Any Reformed FP- Uber Users Who Have Embraced FP+ ?

[DisneyKidds]

Sorry Lake.....couldn't resist.

We are generally not sleep in people. As for embracing FP+ for someone who doesn't sleep in, does this sound hard to embrace?

Dec 30, one of the dozen or so busiest days at WDW. Rope drop the Studios. Walk on TSMM, hit RnR with a 10 minute wait, knock off ToT with a 10 minute wait, finally over to Star Tours with a 5 minute wait. Great morning before we check out of our Epcot resort to head over to our MK resort stay. After a meal and a dip in the pool we head over to the MK, where we use our Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and 7DMT FP+s to ride with no wait. Throw in a couple of standby rides with 15 minute or less lines (Small World, Philharmagic, Teacups).

No way that all happens without FP+ reservations. I'll embrace that all day and night long!

 

[Angel Ariel]

That wasn't my experience, which I posted a couple of pages back. I got at least a third more (and honestly closer to double) the number of FPs with FP+. 11 FP in a 12 hour day at the parks that included two sit down meals would not have been possible with FP- - nowhere near possible. It was with FP+, which is why I'm now a reformed hater.

If that had been our experience, I'd feel the same way you do. It wasn't, though. Time of year probably played a huge part in that - parties on 2 of our 4 park days made it difficult to get more than the 3 advance FP+. We could have gotten a 4th on our first day - also a party day - but the only options were iasw, philharmagic and IIRC dumbo, and it was for the last FP+ window of the night, so no option beyond that.

Our second MK day (also a party day), we had A&E at 4:30. Despite much trying, I couldn't get it moved up any earlier at any point. The last FP+ window on party nights was 5:30-6:30, so by 4:30 there wasn't much available - just like the first night like I listed above. We left the park and headed to Epcot instead. We were headed to F&W, so not interested in rides at Epcot.

 

[Laketravis]

I said I had 3 total ride waits that were 10-15 minutes long. I do not know how you think that means I only waited in 3 lines my whole trip or just rode 3 attractions per day.

Then I misunderstood. I took your statement that during the entire week you only waited in 3 lines that were 10-15 minutes long to mean they were the only lines you waited in.

So everyone you talked to bought EP's over New Years week, so that means for a basic EP they were paying an extra $120 per day for it...

Actually, the ones who told me how much they paid told me it was $140.

 

[SmithSmith]

Then I misunderstood. I took your statement that during the entire week you only waited in 3 lines that were 10-15 minutes long to mean they were the only lines you waited in.



Actually, the ones who told me how much they paid told me it was $140.

So they probably had unlimited EP. Unless there's a markup for basic EP at the gate?
Either way, I think it's bizarre they'd embrace a $140 add on and criticize the free system. Sounds like these people had more money then sense.

 

[Laketravis]

Sorry Lake.....couldn't resist.

We are generally not sleep in people. As for embracing FP+ for someone who doesn't sleep in, does this sound hard to embrace?

Dec 30, one of the dozen or so busiest days at WDW. Rope drop the Studios. Walk on TSMM, hit RnR with a 10 minute wait, knock off ToT with a 10 minute wait, finally over to Star Tours with a 5 minute wait. Great morning before we check out of our Epcot resort to head over to our MK resort stay. After a meal and a dip in the pool we head over to the MK, where we use our Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and 7DMT FP+s to ride with no wait. Throw in a couple of standby rides with 15 minute or less lines (Small World, Philharmagic, Teacups).

No way that all happens without FP+ reservations. I'll embrace that all day and night long!

I do see your point and have always agreed that FP+ biggest strength is the ability to make those reservations for later in the day or even at night on the busiest days of the year - provided you are able to make those reservations, of course.

But for the other 300 days a year, it's biggest strength becomes somewhat of a weakness.

If they can come up with a way to eliminate tiering and the single park limitation, I'd be singing it's praises and only complain about just being able to get three.

 

[Laketravis]

So they probably had unlimited EP. Unless there's a markup for basic EP at the gate?

Yes, they were unlimited. I saw the people with the single use passes but I don't know how much they paid for those. Now THOSE did seem to be a waste because I saw people using up their single use at attractions that had relatively short standby lines.

