Choosing US over WDW again, because of FP+

[sydneysmom]

For all of these reasons and more, this is why we also decided to not go back to Disney and to spend 8 days at Universal.

I'm a Disney lover, but with everything going on, they seem to be working overtime to make it as impossible as they can for people to go and enjoy themselves. They're also making it harder to be able to afford to take the vacation you want. Between FP+, having to get up at 5 am to make dining reservations, now you can't ride Toy Story unless you have the Golden Ticket... really? I don't want to work on vacation. I'm sick of spreadsheets, planning, plotting and working it all out on paper. I want to do what my husband does.... walk through the park and HAVE SOME FUN!

We've never been to Universal, but after reading a ton on the Universal board, everyone has turned us to Universal fans excited for our adventure. The front of the line pass sold it for my husband.... when I told him we get that for staying at HRH, he said sign me up! The man was MISERABLE at Disney in June in forever lines.... and I can't say enough about the pricing.... I hope so much it stays close to where it's at by the time I'm ready to book. We're saving about 1/2 the price and gaining one night/ day. How's that for AWESOME!

 

[zbsigpi]

No to Universal, Disney is the Greatest!!!!!!! Stay away from Universal, it makes my relaxed, no planning, do what I want when I want good time more difficult!!!! LOL

 

[quantumottle]

We have not been back to WDW since the addition of FP+. AT this point, I don't know if I ever will. In July, we chose Universal instead for the first time, and loved that it required virtually no planning.

EVERYTHING I have read and heard about FP+ sounds like a nightmare, and I want no part of it. Guests arguing with CMs, without satisfaction, about apps and systems that don't work? What would Walt have to say about that? .

Keep in mind, other than selecting the physical location and purchasing the land, Walt had virtually nothing at all to do with the development and building of Walt Disney World. Walt also had a concept for "E.P.C.O.T." but what stands today and is know as "Epcot" does not even remotely resemble what Walt had in mind.

Walt Disney died before a single shovel of dirt was ever moved at Walt Disney World. His brother lead a Board of Directors who created Walt Disney World years after Walt died. That's why there are so many hotels and why it feels so much more "corporate" than DLR.

So you ask, "What would Walt say"? Probably nothing he wouldn't have already said had he seen what the Board of Directors created when Walt Disney World opened in 1971.

I once read a quote by one of Walt Disney's original Imagineer's describing the difference between WDW and DLR, I wish I could find the exact quote now, but it went something like "One can simply tell the difference. Disneyland is a park built by a father for his daughters, while Walt Disney World was built by committee for the masses".

What would Walt say, indeed?

 

[StarWarsJez]

I hope people do stay away from Disney and that they get the message that FP+ was a dumb and expensive mistake. I dislike it intensely and it's certainly negatively impacted my perception (and money I will spend) on Disney.

Bottom line is Disney SHOULD have invested the $1-2Bn in updating it's theme parks, rather than the FP+ white elephant. AK, EP and DS need investment quickly but instead Disney thought they'd found a way to get their existing park guests to spend a little bit more....I hope they learn their lesson, but doubt they will!

 

[Manders77]

In 2015 we are planning a trip and doing mainly Universal because of HP. I was going to do a split stay but am deciding against it. Not because of FP+ but because of construction and closures. I actually like the idea of FP+, I know I am in the minority. But I did not like the old system since the times were never convenient when we got to a machine. With little ones and midday breaks at the resort it was difficult. Let alone trying to run to FP with two little kids in a double stroller. I tried to not run people over. I like to plan and with my two special needs kids having a schedule is good. Now universal does have it's positives. The FOTL is awesome and I wish Disney would do something similar for onsite stays. Next year universal will get my money because of HP

 

[rnorwo1]

For all of these reasons and more, this is why we also decided to not go back to Disney and to spend 8 days at Universal.

I'm a Disney lover, but with everything going on, they seem to be working overtime to make it as impossible as they can for people to go and enjoy themselves. They're also making it harder to be able to afford to take the vacation you want. Between FP+, having to get up at 5 am to make dining reservations, now you can't ride Toy Story unless you have the Golden Ticket... really? I don't want to work on vacation. I'm sick of spreadsheets, planning, plotting and working it all out on paper. I want to do what my husband does.... walk through the park and HAVE SOME FUN!

