My magic+ testing report

[t3techcom18]

Yes, in the future, I suspect this will become the strategy for park hopping with FP+.

Nope. Not. At. All.

I've been getting words from resort CM's who are getting trained on the system. Conveniently, because of how the system is, they actually give out manuals detailing what to do in the NextGen related programs and the new procedures being put in place. Needless to say, I read them both.

As for FP+....even in terms of explanations, the facilitators acknowledged that it's the most vague and complicated of the explanations in relation to NextGen.

The ground rules are these:

3 FP's per PARK, per DAY.

In other words...if you're park hopping...good luck. I asked someone involved on the rollout team what their plan is when it comes to park hoppers.

Their response?: "There's plenty of Standby lines to choose from!"

So yes...only 3 FP per PARK, per DAY.

Keep in mind...paper FP's are going extinct once FP+ completely takes over. FP+ will be the absolute ONLY way to get FP's.

I just wanted to clear that up honestly. People deserve to get the full truth about all this when they've been so secretive about it...

When people see more of the functions that is part of NextGen, there's a particular part where Cast who deal with reservations will be going headfirst into that I wonder how it ever got past Legal...

 

[t3techcom18]

You don't have to parkhop. The same principle applies, though. You show up early, as usual, to get a bunch of rides in and schedule your fastpasses for the best rides during the busy time of the day.

As for this...there's another part to do this that many of you when learn won't be the best solution.

In fact, if everything goes as is, there WON'T be a particular solution. All the rules we've known will be thrown out the window.

I'll end with this: When it comes to FP+ and NextGen in general, there are a few features that are nice but the rest will become a nightmare.

IMHO: NextGen will help and ultimately succeed with those who are first timers to WDW but immensely hurt those who know their way around the park/those who are spontaneous.

 

[muteki]

During the test those involved could get 3 FP+ in addition to as many regular paper FP as possible.

I can't help but think this is going to skew the results of what people will think of the system. If they were at all interested in finding out what people thought of the system (which I don't think they do) then for a realistic test they shouldn't allow paper FP's either.

 

[ParentsOf4]

The ground rules are these:

3 FP's per PARK, per DAY.

In other words...if you're park hopping...good luck. I asked someone involved on the rollout team what their plan is when it comes to park hoppers.

Their response?: "There's plenty of Standby lines to choose from!"

So yes...only 3 FP per PARK, per DAY.

Sorry if my post was unclear. I'll explain it more fully.

The park hopping strategy with the FP+ system would be to tour the first park immediately after opening before the lines get too long using the Standby lines. Lines typically are shortest for the first hour or two after opening. Then, hop over to the second park in the afternoon, if you have later FP+ selections for that park.

For example, be at DHS for rope drop, use the Standby lines for TSM, RnRC, TOT, and STII. Depending on your pace, you could be done with these by 11 AM. (I've done them even faster.) If you want, then watch one of the DHS shows (which handle lots of people), perhaps have lunch, and then hop over to Epcot where, hopefully, you have afternoon or early evening FP+ selections for either TT or Soarin'.

The key is to be able to get "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions. However, attraction capacity suggests getting "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions might be difficult.

Note that I use "good" in quotes because different people will have different definitions of what constitutes "good" FP+ experience return windows. Like FP, it appears FP+ will provide guests with a return window of about 1 hour.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Nope. Not. At. All.

I've been getting words from resort CM's who are getting trained on the system. Conveniently, because of how the system is, they actually give out manuals detailing what to do in the NextGen related programs and the new procedures being put in place. Needless to say, I read them both.

As for FP+....even in terms of explanations, the facilitators acknowledged that it's the most vague and complicated of the explanations in relation to NextGen.

The ground rules are these:

3 FP's per PARK, per DAY.

If this is true then it is better then what the OP tested. They only got 3 FP+ at One park for each day. 3 FP+ PER Park per Day. Is a better deal.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I can't help but think this is going to skew the results of what people will think of the system. If they were at all interested in finding out what people thought of the system (which I don't think they do) then for a realistic test they shouldn't allow paper FP's either.

The current test is only allowing the 3 FP+ per day.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I still want 1 fast pass in advance and then "unlimited" day of. The alternative would be 3 in advance for deluxe, 2 for moderate, 1 for value

 

[PUSH]

The key is to be able to get "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions. However, attraction capacity suggests getting "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions might be difficult.

Note that I use "good" in quotes because different people will have different definitions of what constitutes "good" FP+ experience return windows. Like FP, it appears FP+ will provide guests with a return window of about 1 hour.

I just hope it's not like ADRs where you have to get up at the crack of dawn 60 days prior to schedule your FP+s for popular attractions with "good" times. Say I don't schedule them until a week before the trip (and even then I don't tend to know exactly what we're doing), will I have to be stuck with a 10PM time for TT and a 9AM time for Soarin'?

 

[t3techcom18]

Sorry if my post was unclear. I'll explain it more fully.

The park hopping strategy with the FP+ system would be to tour the first park immediately after opening before the lines get too long using the Standby lines. Lines typically are shortest for the first hour or two after opening. Then, hop over to the second park in the afternoon, if you have later FP+ selections for that park.

For example, be at DHS for rope drop, use the Standby lines for TSM, RnRC, TOT, and STII. Depending on your pace, you could be done with these by 11 AM. (I've done them even faster.) If you want, then watch one of the DHS shows (which handle lots of people), perhaps have lunch, and then hop over to Epcot where, hopefully, you have afternoon or early evening FP+ selections for either TT or Soarin'.

The key is to be able to get "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions. However, attraction capacity suggests getting "good" FP+ return times for popular attractions might be difficult.

Note that I use "good" in quotes because different people will have different definitions of what constitutes "good" FP+ experience return windows. Like FP, it appears FP+ will provide guests with a return window of about 1 hour.

