BIG change to FP+ today

[jannylynn]

Sheesh, if my children were still 4 & 6, I probably wouldn't care so much about Soarin' and TT either.

I have a family that loves those rides and wants to ride more than once. Fortunately, I booked FP+ for Epcot a few weeks ago. But still, I feel bad for those that missed that window.

It is a downgrade even if you wouldn't take advantage!

 

[Sheilby]

(Am I the only one who thinks that both Soarin and TT are overrated?)

On topic, this is a definite bummer, no matter which rides are included. It won't ruin my trips, but just a bummer if it continues.

I think Soarin and Test Track are fun rides, but they are only so crazy busy because Epcot doesn't have a lot of other rides.

*snort* I noticed that too.

I think you're right. At first it seemed like they were referring to FP+ as a whole. But whichever.

Oh I definitely think FP+ as a whole is plus, but only as long as I can still pull other FPs. I love knowing I will get on TSMM without a morning run. Provided my band works that is and my MDE doesn't explode.

 

[bauer1168]

God I hope they don't make me have to choose between a Stitch and Tiki Room FP

 

[BayouMickey]

Bingo. I think a lot of the big supporters of this change have younger kids. I want them to talk to me when they have teenagers. My daughter just turned 13 and finally hit the "thrill ride junkie" stage on our last trip. We're doing DLR this year, and plan to ride California Screamin until our heads want to explode!

I'm neither a supporter or an opposition, I'm a wait and see. lol
Well my 13 yo is still a chicken.. I suspect it to be because her dearly departed mother tricked her onto ToT when she was 8 and she came off white as a ghost.. the 10 yo on the other hand is showing a little more bravery.

 

[robpa]

I see this maybe as forcing longer trips. You can't just do Epcot in one day if you want to do the headliners, so you would do one longer trip rather than two shorter trips.

It may be that the restriction will result in more "day of" FP+ so you could still possibly do both if you get to the kiosk early enough, just like pulling a FP-.

Overall, I think a lot of these restrictions are coming from the fact that many of "us" have learned how to use every system to our advantage. Somebody at Disney has decided that they need to even the playing field.

I don't believe that Disney has any interest in leveling the playing field. This is about increasing their bottom line,which is why they are in business. Its the same reason companies take their operations overseas,less operating expenses means more money in their pockets. Not saying this is going to decrease their operating expenses no one knows, but they aren't doing this to give everyone a fair shake. Plus I don't feel the fastpass aspect of this is even overly important to the plan. Its an add on to either try and pacify the customer or mask the real purpose.

 

[Sheilby]

God I hope they don't make me have to choose between a Stitch and Tiki Room FP

They would never be that cruel!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Somebody at Disney has decided that they need to even the playing field.

I don't believe this has anything to do with evening the playing field. This is about Disney making money. The field was even with the old system. The only thing that kept someone from being on the same playing field was the choices they made.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Bingo. I think a lot of the big supporters of this change have younger kids. I want them to talk to me when they have teenagers. My daughter just turned 13 and finally hit the "thrill ride junkie" stage on our last trip. We're doing DLR this year, and plan to ride California Screamin until our heads want to explode!

I LOVED Disneyland but my wife wasn't as excited as me about it. She was so used to WDW that she couldn't get past it. It's great to park hop by just walking across the way...and you walk to DTD (or you can take a monorail and it drops you off there).

As anti-Disney as I may come across sometimes I can assure you that is not the case. We last visited DLR while the rock work for RSR was just being started so we can't wait to go check that out. We have plans to go visit next year (hopefully before MM+ can infest itself over there). It's just WDW and this MM+ that I'm done with until it's straightened out/scrapped/whatever.

Your daughter will really be digging the California Screamin. It's located right by the TSMM that doesn't have a FP.

 

[robpa]

My youngest (10) is starting to hint.. this year she wants to do all the mountains.. But I'm not going to push her. my oldest (13) still has no interest.. younger one has been attempting to bribe her on to splash lol.

My oldest is 16 and we got him on the Kraken when he was 12, The youngest turned 13 this past spring and just discovered his love of roller coasters this summer @ Dollywood so be prepared its coming

 

[AmyB2006]

Yes... I realize the irony in that statement as I made it, LOL, but it still stands IMO.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm neither a supporter or an opposition, I'm a wait and see. lol
Well my 13 yo is still a chicken.. I suspect it to be because her dearly departed mother tricked her onto ToT when she was 8 and she came off white as a ghost.. the 10 yo on the other hand is showing a little more bravery.

I'm really sorry about your family's loss.

