After my trip last week. I will never stay off site again...

[DSLRuser]

Because of the new system, I will never stay off site again. As long as you move your FP+ stuff around at least the night before, you can basically get what ever ride and what ever time you want. But the day of, its a crap shoot. That's when all the off site guests cram into the FP+ kiosks and take up the scrap left by resort guests. And those kiosk lines were horrible in every park.

We stayed at Coranado Spings last week. I genuinely felt sorry for all the people at the FP+ kiosks. Such a waste of time to just get the left overs from the reort guests.

 

[Bete]

I agree completely. Hopefully, this will be equalized more when the final product comes to fruition for fastpass plus.

I will add that right now I'm not pleased either way. I don't want to be limited to three fastpass plus, either. With the old system we did much better and averaged 6 fastpasses per day.

We went Dec. 2013 and I'm not going back until to all of this improves. If it doesn't get better I won't go back. I've been to Disney World over 40 times and we live in the Midwest. Our last Dec. trip was our worse experience and we did stay offsite.

 

[asmit4]

This is why we booked Wyndham Bonnet Creek last time- got a wonderful 2 bedroom place with huge bathrooms, AND booked a value room. Checked in, got free parking, magic bands, FP+, etc etc.

Room at WBC was 120/night. Room at a value was 78/night- got a great code via orbitz This is what we will do each and every trip from here on out. Worked out beautifully!

 

[akadada]

I agree completely. Hopefully, this will be equalized more when the final product comes to fruition for fastpass plus.

I will add that right now I'm not pleased either way. I don't want to be limited to three fastpass plus, either. With the old system we did much better and averaged 6 fastpasses per day.

We went Dec. 2013 and I'm not going back until to all of this improves. If it doesn't get better I won't go back. I've been to Disney World over 40 times and we live in the Midwest. Our last Dec. trip was our worse experience and we did stay offsite.

Great reaction. We feel essentially the same way. I posted in another forum: "FP+ has turned Disney trips into an agenda rather than an adventure"

("FP+ has turned Disney trips into an agenda rather than an adventure" is a TM - all rights reserved of akadada and cannot be reproduced without expressed permission...)

Kidding aside, we're really wondering if/when we'll go back. It is just a total buzz kill.

 

[katallo]

We feel the same way. We are going in a few weeks and this will determine future trips. It sounds like a mess.

 

[swilshire]

We were there last week, and while I didn't like the new Fastpass+ system, my experience wasn't as bad as the OP I learned quickly that the first kiosk you came to was always backed up, but there were always others close by just waiting to serve. At MK, we went right through the restaurant area toward Tomorrowland and found an empty kiosk area. Unfortunately, the cast member we got was brand new and slow, but other than that, no problem. At Hollywood Studios, the kiosk near Tower of Terror was also empty when I went in there twice. At Epcot, there was a nearly empty kiosk in the breezeway going to Soaring.

My biggest complaints were the one park limitation and the fact that you could only book one "good ride" in Epcot and HS. The other fastpasses in those parks were almost throwaways because the lines were so short in the morning and sometimes throughout the day.

If people start staying on park because of the new system, that is exactly what Disney wants. I suggest we continue to stay off park.

Sheila

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

This is exactly why we are slowly cutting Disney from our Orlando getaways. We will not be cooped up in a 300 square foot room we are on vacation. There is so much more to Orlando than Disney......so if Disney is going to make it harder to visit as offsite guests (and ultimately less enjoyable), it just makes Universal and SeaWorld that much more appealing.

 

[Bete]

Universal gives you options. If you stay onsite you get the privilege of front of the line access included with your resort stay. If you stay offsite, Universal allows you to buy express access as an extra. In addition, you get this for the rides, not just three rides. Furthermore, you can repeat a ride, too. SeaWorld has a program, too.

Disney World has lost me on fastpass plus. They will have to come a long way with their final version of fastpass plus to get me to consider them again.

Magic Band and fastpass plus was at a cost of over a billion dollars to Disney World. I know they won't abandon the program.
According to an article Disney wanted to track every move you make in a park and at their resort. Believe me they will use this info for your disadvantage. I don't need a big brother watching my every move.

