Choosing US over WDW again, because of FP+

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I just laugh at the OP - you haven't even tried FP+, yet you condemn it?

I think its pretty easy to condemn a concept that you know wont work for your family. There is a ton of information available on the specifics of FP+, so its not hard to determine if its a good change for someone or not.

My family does very, very poorly in small, cramped hotel rooms (for a variety of reasons). VERY poorly . As a result, we dont cruise. We KNOW it wont go well, just based on the dimensions of a standard stateroom. We need our sleep, and it wouldnt be happening there. We dont have to spend three nights at each others throats to test out the theory.

Ditto on the FP+ . We dont enjoy micromanaging OUR vacations. That system might work well for some, but only a 3-ride guarantee (and at pre-set, specific times to which we must adhere) isnt appealing to us in the least. Not knocking it for those who do, but I know without trying it that its not for us.

 

[lazer]

We've done IOA twice, and found it rather boring (not into screaming roller coaster-type rides) and loud - nothing like trying to be in Hogwarts and hearing people screaming from the roller coaster rides in other areas? If it was more spread out, maybe it would be better, but we only go for Harry Potter. We don't go every time because all they had for HP was the little kids' coaster, the attraction in Hogwarts, which was always a 2 hour wait, and a refaced roller coaster that we would never ride in the first place. Oh, and very tight, crowded shops. Got the area done in half a day and went back to WDW. Now, we have to buy a double park pass to experience two more attractions? Can you use their version of FP for anything HP? Does it work for Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express, or Gringotts? Then there is dining and shops - expecting them to be as crowded and busy as before. I just laugh at the OP - you haven't even tried FP+, yet you condemn it? We used it for the fist time last August, last minute trip, worked like a charm, got to ride everything we wanted to, no waits. We were very happy with the access we were given. We did stay onsite, but booked the trip about two weeks beforehand. To each his own, but I'd give Universal maybe a once every other trip status for my family until they get rid of the trashy six flags atmosphere in a lot of the park and spend a bit more money on space and theming. I do like a few parts of IoA, and will go try the other side at least once, but not spending $$$ to stay in one of their hotels stuck on I4.

Just to be fair, last August fast pass+ wasn't completely rolled out. So, your next trip you might not have the same experience. Then, it was in testing phases, so everyone didn't have access. It's a little different now.
Hopefully, it continues to work for your family.

 

[Planogirl]

We've done IOA twice, and found it rather boring (not into screaming roller coaster-type rides) and loud - nothing like trying to be in Hogwarts and hearing people screaming from the roller coaster rides in other areas? If it was more spread out, maybe it would be better, but we only go for Harry Potter. We don't go every time because all they had for HP was the little kids' coaster, the attraction in Hogwarts, which was always a 2 hour wait, and a refaced roller coaster that we would never ride in the first place. Oh, and very tight, crowded shops. Got the area done in half a day and went back to WDW.

Now, we have to buy a double park pass to experience two more attractions? Can you use their version of FP for anything HP? Does it work for Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express, or Gringotts? Then there is dining and shops - expecting them to be as crowded and busy as before.

I just laugh at the OP - you haven't even tried FP+, yet you condemn it? We used it for the fist time last August, last minute trip, worked like a charm, got to ride everything we wanted to, no waits. We were very happy with the access we were given. We did stay onsite, but booked the trip about two weeks beforehand.

To each his own, but I'd give Universal maybe a once every other trip status for my family until they get rid of the trashy six flags atmosphere in a lot of the park and spend a bit more money on space and theming. I do like a few parts of IoA, and will go try the other side at least once, but not spending $$$ to stay in one of their hotels stuck on I4.

Trashy Six Flags atmosphere? I can't stand Six Flags so I know that that isn't true. Also if you want more space then you are out of luck for that. Right now Universal is landlocked but of course that could change... And the Universal resorts aren't on I-4.

 

[schumigirl]

We've done IOA twice, and found it rather boring (not into screaming roller coaster-type rides) and loud - nothing like trying to be in Hogwarts and hearing people screaming from the roller coaster rides in other areas? If it was more spread out, maybe it would be better, but we only go for Harry Potter. We don't go every time because all they had for HP was the little kids' coaster, the attraction in Hogwarts, which was always a 2 hour wait, and a refaced roller coaster that we would never ride in the first place. Oh, and very tight, crowded shops. Got the area done in half a day and went back to WDW.

Now, we have to buy a double park pass to experience two more attractions? Can you use their version of FP for anything HP? Does it work for Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express, or Gringotts? Then there is dining and shops - expecting them to be as crowded and busy as before.

