Completely frustrated with FP+

[Planogirl]

Just wait for the snow to start falling around the country. Then we'll get the "it's better than shoveling snow" posts.

Which only replaces the "it's better than work" posts. I agree that it is but recently I thought that going to the doctor was better!

 

[Planogirl]

Back to the actual topic....

I would say that getting the top rides during such a busy time would always be a problem. If you can stand it, I would get to the park at rope drop and head straight for the ride. I would never chance such late FP+ during that week in the hope that I can change them later.

 

[johde]

What's strange is my short trip is Jan 2-5. When I tried to book 7DMT for the 4th I had a choice of times and as of today I still have a choice of times. I am looking for a single so that probably helps. I hope that means the Christmas Crowds are going home that Sunday.

 

[JimmyV]

Which only replaces the "it's better than work" posts.

Pretty soon, even this sentiment will fade. I liken it to going skiing. Back when lift tickets were $25, I would go irrespective of the conditions. Now, with lift tickets for a family of three costing $270 or more per day, conditions have to be pretty darn near perfect to get me to bite. It is no longer "good enough" to be out on the mountain. I am not going to spend $270 plus $70 more for ski lodge food to ski on ice, bare patches, or in -10 degree weather. For that amount of money, I want a perfect day, or at least as close as nature will allow.

I am now getting that same feeling about WDW. If a bunch of rides are closed, others are out of commission for long stretches due to breakdowns, there are rides that are limited to "FP+ Only", and my best efforts to score FPs at midnight didn't net us what we wanted, I have to seriously reconsider the cost and time investment. While no trip can ever be perfect, I can certainly narrow my opportunities down to "practically perfect." Is three FP+s for rides I used to walk on to, coupled with no hope of getting a 4th (or 5th, or 9th FP) coupled with 45+ minute SB waits for rides "better than being at home"? Not any more. I can't imagine that I will ever go back at a time when crowds levels are anticipated to be 8, 9 or 10.

 

[johde]

Back to the actual topic....

I would say that getting the top rides during such a busy time would always be a problem. If you can stand it, I would get to the park at rope drop and head straight for the ride. I would never chance such late FP+ during that week in the hope that I can change them later.

Conversely, you could plan on hitting it at park closing. But Christmas to New Years I wouldn't plan on getting extra FP+'s especially for EPCOT and DHS. For MK, I'd book FP+ to save me the most time figuring no headliners available for 4th FP+ and limited availability for lower attractions.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I would not bank on getting a fourth fast pass for anything decent that time of year. Book the mine train.

For my part, I hope you get something good to open up for you.

If you don't mind riding late, then go for it. I really wouldn't bank on getting a fourth FP that time of year anyways.

This seems the best advice.

OP - as others have suggested, take the late night one and try to change it or if you know you'll be there late anyway, pick something else and ride 7dmt late at night.

Although it was a MUCH slower time of year, my sister came back from a trip recently, and was able to change her undesirable time for the Mine Train the day before. She tried many times between her 60 day window and then, nothing was available until that day.

 

[decoy7375]

Pretty soon, even this sentiment will fade. I liken it to going skiing. Back when lift tickets were $25, I would go irrespective of the conditions. Now, with lift tickets for a family of three costing $270 or more per day, conditions have to be pretty darn near perfect to get me to bite. It is no longer "good enough" to be out on the mountain. I am not going to spend $270 plus $70 more for ski lodge food to ski on ice, bare patches, or in -10 degree weather. For that amount of money, I want a perfect day, or at least as close as nature will allow.

I am now getting that same feeling about WDW.

I think this one of the best explanations I have seen of what is bothering some of the Dis posters. Taking Disney out of the mix helps remove some of our emotional reaction.

 

[mom2rtk]

Pretty soon, even this sentiment will fade. I liken it to going skiing. Back when lift tickets were $25, I would go irrespective of the conditions. Now, with lift tickets for a family of three costing $270 or more per day, conditions have to be pretty darn near perfect to get me to bite. It is no longer "good enough" to be out on the mountain. I am not going to spend $270 plus $70 more for ski lodge food to ski on ice, bare patches, or in -10 degree weather. For that amount of money, I want a perfect day, or at least as close as nature will allow.

I am now getting that same feeling about WDW. If a bunch of rides are closed, others are out of commission for long stretches due to breakdowns, there are rides that are limited to "FP+ Only", and my best efforts to score FPs at midnight didn't net us what we wanted, I have to seriously reconsider the cost and time investment. While no trip can ever be perfect, I can certainly narrow my opportunities down to "practically perfect." Is three FP+s for rides I used to walk on to, coupled with no hope of getting a 4th (or 5th, or 9th FP) coupled with 45+ minute SB waits for rides "better than being at home"? Not any more. I can't imagine that I will ever go back at a time when crowds levels are anticipated to be 8, 9 or 10.

Great illustration.

