MagicRat
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2010
DISCLAIMER: These are just my OPINIONS based on my experience:
We just returned from a weekend visit with 3 days in the parks. We are 8 year plus DVC members and bought AP's for the first time. However, we were staying offsite this time, and I was extremely concerned about the FP+ system. After 3 days of usage, I am really on the fence about the system.
I was dreading having to do the FP kiosks for times, but as we got there right around park opening for MK and EP on two days, I didn't really encounter any significant waits at the kiosks. For MK, I hustled to the circus tent area, and for EP, I went to the breezeway to the left of SE. That said, I did see a wait at the Theater in MK and a HUGE wait behind SE (which really surprised me since the breezeway was probably less than 100 yards away and nobody knew to go there.) At those times, I was basically able to get any FP that I wanted (although times were a bit limited) but I don't think anything was sold out. And these were HEAVY crowd days on the weekend. Although I didn't stand in them, it seemed like the lines later in the day were hit and miss depending on the location.
I think the limitations need to be adjusted. 3 a day is just too few. I would probably be fine with 5 (but I'm sure I'd then say I could use 7?) Also, you need to be able to park hop. I was somewhat embarrassed on our EP day when we went to the MK in the afternoon (saw the premiere of the new parade)- I went up to a kiosk looking to get some evening FP and had totally forgotten that I had used them at EP in the morning
Lastly, I didn't like the tiering, especially at EP.
With that said, there were a few things I did like. I have to say that it was a bit more enjoyable not having to run around the parks to pick up FPs throughout the day. Particularly after they started enforcing the return times, I found I was doing a lot of running back and forth. This time, I felt like I was able to actually spend more time with my kids! I can see how someone that NEEDS to ride TT and/or Sorain 3+ times in a day will hate the new system, but I think this may get back somewhat to what the "intent" of Dis was- go enjoy each ride, once, maybe twice. For what it's worth, my kids did comment that this was one of their favorite visits out of probably 20+ times at WDW.
To sum up, I think I will eventually learn to co-exist with the FP+ system and maybe even like it. My next couple of visits will be at DVC onsite, so I won't have quite as much to worry about. For now, it takes some adjustments to our past touring plans.
We just returned from a weekend visit with 3 days in the parks. We are 8 year plus DVC members and bought AP's for the first time. However, we were staying offsite this time, and I was extremely concerned about the FP+ system. After 3 days of usage, I am really on the fence about the system.
I was dreading having to do the FP kiosks for times, but as we got there right around park opening for MK and EP on two days, I didn't really encounter any significant waits at the kiosks. For MK, I hustled to the circus tent area, and for EP, I went to the breezeway to the left of SE. That said, I did see a wait at the Theater in MK and a HUGE wait behind SE (which really surprised me since the breezeway was probably less than 100 yards away and nobody knew to go there.) At those times, I was basically able to get any FP that I wanted (although times were a bit limited) but I don't think anything was sold out. And these were HEAVY crowd days on the weekend. Although I didn't stand in them, it seemed like the lines later in the day were hit and miss depending on the location.
I think the limitations need to be adjusted. 3 a day is just too few. I would probably be fine with 5 (but I'm sure I'd then say I could use 7?) Also, you need to be able to park hop. I was somewhat embarrassed on our EP day when we went to the MK in the afternoon (saw the premiere of the new parade)- I went up to a kiosk looking to get some evening FP and had totally forgotten that I had used them at EP in the morning
Lastly, I didn't like the tiering, especially at EP.With that said, there were a few things I did like. I have to say that it was a bit more enjoyable not having to run around the parks to pick up FPs throughout the day. Particularly after they started enforcing the return times, I found I was doing a lot of running back and forth. This time, I felt like I was able to actually spend more time with my kids! I can see how someone that NEEDS to ride TT and/or Sorain 3+ times in a day will hate the new system, but I think this may get back somewhat to what the "intent" of Dis was- go enjoy each ride, once, maybe twice. For what it's worth, my kids did comment that this was one of their favorite visits out of probably 20+ times at WDW.
To sum up, I think I will eventually learn to co-exist with the FP+ system and maybe even like it. My next couple of visits will be at DVC onsite, so I won't have quite as much to worry about. For now, it takes some adjustments to our past touring plans.
