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

[nugov2]

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 don't believe though that 3 is the average. I think the high is 8 and the low is 2 giving an average of 5 FP per day. I know a lot of regular WDW vacationers and not a single one used 3. I do not think my group of friends is necessarily a good pool, but still I call BS on 3 being the average a person used.

I think there are some who didn't use it at all because they were unaware, but I'd say the average guest who knew was pulling more than 3 a day pulling the average up. Why wouldn't you pull that many, it was easy and they are there. I never "ran" for FP, there was never a line of more than one person in front of me. They were there for the taking with no fuss. 3 is what they want us to think b/c this new system can't handle any more that that and even with 3 the choices are 1 good and 2 you most likely didn't need one for anyway or aren't really even a FP by many reports for the reserved seating. People are getting turned away if they aren't there early, so they are being wasted.

The whole FP+ system IMO is a huge downgrade. Almost all of the people who love it were there when legacy was up and they were pulling both or in an extremely low crowd time, so those reports are not really a true measure. MK reports yesterday on a medium crowd day with lines out of control is the true measure. That is the system up in running in full capacity. Of course they are still testing, but I don't think WDW expected what happened yesterday. That right there is the proof they have no idea what their guests want or how this system will impact customer satisfaction. That of course is just my view. I hope this ends up working out. I loved my last trip, but by judging with what evidence we have the future looks grim.

 

[wisblue]

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.

I am in total agreement that FP+ will be better for the majority of guests.

And I understand why the minority don't like the change.

I also agree with the PP that the fact that FP+ will benefit more guests than paper FP is why Disney is implementing it.

 

[mesaboy2]

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.

Sounds right to me.

There is risk to Disney though because repeat visitors, most likely those like me who could get more than 3 FPs without breaking a sweat, I think are bigger champions for the Disney product when they get back home than the other group.

(I'm speaking in broad generalities here, by the way, and understand that not everyone fits nearly into only one of these two groups.)

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

Only that capacity is a relatively fixed number, and that more FPs in the system can only increase pressure on wait times in FP queues to go up.

You may be suggesting something along the same lines as btk however (essentially a redistribution), in which case see my exchange with them.

 

[mom2rtk]

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

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Look, I don't have a problem getting to rope drop, but I can understand that it's not an option for many families, and I'm glad Disney did something to help them out.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Look, I don't have a problem getting to rope drop, but I can understand that it's not an option for many families, and I'm glad Disney did something to help them out.

Those who truly didn't have the option of getting there at rope drop were covered by the GAC, so this argument is not valid IMO. There were lots of people that CHOSE to sleep in or be lazy, sure. Hardly the same thing.

Also, TSMM was truly the only FP that ran out early in the day. We arrived at Epcot at noon last April and there were tons of FP's for Test Track and Soarin left. We grabbed a Soarin one (return time 2:30-3:30) and rode TT single rider line.

 

[dayvewc]

I don't believe though that 3 is the average. I think the high is 8 and the low is 2 giving an average of 5 FP per day. I know a lot of regular WDW vacationers and not a single one used 3. I do not think my group of friends is necessarily a good pool, but still I call BS on 3 being the average a person used. I think there are some who didn't use it at all because they were unaware, but I'd say the average guest who knew was pulling more than 3 a day pulling the average up.

I think you are confusing what the average is. Of the people who used FP, I would agree with you, the average probably is 5. But Disney has released figures that 50% of guests did not use FP at all, so their usage is 0, not the low of 2 of a user. When you look at the average use among all guests (5 from half the population and 0 from the other half) then the total average does become the 2.5 that Disney said was being used.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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..

I wouldn't say the MK situation is the same now. At least one of those reports said that the person could only get FPs for after 5pm at 10am for popular rides...even during Spring Break last year we were able to get FPs for Space (and other headliners) in the morning with return times that were in the 11am-2pm range..prebooking has definitely had an effect on what times are available same day.

To me it almost seems like prebooking is making MK's situation more like DHS' than it ever was with FP-.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I am in total agreement that FP+ will be better for the majority of guests.

And I understand why the minority don't like the change.

I also agree with the PP that the fact that FP+ will benefit more guests than paper FP is why Disney is implementing it.

I think that may be the goal, but I don't know that that is what's actually happening. I think increasing SB waits, as many have commented on since MK went FP+ only, is a negative for all guests.

 

[larryz]

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

Wow! This is the first post I've seen saying it's hard to find threads about FP+!!!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Look, I don't have a problem getting to rope drop, but I can understand that it's not an option for many families, and I'm glad Disney did something to help them out.

We have a hard time getting to rope drop (now, with a young DD), and I'm not seeing how this is helping us. Reports in the MK FP+ thread have reported getting in FP+ kiosk lines at 10am only to find that there are no headliners available until after 5pm. That is the antithesis of helpful for us. While we didn't make rope drop, we'd usually be there by 9:30/10 or so,and we'd be able to get FPs for 30min-1 hr after our arrival (some of the bigger rides may have been 1.5-2 hrs, but certainly not 7 hrs later)

 

[Laketravis]

The only thing Disney is "testing" right now is how much crap their guests will put up with.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We have a hard time getting to rope drop (now, with a young DD), and I'm not seeing how this is helping us. Reports in the MK FP+ thread have reported getting in FP+ kiosk lines at 10am only to find that there are no headliners available until after 5pm. That is the antithesis of helpful for us. While we didn't make rope drop, we'd usually be there by 9:30/10 or so,and we'd be able to get FPs for 30min-1 hr after our arrival (some of the bigger rides may have been 1.5-2 hrs, but certainly not 7 hrs later)

Right, that I understand. It is most helpful for people who show up at noon.

