Disney finally Made Me Mad

[2Tiggies]

At a time when some people were starting to come around on it. Really has me scratching my head.

Precisely what I was thinking

 

[2Tiggies]

This must be to make these M&Gs seem exclusive.

Possible

Or maybe a trial to turn all of them into FP only...

Or just plain insanity!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

OK, going to step out and play the devil's advocate here. It's actually a pretty shrewd marketing move. There are a lot of families with toddlers who don't spend a lot of time in Epcot. One of the things that is attractive to those families are the M&G, and very often the lines are very long. Making some of the M&G FP+ only might encourage those families to try Epcot, since getting the little ones in to see their favorite characters will be much easier and quicker, because for the most part, only the families with small children will spend a FP on those M&G. Now, it would make a whole lot of sense if they would make those a special tier (FPMG tier 1), but it still makes some sense to me for that demographic.

OK, let the flaming begin

Exactly this. Also, it helps split their demographics. Kids with toddlers who LOVE pooh, will definitely use their fastpass for this....freeing up FP's on Soarin and TT.

Also, having a specific number of guests per hour will allow for a different level of interaction.

 

[mesaboy2]

OK, going to step out and play the devil's advocate here. It's actually a pretty shrewd marketing move. There are a lot of families with toddlers who don't spend a lot of time in Epcot. One of the things that is attractive to those families are the M&G, and very often the lines are very long. Making some of the M&G FP+ only might encourage those families to try Epcot, since getting the little ones in to see their favorite characters will be much easier and quicker, because for the most part, only the families with small children will spend a FP on those M&G. Now, it would make a whole lot of sense if they would make those a special tier (FPMG tier 1), but it still makes some sense to me for that demographic.

OK, let the flaming begin

Yeah, no. Which M&Gs in Epcot were very long again?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

OK, going to step out and play the devil's advocate here. It's actually a pretty shrewd marketing move. There are a lot of families with toddlers who don't spend a lot of time in Epcot. One of the things that is attractive to those families are the M&G, and very often the lines are very long. Making some of the M&G FP+ only might encourage those families to try Epcot, since getting the little ones in to see their favorite characters will be much easier and quicker, because for the most part, only the families with small children will spend a FP on those M&G. Now, it would make a whole lot of sense if they would make those a special tier (FPMG tier 1), but it still makes some sense to me for that demographic.

OK, let the flaming begin

No flaming from me. As I stated above, I'm sure it has something to do with manipulating behaviors or attitudes. Still don't have to like it tho. And it really is NOT convenient if we have to use kiosks and the only one in WS is at IG. I do have hope they'll let us use the app soon tho. I don't mind being buried in my phone but do feel bad for others that want to leave theirs in the room.

 

[ktlm]

Are there any other FP only attractions/M&Gs? I wasn't aware that anything was EVER FP only. I thought you ALWAYS had the right to stand in line and wait.

Yes- but right now it is only character meet and greets:

1. Pooh and Tigger at UK EPCOT as is being discussed (and they removed them from AK so you can't just go see them over there):

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/epcot/character-meet-winnie-tigger-uk/

2. Minnie at DHS - also Tier One:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/character-meet-minnie-animation/

and
3. Donald and Daisy at AK (No TH ADR and no FP+= no Daisy and Donald for you):

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/search/?searchQuery=FP++only&autoSuggestedQuery=


I will be surprised if it lasts because here is how I see it going multiple times a day- at least for Pooh and Tigger who can be seen from the store in UK:

Little 3 year old Jackson walks into the UK store with Mom and spots Pooh and Tigger and starts begging to go see them. There is absolutely no line for Pooh and Tigger. The CM tells Mom it doesn't matter that there is no line, little Jackson can not go over and hug Pooh and Tigger and get photos without a FP+. Little Jackson starts crying because Pooh and Tigger will wave at him, but he isn't allowed to get near them even though no one else is with them and there is no line for them. Mom says, honey we can't FP+ them because we all have a FP for Soarin in 2 hours.- or we can't FP+ them because we just FP+ Mickey at the Character Spot and hour ago and we can't get another TIER one FP+ until our other 2 are used up. Little Jackson cries louder. Mom gets irate because it is ridiculous that Little Jackson cannot hug Pooh and Tigger and take a picture when they are standing there doing absolutely nothing with no line simply because they do not have a FP+. MOM is irate enough to march to guest services and throw a fit. This repeats pretty much daily- possibly multiple times a day.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Exactly this. Also, it helps split their demographics. Kids with toddlers who LOVE pooh, will definitely use their fastpass for this....freeing up FP's on Soarin and TT.

Also, having a specific number of guests per hour will allow for a different level of interaction.

I am sure this is going to sound selfish, but for the life of me, I can't see someone that likes/loves Soarin' or TT not going on either ride for a M&G with Pooh & Tigger. I can see the M&G maybe being picked for a 5th or 6th FP+ of the day.

