Who else is glad they do NOT have a trip planned right now?

[mom2rtk]

I have opted out and am very excited about my DL trip.

The deciding factor was not if the MB worked or not, it was the scheduling. I do not want to schedule every minute of my vacation. I also do not want to spend half the day standing in line. I do not want to need a fast pass for a counter service lunch, I have already given up sit down meals because I don't want to make an ADR 180 days in advance. Therefore my option is not going to WDW. I'm taking it.

If I need a Disney fix in the future I will choose DL or maybe DCL. As long as they keep the scheduling out of those options, I will take them.

That's the thing. Even if it all worked perfectly ............ it's still not a desirable system to many.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I also am not sure that just b/c this is what WDW PR is telling us means it is true. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't say, well we messed up. Most people used 5-6 FP per day based on surveys and the new system won't work that way. Sorry everyone. I am also sure if they had to spin this weekends roll out at MK they would say it went well, with a few snags but overall customers were happy to get their FP+.

I find this highly unlikely. Disney wants more people to use fastpasses. It's a good thing for everyone. The likely reason for the three FP reason is that everyone can use 3 FPs and not overload the FP lines and make the whole thing obsolete. If that's the case, it's impossible that on average everyone used 6 fastpasses. I just don't see the motive for Disney to lie about that. If it's possible for everyone to have 6 FP+s, it would be in Disney's best interest to give them 6.

 

[mesaboy2]

I find this highly unlikely. Disney wants more people to use fastpasses. It's a good thing for everyone. The likely reason for the three FP reason is that everyone can use 3 FPs and not overload the FP lines and make the whole thing obsolete. If that's the case, it's impossible that on average everyone used 6 fastpasses. I just don't see the motive for Disney to lie about that. If it's possible for everyone to have 6 FP+s, it would be in Disney's best interest to give them 6.

I cannot see how the bolded doesn't result in FastPasses being less fast.

 

[mom2rtk]

I cannot see how the bolded doesn't result in FastPasses being less fast.

Yep. They system is only successful if it becomes less fast.

Odd, but true.

 

[btk2333]

I also am not sure that just b/c this is what WDW PR is telling us means it is true. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't say, well we messed up. Most people used 5-6 FP per day based on surveys and the new system won't work that way. Sorry everyone. I am also sure if they had to spin this weekends roll out at MK they would say it went well, with a few snags but overall customers were happy to get their FP+.

well of course Disney spins it. However, the number 2.5 would seem like a reasonable average. A lot of people didn't use the old system at all. I would be shocked if the average FPs per day were 5-6. Not saying that a lot of people didn't get 5-6 FPs per day but there's no way it was the average. *I am not accusing people of abusing the system* Just saying that some people used more than the average (which is the definition of the term average)

 

[Aliceacc]

You really should read through the top few FP+ threads in this forum. Read anything posted over the weekend. This post is a good start.This thread had some of the photos, but they are scattered throughout.

Thank you!!

 

[btk2333]

I cannot see how the bolded doesn't result in FastPasses being less fast.

Disney wants to spread the usage of FPs. Even if they distributed the same amount of FPs as under the old system their goal is to have more families make use of FP+ than made use of legacy.

For example, legacy system:

1x family of four gets 12 fast passes in a day (4*12)
3x families of four get 0 fast passes in a day
A total of 48 fast passes were distributed

New system:
4x families of four get 3 fast passes in a day (16*3=48)
A total of 48 fast passes were distributed

The same number of fast passes were distributed, so the FP line shouldn't be any longer; however, 16 people got to use FP instead of only 4 under the old system. Might the family of four that used to get 12 be upset? Yeah, but Disney is betting that the family of four will still be "satisfied" if not thrilled and that the additional 12 will be much happier than under the old system. Disney also knows that they likely will lose some visitors from the first group; however, they're betting that the second group will make additional return trips because they are more satisfied than they would have been in the past.

FPs don't become "less fast" they are just spread out more. That is assuming that the total number of FPs in a day are the same.

 

[Jennasis]

I don't think there's any way for us to know that unless someone from Disney IT is a member here. It might not be as dramatic as repealing something. When my laptop gets a Windows update, I'm not often aware of exactly what was changed either...though Microsoft obviously felt the need to change it.

In other words "NO".

