Rose&Crowner
Well-Known Member
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FP+ meltdown part x
- Thread starter marni1971
- Start date
As if. That's how it sold. Reality is very different.
I had to book our whole parties tickets. Two members didn't have a clue and two members couldn't be bothered with the hassle as opposed to the legacy system, which they both prefer.
And that was without reservations disappearing and the system crashing on more than one occasion.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I'll bet your friend has had the premier pass for a while, I think that Premier Passes which predate FP seem to have 'issues' with FP and from an IT CM i've learned that they are on a completely separate computer system which manages this ticket media.
DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
Actually I wasn't pointing out that the knowledgeable guests were the solution, but I guess it works too for those who manage to work the system. Technology, in my opinion, would've been wonderful had it been implemented on stuff people actually wanted to see (rides, shows, nighttime performances). What we got, however, were a bunch of half-a$sed managers trying to make technology create bigger profits without realizing that the entire investment is of no substance, regardless of how advanced and complex the new system is.
Prince-1
Well-Known Member
I will never wait 2 days for any ride!! NEVER!!!!
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
Not reading and doing some research and some advanced preparation before going to a new place, whether its a theme park, a cruise or overseas is just asking for a bad vacation with lots of headaches, stress or worse. In some places, not knowing where to go can get you killed.
Case in point, we took a family trip to Washington D.C. several years back, with minimal planning and research. Bad idea! Almost all of the tours were booked and had been for weeks and getting around was a nightmare until we asked around. We wound up eating takeout food in our room on two nights because all the good restaurants in the area we were in closed early.
So, Disney really isn't any different than going anywhere else. Sure, it might require some advance planning, but once it's done, you can then go and have a magical time without much to worry about.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
At the same time, maximizing efficiency on the system requires a greater understanding of all of its components. Don't get me wrong, I asked for the ability to book Fastpass+ reservations for specific attractions at every kiosk. I also asked for the ability to select a time if they're enforcing return times. The kiosks themselves aren't particularly difficult once you have the initial setup/grouping complete. However, for most that initial grouping is a very significant hurdle. It's also a reason why lines at the kiosks are long and why each kiosk has a corresponding cast member.
If you aren't set up with a MDE account, the kiosks are still a major pain. Contributing to that is that those of us that know how to use them, still have to use them after the first 3 FP+ reservations are redeemed and the lines are getting longer. The interface needs to be on phones sooner rather than later. Add in the other needs and this project is still a ways away from being "convenient". Here's my checklist of enhancements still needed:
- MDE app to have full functionality of kiosks with regards to 4th, 5th, etc Fastpass+ reservation
- Integration of the DAS card into the MDE app to get a spot on the attraction
- EZ-Pass / SunPass type readers for Annual Passholders, DVC and Resort guests at parking gates, linked to Magic Band
- Ability for shops and Parking Gate attendants to read Magic Bands for discounts and free parking instead of having the extra piece of plastic. Would likely require a photo to be added to the pass for verification.
- Ability for Magic Bands linked with a state or federal ID (required for Annual Pass purchase) to have your birthdate verified for the purposes of buying alcohol
- Ability to link Tables in Wonderland to the pass.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
pax_65
Well-Known Member
Sigh. Where to begin. I just returned from my least enjoyable Disney trip of all time. And that includes the time I was in Disney World with swine flu.
FP+ has sucked all the spontaneity (and most of the fun) out of my Disney vacation. I don't want to plan every detail of my vacation 60 days in advance (this goes for attractions and dining). The parks do not handle the crowds as well with FP+ in place. Lines were crazy long, even for attractions that don't usually have long lines. More headliner attractions are desperately needed to ease the crowds, more than at any time I can remember.
I've been to WDW every year since 1993 but I've decided: I am not renewing my annual pass and am not going in 2015.
FP+ has sucked all the spontaneity (and most of the fun) out of my Disney vacation. I don't want to plan every detail of my vacation 60 days in advance (this goes for attractions and dining). The parks do not handle the crowds as well with FP+ in place. Lines were crazy long, even for attractions that don't usually have long lines. More headliner attractions are desperately needed to ease the crowds, more than at any time I can remember.
I've been to WDW every year since 1993 but I've decided: I am not renewing my annual pass and am not going in 2015.
Bolt
Well-Known Member
Yay shorter lines!
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
I took advantage of this bug. And then.....
For those saying fp+ is simple. I gotta take issue. The idea of FP+ is simple, the reality is anything but.
I am traveling with a large group. We are all linked in the system. The lead planner made FP+ for the whole group. I tried to change a couple for just my wife and I. Total chaos reigned. FP disappearing and reappearing for random party members. Try and change one, but the ride I wanted wasn't available in that window, but you can't cancel just one, you need to cancel all. Can't do that, bc we want to join the group for some experiences. It's just a huge headache that I don't need a month before my trip.
