A Crowded Weekend, FP+, And An Offsite Stay-Reporting Back (Very Long)

[BuckeyeBama]

This thread reminds me why I only go to WDW during very low crowd periods.

 

[JimmyV]

We were on-site, but I felt so, so bad for off-site folks waiting in those FP+ kiosk lines.

Me too. Every morning my wife would complain about having to get up for RD, and every day I would show her how big the FP+ kiosk lines had grown by 10:00 and she would say: "I know. I know. Making us get here early really is the best strategy. But that won't matter to me tomorrow when I complain all over again when the alarm goes off!"

Almost all of the non-headliners I rode standby had hugely inflated wait times. Jungle Cruise was posted as 30 minutes - took us less than 15. In AK on thursday 2/20 Primevil Whirl was posted as 30 - took us 7 - we did it twice in a row, and this was mid-day. Spaceship Earth was posted as 30, and was much closer to 15, despite the line looking astronomical. Now, even having to wait 15 minutes for SE is a little crazy, since I have always walked right on... but it was President's day, so I decided I could stomach a 15 minute wait

This is exactly right, and I should have mentioned that. We found the posted wait times at AK and MK to be overestimated. DHS and Epcot, not so much.

At BTMR, the FP+ line looked really long and snaked out into the walkway.... because of the first set of MB scanners. It creates a major choke point at the very beginning of the line. Once through those first scanners, it was less than 7 minutes before we were riding. But the placement of the scanners forces the FP+ queue into the walkways, which is ridiculous.

This is precisely the point. We spent a good bit of time debating what they can do about this. You wait in a long line to "tap" the first Mickey outside the attraction, and then, you race through the zigzags like you just stole something. Sort of makes the interior lines at places like Space Mountain and Everest completely irrelevant. Since you have to queue up for the fist tap, there is no place for the crowd to go except out in to the areas where lines are not supposed to be. Is there a way for them to eliminate the first tap-stile and simply rely on the one at the boarding area? This obviously presents a problem if someone gets in the wrong line. But clear signage should fix that.

Also - on Friday or Saturday I noticed a dedicated table, right as you entered from the international gateway with 3 CM's with ipads that had signs on it for the Swan and Dolphin. I am guessing this is Disney's way of addressing the Swan/Dolphin issue. There were never any guests working with them, so I don't know how successful that was. They definitely weren't there earlier in the week though, so I'm guessing they got a lot of guest complaints.

A day late and a dollar short for us, I guess. Here's the funny part. At the Swan and Dolphin bus loading area and boat dock, they have huge signs proclaiming that as a guest at the Swan/Dolphin, you have the ability to participate in a "test" of the new FP+ system and that you have the "benefit" of booking your FP+s once you are inside the park. And that this opportunity is "limited" and may not be available to everyone. Uhhh. I think those are a bit outdated. Can't really be a "limited test" now that that Legacy FP is no more. The "benefit" that they are touting is the same thing that someone staying in St. Cloud can get.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I really don't understand the need for 2 Mickey Heads with this system. I could understand it with the old system, but with this one? It seems like just having one, and having it be further in the FP queue (so more people could be inside waiting instead of outside) would be enough. They really need to do something about the length of these lines and where they're occurring before the heat hits.

 

[wilma-bride]

OP, thank you so much for your informative and balanced post. I am glad that you were able to have an enjoyable trip and did not allow the issues with FP+ and MDE to negatively impact on your vacation. I only hope that I am able to adopt a similarly positive attitude in a couple of weeks' time.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I really don't understand the need for 2 Mickey Heads with this system. I could understand it with the old system, but with this one? It seems like just having one, and having it be further in the FP queue (so more people could be inside waiting instead of outside) would be enough. They really need to do something about the length of these lines and where they're occurring before the heat hits.

There has to be one outside to stop people who have no idea what they are doing. You could move it some distance into the FP queue as long as there is a way out for people who have no FP+ reservations.

The inside scanner has to be where it is to stop folks from jumping over from the SB queue.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There has to be one outside to stop people who have no idea what they are doing. You could move it some distance into the FP queue as long as there is a way out for people who have no FP+ reservations.

