Disney World is BROKEN!

[shalom]

It is true that popular vacation destinations tend to be crowded. But what is now taking place at WDW is absurd and truly making the Disney experience a very unpleasant one.

This is not the universal opinion of those who've gone recently. I've read many positive reviews, here and elsewhere, by first timers and long timers, who have been to WDW since the old FP system was phased out. I have read many negative ones as well, obviously, but there's no way for any of us to know whether the "Disney experience" is worse or better now for the majority.

I am a repeat rider myself, and it sounds like some of my favorites are being negatively impacted by these changes. But that tells me nothing about whether it's improving things for the average park goer or not. And the fact is that Disney doesn't care about me any more than it does about any other individual -- their goal is to make the most people happy, not to make me, personally, happy. If my loss is three other people's gain, then that is what Disney's going to do. And Disney has a lot more data on whether that's what's happening or not than I do.

So what, exactly, was unfair about the old FP system that is not directly related to one's own choices about when to get to the parks and how often to use FP? What was there about the system itself that was unfair?

The new system is equally unfair in that people who make Rope Drop will still have the opportunity to ride more rides with less waiting. Someone on the Commando thread in the Community board reports that it looks like fewer people are making rope drop, presumably because people figure they've got those three FPs locked in so they don't have to rush, meaning the RD advantage is even greater under FP+.

One way that FP+ changes things is in allowing first timers more opportunity to ride the most popular rides. With FP-, people who were "in the know" because they'd been there before or because they'd done more research or because they were considerably more mobile could ride some rides multiple times with minimal waits, while first timers or the immobile were less able to get a fast pass and had longer waits because someone else was FPing for the third or fourth time that day.

People who used FP- to ride something multiple times still have the opportunity to ride multiple times; what they don't have is the opportunity to do it with only minutes of waiting. Now they have to pay the same "time costs" as first timers. All the people who always thought FP was unfair (I am not one of them) certainly think that part makes things "more fair."

People who were not as mobile were also at a disadvantage under FP-. I always made RD, and in terms of the gate could be at the front of the line, but in the race to FP machines I'd lose the advantage caused by "my own choice" to get there early, because other people could walk faster than I could. I definitely never chose to be short or stiff with sciatica.

Neither system was totally fair, and probably no system ever could be. If Disney continues to disallow repeat FPs, then it's pretty clear that Disney felt people using the FP system for multiple rides were disadvantaging the other riders. Disney's house, Disney's rules.

 

[boBQuincy]

It's about equality of opportunity. Not equality of outcome. Everyone under legacy FP started each and every day with the exact same opportunity available to them.

Off topic: WDW will be glad you are not returning, they were getting annoyed that your fabulous dresses and costumes made theirs look bad!

On topic: It is interesting that those who read and plan (us) were accused of being "unfair" by those who just showed up without reading about WDW first. The new way may be meant to be more "fair" to all whether they plan or not but as usual it will eventually be skewed to those who learn how it works (us again). Repeat.....

 

[Jennasis]

Legacy wasn't equal for everyone. Those who got greatest use tended to utilize park runners from their group. How does a single parent do that? What about people with disabilities that prevent them from getting to rope drop?

No system will be fair to everyone. Disney is only worried about pleasing the masses. Not the individual.

By your own definition then, FP- was better. The "masses" are not single parents or people with disabilities. So Disney shouldn't be changing the system to make things better for that small group. Right? Disney shouldn't be worried about tending to those very few individuals.

Legacy was equal opportunity for all. That's all. For better or for worse, an equal opportunity was extended to each and every single (or married/divorced/handicapped/alien-from-Mars) person who visited the park.

 

[mefordis]

Wow, 'Free' lodging at Disney - 'Free' maintenance on DVC - 'Free' Disney gift cards!

A lot of us would like to know how to do Disney for 'Free'!!

Disney 'loves' people like you that considers everything 'free' if it is paid for in advance!

You are paying 'dearly' for 'everything' you are getting at Disney - 'Prepaying, Yes - Free? - a big NO! Disney loves people to be disillusioned!

My entire living expenses for January was free: mortgage, groceries, gas... they are all paid for so they were free, right?

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I will try to contribute what most everyone else is.



Complain. Complain. Complain.


There ya go. That should do it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Off topic: WDW will be glad you are not returning, they were getting annoyed that your fabulous dresses and costumes made theirs look bad!

On topic: It is interesting that those who read and plan (us) were accused of being "unfair" by those who just showed up without reading about WDW first. The new way may be meant to be more "fair" to all whether they plan or not but as usual it will eventually be skewed to those who learn how it works (us again). Repeat.....