I just laugh at the OP - you haven't even tried FP+, yet you condemn it? We used it for the fist time last August, last minute trip, worked like a charm, got to ride everything we wanted to, no waits. We were very happy with the access we were given. We did stay onsite, but booked the trip about two weeks beforehand.

To each his own, but I'd give Universal maybe a once every other trip status for my family until they get rid of the trashy six flags atmosphere in a lot of the park and spend a bit more money on space and theming. I do like a few parts of IoA, and will go try the other side at least once, but not spending $$$ to stay in one of their hotels stuck on I4.

I find it ironic you "laugh" at the OP for condemning FP+ yet you do the same thing to the Universal hotels.

Have you been in one? Walked around one? Relaxed by the beautiful pools they all have?

I assume no as you have only spent a very short couple of visits to IOA. They are hardly "stuck" on the I4 as you would realise if you had spent any time in them.

Obviously Universal is not for you as you were bored, I get that.....it's why I don't set foot in Disney parks.......but I don't condemn anyone who does or wander over to the Disney boards to announce that fact that Disney bores me.......who would care.

I hope you enjoy the new area in The Studios if you go again......it really is spectacular and very difficult to fault.

I'm glad FP+ worked so well for you, but there are a whole host of people for whom it didn't.

As for the six flags comment.......I have never been to one of their parks. But I see a lot of non biased very fair posters on here say they are not alike at all.......I will take their word for it.

 

[Trixie Belden]

trashy six flags atmosphere in a lot of the park and spend a bit more money on space and theming... but not spending $$$ to stay in one of their hotels stuck on I4.

Have you even been to one of the Loews hotels at USO? Trust me, they are far from "trashy". The theming is incredible both at the resorts and in the parks.

As far as your "stars upon thars" comment, that's what Disney has done to people who don't plan at least 6 months out. Locals with APs who don't use Magical Express, don't utilize the inclusive packages with dining, tickets and room and maybe just wake up and decide to hit Disney for the weekend are being pushed out of the parks. Universal seems to be happy to have my last minute money.

 

[kbelle8995]

I used to think that Universal was a nickel and dime operation until Disney started in.

Parties within parties that they charge for. (Event with the Stepmother at Mickey's not so scary).

Charging day guests for the priviledge of using a magic band.

Giving 60 days to people who stay in their hotels and only bare scraps for those who come in for the day.

 

[RMulieri]

We've done IOA twice, and found it rather boring (not into screaming roller coaster-type rides) and loud - nothing like trying to be in Hogwarts and hearing people screaming from the roller coaster rides in other areas? If it was more spread out, maybe it would be better, but we only go for Harry Potter. We don't go every time because all they had for HP was the little kids' coaster, the attraction in Hogwarts, which was always a 2 hour wait, and a refaced roller coaster that we would never ride in the first place. Oh, and very tight, crowded shops. Got the area done in half a day and went back to WDW.

Now, we have to buy a double park pass to experience two more attractions? Can you use their version of FP for anything HP? Does it work for Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express, or Gringotts? Then there is dining and shops - expecting them to be as crowded and busy as before.

I just laugh at the OP - you haven't even tried FP+, yet you condemn it? We used it for the fist time last August, last minute trip, worked like a charm, got to ride everything we wanted to, no waits. We were very happy with the access we were given. We did stay onsite, but booked the trip about two weeks beforehand.

To each his own, but I'd give Universal maybe a once every other trip status for my family until they get rid of the trashy six flags atmosphere in a lot of the park and spend a bit more money on space and theming. I do like a few parts of IoA, and will go try the other side at least once, but not spending $$$ to stay in one of their hotels stuck on I4.

Obviously you don't care for Universal, and that is OK..Everyone has their own likes and dislikes..what I don't get is why come over to the Universal forums to bash it??

 

[robinb]

We own at DVC, we go to WDW 2-3 times per year, we have PAPs, we have been to every Disney park in the world and even I am thinking about giving Universal a try because of the recent changes at WDW. It's a sad state of affairs for a Disney vet like me to feel like I'm giving up on a place that I loved. I find the Premiere AP at Universal very attractive, especially because of the renewal pricing. Unfortunately, with the WDW DVC PAP in my pocket I don't think I can convince my DH to pay more to go to Universal. We'll see how we feel after our first week (Christmas week! ) at WDW with FP+ only and we may be joining you-all at Universal.

 

[Bluer101]

I don't sleep on I-4. I wake up on one side and crossover to use the pool.

