What DON'T you like about FP+?

[Shaden]

I stayed at AoA in Sept and got a MB. It worked when we stayed at CBR in Oct even though we were told they wouldn't work (not included in test then). We got new MBs for trip in Dec stay at ASMu. Booked 6 days of FP+. But when my window opened up for Marathon weekend (staying at Coronado Springs), I was only able to book one day of FP+. Kept getting the "limit reached" error. I called IT and was told "No, there is no limit on FP+ for AP holders staying at a resort", but they weren't able to fix the problem. I got this email later that day.

Greetings from the Walt Disney World Resort!
Thank you for contacting us at Disney?s Internet Help Desk regarding the
issues you were having.

At this time, when making Fastpass+ selections as an Annual Passholder,
you will be able to make up to 7 days of Fastpass+ selections. Once the
earlier selections you have made have been used or expire, you will be
able to make Fastpass+ selections for the other days during your
upcoming resort stay.

We look forward to your upcoming stay!
So, yes, there is a limit, and I don't like it. Why should passholders be treated differently than other resort guests? WIth that AND now the tiered system, I wrote WDW today to let them know that we won't be renewing our APs. (And, I'm not local. I live 6 hours away and will have spent 31 days at WDW this year over 8 trips - all but once at a Disney resort.) Taking my vacation money elsewhere so that someone else can have the experience of riding the tiered 1 attractions. Clearly, WDW thinks that I have ridden the headliners too many times.

HOOOOOLY CRAP I am going to be in touch with Disney this week.

If this is the case, what the hell are we supposed to do in may, we will be there for a 14 night 15 day stay. Are we only going to be able to book FP+ for the first half of our trip ? Then have to try and get whats "left" for the other 8 days !?!??!?

Not acceptable. If this is the case, I might actually think about cancelling the trip, even if we have to eat some money due to the fact we rented DVC. If we can't get out of it, might just stay at Disney, enjoy AKL, do a week at Disney and then a week at Universal, Sea World, etc and rent a car.

 

[bcrook]

something I have attempted to point out to the people testing FP+ and thinking its awesome, talking about the ease with which they got their FP+ reservations etc. They just don't seem to get it. The usage of FP+ is going to be much higher than FP-. Even people who don't have a clue what they are doing are going to have FP+ booked, probably just the autopick that Disney will do for you, and hell they might not show up to use them although certainly some will, BUT, they are all going to have them.

Truthfully this never occurred to me. It seems likely that everyone staying onsite will have 3 FP+ per day if the system stays the same. Of course that means that there will be fewer FP available on the day of visit plus I bet that the headliners will disappear just as quickly if not more so.

And Disney is preparing new and improved interactive standby lines for everyone. During peak times this is going to be messy.

 

[bcrook]

HOOOOOLY CRAP I am going to be in touch with Disney this week.

If this is the case, what the hell are we supposed to do in may, we will be there for a 14 night 15 day stay. Are we only going to be able to book FP+ for the first half of our trip ? Then have to try and get whats "left" for the other 8 days !?!??!?

Not acceptable. If this is the case, I might actually think about cancelling the trip, even if we have to eat some money due to the fact we rented DVC. If we can't get out of it, might just stay at Disney, enjoy AKL, do a week at Disney and then a week at Universal, Sea World, etc and rent a car.

I stayed at Kidani in June and only did the non Disney parks. We had a wonderful time. AKL is a great destination in itself. First visit to SeaWorld since 1977. Things had changed. It was great.

 

[Finally08]

HOOOOOLY CRAP I am going to be in touch with Disney this week.

If this is the case, what the hell are we supposed to do in may, we will be there for a 14 night 15 day stay. Are we only going to be able to book FP+ for the first half of our trip ? Then have to try and get whats "left" for the other 8 days !?!??!?

Not acceptable. If this is the case, I might actually think about cancelling the trip, even if we have to eat some money due to the fact we rented DVC. If we can't get out of it, might just stay at Disney, enjoy AKL, do a week at Disney and then a week at Universal, Sea World, etc and rent a car.

And why would Disney care if that happens? They will have your money for your room stay, and as an AP holder they aren't getting any more ticket money from you on that trip so they probably think "good riddance" after a week.

