Largest test to date of MyMagic+ will use all features including guest use of the MagicBand

[Tim Lohr]

I will have a room reservation within the week, but I can't activate my Annual Pass ticket voucher until I am down there in December. I am hoping the room reservation will be enough.

The FP+ wrist bands are also supposed to be your room key as well as park admission and everything else, so there's a good chance you room reservation will be enough, but when it is finally rolled, if you aren't contacted by Disney about it, just call the DVC guest relations and explain the situation they should be able to help you out

 

[ParentsOf4]

I think there would have to be some kind of limit.

I live in Orlando & have an annual pass. The idea of booking a popular ride the day of, night before, or a few days before is kind of appealing. But I can also see where a local books a ride, and then has something come up & can't make it.

A couple of points to consider for AP holders.

First, FP+ might be subject to the same limitations as ADRs. If you don't book 180 days out, the "good" ADRs tend to be gone. Similarly, it might be that if you don't book your FP+ experiences 60 days out, you could be out-of-luck getting the "good" FP+. Still, we don't know exactly how FP+ will work so this is just speculation.

Second, Disney's Terms & Conditions page indicates it will be possible to change or even cancel FP+ experiences. Depending on how it works, I can imagine AP holders keeping a "rolling" series of FP+ reservations. For example, let's assume an AP holder only visits on weekends, they could, for example, make reservations 60 days out for Saturday & Sunday, hold onto those and, one week later, make reservations for the next Saturday & Sunday, etc., until they use up their allotment. Then, simply cancel upcoming FP+ once they are sure that they won't go on specific dates. The idea is to make sure the entire allotment of FP+ reservations are being "used", and then cancelling these, as needed, the day before for days that won't be used. I know I'm not explaining it well but, in a nutshell, have a running set of FP+ reservations for the days you think you are most likely going to visit WDW.

 

[fillerup]

A couple of points to consider for AP holders.

First, FP+ might be subject to the same limitations as ADRs. If you don't book 180 days out, the "good" ADRs tend to be gone. Similarly, it might be that if you don't book your FP+ experiences 60 days out, you could be out-of-luck getting the "good" FP+. Still, we don't know exactly how FP+ will work so this is just speculation.

Second, Disney's Terms & Conditions page indicates it will be possible to change or even cancel FP+ experiences. Depending on how it works, I can imagine AP holders keeping a "rolling" series of FP+ reservations. For example, let's assume an AP holder only visits on weekends, they could, for example, make reservations 60 days out for Saturday & Sunday, hold onto those and, one week later, make reservations for the next Saturday & Sunday, etc., until they use up their allotment. Then, simply cancel upcoming FP+ once they are sure that they won't go on specific dates. The idea is to make sure the entire allotment of FP+ reservations are being "used", and then cancelling these, as needed, the day before for days that won't be used. I know I'm not explaining it well but, in a nutshell, have a running set of FP+ reservations for the days you think you are most likely going to visit WDW.

Your post makes since, but as a local APer, I simply won't bother, ever. Too much trouble.

And yeah, those of you who wish to, can go ahead and say "Good, more for the rest of us."

 

[mastregracey68]

I stayed at the Contemporary last week and spoke with one of the concierges about the upcoming FP+. She was adamant that all guests would be limited to 3 Fast Passes per day total (whether pre-reserved or obtained the day-of). She said that you would be able to change/modify your fastpass the day-of but you would not be able to obtain a total of more than 3 for use in the same day. Also you would only be able to get one fastpass to the same attraction per day.

Under the current system we sometimes are able to use a lot more than 3 fastpasses per day. I think it would be really ugly if now we were only limited to 3 fastpasses.

In other forums I had read that the 3 pre-reserved fastpasses would be in addition to any day-of fastpasses you were able to get. I other words the current system - albeit with electronic instead of paper passes - would remain with the current rules.

Has anyone heard anything about this? I am really worried that we would be limited to only 3 fastpasses per day (two of which would be CoP and THM - making it one REAL fastpass) and would have to do stand by for ALL other rides.

 

[disney206313]

I stayed at the Contemporary last week and spoke with one of the concierges about the upcoming FP+. She was adamant that all guests would be limited to 3 Fast Passes per day total (whether pre-reserved or obtained the day-of). She said that you would be able to change/modify your fastpass the day-of but you would not be able to obtain a total of more than 3 for use in the same day. Also you would only be able to get one fastpass to the same attraction per day.

Under the current system we sometimes are able to use a lot more than 3 fastpasses per day. I think it would be really ugly if now we were only limited to 3 fastpasses.

