A note for offsiters...

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Out of ALL the rides, you couldn't get 2 attractions that even on site guests have difficulty obtaining? That isn't an off site issue. It is a demand issue.

We are offsite in December. Not holding my breath on the mine train and have no plans to try for Anna and Elsa. But if off site is second class, then I'm all for it. About time on site perks were greater than off site. For the rate we got the condo for, I'm okay with this.

 

[Blakelynn]

I'm staying on site and also couldn't get A&E FP. It's not just an offsite guest issue. I'm also vacationing in September.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You see, this is the confusing part to me. Disney advertises themselves as a theme park, not as a resort destination. Now that I've got the place figured out as a resort destination that happens to have a theme park attached, next trip will go smoothly. Honestly, it would simply make more sense for Disney to offer two different tickets, one on-site, and one off-site, so off-site guests can immediately understand they're being treated to a different class of experience and make a more informed choice, avoiding disappointment. Then again... perhaps they are worried those they can't convert might just not come at all.

I'd say Disney has plenty of financial incentive to appeal to offsite guests, though. I imagine park capacity is several times hotel capacity. But what I'd do and what Disney does are, well... a difference of opinion.

I currently live in Virginia. Commercials I have seen has it advertised as a resort destination. In room marketing (Stacy!) emphasize parks and resorts. The packages they advertise emphasize resort.


I have been going to Disney since the late 70s. I was always wanting to stay on site. Pretty sure that has been due to advertising and marketing. I remember the old brochures. Our first on site was Fort Wilderness and I was so happy to be on site when I was 6.

While they do appeal to off site guests, the whole planning of the WDW Resoet property was to encourage guests to come on site and stay there until it was time to go home

 

[DopeyDame]

You see, this is the confusing part to me. Disney advertises themselves as a theme park, not as a resort destination.

Huh? It's the Walt Disney World Resort. Resort is right there in the very name. I think Disney goes to enormous lengths to advertise itself as a resort destination.

 

[aaarcher86]

You see, this is the confusing part to me. Disney advertises themselves as a theme park, not as a resort destination. Now that I've got the place figured out as a resort destination that happens to have a theme park attached, next trip will go smoothly. Honestly, it would simply make more sense for Disney to offer two different tickets, one on-site, and one off-site, so off-site guests can immediately understand they're being treated to a different class of experience and make a more informed choice, avoiding disappointment. Then again... perhaps they are worried those they can't convert might just not come at all.

I'd say Disney has plenty of financial incentive to appeal to offsite guests, though. I imagine park capacity is several times hotel capacity. But what I'd do and what Disney does are, well... a difference of opinion.

I believe they are actually labeled 'The Walt Disney World Resort.' It's the whole package, but people are welcome to pick and choose what they use.

I get the frustration, I've just never understood the anger towards it though. It's not the only thing tied to a resort stay. It's not unique. You can't get the DDP without staying at their property. You can't book 10 days in a row for dining reservations at 180 out. Giving extra benefits to people staying and paying isn't a new concept. Without it, people would grab the $60/night room outside of Disney instead of the $90 All Star room that comes with the benefits.

 

[sethschroeder]

If Disney World is basically a giant hotel experience, I just wish Disney would be honest--come right out and say it. "World's largest hotel resort (and themepark)".

Wait have you watched their commercials all about their resorts? How about the main site for WDW basically the first thing you see is about free dining when you stay? How about the only thing on the main page where you can check prices is for a vacation package with a hotel stay?

Disney is screaming "STAY HERE"

The difference is they will let anyone else willing to shell out the money to visit because they have the space for more than on-site stay people although not enough room during the busy times for all the off-site people.

Also I just looked for 2 people at September 3rd for Mine Train and I can actually select multiple times in the evening. I have FP+ from 2-4PM with a 4-5PM Mine Train so not sure if there is something earlier.

You might want to try splitting your group up if you have more than 2 people as I know for sure they have lots of times open unless they are truly dividing up FP+ times for certain groups of people to access.

 

[sethschroeder]

I might be railing a bit hard on Disney for this, but really, being first in line with anything else has always netted me an advantage. Maybe I'm just upset because Disney has some weird rules that make it impossible to gain that time vs. money advantage and instead turn it into a lotto (seems that if I just keep hammering eventually something will magically exist). I've just never been a fan of lotteries. I prefer a bit more... structure.

And I am excited about the next trip. Wife was laughing about how I plan 1 or 2 trips ahead of the current one. Already have mid next-year's trip to Dollywood halfway figured out. LOL.

You don't even want to know the detail I've planned the Disney trip to. I'm surprised nobody's throttled me over it yet. Wife keeps telling me 30 pages is enough detail.

Ya planning for me is half the fun but I don't worry about planning when but just how to get around.

