A note for offsiters...

[OurBigTrip]

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.

No one is "making" you do anything. If you don't want to use FP+, then don't use it.

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 find FP+ to be infinitely easier than FP. No running around, no grabbing tickets from everyone, no leaving my family to run for FP slips. Again, it's a choice - if you don't want to use, then don't.

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?

Change is part of life. You keep saying that Disney "makes" you do something, or "causes" you to do something. That's simply not correct. No one is making you or causing you to do anything. No one is forced to use FP+.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I know it's somewhat annoying when someone writes that they can't get fastpasses to TWO attractions (albeit the most popular ones at the moment, one of which is so popular that nearly all available FP slots disappear within a couple of days) and from that it turns into advice to other guests that they should anticipate a standby-only trip and will have a miserable time no matter what.

And then there was the "We are defecting to Universal" which is the usual retort when someone is disappointed.

I can be totally behind "We couldn't get Anna and Elsa or the mine train at 30 days and we are disappointed. These are the attractions we wanted to do most. We have done all the others numerous times. We have little children and are Frozen fans. It's just not worth it for us if we will be required to wait for those two attractions. Maybe Universal will be a better fit for us, at least we can purchase the express if we want it."

But not "if you're offsite it's all over, you will never get any fastpasses for anything and you will spend the entire time standing in standby lines being miserable. Disney sucks so we're going to Universal."

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

It's not even enought to stay on property, now you have to stay 10+ days to get what you want. I am staying on property for 8 days and I couldn't get BOG when I called. I got one by checking 20 times a day but I wouldn't call that a perk. I haven't been able to book my fast passes yet but I know it's going to be just like making dining reservations.

 

[OurBigTrip]

It's not even enought to stay on property, now you have to stay 10+ days to get what you want. I am staying on property for 8 days and I couldn't get BOG when I called. I got one by checking 20 times a day but I wouldn't call that a perk. I haven't been able to book my fast passes yet but I know it's going to be just like making dining reservations.

Not sure if you're trying for dinner or lunch, but we had lunch there (FP+ offer through e-mail, pre-ordered meals), and we were not at all impressed. Service was sub-par, food was meh, and atmosphere was non-existent.

The overall experience left us wondering why we had been so excited to eat there.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The deal with Be Our Guest is the same as Anna and Elsa. These are ultra popular. Everybody wants and not everybody can get. They can't offer a guaranteed A&E fastpass or a guaranteed seat at BoG dinner. Mine train will be easier to get when it is not so new anymore.

 

[blabbermouth]

I don't know if anyone else has said this, but I'd try not to worry about it because the week around Sept 5th will be one of the quietest weeks of the year!

 

[kidd_freeper]

My experience is diffferent.

We stayed offsite. July 1-11. I made all my FP+ reservations on June 10. Couldn't get 7DMT for our planned trip to MK on July 3. Was able to get a 5pm FP+ for 7DMT for July 9. These were all high-crowd days.

I'd say if 7DMT is a priority for you, as an off-siter, make that FP+ reservation as soon as you are eligible. But it should be available - I don't know why the OP couldn't get one for a low crowd day.

My experience: if you don't have a FP+ for 7DMT, don't sweat it. It really isn't that great of a ride.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

The deal with Be Our Guest is the same as Anna and Elsa. These are ultra popular. Everybody wants and not everybody can get. They can't offer a guaranteed A&E fastpass or a guaranteed seat at BoG dinner. Mine train will be easier to get when it is not so new anymore.

I never said I wanted a guarantee. I have little girls that want to go to BOG and meet Anna and Elsa. We can't go to disney every year so it's a big deal to us.
The point I was making was that staying on site doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

[over50visits]

Where you have to stay onsite (or pay a boatload) to get access to their FP?

You mean the system where you stay in their hotel and get unlimited FP access to most rides? No planning 60 days in advance what time you want 3 rides? Just say "let's ride so-and-so" and do it with zero worry about a long line?

Yep. One theme park in Orlando has created a monster, the other has a system that can be explained in 15 seconds and works all the time, seamlessly, conveniently.

 

[aaarcher86]

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?

This particular thing might be new, but the concept is not (which it seems is the overall issue with the OP).

I'm pretty sure the first sentence was that I understand the frustration, but not understanding WHY they're doing it really doesn't make any sense to me. I don't see many people complaining about the other things I posted. I just don't see it as a reason for all the hyperbole.

 

[Sparkly]

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?

Because this is the DIS. A site where people regularly throw fits over the tiniest details.

There are so many other great rides and attractions at Disney you can get a FP for much easier. You're saying you can't get any of these at 30 days?

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.

Nope. Starting next week Walt Disney World will become Elsa Frozen World. You can enjoy such classic rides as "Do You Want To Build A Small World", the "Tiki Trading Post And Sauna" and the ever popular "Test Sled" and "Olaf's Summermagic."

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I'm honestly okay with onsite guests getting an advantage over offsite guests. And I'd be for those staying deluxe getting a slight advantage over those staying moderate, and moderate over those staying value. I mean you get what you pay for. If you pay for a $50,000 car, don't you expect it to be better than a $20,000 car?

