What would you like in a FP+ cancellation thread

[Cyrano]

Some really good points and comments from posters.

Please keep them coming

 

[salamander3]

I think the restaurant reservation threads are a fabulous example. Clearly spelled out rules, people (in my month at least) are generally respectful of those, and those that aren't are deleted fairly quickly. Since it is a system that works, I think that would be a great model.

Thank you to all of the awesome mods who keep the magic alive here!

 

[FidFam]

Ziravan thank you exactly!!

And just like the ADR thread it should be "organized" thru PM's - not publicly on the board which lead to the bickering last night about "who was first" stuff...

Also keep in mind that this A&E stuff is like nothing else I've ever seen, it has gotten folks in quick the tizzy - unlike dinner reservations I'd say...

 

[ziravan]

This might be complicated...

FPs are more fluid than ADRs for several reasons. There are more people looking for them, there's a shorter timeframe in which to search, and the search engines for FPs look at a much longer time frame than ADRs.

I think it requires closer coordination than by PM to consistently swap a FP. I think for it to be routinely successful, one party has to have their finger hovering over search at the same time as another is pressing cancel. FPs need real time coordination.

The best way to do that is to use PM to arrange coordination by text message. I used this method the other day for a BOG drop and it worked perfectly.

But. If you're too security conscious to give your phone number to a stranger, what then?

1. You could coordinate an alternative means such as snapchat, etc., (although I admit this is more my kids level of internet usage than mine. They're lucky if I text them back instead of demanding they call...)

2. There is a feature here that could create a virtual chat to coordinate in real time. It's the visitor message function on your profile page. If both parties arrange to communicate in real time via one party's visitor messaging, you could create real time coordination, and that person could delete those messages after a successful swap, thereby cleaning up their visitor message board.

You might have to look at you profile page for this to make sense.

Mind you, I still think this initial coordination happens off thread in PM. That said, we should make it a rule that you must have ten posts before you can use the cancellation thread (minimum number of posts required to use PM). Also, I think this method of FP acquisition should be reserved to participating members of the forum.

 

[GuintaFamily]

This might be complicated... FPs are more fluid than ADRs for several reasons. There are more people looking for them, there's a shorter timeframe in which to search, and the search engines for FPs look at a much longer time frame than ADRs. I think it requires closer coordination than by PM to consistently swap a FP. I think for it to be routinely successful, one party has to have their finger hovering over search at the same time as another is pressing cancel. FPs need real time coordination. The best way to do that is to use PM to arrange coordination by text message. I used this method the other day for a BOG drop and it worked perfectly. But. If you're too security conscious to give your phone number to a stranger, what then? 1. You could coordinate an alternative means such as snapchat, etc., (although I admit this is more my kids level of internet usage than mine. They're lucky if I text them back instead of demanding they call...) 2. There is a feature here that could create a virtual chat to coordinate in real time. It's the visitor message function on your profile page. If both parties arrange to communicate in real time via one party's visitor messaging, you could create real time coordination, and that person could delete those messages after a successful swap, thereby cleaning up their visitor message board. You might have to look at you profile page for this to make sense. Mind you, I still think this initial coordination happens off thread in PM. That said, we should make it a rule that you must have ten posts before you can use the cancellation thread (minimum number of posts required to use PM). Also, I think this method of FP acquisition should be reserved to participating members of the forum.

Yes I totally agree with that rule, must have 10 posts!! I also agree with reserving it to participating members. I've noticed a few ppl that might be using the disboards just to get FPs but I don't know for sure, that's just my thinking. I don't want anyone using threads only for their own personal gain, not giving back!! Uh uh not cool at all!!

 

[Cyrano]

Folks we will give everyone to the weekend to add their views before coming to a conclusion.

Interested to hear other people's view points whether you are a new member or an old stalwart

 

[ELSA711]

Can someone create a cancelled thread for November 2015
I have some I'd like to post for the DIS to possibly grab

 

[Angel Ariel]

What exactly would limiting it to participating members look like? I know I lurked here for a long time after joining, reading a lot, but wasn't comfortable posting yet. it would have been off putting/unwelcominf to me to see that kind of limitation. I understand the limit of 10 posts, to have PM privileges, and I don't have an issue with that..limiting it more than that seems overboard to me, though.

overall, I think they should be run the same way as the dining reservations are run. The system they have going on that board is very respectful and efficient. It would work quite well for fp+ reservations, imo.

Oh, and if there isn't going to be a subforum for fp+ reservations (as there is for dining reservations), then there definitely needs to be a sticky in TPAS with links to the active fp+ cancellation threads so that they are easy to find.

 

[ELSA711]

Right!! I agree too

Curious Question? How do you know who the 'first responder' is if the 'first responder' should be sending a PM instead of posting in the thread?

 

[danny1649]

I'm in favor of new sub forum, not just because a fellow mod has opened a discussion on it.I simply think would a great tool for our Board Members. Could be a great tool to all for trip planning members. Danny

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Curious Question? How do you know who the 'first responder' is if the 'first responder' should be sending a PM instead of posting in the thread?

