When Do you think FP+ plus will really be "put to the test"?

[suebedo]

I know a lot of people have been posting positive experiences with fast pass plus during the slow January early February time frame. I am very curious to see what the experience will be during a very busy time. What dates do you think fast pass plus will really be put to the test? Will it be Presidents' Day weekend? Or will it be spring break? Looking forward to hearing everyone's input thanks.

 

[d1gitman]

i would think the biggies will be feb break, april break, easter, summer break, thanksgiving...just to name a few

 

[ArwenMarie]

Next week starting this Saturday

 

[btk2333]

Next week starting this Saturday

and it will be very interesting how the system holds up without tiering in place

 

[tndisneyfan]

I think once spring break kicks in. If the offsite guests are allowed to sign up same day then it will interesting to see how much flexibility there is on moving FP times around. I'm not saying that in a bashing kind of way, I think the heavier crowds of Spring Break will really show us how it's going to be.

 

[mickeygirl14]

I'm in agreement with PP...I think spring break will be a good test. You'll have a lot of people there for more than just a long weekend. Should put the system to a better true test at all 4 parks.

 

[suebedo]

I think once spring break kicks in. If the offsite guests are allowed to sign up same day then it will interesting to see how much flexibility there is on moving FP times around. I'm not saying that in a bashing kind of way, I think the heavier crowds of Spring Break will really show us how it's going to be.

I myself can not wait to hear how it goes. My family and I are patiently waiting to decide if we will plan a trip for this year or next. I don't want to base my plan on all the positive reports during this very slow time. We have been to Disney in early Feb and two trips in December (2nd or third week-not the Pop Warner week). Early Feb was slower than the December trips. We practically walked on everything. We only really needed FP- for the big ticket rides...and even then sometimes not.
December was a little busier but still manageable. We have also been on multiple summer trips and we definitely needed FP- and lots of it.

I am trying to remain positive yet slightly skeptical...LOL if that is possible ha ha.I just don't think I can really know whether FP+ is a good thing until it is all FP+ and really really heavy crowds.

 

[boiledpeanut]

This weekend will be a great indicator. The next weekend too.

 

[EpcotBill]

I'll be there from tomorrow until the 18th. So part of that time will be during Peak Season. I'm not looking forward to the Fastpass+ nightmare. I was there in October while it was still being tested. It was a PITA then, I expect it to be worse now.

 

[JimmyV]

This weekend, all the people who arrive after 10:30 believing that FP+ is the remedy to having to arrive at RD are going to discover that they will be able to do the three things that they pre-booked through FP+ and that the rest of the day is going to be miserable.

 

[btk2333]

This weekend, all the people who arrive after 10:30 believing that FP+ is the remedy to having to arrive at RD are going to discover that they will be able to do the three things that they pre-booked through FP+ and that the rest of the day is going to be miserable.

interesting prediction- I expect you will make the same predictions at Spring Break, July 4th on and on until people are actually miserable at WDW? Things aren't looking good for your predictions if tiering restrictions remain lax...

 

[JimmyV]

interesting prediction- I expect you will make the same predictions at Spring Break, July 4th on and on until people are actually miserable at WDW? Things aren't looking good for your predictions if tiering restrictions remain lax...

Not sure of your point. My "prediction" is that FP+ in its final form will not look anything like it does right now, so today's experience will not map over to future times. As for the change in tiering, that doesn't change anything other than the three things that you get to do with little wait. Granted, it will allow you to exchange a headliner for a second tier attraction, which is a good thing, But it won't impact the 60 minute waits at other attractions, or won't change anything in the MK. I guarantee that the there are people who now believe that FP+ is an elixir that will allow them to get to the park later in the day. They will do so, and they will have a great time doing their three pre-reserved attractions. They will then look at the "Wait Time Board" and realize that everything else in the park, including going on the headliners a second time, will involve a huge wait, and they will conclude that they should have arrived earlier, ever with their FP+ in hand. This isn't exactly hard to imagine or predict. After this weekend, there will be plenty of people posting here that FP+ worked great, but it is still necessary to get an early jump on the day, even with FP+. How is that controversial? Or do you just have to jump on every post that does not predict rainbows shooting out of the backsides of the FP+ kiosks?