We've never been to Universal, but after reading a ton on the Universal board, everyone has turned us to Universal fans excited for our adventure. The front of the line pass sold it for my husband.... when I told him we get that for staying at HRH, he said sign me up! The man was MISERABLE at Disney in June in forever lines.... and I can't say enough about the pricing.... I hope so much it stays close to where it's at by the time I'm ready to book. We're saving about 1/2 the price and gaining one night/ day. How's that for AWESOME!

I laughed out loud at this bolded statement, because this is our family! My DH always raves about our vacations (including non-disney and universal ones) because we go to the most amazing places and have these incredible dining experiences and such. It's just magic that itineraries like these happen

We are skipping disney this year, too. We did disneyland last year and loved it, but it is a horribly expensive flight for us. We are so excited about universal this year, we haven't been in 3 years. I'm sure you will love it, too!

 

[allforpooh]

Just back, from UO/IOA and Disney....overall a nice trip, but for us Disney was our favorite part. No lines, no problems with FP+, no long waits for buses....no rides that my husband couldn't ride, no lockers that I had to stop and put my very small purse in before the ride then stop and take it out after the ride....also no 45 min wait when the Harry potter ride broke down. We loved transformers but even with our FOTL pass the line was 60 minutes. The beauty of it is that we all have so many choices in the Orlando Area. So for us we will not be going back to UO/IOA, and can't wait for our 2015 Disney Trip.

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

Just as an example-I would have paid $1450 for 5 DISCOUNT 5 day park hoppers through the Disney sports travel agent. Plus we had to book our room through them because they mandate the teams book through their travel agent or they won't let your team play. The room was $120 for the All Stars, which I could have booked myself through Orbitz for $83. Multiply by the fact that I needed 3 rooms and the lost savings start adding up

Please don't even get me started about the $1450 PER CHILD that these travel extortionists charge the schools! I asked the band director if this company had provided a breakdown for the cost and they hadn't. My daughter chose to not go and use the $1450 for our next family trip!

. Between FP+, having to get up at 5 am to make dining reservations, now you can't ride Toy Story unless you have the Golden Ticket... really? I don't want to work on vacation. I'm sick of spreadsheets, planning, plotting and working it all out on paper. I want to do what my husband does.... walk through the park and HAVE SOME FUN!

We've never been to Universal, but after reading a ton on the Universal board, everyone has turned us to Universal fans excited for our adventure.

I love planning our trips but I am just not comfortable picking a FP+ for rides 2 months in advance! Not only that but I have a bunch of friends in the Orlando area that I couldn't coordinate FP's for. Nothing like ditching your friends to ride Mine Train while they stand around and wait for you to come back.

 

[kbelle8995]

I describe myself lately as being a Disney burnout. Tired of FP+, tired of endless expensive extras that they keep pushing, Tired of endless price raising, Tired of endless construction.

So you know what time for a break. And Universal is a great way to have that break

 

[chabs]

Please don't even get me started about the $1450 PER CHILD that these travel extortionists charge the schools! I asked the band director if this company had provided a breakdown for the cost and they hadn't. My daughter chose to not go and use the $1450 for our next family trip!

Yeah I know-we were forced into booking with them too or the kids can't play at the tournament. Then they pretend you are getting a real deal by booking with them when even the Disney website is cheaper than that. Plus they charge $16 per day to watch the games per person. It will be our one and only sports trip with Disney-the Anthony travel people are terrible to try to deal with too.

 

[chabs]

I describe myself lately as being a Disney burnout. Tired of FP+, tired of endless expensive extras that they keep pushing, Tired of endless price raising, Tired of endless construction.

So you know what time for a break. And Universal is a great way to have that break

Good point-that's exactly what we are too.

 

[Cielei]

We love Disney and it holds so many precious memories for our family, but we will not be visiting WDW anytime in the foreseeable future. When we went in May, we realized that we are DL people. When we need a little Disney in our lives (which pretty much seems to be at least once a year), we will head to DL or do a cruise; (We have our first Disney cruise planned for February to escape these eternal winters we seem to have up here) but when we head to Orlando, Universal is definitely our home. We just love it there!

 

[tony67]

There is one thing I'd really like to see Universal add - and that is something similar to Magic Express.

Disney has done a lot of things wrong - but the magic Express is one thing that really makes the trips to Disney for me. I put my luggage on the plane and it is in my room at Disney when I get there. Very little hassle. When I check out I drop my bag off, go to the park for the day and pick it up when I get off the plane at home.

If universal could find a way to make this happen it would make the idea of a Universal only vacation much more attractive for me.

