Disney finally Made Me Mad

[mesaboy2]

I believe WDW has a reason for making more things FP+ only. There was an article in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday about the increase in profits. Buried way down into the article is this little blurb:

"In addition, Disney said it is more effectively spreading crowds inside its parks, allowing it to squeeze in "thousands" of additional visitors during peak periods such as Christmas and Easter."

You can read the whole article here:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-second-quarter-earnings-20140505,0,7516117.story

Thanks for the link. But still beyond stupid.

D has officially made its debut.

 

[JulieHW]

It's being reported that the Winnie the Pooh M&G in Epcot's UK pavillion will soon be FP only -- no standby option. And it's a tier 1 FP.

I tend to be fairly easygoing about all things Disney. In general, I really like FP+. But this one makes me sad/angry. Seeing Pooh and his buddies at Epcot was my special little Disney tradition -- my very favorite WDW memories have happened in that little tucked-away corner of the World. It's something special to me (as opposed to something my kids pick), and now it's done. I can promise my crew isn't willingly going to burn a fastpass for a 2-second M&G that never had a significant line anyway, and scheduling that encounter takes a fair amount of the charm away from it anyway.

What I really don't understand is why? Touring Plans announced that three different M&Gs are going FP only (the others are Minnie at DHS, Donald & Daisy at AK). As far as I know, none of these is a major guest draw or something that would need to be FP at all, let alone FP exclusive. The fact that they're making them tier 1 FPs makes me suspect they're trying to divert people away from the headliners, but it still seems like a weird and inefficient way to go about it.

I agree with you OP. I think it stinks!!!

 

[CaryHaven]

It's being reported that the Winnie the Pooh M&G in Epcot's UK pavillion will soon be FP only -- no standby option. And it's a tier 1 FP.

I tend to be fairly easygoing about all things Disney. In general, I really like FP+. But this one makes me sad/angry. Seeing Pooh and his buddies at Epcot was my special little Disney tradition -- my very favorite WDW memories have happened in that little tucked-away corner of the World. It's something special to me (as opposed to something my kids pick), and now it's done. I can promise my crew isn't willingly going to burn a fastpass for a 2-second M&G that never had a significant line anyway, and scheduling that encounter takes a fair amount of the charm away from it anyway.

What I really don't understand is why? Touring Plans announced that three different M&Gs are going FP only (the others are Minnie at DHS, Donald & Daisy at AK). As far as I know, none of these is a major guest draw or something that would need to be FP at all, let alone FP exclusive. The fact that they're making them tier 1 FPs makes me suspect they're trying to divert people away from the headliners, but it still seems like a weird and inefficient way to go about it.

I don't think I've ever commented on a pro/con FP+ thread before. Mainly because I was one of few that didn't care that much either way. I can make it work for me if I have to. But now this isn't something I can't work with. It sucks. How are you going to deny someone the right to do what they paid to do? And it is a denial, especially if this extends more and more....if all m&g's ...or all attractions in general....are eventually relegated to FP+. I want the right to stand in line if I want to. And I occasionally do for short waits. This m&g was never a very long wait for us. It was something nice to do in between all the other scheduled things. Am I going to need a FP+ for the bathroom? And the thing about Tier 1....over the top.

 

[morethananyonex]

I've got no problem with meet and greets being fp only since fp is open to everyone, just have a problem with making it a tier 1

Making it tier 1 keeps it open for 4th FP+ usage, as I imagine far more people would be okay with using a tier 2 FP there vs a tier 1.

My problem is taking a perfectly nice and easy meet and greet and making it FP only. Now instead of being near there and deciding "hey I want to meet Pooh and Tigger" you have no choice but to get a FP for it. Yet another thing that can't be done while waiting for your FP time to arrive. If you hold another FP, tough.

It's not that I'm that broken up about this particular meet and greet, but do not like the direction this could be headed in.

 

[agavegirl1]

This is so unbelievable! If it weren't so sad, I'd be ROTFL. I don't see that there will be anything special about these M&Gs. I think the popularity of Anna and Elsa had deluded Disney into thinking they can create demand for previously not very desired attractions by limiting supply instead of increasing the supply of desired attractions to meet the demand.

 

[rapunzels]

Soon we are going to need a FP to eat and using the bathroom will be tiered.

just venting..

 

[morethananyonex]

This is so unbelievable! If it weren't so sad, I'd be ROTFL. I don't see that there will be anything special about these M&Gs. I think the popularity of Anna and Elsa had deluded Disney into thinking they can create demand for previously not very desired attractions by limiting supply instead of increasing the supply of desired attractions to meet the demand.

