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

[Suvadoo]

You are more than welcome to join in the thought exercise Suvadoo. I'd like to get your educated answer as well. Can't wait.

If you are refering to your question about wjat would happen if everyone used Legacy FP. Answer they would've run out sooner. BUT and here's the big BUT: Legacy FP was only available on headliner attractions. So guess what? You couldn't get a FP for Captain EO, because they didn't exist!

Let take your widdle mind exercise further: FP+ is only used by about 50% of guests per Disney's last report in August. What do you think will happen if 100% of the guests use FP+: They will run out sooner and there willl be fewer onr no 4th FP+'s available.

So now my question to you, what was the point of this supposed mind exercise, I mean aside from condescension?

 

[DisneyKidds]

No doubt there is value in people relating their negative experiences. Perhaps more value in that to people planning trips than the positive experiences. Chances are if someone is on here they are going to WDW. Sure, a recounting of someone's positive experience might help to get them a little excited for their trip, or perhaps give them a strategy to employ to try and achieve a similar result. However, I agree that those who had positive experiences might not comment on a shortfall in the system, because they either didn't experience it or knew how to work around it. It's the negative experiences that can even more so help people to do things that might help them avoid a negative outcome.

So I agree we need the feedback on the negative experiences. Like jtown related......this is where we went, this is what we did, we experienced fewer attractions than we used to, we aren't fans. That is useful. Sure, people can ask questions about their touring strategy and FP+ usage, so perhaps they can avoid the same negative result. Again, very useful.

Unfortunately, some reports come in full of rhetoric, with senseless agenda driven hyperbole getting in the way of what could be useful information. Before you know it people are trying to convince you (yes, this is an amalgam of many of the comments I've read in anti-FP+ threads over the past year) that FP+ totally ruined their vacation, and it will ruin your vacation too, as you will only get 3 attractions done per day, and everything else will have long lines, the very hard to embrace FP+ system rendering your WDW vacation totally devoid of value.

I'm sorry, I don't find that to be all that useful. There are lots of reasons people might not like FP+. Just give us the facts, specifics on where you went, what you did, what didn't work for you. It's unfortunate that everyone isn't willing to do that, because armed with that kind of useful input people can devise a plan for their own trips, and not be scared into thinking their FP+ trip will be a disaster.

 

[Suvadoo]

I’ll chime in again, since I’m in the middle of planning a May trip to WDW and have recently come onto the DisBoards to get up to speed on the latest. The title of the thread drew me in originally due to the fact that my family would be considered one of the previous uber-users, and we’ll now have to adapt to FP+.

Obviously the biggest change for us since our trip in August 2012 is the FP+ system, and overcoming that learning curve has been daunting to say the least. I will say that discussions about how FP+ compares to Legacy FP, and how FP+ could be improved are useful for a current trip planner. I like to compare what I remember from our last trips with what I should expect for the next trip.

As far as comparing WDW to Universal…well that’s become even more helpful for me on this go round since we may go to Universal as well. I like to read about the Express Pass that Universal offers and compare that to WDW’s FP+. Also, the future plans of the Walt Disney Co. are always relevant because knowing what short or long term plans the company has for their theme parks will determine if/when we go to WDW.

While reading positive reviews on FP+ are helpful in their own way, I personally derive more use from the reviews that are more critical. They are typically much more specific, perhaps because negative occurrences tend to stick with people over time. In comparing FP+ with Legacy in a more critical way, it’s typically from the standpoint of freedom (Legacy) vs. restriction (FP+). Having used Legacy for many trips, the comparisons from this perspective are beneficial for our family. Also, the more critical reports lend themselves to: here’s how we should have done it, here’s how Disney should change it, next time we’ll do this differently, here’s a better way to approach this, etc. All of these comments are informative to someone planning a trip. Additionally, it has not gone unnoticed that some of the highly respected WDW veterans here on the Dis have been critical of FP+ and the restrictions thereof.

I will say that while we’re looking forward to our trip in May, we’ve also come to realize that our expectations should be lowered for this next trip as well. A little strange for anything related to Disney…

Here's a new thread that you may find helpful:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3368209

 

[Suvadoo]

Unfortunately, some reports come in full of rhetoric, with senseless agenda driven hyperbole getting in the way of what could be useful information. Before you know it people are trying to convince you (yes, this is an amalgam of many of the comments I've read in anti-FP+ threads over the past year) that FP+ totally ruined their vacation, and it will ruin your vacation too, as you will only get 3 attractions done per day, and everything else will have long lines, the very hard to embrace FP+ system rendering your WDW vacation totally devoid of value.

So when you're refering to hyperbole are your refering to remarks like this?

On the flip side, all I kind of take away from some other people's posting is that the system is without a doubt 'absolutely lousy, as you will only be able to enjoys 3 attractions a day while the balance of your time in the parks will be fraught with soul crushing boredom and trip killing disappointment'. That may very well be true for those who can't be flexible or are unwilling to adapt, but isn't there room for even those people to be able to say.......'sure, the system has some things that really do work, even though on the whole it doesn't work for us'?

