Limiting all guests to 3 FP+ choices per day

[mousehockey37]

The downside to FP+ for some, is that you are committing yourself to being in a certain park, at a certain time.

I understand you can go and change things, but has it been shown what happens if the ride goes down during your FP+ time?

Also, there are some that like the micro-managed lifestyle, but with the legacy passes, it was nice to "catch" a ride if you were in the area.

For me, I'll just stick to my idea of going when the crowds are super low and not have to worry about FP's

 

[Longers]

We returned from our holiday in November and we found pro's and con's
Pros - we were able to book in advance which was particularly useful the day we went to Universal during the day and hit Epcot when we returned, we knew we had soarin and test track fast passes (this was before they limited to only 1 of these rides on any one day) we also managed to book TSMM for the afternoon we ran the jingle jungle as we knew we wouldn't get to the park until late morning.
Cons - limiting to only 3 in any one day, not being able to just take 2 (even if you won't use the third). Not being able to split over parks etc. I don't like taking anything to the park and I felt like I needed some way to connect to the internet rather than having to search for a machine to change things
I guess most of us don't like change but to be totally honest I like it like it was. There were days in Nov we didn't book any rides and did it with paper fast passes (I know a little daft but my brother joined us and was not on Disney property) I really don't think 3 is enough. I know we didn't use some we booked so eventually that can only add to waiting times. I loved my band but just because I like most things Disney and it was easier when at the water park as we didn't need money and could keep it on our wrist. Likewise it was easier to get into our room rather than searching for our old KTTW card.
I would like them to leave the flexibility there to not be sooooo planned on a Disney trip, it's meant to be a holiday I don't want to plan that much!

 

[coachwnh]

The downside to FP+ for some, is that you are committing yourself to being in a certain park, at a certain time.

I understand you can go and change things, but has it been shown what happens if the ride goes down during your FP+ time?

Also, there are some that like the micro-managed lifestyle, but with the legacy passes, it was nice to "catch" a ride if you were in the area.

For me, I'll just stick to my idea of going when the crowds are super low and not have to worry about FP's

Space Mtn was down for our FP+ time over Christmas. We got an email stating we could use any other rides on the emailed list that day or by closing time at MK the next day. As it turns out, we didnt read the email until after we did ride Space Mtn during out slotted time. It must have been a brief shut down. So they do cover that situation should it come up. And giving you until the next day I thought was fair as well.

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

My family is like yours in the summer. We used 9 fp in MK in a day. We don't run around the park collecting them, but had worked out a great system to maximize the number of rides and minimize the wait for them. This freed us up to do so much more in the park as well as a 3-4 hour break in the middle of the day to swim or explore our resort. Our plan simply doesn't work with just 3 fp. I am glad to hear that there is a plan in place for the times when your preselected fp+ ride is not operation at the specified time.

 

[mousehockey37]

Space Mtn was down for our FP+ time over Christmas. We got an email stating we could use any other rides on the emailed list that day or by closing time at MK the next day. As it turns out, we didnt read the email until after we did ride Space Mtn during out slotted time. It must have been a brief shut down. So they do cover that situation should it come up. And giving you until the next day I thought was fair as well.

I wonder why they give you until the next day. It should only be good for the day of. Also, does this create an issue with FP+ for the next day? Like you said, you were in MK, but if you were scheduled for 3 FP+s the next day at EPCOT, and you have an additional one at MK to use in that instance? This brings up the issues of not being allowed to park hop with the FP+, because obviously, you can.

So, if I'm wording this correctly, this goes back to the person who put up the screen shots of the FP+ that had the idea of adding park hopping. It's obviously doable. If they can extend a "complimentary" pass to you for your ride being down for 48 hours, regardless of where you are headed the next day, then technically you can park hop with the new system (under this one circumstance currently).

 

[Rob562]

I wonder why they give you until the next day. It should only be good for the day of. Also, does this create an issue with FP+ for the next day? Like you said, you were in MK, but if you were scheduled for 3 FP+s the next day at EPCOT, and you have an additional one at MK to use in that instance? This brings up the issues of not being allowed to park hop with the FP+, because obviously, you can.

I believe the "next day" portion is only offered when the ride closure happens within a certain number of hours before park closing time.

When a ride shuts down, management informs the FP+ system. The FP+ reservations for the period of time the attraction in estimated to be closed are then made into "wildcard" FP+'s and notification messages are sent out with a list. These wildcards are good at the original attraction, as well as pretty much all of the other attractions in that park that the guest didn't already have FP+ reservations for. (So you can't use the wildcard to ride Space Mountain a second time if your Peter Pan FP+ was turned into a wildcard)

The email is to try and save you the walk to the attraction only to discover that it's closed. If you don't get the email, the worst-case scenario is that you walk there and find out at the entrance, like you would under paper FP.

