APs getting screwed?

[donsullivan]

I just got off the phone with the folks at 407-560-PASS. I actually got shuffled across 3 different people so not sure where I actually ended up.

I got the same scripted response of "it's still in test' and there is no schedule for Passholders at this time. I have nothing I can communicate to you."

They called me back about an hour later and continued to offer absolutely no information of any kind. Passholders have been pushed to the end of the list to be supported in this program. The individual I spoke with actually used the phrase "After everyone else is done we'll get to the 'regular guests' ". So It confirms that Passholders have been demoted to Regular guests by WDW.

And then for some reason she seemed to think it would appease me to tell me that MK was going FP+ only on 1/14/14.

 

[seafoodbuffet]

Why wouldn't you take MK going FP+ as a good thing? If your goal is to gain access to FP+, you've now just got it (or you will in a matter of days).

If your goal was to extract some sort of added benefit as an AP over and above regular park guests, well, I dunno. You still have access to TiW and Merch discounts. Plus if you go more than two or three times, it's definitely cheaper to get an AP.

As an AP, I don't expect the same benefits as a resort guest if I'm not staying at the resort.

 

[donsullivan]

Why wouldn't you take MK going FP+ as a good thing? If your goal is to gain access to FP+, you've now just got it (or you will in a matter of days).

If your goal was to extract some sort of added benefit as an AP over and above regular park guests, well, I dunno. You still have access to TiW and Merch discounts. Plus if you go more than two or three times, it's definitely cheaper to get an AP.

As an AP, I don't expect the same benefits as a resort guest if I'm not staying at the resort.

The key confusing issue that gets lost in all of this craziness is the difference between Fastpass+ and Fastpass+ Advance Reservation. Passholders who have not had a resort stay are not eligible to use the advance reservation aspect of the program. We are relegated to either FP+ or Legacy FP day-of inventory if anything is left when you get there.

In late October, WDW dramatically reduced the inventory of day-of FP's to adjust for the quantity that had been reserved in advance by resort guests. As a result for example, it's common for all FP for attractions like TSMM to be completely out about 60 minutes after rope-drop.

The issue I've been raising is that despite committing in April, 2013 that Passholders would have this ability 'later this year' they have still not made it available and will not commit to when it will be available. Meanwhile the ability to get a FP (of any kind) in a park for any headliner is becoming nearly impossible on most days in the parks as a result of most inventory being eaten up by FP+ reservations.

 

[CohibaMan]

If you can't make advance Fastpass reservations, then what's the point? I'm not going to arrive at a park at the butt crack of dawn to wait for the rope to drop so that I can make a mad dash to the nearest Fastpass kiosk so that I "might" get a Fastpass for one of the good rides. That is completely insane. If Disney thinks that will be acceptable to APs then they have got another thing coming!

 

[seafoodbuffet]

While my experiences are not necessarily generalizable to everyone, I think you are exaggerating the disadvantage of not having FP+ advanced reservations. We went recently during the busiest season this past Christmas/NY, didn't have access to FP+ advanced reservations and yet we were easily able to get all of the FP+ attractions/times we wanted.

TSMM was nowhere close to gone 60 minutes after rope drop, in fact, you would have been able to get legacy FP for TSMM even by 11am, three hours after rope drop (though by this time, the return time was late evening).

Resort guests are paying way more than AP for a single stay, Disney grants them extra benefits so that they can justify their high prices for their resorts. That seems like a reasonable business decision.

 

[donsullivan]

If you can't make advance Fastpass reservations, then what's the point? I'm not going to arrive at a park at the butt crack of dawn to wait for the rope to drop so that I can make a mad dash to the nearest Fastpass kiosk so that I "might" get a Fastpass for one of the good rides. That is completely insane. If Disney thinks that will be acceptable to APs then they have got another thing coming!

I think the issue here is not enough people are making enough noise directly to Disney so they believe that we are okay with how Passholders are being treated in this. Everyone who has a problem with this should be contacting 407-560-PASS or email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com and express that concern directly. That will be the only thing that gets there attention. Right now they seem to think this is not that big a deal since there is no pressure on them to deal with it.

One of the items I raised in the discussion today is that the problem is being made even more frustrating by the fact that they are refusing to communicate what's going on. The website still shows the same information they posted in April, 2013. At this point I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that they communicate what's going on and when it will be available.

 

[aladdin2007]

I think the issue here is not enough people are making enough noise directly to Disney so they believe that we are okay with how Passholders are being treated in this. Everyone who has a problem with this should be contacting 407-560-PASS or email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com and express that concern directly. That will be the only thing that gets there attention. Right now they seem to think this is not that big a deal since there is no pressure on them to deal with it.

One of the items I raised in the discussion today is that the problem is being made even more frustrating by the fact that they are refusing to communicate what's going on. The website still shows the same information they posted in April, 2013. At this point I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that they communicate what's going on and when it will be available.

I dont think they know themselves, its all such a boggled mess they either dont care, have given up or simply havent figured it out. way to go Disney.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The key confusing issue that gets lost in all of this craziness is the difference between Fastpass+ and Fastpass+ Advance Reservation. Passholders who have not had a resort stay are not eligible to use the advance reservation aspect of the program. We are relegated to either FP+ or Legacy FP day-of inventory if anything is left when you get there.

