Disney to increase the number of FastPass+ entitlements per day and include park hopping

[gboiler1]

Very good to hear, that was my only worry about the Magic Bands in October, however, I now wonder if we'll need a Fast Pass to access the Fast Pass kiosks!

 

[DznyGrlSD]

It's getting better (MM+) but I'm still not thrilled that I have to book my fast passes 60 days in advance. Yes, yes, yes I know I can do it day-of but with a party of 4 - who knows what we're going to get.

Rule of thumb now (for me at least) book all my FP in the AM so i can get more in the PM after my 1st 3 are done.

 

[Fishbait]

So is this all active now? We arrive next week and it definitely changes our FP strategy.

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

So is this all active now? We arrive next week and it definitely changes our FP strategy.

Monday

 

[Jakester]

Trust me, Mickey is working very hard testing all these new enhancements we continue to see roll out day by day, you all would never notice it happening in the parks.
He has CMs that travel the resort testing all these aspects way before guests even start using it.

 

[Mad Stitch]

They certainly need to get this functionality built into the app because I for one don't want to stand in line at another park to schedule something to shorten a line somewhere else. I'd rather do it on my phone while I'm traveling there or something

The park kiosk only may be intentional for two reasons. (1) It discourages people from attaining additional fastpasses and (2) if someone reserved fastpasses before arriving at the park and then decided not to go, then their keeping fastpasses from people who could actually use them.

 

[muteki]

While these changes are welcome, I really hope they work it out so I don't need to go to a kiosk, and I also would much rather not have to use all 3 to get a 4th. They probably don't allow it by app yet because they haven't updated the app.

It will be stupid to/be completely worthless to schedule a fastpass for anytime in the late afternoon or evening.

 

[Furiated]

"There is no limit to the number of additional selections that can be made following the use of the original three selections. Once the additional FastPass+ selection has been used, or after the arrival time passes, another FastPass+ selection can be made at an in-park FastPass+ kiosk."

Question on the wording of this, the "or after the arrival time passes" part. Does that mean it would work like the old system where you could get a new FP once you were in the current FP's arrival window before actually using the FP? That would be fantastic if you could do that with the bonus FPs and "layer" them like you could with the old system.

 

[WDWDad13]

The park kiosk only may be intentional for two reasons. (1) It discourages people from attaining additional fastpasses and (2) if someone reserved fastpasses before arriving at the park and then decided not to go, then their keeping fastpasses from people who could actually use them.

That is a very good point

 

[orky8]

The park kiosk only may be intentional for two reasons. (1) It discourages people from attaining additional fastpasses and (2) if someone reserved fastpasses before arriving at the park and then decided not to go, then their keeping fastpasses from people who could actually use them.

I agree with (1), but (2) would be better solved by simply not allowing the booking of the 4th FP until that ticket has been scanned in at the park (they could also use location services on the app, if they wanted). Though, I suspect it will take some time to build this functionality into the app and get the systems talking to each other, which is why we will see kiosks first, then mobile app capability.

 

[LostPrincessKarleigh]

To clarify park hopping, you could get Fastpasses at all 4parks in one day. It is not limited between just 2 theme parks.

I really appreciate all your input on this. Thanks for being such a great and informative Cast Member!

 

[disney4life2008]

I am confused: So when I use my 3 FP+ in the park I can go to the kiosk and get one additional FP+ for any attraction in the park and keep doing that (when I use that FP+) until the park closes? And (for example), I can use my 3 FP+ at MK then hop to HS and use a kiosk for additional FP+ until the park closes?

Am I able to do all 4 parks in one day and use the kiosk?

 

[BostonJP]

With all these changes to fastpass, I have a concern/question (but not significant enough to create an entirely new thread).

I'll be at MK one week from today and HS on Sunday. I do not have tickets linked to my account as I'm picking them up at the gate, so therefore I cannot make my ride reservations online.

Am I completely locked out of fastpass? All these changes make it seem like reservation availability is dwindling. I used the kiosk/ticket system last year and it was fantastic. I only have 2 parks in 2 days and would hate to have to spend the whole day in line.

 

[Rob562]

I am confused: So when I use my 3 FP+ in the park I can go to the kiosk and get one additional FP+ for any attraction in the park and keep doing that (when I use that FP+) until the park closes? And (for example), I can use my 3 FP+ at MK then hop to HS and use a kiosk for additional FP+ until the park closes?

Am I able to do all 4 parks in one day and use the kiosk?

As long as there is availability, yes.

With all these changes to fastpass, I have a concern/question (but not significant enough to create an entirely new thread).

