Anyone else not doing FP+?

[AnnaS]

We are at BCV now and getting ready to head home. We have been here for 7 nights and it has been extremely busy here. This is our fourth time this time of year and it is crazy packed.

I was not thrilled and am not thrilled of making too many ADRs either. I don't want every minute of each day planned. I did go ahead and made FPs for four of our 7 day stay. We used most of them and changed one while here.

I would definitely try to make FPs for the busier/more popular attractions. It gives you/lets you choose three so just choose them. We chose some shows even though we knew we would not need them and did not.

Most of the time you can change them. We got to Soaring one morning and all FPs for the day were gone. Same story in Toy Story Mania when I tried to change the time. I was glad I had a few of these popular attractions. They will let you in five minutes before your time not sure once you are past it.

I guess they control where crowds might be and rearrange Fps throughout the day too.

Good luck!

 

[staceymay00]

We'll be at WDW about the same time and are looking forward to trying FP+. I have made selections for all of our days, but still tweaking things here and there. I do hope there will be enough availability to change plans on short notice, but for the most part I like to plan ahead anyway as far as which parks we visit on what days. What I don't enjoy as much these days is being tied down to too many dining reservations, but usually we stick pretty well to our planned park days and play it by ear a little more with meals.

Some days I think I will miss arriving at RD and accumulating FPs for the day, but I think overall we will like FP+ just as much. We are not commando touring types, but there have been times we crammed in extra attractions because we had FPs and felt like we should use them, or felt the need to get another set of FPs as soon as we could after the last set. I won't miss running across a park to get FPs. What I really like about FP+ is not having to arrive near RD to get FPs. I have EP FPs picked for the evening of our arrival day. Those FPs would never be available by our arrival time with the current system. There are a couple of days that we plan to go to a park in the morning and then return in the evening. I booked all or most FPs for the evening since we can always get some rides in with short waits when we arrive at RD, and once lines get too long for some attractions maybe we'll take the time to do some of those less crowded things that we never have time for because we are too busy collecting and using FPs for the most popular attractions. For a park we'll visit from RD to after lunch, it is nice being able to just pick our FP times instead of hoping we get what what works with our schedule.

Now if you are someone who does not decide what park you want to go to until you roll out of bed, I can see how FP+ will be a problem...unless it remains possible to switch and book FPs on the same day you want to use them.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well we got back 3 weeks ago and had FP+ but would have preferred regular FP after about 3 days. We found FP+ just too restrictive. The problem wasn't 3 FP's but rather park hopping that caused us problems. Plus there were days when we wasted FP+'s. For example our last day we wanted to do just Soarin but MDE required us to get 3 FP+'s and randomly assigned us two we didn't need. They got wasted. Also, it just felt like our trip was way too structured. It got so, DW would say where do we go next kind of in exasperation. We're just not big planners and missed the freedom we had before FP+. But we felt we had to do them since we had no access to regular FP. Yes, it was nice not having to race across Epcot or HS at RD but overall I would have preferred the greater freedom you have with regular FP's. I'm not too worried about it though as our next trip is over a year and a half off and by then hopefully they will have it all figured out.

 

[dkellumw]

Yes!! And FP+ really helps those of us who like to sleep in on vacation rather than rush to the parks for rope drop.

This is what I like about the new FP+. We will be going next month and I have us going to MK one night with our FP+ scheduled around an ADR at BOG. EMH is that night and open until 3 a.m. We can sleep in the next day then head over to HS for our earlier afternoon ADR. I have FP+ set up for TSM, RR, and Star tours later that evening.

 

[LisaS]

Plus there were days when we wasted FP+'s. For example our last day we wanted to do just Soarin but MDE required us to get 3 FP+'s and randomly assigned us two we didn't need. They got wasted.

I agree and I hope that they change that. I didn't like having to set up (or accept) that third FP+ when I knew there was no chance we would use it.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Well we got back 3 weeks ago and had FP+ but would have preferred regular FP after about 3 days. We found FP+ just too restrictive. The problem wasn't 3 FP's but rather park hopping that caused us problems. Plus there were days when we wasted FP+'s. For example our last day we wanted to do just Soarin but MDE required us to get 3 FP+'s and randomly assigned us two we didn't need. They got wasted. Also, it just felt like our trip was way too structured. It got so, DW would say where do we go next kind of in exasperation. We're just not big planners and missed the freedom we had before FP+. But we felt we had to do them since we had no access to regular FP. Yes, it was nice not having to race across Epcot or HS at RD but overall I would have preferred the greater freedom you have with regular FP's. I'm not too worried about it though as our next trip is over a year and a half off and by then hopefully they will have it all figured out.