 

[VroomFam]

From what I understand, it's not too much different than the current system, you just schedule them online in advance. I can see where some find a problem in park hopping, but if you prepare a schedule a head of time, you should know where you'll be. I can see where some people complain about only getting three, but in the grand scheme of things, it's still better than no Fastpass at all...... So I don't get it, why all the hate?

Actually, I don't agree. No FP would then fall back on usual patterns of crowds, with some people early risers, at rope drop, than a wave of families with small children, with about noon park hoppers leaving and a new wave of afternoon, with meals and events interspersed. But this new system makes it more difficult to be spontaneous and park hop, or eat at a table service restaurant, heck to even get ADRs for table service. More people will be constrained by their choice of FP+ that they made long before they realized the layout of the parks, or how tired they were. There will be crazy criss-crossing, panicky people who are about to miss their window of time, or realizing that they just have to wait an hour and do nothing to make sure they get in the FP+ line at the right moment.

Or it could eventually work great. Just like the Affordable Care Act. Oh, wait...

 

[bcrook]

It seems so illogical, not just difficult technology. What I am disappointed in, is the apparent lack of queing science, of social science tendencies, that can mess any technologically advanced system like this! People's behavior WILL change with the FP+, and not necessarily for the better! This is a sure fire way to multiply complaints alone, not to mention the fiasco if the system goes down repeatedly! As was said, many people were fairly oblivious to the proper use of FP-, but now they will be funneled into using FP+, and maybe even not showing up, reducing or over-loading the tiered rides.

I go in JULY 2014 next. Good luck to me getting to do what we usually do!

I notice you have teenage children like me. This thing isn't designed with them in mind at all durin peak season.

As for non peak time, I don't think it will matter - there will be plenty of availability to make last minute switches and the standby lines will be short.

So this FP+ should be golden during low times, frustrating during moderate times, and a disaster during busy times.

It will be interesting to see if Disney can find a way out of this mess during the busy times? Or do they even care? As long as profits go up because of the magicbands, does it even matter?

Thanksgiving and New Years are coming. This will tell us a lot. I bet the Disney execs are scrambling trying to avoid this mammoth FP+ iceberg that is approaching too quickly.

I agree there is much anxiety. And people will not behave as Disney wants them to. I can't wait for the mini-series.

 

[Shaden]

And why would Disney care if that happens? They will have your money for your room stay, and as an AP holder they aren't getting any more ticket money from you on that trip so they probably think "good riddance" after a week.

The entire point for FP+ is tokeep people locked in to disney farther out and out of the other parks. Yes my money is already spent on my stay and my APs ... but we spend at least $100/day IN the parks, if I am not in a disney park, that money is going to someone else. Disney cares, the entire point of this new system is to increase spending in the parks by guests, but it just might have the exact oposite effect....

 

[TDC Nala]

And why would Disney care if that happens? They will have your money for your room stay

Not really, if you're renting DVC then the DVC member has the money for the room stay (assuming they have already paid off Disney). so if you just sleep there, and you spend your days and meals offsite, Disney gets NO-THING.

There wasn't any limit on AP holders last month. Must be new. My pass expires Dec. 8 so I can't check beyond that anyway.

 

[delmar411]

Not really, if you're renting DVC then the DVC member has the money for the room stay (assuming they have already paid off Disney). so if you just sleep there, and you spend your days and meals offsite, Disney gets NO-THING.

There wasn't any limit on AP holders last month. Must be new. My pass expires Dec. 8 so I can't check beyond that anyway.

There has been a limit on AP holders since the beg. We've always hit the 7day limit. There were threads back in July or Aug that specifically talked about AP holders staying on site for 10days but only being able to make 7 days in advance. It seems PAP holders can make up to 14 days from what other posters have mentioned.

 

[CT Yankee]

Answer: Nothing. I think this is the best thing to happen to WDW since FP itself. We got to use it this past August and LOVED it. Totally changed the experience for us. It took so much pressure off to have our "must do" rides reserved ahead of time, and we did not have to run around like maniacs across the park to pull the paper FPs. We had no trouble making adjustments to our reserved FPs when needed. FP+ almost worked too well, since we found ourselves with plenty of time between scheduled rides to either go on rides that we did not have time to go on in the past, or check out some other attractions that we had always been too busy to explore. There were many things that we had missed in the past because we were always so concerned about getting FPs or rushing to get a good spot in line.

