WDW To Enforce FP+ Rules

[LAKid53]

FIrst off, finger scans at gate keep people from entering the park twice. Unless they have 2 valid APs, they would still only be let in on one set of media. Second off, showing a picture hampers people who legitimately have valid FP+. For instance, my DW can't do coasters. So we would get 2 FP for 7DMT (legitimately, one for each of us), and I would then use hers. We aren't cheating the system



WDW CMs could give you a FP only ticket if there was problems using your ticket for FPs.



Yeah, something different. The FP+ system would let you book FP+ if there was valid admission on an MDE account, but not check to make sure the ticket has been used for entry. Think you could also then walk up to a FP+ kiosk with any old MB, and use that to get day of FP+. I think there were other loopholes, but this is what I understood easily.

One of the other boards also mentioned that these changes would also let you reassign booked FP+ to guests. So instead of me using my DW MB, we could reassign it to me after I used mine.

I don't have a problem allowing someone to reassign a FP to another person in their group. We've been given the unlimited paper FP by strangers who decide not to use it...and we've done the same. If you make FP selections for everyone in your travel party and on the day, someone can't use theirs, then allow a transfer to someone who will, once that person used theirs.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The solution seems pretty simple. If a ticket gets used for a Fastpass, deduct one day's entitlement from that ticket and trigger the 14 day expiration window even if that ticket was never scanned at the main entrance. People could still technically do it but the value proposition goes away because they have to actually pay admission on a person who's never entering the park.

 

[LAKid53]

This.

There are so called businesses or "tour guides" that guarantee you a FP+ for almost every ride for the day that you are using their services. One strategy is to have a team of locals with APs get FP+ for that day, show up for that day and hand off their bands, and the guests paying for the service get to use the bands to take advantage of this service.

Just like the old GAC......

Instances like the one you described are why I think Disney will consider tying a photo to your MDE. It will stop most of the abuse. Your name shows up on the FP+ touch point - I'm sure they can add a photo. I've had CMs call me by my name as I've walked past.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Or it will be like Universal's Express Pass - included with your resort reservation at select resorts or certain AP levels or an add on to your ticket. If we end up having to pay for it, I want the unlimited option Uni now offers.

The problem with that is the number. Disney has many more deluxe resort rooms than UO, so then do you limit it to only to the monorail resorts? EPCOT Resorts? Imagine the backlash from people paying similar prices at some of the other deluxe resorts getting their panties in a wad because they didn't get them. And if it's unlimited, how does Disney, with twice the people in the parks, handle the extra FP+ being used? Do they limit the number of FP+ for each attraction to compensate? Do they allow the resort guests to make unlimited FP+ reservations 60 days in advance? Do they not even bother with allowing 60 day reservations, since they just go to a ride, and the FP+ works.

UO APs only allow unlimited after 4pm, so I guess Disney could do the same with their higher level passes. I just don't ever see either of these happening.

 

[DryerLintFan]

This.

There are so called businesses or "tour guides" that guarantee you a FP+ for almost every ride for the day that you are using their services. One strategy is to have a team of locals with APs get FP+ for that day, show up for that day and hand off their bands, and the guests paying for the service get to use the bands to take advantage of this service.

Maybe I'm dumb, but the changes to the loophole don't seem to affect the scenario you're describing aside from that the AP holders will now need to scan into the park and *then* hand off their MBs rather than doing so outside the gate. As long as they scan in to the park, the tour takers could still use their MB fast passes which will have been validated as having entered the parks.

 

[LAKid53]

The problem with that is the number. Disney has many more deluxe resort rooms than UO, so then do you limit it to only to the monorail resorts? EPCOT Resorts? Imagine the backlash from people paying similar prices at some of the other deluxe resorts getting their panties in a wad because they didn't get them. And if it's unlimited, how does Disney, with twice the people in the parks, handle the extra FP+ being used? Do they limit the number of FP+ for each attraction to compensate? Do they allow the resort guests to make unlimited FP+ reservations 60 days in advance? Do they not even bother with allowing 60 day reservations, since they just go to a ride, and the FP+ works.

UO APs only allow unlimited after 4pm, so I guess Disney could do the same with their higher level passes. I just don't ever see either of these happening.

Well, they could do what Uni does and not allow them for some of the rides.

No solution will be perfect. I don't have a problem, though, "rewarding" guests who stay on property with an extra initial FP+ selection. But remove the tiers...I'm wondering if the tiered FP+ at DHS, Epcot and now DAK aren't partially responsible for some of the cheating.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Maybe I'm dumb, but the changes to the loophole don't seem to affect the scenario you're describing aside from that the AP holders will now need to scan into the park and *then* hand off their MBs rather than doing so outside the gate. As long as they scan in to the park, the tour takers could still use their MB fast passes which will have been validated as having entered the parks.

I might be wrong, but I don't think they AP holders actually go to the park. I think the "hand off" happens before hand, like at the travel agency. And the agent holds on to an inventory of credentials.

 

[DryerLintFan]

I might be wrong, but I don't think they AP holders actually go to the park. I think the "hand off" happens before hand, like at the travel agency. And the agent holds on to an inventory of credentials.