LOL, thanks Bob. We were down to one gown this past year. And alas I think that's the end of it. Unless I engineer a switch to Halloween season.

And FWIW, I think this has nothing to do with "fairness". Disney obviously thinks they can make more money this way. Either they will or they won't. But it has nothing to do with fairness. It has everything to do with getting people to "lock in" showing up at a Disney park on a given day. Because they assume that once you "lock in" some Disney attractions, you won't consider going to Universal.

Regardless, I think it's a fascinating study of a high stakes business strategy.

 

[harbin]

We were there last in July 2013. One of the busiest times of the year. We were not part of a FP+. We rarely made rope drop, had a measly 5 days in the parks, it was packed, and ridiculously hot. But guess what? We had a FANTASTIC time. We rode everything we wanted to sometimes multiple times. We had multiple ADR's often twice per day. We had such a great time we are going back in 58 days. I am not concerned about FP+, the crowds, or really anything... It is in the end... Disney. My family and I will enjoy spending quality time together taking in the sights, sounds, and taste of Disney. For me there is nothing "broken" about it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Legacy wasn't equal for everyone. Those who got greatest use tended to utilize park runners from their group. How does a single parent do that? What about people with disabilities that prevent them from getting to rope drop?

No system will be fair to everyone. Disney is only worried about pleasing the masses. Not the individual.

Fastpass runners were really just a added convenience because it takes longer for a large group to maneuver through the parks than it does for an individual to do so. (They didn't really run). Single parents with children were welcome at the FP machines too. My daughter and I made many trips alone together where we maximized FP without ever using a runner. Really all you had to do to maximize legacy FP was pay attention, read the time your FP TOLD YOU that you were eligible to pull anther..... and make a point to do so. It wasn't really complicated.

Thankfully Disney has always had programs in place to help groups with a disabled member make the most of their park experience.

 

[DOOM1001]

The whole "I'm going to Universal" mantra cracks me up...

I think people have the right to complain about FP+, as others have the right to enjoy WDW and FP+.

But the cries of "I'm going to Universal, it's so great" are a bit naive.
If you believe that everyone and their brother and their relatives and their friends are going to abandon Disney for Universal, then what happens when Universal is swamped with huge Disney like crowds?

The standby lines will become ridiculously long there as well. For those who say "I'll get the express pass" well guess what, so will everyone else... Their is no FP- at Universal, and the result is that both the standby lines and the express pass lines will be very long. If you think that Universal will regulate how many express passes are sold, Lol. No, Lol. They are a corporation that thrives on profit, and they will look at long lines as a sign of success. They will let their park get just as crowded as the Disney does with the MK, and express pass sales are more money in their coffers.

The fun will be reading the Universal boards and seeing the outrage the regulars exhibit concerning the now ridiculously long lines, both standby and express pass, if this happens. They will be hating on the "Disney" people who came to "their" park and ruined it. Lol.

Disney had record attendance at the Florida parks the past few years, and even with FP+ I expect that they, and Universal, will report record attendance and profits in 2014. Unless both parks start limiting daily attendance a la Discovery Cove, in a few years both Disney and Universal will be a mess.

Universal also has way more opportunities to get on rides with single rider lines:
Incredible Hulk,Spider-Man,Popeye and Bluto's barges,Dudley Do Right,Dr.Doom's fearfall,Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,Hollywood Rip,Ride,Rockit,Revenge of the Mummy,Transformers The ride,Men In Black all have Singles lines always or during peak times.That's 10 rides in 2 parks compared to 3 in all of WDW.Singles lines are the greatest invention in theme parks and Disney should offer more of them.Nothing like getting on these rides 3 times in a row in a span of 20-30 minutes,so even though there's no free express you can do a lot if you use these lines.That and the fact that there are just more rides in the parks overall so lines are not always bad.Let's look at Dragon Challenge inside the Harry Potter area at Universal,it has no singles lines and you can go ride this ride standby most of the time and wait 10-15 minutes max,I know Disney doesn't do these type of coasters but if this ride was inside Disney with it's lack of rides it would have a minimum 45-60 minute wait all the time.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Fastpass runners were really just a added convenience because it takes longer for a large group to maneuver through the parks than it does for an individual to do so. (They didn't really run). Single parents with children were welcome at the FP machines too. My daughter and I made many trips alone together where we maximized FP without ever using a runner. Really all you had to do to maximize legacy FP was pay attention, read the time your FP TOLD YOU that you were eligible to pull anther..... and make a point to do so. It wasn't really complicated.

