Who is having 2nd thoughts about upcoming WDW trip?

[Colleen27]

If this stays true, Disney can kiss a lot of revenue from money spent on park hopping goodbye. I sure as heck won't buy hoppers any more, purely on principle.

I think FP+ actually makes hopping more attractive rather than less. The ability to pre-arrange afternoon plans means you can hit one park early when the lines are low and FP isn't needed, take a break for a swim or a nice meal, and go to another park knowing you won't be facing hour-long standby lines at the headliners.

As an example - we're going during the holidays, so obviously we want to be at Studios in the evening. Under the old system, we'd have to be there at/near rope drop to be able to get a FP for the only ride DD5 enjoys there, and usually the return time tends to be early/mid afternoon. So we have to be there at 9, again at 2, and then back at 6 for the lights. Obviously we'd stay all day. But with FP+, I reserved a 5pm TSM return, so I can get to the park around 4 and still do everything I'm interested in doing.

 

[daytondisney]

No. This forum would represent a sample of loyal superfans. The most important group of Disney customers, who continue to return year after year. They purchase Annual Passes, frequently stay on property, purchase DVC. They evangelize about Disney to friends and family. They help their friends book and plan vacations. They raise future loyal superfans.

They do not provide an adequate sample of the "typical" Disney customer, no. I'm not even sure what the point is anymore, other than to suggest that FP+ is not designed to cater to fairness as making casual guests happy at the expensive of your loyal guests doesn't translate to the bottom line. Casual guests are just that, casual guests. Disney wants repeat business. They want the DISers, who come once or more per year, every year. They want the group they can count on to spend their money. They want the sure thing.

Even broader the point is still the same. Overall satisfaction will come based on their perception. I don't think I've ever met anybody who stopped visiting Disney because their room was too far from the bus stop or they were too close to the pool. Those are things that you adjust when planning your next trip. And we've seen there are some that don't want to plan future trips due to the perceived in-park experiences, not their room location.

You must not get my view. I totally believe Disney knows what will happen after testing and that it will provide a better experience for people. I do not, however, believe Disney spent such significant money to "level the playing field" between loyal fans who repeatedly visit and casual visitors who might visit once or once every five or more years.

Perhaps we should look at this another way. Over the past 10 years, what else has Disney done to provide a balance between dedicated and casual visitors? Assuming this is their goal, I would have to believe it's not a new one.

Edited to add: FP+ is, in my opinion, about moving towards the future. Enhancing Disney's ability to provide the best Theme Park experience. It will offer benefits to all guests, but most importantly to Disney. I do not believe that it represents a policy of fairness, where loyal fans are "punished" and casual guests are rewarded in an attempt to win the favor of casual guests at the expense of the loyal fans. I believe Disney places a greater value on loyal fans as they represent a more reliable revenue stream, year over year. I do not believe Disney puts policies in place to punish casual guests, but I also do not believe they create policies simply to reward them, especially as it relates to the experience for their loyal fans.

I agree. My intended point was that it's harder for Disney to alienate a class of customers who have shown a deeper level of satisfaction across a broader base of factors - accomodations, dining, transportation, parks. Changing one factor that affected all park visitors - resort guests and non-resort guests - would be offset within the resort guest class to some degree by the fact that they are sufficiently satisfied with other aspects that are not changing.

If going from FP to FP+ was an objective negative then one would expect it to be much more significant in the class whose only connection to Disney is the parks where the change takes place.

I think that rumors that this would be a new perk for resort guests and the fcat that during the testing phase it actually is may have lead some to believe that a perk has been given then taken away. I believe that once the dust settles and people see the reality (their perception of it) most of these promises to abandon Disney will abate. Certainly there are those who have been moving this direction over time and this is just the latest and they may actually act.

I agree that this was not done to level any playing field because the playing field was level to begin with. Anyone willing to get up early and plan out their tour could do so regardless of where they slept.

