FP+... who hates it

[Mad Hattered]

For clarity, I think it may be wise to point out that you had intended to pull as many FPs as possible during that trip. A few days before you left for DL you posted this:

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And the point is what? We do/did that on every single trip. You don't think I'm going to pull as many FPs as I can on this upcoming trip? It's easy to do. One would have to be stupid not to! So yes....thanks for posting that. We will be doing the exact same thing on this trip as well. Why? Because we can. Others just need to open their eyes...

 

[cakebaker]

The ONLY FPs that ran out during our entire week there was Radiator Springs. Do you see any FPs for that ride in the picture? Nope. We didn't screw anyone else out of anything. Besides, since there were only 0.1% of the people pulling as many as we did means we couldn't undoubtedly completely shut others out. I wonder how many "pulls" we will get on our upcoming trip?

There were certainly people who did the same thing at WDW, where it would cost people. The sport of gathering as many fp's as one possibly could in a day needed to be stopped.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It is not hard to see how it would have been possible for SOME guests at MK to get 8 FPs in a day, or even more, by making most efficient use of the system to get a new FP as soon as the window opened up. And, of course, it was much easier to get more FPs when the crowds were lower and FP return times stayed closer to the distribution times.

Thank you. That was my point.

But the simple math of the number of people in the park and the number of total FPs available dictates that only a minority of people could do it on the same day.

No one has disputed that. The assertion that it required extensive learning to use FP well is the *only* assertion that was being responded to. I never claimed it was a standard experience (nor would I ever claim that).

Maybe I'm forgetting one or two, but I think the MK only had 7 FP attractions: the mountains, Buzz, Pooh, Pan, and Jungle Cruise.

Dumbo, Mickey's M&G, Princess M&G, Ariel's ride, ETWB all had legacy FP as well. Ariel's M&G might have also, I can't remember. I also recall Philharmagic having legacy.

I understand why the small minority that were getting 6-8 FPs per day are unhappy that Disney has derailed their gravy train. But, I have a much harder time understanding why they have trouble seeing why Disney put a different system in place to ensure that FPs would be distributed more evenly to all guests.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't have any trouble seeing why Disney put a different system in place at all. I may not love the new system, but I understand perfectly why it is there, and as I've said many times, I'm truly happy for those for whom this system is enhancing their vacations.

 

[Cormoran]

I liked this post Wisblue because I agree that Disney has motivation to want to see FP more evenly distributed than the extreme case. But I think you should be careful about the presentation of your argument. There was nothing at all about the old system that prevented a FP- holder from passing on one they weren't going to use to someone else in the park. And there is nothing at all (conceptually) about the new system that prevents a FP+ holder from skipping a FP+ they have reserved without modifying or canceling it so that someone else can have a shot at it. The cheap hit that you took on MadHattered weakens your otherwise strong point, IMO.

So can't the same be said for people who make FP+ reservations who don't cancel or use them? How is FP+ better in this circumstance? I can guarantee I will not cancel any of my FP+ reservations unless I want to change my choices. With legacy, it was easy for me to give way any unused FP+'s.

 

[Alfalfa]

...I have a much harder time understanding why they have trouble seeing why Disney put a different system in place to ensure that FPs would be distributed more evenly to all guests.

I think it is also a good illustration of why Disney might want to put a system in place that would distribute FPs more evenly and get them in the hands of people who actually wanted to use them instead of keeping them as souvenirs.

How is forcing guests to pick 3 when they only want one or two getting them into the hands of people who want to use them? How is giving guests who stay onsite a 30 day advantage getting them into the hands of people who buy a ticket the day they arrive and want an FP for 7DMT?

I don't believe for one second that's why they spent hundreds of millions of dollars to revamp the existing ride reservation system. If they felt that there was a need for FP's to "be distributed more evenly to all guests" and into "the hands of people who actually wanted to use them" then they could have accomplished that with a few software tweaks of the paper system.

 

[Hokie2000]

Nah. Some people were just stupid. Disney has taken the philosophy that "every kid deserves a trophy" for just showing up.

