A day-tripper's gripe

[DisneyFive]

For the most part, I agree with the OP. (...and I like your writing style by the way)

The only thing I disagree with is being "done" after a 40 minute wait for Test Track. While not enjoyable, it's certainly within the realm of being manageable (Just my opinion)

For me, I don't see it as a "Day Tripper" issue, as much of a "loss of spontaneity" issue. ...but overall the issue is the same. This has bit us in the butt a few times with the new FP+ system, but for us it's been when trying to shift park days while you are on your, say, 8 night vacation. If we want to shift our Magic Kingdom day due to bad weather, gone are your treasured FP's like 7DMR, and the same goes for the other parks. After ALL that planning, if you try to adjust your schedule due to any number of reasons, you start all over and are thrown in with the masses with MUCH more limited FP+ availability.

With the old FP system, EVERYONE was on the same playing field as soon as that park opened.

Dan

 

[TimR573]

Book a room, book your FP+, then cancel the room reservation. You keep your FP+ reservations. The only real limit for passholders is the 7 day limit.

Nice - I did not realize that was possible. I will keep this in mind for our next trip down

 

[BuckeyeBama]

With the old FP system, EVERYONE was on the same playing field as soon as that park opened.

Not to rip open old wounds, but this is an oversimplification. Everyone is only on the same laying field if everyone's preferred touring style were the same. With the old system everyone could choose to have the same access to FP if they were willing to get up early. But for many people, this would ruin their vacation, so they really are not on the same playing field because they have to choose between FP and an enjoyable trip. Sleep is actually pretty important to a lot of people.

BTW, we preferred the old system, but I totally understand why some people hated it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not to rip open old wounds, but this is an oversimplification. Everyone is only on the same laying field if everyone's preferred touring style were the same. With the old system everyone could choose to have the same access to FP if they were willing to get up early. But for many people, this would ruin their vacation, so they really are not on the same playing field because they have to choose between FP and an enjoyable trip. Sleep is actually pretty important to a lot of people.

BTW, we preferred the old system, but I totally understand why some people hated it.

But you have to admit that are far more ways to leverage the new system to one's benefit. Ways that some people have absolutely no idea about. So I don't think it's even remotely close to having everybody on the same playing field.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

But you have to admit that are far more ways to leverage the new system to one's benefit. Ways that some people have absolutely no idea about. So I don't think it's even remotely close to having everybody on the same playing field.

Yeah, I am a leverager (is that a word?). I had the old system down, and I do things with the new system that would make most on these boards very upset. Let's just say that I have always had plenty of FP reservations.

 

[TimR573]

Not to rip open old wounds, but this is an oversimplification. Everyone is only on the same laying field if everyone's preferred touring style were the same. With the old system everyone could choose to have the same access to FP if they were willing to get up early. But for many people, this would ruin their vacation, so they really are not on the same playing field because they have to choose between FP and an enjoyable trip. Sleep is actually pretty important to a lot of people.

BTW, we preferred the old system, but I totally understand why some people hated it.

I liked it a lot when we were younger and sans kids (thus, getting up super early and rushing in to grab FP's was no issue) - If we rope drop with little ones, we are signing up for a cranky morning and calling it a night early.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yeah, I am a leverager (is that a word?). I had the old system down, and I do things with the new system that would make most on these boards very upset. Let's just say that I have always had plenty of FP reservations.

I actually have no issue with people leveraging the new system. Just a problem with people singing the praises of the new system without some sort of disclaimer about all the "insider strategies" their experience includes.

 

[DisneyFive]

Not to rip open old wounds, but this is an oversimplification. Everyone is only on the same laying field if everyone's preferred touring style were the same. With the old system everyone could choose to have the same access to FP if they were willing to get up early. But for many people, this would ruin their vacation, so they really are not on the same playing field because they have to choose between FP and an enjoyable trip. Sleep is actually pretty important to a lot of people.

BTW, we preferred the old system, but I totally understand why some people hated it.

No offense, but I don't agree with your logic. I think you are describing how people choose to use a system, not the equality of the system itself. By your same logic, you might say that people could have chosen not to even use the old FP system at all, so for them they were not equal under the old system.

Just because you didn't make full use of the system in the past doesn't mean the system itself wasn't equal to all.

Everyone was on the same playing field before. It was your choice to get up early or not, but everyone had the same access on that day. (Admittedly, here was one exception: onsite guests could start grabbing paper FP's on EMH mornings before offsite guests for that first hour or so.)

I do 100% agree that there are some GREAT perks of FP+, namely the ability to pre-schedule FP's for your arrival day, and to sleep in.

Dan

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the current system is more equal than the old one. Before the faster you could move the more FPs you could pull. And the earlier you got up, the more FPs you could pull. Now everyone has equal access to those FPs. My 77 year old dad can pull a FPs as quickly as a 40 year old. He doesn't have to worry about getting up and timing his meds so that he can head to the parks without a problem.

Having said that, there are people who struggle with the computer system. Unfortunately no system will ever be totally equal and fair. It is impossible. But the old one favored only those who were willing to get to the park early, and those who were more able bodied.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

No offense, but I don't agree with your logic. I think you are describing how people choose to use a system, not the equality of the system itself. By your same logic, you might say that people could have chosen not to even use the old FP system at all, so for them they were not equal under the old system.

Just because you didn't make full use of the system in the past doesn't mean the system itself wasn't equal to all.

I don't mind that you disagree. I am right, but you are free to be wrong.

Seriously, I am just saying that not every family situation is the same. As for me - I was a FP expert and hoarder. I leveraged the heck out of the old system. So I did make full use of it. But having done so I saw the inequity. I didn't change my use of the system, but I did feel a little guilty.