I don't think it's about creating demand for these fairly unpopular meet and greets.

I think it's about stretching the supply of popular FP+ (the other tier 1 options) by creating exclusive FP+ options that people have no choice but to use a FP for if they want to do. Maybe it will pull some people away from initially booking Soarin'/TT or RnRC/TSMM, but more likely it will sway some people from getting those as a 4th or 5th (etc) FP and use them at a meet instead.

If I had to guess, I think these will be pretty easy to get, but will prevent you from booking a headliner instead.

 

[amberg93]

Poor Pooh bear. But yeah, I'm going to have to say that I'm planning on using a 4th FP+ to see him I guess. I just feel like they're going to be very slow in the mornings until people use up their first 3 FP+s and even then like, you've got to really want to see them not to snatch a TT or Soarin' FP instead.

 

[Skywise]

So... in effect... character interactions are now an E Ticket ride equivalent?

It's ironic because I was just thinking the other day that with the bands they could control ride access like the ticket system and thus re-emphasize the stores and dining for better quality and food. They'd probably do that by keeping the current ticket price fixed but adding-on ride privileges for an additional fee.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Wow! I wondered what was going on b/c I noticed in the mde app today for AK, there was a M&G that said FP+ only for Donald and daisy. Had no clue they what they were talking about. I really do wonder if this is the way of the future. No standby lines for anything.....just advance reserve for everything instead.

 

[toontoy]

Its going to be interesting if they add this to more attractions and experiences. It seems they want to maximize the amount of people in the park. What I am more concerned of is enjoyment of being spontaneous, it seems now if you really want to do something you need to book it in advance.

This could either really help the parks or could be one of the causes for people cancelling their trips. I know my wife and I are on the sidelines this year and last year during all the changes. I love disney parks but can't handle all the uncertainty, change I get but they just need to release the plan. Guess it may be a couple years until we return to the world.

 

[clsteve]

Thanks for the link. But still beyond stupid.

D has officially made its debut.

Hey, it brings back memories from threads past---M&G's are the quickest, cheapest, lowest maintenance FP capacity they can add.

Mesa- you're awesome list may need a few more letters.....

 

[Anonomom]

Making it tier 1 keeps it open for 4th FP+ usage, as I imagine far more people would be okay with using a tier 2 FP there vs a tier 1.

My problem is taking a perfectly nice and easy meet and greet and making it FP only. Now instead of being near there and deciding "hey I want to meet Pooh and Tigger" you have no choice but to get a FP for it. Yet another thing that can't be done while waiting for your FP time to arrive. If you hold another FP, tough.

It's not that I'm that broken up about this particular meet and greet, but do not like the direction this could be headed in.

Yes, this, exactly. I am actually on board with pre-booking eticket attractions, at least a few a day. But if Disney starts stripping all opportunities for spontaneity out of the parks it will be a huge loss. We never "planned" to meet Pooh Bear, but when we were in the UK pavillion we'd always check if they were there and jump in the (short) line. There wasn't a huge queue or a posted wait time. It was just a happy little addition to the day. Planning to be at that pavillion within a one-hour window drains the charm out of this particular encounter.

 

[2Tiggies]

Time to visit Disney's Facebook page again ....

 

[mom2rtk]

Time to visit Disney's Facebook page again ....

 

[mesaboy2]

Hey, it brings back memories from threads past---M&G's are the quickest, cheapest, lowest maintenance FP capacity they can add.

Mesa- you're awesome list may need a few more letters.....

Check again.

 

[morethananyonex]

Check again.

Aren't you fast!

By the way, they aren't showing red & bold like the other tier 1 attractions on your list.

 

[robinb]

I believe WDW has a reason for making more things FP+ only. There was an article in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday about the increase in profits. Buried way down into the article is this little blurb:

"In addition, Disney said it is more effectively spreading crowds inside its parks, allowing it to squeeze in "thousands" of additional visitors during peak periods such as Christmas and Easter."

You can read the whole article here:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-second-quarter-earnings-20140505,0,7516117.story

Oh goody. I can't wait for an even more crowded Christmas/New Year's Eve .

 

[mesaboy2]

Aren't you fast!

By the way, they aren't showing red & bold like the other tier 1 attractions on your list.

Yeah, I haven't seen that part confirmed yet. Plus, I just can't bring myself to do it.

 

[blessedby3]

Im thinking our next trip is going to have to be DisneyLAND!!! They don't have this FP+ mess do they?