As delightful as your message may be, I don't think "just showing up" applies here. Everyone who enters a Disney park paid money to be there.

 

[cakebaker]

With legacy, it was easy for me to give way any unused FP+'s.

I don't think relying on the benevolence of other guests is a reliable system for more even distribution.

 

[Cormoran]

How is forcing guests to pick 3 when they only want one or two getting them into the hands of people who want to use them? How is giving guests who stay onsite a 30 day advantage getting them into the hands of people who buy a ticket the day they arrive and want an FP for 7DMT?

I don't believe for one second that's why they spent hundreds of millions of dollars to revamp the existing ride reservation system. If they felt that there was a need for FP's to "be distributed more evenly to all guests" and into "the hands of people who actually wanted to use them" then they could have accomplished that with a few software tweaks of the paper system.

If the plan was for even distribution, why are guests using additional MB's at the Kiosk to get more rides? This is an other practice that Disney could stop, if they wanted to.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I don't think relying on the benevolence of other guests is a reliable system for more even distribution.

I'm pretty positive I gave away more FPs than you gathered in your entire lifetime.

 

[Alfalfa]

Defending the current system by claiming it's purpose was to create more even distribution and get FP's into the hands of those who wanted them but couldn't get them before is like arguing that airlines created first class to make more room for coach passengers.

 

[Cormoran]

I don't think relying on the benevolence of other guests is a reliable system for more even distribution.

Doesn't the same rule apply to FP+? If I'm not using mine and don't bother canceling, someone else loses out. Don't think that's any different with the new system. Well except it was easier before, now if I want to cancel I have to use the app or find a kiosk. So, I won't bother.

 

[SmithSmith]

And the point is what? We do/did that on every single trip. You don't think I'm going to pull as many FPs as I can on this upcoming trip? It's easy to do. One would have to be stupid not to! So yes....thanks for posting that. We will be doing the exact same thing on this trip as well. Why? Because we can. Others just need to open their eyes...

I just wanted to clarify for others that you went to DL with the expressed intent to "pull as many as humanly possible". You had an agenda, most people don't tour that way, because they realize it's a vacation, not a competition.

I will not be commenting any further on this.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I just wanted to clarify for others that you went to DL with the expressed intent to "pull as many as humanly possible". You had an agenda, most people don't tour that way, because they realize it's a vacation, not a competition.

I will not be commenting any further on this.

Then explain that to the people up there who say I was undoubtedly completely shutting others out. LOL

 

[jade1]

Defending the current system by claiming it's purpose was to create more even distribution and get FP's into the hands of those who wanted them but couldn't get them before is like arguing that airlines created first class to make more room for coach passengers.

It's exactly our scenario, and anybody who park toured/arrived (or hopped) later in the days-at least busier weeks. Created only for that? Heck no.

 

[cakebaker]

I'm pretty positive I gave away more FPs than you gathered in your entire lifetime.

I'm suspecting that's probably not true at all. We've been many times since the inception of paper fp and used all the legal tips and tricks to get in as many rides as we cared to have. We often had leftovers as well that we gave away. If you gave away more than our group that was as many as 8-10 people per trip gathered over the years it's even further reason to put on the brakes.

I don't think people that used the system to their benefit were doing anything wrong- it was the system Disney created and we used it to our best advantage just as we do with FP+ now.

 

[Hokie2000]

How is forcing guests to pick 3 when they only want one or two getting them into the hands of people who want to use them? How is giving guests who stay onsite a 30 day advantage getting them into the hands of people who buy a ticket the day they arrive and want an FP for 7DMT?

I don't believe for one second that's why they spent hundreds of millions of dollars to revamp the existing ride reservation system. If they felt that there was a need for FP's to "be distributed more evenly to all guests" and into "the hands of people who actually wanted to use them" then they could have accomplished that with a few software tweaks of the paper system.