I'll be at MK one week from today and HS on Sunday. I do not have tickets linked to my account as I'm picking them up at the gate, so therefore I cannot make my ride reservations online.

Am I completely locked out of fastpass? All these changes make it seem like reservation availability is dwindling. I used the kiosk/ticket system last year and it was fantastic. I only have 2 parks in 2 days and would hate to have to spend the whole day in line.

Is there a reason you're not purchasing your tickets until you get there? You can purchase your tickets online now, select to pick them up at Will Call, and still link them to MDE and make your FP+ choices in advance.

Also, I wouldn't panic about availability. For the most part there really isn't a shortage. Even on the busy Easter weekend, I could find pretty much any attraction on the MDE site the day before (except the Anna & Elsa M&G and a couple parade times), and even the morning only a couple E-tickets across property were unavailable for same-day selection (which under the old paper system those would be gone quickly after park opening anyway).

-Rob

 

[lebeau]

my guess is those lines back off some in the mid afternoons but this will pick them up again for the most part. They certainly need to get this functionality built into the app because I for one don't want to stand in line at another park to schedule something to shorten a line somewhere else. I'd rather do it on my phone while I'm traveling there or something

Right. If the lines at the kiosks pick up, this could be pointless. Basically, you're waiting in line to avoid waiting in line. It may be worth it if it gets you out of a longer line. But it may not be.

I assume long term, the idea is to get this working via the app. But in the short term, I'm not sure how helpful it will be as long as you have to visit a kiosk.

 

[LucyK]

Everything you need to know about the new FastPass+ enhancements - including park hopping and an increased number of selections

Thank you!

So glad I'll be able to book additional FP+ for later in the day and with no tiers! Disney is listening after all. Now we just need the ability to use the MDE app to book the revolving FP+ instead of wasting time in the kiosks.

 

[flynnibus]

Right. If the lines at the kiosks pick up, this could be pointless. Basically, you're waiting in line to avoid waiting in line. It may be worth it if it gets you out of a longer line. But it may not be.

I assume long term, the idea is to get this working via the app. But in the short term, I'm not sure how helpful it will be as long as you have to visit a kiosk.

The kiosks are in abundance... it's an annoyance you can't do it 'from your pocket' - but isn't a deal breaker IMO. There are 8 different kiosk locations in the MK for instance.. at least one per land and most have 2 locations.

 

[tem325]

Well, this changes everything. Now I think I want to book my priorities for morning park on FP+ and then park hop to go with the flow...good thing I have six months to figure this out.

My strategy will be to grab late morning FP+ and still arrive early to get on rides--For ex, Toy Story at HS, I would FP+ it for 9-10:00 am, but yet get there for rope drop and do it first walking on and then once more to ensure I get to do it twice.

 

[cw1982]

Right. If the lines at the kiosks pick up, this could be pointless. Basically, you're waiting in line to avoid waiting in line. It may be worth it if it gets you out of a longer line. But it may not be.

I assume long term, the idea is to get this working via the app. But in the short term, I'm not sure how helpful it will be as long as you have to visit a kiosk.

From what I remember reading, though, the kiosks were backed up first thing in the morning because people were entering the parks and heading straight to the kiosks. I have a hunch that the lines at the kiosks won't be as bad as they were before, simply because people will have varying times in which they will be eligible to go back for more passes.

I too fully agree that it stinks that we will have to use the kiosks after our first three each day, but I don't know that it's bad enough to make this addition worthless.

 

[BostonJP]

Is there a reason you're not purchasing your tickets until you get there? You can purchase your tickets online now, select to pick them up at Will Call, and still link them to MDE and make your FP+ choices in advance.

Also, I wouldn't panic about availability. For the most part there really isn't a shortage. Even on the busy Easter weekend, I could find pretty much any attraction on the MDE site the day before (except the Anna & Elsa M&G and a couple parade times), and even the morning only a couple E-tickets across property were unavailable for same-day selection (which under the old paper system those would be gone quickly after park opening anyway).

-Rob

Thanks Rob, that's a relief. I am getting in with comp passes which I haven't gotten my hands on yet and can't link to my account until I do. The first week of May isn't projected to be too too busy (MK is a "5" on Touringplans the day we're going) so it sounds like I should not be too concerned. My kids are either too young or afraid of the fast rides, which I imagine are some of the first FP's to sell out.

EDIT: On a side note, I am surprised that Disney is phasing out the less high-tech system as quickly as they are. With the incredibly diverse crowds they attract, I can only imagine that many visitors don't have smartphones or the computer resources to reserve online.