My impression was that the cost varied based on demand. I'd personally never pay that much but considered it a smart business decision that didn't impact the overall distribution significantly. In fact, it would persuade people like me to think in terms of how much we "saved" by staying on-site at $250 a night and getting unlimited EP's for each of us for every day of our stay. Thinking of it that way, $140 x 3 = $420 per day. While I think it's insane that anyone would pay that (they do!), we could say our room was free.

Point is Disney could probably never be able to pull off charging anybody for FP yet that might have been the smarter way to implement it. Who knows - maybe like Jade suggested in other threads, they will eventually start charging for additional FP's.

I bet years ago nobody ever thought they'd start charging you to be in the park when you already had a ticket to be in the park (parties).

 

[mesaboy2]

Yes, they were unlimited. I saw the people with the single use passes but I don't know how much they paid for those. Now THOSE did seem to be a waste because I saw people using up their single use at attractions that had relatively short standby lines.

My impression was that the cost varied based on demand. I'd personally never pay that much but considered it a smart business decision that didn't impact the overall distribution significantly. In fact, it would persuade people like me to think in terms of how much we "saved" by staying on-site at $250 a night and getting unlimited EP's for each of us for every day of our stay. Thinking of it that way, $140 x 3 = $420 per day. While I think it's insane that anyone would pay that (they do!), we could say our room was free.

Point is Disney could probably never be able to pull off charging anybody for FP yet that might have been the smarter way to implement it. Who knows - maybe like Jade suggested in other threads, they will eventually start charging for additional FP's.

I bet years ago nobody ever thought they'd start charging you to be in the park when you already had a ticket to be in the park (parties).

If I'm understanding you correctly, the single-use Express Pass is for use once on each attraction, not just for one single attraction. So using them to get on a short-wait attraction is not a bad thing, just relatively pointless. I am not aware of any sold EPs (I believe there is a single use guest-recovery version, maybe that's what you're referring to) that a guest can use once and only once.

And yes, cost varies based on demand/crowds.

As for the rest of this thread and all others like it, I'm so over them. I just read them for the entertainment value.

 

[Laketravis]

If I'm understanding you correctly, the single-use Express Pass is for use once on each attraction, not just for one single attraction. So using them to get on a short-wait attraction is not a bad thing, just relatively pointless.

Correct. And yes, it reminded me of someone having an FP for Captain EO.

As for the rest of this thread and all others like it, I'm so over them. I just read them for the entertainment value.

After this, I'm right behind you.

 

[SmithSmith]

Yes, they were unlimited. I saw the people with the single use passes but I don't know how much they paid for those. Now THOSE did seem to be a waste because I saw people using up their single use at attractions that had relatively short standby lines.

My impression was that the cost varied based on demand. I'd personally never pay that much but considered it a smart business decision that didn't impact the overall distribution significantly. In fact, it would persuade people like me to think in terms of how much we "saved" by staying on-site at $250 a night and getting unlimited EP's for each of us for every day of our stay. Thinking of it that way, $140 x 3 = $420 per day. While I think it's insane that anyone would pay that (they do!), we could say our room was free.

Point is Disney could probably never be able to pull off charging anybody for FP yet that might have been the smarter way to implement it. Who knows - maybe like Jade suggested in other threads, they will eventually start charging for additional FP's.

I bet years ago nobody ever thought they'd start charging you to be in the park when you already had a ticket to be in the park (parties).

Yes, the single use EP was $120 over NYE week, and unlimited was $140 per day.

I'm glad that works out for you. However, someone like my husband and I who stay at Disney's value resorts are not going to be able to stay at Uni as economically as they do at WDW. It's just not possible.

The party within a party might be a thing of the past since they didn't host any during MVMCP.

 

[DisneyKidds]

But for the other 300 days a year, it's biggest strength becomes somewhat of a weakness.

Wrong

 

[momof2n2]

You won't have 2/3 less fun. You will have the same blast you always have despite all the banter and debate on here. In May and October you really shouldn't have any problem getting the FP+ you want even with 8-10 people to get it for. If you rope drop any major rides you can't get FP+ for you will be totally fine and it will feel like it did before if not better. I, for one, am letting my last vacation sink in and as I'm planning my future trips (we upgraded to ap) I'm realizing just how much I like FP+. I was always our FP runner. My vacation was much more relaxing with the new plan. We stuck together as a family and knew we had three guaranteed afternoon no line rides. We also got plenty of bonus FP+ after 4:00 pm. And the only things I stood in long lines for were meeting Baymax & Hiro and then later Gaston. And even those were under 45 minutes. I'm now willing to stand up and say I'm a uber FP- user who loves FP+. And we travel with 11 people. And we mix up 14 hours days with shorter relaxing days. Don't worry.

