All FP machines to be removed from Animal Kingdom by next week and....

[Silock]

There are tons of reasons that would prevent someone from getting there early, and they should be given equal access.

You could easily say the same thing about those not able to be at a computer or smartphone 60 days ahead of time to grab a TSMM FP before it runs out.

 

[buckeev]

I look at Delmar here as our paradigm of hope.

Yea...Look at me..errr...him!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You could easily say the same thing about those not able to be at a computer or smartphone 60 days ahead of time to grab a TSMM FP before it runs out.

...which is why there should be FP+ at the last m inure, reserved.

 

[Mad Hattered]

...which is why there should be FP+ at the last m inure, reserved.

But what if you go to book them and your screen says that? Just playin' with you, R317. But I do imagine some people have uttered the word "maneur" or the likes during this.

 

[michelle06]

Ok, I get the math everyone is mentioning. Makes sense. But, if the goal is to get everyone out of line and into the stores, is it possible that they would dramatically increase the number of fastpasses so that more people have a return time? That way standby is shorter and more people are shopping? Of course, in this scenario, the standby wait could be quite long even with a short line because then they are expecting most riders to ride with a fastpass. Seems like this could be one possible scenario.

 

[Silock]

...which is why there should be FP+ at the last m inure, reserved.

Since this whole thing started, has Disney done what "should" be done at any point? lol

In any case, it's all just kicking the can down the road. No matter what, someone can claim that it's not "fair" to them. Well, sorry, but that's life. The other system may not have been totally fair, but at least it was flexible, something that the new system cannot claim with any accuracy.

 

[Robo]

Ok, I get the math everyone is mentioning. Makes sense. But, if the goal is to get everyone out of line and into the stores, is it possible that they would dramatically increase the number of fastpasses so that more people have a return time?

Nope.

Why?

Because of the MATH.

 

[Silock]

Ok, I get the math everyone is mentioning. Makes sense. But, if the goal is to get everyone out of line and into the stores, is it possible that they would dramatically increase the number of fastpasses so that more people have a return time? That way standby is shorter and more people are shopping? Of course, in this scenario, the standby wait could be quite long even with a short line because then they are expecting most riders to ride with a fastpass. Seems like this could be one possible scenario.

I don't think the revenue increase is because of getting more people into stores.

It's coming because of the natural phenomenon that exists within most humans -- if we can't physically see ourselves shelling out money, it's far easier to make the decision to spend it. That's why things like the iTunes app store, smartphone games with in-app purchases, and credit cards cause people to spend money.

FP+ isn't going to do much to get people into stores that they wouldn't have been in already. But the MB aspect of it will certainly cause most people to spend more money, and IIRC, Disney is already seeing this phenomenon happening.

 

[rebbyparker]

OK, first of all, I don't think anyone really believes that "early bird gets the worm" is fair. There are tons of reasons that would prevent someone from getting there early, and they should be given equal access.

As to the on-site/off-site/value resort problem, it's temporary. Yes, for people who are taking their once in a lifetime trip now, it sucks. But most people here go to Disney a LOT.

Absolutely, I think that someone who puts in a little extra effort to plan and get their behinds out of bed and gets to the park at a reasonable time and gets FP's is fair. I mean, c'mon, we're not talking about the crack of dawn here. Before this whole mess started with FP+, you could reasonably get to the parks at 9-10 and still get FP-'s. So now I don't see why someone strolling in at noon should get preferential treatment over someone who put the extra effort and got there early and "got the worm" or the "apple" or whatever term you want to use. And that's exactly what's happened. Whatever excuse you want to use, before this mess started everyone had exactly the same opportunities regarding FP-'s.

 

[Atotty]

Seriously considering not renewing our APs over this. We're local and don't schedule what day we will be where 60 days in advance. We just run over.

 

[kittyab]

Has anyone heard an announcement they are pulling the fast pass machines? Or is this one big rumor?

