Apparently I dislike FP+...alot

[smitch425]

I'm seriously glad it works for you. I truly hope it's understandable that that does not work for all trips.

For us on this trip, RD is only even a possibility on 2 days. We arrive at MCO at 10am, so definitely no RD on arrival day.

Day 2 is the 1/2 marathon and we are not going to the parks during the day so that DH has the stamina for the 1/2 marathon. My friend and I will hit Epcot at 7pm, when our Finish Line party tickets allow us to enter. The finish line party goes until 4am.

Day 3 we will likely not be able to hit a park until 11am or so. DH won't finish the race til at least 1am, and if we stay any later so he can enjoy the after party, we'll be out too late to hit RD.

Day 4 and Day 5 we have the option of hitting RD and likely will on at least 1 of those days.

We'd love to hit MK for Evening EMH, but when Disney changed the EMH schedule, they shut us out of that possibility (along with all of the other 1/2 marathon runners). MK is the park we'd most use Evening EMH in, so not having that option was a big blow to the trip.

We will maximize our time in the park as much as we can...but sometimes it's just not as simple as "hit RD, then evening EMH"

If it makes you feel any better, we made rope drop a total of two times out of 9 park days, and the only EMH we did the whole trip was one night at MK, and we still did several extra FPs per day. We booked our FPs (in most cases) from the 10am-1pm range, which allowed us plenty of time to add others. We easily did 10-15 attractions per day, probably more, and crowds were moderate.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If it makes you feel any better, we made rope drop a total of two times out of 9 park days, and the only EMH we did the whole trip was one night at MK, and we still did several extra FPs per day. We booked our FPs (in most cases) from the 10am-1pm range, which allowed us plenty of time to add others. We easily did 10-15 attractions per day, probably more, and crowds were moderate.

I'm hoping this is the type of experience we will have next week .

 

[ParkHoppers]

Wow sure is some negativism! I have used the band and fastpass+ four times this year. Yes there have been hickcups, and yes I changed my mind about a ride a few times, some problems mine some Disney. But you know what? I came to have a good time and that I did! IN SPADES! Wait or no wait I checked the lines and made my decision. Basically my theory is go on everything or anything that does not have a wait exceeding 1/2 hour. Works every time. No I do not ever want or intend to spend a day running from attraction to attraction, ya gotta stop and 'spell the roses', after all that is what brings WDW above the rest. I have been to the theme parks and NEVER gone on a ride/attraction. We have sat watched the street entertainment, shopped or looked in the neat shops, people watched, saw a parade etc. loved every bit of it. So schedule/use your passes and fill in with whatever is nearest - you will have a much more satisfying day than griping about the of FP etc. Look up at check out the neat architecture of the buildings, look down and see the interesting plant life, go into buildings and see how they are layed out. It is these things that are the reason I love the parks, no to join a race club to see who can get on the most rides in the day.

This is how we vacation at Disney and because of it have yet to have one failed trip.

 

[Luckybee]

Yes, I know I was being selective, which is why I highlighted the things you presented as facts that I was questioning.

I addressed the issue of rides "never" having a wait in my response to Angel Ariel.

The other statement was that FP+ only allows some guests to do 3-4 attractions in a day without a long wait. FP+ allows a guest to do much more than that without long waits, even at busy times. But, if someone is unwilling to do anything without a FP, and is only interested in a small percentage of a park's attractions, then he or she has made a choice. It's not something forced on them by FP+.

I get that there are a number of regular Disney guests who are deciding that Disney isn't for them anymore. That is their decision and I really don't care what any of them do.

But, I do object to giving the impression for first time or infrequent guests that "FP+ only allows you to do 3-4 attractions without a long wait." I could call it a hyperbole, but because that word has suddenly become offensive to you, I will call it a gross exaggeration.