Have you ever played Frogger???

 

[bianca]

Count us as another family that agrees with OP. We have been to WDW almost 40 times now and for our next trip are spending our time at Universal. We own DVC, but don't plan on doing Disney parks at all, as we were so disgusted during our last trip and the FP+! I think Disney has lost us for the foreseeable future.

 

[strycker]

We just got back Saturday from a week long trip that included US and IoA among our Disney days. IMHO, Universal has the better theming of the parks. I like the different sections and you know where you are. Rides are definitely more geared to adults there as well. At WDW, the FP+ is just a headache and a mess. My wife was checking and rechecking those damn things for a month before our trip. Scheduling is a PITA. Then when you finally burn up the 3 you initially scheduled, good luck finding a convenient kiosk to add another. I had the person in front of me get a Tower of Terror FP and when it was my turn, there was nothing. People in the Rockin Roller coaster line talked about just getting the FP added, but I was never given that as an option. I don't know how it's supposed to work, but if I'm not getting the options others are, that seems unfair. We never bothered adding another at MK because it was such a hassle and there was never a ride we wanted to do again. Those available posted a 10 min Standby time anyway, so why bother with the FP option. It worked better as tickets. Something still isn't adding up with the new system and the offerings. The only thing at US we didn't get to was Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ... which was broken at around 5:30PM and never allowed more people in line. Rip Ride Rocket got shutdown due to lightning in the area, but rebooted around 6:30PM so I rode that a couple more times to end the day. Loved IoA and US. Both coasters are phenomenal.

 

[georgina]

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?

Used to be that you would stroll through the park, and if something looked interesting, you'd go investigate. Now it becomes nothing more than running around and park hopping to make it to certain "appointments". If I wanted that, I'd stay at home and go to work.

Too much aggravation and competition. We're sticking with Universal next year.

You have been reading too many of the negative threads and not enough of the positive ones! FP+ is really not that bad, just a change. You don't have to run around and park hop to make appointments, but it is convenient if you are park hopping to have FP reserved at your second park. Yes it does take more planning now, but we still enjoy both Disney and Universal.

 

[lazer]

You have been reading too many of the negative threads and not enough of the positive ones! FP+ is really not that bad, just a change. You don't have to run around and park hop to make appointments, but it is convenient if you are park hopping to have FP reserved at your second park. Yes it does take more planning now, but we still enjoy both Disney and Universal.

Can you reserve fp+ at more than one park?

 

[damo]

Can you reserve fp+ at more than one park?

No.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Can you reserve fp+ at more than one park?

No.

From what I understand is that it will be done at some point in the future.

 

[lazer]

No.

Thought so, this is exactly why it doesn't work for our work hopping family!

 

[RMulieri]

Thought so, this is exactly why it doesn't work for our work hopping family!

same here. we hop parks everyday at Disney

 

[johde]

Thought so, this is exactly why it doesn't work for our work hopping family!

For this trip it's not working out the best. I'm doing mostly Universal but doing a 1 day/ 4 park whirlwind tour of WDW. Deciding which park to prebook FP+ at has been a balancing at between expected time saved vs. possibility of getting more later. Originally I was going to do MK for 7DMT, but it's my last park so that would mean no FP's at any of the other parks. Now, I'm planning on prebooking at DHS, my Second park, Primarily for ToT. Soarin', TT, TSMM, and RnR weren't on my original list of rides to hit (I'm focusing not necessarily thrill but rides that scream Disney to me). But, if I'm prebooking DHS, I may as well prebook TSMM even though GMR is also tier 1 and is on my list I'm going to risk standby or 4th FP+ for it.

I would have much rather been able to pick ToT, 7DMT and 1 other ride as my 3 prebooked. Like I said, I probably wouldn't have been a "Tier 1" attraction because that wasn't my focus this time.

 

[lorivegas]

THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT ! Honestly, just re-reading all of your planning and thinking through EVERY DARN DETAIL so that everyone will be happy... is just giving me ANXIETY !!! (and its not even MY plans )!! And that is for just ONE day of planning !!?? YIKES !

 

[glimmerman76]

I used to think that Universal was a nickel and dime operation until Disney started in.

Parties within parties that they charge for. (Event with the Stepmother at Mickey's not so scary).

Charging day guests for the priviledge of using a magic band.

Giving 60 days to people who stay in their hotels and only bare scraps for those who come in for the day.

giving them 60 days for staying in there resort is no different than US giving express pass + for free to guest who stay in there hotels.