Funny how when changes are made to FP+ (like no tiering, and soon, the elusive 4th FP), the cheerleaders aren't grabbing their pom-poms and complaining that FP+ should have stayed the way it was because it was perfect. It really pains you to see WDW reacting to the negative reaction to the roll out, doesn't it?

 

[mesaboy2]

Not sure of your point. My "prediction" is that FP+ in its final form will not look anything like it does right now, so today's experience will not map over to future times. As for the change in tiering, that doesn't change anything other than the three things that you get to do with little wait. Granted, it will allow you to exchange a headliner for a second tier attraction, which is a good thing, But it won't impact the 60 minute waits at other attractions, or won't change anything in the MK. I guarantee that the there are people who now believe that FP+ is an elixir that will allow them to get to the park later in the day. They will do so, and they will have a great time doing their three pre-reserved attractions. They will then look at the "Wait Time Board" and realize that everything else in the park, including going on the headliners a second time, will involve a huge wait, and they will conclude that they should have arrived earlier, ever with their FP+ in hand. This isn't exactly hard to imagine or predict. After this weekend, there will be plenty of people posting here that FP+ worked great, but it is still necessary to get an early jump on the day, even with FP+. How is that controversial? Or do you just have to jump on every post that does not predict rainbows shooting out of the backsides of the FP+ kiosks?

That one. Definitely that one.

 

[btk2333]

Not sure of your point. My "prediction" is that FP+ in its final form will not look anything like it does right now, so today's experience will not map over to future times. As for the change in tiering, that doesn't change anything other than the three things that you get to do with little wait. Granted, it will allow you to exchange a headliner for a second tier attraction, which is a good thing, But it won't impact the 60 minute waits at other attractions, or won't change anything in the MK. I guarantee that the there are people who now believe that FP+ is an elixir that will allow them to get to the park later in the day. They will do so, and they will have a great time doing their three pre-reserved attractions. They will then look at the "Wait Time Board" and realize that everything else in the park, including going on the headliners a second time, will involve a huge wait, and they will conclude that they should have arrived earlier, ever with their FP+ in hand. This isn't exactly hard to imagine or predict. After this weekend, there will be plenty of people posting here that FP+ worked great, but it is still necessary to get an early jump on the day, even with FP+. How is that controversial? Or do you just have to jump on every post that does not predict rainbows shooting out of the backsides of the FP+ kiosks?

Funny how when changes are made to FP+ (like no tiering, and soon, the elusive 4th FP), the cheerleaders aren't grabbing their pom-poms and complaining that FP+ should have stayed the way it was because it was perfect. It really pains you to see WDW reacting to the negative reaction to the roll out, doesn't it?

You predicted that a certain population of people will be "miserable." I predict that there will not be large amount of miserable guests at these busy times either. Even with the old system- if you don't show up at RD on the "10" days you are going to be disappointed. RD will always be the best tip for touring at WDW regardless of what FP system is in place. There are definite advantages to FP+ for people who will NEVER show up for RD, for whatever reason.

I definitely don't think FP+ is perfect. Would I love to be able to book 9 FP+ in advance with no limitations of tiers and park hopping etc- of course. I like FP+, do I like it better than legacy FP, no- if I had it my way we'd go back to legacy FP with no enforcement of return times; however, legacy FP isn't coming back and FP+ is currently the only option for skipping long lines. There are certain things that are better about FP+ and certain things that are worse. It's my belief that efficient touring with FP+ as it was yesterday or as it was today can still result in a positive, fun, entertaining vacation (speaking from personal experience both with and without tiers). WDW is still the most magical place on earth to vacation IMO.

I do feel the need to jump in when posters like you make ridiculous statements that someone will have a miserable vacation. I believe, from my personal experience, that it is very hard to have a miserable vacation. Disney knows how to keep guests coming back, they have done it for years and years and will continue to do it in the future.

I wonder if posters like you see positive changes in FP+ and say "oh man now I have one less thing to complain about." It must be hard to always look at the negatives and not the positives...