-Rob

 

[mousehockey37]

I believe the "next day" portion is only offered when the ride closure happens within a certain number of hours before park closing time.

When a ride shuts down, management informs the FP+ system. The FP+ reservations for the period of time the attraction in estimated to be closed are then made into "wildcard" FP+'s and notification messages are sent out with a list. These wildcards are good at the original attraction, as well as pretty much all of the other attractions in that park that the guest didn't already have FP+ reservations for. (So you can't use the wildcard to ride Space Mountain a second time if your Peter Pan FP+ was turned into a wildcard)

-Rob

Coachwnh would have to tell us that info as to his encounter with the ride being down.

Based on what Coach did say though, the ride went down, but apparently not for too long because they still rode it within their FP+ window, but the "freebie FP" was still there.

I think this may turn into a grey area going forward, unless someone who has an intricate knowledge of the new system can inform us better.

 

[Rob562]

Coachwnh would have to tell us that info as to his encounter with the ride being down.

Based on what Coach did say though, the ride went down, but apparently not for too long because they still rode it within their FP+ window, but the "freebie FP" was still there.

I think this may turn into a grey area going forward, unless someone who has an intricate knowledge of the new system can inform us better.

Technically they used the "freebie/wildcard" when they checked into their original attraction. It's included on the list that is emailed. They weren't given their original FP+ *and* the wildcard.

-Rob

 

[10Magic]

I'm heading in for a quick three-day trip next week, and I'm very disappointed that we won't be able to use the traditional FP's. We'll be park-hopping, and the new setup definitely puts a crimp on what we had been planning. I hope they make some of the adjustments suggested here pretty quickly.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'm heading in for a quick three-day trip next week, and I'm very disappointed that we won't be able to use the traditional FP's. We'll be park-hopping, and the new setup definitely puts a crimp on what we had been planning. I hope they make some of the adjustments suggested here pretty quickly.

Adjustments, if any, will take some time. They'll have to collect the data, the complaints, the compliments, etc and see what if anything should change. With a big system like this, to say that you'd see changes within a year is probably pretty generous.

 

[coachwnh]

I believe the "next day" portion is only offered when the ride closure happens within a certain number of hours before park closing time.

When a ride shuts down, management informs the FP+ system. The FP+ reservations for the period of time the attraction in estimated to be closed are then made into "wildcard" FP+'s and notification messages are sent out with a list. These wildcards are good at the original attraction, as well as pretty much all of the other attractions in that park that the guest didn't already have FP+ reservations for. (So you can't use the wildcard to ride Space Mountain a second time if your Peter Pan FP+ was turned into a wildcard)

The email is to try and save you the walk to the attraction only to discover that it's closed. If you don't get the email, the worst-case scenario is that you walk there and find out at the entrance, like you would under paper FP.

-Rob

Sounds right. Our FP+for space mtn was 8-9 pm

 

[coachwnh]

Coachwnh would have to tell us that info as to his encounter with the ride being down.

Based on what Coach did say though, the ride went down, but apparently not for too long because they still rode it within their FP+ window, but the "freebie FP" was still there.

I think this may turn into a grey area going forward, unless someone who has an intricate knowledge of the new system can inform us better.

Once we rode Space that night, the extra FP+ stated it was no longer valid. Again, it never impacted our time

 

[mousehockey37]

Once we rode Space that night, the extra FP+ stated it was no longer valid. Again, it never impacted our time

Fair enough. We're all still figuring this thing out. I wouldn't be surprised though if there were people that would try to challenge that scenario though.

 

[coachwnh]

Technically they used the "freebie/wildcard" when they checked into their original attraction. It's included on the list that is emailed. They weren't given their original FP+ *and* the wildcard.

-Rob

This is correct. You aren't given a fourth FP+. You get one to replace the ride that's down

 

[jlsHouston]

I totally agree, limiting FP+ to 3 per day, only in one park and some tiered is a sorry system once the paper FP's are eliminated which apparently is happening real soon. Ultimately I feel what control the new system gives to you for planning your park day and activities is very restrictive and limiting. Love FP+ for being able to select in advance but....why can't the system allow you to get another 2 or 3 later in the day or at a different park?

 

[vinnya1726]

I think two main things need to change when the FP+ system is rolled out: allow park hopping and vary the number of FP+ selections based on a guests chosen park(s). In other words, instead of making FP+ a daily restriction, make it a per park restriction.