The inside scanner has to be where it is to stop folks from jumping over from the SB queue.

I understand the inside one has to be there and why. As for the outside one...I can understand the above logic to an extent, but at the same time there also has to be something done about the back up it creates. Since you can link and copy FP+s (and share the info) with other members of your party, it seems to me that there should be a way to only scan 1 party member's FP outside, and then have everyone scan at the second one to confirm their individual FP+. I don't know...just an idea...something needs to be done, though. Lines like the OP is discussing in the summer heat/sun are not going to go well.

 

[Kristine316]

I haven't tried FP+ yet but, we do have a trip planned for September. I know it won't be nearly as crowded then but, reading this just makes me sad.

It sounds like a total mess. It will be very interesting to see how spring break and summer crowds deal with it all.

My biggest concern is the SB lines. We are a family who goes to WDW for the rides. I know lots of folks tour differently and love the shows, parades, shopping or just soaking up the atmosphere but, for us it is all about riding as much as we can. It would be a disappointment for us if we were dramatically limited on how much we could ride.. and that has always been my biggest concern. It just wouldn't feel like we are getting the value we once did from Disney.

If you are a someone who goes to WDW a couple times a year or more I do not think these changes would dramatically change your enjoyment of WDW. Chances are you have ridden everything countless times and do not care if you miss several rides any given trip, there is always next time. However, if you are a family who comes to WDW maybe once or twice in a lifetime not getting to ride everything you want to is sort of a big deal.. because chances are there won't be a next time.

I know to posters on this forum the idea of only going to WDW maybe a couple times in a lifetime seems unrealistic and strange but, for the vast majority of people I am guessing this is true. Most of my friends and family have indeed taken a WDW vacation... once, and that is it... we are the only family I know besides a friend of my husband's who has gone more than once.
People actually think it is weird that we are planning our 4th WDW vacation this fall.

I guess I just put myself in the shoes of a family who has saved for years to go to WDW and have no intention of going back and then run into a cluster of a mess like what has been described with this FP+ over President's Day and I feel bad for them. It sounds like if you go during a quieter time it is much better but, not everyone can go in January or September.
I know some will say they didn't have to go during the "testing phase" but, I just received a mailer from Disney making MyMagic and FP+ sound amazing.. if I didn't read these forums I would think it was the best thing ever and would make my park experience better than it ever has been for anyone who has ever gone to WDW. Yeah. right.

 

[Sparkly]

Very good advice for everyone on here- but what about those who aren't? It would seem it's the first-timers and casual guests will be the ones crushing the 1st ones they see...

I actually said this to Mum. Only a fool would go to the first FP+ kiosk they see. Same with turnstiles.

 

[dwheaton]

I've just read this thread, and all I can say is yikes. I'm starting to think that our decision not to go this year was wise. Navigating the parks with a stroller seems like it might be impossible with all these lines.

I can only hope that they figure out a system that works by the time we go next January. I do feel awful for the people who are visiting now and not having a good experience. It's one thing for experienced visitors to work around it. If a family saves up and expects "magic", they may be disappointed.

I just can't imagine that Disney will let this current situation roll into the summer. With the heat and larger crowds (plus more kids), it will be chaos. They better shape up fast or it's going to be ugly.

 

[HydroGuy]

I understand the inside one has to be there and why. As for the outside one...I can understand the above logic to an extent, but at the same time there also has to be something done about the back up it creates. Since you can link and copy FP+s (and share the info) with other members of your party, it seems to me that there should be a way to only scan 1 party member's FP outside, and then have everyone scan at the second one to confirm their individual FP+. I don't know...just an idea...something needs to be done, though. Lines like the OP is discussing in the summer heat/sun are not going to go well.

With FP- there was (as we all know) always a CM at the FP Return line entrance to check FPs. Then the FPs were not actually taken until later in the queue by a second CM. It would seem the current situation reported by the OP could be alleviated if they posted a CM at the FP return line entrance at the same place as always (first Mickey is there?) who informed everyone walking in that they had to have an active FP+. This would be accompanied by clear signage. Same CM staffing as before. And they allowed guests to skip scanning the MB at the first Mickey.