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Not sure of your point. My "prediction" is that FP+ in its final form will not look anything like it does right now, so today's experience will not map over to future times. As for the change in tiering, that doesn't change anything other than the three things that you get to do with little wait. Granted, it will allow you to exchange a headliner for a second tier attraction, which is a good thing, But it won't impact the 60 minute waits at other attractions, or won't change anything in the MK. I guarantee that the there are people who now believe that FP+ is an elixir that will allow them to get to the park later in the day. They will do so, and they will have a great time doing their three pre-reserved attractions. They will then look at the "Wait Time Board" and realize that everything else in the park, including going on the headliners a second time, will involve a huge wait, and they will conclude that they should have arrived earlier, ever with their FP+ in hand. This isn't exactly hard to imagine or predict. After this weekend, there will be plenty of people posting here that FP+ worked great, but it is still necessary to get an early jump on the day, even with FP+. How is that controversial? Or do you just have to jump on every post that does not predict rainbows shooting out of the backsides of the FP+ kiosks?

Funny how when changes are made to FP+ (like no tiering, and soon, the elusive 4th FP), the cheerleaders aren't grabbing their pom-poms and complaining that FP+ should have stayed the way it was because it was perfect. It really pains you to see WDW reacting to the negative reaction to the roll out, doesn't it?

FastPass Plus is in test mode. I know you did not just attempt to take credit for any positive changes or whatever you think is positive about FastPass Plus.

You are acting like Disney said....."Jimmy V and a couple dozen people are upset so we have to change FastPass Plus just so they can stop complaining on the message boards everyday."

Reality check----------YOU have nothing to do with anything of the modifications Disney makes to FastPass Plus. You are just trying to save face because it is not bad as you predicted it to be...... many people have returned with positive comments. I've read a lot of comments for my trip and not once did I ever see someone report that FastPass Plus was perfect. It might have been perfect for them.....that's much different than calling anything perfect.......NOTHING is perfect.

Who really expects anything to be perfect at Disney or anywhere else?

Of course....you can try to take credit all you want......I can't stop you..... but it's kinda strange to me. It's not like this is some kind of competition.....or is it? I hope not because you are losing this battle------BAD!!!!

NONE of us can take "credit" for any changes good or bad for something that is in testing mode and has not been officially released to the entire public. Personally, I would never try to take take credit for anything Disney does, if I wasn't directly involved with the projest. I know Disney listens to feedback but this is why they test in the first place. Sheesh.

I think the real test was over the Christmas/NYE holiday-----there were plenty of good reviews.

 

[JimmyV]

Even with the old system- if you don't show up at RD on the "10" days you are going to be disappointed. Yes. But there are an awful lot of people who have posted that they just got back and that FP+ enabled them to avoid RD. This will have the inevitable effect of convincing the uninitiated that they can do that too. And if they do that on 8, 9 and 10 days instead of 3 or 4 days, guess what? Disappointment. Just as you predict.

I do feel the need to jump in when posters like you make ridiculous statements that someone will have a miserable vacation. As if people aren't already posting how much they hated their FP+ experience? Forgive me if I am doing nothing more than suggesting that it is possible for others to have a similar experience. Will everyone? Of course not. Never said that. Will the majority? Nope. Never said that either. But your view of the world is that everyone is guaranteed of having a pixie dust and rainbow time, even the folks who saunter in to DHS at 11:00 with FP+s for Muppets, TGMR and F! You don't think that when they see the waits for ToT, RnR and TSM that they might say "Holy crap!" Guess we're not dong those." You and I know that RD is a great equalizer, but not everyone does, and Disney is marketing their FP+ system as a way to "relax" and "lock it in". All I am suggesting is that some people, (and it could be a small, but greater than 0% number) are in for a rude awakening. Somehow, to you, this is a controversial point.

I wonder if posters like you see positive changes in FP+ and say "oh man now I have one less thing to complain about."

To your last point, NOT AT ALL!! With every change, I revel in the idea that FP+ will become what it should have been all along, somewhat saddened by the fact that the eggheads at Disney couldn't have gotten it right from the get-go. But at least they did the honorable thing and rolled it out in the slow season. Why would if gripe about positive changes? I never once complained about FP-, so why would I complain about FP+ if and when it gets fixed to allow for less restrictive usage? I want the change. I embrace the change. And I am very, very confident that it will change. Seems to me that the people who resist change are the ones who have invested so much time defending the indefensible.