No one is going to know except for the DISer who has the FP+ to release. Without that being publicly seen, it eliminates the potential for squabbling. I like it.

I see this thread got bumped. @Cyrano , is this topic still open for discussion? I was on vacation when it started so didn't realize this was being discussed. I like the idea of it running exactly like the ADR cancellation threads, though I do think someone with moderator powers will have to be engaged in each thread.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This might be complicated...

FPs are more fluid than ADRs for several reasons. There are more people looking for them, there's a shorter timeframe in which to search, and the search engines for FPs look at a much longer time frame than ADRs.

I think it requires closer coordination than by PM to consistently swap a FP. I think for it to be routinely successful, one party has to have their finger hovering over search at the same time as another is pressing cancel. FPs need real time coordination.

The best way to do that is to use PM to arrange coordination by text message. I used this method the other day for a BOG drop and it worked perfectly.

But. If you're too security conscious to give your phone number to a stranger, what then?

1. You could coordinate an alternative means such as snapchat, etc., (although I admit this is more my kids level of internet usage than mine. They're lucky if I text them back instead of demanding they call...)

2. There is a feature here that could create a virtual chat to coordinate in real time. It's the visitor message function on your profile page. If both parties arrange to communicate in real time via one party's visitor messaging, you could create real time coordination, and that person could delete those messages after a successful swap, thereby cleaning up their visitor message board.

You might have to look at you profile page for this to make sense.

Mind you, I still think this initial coordination happens off thread in PM. That said, we should make it a rule that you must have ten posts before you can use the cancellation thread (minimum number of posts required to use PM). Also, I think this method of FP acquisition should be reserved to participating members of the forum.

I've successfully given away FP+s and ADRs to other DISers via PM. I'm not sure why you think it's not in real time. I wouldn't use the public messaging feature to coordinate because then other people, including lurking non-members, can see what's going on an potentially come in an snipe a FP+ that's not intended for them.

 

[ELSA711]

No one is going to know except for the DISer who has the FP+ to release. Without that being publicly seen, it eliminates the potential for squabbling. I like it.

I see this thread got bumped. @Cyrano , is this topic still open for discussion? I was on vacation when it started so didn't realize this was being discussed. I like the idea of it running exactly like the ADR cancellation threads, though I do think someone with moderator powers will have to be engaged in each thread.

I agree, but PP mentioned that someone was passed over for someone else and there was bickering. How would anyone know if they were passed over if it was all by PM

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I agree, but PP mentioned that someone was passed over for someone else and there was bickering. How would anyone know if they were passed over if it was all by PM

I was referring to the "begging" for FP and other commentary that can happen in threads like that, apart from the FIRST squabbling.

 

[Cyrano]

No one is going to know except for the DISer who has the FP+ to release. Without that being publicly seen, it eliminates the potential for squabbling. I like it.

I see this thread got bumped. @Cyrano , is this topic still open for discussion? I was on vacation when it started so didn't realize this was being discussed. I like the idea of it running exactly like the ADR cancellation threads, though I do think someone with moderator powers will have to be engaged in each thread.

The topic is always open for discussion and as moderators we try to review every thread on the boards.

You will see that posters have already started FP+ cancellation threads for each month, following this discussion. So thus far it appears to be working and has only required a light moderating touch.

Here is the most recent September FP+ cancellation thread.

 

[JimmyV]

I suppose trying to coordinate FP exchanges is a worthy goal but I suspect that the failure rate will be too high to make it worth the effort. First, it can only work when a FP is dumped ahead of time. People who are making changes while in the parks are not going to pause their touring to start a virtual conversation to try to find a new home for their FP. Things just move too quickly. "Oooh! A FP just opened up for Space Mountain. I better grab it before it is gone! No time to start a post telling people that I am going to dump my ETWB FP." So in-the-park changes aren't going to be swappable and I suspect that they are the majority.

Second, and along the same lines, even pre-trip changes are done in a rush. Unless someone is cancelling their whole trip. Unlike an ADR where you might cancel for a whole bunch of reasons and not replace your existing reservation with a new one, FP changes almost always entail an instant replacement. Thus, there is often no sense of urgency when cancelling an ADR. If I know that I am nit going to go to Ohana, I have until the day before my ADR date to cancel and can do so at any time and coordination is easy. But if I am scouting around for a better FP and see that one has opened up, I am not going to delay my transaction until noon the next day so as to try to coordinate with another person. I am going to grab that preferred FP and dump the unwanted one. Sure, I could, at that time, post that I just dumped ETWB, but by the time someone interested reads my post, the FP will likely be gone. People on the prowl for cancelled FPs are, by their very nature, looking for the most popular ones. And those go too quickly for coordination. I suppose one could coordinate a Figment exchange. But the person looking for Figment can probably get that one without relying on a cancellation. The only way I see this working is if the person cancelling: a) has popular, hard to get FPs that are otherwise unavailable; and b) is going to cancel them without immediately replacing them with other FPs, such as a complete trip cancellation or wholesale change in plans for the day such as "we decided to make this a Blizzard Beach day." Otherwise, people aren't going to be able to announce their plans with enough lead time for others to act on them. FP switching is an inherently "on the fly" activity for hard to get FPs and if the FP being dumped is not one of the hard to get ones, then the people on the other end of the transaction don't need a cancellation in order to secure theirs. This differs from ADRs greatly because there are way more restaurants that fully book to capacity than there are attractions.