It's interesting that you say this because we never plan anything. It's part of our joy of being on vacations. I've said on these forums ten times that many times, we get in the truck, and out we go and DD8 points where to turn (she actually does know her way around) and we just go where she says. I can't count the number of times I've left a resort in the morning with no idea where we'd be in 20 minutes. I like it that way. We go where she wants to go for the most part. We go completely by the seat of our pants now. Why? It's vacation and we're going back again.

This is contrary to most everybody else here who (IMHO) seem to plan their trips to death. God knows I don't want to have to live like that on vacation but I understand it's my choice. I do understand why others do what they do. I have to do it every other day of the year. I refuse to live like that on MY time.

We're going to try it this time because it's a short trip but mainly because I know we'll get to ride TT, TSM, RnR and Soarin' at least once. My bet is the rest of them will go to waste with us too. I will not let FP+ drive my vacations this or any other time, but if I can figure out how to use it to my advantage just once per day, I will.

We park hop at LEAST twice/day and sometimes 3 different parks. We have been known to go to all 4 several times. It's not going to work for our "touring style," but it will at least give me the chance to ride some rides that are difficult since we don't do rope drops that I may not normally get a chance to ride PROVIDED I feel like being in that park when the FP comes active.

Like I said, we shall see.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Are y'all saying I won't be able to use the regular FP system in addition? Fudge!

I would have never done it had I realized that. Live and learn.

 

[ryansgirl96]

Are y'all saying I won't be able to use the regular FP system in addition? Fudge!

I would have never done it had I realized that. Live and learn.

As of right now you can use MB for FP+ and regular AP to pull FP-

 

[cseca]

I honestly would sign up if I were you.
UNLESS... you're not planning on doing the E tickets rides (TSMM, Soarin, TT) or don't mind doing FP runs for rope drops.

We just came back with FP+s. I am not a huge fan ... I hope I get the survey for it because I do have some complaints about the whole thing.

I think FP+ is a huge advantage for people who likes to sleep in like PPs said but the limitations that comes with it is too much for us.
But I know this change is coming regardless.

I just can't imagine how the whole thing will play out when FP- is completely eliminated.

 

[WDW-BWV]

I agree that all of the pre planning removes the joy of a WDW vacation. The already killed TS dining with DDP and ADRs. Do you plan your grocery list 180 days out? Look at how the meals have changed and the cash price point for a Golden Cordell steak!

As for MB given those who for variety of reasons don't have tickets before arrival you are excluded until it's too late. We loop our AP ever other year late to early vacations in August. This is our off year so we loose our.

And lastly I don't want to wear a RFD tracking tag. I don't want my data surveillance charted with all of the masses of guests so that I cans be groomed for profits .

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I agree that all of the pre planning removes the joy of a WDW vacation. The already killed TS dining with DDP and ADRs. Do you plan your grocery list 180 days out? Look at how the meals have changed and the cash price point for a Golden Cordell steak!

As for MB given those who for variety of reasons don't have tickets before arrival you are excluded until it's too late. We loop our AP ever other year late to early vacations in August. This is our off year so we loose our.

And lastly I don't want to wear a RFD tracking tag. I don't want my data surveillance charted with all of the masses of guests so that I cans be groomed for profits .

And the RFD bracelet changes that how, exactly? Do you think they are not doing that anyway, even today?

 

[Longhairbear]

And the RFD bracelet changes that how, exactly? Do you think they are not doing that anyway, even today?

I hope they are tracking me. They'll find out I spend all my points, and cash in California for the last 3 years. One might assume Disney would ask why we haven't been to WDW, or our home base VWL in such a long time. I know better.

 

[mom of princessx2]

Op here, and after reading all the response and further talks with DH I think we are going to try it. Most of the "negative" (word used loosely) comments are exactly what we were thinking we would not like about this system.

We had already customized our MB and the first set (split stay) have already been shipped with the second to be shipped today. Now here is the new dilemma.....we just have a conformation number to pick up our PAPs. So really I can not set anything up until I actually pick them up, correct?