Yes there are alternatives and I added to my Universal package a bus from MCO to Universal and then from Universal to Disney, but it's not quite the same. I'm still waiting to see how all that plays out - I have my concerns.

 

[ChrisFL]

We love Disney and it holds so many precious memories for our family, but we will not be visiting WDW anytime in the foreseeable future. When we went in May, we realized that we are DL people. When we need a little Disney in our lives (which pretty much seems to be at least once a year), we will head to DL or do a cruise; (We have our first Disney cruise planned for February to escape these eternal winters we seem to have up here) but when we head to Orlando, Universal is definitely our home. We just love it there!

Agreed, if it wasn't for me living right near Orlando I'd be going to DL (or luckily in my case, Tokyo DL) exclusively as far as Disney parks go...still go to US/IOA often though

 

[kathy884]

All the Orlando parks are great. Personally our favorite is SeaWorld, followed by the Disney parks, and then Universal/IOA. We do, though, think Universal/IA is greatly improved from what it used to be. // As for the ADRs, FP+ early reservations, etc. -- Now that sounds like a real drag. If, though, there is a chance to go at a non-peak time you really don't have to worry about FP+. I know for the day we are going (crowd level 5 for the MK), with a touring plan our longest wait all day is projected to be 25 minutes, so were not even buying our one day ticket in advance or making any advanced FP+ reservations -- just don't see the need.. Our Universal/IOA day has a crowd projection of a 2 with the longest wait projection at 35 minutes (late day ride on Forbidden Journey). We can get everything we want to do in on that one day including spending 90 minutes or so exploring Diagon Alley, so we see no need for an express pass or an onsite room. I have no interest on park days of having table service dining. We bring our own food and/or do counter service, as we're there for the rides/attractions and don't want to take time out for dining or be tied to a dining time.

Anyway, in December the week before Christmas week, I'm staying offsite and doing SeaWorld for one day, doing a one day Park to Park at Universal -- That is plenty of time there for us (main interest is to see the new HP stuff) // not interested in a second day, and then we're doing the Magic Kingdom (Disney doesn't add a lot from year to year, so doing one of their theme parks one day a year is perfect for me -- means they don't get stale as we can switch up which park we go to each year.) // So actually all three of the majors are getting some dollars from us on the next trip. Usually Universal doesn't, but with all the building and very cool looking Harry Potter theming we can't resist giving them a day. It will be nice to see something new.

 

[lazer]

"If, though, there is a chance to go at a non-peak time you really don't have to worry about FP+. I know for the day we are going (crowd level 5 for the MK), with a touring plan our longest wait all day is projected to be 25 minutes, so were not even buying our one day ticket in advance or making any advance"

That used to be true for us, but not the last two trips. Projected 5 days and waited in long lines. Pirates last year on a 5 day had a 45 minute wait, most of the ten days we were there. And, there's no way I'd go without fp+. Especially, after they tested TSM not having a standby line. My kids wouldn't be happy if we wouldn't have been able to ride it. But, just my opinion on it. Good luck, and I hope your waits are short!

 

[disneywithfive]

Another vote for Universal. Took me 40 years to start going there but have been a fan ever since!!!! Soooooooo much more relaxing then Disney!!!!! We will still go to Disney from time to time but not like we used to!! We have a trip in the making for Disney and the new FP+ and all I can say is it is a lot of work and more nerve wracking then I ever thought a "vacation" could be. Have a daughter with special needs and having to "schedule" her rides with the possibility of not making them due to having issues during FP times is disappointing. Especially with all the sporadic FP ONLY rides popping up from time to time. Enjoy Universal more and more every year and my kids love it. My son actually is disappointed that we are going back to Disney.

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

There is one thing I'd really like to see Universal add - and that is something similar to Magic Express.

YES!! I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[Sparkly]

To be fair people here are biased for Universal.

But we found FP+ actually manageable. We encountered no problems. What helps is the ability to book more then 3 now. It seems there's also a lot less reports of major issues. (and remember people are more likely to post to complain then to report something positive)

I would give it another go- but at the end of the day its your money and your choice.

 

[NBCSally]

Disney has never held a huge appeal to me, I've always loved the thrill rides. my mom is taking us on a WDW trip and I'm more excited than I expected but the planning is driving me nuts. Honestly, I am really looking forward to taking my young daughters to WDW, they will see the magic, but I can't wait for the two days of the trip I get to ditch my kiddos with grandma and take my older niece to US/IOA.