FP+ installed at HM and PP

[RSoxNo1]

What I found most intriguing in jsf2011's post was the implication that FP+ creates artificial demand for attractions that don't need them. Just imagine having a FP+ for TTA. People who are not familiar with WDW (probably most guests) might think of this as a wonderful benefit ("Look, Disney gave me a free ticket for this PeopleMover thing.") while at the same time pulling people away from the more crowded attractions.

Part of the advantage of having a wait time is that people think it must be worth waiting for. "Look, there's a 90 minute wait for TSM. It must be good. What, no wait for One Man's Dream, it must stink." I really can't imagine too much of a downside if, for example, the wait time for Nemo increases from 0 to a still short 15 minutes. This might even be beneficial.

I think Disney hopes that something like that happens, but that math doesn't add up. They want Nemo at 15 minutes, and they want that time to drop the wait at Test Track and Soarin'. They're not realizing that the best way to decrease demand at top attractions is to add new "top" attractions.

 

[RSoxNo1]

FP+ can work as an in park perk for any guest the enters the park. Where it will create false value is if they allow guests to reserve spots ahead of time.

 

[jsf2011]

There are several ways to reduce wait times. Adding E-ticket attractions is one possible way to accomplish this; they increase overall park ride capacity, appeal to both new and repeat customers, and are excellent advertising tools. (Just look at Uni and how long they've been running the same basic WWOHP commercial.) Adding E-ticket attractions is also the one of the most expensive ways to reduce total wait time since, by their very nature, successful E-ticket attractions draw in more people, canceling much of the benefits of their increased capacity. (Again, look at what's happened to wait times for all attractions at Uni, a problem they are happy to have.)

It appears TWDC is trying to use FP+ as an alterative means to increase customer satisfaction by allowing people to schedule their trip in advance (reducing the worry associated with getting a "good FP") and by increasing overall ride usage by drawing people towards attractions with excess capacity. FP+ can be applied to all parks and attractions for less then it might take TWDC to build several E-ticket attractions (e.g. one at each theme park).

 

[dmleblanc1971]

so with this stupid fp+ crap is there no more paper fastpasses? do you HAVE to use the new fp+ feature?

 

[Weather_Lady]

so with this stupid fp+ crap is there no more paper fastpasses? do you HAVE to use the new fp+ feature?

Once it's fully rolled out, yes. Hence all of the complaining by myself and others on this board. It's limiting our Fastpass use while simultaneously increasing standby wait times at all of the attractions to which Fastpass has now been newly (and unnecessarily) added.

 

[Master Yoda]

so with this stupid fp+ crap is there no more paper fastpasses? do you HAVE to use the new fp+ feature?

They are currently using both while in testing.

 

[Weather_Lady]

They are currently using both while in testing.

Is it true what I read on another board -- that Disney has just begun issuing KTTW cards to Fastpass+ users that do NOT work in the legacy Fastpass machines, effectively preventing them from double-dipping?

 

[Master Yoda]

Is it true what I read on another board -- that Disney has just begun issuing KTTW cards to Fastpass+ users that do NOT work in the legacy Fastpass machines, effectively preventing them from double-dipping?

I have not heard that yet, but it would not surprise me.

 

[wdwmagic]

Is it true what I read on another board -- that Disney has just begun issuing KTTW cards to Fastpass+ users that do NOT work in the legacy Fastpass machines, effectively preventing them from double-dipping?

Interesting.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'd be shocked if they ran Fastpass + at all during December(Well, maybe first two weeks). My guess is February/March time frame without knowing how well the test went operationally. January at the earliest.

You forget TDO rolled out LILO the week before Christmas, Lost 6 days of a 10 day vacation because of it thank Finagle we flew Southwest so at least we did not have to pay for going home early because system decided that we were only there for 4 days, yet charged for all 10.

And Disney's response was 'Tough Noogies' sorry you lost most of your vacation and we can't accomodate you anywhere else cause you are DVC, Have a Magical Day.... Did not even OFFER to refund the points had to raise h--- with my guide to get the points back for the 6 days system gave to someone else.

And people wonder why I think the worst of disney at all times.

