Anyone else feeling like a newb all over again?

[dizct]

Feeling like a newbie indeed. Hopefully we will feel better about the new FP+ process after using it because we definitely don't like it so far! Too structured with having to plan exactly which day you're going to go to which park 60 days out. We like the flexibility of adjusting to weather and energy levels with the old system. We shall see in 2.5 weeks...

 

[PSUGuy]

About this time last year I posted an almost identical note here about the loss of my 'Expert Status' on all things Disney. Not that I could hold a candle to Fl residents and others who visited multiple times a year but after yearly WDW trips since 1999 I was very comfortable in my planning ability, giving more advice here than I requested. The changes definitely punctured my balloon.

We had an Oct 2013 trip in the works when we were chosen to be guinea pigs for the MB, FP+ process. After that trip and a last minute March trip my confidence has been restored. Once one goes through planning with the new rules it all comes together, and I seem to be in the minority in that FP+ works better for us and we like it.

Bill From PA

 

[Jennasis]

About this time last year I posted an almost identical note here about the loss of my 'Expert Status' on all things Disney. Not that I could hold a candle to Fl residents and others who visited multiple times a year but after yearly WDW trips since 1999 I was very comfortable in my planning ability, giving more advice here than I requested. The changes definitely punctured my balloon.

We had an Oct 2013 trip in the works when we were chosen to be guinea pigs for the MB, FP+ process. After that trip and a last minute March trip my confidence has been restored. Once one goes through planning with the new rules it all comes together, and I seem to be in the minority in that FP+ works better for us and we like it.

Bill From PA

Thanks for that Bill. I'm hoping once I actually use it to tour the park I will grow comfortable with it...and dare I hope, maybe like it more than legacy? I haven't enjoyed the planning so far and its mostly because I don't know how the planning affects the touring yet. Hope it all comes together or else we just bought $10K worth of DVC for nuttin'!

 

[Disney-Kim]

yes, yes, and yes

We went in April 2013 right before the Magic band and FP+ started. Yes its a new learning curve for sure.

 

[lustergirl]

I feel like a newbie as well. You have so much to learn with all the new systems in place.

 

[jcvalenti]

We've made 2 family trips and one adult only trip every 3 years since 2004, but haven't been there since 2012 and it has been WORK to figure out all the new systems. I've been reading some recent trip reports from people who planned and toured like us, though, and it sounds like the new changes have a lot of upside that might make the confusion worth it. We leave in 5 days and I'm hoping it's all smooth sailing this time around.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Ignore the negative posts, it is a lot easier than it sounds. Signing up to MDE takes a few minutes. Just print out any FP+ selections when they are all done by either printing the relevant pages (if your printer lets you do that) or print screen then print out, for reference or proof to Disney should you have issues. If this old dinosaur can work it out then anyone can.

 

[Jenn55]

Yup. We're not going back until 2015 or 2016. Either way, Im studing now

Went with DS, Jan 2014 for his first, and supposed to be only trip.. Now were going back dec 2015 with the husband and we spent 3 days this week going through a lot of our planning. When I brought it up to start planning he looked at me like I was on drugs! Lol he's like but it's over a year away. So then I had to explain ADR's and FPP... Felt like I was teaching a course on it. I'll be working on it weekly till we go

 

[lovndisney12]

I thought I had this Disney thing licked but I guess it has been too long since we have been. Traveled in absolute peek times over Christmas, heat of the summer, and low crowds of the fall and winter. Traveled with toddlers and pre-teens. Traveled with dining and without. Stayed on site and off. BUT, trying to plan a one day trip with my 13 year old around a conference seems like more hassle than it is worth! But the ball is rolling and there is no turning back!

Any tips for someone who hasn't been in several years would be greatly appreciated - especially regarding fast pass and any other new "quirks". We will only have one day and for the most part will know exactly what we want to see (being flexible of course) and know the realities of the time it will take to park hop. We will be staying on property so we can utilize the emh that day. It will be early November so crowds should be light but it will be a Sunday.

Thanks!

 

[Bilierka]

Our last trip was in 2011, and I'm feeling like much less of an expert planning this trip than when I was when planning that one. So much has changed! It feels like I'm starting from the beginning all over again. New Fantasyland, magic bands, FP+, BOG, A&E, memory maker (whatever that is), and probably 200 other new things/policies that I'm not even aware of yet...ugh! Looks like I'll be spending some quality time on the dis getting caught up!

,,,,,,,,I felt exactly the same way as my last visit was 2011' I was so worried about all the new changes but everything worked out fine, loved magic bands and fast pass plus, read the boards, go to touring plans .com read the blogs subscribe to disney questions .com and theme park tourist.com, lots of great info and many of your questions will be answered!