WE were in Orlando end of Sept until middle of Oct. It is not a gross exaggeration that WE were only able to get in 3 or 4 attractions on our 1st or 2nd day at MK in the same amount of time that WE would have been able to do 6-8. It is a fact. That was OUR experience. It was because of lines on secondary attractions. Sure WE could have stayed longer in the parks but WE don't tour that way. We like to do half days. The crowds during what have traditionally been a slow time did not seem any busier to us.
Le me be clear. In order to do the same amount of things WE like to do it took us twice as many hours. WE made 3 trips to MK as opposed to 2. Normally we would have spent 2 half days. This time we did 2 half days and a third half plus emh at night. WE have never had to do before. Is that clear enough for you?
I cant tell anyone what there experience may be...I can only tell you about ours.

 

[metz72]

I really don't care if you and the others who are lamenting the passing of paper FPs decide that WDW is no longer a good vacation value for you. But, I do feel bad when first time and infrequent guests come to this site looking for help and come away terrified that their trip is going to be a disaster because of the drumbeat of negative comments.

I am one of those infrequent guests. This will be our 5th trip but our last was three years ago. This is a huge trip, 10 days, for us and celebrating some major milestones for our whole family. I was super, super excited to begin planning this trip. When I got back on the boards I was shocked at all the negative comments about WDW and FP+ especially. For a bit I considered not going because all I was seeing was the negative comments. Even when someone started a positive thread it quickly changed to negative with a lot of fighting.

I kept digging and reading and actually this thread helped me to figure out that based on my family's previous touring style FP+ is actually not going to be a big deal for us and actually be helpful. We are rope droppers only for Toy Story and Everest, ride it once and if lucky twice and the rest of the day play by ear with what rides we could fastpass or had short wait lines. I feel that I was experience with using legacy fastpass and we always rode the headliners with them and always came away feeling that we rode a lot of rides but balanced that with experiencing lots of other things in the park.

When I first started reading all the posts it sounded like all you could ride was your 3 rides and then their was absolutely no chance of getting on another ride again. I kept thinking that could not possibly be true but man, that's how most of the passionate posters make it sound. I have since figured out it isn't and am back to being excited about my trip. I do think that my family will have a great experience and I like the fact that I won't be racing my family through the park to get the next fastpass.

I do understand that others experiences will be impacted negatively and they feel that their experience will be so altered they don't want to go back. I don't understand however why this matter has turned into such personal attacks against opposite points of view. I also feel bad for first timers reading all these posts.

 

[magicbob]

WE were in Orlando end of Sept until middle of Oct. It is not a gross exaggeration that WE were only able to get in 3 or 4 attractions on our 1st or 2nd day at MK in the same amount of time that WE would have been able to do 6-8. It is a fact. That was OUR experience. It was because of lines on secondary attractions. Sure WE could have stayed longer in the parks but WE don't tour that way. We like to do half days. The crowds during what have traditionally been a slow time did not seem any busier to us.
Le me be clear. In order to do the same amount of things WE like to do it took us twice as many hours. WE made 3 trips to MK as opposed to 2. Normally we would have spent 2 half days. This time we did 2 half days and a third half plus emh at night. WE have never had to do before. Is that clear enough for you?
I cant tell anyone what there experience may be...I can only tell you about ours.

All of what you've described supports the case that FP+ is working exactly as Disney intended it to. Execs are on record stating that the goal is to lock guests into longer visits so they spend more.

 

[wisblue]

.
Such assumptive and demonstrative comments aren't necessary. Find your sense of humor, it will serve you well.

Just because I don't find YOU to be funny, doesn't mean that I don't have a sense of humor.

 

[cakebaker]

Again, you like FP+ so please don't pretend that it was your ability to adapt to change that makes the difference in you experience.

I like it because I tried it and we were able to adjust our touring and were able to maximize the positives of fp+. That's what I said, and that's what I meant. Had it not worked, I wouldn't like it. Seems like such a simple concept to grasp to me.

Had we scheduled 3 fp+'s for mornings, walked in and used them, then tried to ride other things without out a fp+, I would've hated it. We changed and accepted what we had to accept with this system and learned to use it to our advantage.

 

[Luckybee]

All of what you've described supports the case that FP+ is working exactly as Disney intended it to. Execs are on record stating that the goal is to lock guests into longer visits so they spend more.

