headliners. For example, when I tested FP+ at Hollywood Studios, we had to choose either Toy Story Mania OR Rock N Rollercoaster...not both.

4) Many people will not reserve ride times in advance.

When you add all of this up, seems apparent there will be plenty of capacity left for guests who wait until they enter the parks to visit a kiosk and obtain their virtual FP tickets.

Couldn't agree more.

There is lots of great information about Disney's MagicBand here:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/privacy/21610/big-brother-mickey-mouse-monitor-behavior-disneys-mymagic-rfid-wristbands

Looks like

• 3 per day with the ability to gain more "surprise and delight".
• No additional FP for staying on property.
• Everyone will have the same access as they do today to the FP system.

Notice the last point in this post. It doesn't sound like either/or as many seem to be assuming.

 

[tjkraz]

Everyone will have the same access as they do today to the FP system.

Notice the last point in this post. It doesn't sound like either/or as many seem to be assuming.

Someone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong but here is what I gather from the info I have read thus far:

1) The electronic terminals and paper ticket FP machines will run in tandem for some period of time during a transition.

1a) During the transition, guests with older paper tickets can choose to either use the paper "legacy" FP machines or convert to electronic.

1b) Eventually the paper system will be shut down.

2) There are two separate elements to what is generically being called FastPass+

2a) Ride reservations made prior to entering a park, which will only be available to WDW resort guests and to passholders (perhaps on a limited basis--20 days per year has been mentioned in some stories.)

2b) The other component to FP+ is getting ride times after entering a park. This is almost identical to the legacy FP system used now, except that it will be all digital with no paper tickets. You walk up to a terminal--tap a MagicBand or park ticket--and choose the attraction for which you want a FP. This option will be FREE to everyone.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Where are all of these additional riders coming from who chew through the FP allocation weeks in advance?

Simple. People are going to make FP+ reservations that they would never had made before just because they can. Since it will really take no effort to load up on FP's people will do it whether or not they really want to ride the ride or not.

 

[tjkraz]

Simple. People are going to make FP+ reservations that they would never had made before just because they can. Since it will really take no effort to load up on FP's people will do it whether or not they really want to ride the ride or not.

That's no different than what happens today. People take FP tickets now with ambiguous return intentions, miss their ride time, lose the tickets, take them home for souvenirs, etc.

By the end of Day One, Disney will know exactly how many ride reservations have gone unused, and they can increase the FP allocation accordingly.

This isn't changing the rider capacity of the attractions. It's simply a change to how guests reserve their space in line.

 

[luv2sleep]

I hope they start this at both DL and WDW! I'm mot a rope drop/early hours person because I'm not interested in waking up early to run around collecting FP tickets for rides on vacation. If I don't ride whatever it was I just don't ride it. I would love to schedule anytime 2-3 hours after park opening (when I usually arrive) to go on a couple of coveted rides. I don't need to do all of the FP rides but a couple a day would be nice.

 

[WolfpackFan]

That's no different than what happens today. People take FP tickets now with ambiguous return intentions, miss their ride time, lose the tickets, take them home for souvenirs, etc.

But it is different. With regular FP you had to make an effort to go and get that FP. If it was not a ride you really wanted to do, you wouldn't make that effort. With FP+, it takes no effort other than just sitting at your keyboard. I can see people gobbling up all kinds of FP's they really wouldn't have gotten before and doing it months before they get there. That will make it very difficult for casual visitors to get anything.

 

[Pete W.]

But it is different. With regular FP you had to make an effort to go and get that FP. If it was not a ride you really wanted to do, you wouldn't make that effort. With FP+, it takes no effort other than just sitting at your keyboard. I can see people gobbling up all kinds of FP's they really wouldn't have gotten before and doing it months before they get there. That will make it very difficult for casual visitors to get anything.

I hardly think 3 FP per day would be 'gobbling up' or 'loading up.' Maybe it's just because my kids are older and we no longer do rope drop, but I'm really looking forward to reserving a limited number of FPs in advance of our trips so we can use them during the latter parts of the day when we'll actually be in the parks.

 

[tjkraz]

But it is different. With regular FP you had to make an effort to go and get that FP. If it was not a ride you really wanted to do, you wouldn't make that effort. With FP+, it takes no effort other than just sitting at your keyboard. I can see people gobbling up all kinds of FP's they really wouldn't have gotten before and doing it months before they get there. That will make it very difficult for casual visitors to get anything.

No, it won't.

The entire system is completely transparent to Disney. They can tally--right down to the last FP+ reserved--how many people are and are not using their passes.

For simplicity's sake, assume that right now 10,000 FPs are being issued daily for Soarin' and 90% of them are being used by guests. That's 9000 FP riders daily.

When the advance reservations come online, that usage drops to 75%. All Disney needs to do is increase the number of FPs they make available daily. Instead of offering 10,000 FPs for Soarin', they raise it to 12,000. At 75% usage, you have the same 9000 people riding via FP each day and the other 3000 unused FP+ reservations are your casual no-shows.

That said, I think it's a major stretch to imply that making the system easier to use will put guests at a disadvantage. I'm not convinced that there is a huge population of guests who will peck-away at their keyboards to reserve FP+s, but today would have spent their day in Standby lines instead. The heaviest users of FP+ are the same people who would have criss-crossed the park all day collecting paper tickets.

The great appeal to FP+, IMO, is that you DON'T have to cross the park all day long collecting those tickets...you have MUCH more control over your ride times...and you don't have to be at the park at rope-drop in order to have some guarantee of getting a FP for certain headliner attractions.