Lastly, I didn't mean to imply that someone would stop visiting Disney because of room location. I meant to imply that first time resort guest doesn't know what he doesn't know and his expectation will be based on an ideal. Once he has stayed at a resort, subsequent expectations will be based on experienced reality and he will compare the current experience with the old.

BTW, in the leisure and entertainment business, perception is reality - one could probably say, perception is more important than reality. If Disney is explaining to people, "No, crowd levels are actually down, see this chart?" they've lost.

Great discussion. Thanks

 

[daytondisney]

As an example - we're going during the holidays, so obviously we want to be at Studios in the evening. Under the old system, we'd have to be there at/near rope drop to be able to get a FP for the only ride DD5 enjoys there, and usually the return time tends to be early/mid afternoon. So we have to be there at 9, again at 2, and then back at 6 for the lights. Obviously we'd stay all day. But with FP+, I reserved a 5pm TSM return, so I can get to the park around 4 and still do everything I'm interested in doing.

My opinion is this is how the vast ajority will come to view the change. I know it is how I view it.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I think FP+ actually makes hopping more attractive rather than less. The ability to pre-arrange afternoon plans means you can hit one park early when the lines are low and FP isn't needed, take a break for a swim or a nice meal, and go to another park knowing you won't be facing hour-long standby lines at the headliners.

As an example - we're going during the holidays, so obviously we want to be at Studios in the evening. Under the old system, we'd have to be there at/near rope drop to be able to get a FP for the only ride DD5 enjoys there, and usually the return time tends to be early/mid afternoon. So we have to be there at 9, again at 2, and then back at 6 for the lights. Obviously we'd stay all day. But with FP+, I reserved a 5pm TSM return, so I can get to the park around 4 and still do everything I'm interested in doing.

That's a very good point.

 

[kmb584]

I voted "no" but had this been asked two weeks ago, "yes" would have gotten the vote. I had been reading so many negative posts on the crowds, FP+, etc. that it had me rethinking our vacation (we returned home last night ).

However, after going and seeing it for myself, I have zero to complain about. We did absolutely everything that we wanted to, even TSMM. Sure, it was a bit odd pulling a FP at 9:07am with a return time for 8pm - 9pm but we managed just fine.

 

[DawnM]

I was really worried after reading reports on here!

We got in last Saturday and are down here now. It has been FINE! Very low wait times for most rides. We did not get a FP for Soarin' or TSM, so that was disappointing, although the kids say they don't care about Soarin' as they have been since it was new in CA and we lived there, so it doesn't hold the excitement for them anymore. They do want to do TSM while here. We will figure it out.

Other than that, we have encountered very low wait times.....10-20 min. tops for most rides. We have ridden some multiple times in a row. Some we do single rider, but some are just low wait times!

We come this time every year as DH has a conference down here this time of year. We *could* come another time, but the cost would go up as we would have to pay for more of it ourselves. This works for us so far.

Dawn

 

[mom2rtk]

I was really worried after reading reports on here!

We got in last Saturday and are down here now. It has been FINE! Very low wait times for most rides. We did not get a FP for Soarin' or TSM, so that was disappointing, although the kids say they don't care about Soarin' as they have been since it was new in CA and we lived there, so it doesn't hold the excitement for them anymore. They do want to do TSM while here. We will figure it out.

Other than that, we have encountered very low wait times.....10-20 min. tops for most rides. We have ridden some multiple times in a row. Some we do single rider, but some are just low wait times!

We come this time every year as DH has a conference down here this time of year. We *could* come another time, but the cost would go up as we would have to pay for more of it ourselves. This works for us so far.

Dawn

You say it has been fine, but for some people missing Soarin and TSMM would indeed be a deal breaker. And FWIW, the crowd reports this week have been much lower than earlier in the month. I have a friend there now who says crowds are indeed low, and she is used to pretty low crowds.

I do think it's funny that so many people are in favor of FP+ because they used to miss Soarin and TSMM. Yet all this new system has done is change WHICH GROUP of people misses those rides.

All they did was shake things up. They didn't "fix" anything.