Thankfully Disney has always had programs in place to help groups with a disabled member make the most of their park experience.

Out of my 1,500 or so FP- tickets, I never once RAN to get one. Although it appears that Disney DID promote that.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Universal also has way more opportunities to get on rides with single rider lines:
Incredible Hulk,Spider-Man,Popeye and Bluto's barges,Dudley Do Right,Dr.Doom's fearfall,Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,Hollywood Rip,Ride,Rockit,Revenge of the Mummy,Transformers The ride,Men In Black all have Singles lines always or during peak times.That's 10 rides in 2 parks compared to 3 in all of WDW.Singles lines are the greatest invention in theme parks and Disney should offer more of them.Nothing like getting on these rides 3 times in a row in a span of 20-30 minutes,so even though there's no free express you can do a lot if you use these lines.That and the fact that there are just more rides in the parks overall so lines are not always bad.Let's look at Dragon Challenge inside the Harry Potter area at Universal,it has no singles lines and you can go ride this ride standby most of the time and wait 10-15 minutes max,I know Disney doesn't do these type of coasters but if this ride was inside Disney with it's lack of rides it would have a minimum 45-60 minute wait all the time.

Great point, Doom! My wife and I have been so many times that when we aren't getting FOTL by staying onsite, we often hit the single rider's line. Three out of four times we end up riding together anyway. The standby line could be 30-40 minutes but we'd go through single rider, be sitting side by side in most cases...in less than 10 minutes. It's a pretty sweet deal.

 

[shalom]

Disney obviously thinks they can make more money this way. Either they will or they won't. But it has nothing to do with fairness. It has everything to do with getting people to "lock in" showing up at a Disney park on a given day. Because they assume that once you "lock in" some Disney attractions, you won't consider going to Universal.

Totally agree. Ran across a quote by someone who likes FP+ who said she wasn't sure how much she'd spent because using the band made it so easy; bet Disney likes that part of it, too.

Also agree with Bob about the dresses.

Really all you had to do to maximize legacy FP was pay attention, read the time your FP TOLD YOU that you were eligible to pull anther..... and make a point to do so. It wasn't really complicated.

FP- involved more walking, or at least it always did when I used one. You had to go get one, then you had to get back when it was useable. I am not disabled in any meaningful sense, but I definitely haven't logged the daily miles at WDW that a lot of people do and I plan my park days with a minimum of backtracking. Sometimes I'd have the kids run get an FP for me, but usually I just went without. Being able to do all my daily FPs in one shot from one place sounds wonderful... assuming it works as advertised and the band doesn't suddenly decide I don't exist or something.

 

[Chuckers]

Universal also has way more opportunities to get on rides with single rider lines:
Incredible Hulk,Spider-Man,Popeye and Bluto's barges,Dudley Do Right,Dr.Doom's fearfall,Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,Hollywood Rip,Ride,Rockit,Revenge of the Mummy,Transformers The ride,Men In Black all have Singles lines always or during peak times.That's 10 rides in 2 parks compared to 3 in all of WDW.Singles lines are the greatest invention in theme parks and Disney should offer more of them.Nothing like getting on these rides 3 times in a row in a span of 20-30 minutes,so even though there's no free express you can do a lot if you use these lines.That and the fact that there are just more rides in the parks overall so lines are not always bad.Let's look at Dragon Challenge inside the Harry Potter area at Universal,it has no singles lines and you can go ride this ride standby most of the time and wait 10-15 minutes max,I know Disney doesn't do these type of coasters but if this ride was inside Disney with it's lack of rides it would have a minimum 45-60 minute wait all the time.

I think single rider lines are awesome, since I am usually a single rider... The problem comes when groups hit the single rider line because it will be shorter and they think they'll be able to pair up anyway. I've heard families/couples in the Test Track single rider line actually say that they wanted to sit together.

Disneyland had a single rider line at TSMM and it was fan-tastic! Unfortunately, they took it away. Why? Because parents complained that their child was stuck sitting with a stranger. I knew a few CM's who would not put a single with a child for that reason.

 

[DOOM1001]

FP- involved more walking, or at least it always did when I used one. You had to go get one, then you had to get back when it was useable. I am not disabled in any meaningful sense, but I definitely haven't logged the daily miles at WDW that a lot of people do and I plan my park days with a minimum of backtracking. Sometimes I'd have the kids run get an FP for me, but usually I just went without. Being able to do all my daily FPs in one shot from one place sounds wonderful... assuming it works as advertised and the band doesn't suddenly decide I don't exist or something.