 

[Luckybee]

Pretty soon, even this sentiment will fade. I liken it to going skiing. Back when lift tickets were $25, I would go irrespective of the conditions. Now, with lift tickets for a family of three costing $270 or more per day, conditions have to be pretty darn near perfect to get me to bite. It is no longer "good enough" to be out on the mountain. I am not going to spend $270 plus $70 more for ski lodge food to ski on ice, bare patches, or in -10 degree weather. For that amount of money, I want a perfect day, or at least as close as nature will allow.

I am now getting that same feeling about WDW. If a bunch of rides are closed, others are out of commission for long stretches due to breakdowns, there are rides that are limited to "FP+ Only", and my best efforts to score FPs at midnight didn't net us what we wanted, I have to seriously reconsider the cost and time investment. While no trip can ever be perfect, I can certainly narrow my opportunities down to "practically perfect." Is three FP+s for rides I used to walk on to, coupled with no hope of getting a 4th (or 5th, or 9th FP) coupled with 45+ minute SB waits for rides "better than being at home"? Not any more. I can't imagine that I will ever go back at a time when crowds levels are anticipated to be 8, 9 or 10.

Excellent illustration. In addition I think that it would be wise for all of us to remember that not everyone is the same. Some people might love skiing so much or love that ski lodge or whatever that they are willing to spend the money to ski on ice patches while others might feel exactly as you do.
For us certainly when it comes to Disney or other trips that require extensive planning, my expectations are higher than it is for another type of trip and let me explain. When we go to the Caribbean I have sometimes been disappointed(not often but perhaps with hotel etc.). The trip itself takes very little planning so the expended effort isn't there and we roll with it and it is no biggie. But when we book a longer more expensive trip to say the South Pacific, or Australia and Im spending hours and hours putting it together than you're darn tooting that I want it to be perfect. And here is the rub.....for some posters perfect may not include worrying about whether they see Anna and Elsa, or ride SDMT, or get a FP for the parade. For others that may be an essential component. None of us can tell someone else what is essential for their trip nor should we try. Wouldn't it be lovely if someone comes on to vent that we rather either just empathize or advise the poster how they might be able to get the elusive fp's for the attractions that they want as some of the posters here have done.

 

[itchin2go]

Excellent illustration. In addition I think that it would be wise for all of us to remember that not everyone is the same. Some people might love skiing so much or love that ski lodge or whatever that they are willing to spend the money to ski on ice patches while others might feel exactly as you do.
For us certainly when it comes to Disney or other trips that require extensive planning, my expectations are higher than it is for another type of trip and let me explain. When we go to the Caribbean I have sometimes been disappointed(not often but perhaps with hotel etc.). The trip itself takes very little planning so the expended effort isn't there and we roll with it and it is no biggie. But when we book a longer more expensive trip to say the South Pacific, or Australia and Im spending hours and hours putting it together than you're darn tooting that I want it to be perfect. And here is the rub.....for some posters perfect may not include worrying about whether they see Anna and Elsa, or ride SDMT, or get a FP for the parade. For others that may be an essential component. None of us can tell someone else what is essential for their trip nor should we try. Wouldn't it be lovely if someone comes on to vent that we rather either just empathize or advise the poster how they might be able to get the elusive fp's for the attractions that they want as some of the posters here have done.

It's a work/reward ratio, and it breaks down for everyone at some point.

It also has to do with how you perceive the work and the reward.

As some have said, they LIKE the extra planning so it doesn't add much to the work burden.

In addition, some require more of a reward than others. Someone may decide the reward is not big enough if they can't ride all headliners multiple times, and others might have a less rigid requirement.

We're all different. My trip is in a few weeks. So far, for me, the additional work has not been a big deal so far, but I will concede, for sure, that extra work has been required. (I can tell you that no one else in my family would have put in this amount of work!)

It remains to be seen what kind of "reward" we'll get. If I feel that my reward has been diminished very little, I'll likely plan another trip. If I feel my reward has been diminished alot, I probably won't.

And that analysis is different for each family.

 

[Luckybee]

I can tell you that no one else in my family would have put in this amount of work!

Although I like your entire post this stood out for me. Dh thought I was nuts with the amount of time planning our last trip....lol. Of course after we were there his response was something to the effect of "yep you were right things really have changed"

 

[MickeyOCD]

Keep trying to score it for one person, then copy your plans to your whole party. That occasionally works. If not search each person 1 at a time, then try to change the time. I booked 39 days out and there were none for 3, but was able to get 3 individual ones at 2:15-3:15 2:45-3:45 3:00-4:00 Giving us a 15 minute window to ride together.[/QUOTE

THIS!!!! I've done this too!!! Just see if you can change 1 person & see if there are overlapping times that would work for your whole party!

 

[cakebaker]

Back to the actual topic....

I would say that getting the top rides during such a busy time would always be a problem. If you can stand it, I would get to the park at rope drop and head straight for the ride. I would never chance such late FP+ during that week in the hope that I can change them later.