 

[rebbyparker]

I do think it's funny that so many people are in favor of FP+ because they used to miss Soarin and TSMM. Yet all this new system has done is change WHICH GROUP of people misses those rides.

All they did was shake things up. They didn't "fix" anything.

Good point.

 

[DawnM]

Well, we haven't missed it entirely. We are going back to catch thos two rides later during our trip.

That is why I am not too upset.....YET. TSM is the one we all really do not want to miss.

Dawn

You say it has been fine, but for some people missing Soarin and TSMM would indeed be a deal breaker. And FWIW, the crowd reports this week have been much lower than earlier in the month. I have a friend there now who says crowds are indeed low, and she is used to pretty low crowds.

I do think it's funny that so many people are in favor of FP+ because they used to miss Soarin and TSMM. Yet all this new system has done is change WHICH GROUP of people misses those rides.

All they did was shake things up. They didn't "fix" anything.

 

[TreeSapp]

Just curious. Any WDW veteran knows that planning a trip is vital to enjoying WDW to the fullest extent. I've got 40 trips under my belt, WDW is my favorite place in the world, but right now, I'm seriously considering cancelling my trip. I have NO PROBLEMS planning like crazy, but right now, at least for our January trip, I feel as though I can't plan a thing. I've got no information about MyMagic Bands, no information on Fastpass+, no information on how regular fastpass will be affected by FP+. I have absolutely no desire to walk aimlessly around the Magic Kingdom with hour long lines for everything because I couldn't plan anything out.

Anyone else feeling in the dark right now?

Let's be honest, the only hour long lines you should face in Jan are TSMM & Soarin'. Changes or no changes. And maybe that new princess greet - I don't know much about it

 

[redsbe]

"You say it has been fine, but for some people missing Soarin and TSMM would indeed be a deal breaker."

If they get to RP and ride Soarin and TSMM at opening how are they missing them? When crowds are busy riding the most popular attractions at RP has always been the best strategy even with FP. Now with FP+ you can both use RP for a ride and have a FP+ for later (and perhaps grab FP at RP as well). Again we are talking about mainly these two WDW attractions and at the busiest times of the year. Did anyone have the expectation to go to WDW during summer, school breaks or holidays and simply walk onto Soarin, TSMM any time of the day or multiple times with FP or without waiting?

 

[mom2rtk]

"You say it has been fine, but for some people missing Soarin and TSMM would indeed be a deal breaker."

If they get to RP and ride Soarin and TSMM at opening how are they missing them? When crowds are busy riding the most popular attractions at RP has always been the best strategy even with FP. Now with FP+ you can both use RP for a ride and have a FP+ for later (and perhaps grab FP at RP as well). Again we are talking about mainly these two WDW attractions and at the busiest times of the year. Did anyone have the expectation to go to WDW during summer, school breaks or holidays and simply walk onto Soarin, TSMM any time of the day or multiple times with FP or without waiting?

They are missing them if they miss rope drop.

I've been led to believe for months now that some people just are not able to get to rope drop. You know.... by the people who thought the old FP system was unfair to them because they "couldn't" make it there in time.

 

[redsbe]

"They are missing them if they miss rope drop.
I've been led to believe for months now that some people just are not able to get to rope drop."

Which as always been the case with or without FP- or FP+, rope drop is the best strategy to get on most popular rides during crowded park days. Your other choice to plan when you visit and on which days you visit certain parks - again a long time strategy.

In October 2012 trip we got FP- at TSMM right after RP and it was for 1130a, now I know with FP+ testing those same RP FPs were going with 1/2 hr of RP during unexpected busy mid October dates, but as FP+ moves from testing to operation we will have to see whether issues of getting FP- at RP remain for peak crowd dates.

 

[DawnM]

True, and my boys opted for TT at rope drop instead of Soarin'. We dont' have FP+ so we had to pick ONE for getting a FP.

In the past we HAVE been able to get both TT and Soarin' FP, so I do see that as a change.

By 11am, Soarin' FP was at 8pm. We knew we weren't staying that long that day.