That and getting FP+ for rides like TSMM before coming to the parks are pretty much the best points of FP+ for sure.TSMM and Soarin you pretty much have to be there early to grab that legacy FP, with FP+ you don't have that worry.So FP+ is not all bad but they sure need to improve things like having more than 3 per day,giving you the ability to book them at more than one park,the tiering issues and the website itself as well as the app which is on my phone but I have yet to figure out how to get to my MDE info when using it as it just gives me general info,on the website I can at least get to my MDE info and make reservations but it takes forever to get to the info.And more importantly just adding more rides as this new system is showing just how lacking they are in major rides.Those are the main points with the FP+,the magicbands I think are a great idea,not having to pull out your pass to enter the parks,your room or the attractions you book with FP+ even though that last one takes longer than just going through with the paper FP.One thing I however won't be doing is linking a credit card to the bands.

 

[tim123]

I've been to DW over 10 times in my 40+ years and the experience just gets worse each year. I really wanted to believe that each bad visit was just an anomaly...maybe bad luck, or the wrong time of year, but I've learned that it doesn't really matter when you go, the Disney Magic is long gone.

The root of all the problems are the crowds, or more specifically the over demand/ under supply imbalance related to their most popular attractions. Even in the "slow" months ( I just got back yesterday), the parks are so crowded you are forced into full Disney combat mode to make sure you have a " fun" time at the park. You all know what that is... Get there at rope drop, get your fast passes, plan your route, make ur adrs months in advance, eat early, ride while others are watching parades. It's INSANITY! But not doing all that is even more insane because you'll be stuck in lines all day and maybe even miss riding certain attractions all together if you don't follow THE plan. There has got to be a better way. A way for an average family to have a fun, relaxing, enjoyable time at a DW park without having to read the Disboards for a month, make adrs months in advance, get up at 6am to beat rope drop, or need a precise touring plan to stay one step ahead of the masses all day long.

I think it's time for a rebellion. It's time we let disney know that their parks are broken. That the experience has lost a lot of its fun. THat we are tired of them allowing more people into the parks then their attractions and restaurants can comfortably accommodate. That we expect some drastic rethinking of what sort of experience they are attempting to provide.

To address these problems won't be easy or cheap, and disney has absolutely no incentive to even try unless we make our displeasure known. So if you too found your disney vacation more of a stresscation than a vacation, speak up, let us know what you think could be done to make things better.

I'll start with my 2 cents.

1. In busy periods, far fewer people should be let in. It's that simple. Just because they are legally allowed to jam a zillion people into the park, doesn't mean they should.

2. Even in slower periods, you're still stuck in crazy long lines for the main rides or forced to get there at rope drop to ensure fast passes. This has to end. How? I don't know, but I'm sure they could try something. Maybe they change park pricing to discourage multiple rides on popular rides. How about $60 park admission, but $10 extra for each ride on splash mountain, space mntn, soarin, test track, tot, and any other super popular ride. Or maybe they offer fast passes only to those who pay like at universal, or maybe they build a second soarin, test track, etc to cut lines down.

These might all be lousy ideas, but the point is, there has to be a good idea out there somewhere. It's time disney started trying harder to find it.

Please add to this post with your comments/ideas if you too would like to see change. Dis execs do read these boards and will notice this thread if it gets big enough.