 

[Bugdozer]

How will this work with DAS cards. I am assuming they won't be allowed since there is no standby line with a wait time posted to give you a return time...

 

[mom2rtk]

Little 3 year old Jackson walks into the UK store with Mom and spots Pooh and Tigger and starts begging to go see them. There is absolutely no line for Pooh and Tigger. The CM tells Mom it doesn't matter that there is no line, little Jackson can not go over and hug Pooh and Tigger and get photos without a FP+. Little Jackson starts crying because Pooh and Tigger will wave at him, but he isn't allowed to get near them even though no one else is with them and there is no line for them. Mom says, honey we can't FP+ them because we all have a FP for Soarin in 2 hours.- or we can't FP+ them because we just FP+ Mickey at the Character Spot and hour ago and we can't get another TIER one FP+ until our other 2 are used up. Little Jackson cries louder. Mom gets irate because it is ridiculous that Little Jackson cannot hug Pooh and Tigger and take a picture when they are standing there doing absolutely nothing with no line simply because they do not have a FP+. MOM is irate enough to march to guest services and throw a fit. This repeats pretty much daily- possibly multiple times a day.

I see that as a very real possibility.

 

[morethananyonex]

OK, going to step out and play the devil's advocate here. It's actually a pretty shrewd marketing move. There are a lot of families with toddlers who don't spend a lot of time in Epcot. One of the things that is attractive to those families are the M&G, and very often the lines are very long. Making some of the M&G FP+ only might encourage those families to try Epcot, since getting the little ones in to see their favorite characters will be much easier and quicker, because for the most part, only the families with small children will spend a FP on those M&G. Now, it would make a whole lot of sense if they would make those a special tier (FPMG tier 1), but it still makes some sense to me for that demographic.

OK, let the flaming begin

It was easy and quick to see Pooh and Tigger in Epcot. FP wasn't necessary for that. Now if parents want to ride TT and Soarin' too, as well as have that quick and easy meet and greet, they're going to have to blow through 3 FP first and grab a 4th (hopefully for a good time) in order to do most of that.

All the FP has done is made it more scheduled. As a parent of a toddler, I much prefer an uncrowded meet and greet I could walk up to whatever time suited me best, which is what it was.

Exactly this. Also, it helps split their demographics. Kids with toddlers who LOVE pooh, will definitely use their fastpass for this....freeing up FP's on Soarin and TT.

Also, having a specific number of guests per hour will allow for a different level of interaction.

I will definitely not use a FP for this, unless it's all that's available.

All the characters in these FP+ only meet and greets are easy to meet elsewhere. I can't speak for other parents of small children, but for us, Pooh and Tigger will be met at Crystal Palace, and mom and dad will be riding Soarin' and/or TT with a shorter wait.

The difference in interaction is an interesting point, but the same could be said for uncrowded meet & greets without FP+.

 

[mom2rtk]

How will this work with DAS cards. I am assuming they won't be allowed since there is no standby line with a wait time posted to give you a return time...

That's a fascinating question.

 

[chocolatemint]

This change has me really, really concerned about the direction things appear to be heading.

Am I going to be paying thousands of dollars for my family to only see a few rides that we have (hopefully) reserved in advance? Having rides or M&Gs that are FP+ ONLY is ridiculously alienating. The tiering (only able to choose ONE tier 1 ride in Epcot?????) is ridiculous. It's forcing me onto rides I don't want in order to get another FP for a ride I do want.

I was excitedly planning our trip but now wonder if things are going to be worse by the time we expected to arrive.

Honestly? I think I may have to put planning on hold until I see how this plays out.

 

[CAHarwell]

Yeah, no. Which M&Gs in Epcot were very long again?

OK, maybe not Anna & Elsa long, but when were in WDW 5 years ago this October, the line for Pooh & Tigger in the UK was very long and the wait to see Beauty & the Beast was sizable.

 

[mom2rtk]

Having rides or M&Gs that are FP+ ONLY is ridiculously alienating.

 

[mom2rtk]

the wait to see Beauty & the Beast was sizable.

They fixed that.

The Beast is now ADR exclusive.

 

[k5thbeatle]

I must ask, what is "A&E" and "P&T"?

 

[mom2rtk]

I must ask, what is "A&E" and "P&T"?

Anna and Elsa

Pooh and Tigger

 

[chocolatemint]

I must ask, what is "A&E" and "P&T"?

Anna & Elsa ; Pooh & Tigger

 

[Kate and Family]

It's the FP+ ONLY that is so disturbing to me.

If Pooh thinks he is tier 1, then all I can say is "Silly ole bear"

FWIW, I would be surprised if these M&G are not behind closed doors. I do not think that little Jackson will see them from the walkways.

 

[Skywise]

I must ask, what is "A&E" and "P&T"?

Anna and Elsa

Pooh and Tigger

Ohhhhh... I thought it was Penn & Teller...