Pretty good advice- we've put off things thinking we can do them later as we planned, then things happen and we miss it. It happened on this last trip. We try to get the most important things to us out of the way early on, then repeat them if we have the chance.

 

[Suvadoo]

Although I like your entire post this stood out for me. Dh thought I was nuts with the amount of time planning our last trip....lol. Of course after we were there his response was something to the effect of "yep you were right things really have changed"

That's the problem, so much planning. Is it enough return on my invested time? I don't know the answer anymore.

 

[JimmyV]

That's the problem, so much planning. Is it enough return on my invested time? I don't know the answer anymore.

Some of the frustration comes from the fact that so many members of this Board are seasoned veterans who used to be able to tackle a trip to WDW like it was a walk down the driveway to pick up the mail. We knew it all. Could do it all. And could plan it all. In our sleep. But the game changed and we were all sent back to square one. No one likes having the advantages gained from years of experience stripped away from them. So the question becomes, do you want to do what it takes to become a "pro" all over again, or have you been to WDW so many times now that the investment in time is no longer worth it, and it is time to move on to something else. Tough call.

 

[Suvadoo]

Some of the frustration comes from the fact that so many members of this Board are seasoned veterans who used to be able to tackle a trip to WDW like it was a walk down the driveway to pick up the mail. We knew it all. Could do it all. And could plan it all. In our sleep. But the game changed and we were all sent back to square one. No one likes having the advantages gained from years of experience stripped away from them. So the question becomes, do you want to do what it takes to become a "pro" all over again, or have you been to WDW so many times now that the investment in time is no longer worth it, and it is time to move on to something else. Tough call.

You're right about the retraining, but even as I learn the new system it still takes more planning time that isn't much fun. For my part, if I felt as if I was getting the same wonderful Disney vacation it might make the re-train easier. I personally feel like I'm required to work more in pre-planning, pay more, and in return Disney is providing less.

 

[mom2rtk]

You're right about the retraining, but even as I learn the new system it still takes more planning time that isn't much fun. For my part, if I felt as if I was getting the same wonderful Disney vacation it might make the re-train easier. I personally feel like I'm required to work more in pre-planning, pay more, and in return Disney is providing less.

Agreed. More planning time. More frustration. Less payoff. No amount of planning will let me schedule ToT and Soarin on our Epcot day.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Some of the frustration comes from the fact that so many members of this Board are seasoned veterans who used to be able to tackle a trip to WDW like it was a walk down the driveway to pick up the mail. We knew it all. Could do it all. And could plan it all. In our sleep. But the game changed and we were all sent back to square one. No one likes having the advantages gained from years of experience stripped away from them. So the question becomes, do you want to do what it takes to become a "pro" all over again, or have you been to WDW so many times now that the investment in time is no longer worth it, and it is time to move on to something else. Tough call.

I just returned from the first usage of my new Florida State Park Annual Pass. It was sublime!

 

[Planogirl]

Pretty soon, even this sentiment will fade. I liken it to going skiing. Back when lift tickets were $25, I would go irrespective of the conditions. Now, with lift tickets for a family of three costing $270 or more per day, conditions have to be pretty darn near perfect to get me to bite. It is no longer "good enough" to be out on the mountain. I am not going to spend $270 plus $70 more for ski lodge food to ski on ice, bare patches, or in -10 degree weather. For that amount of money, I want a perfect day, or at least as close as nature will allow.

I am now getting that same feeling about WDW. If a bunch of rides are closed, others are out of commission for long stretches due to breakdowns, there are rides that are limited to "FP+ Only", and my best efforts to score FPs at midnight didn't net us what we wanted, I have to seriously reconsider the cost and time investment. While no trip can ever be perfect, I can certainly narrow my opportunities down to "practically perfect." Is three FP+s for rides I used to walk on to, coupled with no hope of getting a 4th (or 5th, or 9th FP) coupled with 45+ minute SB waits for rides "better than being at home"? Not any more. I can't imagine that I will ever go back at a time when crowds levels are anticipated to be 8, 9 or 10.

This is a wonderful post! Truly we each have to weigh whether the trouble and cost are worth it. And it's not only about fastpasses. It's also food, resorts, service, transportation and so on. Not to mention when certain things change in a way that you hate.

 

[Ellwood970]

Some of the frustration comes from the fact that so many members of this Board are seasoned veterans who used to be able to tackle a trip to WDW like it was a walk down the driveway to pick up the mail. We knew it all. Could do it all. And could plan it all. In our sleep. But the game changed and we were all sent back to square one. No one likes having the advantages gained from years of experience stripped away from them. So the question becomes, do you want to do what it takes to become a "pro" all over again, or have you been to WDW so many times now that the investment in time is no longer worth it, and it is time to move on to something else. Tough call.

It is more than that. They have put a system in place that is not ready for the demands put on it. I have said I like Magicbands mymagic+ fastpasses etc it is just not ready and breaks down too often.