You, of course, knew that I meant changes that WE the consumer could feel or see. And of course you also knew I was challenging the repeated assertion by some that "this is only a test...I'm sure Disney will be changing/tweaking as it goes along and tiering will be dropped/the number of FP allowed will go up etc".

Some will say it's too early for Disney to decide to make those changes. I say it's too late...the ship has sailed. Disney is "all in". Just my opinion which I will be happy to change if/when the situation does.

 

[Angel Ariel]

well of course Disney spins it. However, the number 2.5 would seem like a reasonable average. A lot of people didn't use the old system at all. I would be shocked if the average FPs per day were 5-6. Not saying that a lot of people didn't get 5-6 FPs per day but there's no way it was the average. *I am not accusing people of abusing the system* Just saying that some people used more than the average (which is the definition of the term average)

I would not be shocked if 5-6 fps was the average *for MK*. I am more likely to think that 2.5 fps is the average spread out over all the parks combined. I can see using only 1 or 2 in epcot/dhs. I highly doubt 2.5 is the average for mk.

 

[btk2333]

In other words "NO".

You, of course, knew that I meant changes that WE the consumer could feel or see. And of course you also knew I was challenging the repeated assertion by some that "this is only a test...I'm sure Disney will be changing/tweaking as it goes along and tiering will be dropped/the number of FP allowed will go up etc".

Some will say it's too early for Disney to decide to make those changes. I say it's too late...the ship has sailed. Disney is "all in". Just my opinion which I will be happy to change if/when the situation does.

Disney changed the legacy FP system much further along after implementation than FP+ is right now.

Just a couple of examples,

Initially you could only hold one legacy FP at a time, regardless of what the return time was. They changed that to a max time of two hours with several intermediate steps.

Initially they enforced return times, then they stopped, then they started again.

Not saying that anything will be changed (I don't think tiering will go away until they build more attractions at DHS or EPCOT) but your statement that they're "all in" and that everything will stay the same is not guaranteed.

 

[btk2333]

I would not be shocked if 5-6 fps was the average *for MK*. I am more likely to think that 2.5 fps is the average spread out over all the parks combined. I can see using only 1 or 2 in epcot/dhs. I highly doubt 2.5 is the average for mk.

While it would be interesting to see the average spread out at each park, I still would be surprised if 5-6 were the average for MK. I would not be surprised if 5-6 were the average if you only accounted for people who used the system (pulled at least one FP); however, there are so many outliers of families who didn't use legacy or thought there was a charge for it, etc that it likely would keep the total average down.

 

[mesaboy2]

Disney wants to spread the usage of FPs. Even if they distributed the same amount of FPs as under the old system their goal is to have more families make use of FP+ than made use of legacy. For example, legacy system: 1x family of four gets 12 fast passes in a day (4*12) 3x families of four get 0 fast passes in a day A total of 48 fast passes were distributed New system: 4x families of four get 3 fast passes in a day (16*3=48) A total of 48 fast passes were distributed The same number of fast passes were distributed, so the FP line shouldn't be any longer; however, 16 people got to use FP instead of only 4 under the old system. Might the family of four that used to get 12 be upset? Yeah, but Disney is betting that the family of four will still be "satisfied" if not thrilled and that the additional 12 will be much happier than under the old system. Disney also knows that they likely will lose some visitors from the first group; however, they're betting that the second group will make additional return trips because they are more satisfied than they would have been in the past. FPs don't become "less fast" they are just spread out more. That is assuming that the total number of FPs in a day are the same.

FP redistribution then. Meaning less fast for me and anyone else who understood how easy it once was to get more than 3 FPs a day.

This is the crux of it and always has been. Those like me (the minority) don't like it because it is less than what we're accustomed to, those who used FP just a little or not at all (the majority) like it because they get more.

 

[btk2333]

FP redistribution then. Meaning less fast for me and anyone else who understood how easy it once was to get more than 3 FPs a day.

This is the crux of it and always has been. Those like me (the minority) don't like it because it is less than what we're accustomed to, those who used FP just a little or not at all (the majority) like it because they get more.

Yep that's pretty much sums it up. My argument is that this system makes sense for Disney- they have to be utilitarian in their systems because they want to satisfy as many people as possible.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

In other words "NO".

You, of course, knew that I meant changes that WE the consumer could feel or see. And of course you also knew I was challenging the repeated assertion by some that "this is only a test...I'm sure Disney will be changing/tweaking as it goes along and tiering will be dropped/the number of FP allowed will go up etc".