The wait time was about 65 min. at 11am and I did ask if they wanted to wait in line and was willing to do it, but they opted not to. Personal preference for us. We can do it another day, or we can skip it this trip.

But this (Soarin') and TSM were the only rides I saw as being an issue that was different for us.

Dawn

They are missing them if they miss rope drop.

I've been led to believe for months now that some people just are not able to get to rope drop. You know.... by the people who thought the old FP system was unfair to them because they "couldn't" make it there in time.

 

[mom2rtk]

True, and my boys opted for TT at rope drop instead of Soarin'. We dont' have FP+ so we had to pick ONE for getting a FP.

In the past we HAVE been able to get both TT and Soarin' FP, so I do see that as a change.

By 11am, Soarin' FP was at 8pm. We knew we weren't staying that long that day.

The wait time was about 65 min. at 11am and I did ask if they wanted to wait in line and was willing to do it, but they opted not to. Personal preference for us. We can do it another day, or we can skip it this trip.

But this (Soarin') and TSM were the only rides I saw as being an issue that was different for us.

Dawn

My friend who is there now told me all the lines seemed short, except Soarin and TT which were an hour. I had to break it to her that those WERE short lines!

I hope you manage to hit those rides on another day!

 

[Planogirl]

True, and my boys opted for TT at rope drop instead of Soarin'. We dont' have FP+ so we had to pick ONE for getting a FP.

In the past we HAVE been able to get both TT and Soarin' FP, so I do see that as a change.

By 11am, Soarin' FP was at 8pm. We knew we weren't staying that long that day.

The wait time was about 65 min. at 11am and I did ask if they wanted to wait in line and was willing to do it, but they opted not to. Personal preference for us. We can do it another day, or we can skip it this trip.

But this (Soarin') and TSM were the only rides I saw as being an issue that was different for us.

Dawn

I've been trying to plan out our Epcot day and this part is interesting. I expect to arrive at Epcot at rope drop and ride one and then fastpass the other. We would likely leave Epcot for a while in the afternoon and come back in the evening so fastpasses at 7 or 8 would work well. Anything in the afternoon wouldn't but it sounds like as fast as they go, we could just wait a few minutes!

 

[JanaDee]

I've been trying to plan out our Epcot day and this part is interesting. I expect to arrive at Epcot at rope drop and ride one and then fastpass the other. We would likely leave Epcot for a while in the afternoon and come back in the evening so fastpasses at 7 or 8 would work well. Anything in the afternoon wouldn't but it sounds like as fast as they go, we could just wait a few minutes!

Depending on how long either line takes, you may be out of luck. Soarin' FP were gone by 9:45 one of our epcot days earlier this week.

 

[TreeSapp]

I've been trying to plan out our Epcot day and this part is interesting. I expect to arrive at Epcot at rope drop and ride one and then fastpass the other. We would likely leave Epcot for a while in the afternoon and come back in the evening so fastpasses at 7 or 8 would work well. Anything in the afternoon wouldn't but it sounds like as fast as they go, we could just wait a few minutes!

Is single rider an option for your group on TT we've never waited more than 15/20min doing that

 

[Planogirl]

Is single rider an option for your group on TT we've never waited more than 15/20min doing that

We can use single rider if necessary.

I wonder if we could head to Soarin', get fastpasses for that evening and then get in the regular line at Test Track? Do the crowds seem to head to both or is Soarin' in more demand at rope drop? We can use single rider but it is more fun to ride together if possible.

 

[TreeSapp]

We can use single rider if necessary.

I wonder if we could head to Soarin', get fastpasses for that evening and then get in the regular line at Test Track? Do the crowds seem to head to both or is Soarin' in more demand at rope drop? We can use single rider but it is more fun to ride together if possible.

Definitely more head for head to Soarin' perhaps your best bet is to get to Epcot half an hour before RD and book it straight to soarin' during the soft/rolling opening they do before actual opening time. Then book it back to TT and the wait shouldn't be terrible.