In other forums I had read that the 3 pre-reserved fastpasses would be in addition to any day-of fastpasses you were able to get. I other words the current system - albeit with electronic instead of paper passes - would remain with the current rules.

Has anyone heard anything about this? I am really worried that we would be limited to only 3 fastpasses per day (two of which would be CoP and THM - making it one REAL fastpass) and would have to do stand by for ALL other rides.

I will be participating in the testing from the 20th to the 26th as I will be staying at the contemporary. I spoke to disney earlier this week and I believe the MM+ does limit you to three fastpasses per day maximum. This was a little bit of an issue for us because we can burn through much more than 3 a day. However, we will still be taking part in the testing, and will give a full report on what the new system will be like, especially the fastpass situation which is confusing at the moment.

 

[invader]

Fastpass machines aren't set up for fastpasses so I don't see how there could be more than three or whatever a day

 

[mastregracey68]

When we tested it was a limit of three per day. If using a magic brand right now you can't get any regular fastpasses because the machines aren't setup for the magic bands.

How did the 3 per day limit affect you?

 

[asianway]

I stayed at the Contemporary last week and spoke with one of the concierges about the upcoming FP+. She was adamant that all guests would be limited to 3 Fast Passes per day total (whether pre-reserved or obtained the day-of). She said that you would be able to change/modify your fastpass the day-of but you would not be able to obtain a total of more than 3 for use in the same day. Also you would only be able to get one fastpass to the same attraction per day.

Under the current system we sometimes are able to use a lot more than 3 fastpasses per day. I think it would be really ugly if now we were only limited to 3 fastpasses.

In other forums I had read that the 3 pre-reserved fastpasses would be in addition to any day-of fastpasses you were able to get. I other words the current system - albeit with electronic instead of paper passes - would remain with the current rules.

Has anyone heard anything about this? I am really worried that we would be limited to only 3 fastpasses per day (two of which would be CoP and THM - making it one REAL fastpass) and would have to do stand by for ALL other rides.

I thought once you enroll in fp+ you lose the ability to get fp, in the mm+ terms of service, no?

 

[invader]

How did the 3 per day limit affect you?

It was fine, not really a problem because we were able to reserve "major" rides It was extremely convenient but we won't be booking them like we did in the future. We had them all within an hour of each other and it just felt like we couldn't do anything while waiting.

 

[mastregracey68]

I thought once you enroll in fp+ you lose the ability to get fp, in the mm+ terms of service, no?

Well, yes but there must be a way to get FP+ for the same day no? Will that be limited to three? Or the limit will only be for the pre-reserved FPs?

 

[mastregracey68]

It was fine, not really a problem because we were able to reserve "major" rides. We had BTMRR, Space, and Mermaid. It was extremely convenient but we won't be booking them like we did in the future. We had them all within an hour of each other and it just felt like we couldn't do anything while waiting. You can optimize around what time you want but you cat select the exact time.

Thanks for the reply. I can see it not affecting you if you can do major rides, but it looks like when this is up an running it will only be one major ride and then two minor rides (thus my THM and CoP comment) where no FP is really needed.

 

[invader]

Thanks for the reply. I can see it not affecting you if you can do major rides, but it looks like when this is up an running it will only be one major ride and then two minor rides (thus my THM and CoP comment) where no FP is really needed.

The MM+ system does have it's ups and downs, I guess it's just up to the guest. If they'd rather make sure they get the one ride they absolutely want to ride at a certain time it makes sense, but if not I'm not so sure it does. Also, depending on wait times THM could be used as a true fastpass. We waited almost thirty minutes for it last week!

 

[ParentsOf4]

The MM+ system does have it's ups and downs, I guess it's just up to the guest. If they'd rather make sure they get the one ride they absolutely want to ride at a certain time it makes sense, but if not I'm not so sure it does. Also, depending on wait times THM could be used as a true fastpass. We waited almost thirty minutes for it last week!

The biggest problem with FP+ is that it does not increase attraction capacity. Instead, it increases apparent FP capacity by adding FP+ to "experiences" that did not have them in the past. However, capacity problems at popular attractions remain. Consider the following example.

Soarin's theoretical capacity is around 1300 guests per hour (actual capacity is less). This suggests a capacity of about 15,600 guests per typical 12-hour day at Epcot. Assuming about 60% of Soarin's capacity is allocated to FP+, there should be about 9,360 Soarin' FP+ per day. With Epcot's average attendance around 30,000, people have less than a one-in-three chance at a Soarin' FP+, even less during popular periods such as Spring Break, Summer, and holidays. Furthermore, that's throughout the day. If Disney offers a Soarin' FP+, it could end up being for 9:00 AM or 8:30 PM. The chances of guests getting Soarin' FP+ for the times they want are slim indeed.

