Couldn't get Slinky FP today

[cmwade77]

Grr.......I book on Saturday for our June Trip and shooting for June 10.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I’m telling you the DAY OF in the morning I have def been having my best results I still cant believe I got a 10:55 FOP at 9 am

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

Why does it bother you that WDW offers special events? You don’t have to buy them, but it doesn’t cost you anything that they offer them. There are tons of special offerings I’d like to do, but that aren’t in my budget. It doesn’t make me feel 2nd class at all. If what they offered diminished my visit it would be a different story.

It is frustrating that demand is so heavy, but these special events actually lighten the demand on FP’s during regular hours I think. We’re doing DAH at HS and the MK and I have no need for fp’s for SDD or SDMT as we’ll ride them then. I had booked them until the events became available, then cancelled them once we got tickets for the events. I doubt I’m the only one that does that.

Here's the deal. I've been going to Disney for years. I remember when they hosted EMH's for resort guests when they were 3 hours long and I remember paying for E-Ride nights when they charged 30 dollars per person. 129 dollars for adults (10 and up) is a crazy price to pay if youre getting the same perks you used to get for free or much cheaper. Disney can do what they want but I don't have to think it's right or fair. People are being priced out, that's more than obvious. I'm about there, but not quite. I can still afford to go but have no idea when I'll finally have to pack it in. That means not being able to obtain fast passes at the 60 day mark is a lot more frustrating than it may have been for me a few years ago.

 

[cakebaker]

Here's the deal. I've been going to Disney for years. I remember when they hosted EMH's for resort guests when they were 3 hours long and I remember paying for E-Ride nights when they charged 30 dollars per person. 129 dollars for adults (10 and up) is a crazy price to pay if youre getting the same perks you used to get for free or much cheaper. Disney can do what they want but I don't have to think it's right or fair. People are being priced out, that's more than obvious. I'm about there, but not quite. I can still afford to go but have no idea when I'll finally have to pack it in. That means not being able to obtain fast passes at the 60 day mark is a lot more frustrating than it may have been for me a few years ago.

I remember the e nights that cost $10 for the 3 hrs, 4 resorts and near empty parks at those events, so been going a very long time. Those days are long gone and they aren't coming back. People just have to make their own decisions as to whether it's still worth it and with the addition of premium events, it is for me.

 

[brockash]

Here's the deal. I've been going to Disney for years. I remember when they hosted EMH's for resort guests when they were 3 hours long and I remember paying for E-Ride nights when they charged 30 dollars per person. 129 dollars for adults (10 and up) is a crazy price to pay if youre getting the same perks you used to get for free or much cheaper. Disney can do what they want but I don't have to think it's right or fair. People are being priced out, that's more than obvious. I'm about there, but not quite. I can still afford to go but have no idea when I'll finally have to pack it in. That means not being able to obtain fast passes at the 60 day mark is a lot more frustrating than it may have been for me a few years ago.

100% The reason ppl. have an issue with Disney charging an insane amount of money for these "extra events" is because Disney did this by taking away things that used to be free from the mundane 2nd class citizens of today.

Not to mention the fact that ppl. also realize that it's just the consumer eating right out of the greedy hand which will only show more and more of extra money being needed to "enjoy" a less hassled trip.

 

[brockash]

No, they really aren't. Disney cut back on those long ago, long before DAH or EMM. I don't think they'll ever go back to what it used to be regardless of DAH or EMM and if that's true, no one loses anything with the special events. EMM has very little affect on rope drop. Guests who do EMM get out of TSL before the crowd gets there. At least those who choose to do these events help to reduce demand during regular hours.


I guess I'll just never understand why not being able to afford something someone else can afford makes anyone feel second class. Our first trip, I went with my sister and her family. We stayed at Fort Wilderness, brought food from home and never even ate a purchased snack in the parks. Every meal was at the cabin. My kids whined to go to River Country, but I couldn't afford it and they understood, although they've never really forgiven me for promising next time- it closed before we returned. We actually took a little cash out on our home refinance to afford the trip at all! My sister stayed at the Polynesian. They ate out, had room service in, did extra things we could not afford. Not once did I feel second class nor was I ever treated the least bit different or begrudge her ability to do more.