Of course that meant that yes, we were spending more time at a particular park, or spending more time shopping or dining, and that's what Disney intended. If it helps a company increase its revenue while creating a more enjoyable vacation experience for guests, I see it as a win-win.

 

[guppy1013]

Answer: Nothing. I think this is the best thing to happen to WDW since FP itself. We got to use it this past August and LOVED it. Totally changed the experience for us. It took so much pressure off to have our "must do" rides reserved ahead of time, and we did not have to run around like maniacs across the park to pull the paper FPs. We had no trouble making adjustments to our reserved FPs when needed. FP+ almost worked too well, since we found ourselves with plenty of time between scheduled rides to either go on rides that we did not have time to go on in the past, or check out some other attractions that we had always been too busy to explore. There were many things that we had missed in the past because we were always so concerned about getting FPs or rushing to get a good spot in line. Of course that meant that yes, we were spending more time at a particular park, or spending more time shopping or dining, and that's what Disney intended. If it helps a company increase its revenue while creating a more enjoyable vacation experience for guests, I see it as a win-win.

Hey if you aren't going to induce panic, your comment isn't welcome here.

Jk. FP- was never a make or break for us. Of course we have gone off peak the last 4 times. We live in Ohio but recently purchased DVC, so obviously plan to return again and again....which, as a repeat customer....I don't feel I HAVE to do everything every trip. Last trip was first with kids and it was a real drag. They wouldn't ride anything. They wanted to nap. And see characters. And not go anywhere dark. They totally owe my husband and I some money for holding us back.

Booked for January. I will be happy to also report some non-commando fp+ experience. That is, if my kids let us have any fun....

 

[Planogirl]

You never had to run around the parks when using FP-. With a bit of planning you could leisurely work your way around the parks. At least that was our experience anytime except for extremely busy times and when having to deal with that monster in DHS.

I'm definitely not opposed to the whole concept of magic bands but I do wish that people would realize that not everyone will have the same circumstances plus things can change quite a bit during busy periods and with tiering being worked in.

 

[VroomFam]

I notice you have teenage children like me. This thing isn't designed with them in mind at all durin peak season.

As for non peak time, I don't think it will matter - there will be plenty of availability to make last minute switches and the standby lines will be short.

So this FP+ should be golden during low times, frustrating during moderate times, and a disaster during busy times.

It will be interesting to see if Disney can find a way out of this mess during the busy times? Or do they even care? As long as profits go up because of the magicbands, does it even matter?

Thanksgiving and New Years are coming. This will tell us a lot. I bet the Disney execs are scrambling trying to avoid this mammoth FP+ iceberg that is approaching too quickly.

I agree there is much anxiety. And people will not behave as Disney wants them to. I can't wait for the mini-series.

Some people have had great experiences in August. But I worry as FP+ becomes more established and less options, that snafus will still happen. It seems, bcrook, that you have nailed it for me - teenage children in the peak season may be more than problematic. I do think it is a little silly all the comments about Disney just trying to make a buck! You are kidding! Really? But that has never changed, and is the same at Universal or Busch Gardens, or Six Flags, or Mall of America, or...anywhere that is a business. They cooly calculate the best way IN THE LONG RUN to make more money. Nothing wrong with that. I think they genuinely believed this would be smoother, that we would embrace the cool new technology. Hey, no E-tickets? I remember those days too! Oh, well. My family doesn't care for anything BUT Disney, so we are a captive audience and will spend all our money there anyway!

 

[VroomFam]

You never had to run around the parks when using FP-. With a bit of planning you could leisurely work your way around the parks. At least that was our experience anytime except for extremely busy times and when having to deal with that monster in DHS.

Exactly! Planning to avoid the running and the crowds. Now?? We'll see.

 

[Niewoe]

Same here! We are AP holders that live 22 hours away, but since I work for the state I get alot of vacation and comp time, so spend at least 50+ days per year at WDW. I guess I've ridden the headliners too many times too, so WDW wants to force me to do other things. Sorry, we have AP's for Universal and Fun Passes for Sea World, so I'll just stay inside the WDW gates and Bonnet Creek and take my vacation dollars and do other things in Orlando.