 

[nugov2]

I think you are confusing what the average is. Of the people who used FP, I would agree with you, the average probably is 5. But Disney has released figures that 50% of guests did not use FP at all, so their usage is 0, not the low of 2 of a user. When you look at the average use among all guests (5 from half the population and 0 from the other half) then the total average does become the 2.5 that Disney said was being used.

I don't believe that for one second. With all the tour books, websites. Even if you only read up on your trip on the official WDW website you would see FP info. The only way I believe that is if they are telling me 50% of WDW guests plan their trip blindly with no research. That means not looking for info on hotels, rides or restaurants. Even if you call a TA they would give you info on FP. There is no way someone plans a trip to WDW and doesn't look up anything. What do the do call the 1800 number and say give me any hotel for 5 days with tickets and then hang up and show up the day they check in, head to the parks roaming around from ride to ride and just picking a random place to eat. Then repeat the next day at the next park never noticing a FP lane or a machine. They must think we are very gullible to believe that. Or do they want us to believe that 50% off all guest who travel to WDW had no desire to get a ticket to get on a ride faster. Maybe 10% didn't want to be bothered, but 50%....no way.

 

[mare1203]

Nope, I always enjoy a trip to Disney! The rides are only a small piece of why we go, so we'll go with the flow of FP+.

I remember going to Disney when they rolled out the original FP and while there weren't the technological issues we see with FP+ the first time we went it was a frustrating process for all involved. We went in October and didn't have any issues and were still able to see everything we wanted and more. I'd much rather have them ditch their website and rebuild with something other than go.com which has always been an issue.

 

[Annadesu]

I'm kind of glad, too... I would love to be there soon, but FP needs to be sorted out. And I would like to visit once the new Snow White ride is finished (as well as the new Harry Potter section in Universal). Plus we're buying a house, and that's kind of expensive.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We have a hard time getting to rope drop (now, with a young DD), and I'm not seeing how this is helping us. Reports in the MK FP+ thread have reported getting in FP+ kiosk lines at 10am only to find that there are no headliners available until after 5pm. That is the antithesis of helpful for us. While we didn't make rope drop, we'd usually be there by 9:30/10 or so,and we'd be able to get FPs for 30min-1 hr after our arrival (some of the bigger rides may have been 1.5-2 hrs, but certainly not 7 hrs later)

Exactly.
The only people who actually benefit from this new system are those staying Onsite, who don't care about the headliners.

There are many people who will think that things are better for them because they were ignorant about the prior system. But, in reality, they would have been much better off if someone had just clued them in to as to how to use the old system.

I do have a question that your post made me think of, though. If you are staying offsite, do all your tickets need to be scanned before someone in your party can book FP+ that day? Or, is it possible for one person in the group to head over early and book FP+ for everyone?
Just thinking about large groups who often book the offsite houses.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Right, that I understand. It is most helpful for people who show up at noon.

Even then, it's only helpful for those people if they can prebook (so, for now anyway, stay onsite). If same day availability is already at 5pm or later at 10am, then they're likely to be gone by noon. Even during Spring Break last year, headliner FPs at MK were not gone at noon

 

[dayvewc]

I don't believe that for one second. With all the tour books, websites. Even if you only read up on your trip on the official WDW website you would see FP info. The only way I believe that is if they are telling me 50% of WDW guests plan their trip blindly with no research. That means not looking for info on hotels, rides or restaurants. Even if you call a TA they would give you info on FP. There is no way someone plans a trip to WDW and doesn't look up anything. What do the do call the 1800 number and say give me any hotel for 5 days with tickets and then hang up and show up the day they check in, head to the parks roaming around from ride to ride and just picking a random place to eat. Then repeat the next day at the next park never noticing a FP lane or a machine. They must think we are very gullible to believe that. Or do they want us to believe that 50% off all guest who travel to WDW had no desire to get a ticket to get on a ride faster. Maybe 10% didn't want to be bothered, but 50%....no way.

I can't help what you believe. I wouldn't think that the number of people who didn't use FP was that high either, but I also do not have access to Disney's information systems. I have read (somewhere, but don't remember offhand exactly where) that one goal of the FP+ system was to increase the usage from 50% to 90%. While it is possible that Disney lied about those numbers, as a publicly traded company they have to be answer to the shareholders and support with reasons why large changes and expenditures are needed or desirable. Falsifying that number would not make sense.

And yes, people do make trips without planning, without research, and ignore basic information. When every other theme park sells their line skipping system, many people will just assume Disney does also. After all, they are charging high prices for everything else, why not for FP? There is also the factor of people who use FP in one park, but feel they don't need to in another. They would count as 0 users in that park. And people who travel in slow times and don't feel as though they need FP, who would also count as 0 users, even if they would have used FP in busier times.

So yes, while I wonder exactly how Disney arrived at that percentage, until I find evidence to the contrary (and anecdotal evidence is not evidence) I will accept their figures.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Sooooo excited that I have a WDW vacation trip planned in 47 days!!!!!!!!!!!
29 trips to Disney World and counting...next stop POFQ March 2014
FP+ will be awesome!!!