Lol... do you really not think that this was the plan all along. I'll give it to them, as a company they are great at taking stuff away only to bring aspects back at a much higher price tag and getting "us" to be grateful that we get to pay for it lol.

 

[cakebaker]

Lol... do you really not think that this was the plan all along. I'll give it to them, as a company they are great at taking stuff away only to bring aspects back at a much higher price tag and getting "us" to be grateful that we get to pay for it lol.

Well since they changed the hours years ago, I seriously doubt it. The premium events are completely different from emh's. Crowds are much lower, breakfast or snacks are included and it's just a much better experience. For me, I'd rather pay $95 for 3 hours of a relaxing experience stuffing Mickey Bars in my face than 5 minutes of the crowds at an emh. Sorry, I don't harbor resentment for a business that gives me what I like.

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

Well since they changed the hours years ago, I seriously doubt it. The premium events are completely different from emh's. Crowds are much lower, breakfast or snacks are included and it's just a much better experience. For me, I'd rather pay $95 for 3 hours of a relaxing experience stuffing Mickey Bars in my face than 5 minutes of the crowds at an emh. Sorry, I don't harbor resentment for a business that gives me what I like.

I don't mean to be frustrated, but I just need to say that OF COURSE crowds are lower at these events. I don't know about everyone on this board but 500-600 dollars dropped on a 3 hour event with cheap ice cream novelties and or bottom of the barrel meal options doesn't exactly scream value and less people have the spare funds to throw around on a single evening. Week long trips are at least 3500 and up for a typical family of 4 or more to stay on property and this is just with base tickets and no dining plan included. Don't forget flights either. For that much money resort guests should be enjoying more perks not getting less.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't mean to be frustrated, but I just need to say that OF COURSE crowds are lower at these events. I don't know about everyone on this board but 500-600 dollars dropped on a 3 hour event with cheap ice cream novelties and or bottom of the barrel meal options doesn't exactly scream value and less people have the spare funds to throw around on a single evening. Week long trips are at least 3500 and up for a typical family of 4 or more to stay on property and this is just with base tickets and no dining plan included. Don't forget flights either. For that much money resort guests should be enjoying more perks not getting less.

The crowds are lower because they limit ticket sales. They usually sell out most nights and are extremely popular. But my trip is much too close to be arguing. I love the special events and will book them anytime I can. We obviously disagree and that’s fine, we don’t have to agree. I see the value, you don’t.

 

[Kamy04]

Grr.......I book on Saturday for our June Trip and shooting for June 10.

Me too! Lol. May the odds be ever in our favor. It’s 60+5 for me.

 

[bawamz]

Just to piggy back. So is SDD harder to get than FOP? I can either do HS or AK on 60+2 or 60+5. Which one would you do? I'll be there the first week of October.

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

Just to piggy back. So is SDD harder to get than FOP? I can either do HS or AK on 60+2 or 60+5. Which one would you do? I'll be there the first week of October.

I think they are both equally as hard to get. I would try 60 +5 for whatever attraction is more important to you

 

[cakebaker]

Just to piggy back. So is SDD harder to get than FOP? I can either do HS or AK on 60+2 or 60+5. Which one would you do? I'll be there the first week of October.

Right now, SDD is much harder to get. It’s at 60+4 while FOP was 60+2 today. If you want them each equally, I’d book SDD for the later date first. I don’t think there’s a chance of SDD at 60+2. Things may change by October though. You should check out The Dibb - sign up is free and you can see exactly what the availability looks like for any attraction.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Just to piggy back. So is SDD harder to get than FOP? I can either do HS or AK on 60+2 or 60+5. Which one would you do? I'll be there the first week of October.

Yes. Very.

Today was my day. I was not trying for SDD (we are content to ride at close). But I booked DHS for +2 and no SDD at all (there was AS2 & TSM for late AM and beyond).

