Epcot FP+ Tiering - New for January

[DisneyGiant]

Read this recently. With Soarin going down - this is going to be the new tiering for Epcot FP+:

• Tier 1
  
  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
  • Mission: SPACE Green
  • Mission: SPACE Orange
  • Test Track
  • Living with the Land
  
  
• Tier 2
  
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Epcot Character Spot

Kind of pathetic huh?

After my trip this year, I wrote into Guest Services with some constructive criticism on this.

The system won't let us grab a 4th FP at another park, unless we use all three up. I don't need FPs for any of the Tier 2 attractions. But we're forced to use them or go without the rest of the day.

Ridiculous.

[VWL Mom]

So now you can't even get TT and Mission Space, seriously? My boys are 20 and 24, we have no interest in any of the Tier 2 except Spaceship Earth. Looks like we'll just be booking early throw aways, what a waste.

[RunDMV]

And the joke that is FP+ gets less funnier....

[deedee73]

I just think this is such a waste. I think the system needs revamped. If you only want 1 or 2 that should be all you need to get. Then when you park hop you could get your 3rd upon park entry and therefore. This system just takes FP away from others who actually may want a FP for one of those less popular rides due to age/likes, etc

[Susan A]

I don t understand why you must choose three attractions as well. They doesn't seem like much programming is involved to make that change.
I don't want to experience a ride I'm not interested in and I especially don't want to take a spot from someone else.

[RunDMV]

I don t understand why you must choose three attractions as well. They doesn't seem like much programming is involved to make that change.
I don't want to experience a ride I'm not interested in and I especially don't want to take a spot from someone else.

You ever have boss that micromanaged every aspect of your job? This kind of management reduces your performance and lessens your job satisfaction. In the end, the business loses. That is what Disney is doing here. Micromanaging crowds. For most guests, it reduces vacation satisfaction and in the long run, it does more harm than good.

Many other parks follow Disney's leads on their new practices. Have you seen any other parks adopting a similar tactic?

[Terra]

I have to say for us personally, this works out great. With a 7 and 9 year old, they love many of these. Right now we can't really do TT because of my son's bleeding disorder, but they love [and me too, LwtL, The Seas, and characters!
But I do understand how it's not working for others. On that I wish they would just let you do one at a time.

[cuteduck223]

I would bet that mission space goes back to tier 2 once the frozen ride re-opens in norway, which should be soon

[ThanxForNoticin]

I have to say for us personally, this works out great. With a 7 and 9 year old, they love many of these. Right now we can't really do TT because of my son's bleeding disorder, but they love [and me too, LwtL, The Seas, and characters!
But I do understand how it's not working for others. On that I wish they would just let you do one at a time.

But if you think about it, this system can work against you, too. There are obviously people taking FP+ at EPCOT for attractions that they don't intend to use - just taking them to meet the requirement of 3 before they can get another someplace else. If people are wasting FP at the places you like to go, it's possible you'll unnecessarily miss out on the times and Tier 2 attractions you enjoy.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

We just returned from the World.

I found the Epcot FP choices to be ridiculous, so my way to deal with it was to book my tier 2 ones first thing in the morning, then the ones I wanted right after that. All three were done before noon.

Would LOVE the option to choose only one or two FPs if that's all I wanted.

[Terra]

But if you think about it, this system can work against you, too. There are obviously people taking FP+ at EPCOT for attractions that they don't intend to use - just taking them to meet the requirement of 3 before they can get another someplace else. If people are wasting FP at the places you like to go, it's possible you'll unnecessarily miss out on the times and Tier 2 attractions you enjoy.

I've not really run into that luckily. I don't really over analyze that much. I just go and have fun. I'm thankful to live local! That said, I'm not a fan of having to pick 3 at a time.

[Dream'nDisney]

So you only get to pick one FP from Tier 1 and two FP's from Tier 2? Is that correct?

[EeyoresBestFriend]

So you only get to pick one FP from Tier 1 and two FP's from Tier 2? Is that correct?

yes - that is correct.