We have 3 kids. The middle one got pushed onto some big rides when the older one wanted to go. He's 18 now and just doesn't like thrill rides. At all. Our youngest is 13 and it took her a while to warm up to it too. But at least she finally came around. But I think the youngest are usually trying to keep up with the older ones and show how tough they are.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't believe this has anything to do with evening the playing field. This is about Disney making money. The field was even with the old system. The only thing that kept someone from being on the same playing field was the choices they made.

But what about the one time visitors to Disney who didn't even know that had these choices to make?

ITA it has everything to do with evening the playing field... along with making money. LOL

 

[3Goofy's]

Wow. This is making our least pleasant, most dissappointing wdw trip last month seem like such a cake walk. I was not happy to be part of the test and really didn't like my vacation affected by their test.

I really feel for those vacationing in these challenging times in the parks. Try to keep a postivie attitude and look for all the pleasant times. Ours were at the resort.

 

[surferdave]

Still even it just being once an attraction, relatively cheap. Only if my family were into anything at universal.. My girls are full blown princesses and Mickey.. maybe when they are older..

We've never been to Universal. DD9 is that way for princesses and Mickey as well, but it's occurred to me recently that she's also big into Seuss, Minions, Spongebob, and Shrek. She's becoming a little thrill seeker; we briefly went to the outlet malls near Universal on our last trip and her eyes lit up looking at the tall attractions you can see from the interstate ramp. Her mom is into Harry Potter and her dad is into superheros.

We only live about 5 1/2 hours away, which I realized this time doesn't seem nearly as far now that she's nine. I plan to pitch to the family that we should go more often, go for shorter trips, and start going to either WDW or Universal rather than consider splitting the trip, since they both make it hard to do. I'm interested to see which place they prefer going to over time.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~LOL, just read the first post. But this is still in testing, and even if the system did not allow both for Soarin' and Test Track, I would ride Soarin standby and FP+ Test Track. Done. No way would I break out panic and cancel my vacation over this.

~I *love* FP+ & Magic Bands -- it is *fabulous* (for us)! and I can't wait to use it again next year. OMG, if I didn't love it, I would cancel our vacation and find something better to do with my time by focusing on something that I love. I don't get the whole Disney is destroying my life thing, lol.

~ETA: Unsubscribed....

 

[lugnut33]

We do need to keep in mind that there are good things happening at Disney. I believe the magic bands are pretty much universally loved and they have been a great addition. I heard they are working well for opening up the room doors, park entrance, and purchases.

 

[mom2rtk]

I LOVED Disneyland but my wife was as excited as me about it. She was so used to WDW that she couldn't get past it. It's great to park hop by just walking across the way...and you walk to DTD (or you can take a monorail and it drops you off there).

As anti-Disney as I may come across sometimes I can assure you that is not the case. We last visited DLR while the rock work for RSR was just being started so we can't wait to go check that out. We have plans to go visit next year (hopefully before MM+ can infest itself over there). It's just WDW and this MM+ that I'm done with until it's straightened out/scrapped/whatever.

Your daughter will really be digging the California Screamin. It's located right by the TSMM that doesn't have a FP.

I feel the same way as you with all this MM+ nonsense. Disney is the happy place my daughter and I share. I can't wait to get back to DLR where none of the MM+ stuff has yet invaded. That actually was part of the whole scheme. We typically do Disney once a year. We saw Fantasyland last December. And expect to return late next year to see the Mine Train. Once we got a taste of FP+ on that December test last year, that sealed the decision to head west this year.

We have actually been to DLR 4 times, but the last was in 2010, before any of the Carsland stuff got under way. I sort of feel like I'm cheating by totally bypassing FP+ for the year!

We did California Screamin several times on our last visit. But she was still too young to do single rider. I expect to totally soak that line for every ride we can get this time!

 

[PEC]

I think I am glad my next trip to Disney (Summer 2014) is only to the Waterparks and one day at Seaworld (free for military). My next big one that I am planning is in early 2016. I think Disney during this testing phase is going to be a little painful.

 

[butterflygirl812]

AmyB2006, what if your family wanted to do TT, MS, and Soarin' all in a day with you arriving at noon. Prior to today you could do that. Now you can't. How is that not a downgrade?

Why can't you do this now? Yes, you may have to stand in standby lines, but you can still do it. You just might not be able to do it on FP.

 

[nansmama]

Maybe Disney WANTS people to be in standby lines. Maybe they're going to install screens in line where you can shop or purchase other "experiences." Maybe they should ask me for advice on this and pay me a commission.