I'm sorry but I just don't agree with you at all. Folks who go to WDW in the summer because thats the only time they can I have empathy for. Those who go on school break, Christmas etc..and then complain its too crowded? Come on man. The magic is there still. Its what you make out of it man. Its the love you bring. The family you enjoy. I've been there SIX times in my life.. in 1979, 1983, 2001, 2006 twice and October 2013. The wilderness Lodge was quiet, beautiful and lovely. We used fastpass+, slept in, used extra magic hours until 1am one night in MK...The entire 5 days we were there we NEVER NEVER waited in a single frictkin line for more than 15 minutes. We rode space Mountain over and over until we were blue in the face. We rode Splash, Expedition Everest over and over and over and over and over..bla bla. Everyone we encountered was lovely, friendly. The place was clean. They gave me the exact same room I requested. I got dinner reservations one week and one day before for every frickin thing I wanted at the perfect times I wanted...California Grill, Hop de Do,Le cellar, Character meals. I mean come on Man&There was no one on the lake or Lagoon&.All the sea racers ya wanted&The parking lot was empty&The monorail was empty to Epcot&.It was the best trip ever. The MAGIC is there because I own my own magic and me and my friends created it&.The park is 27,000 acres of beauty, freedom and fun...All you need is $$$$$$.
And ya know what? It was that way on October 1st 1971!
What can I tell ya&.If I had someone who loved it as much as I do Id go back next October or September or May.The Poly is $314, The Contemp is $334 and the Lodge is $204&.do the math thats $69 and $59 bucks in 1971 dollars and I couldn't afford it then and still can't now but that won't stop me. So rebel away. Do you think the suits give a rats batoon? They are makin $$ hand over fist and that my friend is and always has been the American way..Its just less personal now then in the good ole days when you could smoke on a frickin airplane and the pumped your gas at the station...Other wise GO OFF SEASON and get your wallet out. And stop complaining.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I'm sorry but I just don't agree with you at all. Folks who go to WDW in the summer because thats the only time they can I have empathy for. Those who go on school break, Christmas etc..and then complain its too crowded? Come on man. The magic is there still. Its what you make out of it man. Its the love you bring. The family you enjoy. I've been there SIX times in my life.. in 1979, 1983, 2001, 2006 twice and October 2013. The wilderness Lodge was quiet, beautiful and lovely. We used fastpass+, slept in, used extra magic hours until 1am one night in MK...The entire 5 days we were there we NEVER NEVER waited in a single frictkin line for more than 15 minutes. We rode space Mountain over and over until we were blue in the face. We rode Splash, Expedition Everest over and over and over and over and over..bla bla. Everyone we encountered was lovely, friendly. The place was clean. They gave me the exact same room I requested. I got dinner reservations one week and one day before for every frickin thing I wanted at the perfect times I wanted...California Grill, Hop de Do,Le cellar, Character meals. I mean come on Man&There was no one on the lake or Lagoon&.All the sea racers ya wanted&The parking lot was empty&The monorail was empty to Epcot&.It was the best trip ever. The MAGIC is there because I own my own magic and me and my friends created it&.The park is 27,000 acres of beauty, freedom and fun...All you need is $$$$$$.
And ya know what? It was that way on October 1st 1971!
What can I tell ya&.If I had someone who loved it as much as I do Id go back next October or September or May.The Poly is $314, The Contemp is $334 and the Lodge is $204&.do the math thats $69 and $59 bucks in 1971 dollars and I couldn't afford it then and still can't now but that won't stop me. So rebel away. Do you think the suits give a rats batoon? They are makin $$ hand over fist and that my friend is and always has been the American way..Its just less personal now then in the good ole days when you could smoke on a frickin airplane and the pumped your gas at the station...Other wise GO OFF SEASON and get your wallet out. And stop complaining.

I could also fill my gas tank for $4.32 in 1971...which equates to about $25 these days. Other than gas prices, Disney has increased their prices considerably higher than the rate of inflation.

 

[MichelleVW]

How would you categorize the maintenance fees for DVC then? I know if I owned DVC it would hit my vacation budget. I can't think of any other category I could put it under.

To be honest...we don't actually have a "budget" Bills come and we pay them...I put the dues on the credit card and I pay it off when that bill comes. We have money left over at the end of the month for savings so I guess we're doing ok.

If you paid $22000 for your points and about $1100 per year maintenance, your average cost over the 45 year life of the contract is just over $1580 per year.

Thankfully we bought resale and paid half that and got twice the points that Disney offered for the same amount. And yes...we did the math before we bought it and realize it's not free. But it's somewhere we are going to go anywhere so it made perfect sense.

Wow, 'Free' lodging at Disney - 'Free' maintenance on DVC - 'Free' Disney gift cards!

A lot of us would like to know how to do Disney for 'Free'!!

Disney 'loves' people like you that considers everything 'free' if it is paid for in advance!

You are paying 'dearly' for 'everything' you are getting at Disney - 'Prepaying, Yes - Free? - a big NO! Disney loves people to be disillusioned!

I'm not an idiot....I know it's not actually free. But I don't come home from vacation with a big bill. It works for me and I don't see why anyone has be be snarky about it. Pretty much on every post I admitted that it wasn't actually free, I'm not diffusional, our travel expenses on our credit card statement at the end of the year proves that we spend a good chunk of change on vacation...but our bills get paid and we have no credit card debt.