I'm not sure we can have the same blast - which is why we haven't been willing to sink the money into it.

Only the OP can say whether doing less rides will give her family the same amount of fun in the parks. Some families are very ride centric, others are not.

Because as Mom2rtk puts it - we are very much ride-centric. (You know me... Mom2rtk!)

Have you tried FP+ and got 2/3 less fun or are you just going by what is said on these boards? We were there the first 2 weeks of Dec, same as you except onsite with RV. One day at parks, one day off, we got so much more done this time than when we were here in 2011 and 2012. We were at RD at most parks this year and everything was walk-on until late morning, no different than in past years. I'm not "running" to any attraction, I'm on vacation! We've never rode TSM and to us that hasn't diminished our park experience at all. We rode more this time than we did in 2011-2012. Just our personal experience with FP+ and parks.

What these boards are mostly telling me is our days of securing multiple rides on our favorites may be a thing of the past. We never do POTC or HM and often skip PP. But we like resides on the three mountains (haven't been since 7DMT).

And to not ride TSMM 3 times would diminish the experience for our family.

Folks can roll their eyes or chide us for our limited goals, but I shouldn't have to apologize for our preferences. (This isn't directed at you rajak.) I'm just saying it sounds like WDW isn't a good place for us to spend our vacation dollars at this point as it doesn't look like it can meet our expectations. Once we are willing to lower them (change them... Whatever) I believe we'll give it a try. We're not there yet.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Sorry again......I don't think that will ever get old.

As 'off season' is becoming scarce to non-existent, the ability to get a lot done in the am and hop to a park in the evening with FP+ in hand is a benefit for a great portion of the year. Sure, parks in general may be a little more crowded during Christmas week than other busy times......but the lines for things like Space/Thunder/7DMT ain't any shorter.....

 

[DisneyKidds]

What these boards are mostly telling me is our days of securing multiple rides on our favorites may be a thing of the past.....And to not ride TSMM 3 times would diminish the experience for our family.

TSMM 3x in one day? I know it was possible under the old FP system, but do you mind me asking how you usually did that? Ride at opening, FP once, ride late? Or two rides at opening (second with a little bit of a line) and one with FP?

It's much harder to get multiple rides on the headliners, but it still can be done if you are motivated enough and well planned.

 

[Laketravis]

Sorry again......I don't think that will ever get old.

As 'off season' is becoming scarce to non-existent, the ability to get a lot done in the am and hop to a park in the evening with FP+ in hand is a benefit for a great portion of the year. Sure, parks in general may be a little more crowded during Christmas week than other busy times......but the lines for things like Space/Thunder/7DMT ain't any shorter.....

Then I suppose the bigger issue is an overall lack of capacity.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I'm not going to argue with you if you say WDW needs more rides and attractions (capacity)!

 

[Angel Ariel]

TSMM 3x in one day? I know it was possible under the old FP system, but do you mind me asking how you usually did that? Ride at opening, FP once, ride late? Or two rides at opening (second with a little bit of a line) and one with FP?

It's much harder to get multiple rides on the headliners, but it still can be done if you are motivated enough and well planned.

We got 2 FPs for TSMM in one day before, and used both of them before appx 1pm (as DHS is usually a 1/2 day park for us). So, being there at RD, +2 legacy FPs - I can definitely see how one could have gotten 3 rides in on TSMM.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Of course they are working on capacity at AK, and I'm sure we'll see additions at the Studios in the works at some point. New Fantasyland may not be a home run, but between a second Dumbo, 7DMT and Little Mermaid they added significant capacity. Many may question the choice to invest in MM+, but now that that's in it doesn't mean they are going to stop putting $500m plus a year in capital investments into the parks.

 

[DisneyKidds]

We got 2 FPs for TSMM in one day before, and used both of them before appx 1pm (as DHS is usually a 1/2 day park for us). So, being there at RD, +2 legacy FPs - I can definitely see how one could have gotten 3 rides in on TSMM.

