Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[mesaboy2]

Us too. It is poor planning to do that. We always end up spending more time in the World Showcase than we plan on. I have an 11yr old niece who loves to shop her way around WS, so I totally get it! However there is no way around it, if you want to use Fastpasses you need to put some thought into it--how much time do I have before the window, where do I think I will be when that window starts, and how mad will I be if I can't make it back--all of those thoughts need to be part of the process. If you will be upset if you miss your FP window then you may need to rethink your plans a bit. Not fun I know for those people used to using the FPs whenever they wanted to, but as an old boss used to tell me, it is what it is. Deal with what is, not what used to be. Otherwise you just make yourself crazy.

As I posted before, I do think the new way of handling Fastpasses is helping things. Last week when this all started I never ran into the long Fastpass lines some are reporting. The lines we were in were very short.

Thanks, mm--appreciate that.

I am a planner, but the family I was with isn't. Since this was a trip for them, I rolled with it as best I could. No, I'm sorry sister, niece, and friend, we have to sit here for an hour in an area we've already covered and not start WS yet because Disney just came down on late FP abusers to teach them a lesson for the sake of it.

All FP line reports I've given these last few days are true. Several were longer than I've ever seen, the rest were normal. You just must be a better planner than me to have avoided them so adroitly.

 

[origin62]

Last update from me for this trip.

Did Epcot today and pulled FPs for Soarin' and TT only--neither had long FP lines like RnRC, Splash, and Pan had in previous days.

Stressed again though having to make TT. Started around WS from Canada about one hour before beginning of FP window with intention of hitting the countries pretty quick. Made it only as far as Japan when we had to boogie-oogie through the rest of the countries because only 30 minutes were left until expiry.

I know: plan better, yada yada yada, you may say. But a niece who doesn't frequent Disney saw Pooh and Tigger, then Marie, then Belle. Then DD reminded us we had talked about pick-a-pearl, so we did that and waited behind three others already in line--a number we didn't think to check before committing. And oh by the way there are topiaries along the way that everyone wants pictures of.

These kinds of details that you just can't plan to are where the little devil lies. We're simply not going to stop making spontaneous decisions to go see that or shop there or eat this or photograph that. That's not Disney to me. Having to plan to that degree frankly sucks out loud.

Again you may say: don't pull the FP if you can't rig your schedule so that you meet it or just lose an hour or two in the standby queue. Nope, sorry not buying. Not when there's only extremely shaky arguments that enforcement in and of itself benefits the greater public at large. Enforcement in its current form, with not even a vaguely-defined xPass currently in place to presumably make it make more sense, is not helping anyone in my estimation. That's my on-the-scene conclusion.

Tomorrow it's just MK for a couple hours with no FP attractions on the to-do list. I'll sit back and watch others' opinions form for the next couple months until early June.

Thank you for the reports, mb2. Hope you had a great trip!

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you for the reports, mb2. Hope you had a great trip!

The whole family had an awesome time, thanks!

 

[mjp12831]

Your story was my fear when I heard the announcement.

Will we still enjoy Disney? Of course.

Will we enjoy it AS much? I fear we might not.

FWIW..... I did feel all along that probably Epcot would be the worst for the very thing you mentioned..... being out in the middle of the World Showcase and having to cut it short to have to hoof it all the way back to the front to hit a FP window.

I used to think I was FP and touring plan savvy enough to be able to one day manage Disney at peak times. NO WAY would I ever consider it now.

This is spot on

We go in summer when parks are very crowded. We could still confidently tour and know we would hit all of the major rides multiple times in a day and never wait in a line longer than 30 minutes. Made for really fun park days!

I am sure that this summer we will be accomplishing far less, waiting in more lines, and stressing over time planning. Less fun.

I still dream that this will be a big disaster and they'll go back to the old system. I'm so sad they made this change, essentially because they took a system that worked great to no ones detriment and made changes that make the park experience less fun

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks, mm--appreciate that.

I am a planner, but the family I was with isn't. Since this was a trip for them, I rolled with it as best I could. No, I'm sorry sister, niece, and friend, we have to sit here for an hour in an area we've already covered and not start WS yet because Disney just came down on late FP abusers to teach them a lesson for the sake of it.

All FP line reports I've given these last few days are true. Several were longer than I've ever seen, the rest were normal. You just must be a better planner than me to have avoided them so adroitly.

Sorry, I am not trying to attack you. For us, it dose take quite some time to go around World Showcase. I can't see how it would make sense to try to hurry thru it, especially if I had a FP in hand that I really wanted to use. No question, it will take more forethought and planning to use FPs. If the time doesn't work all around, then you shouldn't take it, or else you will just wind up frustrated and mad. As I said, it is what it is, and fighting it will only frustrate you more.

Nor did I say you were lying about the lines you have seen. I'm just offering up that my experience was different. I don't want people thinking that all WDW is now is long line after long line, when that is not what I experienced at all.

 

[maxiesmom]

I still dream that this will be a big disaster and they'll go back to the old system. I'm so sad they made this change, essentially because they took a system that worked great to no ones detriment and made changes that make the park experience less fun

But it wasn't how the only system was meant to be used. It was just how it ended up being used, because once word got out that guests were able to use FP past their window it became a free for all. It is not a change, but an enforcement of the time window.