It would be imperfect because inevitably some would be mistaken or willing to stretch the truth (i.e., be dishonest) which would be caught at the second Mickey. At which point they would need to be redirected.

 

[mom2rtk]

It would be imperfect because inevitably some would be mistaken or willing to stretch the truth (i.e., be dishonest) which would be caught at the second Mickey. At which point they would need to be redirected.

And because by the time they get to that second Mickey, there is no longer room for an easy out.

 

[detroitdad]

OP excellent, excellent post!

We were there the same time frame staying on site. I felt awful for the off-site guests. The back up for BTMRR was crazy and that was with Splash mtn being down for refurb. That area is always so congested normally can't imagine how much worse it will be with Splash back open. The fast pass return line is definitely deceiving as scanning the magic bands take so much longer than handing someone a paper fast pass. Plus I was amazed at how many people still tried to get in before their fast pass time was even available. Saw this the entire trip.

Personally it did not ruin our trip and I really didn't pay too much attention to the aesthetics being affected by the spill over lines but since you mentioned it, I now agree with that observation!

I really loved the ease of the magic bands. Never had any issues with park entry, hotel room, meals or fast pass. It will be interesting to see how this all evolves as we will be back for a trip in June.

 

[HydroGuy]

And because by the time they get to that second Mickey, there is no longer room for an easy out.

So they have to walk back out. Same issue as FP- if the first FP checker was not paying close enough attention on return windows. Maybe better to have this and people walking back out than having all the crowds outside the ride in the FP return line.

Anyone know why all the testing Disney did over the months did not show this to a looming problem? I am picturing what the OP reported and can see how it would detract significantly. This should have been an easy one for Disney to figure out. They are supposed to be good at this kind of thing.

 

[morethananyonex]

I actually said this to Mum. Only a fool would go to the first FP+ kiosk they see. Same with turnstiles.

Well that's nice. Everyone who doesn't take the time to research which FP+ kiosks are best to use are clearly fools.

 

[mesaboy2]

So they have to walk back out. Same issue as FP- if the first FP checker was not paying close enough attention on return windows. Maybe better to have this and people walking back out than having all the crowds outside the ride in the FP return line.

Anyone know why all the testing Disney did over the months did not show this to a looming problem? I am picturing what the OP reported and can see how it would detract significantly. This should have been an easy one for Disney to figure out. They are supposed to be good at this kind of thing.

I would guess more and more people eligible for FP+, along with percentage of FP+ spiking to 100% of all FP use--all changing rapidly within a few weeks time.

There have been sporadic reports of long FP entry lines for a while, it appears to be more widespread now.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would guess more and more people eligible for FP+, along with percentage of FP+ spiking to 100% of all FP use--all changing rapidly within a few weeks time.

They should have asked us here on the DIS. I know we discussed this very thing some time ago, with pointed discussions about how much longer it would take to tap each band versus fanning out and glancing a the paper FPs.

 

[mesaboy2]

They should have asked us here on the DIS. I know we discussed this very thing some time ago, with pointed discussions about how much longer it would take to tap each band versus fanning out and glancing a the paper FPs.

I don't think we on the DIS have a monopoly on common sense and basic logic skills.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think we on the DIS have a monopoly on common sense and basic logic skills.

No, but somehow the FP+ designers missed the call on this one.

 

[morethananyonex]

They should have asked us here on the DIS. I know we discussed this very thing some time ago, with pointed discussions about how much longer it would take to tap each band versus fanning out and glancing a the paper FPs.

I've said it before, but I refuse to believe they thought this wasn't going to be an issue. You do not have to be a Disney insider to see the obvious issues with switching from a paper system to this. It's not just the slower entrance times, it's every few people going blue instead of green and having to deal with the multiple different reasons it's happening (some legit reasons, some a lack of understanding, some flat out lies).

They had to have known this was going to happen when everything went FP+ only. I think they just figured it's something that can be dealt with and will maybe get better over time. I mean, the reasons behind this happening can't really be helped, can they? A back up at the second scanner instead with all those same issues is really no better. At least the second scanners move quicker because most blue Mickey people have been stopped.

 

[mesaboy2]

No, but somehow the FP+ designers missed the call on this one.