 

[abmitch01]

I'm going in two weeks and doing it so different from how how we usually do it. It always used to be me, DD and DS and various family members in a house or condo offsite. The last few years we went on Feb break because the kids are too old to take out of school. We always got there at RD and followed the Unofficial Guide, we were FP ninjas. We went from morning to night, I needed a vacation from our vacation when we got back.

this year it's just me and DD 15, staying onsite for the first time. We have 10 days. We can take a midday break. We can use EMH but aren't sure if we should. There's the new FP system. We won't have a car. We'll be eating onsite. It's so weird to think we might have pool time. I can't wait but don't feel like I've planned enough. We will see.

 

[DjdBrit]

Yup, last visit was 2 years ago and I feel overwhelmed with all the changes! I have spent the last month trying to catch up but think I am still missing a huge piece

 

[disneysteve]

Our last trip was in 2011, and I'm feeling like much less of an expert planning this trip than when I was when planning that one.

I totally agree, and my last trip was just last year in August 2013. We've seen New Fantasyland (I wonder how long we'll be calling it that) but the FP+ system hadn't started yet. Just that alone makes me feel like I don't know what the heck I'm doing or what to expect.

We are not advance planners so the thought of pre-scheduling our rides holds zero appeal. It's actually a huge turn off to be honest. I did break down and book FPs for one day just to be sure I got one for the Mine Train (and had to stay up until midnight to accomplish that). Other than that, we still intend to wing it when we get there. That might mean we end up riding very few rides, but we're okay with that. It beats planning it all in advance.

The new system is definitely geared for the commandos, not the laid back visitors like us. We leave next Friday and I'll definitely post a report with our impressions.

 

[disneysteve]

Our last trip was summer of 2012 and short of opening a new park, these past two years have seen the biggest changes between trips.

I visited Epcot, MGM, and AK when they were brand new - actually attended a preview day for AK before it opened. None of those had me the least bit concerned about what I was doing. Those trips were exciting. I looked forward to exploring all of the new stuff.

FP+ has me dreading the whole process. I'm not the least bit excited about it. Hopefully, I'll feel differently once we're on the ground doing it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Do you have any tips to share with fellow once-again newbs?

One thing that did not work for us was making FP+ ressies one right after the other on different sides of MK.

We had one at Space Mountain and then another at Big Thunder an hour later so by the time we finished Space Mountain we were scrambling to get over to Big Thunder before our time was up. The FP+ line was long at Space Mountain.

We normally like to finish a section at a time. So next time I would book Space Mountain and then leave some blank time to finish touring that area and then book Big Thunder - I'm thinking about an hour and a half between the end of one FP+ and the start of another would work for us better.

Doing it this way would mean we'd have less of a chance of getting a 4th FP+ for a major ride but that's ok. We couldn't get one doing it the way I had scheduled anyways since it was over Memorial Weekend.

That's the big change/tip for me to try out next time. I'll be solo then and will also be able to move more easily through the park and won't have to wait on grumpy teens. LOL

 

[monkeybug]

Well, at least I'm not the only one feeling this way! That makes me feel a bit better about not keeping up with everything that was going on these last few years! It's just super annoying to have to spend all this time researching things again! My fault for not paying attention, but still aggravating.

 

[canyoncam]

I think what is getting to me the most is the constant daily changes.

Now I know they are not daily... that is a bit of an exaggeration But with the tests they are doing to eliminate some stand by lines you could have your day planned out managably decent. Using FP+ and getting the times you wanted was hard enough but you managed. Now you go to Epcot and plan on doing Soarin' right away first thing because you chose TT as your tier 1 FP+. But now you race to Soarin' expecting to get that out of the way but today is the "test" for SB+ So you are given your return time that coincides with TT FP+ time

Anyway, scenarios like that is what is keeping me up at night At least my next trip does not involve the whole family because I lose it when I feel the fam has been disappointed

 

[momof2n2]

Yes - only without the enthusiasm.

 

[momof2n2]

We are taking 2014 off so that Disney can stabilize things, I can't pay the big bucks to be a lab rat.

We cancelled our 2014 to WDW. Thinking DLR for 2015.

 

[ncbunnie]

(Sheepishly raising hand in agreement)- last on site trip was 2011. Yup, I just broke down and ordered a newer Unofficial guidebook. Kind of ashamed to admit it because in the 2010-11 era I became a good source for Disney info. Now I'm afraid I'm going to be known as a has-been when it comes to friends and family asking questions about MDE, FP+, and all these new abbreviations. What if I let them down? The pressure certainly makes one anxious to sign up for their disboards CE classes to keep current on the changes and latest information! (haha)

There needs to be a support group for all of us old timers who loved the feel of a crisp new paper fast pass in our pockets!