Through my pixie dust covered glases, it seems like a much better way to assist those without FPs. Or, would you prefer that they just sit back and not address the issue of 100+ min standby during peak season?
No, I'd prefer they address the issue of excessive standby wait times properly, which is to invest in additional attraction capacity. In other words, more new rides (such as omnimovers) and shows in large venues, to absorb the greatest number of guests.
Based on my experience, the overhaul of the paper FP system to FP+ was a huge success. I no longer have to worry running around the park to grab passes. And I like the ability to plan in advance. Our recent trip was far more relaxing than previous visits. Although we were extremely skeptical of the new process, now that we have experienced it in person, we love the new system. It worked perfectly for us.
That may be your experience, and that's fine for you, but you have to realize that far more (and arguably more typical) Walt Disney World guests hold a rather poor opinion of FP+, aren't interested in
excessive planning, and many report negative experiences. And then there's the silly idea of wearing a colored plastic bracelet...
Why don't they just get rid of FPs all together and then use this method of return time for the (one) regular line? They could give out more of the standby tickets since now they have 70-80% of the capacity to distribute amongst the guests (remember, it's a 4:1 ratio for FP to standby), and then just make everyone wait thirty minutes. If they can book people specific times to wait in for two lines, they could certainly do it for one and make it much less convoluted. It's the same amount of people either way, right? Or is there something about my math I'm miscalculating? (I am a woman after all,
)
(I still don't like this system, however.)
Eta: I get that this kinda does away with FP, but heck, I think guests would looove waiting 30 minutes for EVERY ride compared to 5-10 minutes for three rides, then 1-2 hours for all the other e tickets.
Here's a novel idea - do away with any form of FP/FP+ or return tickets, and just have everyone wait in one line in the order in which they arrived at the attraction. Those who come early (or late) will have the shortest waits, and while the line may swell to several hours mid-day, that fact will serve to help ration-out attraction capacity. I'm amazed nobody has thought of this before...
Seriously, however, the general concept of a return tickets (RT) isn't necessarily as evil as it sounds, but there is always going to be a problem of people claiming a RT just in case they want it, since it won't be available later, and then never using it. This exhausts the supply of RT's earlier and effectively blocks someone else. If you could solve that issue it would partially alleviate the more serious guest concerns over this test.
Really, do you want them to add food and merchandise stores to the wait lines. Forget that I ever mentioned that hideous possibility. What a colossal CF.
Actually, I very much believe there is some potential in the idea of snack or shopping carts/shops within or alongside a standby queue. People have time to kill while waiting for an attraction, as opposed to the typical ride exit gift shop, when guests are rushing to the next ride. Obviously this is not appropriate for every attraction, but again, it is an interesting concept.