Except we didn't. Normally we'd be in a happier mood and we'd wander the shops more and spend a lot more. We spent less, a lot less. Dh is happy since he hates shopping. This time it felt like work. We were on a schedule. Go here at x time, be there at Y time. Then leave. We did no theme park meals at all and that was a first. To be fair we did the same number of dinners on property.

We usually go to Aruba in Nov. We always stopped at Disney for at least a few days. I would never ever now just do a few day trip to Disney since I know we would be disappointed in that we wouldn't have enough time to get in everything we like without long park days and we don't do that. We're now not going to do this.
Next trip was to be in May. It was going to be Disney .Now it will be Universal(and until this trip we didn't think we liked U.....lol).

Im not complaining about this. Fp+ simply did not work well for us. Doesn't mean it wont for someone else. I'm grateful for FP+. It (along with a poster on the Dis boards) got us to go back and try U again.

 

[dmychuds]

As I've said, if I found no value, I wouldn't post. I'd move on. So who's wasting their time here? Me, because I find value in this thread and it's contents? Or you who finds no value in this thread, but continues to read it and post?

How long do you think it takes to post a reply? I'm sorry you're having so much trouble and it's taking you enough time that it's worth counting. You'll get the hang of it soon enough!

 

[cakebaker]

Wow sure is some negativism! I have used the band and fastpass+ four times this year. Yes there have been hickcups, and yes I changed my mind about a ride a few times, some problems mine some Disney. But you know what? I came to have a good time and that I did! IN SPADES! Wait or no wait I checked the lines and made my decision. Basically my theory is go on everything or anything that does not have a wait exceeding 1/2 hour. Works every time. No I do not ever want or intend to spend a day running from attraction to attraction, ya gotta stop and 'spell the roses', after all that is what brings WDW above the rest. I have been to the theme parks and NEVER gone on a ride/attraction. We have sat watched the street entertainment, shopped or looked in the neat shops, people watched, saw a parade etc. loved every bit of it. So schedule/use your passes and fill in with whatever is nearest - you will have a much more satisfying day than griping about the of FP etc. Look up at check out the neat architecture of the buildings, look down and see the interesting plant life, go into buildings and see how they are layed out. It is these things that are the reason I love the parks, no to join a race club to see who can get on the most rides in the day.

Great post- and exactly right. If one wants purely to "ride rides", WDW was probably not the optimal place to go in the first place. They don't even call them rides, they're attractions. And if one wants to power ride, it is definitely not the place to go now. The days of power riding are mostly gone- good riddance- it gives everyone more of a chance to experience the attractions rather than just a savvy few. WDW is not an amusement park, it's an experience.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I just want to put in my 2 cents. I have been to WDW 3x with the new system in place. We still RD and with RD and EMH we have been able to ride almost everything at MK before we even start to use our FP+ for the park. We have been there in Oct., Nov., and April. The least busy was Nov. and the busiest was April. We still did the same each trip. The one thing I don't like about the FP+ is the planning way ahead (60day mark) and we are PH's and we find less then exciting attractions available for later in the day at the 2nd park we go to. We are true park commandos, however not difficult to get a lot done with the way we tour. I have been to the world many times with legacy FP and I honestly don't see a big difference for us.

I travel with a very knowledgeable and fast paced 14y.o DD so this probably helps us as well. We will be there Nov.15-22 and we have decided to do more character meet and greets this trip so this may slow down our riding a little. We did get all the FP+ we wanted so that helps some. So I guess I am not a hater of the new system but would be all for some tweaks and improvements.

 

[itchin2go]

WE were in Orlando end of Sept until middle of Oct. It is not a gross exaggeration that WE were only able to get in 3 or 4 attractions on our 1st or 2nd day at MK in the same amount of time that WE would have been able to do 6-8. It is a fact. That was OUR experience. It was because of lines on secondary attractions. Sure WE could have stayed longer in the parks but WE don't tour that way. We like to do half days. The crowds during what have traditionally been a slow time did not seem any busier to us.
Le me be clear. In order to do the same amount of things WE like to do it took us twice as many hours. WE made 3 trips to MK as opposed to 2. Normally we would have spent 2 half days. This time we did 2 half days and a third half plus emh at night. WE have never had to do before. Is that clear enough for you?
I cant tell anyone what there experience may be...I can only tell you about ours.