I understand the frustrations but the lines start at 180+10 days out... The ride lines open for EMHs at 60+10 and everyone else gets in at 30 days out....

Being first in line with Extra Morning Hours didn't mean you would get to be first in a ride back then either. They just moved part of those extra morning hours out to before a trip starts. You can still get there at park opening and get in the SB or grab a SB+ pass for A+E.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

So you probably can't get fastpasses for the two most popular items at 30 days, which means you should plan on vacationing somewhere else.

I'm not ready to run for Universal yet. At least not permanently, yes for a day or two here or there.

Lots of the onsite guests aren't getting Anna and Elsa either.

Can't want to use a FP for Peter Pan, Philharmagic, and Barnstormer. LOL.

Guessing from this that the OP has really little kids and can't use FP's for the major attractions like the mountains. Universal ought to be great for that, with all those kiddie rides they've got.

 

[basketlacey]

If you have even the slightest plan to take advantage of fastpass, you should probably think again! Make sure you plan a 100% standby line only trip.

Just tried at bang on 12:00 am for MK, Sep 5th (low crowd day). Anna and Elsa? Nope. SDMT? Nope.

I figured that since I paid full price for my tickets, I deserve the same opportunity for FP+. Apparently that isn't the case. Fortunately, I already planned for Disney to treat me like this, since I've pretty much resigned myself to second class citizen status due to my lodging preferences. Can't want to use a FP for Peter Pan, Philharmagic, and Barnstormer. LOL.

Ahhh well, not to worry! Universal is shaping up to be darned exciting for next year's Orlando vacation!

I am staying onsite and couldn't get either of those at 60 days FYI. I didn't want A&E but noticed it was standby only when scrolling past to get to SDMT. I'll keep checking and hoping it pops up but haven't gotten it yet.

 

[sethschroeder]

So you probably can't get fastpasses for the two most popular items at 30 days, which means you should plan on vacationing somewhere else.

I'm not ready to run for Universal yet. At least not permanently, yes for a day or two here or there.

Except I just checked for September 3rd and you could get 2 passes (I only have a party of 2 so cant check more) for Mine Train. With A+E people onsite can't even get a FP+.

Not everyone can get a FP+ and some people will need to go SB or SB+ in order to see what they want. It just happens that A+E is HUGE so much so that I don't think anyone a year ago would have ever thought this would be a problem... Disney caught lightening in a bottle and now people are upset they cant get a FP+ to see the bottle.

 

[shepd]

So you probably can't get fastpasses for the two most popular items when you booked them at the earliest possible opportunity at a time when they're not very busy, which means you should plan on vacationing somewhere else.

FTFY. I know, I know, I'm on a board where people love Disney, so I shouldn't expect people to do anything but rewrite things to make Disney look great.

Good point about the naming of the place, though. Didn't think about that one! Eh, maybe Disneyland will be more my speed for the future! I do love a long road trip and have always wanted to see the west side of the US!

 

[sethschroeder]

I am staying onsite and couldn't get either of those at 60 days FYI. I didn't want A&E but noticed it was standby only when scrolling past to get to SDMT. I'll keep checking and hoping it pops up but haven't gotten it yet.

Have you tried breaking up your group into groups of 2 and 3? I haven't had any issues for September 3-15 and even changed a couple times and got 7DMT with no issues on 2 different days. I am only a party of 2 that's what makes me think if you try smaller groups first you might be able to meld two FP+ times to allow everyone go at the same time.

 

[aaarcher86]

FTFY. I know, I know, I'm on a board where people love Disney, so I shouldn't expect people to do anything but rewrite things to make Disney look great.

Good point about the naming of the place, though. Didn't think about that one! Eh, maybe Disneyland will be more my speed for the future! I do love a long road trip and have always wanted to see the west side of the US!

Obviously, you're right. It's a Disney board where people generally discuss things they enjoy.

BUT, that doesn't mean people complaining aren't being unreasonable either. It's not really one or the other. I'm definitely not a fan of some the stuff Disney is doing/has done or changed, but this complaint always makes me just kind of shake my head.

 

[danielangie]

We must've been very lucky-we stayed offsite....went in the middle of high season, which was July, and booked FP's for our family of six at 30 days out.

We scored Anna and Elsa, and 7DMT...had to split into groups of two, but got everything to over lap.

We got FP's for all of the most popular rides at each park.

 

[Aurora0427]

If you have even the slightest plan to take advantage of fastpass, you should probably think again! Make sure you plan a 100% standby line only trip. Just tried at bang on 12:00 am for MK, Sep 5th (low crowd day). Anna and Elsa? Nope. SDMT? Nope. I figured that since I paid full price for my tickets, I deserve the same opportunity for FP+. Apparently that isn't the case. Fortunately, I already planned for Disney to treat me like this, since I've pretty much resigned myself to second class citizen status due to my lodging preferences. Can't want to use a FP for Peter Pan, Philharmagic, and Barnstormer. LOL. Ahhh well, not to worry! Universal is shaping up to be darned exciting for next year's Orlando vacation!

