Disney Offers Park Hopper FP's and More Than 3 Per Day - Starting 4/28

[mickclub1955]

From the Park Blogs!!!!

When we first shared a glimpse into our plans to take the Disney guest experience to the next level, we had just begun to unveil MyMagic+ at the Walt Disney World Resort. Our goal from the beginning has been to enhance the guest experience and make it even more immersive, seamless and personal than ever before.
Now, nearly 3.5 million guests have participated in testing, and the vast majority are telling us that MyMagic+ has made their trip even better. This is a big step forward in the evolution of our guest experience, and what we’re seeing in early returns is fantastic.

Guests are telling us that they really like being able to arrange the day the way they want to, with the flexibility to make changes on the go. They also are particularly excited about their experience with the MagicBand. They love the convenience, and we have received a lot of photos from guests showing the fun ways they are wearing them even before they arrive on property or after they return home.

This week marks an exciting milestone for us in that we are now providing guests who might only be visiting for the day with the ability to fully engage in MyMagic+ before their visit. Guests can register on My Disney Experience online, reserve access to some of their favorite experiences with FastPass+ and also purchase MagicBands on-site, if they choose.

FastPass+ has been a crucial part of our testing, and we knew it would be popular, which is why from the beginning we more than doubled the experiences people could reserve in advance. We enabled FastPass+ access for a number of attractions and included other guest favorites like fireworks, parades and character meet-and-greets for the first time.

As expected, most of our guests think that securing times to ride our attractions is one of the best ways to maximize the fun of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. We’ve heard from a number of guests that they would like the opportunity to add additional FastPass+ entitlements during their visit, in addition to the three they can plan in advance. So, we’re working on providing them with the ability to add and enjoy additional entitlements on the day of their visit. Once they’ve used the three they’ve booked, we’ll enable them to select another at kiosks in the parks. And once they’ve used the fourth, they can select another, and so on. We also heard that other guests liked the fact that with the FastPass+ service they could use FASTPASS when they park hopped. So we’re working on a service enhancement to add that feature to FastPass+ as well.

One of the best aspects of MyMagic+ has always been that our guests can relax and better enjoy their time with us, all the while knowing that the attraction they want to ride, or the moment they want to experience, will be there, waiting for them.

And isn’t that what a vacation is all about? The more we can have everyone that goes to our parks feel like a VIP, the happier we’ll be with the experience we’re giving them. And that’s exactly what we’re striving for with MyMagic+.

We’ll continue to share more details and updates on as we continue our roll-out, so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more!

[joonyer]

"Once they’ve used the three they’ve booked, we’ll enable them to select another at kiosks in the parks. And once they’ve used the fourth, they can select another, and so on. We also heard that other guests liked the fact that with the FastPass+ service they could use FASTPASS when they park hopped. So we’re working on a service enhancement to add that feature to FastPass+ as well."

Glad to hear this is coming. But is sounds like this means you should make you first 3 FP+ advance ressies in the A.M., if you want ot be able to access more than 3 for the day. Otherwise it seems you'll be limited to accessing a 4th or subsequent FP+ late in the day or evening.

[PirateLover]

It sounds like a step in the right direction, but it's still vague. At least the are recognizing the issue and attempting to address it.

[Butters]

I may be reading too deep into this bit I see this as turning into everyone starts with 3 and if you pay $X you get some more or if you stay at deluxe resorts you get some more.

[Melanie]

Great news!

I don't read into it that it will be a pay service, but who knows. I just like to think that they are listening and implementing as quickly as they can. I'm FINALLY feeling a bit positive about all this. The more than 3 a day and the park hopping feature were the 2 things missing.

[rjmdds]

Glad to hear this is coming. But is sounds like this means you should make you first 3 FP+ advance ressies in the A.M., if you want ot be able to access more than 3 for the day. Otherwise it seems you'll be limited to accessing a 4th or subsequent FP+ late in the day or evening.

I agree.

[mermaidmarian]

The exclusion of the FP from Park Hopping would be a major issue for us in the future - as we learned about it during a recent short 3 day visit prior to a Disney Cruise in February. I DO understand the logistical challenges for WDW, but I think this suggestion that you have to clear 3 before you can move on is a step in the right direction.

[Dopey's Girl]

Finally, something about this 'service' that sounds positive. The park hopping thing always bothered me...

I'll keep a will see attitude for now!

[birdsell]

We have fastpasses for the afternoon at the end of May. Should I change them in anticipation of this or should I wait until it is official?

[#1donaldfan]

Good to see they're thinking ahead and listening. I suppose their "overall" great feedback is not so "great", otherwise why change what they see as working?? Either way, i'ts certainly a step toward improvement !!

[gerald72]

It's Nice that they are planning changes, but I have to stand in line for a fourth fast pass, just to avoid standing in a line?
As someone pointed out, this benefits those who use their fastpasses early, not those who strategically use their FP+ during the later, busier hours. I get the feeling people will want 4 fastpasses just to have 4 fastpasses, rather than use 3 of them intelligently.

[Aurora]

Sounds good to me -- a combination of the old and new FP, and just the kind of flexibility that might work for our family.

I also didn't read it as a possible "pay to play more" arrangement, but the use of the word "entitlements" is interesting.

[rjmdds]

It also specifically mentions receiving the extra FP at a kiosk vs. the app. Why not enable booking the other FP's via the app? That would be much more efficient and logical.

[DizneyFreak2002]

See what happens when you complain??? Those long lines at GS were not for nothing, partially...

It also specifically mentions receiving the extra FP at a kiosk vs. the app. Why not enable booking the other FP's via the app? That would be much more efficient and logical.

Give it time... This is new... Going to need the testing to see how to effectively utilize the extra FPs for guests... Once those bugs are worked out, then I am sure they will move this to the app... Within a few years, I think those kiosks will be a thing of the past and everything done via the app...

[princessgirls]

There is HOPE for this new system...

Julie

[RunDMV]

Ill never get past the fact that my vacation will require as much long-term planning and schedule adherence as my job.

No matter who much they sugar coat it, im not interested.

[Melanie]

Ill never get past the fact that my vacation will require as much long-term planning and schedule adherence as my job.

And there is still that, and I will continue to agree.

[CanadianWDWFan]

Ill never get past the fact that my vacation will require as much long-term planning and schedule adherence as my job.

I agree it does take too much time to make sure it is all done right. Spontaneity went out the door when you could start to book dining at 6 months out.

[yankeesfan123]

This is probably the least shocking news about FP+ that has come out.

It's always been in testing. There's been changes for the better every month. This isn't surprising at all, but is good news.

[Gator]

What about people who don't have smart phones. I'm glad the app is picking up tracion, but there's a lot of people who this won't work for because they use phones as just phones.

And here's the next thing to think about. With FP+ as is, I'd get my FPs for the afternoon because that's when it's busy. But now I'll need to get them in the morning so I can start collection FPs in the afternoon.

Also, here's a biggie. What if I can't pre-order a FP for Soarin' until 6pm because everyone else beat me to the good times? That means I can't take advantage of the extra FPs until the park is nearly closed. Big problem.