Disney finally Made Me Mad

[Anonomom]

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.

 

[katt789]

I feel like that's ridiculously weird for it to be fast pass only. I believe the Minnie at DHS as there's only room for 1 queue and I've heard that they're going to have her talking over there eventually.

Maybe to just draw away from headline attractions?

On the plus side, Pooh & Tigger are still out all day at MK, and they're hidden away at the boat dock down at AK, barely anyone knows they're there! It's almost the same!

 

[morethananyonex]

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.

What the heck? FP+ only? That's ridiculous. Adding FP to a meet like the ones mentioned would be bad enough.

Is this to satisfy people who can't get their hands on a more desirable FP+ as the 4th FP option, so they're making an "exclusive" meet and greet that will likely be available as tier 1?

Talk about ruining a good thing.

 

[MuddyTires]

I haven't given this much thought, but first reaction is that no existing attractions and meet and greets should be FP only, and certainly not both FP only and Tier 1 restricted.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Aw, I'm sorry. That stinks. The Winnie the Pooh and Tigger M&G at AK is really cute too but I know it's not the same.

I'm not opposed to M&Gs becoming FP+, but Tier One? Add them into Tier 2 if they want, Epcot needs all the help it can get in that tier.

 

[Missyrose]

What the heck? FP+ only? That's ridiculous. Adding FP to a meet like the ones mentioned would be bad enough.

Is this to satisfy people who can't get their hands on a more desirable FP+ as the 4th FP option, so they're making an "exclusive" meet and greet that will likely be available as tier 1?

Talk about ruining a good thing.

Ding, ding, ding! Disney needs more FP+ options for people to use for those extra FP+. The more exclusive they feel, the better. I wonder how much this will spread to other M&Gs?

 

[prudence64]

Got a link for this?

 

[ferd]

I feel like that's ridiculously weird for it to be fast pass only. I believe the Minnie at DHS as there's only room for 1 queue and I've heard that they're going to have her talking over there eventually.

Maybe to just draw away from headline attractions?

On the plus side, Pooh & Tigger are still out all day at MK, and they're hidden away at the boat dock down at AK, barely anyone knows they're there! It's almost the same!

May 10th is their last day in Animal Kingdom. Donald and Daisy will be meeting in their spot (with FP+ as an option, too, I believe.)

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-at-disney's-animal-kingdom-this-saturday.htm

(and Kenny the Pirate has the info as well as the changes in the UK and HS characters.)

 

[Anonomom]

Got a link for this?

http://networkedblogs.com/WHkw8

 

[morethananyonex]

Aw, I'm sorry. That stinks. The Winnie the Pooh and Tigger M&G at AK is really cute too but I know it's not the same.

I'm not opposed to M&Gs becoming FP+, but Tier One? Add them into Tier 2 if they want, Epcot needs all the help it can get in that tier.

From what I found, sounds like Pooh & Tigger are being kicked out of their spot in AK for a FP+ only meet and greet with Donald and Daisy.

 

[Globalfootprint]

Whats tier 1 mean for fast pass?

 

[mesaboy2]

Sounds like Priority Group D may be on the horizon.

Whats tier 1 mean for fast pass?

See the green link in my signature.

 

[AthenaBolina]

Wow, this is pretty disappointing meeting pooh and tigger at Epcot was one of my favorites!

 

[Reddog1134]

Looks like this is confirmed.

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

ETA: It's no longer showing FP+ only.

 

[mom2rtk]

FP+ has hit a new low. Looks like nothing more than a strong arm tactic to get people to pay admission but not do certain rides.

So when there is a lull, do the characters just sit around and twiddle their thumbs instead of seeing standby people?

 

[Eclpz314]

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

 

[morethananyonex]

FP+ has hit a new low. Looks like nothing more than a strong arm tactic to get people to pay admission but not do certain rides.

So when there is a lull, do the characters just sit around and twiddle their thumbs instead of seeing standby people?

That's what I was wondering, but figured this will be an extremely easy to get FP+ considering it is close to the least desirable choice for initial tier 1 selection and there is no pesky stand by line taking up capacity. Should be available most of the time for the 4th FP, hopefully keeping poor Pooh and Tigger busy.

Otherwise, I'm picturing them sadly waving at children from across the room unable to give them hugs because they have a Soarin FP.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's what I was wondering, but figured this will be an extremely easy to get FP+ considering it is close to the least desirable choice for initial tier 1 selection and there is no pesky stand by line taking up capacity. Should be available most of the time for the 4th FP, hopefully keeping poor Pooh and Tigger busy.

Otherwise, I'm picturing them sadly waving at children from across the room unable to give them hugs because they have a Soarin FP.

Good point about the 4th FP.

Still really rotten though. BOO!

 

[prudence64]

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

 

[Globalfootprint]

Sounds like Priority Group D may be on the horizon.



See the green link in my signature.

Thanks