And back to the OP...I was telling my daughter about this thread and people complaining about Fast Pass Plus and saying they weren't going to Disney anymore. Her thoughts, "well, that's kind of extreme isn't it? I'm not crazy about the changes either but I'm still going to go and have a good time"

 

[JZCubed]

The biggest difference between WDW and Universal is that Universal has not overbuilt it's resort capacity at the expense of its parks. Disney most definitely has and you are seeing the results now with long, long lines for nearly every ride and overcrowded conditions in the parks. Disney simply has not kept up in terms of building sufficient rides/attractions to coincide with their ever-increasing resort guest capacity.

Until Disney changes this dynamic, the overcrowded conditions will continue. The new FP has made the situation 10x worse so that, now, it's nearly impossible for park guests to ignore or explain away.

Universal has only 3 resorts and 1 new one that is about to be opened. So, their "Front of the Line" privileges are quite workable. Anyone else has to pay a hefty fee to buy the FOL privileges. Again, it's a question of room capacity vs. capacity in their 2 parks. They have managed it quite well.

Disney, on the other hand, has focused WAY too much on increasing room capacity without doing much to increase the number of top line attractions at each of their parks. That is why the crowding is worsening and the ride wait-times are horrendous.

So, yes, the park experience at Universal will continue to be less crowded. Why? Because their room capacity is far less than Disney's (they also have many more top line rides in comparison to Disney), meaning far fewer park guests will be getting FOL privileges. And because I highly doubt those who may abandon Disney in favor of Universal (those not staying in a Universal hotel) will all be spending the beaucoup extra $$ to buy FOL privileges each day.

Does Universal have a golf course, boating, mini-golf, multiple nighttime events for young and old alike?

Disney has far more opportunities to be entertained that are not attractions.

And if you believe that Disney is always more crowded than Universal, then you've not tried to view Harry Potter.

There is an element of comparing apples-to-oranges when comparing Disney to Universal.

 

[crostorfer]

Does Universal have a golf course, boating, mini-golf, multiple nighttime events for young and old alike?

Golf, boating, and mini-golf near by. Multiple nighttime events for the young and old alike, yes. The closing show is wonderful, and there are nightly dance parties next to the canal at Citywalk.

Disney has far more opportunities to be entertained that are not attractions.

Yes, and no. A Simpsons fan will find Springfield quite the treat. And a Harry Potter fan can currently spend a day completely immersed in a world they love, even if just sitting on a bench next to the Hogwarts Express. There are only 3 rides, currently, in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. My daughter was too short for Dragon Challenge even on our last trip, so we only ride the Forbidden Journey. That doesn't stop me from spending 4 hours a day there, and spending $500 in merchandise in those 4 hours.

And if you believe that Disney is always more crowded than Universal, then you've not tried to view Harry Potter.

And if you stay on site you can experience it 1 hour before the general public. Part of the crowding comes from the demand by JK Rowling to keep everything absolutely authentic, thereby making the shops entirely too small for even a moderate crowd.

There is an element of comparing apples-to-oranges when comparing Disney to Universal.

I can't really disagree with that statement. I will, however, say that you get more for your money there when you stay on site. Once you do, and experience that Express Plus pass first hand, it's really, really hard to go back to anywhere else without it.

 

[JZCubed]

The new system is equally unfair in that people who make Rope Drop will still have the opportunity to ride more rides with less waiting. Someone on the Commando thread in the Community board reports that it looks like fewer people are making rope drop, presumably because people figure they've got those three FPs locked in so they don't have to rush, meaning the RD advantage is even greater under FP+.

You've answered your own question, so to speak.

If fewer people feel the need to be at rope drop, then entire queuing process is less clogged throughout the day.

FP+, therefore IMHO, equalizes the entire process.

No longer do people need to arrive at Parks early in order to maximize ride participation. FP+ can have a greater tendency to smooth the logjams that occur between 12pm-3pm, because the logjams will just be fewer. The only exception appears to be Toy Story.

Matter of fact, for those of us who only spend 4-6 hours in the Parks, FP+ has allowed us the opportunity to enjoy ourselves at a far more leisurely pace.

For instance, we can enjoy a character meal for breakfast instead of feeling guilty about missing Park time. We can now do more at Disney because we are not married to the rope drop at all cost commando-style to maximize ride participation.

Lastly, and I rarely see anyone speak to it - FP+ allows those people who travel more opportunity to ride 'E' attractions on travel days. If you arrive at 3pm, you can also have a Toy Story FP+ for this day, the same is true for the day you leave - schedule a FP+ for those few hours before heading to an airport.

FP+ has made our experience far better.