A day-tripper's gripe

[bryanb]

If they set aside 1% of FastPasses per day for day only guests but there's only a .5% interest, where do the other FastPasses go? Are they wasted so no one rides?

If I understand the system correctly, the FastPasses themselves are wasted, but it's balanced out by the fractionally shorter wait time in the standby line. Either way, someone gets to enjoy the benefit unless demand is so low that the queue is empty.

If you're a Florida Resident and think you'll go at least 3 times a year... just get an annual pass. You'll wind up going more It's worth it.

Totally agree. As expensive as annual passes are, you have this amazing entertainment complex right at your doorstep!

 

[whiporee]

$50 (65 if doing both parks), not 100, and it's definitely not mandatory. I've never gotten it at Universal and have done just fine without.

ETA: I don't understand, with all of the add-ons that Disney sells, throwing this shade at Universal. But to each their own.

For full disclosure, Universal's Express Pass is dependent on the day and season. For example, in addition to admission, an EP for today for either single park would have been $129 (Florida residents may have been a little less. I couldn't find that info). The $54 days are weekdays on IOA during the low season. US doesn't go any lower than below $75 and that's only weekdays.

The duel park would have been $139 today, and never less than $85, and not less than $120 for the rest of the summer.

Just so folks know the real numbers.

 

[NeuroCindy]

For full disclosure, Universal's Express Pass is dependent on the day and season. For example, in addition to admission, an EP for today for either single park would have been $129 (Florida residents may have been a little less. I couldn't find that info). The $54 days are weekdays on IOA during the low season. US doesn't go any lower than below $75 and that's only weekdays.

The duel park would have been $139 today, and never less than $85, and not less than $120 for the rest of the summer.

Just so folks know the real numbers.

Today is a holiday. Next Saturday for IoA it's $60, for US it's $65 or for both together it's $69. I just went through the calendar, I don't see any days as high as you're talking about.

I think you're talking about the express unlimited, that is not what I referenced in my original post or above. I gave numbers for the straight express pass.

 

[wilkeliza]

They could print out a brochure explaining in simple terms how to go about downloading the app and linking the ticket to it and give it to people who buy one day tickets.

They had it when it first started but quickly realized maybe 1 in 5 on a good day read it. The others just throw them on the ground.

 

[smwalw]

In all fairness, not every smartphone can support the Disney apps efficiently. I have a Cricket phone and even if I accessed the desktop version of MDE the text comes out all wonky (settings adjustments does NOTHING to fix the problem). I almost had to resort to bringing my tablet into the parks so I wouldn't have this problem.

True. I own a Windows phone, and the MDE app is not an option for me. I had to log in to the WDW website on my phone and use MDE that way--and when seconds count (as they usually do for snapping up FP+), it's a problem. And I'm not talking about a day trip like the OP; we stayed onsite and planned 60 days in advance. It's just hard to manipulate in-park.

 

[RescueRanger]

Sorry OP, you get no sympathy from me. I personally believe that FP+ should be onsite resort guests only.

 

[whiporee]

Today is a holiday. Next Saturday for IoA it's $60, for US it's $65 or for both together it's $69. I just went through the calendar, I don't see any days as high as you're talking about.

I think you're talking about the express unlimited, that is not what I referenced in my original post or above. I gave numbers for the straight express pass.

Fair enough, and I apologize for the misunderstanding.

But that pass only allows one trip on selected rides -- not including either Harry Potter or the Hogwarts Express. I think if WDW offered that kind of add-on -- $50 for FP that allowed one-time access to everything but SM, SDMT and BTMR -- I think this board would melt down with condemnations. I don't think WDW has any add-on that's comparable to that, so the PP's complaint seems legit to me.

Thanks for clarifying. I hate posting bad information.

 

[DebbieB]

Disney created something that they really didn't think through... with FP+.

I think if they would have thought more about it they would have charged for it, perhaps for offsite. They are starting electronic same day fastpasses at Disneyland and there's going to be a charge.

Sorry OP, you get no sympathy from me. I personally believe that FP+ should be onsite resort guests only.

I'm someone who is always on site but I disagree. Everyone pays the same for tickets. Onsite gets a 30 day leadtime.

 

[rangerxenos]

The fp+ system really penalizes last minuters. While not a popular opinion, I believe the old fp system was the most fair system. You get to ropedrop, grab a fastpass to something and ride something else, redeem your fp, grab another one. The ability to preplan has taken away the advantage that the go getters use to have.