Over the last 5 years we have been weening ourselves off Disney World and we are honestly finding ourselves enjoying other vacations even more, now. I don't know why it took me so long to get over Disney World, but this new system has certainly helped me to say goodbye to Disney World.

I won't say I will never go back; but if I go once or twice in the future that will be it for the rest of my life. If I go back the fastpass plus system has to be better for offsite guests.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Universal gives you options. If you stay onsite you get the privilege of front of the line access included with your resort stay. If you stay offsite, Universal allows you to buy express access as an extra. In addition, you get this for the rides, not just three rides. Furthermore, you can repeat a ride, too. SeaWorld has a program, too.

Disney World has lost me on fastpass plus. They will have to come a long way with their final version of fastpass plus to get me to consider them again.

Magic Band and fastpass plus was at a cost of over a billion dollars to Disney World. I know they won't abandon the program.
According to an article Disney wanted to track every move you make in a park and at their resort. Believe me they will use this info for your disadvantage. I don't need a big brother watching my every move.

Over the last 5 years we have been weening ourselves off Disney World and we are honestly finding ourselves enjoying other vacations even more, now. I don't know why it took me so long to get over Disney World, but this new system has certainly helped me to say goodbye to Disney World.

I won't say I will never go back; but if I go once or twice in the future that will be it for the rest of my life. If I go back the fastpass plus system has to be better for offsite guests.

I agree completely.

 

[LadyJayne813]

I must be the only one who doesn't care about fast pass at all, and would never stay on disney property. When we go to orlando, we are there for a Florida vacation, not just a disney vacation. We stay normally at Caribe Royale, and eat mainly at off site restaurants unless we are in the parks. If we stayed on property, we'd be further away from the outside world, which I guess is the opposite of what most people want.

I don't care for the disney resorts at all. The values seem like heavily themed budget motels, and the moderates despite their higher prices, don't draw me in. I don't like hotels that open to the outside, and I don't like hiking across the outdoors to go to the lobby or food courts. The deluxes despite their high prices are still nothing more than normal hotel rooms with a bed or 2. I don't deny other people enjoy these properties, but it's just not for me.

We've been to disney a few times, and have never once used a fass pass. We also don't feel like we've missed out on any rides when we leave for the day.
We go to the parks for 2-3 days during our vacation, and will continue to do so when in Orlando. Fast pass will never change that. We will never use them.

 

[DSLRuser]

we actually loved every thing about FP+ and DME.

It was flawless in every way.

 

[ampc3]

This is why we booked Wyndham Bonnet Creek last time- got a wonderful 2 bedroom place with huge bathrooms, AND booked a value room. Checked in, got free parking, magic bands, FP+, etc etc.

Room at WBC was 120/night. Room at a value was 78/night- got a great code via orbitz This is what we will do each and every trip from here on out. Worked out beautifully!

we actually loved every thing about FP+ and DME.

It was flawless in every way.

Just booked my one night a few minutes ago

We are spending to much money to have the same experience if we were going to a six flags for the day... If they open up the pre booking then we might xln the one night, but my kids all want the wrist band lol... (plus I really want to experience BOG for lunch)

 

[asmit4]

We did BOG for lunch too! (FP ...walked RIGHT past what had to have been 200-300 people! It felt like we were special having an FP when most people didn't Totally worth it- wait time was over 2 hours. CRAZY!

I saw that many people do this type of thing at Universal to get the FOTL passes...so I figured why not do it at disney to get the included parking, MBs and access to FP+? Worked out great. Took us 5 minutes to check in one morning and we didn't even bother to check out.

 

[LadyJayne813]

I'm wondering if disney is going to eventually put a stop to allowing people to book throw away rooms just for the FP perks. It's not hard to see when people are buying multiple day tickets, and have hotels only booked for the night.

It is taking away business from the disney hotels because legitimate guests are missing out on those value rooms. Disney is also losing the revenue from those legitimate guests.

Honestly I think disney should just allow people to buy fast passes. That is what in essence you are doing by booking rooms you don't intend to use. Buying the passes would be less hoops to jump through.