Or did you actually see a post where someone used the phrase " soul crushing boredom and trip killing disappointment'

Now I ask you, whose posts are loaded with hyperbole?

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

Here's a new thread that you may find helpful:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3368209

Thanks Suvadoo! That thread does have some great info, particularly on Universal's EP.

 

[Suvadoo]

Thanks Suvadoo! That thread does have some great info, particularly on Universal's EP.

I'm glad it helps. I'm really excited about my upcoming visit in April. I know people say you don't need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy the new attractions. I loved the books and can't wait to see Diagon Alley.

 

[wisblue]

Thanks Suvadoo! That thread does have some great info, particularly on Universal's EP.

If you are interested in information about Universal, have you also checked the Dis Universal forum?

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

I'm glad it helps. I'm really excited about my upcoming visit in April. I know people say you don't need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy the new attractions. I loved the books and can't wait to see Diagon Alley.

I know! It sounds amazing!

If you are interested in information about Universal, have you also checked the Dis Universal forum?

Yes, I have looked at that forum- thanks! At this point we’re debating whether or not we’ll do just one day at Universal, or shave off 1-2 days more from Disney to make it longer. A lot of that debate stems from the restrictive nature of the FP+ system in conjunction with knowing our family’s touring style.

 

[famy27]

It is irrelevant if you think you are on trial for something, but I was just curious what you thought of that hypothetical. Feel free to consult your attorney...

I suspect it would have worked the way FP works at DLR. People know the system and they use FP. It does run out fairly quickly for some of the big rides, but the only thing that is gone right away is RSR. That is generally gone within an hour of park opening.

We were there for spring break in the last week of March 2014. It was crowded. I don't know the actual crowd level, because I'm too cheap to pay to see it, since I'm not going back to DLR in the near future. Space ran out around 1:00 to 2:00. I know ToT and Soarin' still had availability at 4:30 or so. The smaller rides had availability throughout the day.

I know that we did the following (all with FPs) on the same day: Space, Splash, Star Tours, BTMRR, Autopia, RRCTS. The next day, we did RSR, Soarin', ToT, Goofy's Sky School, and California Screamin' (twice). We mixed these with many of the smaller attractions that had fairly short waits (less than 15 minutes). The longest we waited for anything was TSMM and WtP. Neither of those even have FP, and we probably waited 25 mins for each. PotC did have ridiculous lines throughout the day, but we waited until the evening and walked on HM and waited 10 mins or so for PotC.

 

[erc]

If you are refering to your question about wjat would happen if everyone used Legacy FP. Answer they would've run out sooner.

So would it be a fair statement of fact to say that if utilization of the old FP had approached 100%, the usefulness of the FP system would have approached zero?

y = 100/x where:

y = Number of rides per 90 minutes of park time

x = percentage of guests utilizing FastPass

 

[crostorfer]

I still think FP+ sucks for those keeping score at home.

 

[Suvadoo]

So would it be a fair statement of fact to say that if utilization of the old FP had approached 100%, the usefulness of the FP system would have approached zero?

y = 100/x where:

y = Number of rides per 90 minutes of park time

x = percentage of guests utilizing FastPass

No. Legacy FP would've run out sooner, but it still would have been available on a daily basis. Each day was a clean slate with equal access to all. Also, Disney only allowed a certain percentage of the total ride capacity to be distributed through FP. Since FP was only available for headliners, the SB waits for lesser attractions like HM and POTC were lower.

According to Len Testa, Disney has allotted as much as 90% of ride capacity to FP+ on rides like TSMM. So if FP+ is ever used by 80- 100% of guests, there is a strong liklihood that a lot of guests will be shut out of headliners altogether.

From what I've read, one of the purposes of FP+ was to assure that all guests had access to headliner attractions. But really, there isn't enough ride capacity to accommodate guest demand, even if repeat riding is difficult or impossible.

So it goes back to the same old story, Disney needs to build more headliner attractions or limit park admissions if the goal was to satisfy all or most of their guests.

 

[erc]

So it goes back to the same old story, Disney needs to build more headliner attractions or limit park admissions if the goal was to satisfy all or most of their guests.

I completely agree. Here is a basic idea:

$50 general admission to the park

$10 per person per ride billed to room or credit card attached to Magic Band

Let's plug that into the simulation and see how it could be tweaked.

 

[DisneyKidds]

So when you're refering to hyperbole are your refering to remarks like this? Or did you actually see a post where someone used the phrase......

Su....Su.....Suvadoo, yes, individually I have seen some who don't like FP+ describe the result as 'soul crushing', with 'boredom in the parks after they used their 3 FP+', which 'killed their FP experience' and 'ruined their WDW vacation'. I have neither the time nor inclination to go back and look them all up to give you the individual quotes. Yes, for purposes of this almost 40 page discussion and how far down the rabbit hole it has gone, I fashioned them into one over the top statement designed to prove a point, and maybe smoke a little truth and honesty out of one poster . My bad. Mea culpa!

But really, you are ok with someone saying that a current WDW vacation has no value beyond being able to enjoy only three attractions a day, and having to wait on long standby lines for everything else? Yes or no, do you think that is an accurate representation of a WDW vacation for the average WDW guest, or very many WDW guests at all? Come on, honestly?