It's hard to make any judgements compared to what was possible in the slowest of slow off-season times, as that certainly wasn't during the summer or other average attendance time I'm sure. As someone related in one of these threads, they recently used 11 FP+ in one day, including 4 rides on Space Mountain....so off season many things are possible, even with FP+.

 

[estherhead]

I'm not sure we can have the same blast - which is why we haven't been willing to sink the money into it.

What these boards are mostly telling me is our days of securing multiple rides on our favorites may be a thing of the past. We never do POTC or HM and often skip PP. But we like resides on the three mountains (haven't been since 7DMT).

And to not ride TSMM 3 times would diminish the experience for our family.

Folks can roll their eyes or chide us for our limited goals, but I shouldn't have to apologize for our preferences. (This isn't directed at you rajak.) I'm just saying it sounds like WDW isn't a good place for us to spend our vacation dollars at this point as it doesn't look like it can meet our expectations. Once we are willing to lower them (change them... Whatever) I believe we'll give it a try. We're not there yet.

That's what I'm telling you, though. You certainly can ride TSM three times in one day. Get to DHS 45 minutes early on a non EMH day and go there immediately. Ride. Get back in line again and ride again after about a 15-20 minute wait. Then switch to Sunset Lane and do RnR. Then have a 10:00-11:00 ToT fp+. Then eat lunch at Backlot Express. Ride Star Tours at lunch time (we find this is a good time to ride Star Tours) as much as you want. Then have your TSM fp+ and whatever other FP+ you want (but not RnR.)

If it's not the top 10 busiest weeks of the year, this will work fine.

We rode Test Track 3 times in one day this year. It was Dec 17th, a crowd level 5 day. Again, right at rope drop and with minimal line. We could have ridden it more but I can only take so much in that building. I needed to move on.

Don't judge what you can accomplish based on what is said here. We find we do better now, not worse. What specific days are you planning on visiting? What levels are they on easywdw?

I'm editing this to just add before someone else criticizes, I rode TSM three times in one day many a time on the old system and we always had to get there 45 minutes early to make that happen. You go and ride it first, then get your fp-, then either ride it again right then or on a really slow day, wait the two hours and get another one. But it had to be a 5 or below to still have TSM fp after the park had been open two hours. We did try once to get the fp- first and then ride but we preferred to do it the other way so the first ride had no line so after that we always rode first, then got our fp-.

I've also been to DL where TSM has no fp of any kind and stood in that line 45 minutes which was the shortest it ever was.

 

[rajak73]

I'm not sure we can have the same blast - which is why we haven't been willing to sink the money into it.




Because as Mom2rtk puts it - we are very much ride-centric. (You know me... Mom2rtk!)





What these boards are mostly telling me is our days of securing multiple rides on our favorites may be a thing of the past. We never do POTC or HM and often skip PP. But we like resides on the three mountains (haven't been since 7DMT).

And to not ride TSMM 3 times would diminish the experience for our family.

Folks can roll their eyes or chide us for our limited goals, but I shouldn't have to apologize for our preferences. (This isn't directed at you rajak.) I'm just saying it sounds like WDW isn't a good place for us to spend our vacation dollars at this point as it doesn't look like it can meet our expectations. Once we are willing to lower them (change them... Whatever) I believe we'll give it a try. We're not there yet.

And this isn't directed at you just in general and I know your comment was not directed at me personally just generaly, I would never roll my eyes or chide anyone about what THEY expect on their vacations and no one should have to apologize to anybody for your preferences. Everyone is different in what they have for preferences, if Disney was not meeting OUR expectations, we would not be going either. Your preferences are different than ours, doesn't make you right and us wrong or make us right and you wrong, just different ideas, we've been to the Daytona 500, have people wonder why we want to go and watch cars turn left? It's our preference. It happens to be what we like, I know not everyone likes it and I don't try to change their minds or apologize either. You have people on the "I hate FP+" and you have people on the "I love FP+." What I posted was OUR experience with FP while we were there, I'm sure the people next to me in line would see it different. I'm like mesaboy, these threads are getting so old, I'll start reading them for entertainment purpose. Wherever you go on vacation, have a great time! That's what vacations are for. Yellowstone is beautiful in the summer!