 

[Bolt]

You forget TDO rolled out LILO the week before Christmas, Lost 6 days of a 10 day vacation because of it thank Finagle we flew Southwest so at least we did not have to pay for going home early because system decided that we were only there for 4 days, yet charged for all 10.

And Disney's response was 'Tough Noogies' sorry you lost most of your vacation and we can't accomodate you anywhere else cause you are DVC, Have a Magical Day.... Did not even OFFER to refund the points had to raise h--- with my guide to get the points back for the 6 days system gave to someone else.

And people wonder why I think the worst of disney at all times.

You do realize you're responding to a comment from OVER a year ago, right?

 

[ddrongowski]

Is it true what I read on another board -- that Disney has just begun issuing KTTW cards to Fastpass+ users that do NOT work in the legacy Fastpass machines, effectively preventing them from double-dipping?

We just got back Sunday and all last week you could double dip. The KTTW card is the NEW RFID KTTW card. You could use it instead of the band and still get paper FP's with it, along with your FP+ ones.

 

[ddrongowski]

You do realize you're responding to a comment from OVER a year ago, right?

Well it is interesting to see how some of what was posted was not what has become actuality.

 

[ford91exploder]

You do realize you're responding to a comment from OVER a year ago, right?

Yes, But it's still applicable as it appears FP+ will be in full production just in time for the holiday rush, Cant wait for the chaos it will bring to WDW, Trouble is we are planning to be there but not planning on doing anything other than seeing the Osborne lights as Premier Passes still not linkable.

For those not going i recommend a large bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show!

 

[Bolt]

Yes, But it's still applicable as it appears FP+ will be in full production just in time for the holiday rush, Cant wait for the chaos it will bring to WDW, Trouble is we are planning to be there but not planning on doing anything other than seeing the Osborne lights as Premier Passes still not linkable.

For those not going i recommend a large bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show!

Learn to handle change.

 

[wendysue]

Is it Just me,but Disney is making this more like a job (which we all go to Disney to get away from ). Who wants to sit around and plan ahead. I mean HM hardly has a wait time when we go, but with the FPplus there is a longer wait then what has to be. It's just crazy. I mean I will wait and see like everyone else, but as of now I don't like it. I really hate to say it, but if it becomes to much of a hassle and stress we will bypass Disney and spend our family vacation else where. I know they wont miss my money with the money they are bringing in, but I'm not putting out all this money to be miserable. . I can go to Universal and have just as much fun.

Precisely....this is a growing sentiment. We are friends with some first-timers who recently returned. They said they get all the structure and scheduling they need from work and school, and didn't realize the planning that now goes into going to WDW. Silly them, for thinking they could just go and be spontaneous....

 

[backinaction]

does anyone no when the FP+ will be fully operational? I have annual passes and we are going to down oct 31-nov.8. will we have access to fastpass plus? we are not staying on property

 

[Master Yoda]

does anyone no when the FP+ will be fully operational? I have annual passes and we are going to down oct 31-nov.8. will we have access to fastpass plus? we are not staying on property

No firm date yet, but the beginning of 2014 has been batted around a lot.

 

[wdisney9000]

Learn to handle change.

Many can handle change but Disney sold the whole MM+ as a HUGE guest benefit. You can book a FP+ 60 days out and be assured that you can ride your favorite attraction. Only now you have to wait longer in other attractions due to FP being installed on everything. IMO, that kinda cancels out the benefit. I have never visited WDW and NOT been able to ride what I wanted to, aside from an attraction being closed for refurb. Yes, long wait times have always been an issue but the new system has NOT fixed that at all. Its only added longer wait times for every attraction now.

Call it crowd control or whatever you want, but like @ParentsOf4 and others have mentioned, building more attractions would increase guest experience and disperse crowds at the same time while ACTUALLY enhancing guest experience. The bands are a cool idea but would you rather have magic bands and the ability to book FP 60 days out or 3 new E tickets and a new parade/show? I really appreciate Disney's efforts to stay at the forefront of technology but Disney execs have even admitted that this is about getting guests to spend more time and money on property. They simply throw in words like "enhancement" to make it seem less greedy of them.

In the end, you are right, Bolt. We WILL have to learn to handle the change, it just sucks knowing it.