 

[Planogirl]

I'm honestly okay with onsite guests getting an advantage over offsite guests. And I'd be for those staying deluxe getting a slight advantage over those staying moderate, and moderate over those staying value. I mean you get what you pay for. If you pay for a $50,000 car, don't you expect it to be better than a $20,000 car?

I do expect it to be better however I don't expect to not be allowed to drive to certain places or to have to let the people with 50K cars go first. That's the closest comparison I can think of.

Can't we just let a person vent when they're disappointed? I do admit that always throwing Universal out there like it's some kind of revenge or something is odd. Universal has NOTHING to do with this.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I do expect it to be better however I don't expect to not be allowed to drive to certain places or to have to let the people with 50K cars go first. That's the closest comparison I can think of.

Can't we just let a person vent when they're disappointed? I do admit that always throwing Universal out there like it's some kind of revenge or something is odd. Universal has NOTHING to do with this.

Sure, vent away.

The issue is that Disney has always offered some kind of perk to onsite guests to encourage them to stay on site. Acting like you are stuck on steerage on the Titanic (the doom and gloom post OP presented), is melodramatic.

Concierge folks pay more than non-concierge folks and they get free food that OP has no access to. But that is okay, apparently.

As an off site guest (general) you were shut out from entering parks early or staying late on an EMH day even though you paid the same price for a ticket (theoretically speaking).

So yes, there are places a person with a Cadillac has access to that a person with a Ford Fiesta does not.

 

[drb116]

I know that most of the FP+ are booked up, but I found a lot of people are changing plans. Can you really lock down what you are doing for your entire trip 60 days out?

I have had a great experience just trying repeatedly each night. For example we set up a MK night for yesterday (a busy day at the parks) only about 5 days in advance. Through checking each evening and splitting my family up, we were able to get overlapping times for four at A&E, 7DMT, and Wishes. All three are usually gone at 60 days, but I booked the 4 passes for each of these less than 5 days out.

 

[Planogirl]

Sure, vent away.

The issue is that Disney has always offered some kind of perk to onsite guests to encourage them to stay on site. Acting like you are stuck on steerage on the Titanic (the doom and gloom post OP presented), is melodramatic.

Concierge folks pay more than non-concierge folks and they get free food that OP has no access to. But that is okay, apparently.

As an off site guest (general) you were shut out from entering parks early or staying late on an EMH day even though you paid the same price for a ticket (theoretically speaking).

So yes, there are places a person with a Cadillac has access to that a person with a Ford Fiesta does not.

Literally or figuratively? I know that you don't mean it literally.

I don't see EMH as the same thing either. Buying a pass simply entitles a person to enter a park and enjoy the facilities of that park during certain hours. EMH is outside those certain hours so it doesn't feel the same way. I personally believe that when a person buys a pass that they should be entitled to the same in-park normal activities as anyone. I don't care if I stay deluxe or budget or offsite - I believe that it should all be the same for everyone during regular operating hours IN the parks. Nothing will convince me otherwise but of course YMMV.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm going August 18th and staying offsite,I got FP+ for everything I wanted except SDMT and TSMM.On my last trip in May I also stayed offsite and was able to ride TSMM twice in one day with FP+ getting it a second time as my 4th FP+.I can deal with not being able to get SDMT FP+ with it being new but it seems the waits are relatively tolerable.I'll also be doing Universal and totally expect to wait longer for Gringotts than for SDMT,August 18th is also the first day of school for South Florida and Orlando so i'm hoping that knocks down the wait times a bit.I'm hoping they're no more than 60-75 minutes for SDMT and less than 100 for Gringotts.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

It's kinda like asking why first class seats on an airplane cost more than coach.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

I don't care if I stay deluxe or budget or offsite - I believe that it should all be the same for everyone during regular operating hours IN the parks. Nothing will convince me otherwise but of course YMMV.

If you can't understand that paying $230 a night for a clean econo lodge room at a moderate is really more than just the room, nothing anyone says is going to convince you.

 

[boogienights]

I'll start off with an apology in advance... I haven't read through all the posts so may be repeating other posters... If so, I do apologize.

I enjoy both Disney and Universal. Let's get that out of the way as well. I just happen to enjoy Universal more.

Normally, my family and I stay offsite in a rental home because it saves LOADS of money. We travel mainly in January and February and have never had to worry about express or Fastpass. On our trip to US last christmas, we stayed at RPR because it was peak season. The express pass was wonderful!!!!! Worth every penny. I would never stay offsite during busier seasons.

It drives me bananas how some complain that you pay through the nose for the onsite perks at US. And yet those same people have no problem paying through the nose for Wdw onsite perks (which aren't very perky, IMO).

Now let's do a comparison.... This is very simplistic using rates gleaned from the two official sites.

At disney, a four day sat to tues stay in late September including 4 day hopper ticket will cost 920 at AofA, 1200 at CBR and 2300 at BC. That same time frame at RPR at US including an annual pass (only 30 or so more than a 2 day park to park ticket and resulting in discount room rate) and a rental car and parking is $1122.

So who exactly is paying through the nose?

Ok... I realize free dining might get thrown in there at disney but just from reading up about it, I'm not convinced it's much of a savings. Certainly not as tempting as unlimited express pass. I can happily eat fries for 4 days.