All of what you've described supports the case that FP+ is working exactly as Disney intended it to. Execs are on record stating that the goal is to lock guests into longer visits so they spend more.

That may very well be, and Disney may be 100% satisfied with their shiny new product, but if what Luckybee posted is my experience in a few weeks, then *I* won't be happy with that shiny new product.

Quite frankly, if FP+ is working perfectly in Disney's eyes, then I *think* (just an opinion) that they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Note to the rah-rah, glass half empty, "your vacation is only as good as your attitude" posters: I have not thrown my vacation out the window despite my concerns. I have done everything in my power to try to make sure we have an amazing time despite the existence of some things that I think have the power to diminish our trip. My attitude is fine. I am actually excited about the upcoming trip, but I think being educated about what I'm getting ready to walk into can only help.

BTW - I can have the opinion that FP+ diminishes our experience, and continue to love and frequent Disney World. They are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Luckybee]

That may very well be, and Disney may be 100% satisfied with their shiny new product, but if what Luckybee posted is my experience in a few weeks, then *I* won't be happy with that shiny new product.

Quite frankly, if FP+ is working perfectly in Disney's eyes, then I *think* (just an opinion) that they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Note to the rah-rah, glass half empty, "your vacation is only as good as your attitude" posters: I have not thrown my vacation out the window despite my concerns. I have done everything in my power to try to make sure we have an amazing time despite the existence of some things that I think have the power to diminish our trip. My attitude is fine. I am actually excited about the upcoming trip, but I think being educated about what I'm getting ready to walk into can only help.

BTW - I can have the opinion that FP+ diminishes our experience, and continue to love and frequent Disney World. They are not mutually exclusive.

Let me just say that I am absolutely convinced that D is tinkering with the number of Fp's they put out on a daily basis. There are just way too many contrary stories here for it to be otherwise. As an example...2 weeks after we get back people are having no trouble getting fp's at kiosks and when we were there they we scarce, yet there was no one in FP lines. I think the variable experiences are part of that. If Im right that will have an effect on your experience.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Wow sure is some negativism! I have used the band and fastpass+ four times this year. Yes there have been hickcups, and yes I changed my mind about a ride a few times, some problems mine some Disney. But you know what? I came to have a good time and that I did! IN SPADES! Wait or no wait I checked the lines and made my decision. Basically my theory is go on everything or anything that does not have a wait exceeding 1/2 hour. Works every time. No I do not ever want or intend to spend a day running from attraction to attraction, ya gotta stop and 'spell the roses', after all that is what brings WDW above the rest. I have been to the theme parks and NEVER gone on a ride/attraction. We have sat watched the street entertainment, shopped or looked in the neat shops, people watched, saw a parade etc. loved every bit of it. So schedule/use your passes and fill in with whatever is nearest - you will have a much more satisfying day than griping about the of FP etc. Look up at check out the neat architecture of the buildings, look down and see the interesting plant life, go into buildings and see how they are layed out. It is these things that are the reason I love the parks, no to join a race club to see who can get on the most rides in the day.

Glad it works for you; that's how I like to do Disney, and if I were able to get there 4 or more times a year, that's how I'd do it this time. Unfortunately I don't have the time, distance or the means to go more than every other year or occasionally, 2 years in a row, for a week at a time.

edit to add: we did sit down earlier today and had a family meeting. We decided to drop a few things and clear out 1 day just so we could spend less time running all around the parks and more time just doing what we want to do. We've even got 1 MK day down to 4 hours, and the AK day down to 4 hours, not counting lunch, and now we've got 1 whole morning, 1 whole evening and 1 whole day to do whatever we want. I'm getting ready to go cancel some fps now. **feeling waaaay more positive now - it's like a burden lifted somewhat, and I feel freer and happier already. So, this thread IS worthwhile, because it helped me to get back to what makes me and my family happiest**

 

[Disneylover99]

I do feel bad when first time and infrequent guests come to this site looking for help and come away terrified that their trip is going to be a disaster because of the drumbeat of negative comments.

