Biggest Misconceptions

[lauradis]

I think a lot of people think you book your hotel and order your tickets and thats all you have to do...I'm sorry to say but we disboarders know way more then the average person, I work in a school and we were on spring break last week, the week after easter,,, seven families that i have talked to went last week...a few of them only for three days a couple for the whole week... six of them had no Idea about fast pass plus, how could you not know with the emails they send out... yes they should have done more research,,, but a lot of people dont think that way.. you book your hotel then you go,,, if only I had known they were going... four of the families say they will never go back ,couldnt get any good restaurants, couldnt ride any good rides with out an hour wait, couldnt meet anna and elsa, couldnt ride SDMT,,, A couple of them say they will go back, but will do a lot more planning, they didnt realize how much planning you need to do...

Really booking a hotel and tickets was basically all you had to do to have a great time at Disney about 10-15 years ago.

Disney has created a volume problem, good for them $$$$$, bad for guest.

Disney is trying to control the volume problem with the mess they call fp+, really its laughable.

I feel sorry for non planners, but hey they dont have to go to a mini world, then can always just go to the beach.

 

[monkyby87]

The biggest issue I've always had with people that are going is their lack of planning and knowledge about WDW. A co-worker of mine went down with her extended family at Christmas, as a Christmas gift, and came back saying it was a bad trip and it was the worst time to go. I felt a little bad, but also wanted to say that a little research would have revealed that, or just talking to me haha. It is kind of a shame how complicated things have become, but that's the way of the world. Everything was easier 10-15 years ago...

 

[piccolopat]

Those not familiar thinking they do not have to make any dining reservations.
It's unfortunate for those that go expecting to experience some exciting dining yet are turned away from most.

I remember going to Epcot the day after it opened thinking the same thing and not knowing about making reservations in the morning at the globe. After being turned away from several ts restaurants and needing a hot meal we settled for cs in Japan that night. From then on I was part of the mad dash at rd to make my daily reservations. I really prefer 180 day adrs.

 

[lauradis]

I remember going to Epcot the day after it opened thinking the same thing and not knowing about making reservations in the morning at the globe. After being turned away from several ts restaurants and needing a hot meal we settled for cs in Japan that night. From then on I was part of the mad dash at rd to make my daily reservations. I really prefer 180 day adrs.

now that I have done lots of adrs, im going old school winging it for all other meals, beside the must haves for our group. If you go during slower times you can just call dinning number and ask what is available close to you.

If you think about it (yea its mean girl in me) I'm glad people aren't as informed as us, because it would make it even more difficult to get what I want at Disney.

 

[edk35]

We helped guide some MISGUIDED people at MK during rope rope the week of Easter. The one parent and child wanted to go to Small World before Peter Pan. We heard them say they had a FP for Mine Train so that was good. We told them to do Peter Pan first not Small World. Then we told them to do Pooh then Mermaid, they were right behind us at Peter and heard the same child ask about doing Small World next. I was happy to help them get on a good path for Fantasy Land.

 

[mombrontrent]

We helped guide some MISGUIDED people at MK during rope rope the week of Easter. The one parent and child wanted to go to Small World before Peter Pan. We heard them say they had a FP for Mine Train so that was good. We told them to do Peter Pan first not Small World. Then we told them to do Pooh then Mermaid, they were right behind us at Peter and heard the same child ask about doing Small World next. I was happy to help them get on a good path for Fantasy Land.

Just noticed that was you 10,000th message

 

[JosieMouse]

These are hilarious. I'm so glad I'm doing my research before my first trip.

 

[goofyernmost]

I totally agree they're not doing any live tracking, with a NASA style room of monitors and cast members keeping notes on where each person is at every moment. I'd be shocked however, if they're not doing data mining on when & where individual magic bands are used - for park entry, meal purchases, fastpass, souvenirs, etc. Information on "typical days" for an individual at the parks would be extremely useful for them. And I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they're at least looking into marketing based on individual usage - if they find a magic band usage profile that correlates with big spenders, they'll direct more marketing effort into getting people who fit that profile to come back.