[Cinderelley]

Because Living with the Land ranks up there in demand with Test Track and Mission:Space. . .

[acetate]

Read this recently. With Soarin going down - this is going to be the new tiering for Epcot FP+:

• Tier 1
  
  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
  • Mission: SPACE Green
  • Mission: SPACE Orange
  • Test Track
  • Living with the Land
  
  
• Tier 2
  
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Epcot Character Spot

Kind of pathetic huh?

After my trip this year, I wrote into Guest Services with some constructive criticism on this.

The system won't let us grab a 4th FP at another park, unless we use all three up. I don't need FPs for any of the Tier 2 attractions. But we're forced to use them or go without the rest of the day.

Ridiculous.

Why do you need a fastpass to watch the fireworks? Why is that on there?

[Terra]

Why do you need a fastpass to watch the fireworks? Why is that on there?

They have a special section roped off for fireworks I believe. That way you don't have to grab a spot early and wait [if you don't want too]. We opt for finding a spot about an hour before, and eating a yummy treat while waiting.

[John]

They have a special section roped off for fireworks I believe. That way you don't have to grab a spot early and wait [if you don't want too]. We opt for finding a spot about an hour before, and eating a yummy treat while waiting.

The problem here is twofold...

1) the FastPass system is broken, it needs to be revamped to be more flexible and allow park hopping. The silliness of making small world etc. a FastPass ride still astounds me. Same with the Land.

2) Epcot is in so serious need of love and attention its not funny. We talked about this on the last podcast and many times before that. If wonders of life were still an attraction, if innovations actually had anything fun to do, if imagination had some imagination, ride closures and rehabs wouldn't hurt so much.

Sad state of affairs...

[BrerGnat]

The problem here is twofold...

1) the FastPass system is broken, it needs to be revamped to be more flexible and allow park hopping. The silliness of making small world etc. a FastPass ride still astounds me. Same with the Land.

To adress this point, it is interesting to know that Disneyland will be rolling out a HEAVILY modified version of FP+ in 2016. Modified because of what a huge failure FP+ has been at WDW. The plan for DL is to keep the paper FP machines and add the ability (not requirement) to get electronic Fastpasses at attractions that have them available via an app using a smartphone. Guests will have to physically be inside the park that they want to get FP in, but there will be no limits (will still have the same limits as current paper FP.) No one will be able to get advance FP except *maybe* DLR (and eventually Good Neighbor) hotel guests. They do plan to add FP to additional attractions, most likely to spread crowds better, which is needed.

Perhaps if this FP experiment goes over well at DL, WDW will change their system to mirror. FP+ in its current state at WDW is a complete disaster, and the Disney execs know it.

[RunDMV]

To adress this point, it is interesting to know that Disneyland will be rolling out a HEAVILY modified version of FP+ in 2016. Modified because of what a huge failure FP+ has been at WDW. The plan for DL is to keep the paper FP machines and add the ability (not requirement) to get electronic Fastpasses at attractions that have them available via an app using a smartphone. Guests will have to physically be inside the park that they want to get FP in, but there will be no limits (will still have the same limits as current paper FP.) No one will be able to get advance FP except *maybe* DLR (and eventually Good Neighbor) hotel guests. They do plan to add FP to additional attractions, most likely to spread crowds better, which is needed.

Perhaps if this FP experiment goes over well at DL, WDW will change their system to mirror. FP+ in its current state at WDW is a complete disaster, and the Disney execs know it.

Until they get rid out that (insert favorite negative adjective here) FP+ 60 day advance reservation system, we will not be back. I simply don't want to do more work for my vacation that I do for my vocation.

[BrerGnat]

Until they get rid out that (insert favorite negative adjective here) FP+ 60 day advance reservation system, we will not be back. I simply don't want to do more work for my vacation that I do for my vocation.

I agree. This is a HUGE difference between the WDW and DL plans and probably the most important. The advance planning is such a nightmare and they have proven that their IT department simply cannot handle it.