No worries.

The plan sounds good BUT, as you said, the key to getting good FP return times is skewed. The system will give you what's available at random. You won't have any specific choosing whatsoever and from what I understand, if you're, say, a local, come in and do it through the app, you'll be getting the table scraps in either terms of timing or attractions to use it.

Also, something else confirmed by the person in the NextGen rollout team: Yes, this WILL increase Standby wait times at all attractions that have FP to them. Given that the current FP ratio is 80/20 and is always under intense scrutiny by guests...you can see how that can become ugly.

 

[t3techcom18]

If this is true then it is better then what the OP tested. They only got 3 FP+ at One park for each day. 3 FP+ PER Park per Day. Is a better deal.

Nope. I just said it in the way that it's literally written in the manual. What the OP said is indeed true and is the said plan for everything concerning FP+. (Yay confusing/vague legal speak!)

 

[RandomPrincess]

Nope. I just said it in the way that it's literally written in the manual. What the OP said is indeed true and is the said plan for everything concerning FP+. (Yay confusing/vague legal speak!)

They need to rewrite that manual then.

 

[ParentsOf4]

I just hope it's not like ADRs where you have to get up at the crack of dawn 60 days prior to schedule your FP+s for popular attractions with "good" times. Say I don't schedule them until a week before the trip (and even then I don't tend to know exactly what we're doing), will I have to be stuck with a 10PM time for TT and a 9AM time for Soarin'?

I hope it's not like ADRs but am fearful it's going to become exactly that.

One of the reasons I almost never book ADRs is because I don't feel strongly about WDW's food and like being able to wake up and say to my kids "Where do you want to go today"?

However, I am worried FP+ will damage that spontaneity.

I am convinced Disney wants to squash that spontaneity. After all, it's that kind of spontaneity that results in some children answering "Let's go to Universal!"

 

[PUSH]

I hope it's not like ADRs but am fearful it's going to become exactly that.

One of the reasons I almost never book ADRs is because I don't feel strongly about WDW's food and like being able to wake up and say to my kids "Where do you want to go today"?

However, I am worried FP+ will damage that spontaneity.

I am convinced Disney wants to squash that spontaneity. After all, it's that kind of spontaneity that results in some children answering "Let's go to Universal!"

I'm the same way with ADRs. I like the freedom of saying "Let's do this park today!" And I like not having to be under a schedule, it just feels like I have something weighing me down.

On my last trip a couple weeks ago, we made up a day by day schedule months prior to the trip. It was fun, but it wasn't one of my more enjoyable trips. We also didn't do everything we wanted to. From my experience, wandering the parks without a worry is the best way to go.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I hope it's not like ADRs but am fearful it's going to become exactly that.

One of the reasons I almost never book ADRs is because I don't feel strongly about WDW's food and like being able to wake up and say to my kids "Where do you want to go today"?

However, I am worried FP+ will damage that spontaneity.

I am convinced Disney wants to squash that spontaneity. After all, it's that kind of spontaneity that results in some children answering "Let's go to Universal!"

Even if its not at first, there is a huge temptation to push for more scheduling. If you know exactly how many people will be riding and when, they you know how many ride vehicles you need, how many people you need, how many mechanics you need that night, and so on and so forth. Get people to FastPass+ their food and then you know what to order, when to cook, and when to send people home. There is far too much incentive with Disney's current corporate culture to not push more planning, even if it is not being fully considered now or anticipated as part of the launch.

 

[muteki]

The current test is only allowing the 3 FP+ per day.

Yes, but with unlimited FP- on top of that people might not be getting a good idea of what a FP+ only visit is like.

 

[PUSH]

Even if its not at first, there is a huge temptation to push for more scheduling. If you know exactly how many people will be riding and when, they you know how many ride vehicles you need, how many people you need, how many mechanics you need that night, and so on and so forth. Get people to FastPass+ their food and then you know what to order, when to cook, and when to send people home. There is far too much incentive with Disney's current corporate culture to not push more planning, even if it is not being fully considered now or anticipated as part of the launch.

If they keep this "planning" method up, I think it will hurt them. If you have to plan your every minute, I see all types of guests (first timers, veterans, etc) being stressed and not wanting to go back (especially the first timers).

 

[RandomPrincess]

Yes, but with unlimited FP- on top of that people might not be getting a good idea of what a FP+ only visit is like.

This test is not allowing regular FPs at all. They are using the Magic Bands which don't work with the FP kiosks.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Also, something else confirmed by the person in the NextGen rollout team: Yes, this WILL increase Standby wait times at all attractions that have FP to them. Given that the current FP ratio is 80/20 and is always under intense scrutiny by guests...you can see how that can become ugly.

Bolded for emphasis.

One of the strategies being considered is to eventually eliminate the Standby line for certain attractions. Not in the initial rollout but long-term.

Allocating more or even all attraction capacity to FP+ makes sense to armchair executives which, unfortunately, pretty much defines all WDW executives today. (You think any of them wait in Standby lines when they visit WDW? That's one of the golden perks of being a Disney exec!) The goal of FP+ is to have "guests" preplan their trips before arriving thus making it more likely they'll remain at one of the WDW theme parks rather than wandering off to other Orlando tourist spots. Why not use capacity to "capture" as many guests as possible?

What these armchair executives don't understand is that even if guests have short waits for 3 attractions, having to wait even longer for everything else is going to lead to guest satisfaction problems that, long-term, will only chase more away.

 

[PUSH]

One of the strategies being considered is to eventually eliminate the Standby line for certain attractions. Not in the initial rollout but long-term.

If this does eventually become true, they have given the majority of their attendance up. Well, mine at least.

 

[Cody5242]

I'm just glad there are some positives coming out of the testing