 

[rpcvpanama]

I am pretty sure you can enter the confirmation numbers in MDE to link the tickets. They won't actually be activated until you pick them up but the confirmation number should allow you to pick your FP+ times. Also, I believe you said you had PAPs, just curious why you got to sets of MBs? With the PAPs we were told that our MBs would and could be used on future trips. My understanding is that the MBs can be reused for several years. We went on a trip in early Oct and are returning in Nov. I called to verify and was told that yes, you should reuse your same MBs as they are linked to our PAP.

We were a little leary of the FP+ before we went but found it really wasn't that bad. For the popular rides don't expect to be able to change times though. We found very little availability for Soarin, TSMM, ToT, etc. after our initial bookings. One thing I will say is that having the FP+ eliminated all the running around the parks to grab fastpasses. That was a relief. However, with most rides now having FP entrances do expect longer lines for rides that never use to have much of a wait like POTC.

All in all it wasn't a bad experience. Could it be improved to allow park hopping, yes. Could it be improved to book the same ride more than once, yes. Could it be improved to allow more than 3 rides per day, yes. Hopefully Disney will take notice and implement some of these changes.

 

[spiceycat]

was not going to use them for this trip - then - well doing it.

have my fp+ done - and can't wait until Dec.

 

[DMKEDM]

I'm repeating this mantra to myself at least 3x/day: "It's a sign of old age when you can't be flexible." I don't want to be "old," so I'm trying to be flexible.

We go to WDW 11/11...I've got our MBs and after 3 phone calls to MS, finally got reservations, dining and FP+ (for just one of our 7 days) set up on My Disney Experience. I despise My Disney Experience. But, she says again to herself, it's a sign of old age to not be flexible.

Anyway, we'll see.

One of the real joys DVC brought to us was the ability to kick back even while doing the parks...we often simply take the first bus that arrives on our first day or two or three at WDW...can't do that w/FP+...and there's no possible way I'll know 180 days out which park we want to go to which day (altho we have APs, so we often go to 2-3 parks each day)...

I did do one day of FP+ -- it was a day we have a TS reservation at Epcot, so I figured it was "safe" to schedule FPs that day...I haven't done any for the other six days.

Given all the issues I've had w/My Disney Experience, I am skeptical that I'll be able to make choices on site. I've not yet been able to do anything w/the MDE website w/out a phone call to MS at the same time...and that's when I'm home using my desktop. I can't fathom doing it from a smart phone and I'll be switched if I'm gonna carry my iPad around w/me to the parks...

Sigh.

Oh, well. We'll have fun even we don't ride any rides after those 3 FPes that one day at Epcot. I'll get used to it, or I won't. If I don't, at least my points are now worth more than I paid for them and it's a seller's market. If I do, then I'll look back and shake my head at my inflexibility!

 

[mom of princessx2]

Also, I believe you said you had PAPs, just curious why you got to sets of MBs? With the PAPs we were told that our MBs would and could be used on future trips. My understanding is that the MBs can be reused for several years. We went on a trip in early Oct and are returning in Nov. I called to verify and was told that yes, you should reuse your same MBs as they are linked to our PAP.

We are doing a split stay on this trip, 3 days at AoA to please my dds and a week at AKV to please mom and dad. I called MS when I saw both sets waiting to be customized and she said that we would need to customize them both and receive both sets. Maybe it is because we don't pick up our PAP until this trip?? I don't know for sure but I hope I did it right.
BTW we received the first set now and we picked names of characters to put on them. My "Minnie and Ariel" dds are very excited about them.

 

[jwaters4]

Am I the only one who likes to plan? LOL feeling alone!
I LOVE the ADR and FP+ I HATE waiting! When on vacation what city do you go to where you can just walk in with only a 10-20 min wait. Try 2 hours in NYC or Dallas, etc. NOW that is what makes me mad on vacation. So for me ADR and FP's are perfect! Plus I enjoy sitting on my couch looking at menus, planing which park day, etc. Seems to start the vacation early!

Just wondering if I am alone?

 

[mom of princessx2]

I'm repeating this mantra to myself at least 3x/day: "It's a sign of old age when you can't be flexible." I don't want to be "old," so I'm trying to be flexible.

Ouch!! I think I may resemble that!!! Just trying hard not to!!

I can say, I like MDE and I have always made my ADRs on line and have always used the online system to keep my ADRs straight then I print it out before our trip and have everything right there. Just don't know how much I will be looking at my phone while on vacation.

 

[ypv]

We just got back from WDW. I would use the FP+. We had no issues with ours and were able to make changes by phone without issue. The return times for FP- were typically for many hours in the future if available at all.