I got FoP for +3 (mid afternoon only), +5 (all times) and +6 (all times). I looked at arrival day, for fun and there were evening times available. We are a party of 2. HTH!!!

Also, I was able to book at 3:30am Central while I was up with my senior doggie.

 

[Randomsoulshine]

Yep same thing here. I couldn’t get it for that same day either. I ended up going with Toy Story. First time ever we failed at a FP booking. I was surprised how much trouble I had for booking a two week trip. I am cool with not getting SDD that day and we did get FOP the next day and SDD later in the trip but I couldn’t even get the times we wanted the second week. For the most part I got close but things were definitely picked over.

I was online right at seven. We have a party of 5. All the fastpasses for the day I chose were gone. We are going 6/2-6/8. Does anyone have a similar experience on their 60 day mark? How likely am I to score a FP for it in the future? Thanks for any help. I'm pretty devastated.

My 60 day fast pass was yesterday. SLinky Dog at 60+3 and couldn’t get it. FIrst time I have ever failed at getting what I want at 60 days. I think it will get worse with more and more good neighbor resorts with benefits.

 

[tink2]

Just to piggy back. So is SDD harder to get than FOP? I can either do HS or AK on 60+2 or 60+5. Which one would you do? I'll be there the first week of October.

I made my FP Tuesday for June 1-6 and yes, I found SDD much harder to get than FOP. We were making FP for 5 people. I have two HS days - the only time I could get SDD for my 60+2 day was 7:30pm- I skipped it and got TSM instead so I can possibly get 4th FP during the day. My 60+4 day for HS I got SDD at 2:30pm- the earliest possible time. For 60+3 days at AK- I literally had my pick of times for FOP- starting in the morning through evening- every time was available. We had two computers going on two different MDE accounts that are linked- but we both tried for SDD first. Within minutes SDD was completely gone for both days- while FOP still had many options for times.

 

[Napandnat]

I got lucky and got a FP for Slinky Dog toward the end of our vacation. I began booking fast passes at the 60 day mark (May 30th), and there was only one day with SDD availability - the 2nd to last day of our trip (June 3rd). I went ahead and nabbed it, then shuffled around the days we visit each park as a result. Same thing with FOP, only one slot near the end was available.

I think for anyone that can't get fast passes in advance, the only solution is to rope drop and then head straight for that attraction and hope for a wait under an hour.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

Try standby about 1 hour before the park closes. That strategy has worked for us.

This, except replace 1 hour with 1 minute.

 

[MaizeRage25]

My guess is that party of 7 will be very difficult.

I couldn't get at our 60day mark during this Spring Break season.
We got in line about 15 mins before park close and waited about 40min. Not bad.

 

[avincent]

Well since they changed the hours years ago, I seriously doubt it. The premium events are completely different from emh's. Crowds are much lower, breakfast or snacks are included and it's just a much better experience. For me, I'd rather pay $95 for 3 hours of a relaxing experience stuffing Mickey Bars in my face than 5 minutes of the crowds at an emh. Sorry, I don't harbor resentment for a business that gives me what I like.

I get why people are frustrated with all of the “premium events” that effect park time for those who can’t afford them. I get frustrated everytime WDW comes out with something that looks awesome only to see over a 100.00 per person tag attached. We are a family of 5 so it really adds up. A 5 day vacation in 2010 with free dining cost me 1700.00 that same vacation now costs me over 4000.00 and I get shorter park hours and longer lines. My kids are in the teen/tween age so that bumps up the price but the other is simple inflation on tickets/resorts etc.
That being said I get supply and demand. Disney is more crowded now than it has ever been. The more they charge the more people come so let’s give you smaller lines but it is going to cost you. If I was doing a smaller trip like I did over Christmas I would do nothing but after hours events or parties of some kind but I get it is not feasible when I have already paid 500.00 a person for a 5-7 day ticket. I can’t imagine going to Disney and packing lunches and having to worry about the price of food but I get that some do that why I dine at TS everyday. I guess you have to decide what is most important to you.