Also, I have no FP for the Mine Train. So a month out, I already know I won't get on it. It's patently ridiculous.
For those saying fp+ is simple. I gotta take issue. The idea of FP+ is simple, the reality is anything but.
I am traveling with a large group. We are all linked in the system. The lead planner made FP+ for the whole group. I tried to change a couple for just my wife and I. Total chaos reigned. FP disappearing and reappearing for random party members. Try and change one, but the ride I wanted wasn't available in that window, but you can't cancel just one, you need to cancel all. Can't do that, bc we want to join the group for some experiences. It's just a huge headache that I don't need a month before my trip.
Also, I have no FP for the Mine Train. So a month out, I already know I won't get on it. It's patently ridiculous.
Why do people who have a "flawless" experience with FP+ always seem to accuse those who had a bad experience with it of not being knowledgeable enough or that it was somehow their fault? If FP+ erases your FP selections, how on earth do you have control over that? Our MB's wouldnt open the room door on our first day, is that my fault? FP+ is a computer system, and computers make errors. If you had zero problems with it, great! But that does not mean when someone else has an issue or the system crashes, that it was preventable in any way. Sometimes Netflix tells me that it "cant play this selection, please try again later", Im sure you would tell me I must be pushing the button the wrong way.
MickeyMomV
Well-Known Member
I rememeber in going 2011 and have 2 hour waits for Soar'in, RnR, TSMM. 90 minute plus waits on TofT, EX Everest, and others. Long wait times are a fact of life at disney. I'm sorry but if you are going to drop $5k on a Disney vacation and not do any research on it than that is your own fault if you have to deal with wait times for everything you want to do. Disney sends out all kinds of email, snail mail, and MDE reminders letting you know you need to make all of your reservations. If you still don't do it, don't complain when your in line for an hour at TSMM and you still have an hour to go. We have been to Disney twice (15 days total) since FP+ and have never had one issue. One of those trip was a group of 10 and nobody had an issue. 125 days till the next trip, bring on the FP+ selections!!
rioriz
Well-Known Member
Hmm didn't know this was what constituted as a meltdown. In Sept I held FP for TT and Soarin at the same times and also Rock n Roller and TSMM
FP+ has its issues but ease of using (especially the kiosk) is not one of them. Let's not confuse ease of use with "Im upset I cannot get the time I want so therefore this system is convoluted and a waste of time". Two different things.
FP+ has its issues but ease of using (especially the kiosk) is not one of them. Let's not confuse ease of use with "Im upset I cannot get the time I want so therefore this system is convoluted and a waste of time". Two different things.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
So you're unwilling to wait in line for it?
We're heading down in two weeks for our first trip with FP+. So far the only snafu is that one member of our group dragged his feet despite my urging and didn't buy his park ticket until well inside the 30-day window. I was able to copy all FP+ except Seven Dwarfs. I'll keep trying, but we're aware that either he won't ride with us using FP+, or we'll all have to wait in the Standby line. We're not too worked up about it.
-Rob
pax_65
Well-Known Member
pax_65
Well-Known Member
Last week I saw a 130-minute wait for Kali River Rapids. Granted it was a warm day. I couldn't believe my eyes. I have NEVER seen a line like that for Kali during the times we go (April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec). Who in their right mind would wait 130-minutes for Kali? I can't even imagine.
I think the system works as Disney planned, in that people are spending more time in the parks. They get a FP+ and they want to use it. There aren't a lot of attractions in AK (hopefully Avatar will help) so Kali is a pretty good option. I didn't get a FP+ for it because I didn't expect the line to be unmanageable (never has been before, maybe 30-minutes) and opted instead for Everest, Safari and the Lion King show.
I think the system works as Disney planned, in that people are spending more time in the parks. They get a FP+ and they want to use it. There aren't a lot of attractions in AK (hopefully Avatar will help) so Kali is a pretty good option. I didn't get a FP+ for it because I didn't expect the line to be unmanageable (never has been before, maybe 30-minutes) and opted instead for Everest, Safari and the Lion King show.
pax_65
Well-Known Member
The Mine Train is a nice ride. I'm actually a fan. I think it fits nicely into Fantasyland as a family-friendly little coaster. The inside scene is beautiful and cute.
But I wouldn't wait more than 30 minutes for it. Last week I didn't see the standby line under an hour, even early in the morning.
kels650
Member
I could not get FP for Mine train either, and I thought the same thing and was able to ride 4 times during my 5 day stay. One morning, without realizing, we ended up going to MK during morning EMH, which usually for me is a big no-no. The benefit was that we got on mine train. We went straight to the mine train and the line was moving very quickly, 20min wait tops. There were no FP for the day yet so the line just kept moving. If your plans allow maybe that might be an option to try to get on? We also went on at the end of the MNSSHP and that wait was about 30 min but again, no FP being fed into the line.