 

[doctornick]

Well, yes but there must be a way to get FP+ for the same day no? Will that be limited to three? Or the limit will only be for the pre-reserved FPs?

The answer is no one knows. And anyone who pretends to know likely doesn't. I doubt Disney has even made any final decision on this.

Personally, I think people will be able to reserve 3 FP+ ahead of time, but will be able to get additional FP+ the day of, subject to availability. I don't see much reason for Disney to not allow unused/available FP to be acquired. They know it would be a guest satisfier (people like getting FPs and feeling like they are avoiding lines) and they already have the FP totals planned for each attraction so why not use them?

 

[Sue_Vongello]

I think I love you.

Aww ... I think I love you for loving me!

 

[Tim Lohr]

I thought part of the reasoning behind the new FP+ is that it not only limits Fast passes, but also helps manage the Stand-by lines as well... that part of the problem now is that people descend on the FP machines early in the day, which fills the FP queue, which in turn makes the stand by lines crazy long.

Like with Soarin' for example, on a busy day you could get a FP for Soarin' at noon which tells you to come back at 5pm, but when you come back at 5pm the Stand-by line can be a 1 to 2 hour wait. So by booking the FP+ ahead of time, and limiting how many each guest gets, it'd keep both the FP lines and the Stand-by lines at a reasonable length

The thing I really curious about though, is if you pay the extra money for a park-hopper pass, do you get limited to 3 FPs per "day" or 3 FPs pre "park"? Because I think there will be either a lot more people, or a lot less people paying the extra money to park hop depending on how this is end up

 

[TRONorail10]

The thing I really curious about though, is if you pay the extra money for a park-hopper pass, do you get limited to 3 FPs per "day" or 3 FPs pre "park"? Because I think there will be either a lot more people, or a lot less people paying the extra money to park hop depending on how this is end up

I believe right now they are just testing 3 FP for 1 Park only. I have a feeling Disney will try to keep a strict limit of 3 FPs per day to due to the increased number of guests using MM+. One aspect of MM+ is to allow guests an equal opportunity to pre-book FPs. However, FPs will be just like ADRs, so the good attractions like Space Mountain and Splash will go quick, while CoP or SGE might be able to be obtained at the last minute. This way all guests using MM+ will be able to get some sort of FP allotment before their visit. And there will be new kiosks once MM+ is fully rolled to modify FPs based on availability.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I thought part of the reasoning behind the new FP+ is that it not only limits Fast passes, but also helps manage the Stand-by lines as well... that part of the problem now is that people descend on the FP machines early in the day, which fills the FP queue, which in turn makes the stand by lines crazy long.

Like with Soarin' for example, on a busy day you could get a FP for Soarin' at noon which tells you to come back at 5pm, but when you come back at 5pm the Stand-by line can be a 1 to 2 hour wait. So by booking the FP+ ahead of time, and limiting how many each guest gets, it'd keep both the FP lines and the Stand-by lines at a reasonable length

The thing I really curious about though, is if you pay the extra money for a park-hopper pass, do you get limited to 3 FPs per "day" or 3 FPs pre "park"? Because I think there will be either a lot more people, or a lot less people paying the extra money to park hop depending on how this is end up

This was only possible when late FastPasses were honored. FastPass as it is is not unlimited, its a set number for each time frame, the same as it will be for FastPass+. The only difference is there will be some choice of one's Return Time.

 

[TP2000]

I stayed at the Contemporary last week and spoke with one of the concierges about the upcoming FP+. She was adamant that all guests would be limited to 3 Fast Passes per day total (whether pre-reserved or obtained the day-of). She said that you would be able to change/modify your fastpass the day-of but you would not be able to obtain a total of more than 3 for use in the same day. Also you would only be able to get one fastpass to the same attraction per day.

A front-line hourly CM wearing a polyester uniform and staffing the concierge lounge won't have any insider information on MyMagic+.

As I understand it, they are still "testing" the system and haven't told the front-line CM's and park managers much more than they've announced to the media via sites like this one. And the 3 Fastpasses Per Day rule they were so adamant about was likely info gleaned from a fan website like this one, as that is the setup they've got going currently with these latest MyMagic+ tests.

A CM staffing a concierge lounge is there to smile, tell you that the daily three o'clock parade is at three o'clock today, keep the coffee urns full and the daily newspapers folded on the rack, and clean up the mess the kiddies made on the sofa with the potato chips. I wouldn't trust them with any "insider" information beyond that.

 

[alissafalco]

Awful. Biggest and most expensive mistake in WDW history. I hope everyone enjoys wearing a thick plastic band sweating around their wrist in the hot Florida heat.