You are absolutely correct about that, just as it is with any in-store discount card that you might have in your possession.
They do data mine, but, not by name, just by identity connection with the card and/or band. What you are is important to marketing. They like to track age, gender, purchasing habits, etc. They really don't care, on a personal level, what your name is, just how you do things when in the confines of WDW or others. Oh, but they are going to know my name. Yes, they are, however, it is important to remember that they have known that the moment you paid for your reservations or tickets via your credit card. Name, address and credit limits.

 

[Robo]

Just noticed that was you 10,000th message

Ah, the memories!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

So I conclude that Disney should require folks to take a test on park policies and procedures prior to entering the parks. 50 questions. Multiple Choice.

I was actually thinking this as I was at a non-Disney theme park last week and watched about 6 people in front of us on one ride argue with the ride attendant because his or her child was not tall enough to ride. Everyone in line had to wait while the attendant patiently measured the children and explained the policy over and over again.

Maybe a discount on tickets if we pass the written test? Or maybe one day a week when they ONLY allow in people who have passed the test?

Walt Disney would go for this plan, right? The Theme Park of the Future: where everyone knows the rules.

 

[klo1335]

I walked into a local coffee shop this afternoon and used my Disney visa for my purchase. The guy checking me out asked if it really helps with Disney trips? I told him yes and we use it to pay for our trip, etc. He asked if I knew "anything about that place?" I told him that I've been doing my research. He said, "good, because he was there for an conference and bought a one day ticket. And would you believe that it only let's you get into 1 park? And if you get the option to go into all 3 parks there is no way you can do it all in one day." I thanked him for his advice and went on my way.

 

[paty]

I was talking to a coworker about our upcoming trip and first she thought once you are at WDW, everything was within walking distance, she could go from the hotel to all parks just walking. When I told her how big it is, she assumed she could drive inside the parks… seriously?!
Another coworker is going in 2 weeks and does not have any reservations, fastpass or anything really because she doesn't know which parks she will go each day or when she wants to ride anything…

 

[kiford]

Really booking a hotel and tickets was basically all you had to do to have a great time at Disney about 10-15 years ago.

Everything was easier 10-15 years ago...

I remember going in 2000 and booking hotel, ticket, all dining as early as I possibly could. Planning which parks to go to on which days. We've never really used fastpasses much because we tend to go at low season, but my planning today is not that much different from 15 years ago except that now I can do much more of it online earlier.

I remember going in 1986 and 1991 and stressing about whether or not we'd be able to find a restaurant to eat at in WDW because you couldn't book in advance. I much prefer it now. At least I have a reasonably good assurance now that I'll be able to do what I want, be able to eat where I want and will not waste time wandering from one side of the park to the other without being able to do anything.

 

[lauradis]

I remember going in 2000 and booking hotel, ticket, all dining as early as I possibly could. Planning which parks to go to on which days. We've never really used fastpasses much because we tend to go at low season, but my planning today is not that much different from 15 years ago except that now I can do much more of it online earlier.

I remember going in 1986 and 1991 and stressing about whether or not we'd be able to find a restaurant to eat at in WDW because you couldn't book in advance. I much prefer it now. At least I have a reasonably good assurance now that I'll be able to do what I want, be able to eat where I want and will not waste time wandering from one side of the park to the other without being able to do anything.

I don't wander from one side of the park to the other, unless I want too. Dinning on the fly during slower times in Disney is easy with a cell phone, not expecting prime times or bog, just call dinning line from where ever you are and see what is available. We never picked which park till the morning of and if it got to crowded we went to another one.

Don't get me wrong I love the planning part almost more then being there, but really you don't have to if you don't want to, just don't expect to get high demand places at normal eating times.

 

[rmm7e]

My hairdresser told me that when she went, it was too crowded. I asked her if she used Fastpass and she said, "We asked, but they were all sold out."