I agree with this in that I don't think even distribution of Fps was the driving force behind FP+. I think (and this is just conjecture on my part) the MM+ initiative "swallowed" up the FP program. Kiosks spitting out little strips of paper? That's so 2000. Now you can just tap your band! And all the attributes of the system were designed to allow this to happen. Three FPs was the magic number that would allow the system to work since they expected more people to use it than FP-. I don't know why you have to pick 3. I don't know why they were able to add the additional ones at the kiosks, unless less people ended up using the system than they expected, or they were able to designate more Fps per ride than they had intended. I don't think 4th and beyond will ever be available on the app. The kiosks act to slow down the use of additional Fps, and they seem to be reducing the number of kiosks even further.

So if I believe all this why do I still like the system? Because I rarely pulled more than 3 FPs before, so there's very little lost to me in that respect, however the preplanning is a huge benefit to me, so my experience is net positive. I am enjoying other aspects of the resort besides the four major parks, and no one attraction is make-or-break for our family. The kids are just as happy if not more to go on a Pirate Adventure Cruise and spend the rest of the day playing with their "treasure" and swimming at the resort. My husband is just as happy chilling at the resort, especially since we own DVC and are staying at those resorts. I plan out park days because I enjoy doing it, not because it's necessary for us to have a good vacation. Others will obviously have different experiences, but I can't be the only one who enjoys WDW vacations in this way.

 

[Cormoran]

I agree with this in that I don't think even distribution of Fps was the driving force behind FP+. I think (and this is just conjecture on my part) the MM+ initiative "swallowed" up the FP program. Kiosks spitting out little strips of paper? That's so 2000. Now you can just tap your band! And all the attributes of the system were designed to allow this to happen. Three FPs was the magic number that would allow the system to work since they expected more people to use it than FP-. I don't know why you have to pick 3. I don't know why they were able to add the additional ones at the kiosks, unless less people ended up using the system than they expected, or they were able to designate more Fps per ride than they had intended. I don't think 4th and beyond will ever be available on the app. The kiosks act to slow down the use of additional Fps, and they seem to be reducing the number of kiosks even further.

So if I believe all this why do I still like the system? Because I rarely pulled more than 3 FPs before, so there's very little lost to me in that respect, however the preplanning is a huge benefit to me, so my experience is net positive. I am enjoying other aspects of the resort besides the four major parks, and no one attraction is make-or-break for our family. The kids are just as happy if not more to go on a Pirate Adventure Cruise and spend the rest of the day playing with their "treasure" and swimming at the resort. My husband is just as happy chilling at the resort, especially since we own DVC and are staying at those resorts. I plan out park days because I enjoy doing it, not because it's necessary for us to have a good vacation. Others will obviously have different experiences, but I can't be the only one who enjoys WDW vacations in this way.

Great post. No, I don't think you're alone in the way you visit/ tour WDW. With my family, we don't visit frequently enough to have AP's so we pay a lot more for our daily tickets. We tried to maximize our time in the parks, this time it's going to be different. We'll spend more time exploring other Orlando area attractions.

IMO AP holders may visit more frequently and not feel compelled to remain in the parks for extended periods of time.

 

[DISNEYD14]

Do people feel waiting in the kiosk lines takes a lot of time to pick additional FP+? I really never waited a minute or more in any parks.

 

[Hokie2000]

Great post. No, I don't think you're alone in the way you visit/ tour WDW. With my family, we don't visit frequently enough to have AP's so we pay a lot more for our daily tickets. We tried to maximize our time in the parks, this time it's going to be different. We'll spend more time exploring other Orlando area attractions.

IMO AP holders may visit more frequently and not feel compelled to remain in the parks for extended periods of time.

I agree. It is easier to "take it easy" when you know you'll be back soon.

I wish you much success on your upcoming trip and I hope you find that you enjoy this type of vacation even more!

 

[Cormoran]

Do people feel waiting in the kiosk lines takes a lot of time to pick additional FP+? I really never waited a minute or more in any parks.

Well, according to what I've read, Disney has removed some kiosks. In MK for example there are 3 kiosks areas available for making 4th FP+ selections. so the lines a considerably longer.