BIG change to FP+ today

[Mad Hattered]

I agree that there aren't that many "rides" at EPCOT, but there's lots of stuff to do. Great live shows, the movies at France, China, and Canada (I know... not everyone's cup of tea), the American Adventure, viewing marine life at The Seas, Universe of Energy (I know this one gets a bad rap), and even Captain EO (sorry, I just threw up a little in my mouth as I suggested that last one ).

Yes, there is. For a first thru tenth time visitor that is the case. I'm pretty sure Bcrook has been there a time or two in their lifetime. I'm not saying there isn't anything to do there (it's actually our favorite park) but once you've done that then it comes down to the two headliners (for us).

It's the same old argument....they just don't have enough attractions to spread the crowds out the way they need (Disney overall...not just EPCOT).

 

[bcrook]

I agree that there aren't that many "rides" at EPCOT, but there's lots of stuff to do. Great live shows, the movies at France, China, and Canada (I know... not everyone's cup of tea), the American Adventure, viewing marine life at The Seas, Universe of Energy (I know this one gets a bad rap), and even Captain EO (sorry, I just threw up a little in my mouth as I suggested that last one ).

This is what the itinerary section of MDE app is for. One couple with me had a lot of fun exploring Epcot for the rest of the day. They went to see the band in Britain, "toured" the Chinese museum, wandered through morocco, and had ice cream in France. They got all their ideas from the app. But after seeng the attractions once, they were underwhelmed. I think that only works once.

It is fine. I sat in the shade at Rose and Crown and enjoyed the scenery and a few beers with friends. My point isn't that I couldn't fill my day, I realized that I need a lot less time in each park.

 

[bcrook]

Yes, there is. For a first thru tenth time visitor that is the case. I'm pretty sure Bcrook has been there a time or two in their lifetime. I'm not saying there isn't anything to do there (it's actually our favorite park) but once you've done that then it comes down to the two headliners (for us).

It's the same old argument....they just don't have enough attractions to spread the crowds out the way they need (Disney overall...not just EPCOT).

Yes. Disney has said through their released material that one of the areas of focus is getting people to slow down and enjoy the smaller attractions more. It did force us to do that. Tiers will further nudge people that way.

But after a lot of trips, that doesn't play as well. I don't think anyone really argues that the changes are for the repeat customers.

It is definitely a shift in touring. Good or bad.

 

[magicbob]

This is what the itinerary section of MDE app is for. One couple with me had a lot of fun exploring Epcot for the rest of the day. They went to see the band in Britain, "toured" the Chinese museum, wandered through morocco, and had ice cream in France. They got all their ideas from the app. But after seeng the attractions once, they were underwhelmed. I think that only works once.

It is fine. I sat in the shade at Rose and Crown and enjoyed the scenery and a few beers with friends. My point isn't that I couldn't fill my day, I realized that I need a lot less time in each park.

Yes. Disney has said through their released material that one of the areas of focus is getting people to slow down and enjoy the smaller attractions more. It did force us to do that. Tiers will further nudge people that way.

But after a lot of trips, that doesn't play as well. I don't think any really argues that the changes are for the repeat customers.

It is definitely a shift in touring. Good or bad.

I get that. I'm far from advocating that FP+ is a good change... especially for frequent visitors and "pros" like us. Regardless of FP+, we do enjoy hitting all (or at least many) of the "minor" attractions as well as the headliners, even after almost 40 years of visits. One of the concerns I have about FP+ is that it not only limits our access to headliners without an insufferable wait, but will likely make the waits for those minor attractions longer as well. So... double whammy.

But don't worry. Because I will maintain my positive attitude and it will be FABULOUS!

 

[mesaboy2]

Uh oh. Now you've done it.

 

[bcrook]

Well, I'm lucky we don't get to WDW very often, everything is still fun for me, even the non-headliners.

I can see how going a lot it could get boring.

Ouch! I don't see where I complained or said I was bored. If anything I conveyed confusion. After a dozen trips or more in the last decade, we noticed a considerable change in the system.

I could have used paper FP, but I wanted see how this would work when they take that away.

I can have fun anywhere hanging with friends and family. But I don't need to buy park tickets for that. I spent a few days in June at Kidani with friends. We hung out at the pool, ate at some good restaurants, shopped in Orlando and DTD, and didn't buy park tickets. I am not sure the value is there with FP+ and definitely not with tiers. That is the point of the thread.

 

[Mad Hattered]

But don't worry. Because I will maintain my positive attitude and it will be FABULOUS!

Your attitude just sounds so....PIXILICOUS!!!! Don't let those die-hards get you down!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Or, and just throwing this out there, got in line for another ride at Epcot?

There was nothing left to ride the rest of the day because you used your fast pass by noon? I can promise you not every standby line was huge.

I'm not sure the new fast pass will work for me either, but sometimes these complaints are just silly.

I agree. I spend a lot of time in Epcot, so for me, there would be plenty to do

Yes, there is. For a first thru tenth time visitor that is the case. I'm pretty sure Bcrook has been there a time or two in their lifetime. I'm not saying there isn't anything to do there (it's actually our favorite park) but once you've done that then it comes down to the two headliners (for us).

It's the same old argument....they just don't have enough attractions to spread the crowds out the way they need (Disney overall...not just EPCOT).

I don't know. I find a lot to keep me occupied

 

[bcrook]

I get that. I'm far from advocating that FP+ is a good change... especially for frequent visitors and "pros" like us. Regardless of FP+, we do enjoy hitting all (or at least many) of the "minor" attractions as well as the headliners, even after almost 40 years of visits. One of the concerns I have about FP+ is that it not only limits our access to headliners without an insufferable wait, but will likely make the waits for those minor attractions longer as well. So... double whammy.