And we hated the paper FP system, because they were almost always gone by the time we tried to get them. If you travel with older people, Rope Drop isn't usually feasible (at least not with my family!), and you had to run to try and get them. I much prefer the new system, even though you have to plan more.

 

[leebee]

Me, too. I refuse to get a smart phone (may be on my gravestone) and I resent that the world has rushed to making them indispensable. As a result, I have not been back to WDW since they introduced the new system which isn't FastPass+, rather it is Disney now using meta-data to staff and artificially control crowds while charging crazy prices for tickets and food. Disney and airlines are at the top of my list of things to avoid in the 21st Century.

Our only cell phone is a tracfone that stays in the car for emergencies, so I feel your pain. Just one more thing that Disney is doing to phase out the middle class, IMO. I think people forget not everyone has internet access, much less a smart phone!

 

[linzbear]

Our only cell phone is a tracfone that stays in the car for emergencies, so I feel your pain. Just one more thing that Disney is doing to phase out the middle class, IMO. I think people forget not everyone has internet access, much less a smart phone!

I am 100% sure that you can afford a smartphone if you can afford a trip to Disney.

 

[AngiTN]

I am 100% sure that you can afford a smartphone if you can afford a trip to Disney.

And even if you can't or don't want one you can hit up the library for some free computer and internet time to at least book FP. Like it or not, come in to it kicking and screaming, or not, we are now an Internet based world and it's not going to change

 

[kay1864]

My husband and I have gone numerous times ourselves and our biggest "complaint" is we park hop so we end up at Epcot every night. But, we can't get FastPasses there because it's one park per day for those. So, just adjust and adapt and do what we need to do.

Per the FAQ:

Additional / Day-Of FastPasses / Kiosk Locations
Guests can use the MDX website or app to schedule FPs in any park for that same day. In-park kiosks can also be used to schedule FPs, but only for attractions in that same park.​

Not sure what you mean by "it's one park per day for those". Maybe you mean for your first three?

 

[SimonSez]

Disney created something that they really didn't think through... with FP+.

This! I'm surprised this system hasn't been tweaked in the almost three years since we've been to Disney Tweaked how? Smarter people than I will have to figure that out

 

[SaintsManiac]

Our only cell phone is a tracfone that stays in the car for emergencies, so I feel your pain. Just one more thing that Disney is doing to phase out the middle class, IMO. I think people forget not everyone has internet access, much less a smart phone!

I'm sorry this just doesn't make sense.

 

[DaisyJ]

My husband and I have gone numerous times ourselves and our biggest "complaint" is we park hop so we end up at Epcot every night. But, we can't get FastPasses there because it's one park per day for those. So, just adjust and adapt and do what we need to do.

After you use your initial three at one park, you can make a 4th at a different park.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I am 100% sure that you can afford a smartphone if you can afford a trip to Disney.

There are many on this board (just go over to the budget board) who refuse to spend the money on a smartphone but can afford it.

I agree with the PP. We are an internet based world. You just have to roll with it. Our whole family has iPhones, since to us, it makes life easier.

 

[AngiTN]

This! I'm surprised this system hasn't been tweaked in the almost three years since we've been to Disney Tweaked how? Smarter people than I will have to figure that out

They have tweaked FP+ since it's launch. In several ways, all of which have improved it little bits at a time. Is it perfect? No, but seeing how you can't find 5 people who will agree on what makes it perfect I don't think they can make it perfect. But it is better today than it was 3 years ago, I think most everyone has to at least admit that, even if they still don't like it

 

[SimonSez]

They have tweaked FP+ since it's launch. In several ways, all of which have improved it little bits at a time. Is it perfect? No, but seeing how you can't find 5 people who will agree on what makes it perfect I don't think they can make it perfect. But it is better today than it was 3 years ago, I think most everyone has to at least admit that, even if they still don't like it

Okay, hadn't realized it had been tweaked some, guess I shouldn't stay away so long! Ditto on 5 people not agreeing on these things and agree it will never be perfect. These things are subjective.

 

[linzbear]

There are many on this board (just go over to the budget board) who refuse to spend the money on a smartphone but can afford it.

I agree with the PP. We are an internet based world. You just have to roll with it. Our whole family has iPhones, since to us, it makes life easier.

Right, there's a difference between refusing it and being able to afford it. The person I was responding to said that Disney is using smartphones to shut out the middle class. I can get a new smartphone and a month of service for $31, (and if you discontinue payments, you still have a wifi smartphone) so it can't be about the money.