She's a good hairstylist, though.

 

[Barbanellie]

My aunt and uncle visited with my cousins, their daughters and husbands, the same year as us, but only a couple weeks before (April-May 2014). As both our families were planning our trips, I learned not only that she had loads of bad information, but she also continues giving bad information after her trip. Examples:

They had the QS dining plan. She referred to them as coupons, and that they had to give coupons for their meals. Um, no.
She had no idea they could have chosen their Magic Band colors before the trip. She said more than once after the trip that it was a shame all bands are the same color, they often got confused within their group.
Like I said they were on the QS plan. She insists that it was "all-inclusive", they never had to pay for anything. Even at TS restaurants. And she insists they used their resort mugs for free drinks in the parks. As much as they wanted.
She refers to EMH as "Magic Awards"

During the planning stage, I tried to correct her on some things, but I learned that she just didn't listen, and kept on saying she was right. I never had feedback on that one, but she had told her granddaughters they were going to eat in the "Frozen castle". She wouldn't believe me when I said there was no such thing. In the end it looks like they had a great trip, but I hope she doesn't go around giving out too much WDW advice!

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

Everything was easier 10-15 years ago...

Agree with this; however, I'll add that for us everything was still easier just 3 years ago.

 

[Robo]

My hairdresser told me that when she went, it was too crowded. I asked her if she used Fastpass and she said, "We asked, but they were all sold out."

It's not necessarily an impossible situation.

If they DID happen to ask about a FP to a popular attraction later in the day (let's say Soarin',) it
is very possible that those FPs were "all sold out."

If they did that a time or two, it would lead to the impression that all FPs were "sold out."

Even if your hairdresser was making up that it happened to them, it is now very real for some attractions weeks in advance, due to FP+ advance booking.

 

[momof2n2]

Agree with this; however, I'll add that for us everything was still easier just 3 years ago.

Amen, sister.

And 10- 15 years ago I was still a planning commando. I just got more bang for my buck.

 

[jayandstacey]

I'll tell you what the misconceptions are - because I have no idea how FP+ works - so I have nothing but misconceptions.

I haven't been to WDW in about 5 years. I was an "uberplanner" when we used to go more often (5 years ago), but haven't really looked at anything since, or kept up with the disboards. About all I know are that there's a new FP+ system and that the area behind the castle was re-done.

SO here we go, these are my conceptions/misconceptions:

1. FP+ doesn't cost extra but is reserved for those staying on property, thus is already in a bit of an 'elite' class. And it might only be for the high end hotels, or for those buying multi-day passes, etc.
2. FP+ requires you to choose a few popular rides (maybe 2?) and the time slots the day before - which means two things: 1. you have to have a pretty good plan for the next day and 2. you have to stop the day (or two) before and login and choose those actual times. I'm not sure I want to stand at a kiosk in the hotel lobby after a long day in the park, just to sign up for a few rides for the next day.
3. You have to wear a wristband, and so do all family members - I don't like wristbands. And the wristband is connected to your room key, which is connected to your credit card. So if little Sally takes hers off and leaves it on a bench, we might be in for a bunch of pain (phone calls, paperwork) to fix things.
4. FP+ can be good in the right situations, but still won't beat the good old "show up early" tactic. And in fact, like the old FP system, it is just a tool in the larger scheme of planning; it doesn't replace a good plan.
5. If the old FP system exists, it seemed a better balance of risk/reward. Yeah, maybe all the TSM fast passes are gone by 8:00am, but that's ok, I'm in the park and can adjust on the fly.
6. Even if I had a FP+, it is confusing enough for guests overall that it might get me into awkward situations as described in this thread.
7. I still have to deal with restaurant reservations separately.

If I were going to WDW next week, I would do all the research and turn my misconceptions into facts, and then make the best of the FP+ system, however it works. This is just the list of what I fear about FP+ based on my lack of knowledge. I'd expect others to have similar fears. I'd also expect that the truth about FP+ is very different.