But don't worry. Because I will maintain my positive attitude and it will be FABULOUS!

I understand everything you are saying. We are in same place - 40 years of trips, similar fears about wait times on minor attractions. Your comments about mymagic+ are thoughtful. Thanks.

 

[amg35]

Ouch! I don't see where I complained or said I was bored. If anything I conveyed confusion. After a dozen trips or more in the last decade, we noticed a considerable change in the system.

I could have used paper FP, but I wanted see how this would work when they take that away.

I can have fun anywhere hanging with friends and family. But I don't need to buy park tickets for that. I spent a few days in June at Kidani with friends. We hung out at the pool, ate at some good restaurants, shopped in Orlando and DTD, and didn't buy park tickets. I am not sure the value is there with FP+ and definitely not with tiers. That is the point of the thread.

I wasn't insulting you, but you said that the smaller rides didn't do much for you after visiting numerous times (in a nutshell). I was trying to be empathetic. Guess it didn't work!

 

[Mad Hattered]

I understand everything you are saying. We are in same place - 40 years of trips, similar fears about wait times on minor attractions.

41 years of trips here. But now I just think we are showing our age.

 

[bcrook]

I wasn't insulting you, but you said that the smaller rides didn't do much for you after visiting numerous times (in a nutshell). I was trying to be empathetic. Guess it didn't work!

No big deal, I am not explaining my point very well.

 

[jade1]

My two trips this year were like you describe. I wonder if this will nudge more people towards that touring method? Shorter trips with less time in the parks. I will be an empty nester soon, my DVC usage is going to change.

Yes on the touring method, no on the shorter trips, but we do spend a lot of time in the parks-just not mornings.

We have been stretching out closer to 12 days with this method. That will be a minimum of 12 headliners-prob closer to 25 or more, including arrival and departure days which were previously out of play completely. But again-its the rest of the trip we enjoy most.

All that said-I can say for a fact, If all headliners closed for 5 years-we would still do the annual (or more) trip to WDW no question.

 

[magicbob]

I can have fun anywhere hanging with friends and family. But I don't need to buy park tickets for that. I spent a few days in June at Kidani with friends. We hung out at the pool, ate at some good restaurants, shopped in Orlando and DTD, and didn't buy park tickets. I am not sure the value is there with FP+ and definitely not with tiers. That is the point of the thread.

I understand this point of view. We already spend more time at the resort relaxing and experiencing stuff outside the parks than we used to. And in many ways, visits have become more enjoyable for it. If FP+ results in ling lines for most of the rides at the parks, we will probably spend less time in the parks and more time, not just at the resort, but at OTHER ORLANDO ATTRACTIONS (there, I said it. Has lightning struck yet?). As much as we like the rides and attractions, even after all these years, I'm not about to wait in hour-long lines to see them.

Your attitude just sounds so....PIXILICOUS!!!! Don't let those die-hards get you down!!!

Well, as a recovering FP super-abuser and a reformed "Negative Nellie" I feel I have an obligation to spread as much pink pixie positivity as I can.

41 years of trips here. But now I just think we are showing our age.

Yes, I'm afraid you're correct. Now GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!

 

[bcrook]

41 years of trips here. But now I just think we are showing our age.

Yup.

And...We had tiers in our younger days too, we survived them once - we can survive them again.

 

[bcrook]

Yes on the touring method, no on the shorter trips.

We have been stretching out closer to 12 days with this method. That will be a minimum of 12 headliners-prob closer to 25 or more, including arrival and departure days which were previously out of play completely. But again-its the rest of the trip we enjoy most.

All that said-I can say for a fact, If all headliners closed for 5 years-we would still do the annual (or more) trip to WDW no question.

Disney loves you. You really should be an official spokesperson for them. What you describe is what Disney wants from their customers. I am not being facetious. And you can show your Fish!

 

[jade1]

Disney loves you. You really should be an official spokesperson for them. What you describe is what Disney wants from their customers. I am not being facetious. And you can show your Fish!

Well they don't "know" we would do that....

But many of our days have nothing to do with headliners, and for sure not our best memories days.

Have never once said, "remember that time we went on Space Mountain".

 

[magicbob]

Yup.

And...We had tiers in our younger days too, we survived them once - we can survive them again.

At least when we had ticket books, you could opt to purchase extra d- & e- tickets for the rides you really wanted to go on (maybe even multiple times). Granted, even after buying the extra ticket we did stand in line. But as a recovering FP super-abuser, I have become ENTITLED because I desire to experience these attractions without waiting for an hour or more.

Even if Disney monetizes FP+ (not just making it a resort perk, but flat out allow you to purchase additional FP+s), the problem still boils down to availability. It doesn't matter how much someone is willing to pay for extra headliner FP+s if there aren't enough to go around.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Yup.

And...We had tiers in our younger days too, we survived them once - we can survive them again.

I still have a booklet or two packed away in a box somewhere. Of course, none of the E or D tickets are left...go figure. But at the same time, it cost my dad about 8-10 bucks back then. Even if you add in all the extra fabulousness that emits from the place now, I can't say I am willing to survive the tiers.

 

[surferdave]

Yup.

And...We had tiers in our younger days too, we survived them once - we can survive them again.

Ah....another new motto for Disney parks.

Well they don't "know" we would do that....

They don't know that now, and it galls them. They're spending a nine figure price tag on the new system so they will know that about you.