Apparently I dislike FP+...alot

[IamGroot]

I don't think the tricks argument is really relevant to the discussion.

Frankly, both systems have ways to min/max for the most FP, however it's more difficult with the unforgiving nature of digital FP+ (no using a FP from yesterday with success, haha).

Ultimately, I think people who used these systems to the max aren't cheating, taking advantage, etc. I am fine with dedicated disney fans getting more FP because they know the system.

The new system just yields fewer FP for the folks that used to maximize the system the most. While it might not benefit me, I'm still ok with it for the convenience it provides.

 

[floralmouse]

Some people who liked the legacy system said it was because they didn't like to have to plan their vacation. The same people also talked about their strategy for using the legacy system to it fullest.Could someone please tell me how one has a STRATEGY without having a PLAN?

Strategy: Get there at rope drop, ride of choice, FP for ride of choice for later. Wait, I've decided I don't want to go to MK this day, the weather is beautiful, cooler a bit and I would rather go to AK. Go to AK at Rope Drop, ride of choice. FP for later.

Plan: Tell Disney 60 days out that I want to ride 7DMT on Monday, they tell me there are no slots available, I choose something else like Space Mountain. I keep checking to see if that 7DMT ever opens up. It does! Wait. It's only for 3 people and I have a party of 4. Dang. I gave up my Space Mountain FP to go for that 7DMT. Now there's nothing available for that, either.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Perhaps for sake of discussion with those of us here, you could suspend disbelief of hidden motives and go along with our stated reasons for not liking the new system?

When FP+ was first being complained about people not getting what they used to was far and away the biggest gripe. I understand that gripe as it makes sense. Now that the discussion has gone on and on I feel like people are trying to find other reasons pick FP+ apart. The people saying they wanted what they used to have were being called entitled so looked for other reasons to complain. Go back to the early complaints and see how many were about not getting what they used to. I didn't just pick this fact out of thin air. Because it was said so often early on leads me to believe it could be the underlining problem people have with FP+. Any ideas on how we could go back to the old system and still give people what they used to get with legacy? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Strategy: Get there at rope drop, ride of choice, FP for ride of choice for later. Wait, I've decided I don't want to go to MK this day, the weather is beautiful, cooler a bit and I would rather go to AK. Go to AK at Rope Drop, ride of choice. FP for later. Plan: Tell Disney 60 days out that I want to ride 7DMT on Monday, they tell me there are no slots available, I choose something else like Space Mountain. I keep checking to see if that 7DMT ever opens up. It does! Wait. It's only for 3 people and I have a party of 4. Dang. I gave up my Space Mountain FP to go for that 7DMT. Now there's nothing available for that, either.

You just discussed two types of plans. But plans none the less.

 

[itchin2go]

If I had said that, you might have a point. I said no hidden tricks or gimmicks. So perhaps what you said is what's really disingenuous.

Most everything you listed you'd find out with a phone call to WDW. Some of it's just plain common sense. Some of them you find out just playing around in MDE. They're not hidden tricks or gimmicks or just flat out cheating the system.

I don't believe that the average person knows about the things Angel Ariel listed, or that you can find them out with a simple call to WDW.

But for sure, that's not true of the things I listed.

There are tips and ways to maximize the current system. In that way, it's no different than the old one. You know this better than anyone! You hate the idea of people using old MBs, and people putting fake names on a campsite reservation to get extra MBs. Those are hidden tricks for sure.

It's ok to like one system better than the other. I just don't think THIS is a real difference.

 

[normjen]

I am not too proud or ashamed or whatever I should be to admit I do not like fast Pass + because I did not do as much or as often (last trip in Jan) as I could under the old fast pass system. 2nd reason and maybe just as high on the list is (no matter what people try to say to debate it, Spontaneity absolutely takes a back seat with FP+
Hello, My name is Norm and I hate FP+.

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to Community board

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's ok to like one system better than the other. I just don't think THIS is a real difference.

This is the heart of what I was trying to say.

 

[Luckybee]

No, I saw your earlier post, but I chose not to respond to it. But, since you are specifically asking, I will give you the courtesy of explaining why I didn't.

It goes without saying that individual experiences are going to vary based on things like overall crowd size, what time of day someone enters and leaves the park, what attractions they want to enjoy, etc., etc., etc. And it also should be understood that how one likes to tour the parks and whether someone likes to plan anything in advance is going to determine how they react to FP+ and whether or not they prefer it to the paper FP system.