 

[Cyrano]

I agree that the purpose of the FP+ cancellation is not about a real-time resource whilst in the parks. I for one would not deal with park wi-fi trying to co-ordinate cancellations.

Anna and Elsa and Seven Dwarf Mine Trains are two of the most difficult FP+ to obtain, especially if you are an off-site guest. So it is to be expected that they are more likely to be of interest than rides/attactions that are easier to come by.

Ultimately FP+ cancellation threads are based on a trust system and whether the investment of time is of interest to posters.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I suppose trying to coordinate FP exchanges is a worthy goal but I suspect that the failure rate will be too high to make it worth the effort. First, it can only work when a FP is dumped ahead of time. People who are making changes while in the parks are not going to pause their touring to start a virtual conversation to try to find a new home for their FP. Things just move too quickly. "Oooh! A FP just opened up for Space Mountain. I better grab it before it is gone! No time to start a post telling people that I am going to dump my ETWB FP." So in-the-park changes aren't going to be swappable and I suspect that they are the majority.

Second, and along the same lines, even pre-trip changes are done in a rush. Unless someone is cancelling their whole trip. Unlike an ADR where you might cancel for a whole bunch of reasons and not replace your existing reservation with a new one, FP changes almost always entail an instant replacement. Thus, there is often no sense of urgency when cancelling an ADR. If I know that I am nit going to go to Ohana, I have until the day before my ADR date to cancel and can do so at any time and coordination is easy. But if I am scouting around for a better FP and see that one has opened up, I am not going to delay my transaction until noon the next day so as to try to coordinate with another person. I am going to grab that preferred FP and dump the unwanted one. Sure, I could, at that time, post that I just dumped ETWB, but by the time someone interested reads my post, the FP will likely be gone. People on the prowl for cancelled FPs are, by their very nature, looking for the most popular ones. And those go too quickly for coordination. I suppose one could coordinate a Figment exchange. But the person looking for Figment can probably get that one without relying on a cancellation. The only way I see this working is if the person cancelling: a) has popular, hard to get FPs that are otherwise unavailable; and b) is going to cancel them without immediately replacing them with other FPs, such as a complete trip cancellation or wholesale change in plans for the day such as "we decided to make this a Blizzard Beach day." Otherwise, people aren't going to be able to announce their plans with enough lead time for others to act on them. FP switching is an inherently "on the fly" activity for hard to get FPs and if the FP being dumped is not one of the hard to get ones, then the people on the other end of the transaction don't need a cancellation in order to secure theirs. This differs from ADRs greatly because there are way more restaurants that fully book to capacity than there are attractions.

The only way I got an a&e fp last year was through a cancellation thread here. Maybe I lucked out, but I found it very helpful.

 

[JimmyV]

Anna and Elsa and Seven Dwarf Mine Trains are two of the most difficult FP+ to obtain, especially if you are an off-site guest. So it is to be expected that they are more likely to be of interest than rides/attactions that are easier to come by.

The only way I got an a&e fp last year was through a cancellation thread here. Maybe I lucked out, but I found it very helpful.

In looking over the September thread, it become apparent that it is limited almost exclusively to A&E; is more about people posting that they saw a particular time available on the website or app; and has a few posts about people who are going to dump their FPs for A&E. If that is useful to people, then I suppose it is worth it. But one shouldn't be deluded into thinking that there can ever be effective or efficient real-time exchange functionality. The FP system simply isn't set up to allow for that. At least, not for popular attractions.

 

[Angel Ariel]

In looking over the September thread, it become apparent that it is limited almost exclusively to A&E; is more about people posting that they saw a particular time available on the website or app; and has a few posts about people who are going to dump their FPs for A&E. If that is useful to people, then I suppose it is worth it. But one shouldn't be deluded into thinking that there can ever be effective or efficient real-time exchange functionality. The FP system simply isn't set up to allow for that. At least, not for popular attractions.

In my particular case, someone posted that they were wanting to dump an A&E. We coordinated via PM as is done with ADRs, and it worked out very well. IMO, the thread should be moderated so it's not about posting times they see (b/c I agree that that isn't extremely helpful) - but that it is solely for people cancelling their FP+ and wishing to coordinate with someone else.

ETA: I should also add - at that time last year, the majority of the posts that I recall were dumping A&Es also - not posting about seeing available times.