I just got back from DLR and had a good time and tried out the F! FP system. It was an interesting experience...some of it was good...some of it still needs work.
I asked several CMs at the F! FP distribution location and the information CMs standing by the signs announcing F! had FPs. I made sure to ask CMs wearing the F! jacket. I asked the same questions and got a range of answers. Some thigns were consistent, but other things were met with conflicting responses.
1)
Locations: The CMs manning the F! FP machine location and signs are now carrying around map that roughly indicate where the different viewing locations are located. They will not let you photograph the map or copy it, but some will show it to you if you ask. I tried to jot down notes and this is my
rough outline of where the different areas are located as of 12/14/14 (I tried to remember, but the exact locations are probably off, so don't take this as being the absolute truth...it's just to give you a rough idea of the locations). I think everything is subject to change, so it might not be accurate tonight!
Each of the FP locations has a wheelchair area. The Blue on is located near where the Blue and Gold areas meet. The Gold area is on the side closer to Frontierland.
There is limited ground sitting area for both FP colors (mainly up against the river's edge), but most is standing. The Blue area is continuous, but the Gold area is split into three areas: to the right of RBT, on the Pirates Bridge, and around the Light Tower. The Blue and Gold section meet up at the stairs that are to the left of the Light Tower/Control area for F!.
The Blue Bayou dining package is front and center. The RBT is to the right of BB (when facing), closer to Frontierland. The Dessert Party is to the left of BB, closer to NOS.
2)
Aladdin Dining Package: The Aladdin Dining package includes a FP for F!. There was a CM standing in front of Aladdin's Oasis with a menu and told us that guests that dine from noon-4:00 pm will get a FP for the first show and guests dining from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm will get a FP for the second show. You can either opt to take the food to go or you can dine at Aladdin's Oasis (they have tables and they'll bring the food to you). They are currently taking walk-ups or reservations. We forgot to ask the CM there about the type of FP you get, but I asked at the F! distribution location and got several different answers. For what it is worth, a lead said that guests with the Aladdin Dining Package get a Blue FP.
(Side Note: Aladdin, Jasmine, and/or Genie are now meeting on the Adventureland bridge, opposite of the Tiki Room entrance.)
3)
Blue Bayou and RBT Dining Package: I asked about which show time do you get and the information CMs at the F! FP distribution locations generally said that you request the show time when you check-in to your meal. That also seems odd, but it's first-come-first-serve in terms of show time tickets. (My guess is that they're actually using something closer to the WoC system where the reservation time dictates which show time you get, but you can request a different time if there is availability.)
4)
Standby Viewing: There are two "Standby" viewing areas (denoted as Red). Everyone lines up along Big Thunder Trail, roughly opposite of where the attraction exit is located. The CMs then "walk/escort" the standbys to the two standby locations. One CM said they hand out standby tickets (which is weird sounding to me). I asked if the standbys get to pick which area they watch from (over by NOS or Frontierland), but the CMs did not know and most said it's first come first serve and the CMs will "fill in" the areas.
5)
Viewing Area Entrance: There is currently only one entrance to the F! viewing areas and it's located by the petrified rock in Frontierland. Guest are then directed to their various viewing locations. Folks with FPs are told to look for the gold or blue lights which indicate where the viewing area is located. I found it a little chaotic because there weren't many CMs with colored lights and most just said keep moving. I was in the Gold area and ended up behind the light tower. I have to admit that I couldn't figure out at first where we were supposed to go.
Personally, I think they need to do a better job of marking where the different sections are located and have the entrance to each section be unique (like they do for WoC). Everyone enters in Frontierland, walks through the dining package viewing areas and then branch into the Blue or Gold areas. The CMs want you to keep moving and fill in all available area in front of you, but folks tend to want to stop where ever gives them the best view. At least with WoC, once you get into the section (from the back), you can go where ever you want within that section. They don't try to fill-in the area from the front to the back. Hopefully they'll do a better job of marking the different sections.
I did ask about leaving the area and returning; basically you have to find a CM in your area and ask for a FP so you can exit the area and then get back in.
6)
FP Distribution: They start with the Gold section for the first show, then the Blue section for the first show, then the Gold section for the second show, and finally the Blue section for the second show. You cannot pick your show/section (just like WoC). On Saturday, the Second Show FPs became available at 10:45 am. On Friday, the FPs lasted well into the day (I don't know if they even ran out because of the weather). They did run out of FPs on Saturday. (The actual FP has a barcode and a long string of numbers on the bottom; I erased those just in case it was tied to my ticket account.)
7)
Information Flyers: Finally, both Times Guide has a section announcing the F! options at the top. There is also a glossy insert that is added to the Times Guide that has information about the dining packages, viewing options, etc.
