What percentage of people know about FP+?

[Portugal1000]

Was chatting to a girl at work who is going for 2 weeks right at start of school holidays, booked through Virgin Holidays and I nearly cried when she told me how much! Anyway she hadn't even heard of FP+ or that she really needed to book restaurants. Got me thinking what percentage of people from UK know about this stuff before they go. Obviously all of us do but I can imagine a lot of people turn up in the middle if summer not realising quite how busy it will be.

 

[mackay_j]

our first trip 14 years ago - we booked a package to a motel paid a fortune and knew nothing of ARDs. It was over xmas/new year so you can imagine the type of food we had for the whole holiday. Still loved and got addicted after -"our one in a life time trip" - learned a lot - & still learning after about 10 trips.

 

[scoobydooby]

Loads of people book packages knowing nothing. You meet them by the pool!!!!!

 

[Sam1]

When we booked for the first time last year, we knew nothing. We booked on a whim and then I found this forum, or I'd still be clueless.

 

[flortlebap]

I'm really surprised that virgin didn't tell her about FP+. WDW mention it in their booking confirmation email and I've had at least one reminder since.

I only know of one Disney newbie since FP+ was introduced and he booked through WDW and set up MBs, ADRs and FP+ without any prompting from me so I guess WDW keep people more closely informed!

 

[wayneg]

I know someone who went last year who is a travel consultant, he had no idea about free dining, dining reservations, FP's, really didn't know anything.
They paid a fortune but they are both in well paid jobs and only holiday a max of once a year (not going anywhere this year)
In fact among all our family & friends they all use TA's or pay online whatever price they see without research. Only Karen's Cousin asks for help.

 

[Elise79]

They have started advertising it on TV too now so I would say the number is growing.

Also like has been said the WDTC emails are good for informing about FP+

 

[dixonsontour]

If I was spending thousands on anything I'd certainly research it first.

Makes me feel bad sometimes though when you get speaking to people.

One that sticks in my mind was chatting to a woman from Norfolk with 2 daughters waiting for parade at AK. They were sadly looking at DD who had her bibbidi hairdo and said it was all booked up. I asked when they had tried calling to reserve and they hadn't - just assumed they could turn up.

They were also complaining re the food but had only eaten at the all stars foodcourt

 

[DLPDreams]

I think part of the issue is yes, the info is there but some people find it complicated to read, or really don't think (for some reason) that it will apply to them iyswim .

It's in all the brochures etc these days but really it's nearly always just one page and if you don't know about it, you can easily overlook it.

Like others here, I wouldn't dream of spending 1,000s on a holiday like we are, and not ensuring I've researched and tried to put plans in place, as much as possible, to ensure we do as much as we can manage - without burning out!

Ps - my friend is a TA and I was out with her the other weekend, mentioned briefly about all the FP changes and she said she hadn't even heard of them! I didn't pursue the conversation.....

 

[cliveywolves]

I'd bet the figure that dont know about ADR's , FP+, DME etc.. would be about 50% ..

Anybody I have spoke to about DW knew about nothing really !!

 

[chmurf]

If I was spending thousands on anything I'd certainly research it first.

Ironically, that's because people don't research first that they end up paying thousands (or should I say, thousands more than we do )


Now there are several kinds of guests.

those who go on a whim and don't have a clue. (I'm quite active on a french board, and some first timers there didn't even begin to imagine how big "the park" was ... yes, didn't even know there were several parks)

there are those who get some information, but not accurate information.
I know someone (from forums) who came like "ok, I go in 3 weeks, and I just began to try and book restaurants, and I can't get the 3 restaurants we will eat at : Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace and Be Our Guest. Do you know when the reservations will open ? It's strange that they're not available yet ..."

well honey ... they're booked up solid and have been for the last 3 or 4 months.

This guest could not believe that ADRs were 180 days at ... and the saddest part was that they had paid for the DDP, was staying 3 nights, and was convinced she had done enough research and would be able to "do it all" in 3 park days.

When I mentionned Fastpass+, she didn't even reply back, must have left the place thinking I was telling her crap ...



and then, there are US, and I consider myself lucky being one of those "in the know".


But more and more people seem to know about FP+ ... the real question is : "how many guests who know of FP+ consider a Captain Eo, Figment, and Spaceship Earth FP+ ticket a very good ticket ?" (not talking about the rides themselves but the usefulness of a FP+)