 

[mesaboy2]

Sorry, I am not trying to attack you. For us, it dose take quite some time to go around World Showcase. I can't see how it would make sense to try to hurry thru it, especially if I had a FP in hand that I really wanted to use. No question, it will take more forethought and planning to use FPs. If the time doesn't work all around, then you shouldn't take it, or else you will just wind up frustrated and mad. As I said, it is what it is, and fighting it will only frustrate you more.

Nor did I say you were lying about the lines you have seen. I'm just offering up that my experience was different. I don't want people thinking that all WDW is now is long line after long line, when that is not what I experienced at all.

Or conversely, that it is all short FP lines, and that that is due to the new policy. My experience was more of a mixed bag as I reported, and the jury is still out on the FP enforcement effect. You seem ready to draw your own conclusion already based on a few days (if that) of experience that coincidentally support your position. If I have that wrong, I apologize.

I simply think it is too early to judge, but my initial impression is not favorable.

 

[origin62]

This is spot on

We go in summer when parks are very crowded. We could still confidently tour and know we would hit all of the major rides multiple times in a day and never wait in a line longer than 30 minutes. Made for really fun park days!

I am sure that this summer we will be accomplishing far less, waiting in more lines, and stressing over time planning. Less fun.

I still dream that this will be a big disaster and they'll go back to the old system. I'm so sad they made this change, essentially because they took a system that worked great to no ones detriment and made changes that make the park experience less fun

A "system that worked great to no ones detriment" is an opinion, not fact.

 

[ftballfan7]

But it wasn't how the only system was meant to be used. It was just how it ended up being used, because once word got out that guests were able to use FP past their window it became a free for all. It is not a change, but an enforcement of the time window.

It is a change. It is a change in dinsey's policies in regards to fp use. There is a change in the wording on the fp. You are only making an assumption about how fp was intended to be used. It is entirely possible that when they created the system they did the math (as many here have done) and determined that after window use would have no net affect on lines. They stated on the fastpasses that they could not be used early, but were not specific on late use (perhaps deliberately).

I concede that it is also possible that Disney intended all along that fastpasses be used specifically within the window. It is presumptuous to assume either way without allowing for evidence contrary. Either way there was a written policy allowing late fastpass use. I can't fathom how you can not see that this is a change.

 

[WillAustin]

A "system that worked great to no ones detriment" is an opinion, not fact.

And the opposite is equally so.

 

[origin62]

And the opposite is equally so.

Actually, no, it's not. I know it to be fact.

 

[WillAustin]

Actually, no, it's not. I know it to be fact.

Then you are the only one. Enjoy it.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Then you are the only one. Enjoy it.

Count me as one as well. People hoarding FPs and often not using them prevented other people from getting FPs because there is a finite number of FPs that are issued.

For people screaming about how the new system is "inconveniencing" them, its funny how they didnt seem to mind "inconveniencing" other guests in the past.

I realize that this will still happen under the new FP enforcement but i hope it stops some of the pulling FPs just because people could and "may" use them later that day.

 

[origin62]

Then you are the only one. Enjoy it.

I will, thank you. And you can 'enjoy' your opinion, which you have apparently formed from 1,000 miles away, with no direct knowledge or observation of the subject.

 

[origin62]

Count me as one as well. People hoarding FPs and often not using them prevented other people from getting FPs because there is a finite number of FPs that are issued.

For people screaming about how the new system is "inconveniencing" them, its funny how they didnt seem to mind "inconveniencing" other guests in the past.

I realize that this will still happen under the new FP enforcement but i hope it stops some of the pulling FPs just because people could and "may" use them later that day.

Excellent point.

 

[mom2rtk]

Count me as one as well. People hoarding FPs and often not using them prevented other people from getting FPs because there is a finite number of FPs that are issued.

For people screaming about how the new system is "inconveniencing" them, its funny how they didnt seem to mind "inconveniencing" other guests in the past.

I realize that this will still happen under the new FP enforcement but i hope it stops some of the pulling FPs just because people could and "may" use them later that day.

Oh please. It was policy completely allowed by Disney. Na na na na boo boo.

It was no more inconveniencing other guests than using a FP inconvenienced those in the SB line.

 

[KellyNY]

Count me as one as well. People hoarding FPs and often not using them prevented other people from getting FPs because there is a finite number of FPs that are issued.

For people screaming about how the new system is "inconveniencing" them, its funny how they didnt seem to mind "inconveniencing" other guests in the past.

I realize that this will still happen under the new FP enforcement but i hope it stops some of the pulling FPs just because people could and "may" use them later that day.

My poing exactly! It is about Me, Me, Me mentality and nothing else.

 

[mom2rtk]

My poing exactly! It is about Me, Me, Me mentality and nothing else.

Then next time you're at DHS and they open the gates at 8:45 on a 9 AM opening day, I'll wave at you as I enter the park and you're standing by the gates waiting for the 9 AM opening time printed in the brochure.

 

[origin62]

Oh please. It was policy completely allowed by Disney. Na na na na boo boo.

It was no more inconveniencing other guests than using a FP inconvenienced those in the SB line.

Why would you raise the "policy' issue again? He didn't mention rules at all. He said that other guests were impacted.

What a childish response.

 

[KellyNY]

Then next time you're at DHS and they open the gates at 8:45 on a 9 AM opening day, I'll wave at you as I enter the park and you're standing by the gates waiting for the 9 AM opening time printed in the brochure.

I will not be there by RD but instead at 2PM, getting FP you did not hoard earlier.