 

[btk2333]

Gosh darnit- why do people insist on replying with red font in my quote- it makes it very difficult to reply to...

Even with the old system- if you don't show up at RD on the "10" days you are going to be disappointed. Yes. But there are an awful lot of people who have posted that they just got back and that FP+ enabled them to avoid RD. This will have the inevitable effect of convincing the uninitiated that they can do that too. And if they do that on 8, 9 and 10 days instead of 3 or 4 days, guess what? Disappointment. Just as you predict.

I do feel the need to jump in when posters like you make ridiculous statements that someone will have a miserable vacation. As if people aren't already posting how much they hated their FP+ experience? Forgive me if I am doing nothing more than suggesting that it is possible for others to have a similar experience. Will everyone? Of course not. Never said that. Will the majority? Nope. Never said that either. But your view of the world is that everyone is guaranteed of having a pixie dust and rainbow time, even the folks who sautner in to DHS at 11:00 with FP+s for Muppets, TGMR and F! You don't think that when they see the waits for ToT, RnR and TSm that they might say "Holy crap!" Guess we're not dong those." You and I know that RD is a great equalizer, but not everyone does, and Disney is marketing their FP+ system as a way to "relax" and "lock it in". All I am suggesting is that some people, (and it could be a small, but greater than 0% number) are in for a rude awakening. Somehow, to you, this is a controversial point.

To your last point, NOT AT ALL!! With every change, I revel in the idea that FP+ will become what it should have been all along, somewhat saddened by the fact that the eggheads at Disney couldn't have gotten it right from the get-go. But at least they did the honorable thing and rolled it out in the slow season. Why would if gripe about positive changes? I never once complained about FP-, so why would I complain about FP+ if and when it gets fixed to allow for less restrictive usage? I want the change. I embrace the change. And I am very, very confident that it will change. Seems to me that the people who resist change are the ones who have invested so much time defending the indefensible.

My point is that if this person used to walk in at 11:00 during President's Day, then they see huge advantages to this system. In the past, they would have had no chance of riding the headliners without large lines, now they can at least ride one (plus ST and ToT- and possibly two-three if they know about the work around). This is not the large majority of guests on DIS boards; however, it is the large majority of WDW park guests.

On an off-shoot- when I go to DHS, my goals are to ride RnRc, TSM, Star Tours, and ToT and then get over to EPCOT as quickly as possible Now I can book three FP+'s for these rides at 11:00, 12:00, and 1:00 (I just was able to do it for President's Day, definitely busy season.) In the past, we would RD DHS stay for about an hour and a half and then walk over to EPCOT, now it would actually be possible to us to go to DHS in the afternoon after RD'ing at EPCOT, whereas in the past if we didn't go at RD there was no way we could ride all three of these. This is a potential advantage- FP+ is not the "great equalizer" that RD is; however, it can be used to give you a better experience if you are not a RD fan.

With either of these scenarios, even at a busy time of the year, it is possible to show up at 11:00 and see an improvement over what they've done in the past and leave with a very satisfying experience.

Is it possible that some people will hate their experience? Sure, but I didn't see you warning people that they would hate their experiences when legacy started enforcing return times- there was a big blow up about that too- and at the end of the day it made very little difference.

WDW will continue to tweak FPP just like they did to legacy FP. Legacy FP didn't begin in the iteration that it ended, it went through it's share of growing pains too and it was definitely not a perfect system even at the end of its tenure.

I don't know anyone resisting changes, saying that they would be upset about 6 FP+ or park hopping, etc. Some people are posting why that would not work but no one who is defending FP+ is disappointed when a change like today's is revealed. We like the system now- that doesn't mean there aren't things that can be done to improve it. Rather than telling people that they will have miserable times, I think it would be more productive to tell people strategies to use to make the best use of FPP.

Also, you're pushing it if you're saying that FPP was rolled out during "slow season." To resort guests it was fully rolled out over Christmas. It has definitely been a long rollout- and it's not done yet, things will continue to change.