Some will say it's too early for Disney to decide to make those changes. I say it's too late...the ship has sailed. Disney is "all in". Just my opinion which I will be happy to change if/when the situation does.

Well, if you're getting at "Will we see any dramatic changes", as in will the tiering go away, will magicbands go away, will FP+ 3 pass limit go away, then no, I don't think we'll see changes. You're right, the ship has sailed. They're all in now. They have to make it work. I think we could possibly see the FP increase to 4 or 5. That's a slim chance, but a possibility. I'd like to see some kind of change by adding a reward system to using FPs...as in, you miss your first FP, you don't get any more for the day...or something similar, but only time will tell. I am more getting at repairing glitches...reasons why some peoples' MBs may have issues opening doors, charging, etc.

I expect that for the most part, this is the system we will have, and not many major changes are going to happen. But I guess no one knows that for a fact but Disney.

I cannot see how the bolded doesn't result in FastPasses being less fast.

Apologies, but I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at. Elaborate? I'll go get another cup of coffee.

 

[Portugal1000]

Disney wants to spread the usage of FPs. Even if they distributed the same amount of FPs as under the old system their goal is to have more families make use of FP+ than made use of legacy.

For example, legacy system:

1x family of four gets 12 fast passes in a day (4*12)
3x families of four get 0 fast passes in a day
A total of 48 fast passes were distributed

New system:
4x families of four get 3 fast passes in a day (16*3=48)
A total of 48 fast passes were distributed

The same number of fast passes were distributed, so the FP line shouldn't be any longer; however, 16 people got to use FP instead of only 4 under the old system. Might the family of four that used to get 12 be upset? Yeah, but Disney is betting that the family of four will still be "satisfied" if not thrilled and that the additional 12 will be much happier than under the old system. Disney also knows that they likely will lose some visitors from the first group; however, they're betting that the second group will make additional return trips because they are more satisfied than they would have been in the past.

FPs don't become "less fast" they are just spread out more. That is assuming that the total number of FPs in a day are the same.

The way I look at it is that if the other 3 families had really wanted to use fast pass then they would of, doesn't need to reported $1bn system to make it happen. We travel in July/August and have never had a problem with the crowds because we utilized the FP system, even in the evening. For instance, last August 10th, I arrive at MK at 6pm and pulled 3 separate sets of Fast Pass for BTM. I dont believe I was taking anything away from anyone. However, with the new system I will never be able to do that again.
We are there for 25 nights from 6th August this year and for first time we are skipping Disney as we are off site guests staying at Bonnet Creek for a quarter of the price of staying at SSR. Our holiday will still cost £7000 as we have to fly from England but no way I am payign the £1000 for Disney tickets to have a lesser experience than I am used to. We will spend a week in St Petes and go to Universal, SW, DC, AQ and BG and take it easy. Will miss Disney but just cant justify the cost when so much uncertainty around FP+ for offsite. Even if I was onsite I do not want to plan what I ride or what park I have to be in 2 months in advance, thats going just too far.
Also, I do feel for people who are not use to using smart phones, apps etc. If my parents were to go to Disney they would be absolutely clueless and my dad happens to be the cleverest person I have ever know but has just never used a mobile phone.

 

[ktlm]

Could you possibly point me towards them? I want to make the case for some real planning.

Post 160 here has more photos- and a description of how their kiosk use and FP+ line experience went

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3223079&page=11

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The way I look at it is that if the other 3 families had really wanted to use fast pass then they would of

Except maybe those families didn't come at rope drop, and the Fastpasses they wanted are already gone.

 

[dixiegirl]

Not me, I wish I was there right now!!!

We went in November and had a perfectly fine experience with rope drop and FP+, didn't pull any paper passes at all.

This exactly except we went in Oct.

 

[wisblue]

Deleted

 

[morethananyonex]

Except maybe those families didn't come at rope drop, and the Fastpasses they wanted are already gone.

It's looking like not much has changed for offsite guests at least.

Reports from MK FP+ only have people reporting FP for popular rides were gone or pushed back hours and hours when they got them after opening. That is the same situation MK had before FP+, FP- often didn't run out, but they were pushed back. Just like now.

It will be interesting to see in a park like Epcot or DHS where the number of popular rides and desirable FP choices is much, much, smaller. I still don't think an offsite guest will be able to stroll in around noon and book a TSMM FP+. Time will tell.