No fastpasses available today?

[JenniferS]

Yes FP+ works great on paper.The concern is when it is actually deployed for everyone we'll see more guest dissatisfaction because the ideal rides/times will be gobbled up by the hoggers at 60 days out. What next? Penalize people for NOT using their FP+ time? Works for the dining.

IMHO allowing ride booking so early is just stupid. It invites abuse and problems. Keep it something reasonable like the week of. Not months before people come to the state, before anyone has an idea what the weather forecast will be.

Not really fair to refer to people as "hoggers" if they are booking their measly 3 FP+/day in the prescribed manner. That would be same as referring to everyone as slackers.

I was in the parks 9/23 - 10/02, and when booking my FastPasses, I obviously booked all D & E attractions. Why on Earth would I book for Ellen, Imagination, or Tiki? That doesn't make me a hogger. There were also a number of FP's we were unable to use, as we had weather issues a few days. And every time I tried to change them through MDE using my iPhone, I was told that my account was already linked to Jennifer S*****. Uh yeah, that's me! The only way to alter our FP's was through the in-park kiosks using the MagicBands, which was useless if the FP return window had already expired while I was back at the resort waiting out the torrential rainfall.

WDW set up this crazy system, so all name-calling should be reserved for them, not the guests.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

It sucks the testing is impacting all guest. But anyone with a magic band should be happy, right?

 

[BroganMc]

Not really fair to refer to people as "hoggers" if they are booking their measly 3 FP+/day in the prescribed manner. That would be same as referring to everyone as slackers.

I was in the parks 9/23 - 10/02, and when booking my FastPasses, I obviously booked all D & E attractions. Why on Earth would I book for Ellen, Imagination, or Tiki? That doesn't make me a hogger. There were also a number of FP's we were unable to use, as we had weather issues a few days. And every time I tried to change them through MDE using my iPhone, I was told that my account was already linked to Jennifer S*****. Uh yeah, that's me! The only way to alter our FP's was through the in-park kiosks using the MagicBands, which was useless if the FP return window had already expired while I was back at the resort waiting out the torrential rainfall.

WDW set up this crazy system, so all name-calling should be reserved for them, not the guests.

Sorry you're right. Using the term "hogger" was a bit too harsh.

What I mean is that Disney new system allows the early bird planners to profit the most by picking the optimal rides and times. That seems crazy to me because most guests are not planners that far in advance. As you noticed, how can one effectively plan a vacation day without even knowing how the weather will impact it? Scheduling like that is meant for the financial people who are stretching out the demands of staffing vs. income.

It turns a Disney vacation into a military expedition. I highly doubt that approach is going to appeal to the majority of guests.

Traditional FPs worked because the only requirement was that you get to a park when it opened. If not you waited or did fewer things. And if rain stopped a ride then everyone got a chance to try it later.

I haven't had the opportunity to try FP+ yet. My resorts last month weren't in the trial yet. My next trip is NYE and my resort should be in it. But I also have PAPs and am a DVC member on a DVC stay. So there's a possibility I may not be allowed to try it. That'll suck big time.

One thing that does not encourage me is the godawful Android MDE app. I tried it out in the parks my last trip. Man is that thing dog slow. Now I can't even get it to give me Standby times for the attractions. It just tells me what and where they are. And forget trying to make a dining reservation or check for availability. The stupid thing tells you to call Disney. AND the app won't work on any Android tablet. It's an embarrassment to the corporation.

 

[OswaldTheRabbit]

How would you be getting 10 fastpasses at MGM if even one of those was a Midway Mania or Tower of Terror pass?

It depends what you do. We usually get about 5 from DHS but easily can get 10 at MK. We are diehards though and do get there at park opening and leave at close.

At MK we easily do all 3 mountains, barnstormer 3 x (it is my sons favorite and at night there is only 10-15 min between passes.

And once you throw in a PP or Winnie and a short wait ride then 8 is easy.

Also note we do go at off seasons when it is as slow as it is going to get. But even if you took that into account we could definitely get more than 3 at any of the parks.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Sorry you're right. Using the term "hogger" was a bit too harsh.

What I mean is that Disney new system allows the early bird planners to profit the most by picking the optimal rides and times. That seems crazy to me because most guests are not planners that far in advance. As you noticed, how can one effectively plan a vacation day without even knowing how the weather will impact it? Scheduling like that is meant for the financial people who are stretching out the demands of staffing vs. income.

It turns a Disney vacation into a military expedition. I highly doubt that approach is going to appeal to the majority of guests.

Traditional FPs worked because the only requirement was that you get to a park when it opened. If not you waited or did fewer things. And if rain stopped a ride then everyone got a chance to try it later.

I haven't had the opportunity to try FP+ yet. My resorts last month weren't in the trial yet. My next trip is NYE and my resort should be in it. But I also have PAPs and am a DVC member on a DVC stay. So there's a possibility I may not be allowed to try it. That'll suck big time.

