Tier System for FP+

[stevehousse]

Ew I did not know Maelstrom was considered top tier along with test track! Need to rethink my picks for that park for our stay in May I wanted to do spaceship earth, test track and maelstrom...dang it Disney!!!

 

[JerseyDad]

Oh. Hmmm, well that's too bad. It's going to be interesting choosing which Tier 1 to use. I assume that using it for Fantasmic would get you a pretty good seat for the show, but i know that a lot of people will use theirs for the TSMM.

The FP+ for Fantasmic gets you IN ...and THAT'S IT. That's what a whole lot of people have complained about. They assumed that since it's the upper tier ...there are benefits ...when in actuality ...it's a waste.

.....just another case of WDW pulling a fast one so they can spread the crowd around because there aren't enough attractions to justify even going to the park.

 

[LucyK]

Oh. Hmmm, well that's too bad. It's going to be interesting choosing which Tier 1 to use. I assume that using it for Fantasmic would get you a pretty good seat for the show, but i know that a lot of people will use theirs for the TSMM.

FP+ for Fantasmic won't give you a good seat, just a seat. The middle sections are reserved for the Fantasmic Meal Package. IMHO making a FP+ for Fantasmic is a waste of FP+.

Illuminations
Maelstrom
Character Spot
Soarin
Test Track

Darn it, I was wonder the illusion Maelstrom was a tier 2 pick. This completely sucks! My picks were Soarin', Maelstrom and a throwaway pick for SSE. I'll have to rethink my strategy now.

 

[Ember]

.....there's no reason ....at all ....to need a fast pass ...for Illuminations.

There's really no reason to need a fast pass for the majority of the second tier either. I guess they think it may increase the popularity of the rides if they offer them as FP rides. I can't remember the last time I saw a wait for any of those rides except for MS.

Has anyone done a FP for Illuminations? Is the seating really worth getting a FP over Test Track or Soarin'? I don't really see how these are in the same category.

Edit: We go during the off season so that may be why we don't see significant wait times on the second tier, but I have a good feeling that even in season Captain Eo and Figment do not require a FP.

 

[coulty]

Looking at the tiers for Epcot obviously Soaring and Test track are the main rides there so they put them in the list where you can only pick 1 , and I would say the 2nd list only Mission Space is a "big ride" and even that some people dont like ,so all the others in that tier are wasted and shouldnt even be FPs...all they are doing is making tiers so they can split the big rides up. Hope it changes before we get there in August..

 

[Tuvalu]

Has anyone done a FP for Illuminations? Is the seating really worth getting a FP over Test Track or Soarin'? I don't really see how these are in the same category.

To clarify, there is no "seating" for Illuminations, just a preferred viewing area (located at the entrance to World Showcase). We did this last month and it was nice not to have to stake out a spot 30+ minutes in advance. We showed up 10 minutes prior to show start and had a great view (until the ash began to rain down on us since the wind was blowing in our direction).

And of course Illuminations is not in the same category as Soarin' or Test Track. Neither is Maelstrom (seriously!) But Disney needed a system to "balance" guest demand (knowing most would pick both Soarin' and Test Track). Folks need to realize that FP+ is NOT for the benefit of the guest, but for Disney (cost saving as they can eliminate fastpass CMs, the machines, etc.) But Disney is going to "spin" FP+ as a guest benefit even if we feel otherwise.

 

[jlsHouston]

I did FP+ for Fantasmic in November. I thought we had decent seats, we were high up and in the middle. I was glad to be high up when it was time to exit if you know what I mean.
I kind of agree with the other posters that using a FP for Fantasmic is kind of waste these days now that the FP kiosks are removed.

 

[disney4life2008]

I did Fantasmic standby last night. The FP+ line goes the traditional way to the side where the restrooms are at. But the standby line wraps all the way to the outer edge of the theater and is quite a trek to the inside of the theater. I am not sure if that is permanent or if that was just last night.

 

[tink33]

When my husband was on the phone with Disney about our reservation (see my other post), the rep said none of the parks had a tier system for Fast Pass. I'm confused.

 

[Weather_Lady]

When my husband was on the phone with Disney about our reservation (see my other post), the rep said none of the parks had a tier system for Fast Pass. I'm confused.

The rep was just plain wrong, I'm afraid. Both Epcot and HS do.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

.....there's no reason ....at all ....to need a fast pass ...for Illuminations.

I....totally agree....with you.

 

[Bryansworld]

In my opinion Illuminations, Electrical Parade, Wishes, and Fantasmic should not have Fastpass +. The original goal of Fastpass was to get you out of line and onto the midway spending more money or enjoying other attractions. With the outdoor entertainment, all it will do is make for angry guests who are used to getting a good spot by showing up early.