That's why I generally don't recommend these boards for first timers. Infrequent guests? Maybe. It depends on their knowledge of legacy fp. I will never speak badly about FP+ when someone excitedly tells me they are going to DW for their first time. I will share their enthusiasm and help them plan if that's what they want. But that's it. They don't need to know my preference and I like to let people form their own opinions.

 

[Disneylover99]

we did sit down earlier today and had a family meeting. We decided to drop a few things and clear out 1 day just so we could spend less time running all around the parks and more time just doing what we want to do. We've even got 1 MK day down to 4 hours, and the AK day down to 4 hours, not counting lunch, and now we've got 1 whole morning, 1 whole evening and 1 whole day to do whatever we want. I'm getting ready to go cancel some fps now. **feeling waaaay more positive now - it's like a burden lifted somewhat, and I feel freer and happier already. So, this thread IS worthwhile, because it helped me to get back to what makes me and my family happiest**

Good for you!

 

[floralmouse]

Great post- and exactly right. If one wants purely to "ride rides", WDW was probably not the optimal place to go in the first place. They don't even call them rides, they're attractions. And if one wants to power ride, it is definitely not the place to go now. The days of power riding are mostly gone- good riddance- it gives everyone more of a chance to experience the attractions rather than just a savvy few. WDW is not an amusement park, it's an experience.

It's not up to you, or anyone else for that matter, to define what makes a good WDW vacation. You don't get to tell me how I should enjoy myself or define my expectations. You don't get to send me somewhere else because you think I'm not "experiencing Disney the right way."

Sorry, but that irks me. And I'm well aware of what WDW is about...I've been as a child, pre-teen, with a toddler, with pre-teens of my own. I've been to Disneyland, too. I watched Walt Disney every Sunday night for years on my television. My experiences are my own as are yours. I would never presume to escort you out the door, in a manner of speaking, for not seeing Disney as I see it.

 

[cakebaker]

It's not up to you, or anyone else for that matter, to define what makes a good WDW vacation. You don't get to tell me how I should enjoy myself or define my expectations. You don't get to send me somewhere else because you think I'm not "experiencing Disney the right way."

Sorry, but that irks me. And I'm well aware of what WDW is about...I've been as a child, pre-teen, with a toddler, with pre-teens of my own. I've been to Disneyland, too. I watched Walt Disney every Sunday night for years on my television. My experiences are my own as are yours. I would never presume to escort you out the door, in a manner of speaking, for not seeing Disney as I see it.

Sorry it irks you, there's no reason for it to. Your opinions don't irk me.

It's up to everyone to define what makes a good WDW vacation. I'm not telling you anything, sending you anywhere or telling you how to define your vacation. Vacation where you want. It's my opinion that someone who wants the type of vacation I described, probably wouldn't like WDW. If that's your kind of vacation and WDW fits the bill in your mind, that's entirely your choice.

Not sure how you managed to come to those conclusions, but rest assured I am not telling you what you should do on your vacation. If I had directed a post towards you saying you won't like Disney, it doesn't fit you, you shouldn't go- then I could understand your anger.

I think even those who disagree with me vehemently will agree that power riding at WDW is no longer an easy task.

I still stand by my comments that if that is the kind of vacation someone wants, and they go to Disney and they don't like it, I'm not surprised either.

 

[Suvadoo]

Great post- and exactly right. If one wants purely to "ride rides", WDW was probably not the optimal place to go in the first place. They don't even call them rides, they're attractions. And if one wants to power ride, it is definitely not the place to go now. The days of power riding are mostly gone- good riddance- it gives everyone more of a chance to experience the attractions rather than just a savvy few. WDW is not an amusement park, it's an experience.

Everyone should be able to choose what they want to experience at Disney. Were "power riders" interfering with your ability to do what you wanted? I shouldn't' be limited to do what I want to do in the parks. You say FP+ gives everyone more of a chance to experience attractions, but this statement only applies to on site guests. This system is not fair! It is based on how many FP' s Disney decides to make available at any given time.