One thing that does not encourage me is the godawful Android MDE app. I tried it out in the parks my last trip. Man is that thing dog slow. Now I can't even get it to give me Standby times for the attractions. It just tells me what and where they are. And forget trying to make a dining reservation or check for availability. The stupid thing tells you to call Disney. AND the app won't work on any Android tablet. It's an embarrassment to the corporation.

But in reality, early bird planning was necessary before fp+. Look at the trouble people go through for ADRs. Monitoring specials and discounts. Online check-in.
I over heard a young woman on a bus heading to Magic Kingdom say it best, "Disney World is NOT a vacation, it is an experience."

 

[doctornick]

It depends what you do. We usually get about 5 from DHS but easily can get 10 at MK. We are diehards though and do get there at park opening and leave at close.

At MK we easily do all 3 mountains, barnstormer 3 x (it is my sons favorite and at night there is only 10-15 min between passes.

And once you throw in a PP or Winnie and a short wait ride then 8 is easy.

Also note we do go at off seasons when it is as slow as it is going to get. But even if you took that into account we could definitely get more than 3 at any of the parks.

I certainly agree with you on this. I will point out, however, that the new system, while hurting superusers like yourself considerably, would help to even things out between guests and theoretically be more "fair" in terms of FP usage. If everyone is maxing out at 3 FP in a day, then that prevents the situation of a superuser getting a lot while others get few or none. Furthermore, if Disney advertises the FP+ well with new guests, it might be the case that people who would otherwise not realize FP exists and not use it might do so now. The end result could easily be a more even distributions where most everyone is using 3 FP instead of some using 8-10 in a day and others using 1 or none.

I tend to use FP frequently/efficiently as well, so the limit of passes to 3 in a day worries me as well. But I am looking forward to not having to cross the parks to get FP, which (as the runner of the group) was kinda annoying and wasted some time (not a ton, but I'd rather be with my family).

 

[doctornick]

But in reality, early bird planning was necessary before fp+. Look at the trouble people go through for ADRs. Monitoring specials and discounts. Online check-in.

Yeah, this is really more of the same when it comes to the planning culture involved in a WDW trip, as opposed to a huge shift in dynamics. You already have to plan ahead to get many in demand ADRs (plus stuff like Bippity Boppity) and it will just be the same with getting FP+ for high demand rides.

 

[merry68]

Here now. Spent most of day at Epcot. We had FP+ for this morning at TT. We watched how quickly paper FPs went and then were out for the day. Seems like the paper FP system is being tied into the FP+ system, ie as the high demand for TT FP+ appeared to cut into legacy availability and the lack of legacy FP (by 10am legacy FP return time was up 7pm). By 11:30 TT was showing as Standby Only on my MDE.

Now we haven't experienced any tech glitches. But we did see a woman flip out on a CM acting like her MB =FOTL!

I fear the removal of legacy FP could come quicker than I want it too.

Sorry my thoughts are jumbled but I'm typing on iPhone.

 

[Lord_Vader]

It must be nice to not know what you are talking about. On-site guests don't pay more for their ticket media. And there are many off-site hotels that cost more than staying at a Disney Value or Moderate (but are of deluxe-level quality). Universal's resorts include the express pass, but any day guest can purchase the same perk. So if Disney were to make FP+ available only to on-site guests without offering a way for day guests to also receive the perk, then it absolutely is unfair. When you offer something that benefits one group at the expense of another, a system must be in place to equalize that. Otherwise it's a bad business practice.

So it would then be okay if Disney decides to charge $60 per guest, per day for FP+ if they are staying offsite or in a value resort?

 

[Lord_Vader]

I disagree with the spend more, get more. Thus I hope they don't create a tier program, allowing more fastpasses for those staying deluxe vs moderate or value. But I can easily see this as a perk for resort guest.

Disney has always had a spend more, get more program. There are no moderate or value resorts on the monorail loop, only one moderate with boat transportation and that is to DTD, no full-service dining at values, only sub-par full service dining at moderates, etc.

Free dining offers are much better at moderates and Deluxe resorts when offered.

I could go on and on.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Disney has always had a spend more, get more program. There are no moderate or value resorts on the monorail loop, only one moderate with boat transportation and that is to DTD, no full-service dining at values, only sub-par full service dining at moderates, etc.

Free dining offers are much better at moderates and Deluxe resorts when offered.

I could go on and on.

Well thats no exactly what I met. Its common knowledge, that hotel wise (disney or other) if you spend more you get more or better accommodations and amenities. But we all pay the same ticket prices, so the spend more, get more doesn't belong in the parks.

 

[Lucky]

Seems like the paper FP system is being tied into the FP+ system, ie as the high demand for TT FP+ appeared to cut into legacy availability

They have to do this as the roll-out expands, or the FP line could be 45 minutes long.

 

[Lucky]

Well thats no exactly what I met. Its common knowledge, that hotel wise (disney or other) if you spend more you get more or better accommodations and amenities. But we all pay the same ticket prices, so the spend more, get more doesn't belong in the parks.

This will probably happen, but it won't be marketed as a tiered system. More like, "stay at a Deluxe and you get a bonus FP each day."

 

[merry68]

They have to do this as the roll-out expands, or the FP line could be 45 minutes long.