 

[BearsMom2011]

As an AP who has already stayed at a resort, I already have access to FP+, so experimented with FP+ for Epcot. My family really wants to do Soarin' and I think we need to do Illuminations with FP+ because of a 7pm ADR at LeCellier and the fact that my mother will be in a wheelchair. I was bummed that Illuminations, Soarin' and Test Track were all in the same tier. We're doing Epcot over two days. Was hoping to do Soarin' on one day and Test Track the next, but there's Illuminations in the same tier. I already don't like the tier system.

Everything I have read advises people not to use a fastpass on Illuminations. Apparently it's an area only and you still stand. I'm not sure what we will do. I've also read that even fastpass + for fantasmic is no good. We go in a March so I'm keeping my eye on boards to see how it plays out for awhile. Right now I'm planning on rope drop for Test Track, FP+ for Soaring and the second day FP+ for Illuminations, but we'll see

 

[BearsMom2011]

In my opinion Illuminations, Electrical Parade, Wishes, and Fantasmic should not have Fastpass +. The original goal of Fastpass was to get you out of line and onto the midway spending more money or enjoying other attractions. With the outdoor entertainment, all it will do is make for angry guests who are used to getting a good spot by showing up early.

I agree with you. Although Fantasmic might be a bit different as it too requires a long line/wait.

 

[tink33]

The rep was just plain wrong, I'm afraid. Both Epcot and HS do.

So.... My husband called Disney again and pressed the rep for the real answer. They finally admitted that there are tiers at Epcot & Studios. The rep said they aren't really suppose to tell people that there are tiers. But she did say it would probably change soon. When we get to the 60 day window book our fast passes but keep checking back because the tiers would probably go away.
My husband has asked three different times about how the system works for fast passes. He got different answers but each time was told we can pick 3 rides etc. no restrictions. When we had problems with our tickets & reservations he asked if the system was having problems or are we doing something wrong. Disney wouldn't admit to any problems but said we weren't doing anything wrong. It's just a system update that caused all of our tickets and reservations to disappear or be linked to the wrong account. What is going on? Planning a vacation shouldn't have this many problems.

 

[JohnD]

The rep said they aren't really suppose to tell people that there are tiers. But she did say it would probably change soon. When we get to the 60 day window book our fast passes but keep checking back because the tiers would probably go away.

My first reaction is, huh? "Not supposed to tell people"? Why not? As soon as you get to your 60 day window, you'll see that the tiers are there for Epcot and HS. What's the point of withholding information?

As to your second point, that the CM said "the tiers would probably go away," that's definitely news. Would definitely like firm confirmation on that. While they're testing. Fine. I get it. But maybe the've gotten more negative feedback than positive.

 

[tink33]

My first reaction is, huh? "Not supposed to tell people"? Why not? As soon as you get to your 60 day window, you'll see that the tiers are there for Epcot and HS. What's the point of withholding information?

As to your second point, that the CM said "the tiers would probably go away," that's definitely news. Would definitely like firm confirmation on that. While they're testing. Fine. I get it. But maybe the've gotten more negative feedback than positive.

My husband was shocked when the rep said that! It explains why the reps are being really vague when answering my husband's questions. ( if they can't tell certain things or admit the system is having problems) He did ask if the tiers had to with spring break and busier times coming up. The rep hinted it had something to do with spring break and it's still in testing. The rep did say don't worry about the tiers. We shouldn't see them when we go to book at 60 days out. Who knows if that is true or if they were just saying that to get him off the phone!! Guess we will see if a few months.

 

[stevehousse]

Crazy talk! The rep might think they r going away, I mean they didn't always hav the tiers the whole time. MK when FP+ was first utilized at MK had tiers, but it literally went away in about 3 weeks! Epcot and DHS had the tiers starting at the end of November and have continued on still. They could change it back, but who knows??? I'm just glad I was able to go when none of the parks had tiers! I hate that maelstrom is mixed in with the top tiers, it shouldn't be...

 

[JohnD]

My husband was shocked when the rep said that! It explains why the reps are being really vague when answering my husband's questions. ( if they can't tell certain things or admit the system is having problems) He did ask if the tiers had to with spring break and busier times coming up. The rep hinted it had something to do with spring break and it's still in testing. The rep did say don't worry about the tiers. We shouldn't see them when we go to book at 60 days out. Who knows if that is true or if they were just saying that to get him off the phone!! Guess we will see if a few months.

Hmm. Interesting. When does your 60 day window start? Mine starts on February 4. I'll believe there no tiers when I see it for myself.

 

[tink33]

I forgot to say it was a manager at customer service he talked to. My husband asked to speak to a manager when the last rep told him you could book all 3 of your passes for the same ride. They didn't have to be different rides. The manager said to book our passes at 30 days out because the tiers should be gone by then. That would mean mid to end April. I'll believe it when I see it.