I believe this also means that Annual Passholders who have yet to stay at a resort are also unable to utilize the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website to obtain FastPass+ selections while in the park.

 

[donsullivan]

I believe this also means that Annual Passholders who have yet to stay at a resort are also unable to utilize the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website to obtain FastPass+ selections while in the park.

That was my experience. I used day-of FP+ for the first time this past Sunday at Animal Kingdom. I had to get in line to actually select and reserve the FP+ reservations I wanted. Once they were made I could see them on the My Disney Experience app on my iPhone. However, I couldn't do anything with those FP+ reservations on the phone. To make any changes I had to go back to one of the kiosks or CM's with the handheld and make the changes and then they would be reflected in the app on my phone.

 

[luv]

While my experiences are not necessarily generalizable to everyone, I think you are exaggerating the disadvantage of not having FP+ advanced reservations. We went recently during the busiest season this past Christmas/NY, didn't have access to FP+ advanced reservations and yet we were easily able to get all of the FP+ attractions/times we wanted.

TSMM was nowhere close to gone 60 minutes after rope drop, in fact, you would have been able to get legacy FP for TSMM even by 11am, three hours after rope drop (though by this time, the return time was late evening).

Resort guests are paying way more than AP for a single stay, Disney grants them extra benefits so that they can justify their high prices for their resorts. That seems like a reasonable business decision.

It does.

If that is what Disney had said, there might be less of a problem.

Disney, without being asked, volunteered the info that AP people would get wristbands and be able to schedule these ride appointments.

I personally don't want the wristbands or the appointments, but some do...especially AP holders who live out of state and like to plan their little hearts out.

Disney lied. Since they lied, they should offer refunds. IMO.

 

[alissafalco]

If you are staying in a Disney resort you should have no issues at all. This is only an issue for Passholders who have not had a resort stay since the program began.

Well I am not staying at a Disney resort. I'm not paying $150 a night for any of the value accommodations. Which is the cheapest of any Disney resort I found. The values are not worth more than 75$ a night, sorry Disney. I am staying off property at 65$ a night.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Now that mymagic is expanding to all WDW resorts, all of those guests will be allowed to go online and make Fastpass choices while APs are left to use paper old school Fastpass or visit a kiosk the day of! Am I missing something here? Way to take care of your most loyal customers Disney.

No.... attach your AP to your My Disney Experience account and it should work.

You just use your AP Card instead of a magic band. Has worked for me for awhile.

 

[alissafalco]

No.... attach your AP to your My Disney Experience account and it should work.

You just use your AP Card instead of a magic band. Has worked for me for awhile.

I have my AP linked to MDE and this is what I get when I try to schedule FP+. I have not had a resort stay.

 

[seafoodbuffet]

I have my AP linked to MDE and this is what I get when I try to schedule FP+. I have not had a resort stay.
View attachment 42664

This is what you'll see as an AP until you have a resort stay or they change the way it works regarding APs. I don't think anyone knows for sure exactly what/when changes will happen which I'm sure is frustrating. However, it doesn't seem like TDO is providing any more details yet.

As someone else pointed out, if this is a serious point of contention for enough APs and they make themselves heard (or vote with their wallets), perhaps the policy will change. It's also possible TDO will offer all APs access to MDE and advanced FP+ reservations sometime in the future (or perhaps they'll never offer that, who knows?).

 

[alissafalco]

I just got off the phone with Disney and i said how we're getting the short end of the stick and the CM said that AP holders will be able to make FP+ selections before hand, that they just havent had time to get to AP holders yet. They can only do one thing at a time. Right now its only for on site guests.
LOL you cant make this stuff up!

 

[armyfamilyof5]

If everything at WDW wasn't so overpriced maybe AP holders would be more willing to go ahead and eat in the parks, but given the pricing structure it doesn't make sense to eat in the parks if you are going to pass 1000 better and cheaper restaurants on their way home.

We eat at the parks, at least one meal, each day trip we make and we always snack so we spend a great deal more than $1000K a year without counting the price of the AP.

 

[Potter]

Disney has a history of not appreciating repeat business.

Especially the local AP holder who doesn't open their wallet, was the #1 abuser of the GAC and has made F&W into a drunkfest.

 

[alissafalco]

Especially the local AP holder who doesn't open their wallet, was the #1 abuser of the GAC and has made F&W into a drunkfest.

Oh please...

 

[mergatroid]

Especially the local AP holder who doesn't open their wallet, was the #1 abuser of the GAC and has made F&W into a drunkfest.

I'm sure you'll be happy to provide evidence of this to prove you're not just trying to annoy everybody with your comments?

 

[Potter]

I'm sure you'll be happy to provide evidence of this to prove you're not just trying to annoy everybody with your comments?

From micechat.com (http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al091812a.htm):

Some quick studies were commissioned by the Guest Relations team this summer, and it was determined that upwards of 5,000 people per day, almost all of whom were tracked as Annual Passholders, were going through the Fastpass line at Radiator Springs Racers with a GAC.

Granted, this study was for Disneyland but "what's good for the goose is good for the gander". As for F&W, any one with half a brain knows that it is the locals who swell the ranks during the weekends and make it a drunkfest.