 

[Mad Hattered]

Has anyone heard an announcement they are pulling the fast pass machines? Or is this one big rumor?

They are not being physically removed but they will be covered up to where you can't use them.

 

[kittyab]

They are not being physically removed but they will be covered up to where you can't use them.

I am assuming because they want everyone to use the fast pass+ feature online?

 

[Mad Hattered]

I am assuming because they want everyone to use the fast pass+ feature online?

You can only do that if you are staying onsite. As others have suggested in this thread, if you plan on going there on or after 12-18 then it would be best to create an account on the MDE site now. That will give you access to the kiosks they have set up in the parks to reserve FP+ reservations. If you don't do that ahead of time then you will have to do that at the park before you will be able to make those reservations at the kiosks.

 

[ajenks22]

You can only do that if you are staying onsite. As others have suggested in this thread, if you plan on going there on or after 12-18 then it would be best to create an account on the MDE site now. That will give you access to the kiosks they have set up in the parks to reserve FP+ reservations. If you don't do that ahead of time then you will have to do that at the park before you will be able to make those reservations at the kiosks.

So, for those of us offsite, we can plan on not having FP at all for AK? I'm going next week.

 

[disneywalkers]

I'd still like to know how they will be implementing all of this to offsite guests, anyway. I mean, how you will be able to book your FP+? Will it be the honor system to enter dates you will be there? We are staying off site in June and I figure I'll just attempt to be patient and see what happens. But, boy, it would be a lot less stressful if we knew what the end result was supposed to be.

I'm going for 6-7 days in January. Buying my AP's the first day there. We are staying offsite. Can I get FP+ picks? When and how? I know nothing about this.

 

[disneywalkers]

This. I am absolutely not running to a kiosk the minute RD happens. I'm going to head for the rides and get as much as I can get done and then when/if the park gets busy, then maybe I'll amble by a kiosk. I really hope this is not permanent. This cannot possibly end well.

This is exactly what we do every trip every year and rarely use Fp. We get to ride TSM more than once before the line starts as well as the other major rides. But we don't go during the busy times either

 

[ckelly14]

I'm going for 6-7 days in January. Buying my AP's the first day there. We are staying offsite. Can I get FP+ picks? When and how? I know nothing about this.

Great questions, wish we knew the answers.

I assume that the pace of rolling out FP+/rolling back FP- will accelerate after the holiday rush, but exactly what it will look like on any given day is impossible to say. I would guess that offsite guest will have no better than same day FP+ selections in Jan, and perhaps only at certain parks. Since you are not planning to buy AP's until you arrive, then you wouldn't have access to pre-booking FP+ in any scenario.

Keep flexible, and keep checking these boards...

 

[ckelly14]

So, for those of us offsite, we can plan on not having FP at all for AK? I'm going next week.

No, all guests, onsite and offsite, will have access to FP+ (and FP+ only) during the AK test. You will have to make your selections when you arrive at the park at kiosks located at the entrance and near the headliners. Others are suggesting that you create a My Disney Experience account to expedite the process (if you don't have one already).

 

[wrighter]

You make some very good points, but Disney has said that they have designed FP+ to be flexible so that you won't be locked into any park. You can change your reservations that morning, no problem. Otherwise, how would locals ever get on rides?

Actually, my concern is that even though it is supposedly designed to allow for this, it doesn't mean the technology will work that particular day. Here's the scenario I'm dreading:

We have our FP+ lined up for AK. We wake up that morning, decide we want to go to MK instead. "No problem," I say. "I can just grab my smartphone and change our FP+ to whatever is available there today." And then you know what happens? I log into MDE, scroll through the long, slow process of changing FP+, and when I hit submit I get the dreaded BLIP RESPONSE!!! How many times have I been told there is a blip in the system and it can't access my information and to try again later. Well you know what, stupid MDE? Later doesn't work for me today!!

Sigh. Sorry, all. Just had to shake off some of the MDE uglies there for a sec. Bah humbug.