And I understand that not everyone tours the way we do. People who frequent these boards know that our approach to touring WDW over the last 20 plus years has been to arrive early, take a break in the middle,of the day when the parks are most crowded and go to a second park later in the day. FP+ works great for that approach because we can use our FPs in the evening to do things we couldn't have done otherwise. I don't even own a smartphone, so I am not one who uses that to help our touring.

That is why I try to encourage infrequent and first time guests to try to pay attention to how their preferences compare to those of someone who posts on boards like this. And why I hate these broad statements like "FP+ only allows you to do 3 or 4 attractions without long waits". Some guests who are planning their first trip, or their first trips in several years, see things like that and wonder if it is actually true. Then they start wondering if they are going to enjoy their trips.

When I saw your post I wondered how you were only able to do 3-4 attractions without long waits, so thank you for answering that. I can understand how it could be more difficult to do as many attractions as before if you arrive at a park at 10 AM and leave at 2 PM, whether that be because longer lines are caused by FP+ or by a larger crowd that you are used to on the day you visit. But, I would hope you can understand how people who plan to arrive earlier and/or stay later, and use at least the 3 FPs they can get in advance or when they enter the park, would be able to do significantly more than 3-4 attractions in a day.

But here is the point you seem to be missing. Without doubt there WERE long lines for attractions that never had long lines no matter how busy the park was. In the past we had been to the parks on days that were 3's, 5's , 8's. Never were the lines this crazy. This was a slow time crowd wise . No one can possible suggest this was a time of 8 crowds. So longer lines were not caused by bigger crowds. That may contribute but it does not account for why the lines for secondary attractions on days when the crowd levels were perhaps 4's or even 5's were a whole lot longer that on previous occasions when crowds were 8's.
Fact is for us it did not work well. Fact is the posted wait times can be quite long for standby. Fact is that some of the lines were quite long for attractions that never, even on crowded park days , were anything more than a couple of minute waits. I cant see any possible reason for this other than fp.
And no I don't agree with the "significantly more". I agree with that if you are willing to get to a park at rope drop and stay till close sure you will get more don't obviously. Everyone does not want to do that just like everyone doesn't want to spend only 4 or 6 or 8 hours in a park. But if you previously spent 6 hours, or 8 or whatever in a park during legacy you will not be able to accomplish the same things in the same amount of time. If the standby lines are anything like what we saw that would be impossible. I think this is the more valid comparison. Can I spend a comparable amount of time in the park and do a comparable amount of things. If the answer is no, then imho fp does not work as well as it should.

 

[ParkHoppers]

I don't believe that the average person knows about the things Angel Ariel listed, or that you can find them out with a simple call to WDW. But for sure, that's not true of the things I listed. There are tips and ways to maximize the current system. In that way, it's no different than the old one. You know this better than anyone! You hate the idea of people using old MBs, and people putting fake names on a campsite reservation to get extra MBs. Those are hidden tricks for sure. It's ok to like one system better than the other. I just don't think THIS is a real difference.

There are legitimate ways to maximize the FP system which I have no problem with. Giving false names for fake accounts and using old MBs is IMO cheating the system because you are getting benefits you should not be getting per the rules of Disney. I am not telling people not to do these things that I personally feel are dishonest and can negatively affect other guest. People acting like maximizing in a legitimate way and cheating the system because they can get away with it are the same thing are just lying to themselves to feel better about the things they do IMO. Let me repeat in my opinion

 

[JoAnna525]

Just got back from a trip with my DH and toddler - it was our second under FP+. I don't hate FP+. I don't even mind loosely planning my vacation 60 days out. We just go with the flow, and we're not the type of family that has to ride our favorite ride 8 gazillion times in a day.

What I DO mind is having to be tied to my phone on my vacation when those plans change (as they often do with a toddler). Disney has now made it next to impossible for us to detox from technology, and I find that really annoying. I realize this is how the future on all fronts looks, but I resent it.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

But here is the point you seem to be missing. Without doubt there WERE long lines for attractions that never had long lines no matter how busy the park was. In the past we had been to the parks on days that were 3's, 5's , 8's. Never were the lines this crazy. This was a slow time crowd wise . No one can possible suggest this was a time of 8 crowds. So longer lines were not caused by bigger crowds. That may contribute but it does not account for why the lines for secondary attractions on days when the crowd levels were perhaps 4's or even 5's were a whole lot longer that on previous occasions when crowds were 8's.
Fact is for us it did not work well. Fact is the posted wait times can be quite long for standby. Fact is that some of the lines were quite long for attractions that never, even on crowded park days , were anything more than a couple of minute waits. I cant see any possible reason for this other than fp.