The rumor from the beginning was that, yes AP holders would be able to get FP+, but we would be limited to so many per quarter. Since I go down there 4-6 times a year and each trip is 8-10 nights, there is no way that will work. We frequently have more than one trip planned per quarter and each trip is always more than 7 days. (I think the original announcement was that AP holders would be allowed 20 FP+ per quarter.) Heck that won't even be enough for one trip and then there would be none left for a second trip in a quarter. (Last year we were down there early-mid Sept, then again at the end of Oct, so had two trips in a month--20 days total, and that's not counting our other trips last year).

I've said in a previous post that I was afraid this may backfire on them. I have had an AP since 2004 and since that time have averaged at least 50+ days in their parks every single year. For the first time we have decided we are not going to renew our annual passes, when the come due in May. Instead we while we will continue to vacation in the Orlando area, we will be spending our vacation dollars elseswhere. I am sure we will not be the only ones. We will be at Bonnet Creek for eleven days in Dec, but instead of spending the nine days we had originally planned to spend in the WDW parks, will be spending maybe four partial days, concentrating on the Christmas decorations rather than rides. For our April trip, we are not sure what we are going to do, but will probably spend the ten nights at Bonnet Creek, while spending the eleven days doing things outside of WDW.

We are AP holders and live in PA. We usually only take one big trip a year, but like the AP for those spontaneous day trips when we visit family in the area. Has there been anything concrete about the limits put on AP holders? I know everything is still in testing, so maybe not so much "concrete" - but the latest rules ~cough~ rumors?

 

[delmar411]

We are AP holders and live in PA. We usually only take one big trip a year, but like the AP for those spontaneous day trips when we visit family in the area. Has there been anything concrete about the limits put on AP holders? I know everything is still in testing, so maybe not so much "concrete" - but the latest rules ~cough~ rumors?

The rule has been from day 1, AP holders can book 7 days of FP+ at any one time. As one is used you can book another day.

 

[Niewoe]

The rule has been from day 1, AP holders can book 7 days of FP+ at any one time. As one is used you can book another day.

Thanks for the quick reply... I thought this changed. Must have been a rumor.

Is there a better place to contact Disney than the "contact" email on the site? I'm pissed for so many reasons... it's time to let them know. Any feedback I receive, I'll be happy to post.

 

[delmar411]

Thanks for the quick reply... I thought this changed. Must have been a rumor.

Is there a better place to contact Disney than the "contact" email on the site? I'm pissed for so many reasons... it's time to let them know. Any feedback I receive, I'll be happy to post.

I don't know any better contact info for feedback but yeah, nothing has changed. It appears that PAP holders can book 14 days of FP+ from the reports we've seen so they clearly made a coding difference between the two tickets.

 

[clsteve]

Truthfully this never occurred to me. It seems likely that everyone staying onsite will have 3 FP+ per day if the system stays the same. Of course that means that there will be fewer FP available on the day of visit plus I bet that the headliners will disappear just as quickly if not more so.

Yep, Disney's ability to offer FP+ "suggestions" and autofill times for guests makes a lot of sense for them - from a capacity management perspective. They get to completely influence the park and the time you're in the park. It's an option you can easily see a lot of first timers taking, but one that will directly impact FP+ availability once 100% of guest-types have access and really hit those who plan trips inside of 60 days.

 

[Niewoe]

I don't know any better contact info for feedback but yeah, nothing has changed. It appears that PAP holders can book 14 days of FP+ from the reports we've seen so they clearly made a coding difference between the two tickets.

We do have a PAP and our 60 day window opens on Thur. I'll let you know if this is true or not. We're staying 8 nights, so hoping to book FP+ for 8 or 9 days.

I'm still fired up about some other issues, so I'll still contact them - to put it very briefly: we're a family of 3. DS and DH can ride more thrill rides than me. I'm picturing myself riding alone or not at all (family time??). Standing in long lines causes me physical pain, so that is the main issue - and why FP- worked so well for us. We would ride if we could, but we had the option. We're DVC, have PAPs, pay for airfare - we're all in. It would be nice if Disney would take these considerations seriously.