That makes sense. I guess they're going to have to move their morning standup meetings to inside the Magic Kingdom then

 

[LAKid53]

I might be wrong, but I don't think they AP holders actually go to the park. I think the "hand off" happens before hand, like at the travel agency. And the agent holds on to an inventory of credentials.

And hope the AP doesn't decide to visit on the same day....

Which is why I think Disney will eventually go to a photo on your MDE. One you can't access or see, to prevent manipulation.

 

[Coaster Lover]

I wonder if they will do something to stop the FastPass + Child Swap loophole... I mean, I'm okay with some people in the group getting to re-ride if you have to split the group up due to Child Swap reasons, but if you're going to enter through the FastPass line, I think everyone who is riding should need to have a FastPass for their first ride on the attraction...

 

[LuvtheGoof]

And hope the AP doesn't decide to visit on the same day....

Which is why I think Disney will eventually go to a photo on your MDE. One you can't access or see, to prevent manipulation.

I think the photo is the best option, and I would agree that it should have to be added by a CM, and not be changeable by the guest, as you stated.

 

[Kman101]

I always assumed you had to tap your band and physically be in the park to use your FP selections. They never should have allowed that loophole. Shows how naive I am lol. Shame on those who are abusing the system like that. I have no issues with someone reassigning a FP or using a family members band if they are in the park and can't/won't ride something but wow at those AP holders and likely castmembers who are giving their bands to others.

 

[Kman101]

I think the photo is the best option, and I would agree that it should have to be added by a CM, and not be changeable by the guest, as you stated.

I think so too but then someone will argue "well will the CM actually look at the photo. That will take too much time".

The solution for now is to enforce it so the band or card has been used to actually enter the park.

 

[drizgirl]

I always assumed you had to tap your band and physically be in the park to use your FP selections. They never should have allowed that loophole. Shows how naive I am lol. Shame on those who are abusing the system like that. I have no issues with someone reassigning a FP or using a family members band if they are in the park and can't/won't ride something but wow at those AP holders and likely castmembers who are giving their bands to others.

Agreed. Not only do they need to make sure the band was used to enter the park (like legacy FP did) but they need to make sure the band was used to enter the park in order to transfer FPs from one party to another.

I always figured they didn't have that "feature" turned on because they didn't have the tech ability to do it consistently accurately. But if you're closing one loophole, might as well close both now.

Let 'er rip!

 

[LAKid53]

I wonder if they will do something to stop the FastPass + Child Swap loophole...

Is that also being abused? Dang it, people, Disney does something nice to accommodate parents with young children and y'all have to abuse it....

In a year or two we're going to need to use child swap...I sure hope it's still there.

*shakes head*

 

[JCAEdge21]

This isn't a "recon" question but more of a "huh?" question...

How exactly are/were people exploiting this? Is it that they're booking a party of 2, riding once as themselves and going right back on with a different wristband, posing as the 2nd member of their party? I just had no idea this was even a thing...

 

[drizgirl]

I wonder if they will do something to stop the FastPass + Child Swap loophole... I mean, I'm okay with some people in the group getting to re-ride if you have to split the group up due to Child Swap reasons, but if you're going to enter through the FastPass line, I think everyone who is riding should need to have a FastPass for their first ride on the attraction...

Totally agree here as well. This loophole is letting tons of people bypass tiering in the parks.

Well, at least it's "only" the groups with small children. How many of those could there be at Disney?

 

[Coaster Lover]

Is that also being abused?

The way people are using it (and Disney seems to be letting them) would be as the following: Mom (M), Dad (D) Child 1 (1), Child (2), and Baby (B) are going to Disney. M and 1 Book FP for Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. D and 2 Book FastPasses for Splash Mountain, Seven Dwarfs, and Buzz Lightyear. M and 1 go to Thunder Mountain FP entrance and ask for a Child Swap Pass. D, 2, and B wait while M and 1 ride (through the FP entrance), then D and 2 immediately board via child swap while M, 1, and B wait off the ride. Afterwards, they go to Splash Mountain and repeat with D and 2 boarding first and asking for Child Swap passes... basically, it allows you to double your FastPasses.

And it's really not a "secret"... almost every Disney page (non-official Disney of course) recommends this "strategy" for guests traveling with small children who would otherwise be utilizing the child swap program.

 

[DisneyJoe]

This isn't a "recon" question but more of a "huh?" question...

How exactly are/were people exploiting this? Is it that they're booking a party of 2, riding once as themselves and going right back on with a different wristband, posing as the 2nd member of their party? I just had no idea this was even a thing...

I don't believe that Disney would consider that an abuse.

The abuse I would see is if they were using expired media, or a band from someone who was not in their party.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Totally agree here as well. This loophole is letting tons of people bypass tiering in the parks.

Well, at least it's "only" the groups with small children. How many of those could there be at Disney?

I think it's a courtesy to groups of 3. Two people ride while one person waits, and they don't want to make that third adult ride alone, so one of the first two adults loops back around and rides with them. I don't have a problem with that. Single riding is no fun.