And fact for me, I was unable to get a 4th or more even in MK for anything we wanted to go on. Yes Teacups stitch, and Speedway were available, but I was shocked I wasn't able to get one for Buzz, PotC or HM. They were gone by 2pm. Waited for 1/2 an hour for Pirates. Did MK 3 days and never did do JC. I was bummed for my niece and nephews we weren't able to do Big Thunder twice last Sunday either (luckily we were able to reride later in the week). FP+ didn't have any glitches (thank goodness), but I def didn't feel any "+" with this system for the way we toured.

 

[surferdave]

When FP+ was first being complained about people not getting what they used to was far and away the biggest gripe. I understand that gripe as it makes sense. Now that the discussion has gone on and on I feel like people are trying to find other reasons pick FP+ apart. The people saying they wanted what they used to have were being called entitled so looked for other reasons to complain. Go back to the early complaints and see how many were about not getting what they used to. I didn't just pick this fact out of thin air. Because it was said so often early on leads me to believe it could be the underlining problem people have with FP+. Any ideas on how we could go back to the old system and still give people what they used to get with legacy? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

You're building a classic straw man argument and defending it by saying it's what people used to complain about the most so you believe it's the issue we should be discussing.

 

[Viteh]

My dad has just decided to take my younger sister to Orlando in mid December. They haven't been to WDW in 7 years, so they are expecting legacy FP. He also wants this trip to be spontaneous ("today we'll go to X, and do whatever").

Pretty sure he'll be annoyed once I tell him that legacy FP (or as he calls it "Esos tickets para entrar rápido") is gone, and that he has to plan which rides they'll do 60 days in advance. Not to mention that the 60 day mark already passed, so they'll probably won't get the FP they'll want.

I can only imagine how dissapointed and annoyed they'd be if they had found out there.

Having said that, I personally love FP+. I've been planning my trip for 6 months, and everything has gone perfectly. Got all the ADRs and FP+ I wanted.

FP+ is great for some people, but it can really hinder your trip if you are not on top of it.

 

[floralmouse]

You just discussed two types of plans. But plans none the less.

Good grief. I still find a difference. If you want to play semantics, be my guest.

 

[ParkHoppers]

You're building a classic straw man argument and defending it by saying it's what people used to complain about the most so you believe it's the issue we should be discussing.

A lot of times in life the first thing people say in the heat of the moment is the truest statement they will make. Then they will go back and try to soften there stance in a more calculated way as to appear a certain way to others. Understanding human nature is far from a straw man argument. Nice non answer though.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Good grief. I still find a difference. If you want to play semantics, be my guest.

I also find a difference. I get it. You don,t like the new type of planning now required.My post that you quoted was aimed at those who said they didn't like to plan yet had a strategy for the old system which is a plan. You listed two types of plans which is not what my quote was about.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

When was this? It's kind of disappointing to realize that the posted wait times may not be true.

Sorry so late responding. This was early December 2012. edit to add: It was also nowhere near closing. My husband and I decided to bite the bullet and wait, and we kept walking, kept walking, until we turned the corner and they lined us up on the number. Literally seconds later the doors opened and we went in to the ride.

 

[Angel Ariel]

A lot of times in life the first thing people say in the heat of the moment is the truest statement they will make. Then they will go back and try to soften there stance in a more calculated way as to appear a certain way to others. Understanding human nature is far from a straw man argument. Nice non answer though.

People are also entitled to update their opinions as they experience the changes.
I will be honest that part of my concern is that we will end up waiting longer, overall, than we have in the past. I am reserving judgment til I experience the system in person.

That is a separate issue entirely from disliking the amount of preplanning required. I have already experienced the preplanning, and I do not like it. Regardless of how I find FP+ to be in the parks, nothing will make me *like* the preplanning.

 

[Nancyg56]

Not that difficult!! I get up early everyday already! Easy. I never ever ran to FP. Also never bounced from one end of park to the other. Didn't need to, still rode all the rides I wanted. Easy!! I don't mind change. I don't even hate FP+ but do dislike its structure. Hoping it will change.

But you must agree that for folks who are not early risers, FP+ is a boon. The problem with legacy FP was that if you were not one of those early birds, the chances of getting a FP for the big ticket attractions were slim, unless you wanted to stay til closing. While I understand why FP+ has many people unhappy, I do believe that it evens the playing field for those attractions for those people who plan ahead. Unfortunately for those folks who do not, it can be a problem, as I witnessed last week.