I don't see why anyone puts that kind of rhetoric in their trip reports. I'll never get that, sorry. It's just not necessary or helpful, IMHO.

 

[DisneyKidds]

So it goes back to the same old story, Disney needs to build more headliner attractions or limit park admissions if the goal was to satisfy all or most of their guests.

Agreed, Su....Su.....Suvadoo!

 

[Suvadoo]

I’ll chime in again, since I’m in the middle of planning a May trip to WDW and have recently come onto the DisBoards to get up to speed on the latest. The title of the thread drew me in originally due to the fact that my family would be considered one of the previous uber-users, and we’ll now have to adapt to FP+.

Obviously the biggest change for us since our trip in August 2012 is the FP+ system, and overcoming that learning curve has been daunting to say the least. I will say that discussions about how FP+ compares to Legacy FP, and how FP+ could be improved are useful for a current trip planner. I like to compare what I remember from our last trips with what I should expect for the next trip.

As far as comparing WDW to Universal…well that’s become even more helpful for me on this go round since we may go to Universal as well. I like to read about the Express Pass that Universal offers and compare that to WDW’s FP+. Also, the future plans of the Walt Disney Co. are always relevant because knowing what short or long term plans the company has for their theme parks will determine if/when we go to WDW.

While reading positive reviews on FP+ are helpful in their own way, I personally derive more use from the reviews that are more critical. They are typically much more specific, perhaps because negative occurrences tend to stick with people over time. In comparing FP+ with Legacy in a more critical way, it’s typically from the standpoint of freedom (Legacy) vs. restriction (FP+). Having used Legacy for many trips, the comparisons from this perspective are beneficial for our family. Also, the more critical reports lend themselves to: here’s how we should have done it, here’s how Disney should change it, next time we’ll do this differently, here’s a better way to approach this, etc. All of these comments are informative to someone planning a trip. Additionally, it has not gone unnoticed that some of the highly respected WDW veterans here on the Dis have been critical of FP+ and the restrictions thereof.

I will say that while we’re looking forward to our trip in May, we’ve also come to realize that our expectations should be lowered for this next trip as well. A little strange for anything related to Disney…

Su....Su.....Suvadoo, yes, individually I have seen some who don't like FP+ describe the result as 'soul crushing', with 'boredom in the parks after they used their 3 FP+', which 'killed their FP experience' and 'ruined their WDW vacation'. I have neither the time nor inclination to go back and look them all up to give you the individual quotes. Yes, for purposes of this almost 40 page discussion and how far down the rabbit hole it has gone, I fashioned them into one over the top statement designed to prove a point, and maybe smoke a little truth and honesty out of one poster . My bad. Mea culpa!

But really, you are ok with someone saying that a current WDW vacation has no value beyond being able to enjoy only three attractions a day, and having to wait on long standby lines for everything else? Yes or no, do you think that is an accurate representation of a WDW vacation for the average WDW guest, or very many WDW guests at all? Come on, honestly?

I don't see why anyone puts that kind of rhetoric in their trip reports. I'll never get that, sorry. It's just not necessary or helpful, IMHO.

OK I understand. You can use hyperbole to prove your point, but others can't. Gotcha! Rather a double standard don't you think?

 

[DisneyKidds]

I don't think you "got" anything.

Yes, I went over the top to prove how ridiculous it is when people go over the top, to the point of misleading people about what the FP+ system offers. Like I said, my bad, Mea Culpa, please forgive me. Two wrongs don't make a right. Blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.....

But it's apples and oranges. I'm verbally sparring with a couple of people about what has turned into a somewhat ridiculous conversation, whereas others are throwing inflammatory hyperbole into their actual evaluation of the FP+ system. You can't see how that is different?

But you 'got me'. Ouch, Su.....Su.......Suvadoo!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Rather than trying to 'get me', why don't you do something that some other poster seems unwilling or unable to do.......honestly answer a relevant question.

But really, you are ok with someone saying that a current WDW vacation has no value beyond being able to enjoy only three attractions a day, and having to wait on long standby lines for everything else? Yes or no, do you think that is an accurate representation of a WDW vacation for the average WDW guest, or very many WDW guests at all?

Do ya think you can answer that one, honestly, Su....Su....Suvadoo?

 

[Laketravis]

Yes, I went over the top to prove how ridiculous it is when people go over the top, to the point of misleading people about what the FP+ system offers. Like I said, my bad, Mea Culpa, please forgive me. Two wrongs don't make a right. Blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.....

But it's apples and oranges. I'm verbally sparring with a couple of people about what has turned into a somewhat ridiculous conversation, whereas others are throwing inflammatory hyperbole into their actual evaluation of the FP+ system. You can't see how that is different?

But you 'got me'. Ouch, Su.....Su.......Suvadoo!

Dude, seriously. "Over the top"? "Verbally sparring?" "Ridiculous conversation?" "Inflammatory hyperbole?"

Here - why don't you fill this out and send it in, maybe it will help you feel better.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Lake, rather than trying to be clever, as usual, why don't you answer the simple question I asked Su...Su.....Suvadoo above?