I've made a little mock-up to illustrate how a park hoping option could be to implemented into the current UI:

or

On a split day like in the first example, the system could allot 3 FP+ reservations per park, which, in my opinion, is an adequate amount when spending a half day at DAK and DHS, or any park really. So the same 3 FP+ per park rule could apply for splitting days at the other parks too.

When choosing to stay in a single park all day, like in the second example, the system could allot one or two more FP+ reservations based on the park. If staying in MK all day, 5 FP+ reservations seems like an adequate amount. Epcot and DHS could be manageable with 4. DAK seems to be okay staying at 3 for now. Maybe a bonus "entertainment" FP+ could also be allotted, allowing guests to choose a parade or nighttime/fireworks experience as well, without detracting from their attraction experiences like it does now.

Other than those two feature requests, I've really enjoyed using the system over the past few months. Hopefully when the system is rolled out resort wide we'll see something like this implemented.

Disney should hire you! Great plan!

 

[vinnya1726]

I think we could argue all day over the merits of FP+, I do not want to place final judgement until Disney has finished it's testing and make the adjustments they say that are coming. I think that over time we will see adjustments made...will we have more than 3 FP+ a day, I think that will depend on where you are staying. Will people be able to get nine FP+, absolutely not. I know that some people may not like that, but I think Disney is trying to get more people on the rides. I think we will see something tiered toward your resort...6 for deluxe/DVC...5 for Moderates...4 for Value and 3 for off site. I also think they will allow you to book FP+ in more than one park, but I think they need to nail down everything else first. Maybe they will not and this will be the total failure that some are saying...let's hope not.

 

[John]

How does *increasing* the number of FP+ every person can make keep the headliners from *not* selling out faster?

-Rob

Honestly, I don't. When I made that statement earlier I really honestly don't remember my line of thinking. I think you are correct, no matter how many FP we get there are only a certain number of headline attractions. The only thing that helps curtail any of this is the tier system but even that will not prevent from the headline FP's going quick. I would delete my statement but I am adult enough to say I made a mistake, not sure what I was thinking at the time I was typing.

 

[mousehockey37]

Honestly, I don't. When I made that statement earlier I really honestly don't remember my line of thinking. I think you are correct, no matter how many FP we get there are only a certain number of headline attractions. The only thing that helps curtail any of this is the tier system but even that will not prevent from the headline FP's going quick. I would delete my statement but I am adult enough to say I made a mistake, not sure what I was thinking at the time I was typing.

The only thing this system is going to do is make the rides like the dining. You're gonna have people sitting up waiting for the 180 day window and instead of booking dining, they'll be booking their rides.

I'm sure there's some mathematical equation on a whiteboard somewhere in an office that says 3 is the number. That or a dartboard.

I could possibly see the top tier rides remaining at 1 a day or whatever it is, but eventually the lower rides opening up. I mean, we would need to know the averages they used. What is the target number of a crowd that these "limits" are based on. In busier times of the year, this may cause chaos (as we started seeing last week), but in slower times of the year, you won't need them cause the rides may be so small of a wait that the use of a FP wouldn't be necessary.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

We just returned from an excellent Christmas stay in WDW and it was our third time using the magic bands, each time without incident. I am concerned, however, that by our summer trip we will be limited to just a total of three FP+ choices in a single park per day as paper FPs are phased out. It is great starting each day knowing you have three FP+ selections in a park, but its also great being able to pick up paper passes as you go. For example, on Christmas Day, we spent our time in MK and although it was crowded, we were able to pick up multiple passes as well as use or FP+ selections to make it an excellent day! The only issue was in AK during testing. I spoke with three CMs about not being able to get paper passes which limited us to the three FP+ we had. While speaking to a supervisor in the park, he understood our frustration as AP holders and offered us two additional passes of that day (which I never asked for). I just wanted to voice my concern. I have since had several conversations both while there and by phone at home, and it seems at though the new policy will limit all guests, both onsite and offsite, to three passes a day in one park. Personally, I can't see how its possible to maximize your time in any Disney park with only three FPs a day. Does anyone else see how this can really reduce what you can do on a trip? Does anyone else agree or disagree? Part of having a relaxing and enjoyable trip as a Disney vet is having a plan and being able to do multiple attractions in a day. This new policy will kill this.

Totally agree with you. I think I could look at 3 fp+/day as a perk if I were still able to use the paper fps through the day but how they're pushing the limit of 3 per day and like during our last visit at epcot for example we could only choose sorin or test track. limits limits limits...not magical at all for me. All I can hope for is that everyone is filling out their post trip survey's and letting disney know we hate it and cross fingers that it may help somehow.