 

[SaintsManiac]

No offense, but I don't agree with your logic. I think you are describing how people choose to use a system, not the equality of the system itself. By your same logic, you might say that people could have chosen not to even use the old FP system at all, so for them they were not equal under the old system.

Just because you didn't make full use of the system in the past doesn't mean the system itself wasn't equal to all.

Everyone was on the same playing field before. It was your choice to get up early or not, but everyone had the same access on that day. (Admittedly, here was one exception: onsite guests could start grabbing paper FP's on EMH mornings before offsite guests for that first hour or so.)

I do 100% agree that there are some GREAT perks of FP+, namely the ability to pre-schedule FP's for your arrival day, and to sleep in.

Dan

You could get up early and get stuck behind people grabbing FPs for everyone in their extended family. Those times were fun!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

You could get up early and get stuck behind people grabbing FPs for everyone in their extended family. Those times were fun!

Or a guy grabbing FP for a large tour group.

 

[yulilin3]

I am right, but you are free to be wrong.

I need this t-shirt

 

[Shanti]

I hope some day to live close enough to have this problem.

Exactly. I wouldn't mind having to cope with Florida Resident Rates, either.

 

[Shanti]

With the old FP system, EVERYONE was on the same playing field as soon as that park opened.

Um, not.

Not if you were mobility impaired in any way (which could include being a parent with small child, or being an older person, an injured person or a heavier person), & didn't have a companion to be the designated FastPass runner. The old system rewarded young, fit adults, or those with young, fit adults in their party.

The new system gives everyone a chance, regardless of physical abilities/limitations.

 

[Shanti]

That doesn't make it any less annoying that you miss out on that perk when you're one of their premium customers.

You're not one of their premium customers if you're not staying onsite. The resorts are where Disney makes the real money, much more so than selling park passes.

 

[DisneyFive]

Um, not.

Not if you were mobility impaired in any way (which could include being a parent with small child, or being an older person, an injured person or a heavier person), & didn't have a companion to be the designated FastPass runner. The old system rewarded young, fit adults, or those with young, fit adults in their party.

The amount of zigzagging around the park the old touring plans required was hard on people physically, too. The new system gives everyone a chance, regardless of physical abilities/limitations.

You have a very valid point. I agree that mobility challenged people had harder time grabbing FP's under the old system.

Remember, my point is about the spontaneity of the old versus the new, day of, and how the old system was FAR better for this. This is what the OP was complaining about.

I stand by the fact that it was FAR more of an equal playing field, even adjusting for the mobility challenged, back in the day. Our second visit, back in 2011, my MIL used an ECV for our entire 8 night trip, so I know the challenges, but it was still far more equal for everyone back then if you just wanted to show up at a park and get the FP's you wanted.

I'm not getting into all the benefits and issues with both systems. We've vacationed with both, and have had amazing trips either way.

Dan

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

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 not so certain I would penalize Disney for this. In fact I think if they didn't have an app for their parks or their website by this point that can do a lot of stuff then I would penalize them.

Honest to gosh I don't think they are doing it because they want to phase out the middle class..I think they are doing it because they know guests expect this sorta stuff with today's technology. The thing is so many things are reliant on either being on a web browser or an app or places offer an app for a wide variety of stuff.
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Universal now has where you'll book your place for the virtual queue via the app for certain rides (though I believe they've also go kiosks too).
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Heck my city has an app they push you to use just to remind you it's trash/recycling/yard waste/household hazarous waste day. My library system has an app. I can open and close and see if my garage door was left open on accident via an app from anywhere as long as I have internet service (very handy by the way). And those are just the mundane things I've got an app for.

 

[whiporee]

You have a very valid point. I agree that mobility challenged people had harder time grabbing FP's under the old system.

Remember, my point is about the spontaneity of the old versus the new, day of, and how the old system was FAR better for this. This is what the OP was complaining about.

I stand by the fact that it was FAR more of an equal playing field, even adjusting for the mobility challenged, back in the day. Our second visit, back in 2011, my MIL used an ECV for our entire 8 night trip, so I know the challenges, but it was still far more equal for everyone back then if you just wanted to show up at a park and get the FP's you wanted.

I'm not getting into all the benefits and issues with both systems. We've vacationed with both, and have had amazing trips either way.

Dan

I don't think FP- was anything resembling an overall even field because it was heavily weighted to people who knew the system. It was clearly better for them -- no question -- but I think it was a big detriment to everyone else in the park. So if you were one of the people who knew how to best use FP-, you did great with it if you were willing to put in the early morning and the effort it required. But that was a relatively small percentage of the park's users.

That being said, the new system is heavily weighted toward resort guests. We can argue the merits of that, but it's clear that WDW made the decision to offer 60 days as a perk. And it really works agains the day trippers, like the OP said. Now that I've gone from being a resort guest to being a part-time Orlando resident, I can see that pretty clearly and it does suck to sort of take FP+ out of your planning for the most part. But I can't fault either WDW for offering or resort guests for expecting this kind of perk, because the rooms are pricey, and it only makes sense to offer resort guests as many advantages as they can.

 

[mamamelody2]

We only used the old FP System once when we went in 2010. I remember racing off with the tickets of all 10 people in our group to get FPs. The line for the Toy Story Mania fastpass kiosk was 20 minutes long even after running to it directly after rope drop, and the FP we finally got was for hours later. For the "best" rides, FPs were gone very early in the day. At least with FP+ you can keep refreshing and probably something will come up as people cancel/change FP+s.