Sorry, I disagree. One of the perks for staying onsite is the 60 day FP+. Disney makes that very clear in all of their marketing. They aren't treating you like a second class citizen. There are a lot of things to complain about when it comes to Disney, but this one always makes me shake my head.

 

[MichiganDVC]

.Ahhh well, not to worry! Universal is shaping up to be darned exciting for next year's Orlando vacation!

Just curious, but why are you going to Disney in the first place? If you're staying offsite, can't you just change your plans and go to Universal instead?

Even if you bought tickets, they don't expire until you use the first day, right?

Anyway, what was your reason for going to Disney in the first place if you're throwing in the towel over one ride and one meet-and-greet?

 

[heartse]

Honestly... missing the 7DMT is not that bad of a thing... seriously lacking ride, in my opinion.

 

[crazymomof4]

As a family who has enjoyed trips as both off and on siters, I am so disappointed to hear this.
When we stay off site it's a different kind of trip, but just as much fun. We rent a villa (house) and have our own pool and take days away from going to WDW to just hang out at our pool and shop and go to Sea World. (never been to Universal, so totally out of that loop and debate). We usually make those trips a 2 week stay and it is really relaxing! I feel like we may never plan one of those again unless the FP+ system is changed. I can't see us doing a "standby only" trip! I dunno. I guess I'll keep a close eye on the SB lines when we are there next month and go off of that.

 

[bumbershoot]

Was I wrong in believing I could pay for FP there as an offsiter?

You can. That was the boatload of money thought in parentheses. Of course, the EP changes cost depending on projected crowds. Unless you're adding Unlimited EP to your tickets. Not sure that varies.

So if I'm staying offsite, (traveling in a 5th wheel and Universal does not have campground) I could pay for Express Pass or Qbot but still not have access to the most popular Harry Potter attractions, Escape from Gringotts, Hogwarts Express, Wand Shops, Forbidden Journey according to Universal website?

NO ONE has Express Pass access to those attractions. There is Early Entry to Wizarding World in both parks, and that's available to those staying onsite (no matter how they book it) and those who book packages to certain offsite hotels.

And you can certainly go into the wand shops to purchase things; it's likely the show you're talking about when you mention the wand shops, though.

Does that mean I got a free Deluxe room since those come with unlimited park to park Express for everyone in my room?

I like the way you think!

Agree with this. The OP did get three FastPasses but not the ones that person wanted.

And how sad is that? Disney's new thing is to make us get FPs for things we don't really care for. Great marketing line.

I suppose you can stuff me in the "butthurt over weird complicated changes" category.

If you form a club with that name, I'll join.

And we stay onsite! So I totally could take part in the 60 days out thing, and might if my friend and I get tickets in time to do it. I just don't WANT to. Compared to FP+, FP was a walk in the park (and I wouldn't even mind walking quickly through the parks to get my FPs if they would only bring it back), so simple and easy. I dislike FP+ intensely, even when staying onsite. We've ignored more FP+s arrangements than we've used, and I haven't yet been able to rearrange a schedule on the fly, since the rides I want are booked up or the times I want are booked up.

I get the frustration, I've just never understood the anger towards it though. It's not the only thing tied to a resort stay. It's not unique. You can't get the DDP without staying at their property. You can't book 10 days in a row for dining reservations at 180 out. Giving extra benefits to people staying and paying isn't a new concept. Without it, people would grab the $60/night room outside of Disney instead of the $90 All Star room that comes with the benefits.

But it's new and different for WDW, just in this last year. It's a change, it's not normal. And it's not great in the opinions of many of us. It changes the way we tour, the way we (my family) had JUST gotten used to touring. It's causing us skip many things we want to do...you don't see the reason for negative emotions for that?

 

[Aurora0427]

As a family who has enjoyed trips as both off and on siters, I am so disappointed to hear this. When we stay off site it's a different kind of trip, but just as much fun. We rent a villa (house) and have our own pool and take days away from going to WDW to just hang out at our pool and shop and go to Sea World. (never been to Universal, so totally out of that loop and debate). We usually make those trips a 2 week stay and it is really relaxing! I feel like we may never plan one of those again unless the FP+ system is changed. I can't see us doing a "standby only" trip! I dunno. I guess I'll keep a close eye on the SB lines when we are there next month and go off of that.

The only two rides OP couldn't get FP+ for was 7DMT & Anna and Elsa. It's not like those are the only two attractions at WDW.