Totally understand but this screws off property guests right now. I know it's not summer crowd busy now but legacy FPs for E ticket are quickly gone. Off property has little chance right now.



.

 

[flynnibus]

It's amazing how when in the FP hate threads there are so many people that say 'I never even use FP...'

And in this thread people act like if they don't have a FP they might as well go home..

Come on people... stop falling for the shell game and focus on what matters... how long you actually wait and how much you can get done in a day. You can't tell any of that by trying to pin down when FPs run out, etc. ALL OF THAT is going to be variables Disney will be able to tweak on the fly without anyone knowing. Stop trying to make a system out of it.. you can't. It's gonna change without notice..

 

[xdan0920]

It's amazing how when in the FP hate threads there are so many people that say 'I never even use FP...'

And in this thread people act like if they don't have a FP they might as well go home..

Come on people... stop falling for the shell game and focus on what matters... how long you actually wait and how much you can get done in a day. You can't tell any of that by trying to pin down when FPs run out, etc. ALL OF THAT is going to be variables Disney will be able to tweak on the fly without anyone knowing. Stop trying to make a system out of it.. you can't. It's gonna change without notice..

I think what actually matters is the added layer of planning that we now have to take part in. And that, is not something that seems like it's going to be tweaked.

 

[LapsedWDWFan]

This is an interesting discussion but I am curious about something. I'm curious what the touring strategy is that would be so heavily dependent on FastPass?

I know I'm probably old school but our family worked ours out in the pre-FastPass days and we rarely wait more than 20-25 minutes for anything we want to ride. I've can probably count how many FastPasses I've ever pulled on one hand.

So I was just wondering what the rationale is for worrying about FastPass availability.

 

[ford91exploder]

It's amazing how when in the FP hate threads there are so many people that say 'I never even use FP...'

And in this thread people act like if they don't have a FP they might as well go home..

Come on people... stop falling for the shell game and focus on what matters... how long you actually wait and how much you can get done in a day. You can't tell any of that by trying to pin down when FPs run out, etc. ALL OF THAT is going to be variables Disney will be able to tweak on the fly without anyone knowing. Stop trying to make a system out of it.. you can't. It's gonna change without notice..

We care because rides which we KNOW at this time of year were 'walk-on' ITSW, PoTC, HM, SSE now routinely have standby times of 30M+, TSMM which had waits of 90 Min in Mid-JUNE now routinely exceeds 100 Minutes wait. We have some rides which are exceeding NYE standby waits and that is the most crowded time at ALL the Disney parks. This is what we KNOW.

Now we don't know the exact gate numbers but we do know they will be significantly lower than in mid June. And if FP- has this kind of effect during a slower period - its going to be Parkmageddon during the upcoming holiday season.

Traditionally I don't pull a lot of FP's because there are always the B-C rides which are generally pleasant and relaxing even if they do install a song in head which cannot be removed for 72 hours - I'm looking at you Small World/CoP/Imagination

But if Small World has a 30-45 minute wait and it's the shortest wait there, Well i'm heading back to the barn to read or swim I'm not hanging around the park because there is no merchandise I want to buy.

The 'Billion Dollar Band' so far seems like a losing proposition to me.

 

[danv3]

So I was just wondering what the rationale is for worrying about FastPass availability.

Speaking for myself, the big worry isn't FP availability. It's the effect of unnecessary FP on the attractions that don't need it. So when I'm on step 12 of my Touring Plan and I'm supposed to go to (let's just say) the Haunted Mansion, I'll likely find that it's a 30-40 minute wait instead of a 15-20 minute wait. So it's worse for me and probably most people who aren't using FP on HM, and marginally better for only a few (although by wasting a FP on HM they can't use it on an attraction that needs it more).

How this is supposed to drive revenue (unless they charge for it) remains beyond me. Even if I wanted to spend more money I couldn't b/c I'm now in line longer than I was before.

 

[NearTheEars]

Exactly. I got that invite in the mail and via e-mail a few weeks ago, and I responded. I am part of the test. Yet, still nothing. It is frustrating. The FP+ feature, which is the only real benefit for the guest, doesn't work for us. The ability to spend money easier benefits the company, not the guest.

Again, massive failure for this vacation. I will be leaving tomorrow without ever having the opportunity to ride Test Track or Soarin using a FP or FP+ because of this lousy system.

And I'm being told that this is all just a test, and when it is fully rolled out my enjoyment will increase? How is that exactly? Will attractions have shorter wait times? Will Fast Passes not run out as quickly?

This place is supposed to be the vacation kingdom of the world - not the plan-all-in-advance-and-use-your-smartphone-all-the-time kingdom. These Magic Bands, the My Disney Experience, Fast Pass +, etc has made this visit so much more stressful than any past visit, and I gave up on the band 2 days ago. Still, it is stressful because the relaxation and spontaneity factor is fading fast. Eventually, it will be gone.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you still can ride those attractions without a Fastpass. They haven't gotten rid of standby lines yet.

If you hold these two rides so dear that it ruins your trip if you don't get to experience them, then surely they are worth waiting in line for.