I do hate the idea though that more and more having more money to burn makes you "better" than other disney guests that also paid for their park tickets. Heaven forbid people wait on lines anymore.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I do hate the idea though that more and more having more money to burn makes you "better" than other disney guests that also paid for their park tickets. Heaven forbid people wait on lines anymore.

Having more money to burn allows for a person to have an enhanced experience at any park.

People eating pretzels from a snack vendor vs. a fancy lunch in the castle with the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Little girls made over at BBB and little boys transformed at the Pirates League vs. the little folks wearing hand-me-downs from their cousins.

The children picking out souvenirs from the gift shop and with Mickey balloons tied to their stroller vs. families who are splitting meals to keep costs down.

And outside the park.....

People who enjoy monorail service to their hotel, and themed waterslides vs. those that are staying at All Star Sports (where its bus service only and no pool slides).

Unless you are all at the same all-inclusive resort, someone with more money that you will always be able to buy a vacation with "more".

Why should ride access (via Fastpass) be exempt?

 

[LadyJayne813]

I feel like all of those things you mentioned are extras.

Park admission is the one equalizer at Disney. Everyone pays the gate price to experience the rides and entertainment. I think everyone should have the same chance to see and do what they want in the parks without being pushed around by people who are willing to spend more money to circumvent lines.

Hotels, meals, souvineers, etc are all extras. You can be in disney world and not spend a dime on those things. It doesn't make you less of a guest in the parks.

 

[asmit4]

I feel like all of those things you mentioned are extras.

Park admission is the one equalizer at Disney. Everyone pays the gate price to experience the rides and entertainment. I think everyone should have the same chance to see and do what they want in the parks without being pushed around by people who are willing to spend more money to circumvent lines.

Hotels, meals, souvineers, etc are all extras. You can be in disney world and not spend a dime on those things. It doesn't make you less of a guest in the parks.

Until DW makes it even again (like the old FP system) I'm going to continue to circumvent the rules to get the most out of our vacations. As I see it- DW is the one that is 'making' people take this route. They can choose to end it but until they do- we will be taking advantage.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I feel like all of those things you mentioned are extras.

Park admission is the one equalizer at Disney. Everyone pays the gate price to experience the rides and entertainment. I think everyone should have the same chance to see and do what they want in the parks without being pushed around by people who are willing to spend more money to circumvent lines.

Hotels, meals, souvineers, etc are all extras. You can be in disney world and not spend a dime on those things. It doesn't make you less of a guest in the parks.

They are extras. Fastpasses are also "extra". You can ride the rides without them. If you like standing in lines, great! No need for Fastpasses. If you don't, figure out a way to get FP+ (in this case, get a throw-away room....in my dream world, buy an unlimited FP+ with no 3-ride-per-day restriction).

You can be in Disney World and not spend a dime on ensuring FP access to rides, either. You wouldn't be a "lesser guest" any more than those brown-bagging their lunch are vs. those eating at Le Cellier.

What, specifically, do you see guests with Universal Express Pass, SeaWorld Quick Queue, or Disney FP+ doing that equates to "pushing around" other park visitors?

 

[kokomos]

I didn't book a throwaway room but I did book our 1st night at a value before moving to visitana resort for the week. I'm glad I did. I just finished setting up all of our Fp+. 54 days to go!!

 

[jaykorf001]

This is exactly why we are slowly cutting Disney from our Orlando getaways. We will not be cooped up in a 300 square foot room we are on vacation. There is so much more to Orlando than Disney......so if Disney is going to make it harder to visit as offsite guests (and ultimately less enjoyable), it just makes Universal and SeaWorld that much more appealing.

Gina, yesterday was our Discovery Cove Day. Awesome!!! Next year my son will be old enough for the dolphin interaction. We went to Seaworld today. We'll go at least one more time while we are here. Thank you so much for the suggestion to go the Discovery Cove route. We so appreciated our 6 hour stay at Seaworld knowing we could just come back tomorrow. Or the next day.

Fwiw, we are in a 1 BR presidential at Bonnet Creek. Sooooooo love it compared to being crammed into a club level room at AKL. And love that it's 1/5 the price for 3 times the space. And yes, I know rooms and space don't matter to all visitors. Please don't flame me.

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