Do you have to have FP+

[Oswin]

No you do not need to pre-plan to enjoy your trip, or use FP+. My family hardly used the previous FP system and we don't really use FP+ either. We don't pre-plan which parks to go to, we just wake up and decide which park to see that day. If we'd like to use a FP+ we log into our MDE app and see what's available and understand we'll be waiting standby for other things we want to ride. Waiting standby has never ruined our trips so don't let other people tell you waiting an hour for something will completely ruin your time! We have managed to get at least one headliner a day at each park using this method in the busy summer months last year, and as well on our Christmas trip. We try not to make any ADRs in advance either, we just pull up our MDE app an hour or two before we know we'll be hungry and see what's available and book it. The only place we like to eat where this isn't possible is 'Ohanas, so we typically try to book that one at least 90 days out. Spontaneous trips are definitely still possible, you just have to be flexible with your expectations.

 

[Planogirl]

MK is the best Disney park to go to without FP because there's so much to do there. I can't say the same about the other three parks particularly if they are busy.

 

[TheDisGuy]

No you do not need to pre-plan to enjoy your trip, or use FP+. My family hardly used the previous FP system and we don't really use FP+ either. We don't pre-plan which parks to go to, we just wake up and decide which park to see that day. If we'd like to use a FP+ we log into our MDE app and see what's available and understand we'll be waiting standby for other things we want to ride. Waiting standby has never ruined our trips so don't let other people tell you waiting an hour for something will completely ruin your time! We have managed to get at least one headliner a day at each park using this method in the busy summer months last year, and as well on our Christmas trip. We try not to make any ADRs in advance either, we just pull up our MDE app an hour or two before we know we'll be hungry and see what's available and book it. The only place we like to eat where this isn't possible is 'Ohanas, so we typically try to book that one at least 90 days out. Spontaneous trips are definitely still possible, you just have to be flexible with your expectations.

If you are someone who wants to ride rides, the need to plan has been greatly increased. Glad that you don't seem to mind standing in line, others do, most others seem to actually.

Spontaneous trips are still possible, you are just at a greater disadvantage if you are focused on getting rides done or eating at your favourite restaurants. But you can spontaneously decide to wait in Standby - that's always an option I guess.

 

[Oswin]

If you are someone who wants to ride rides, the need to plan has been greatly increased. Glad that you don't seem to mind standing in line, others do, most others seem to actually.

Spontaneous trips are still possible, you are just at a greater disadvantage if you are focused on getting rides done or eating at your favourite restaurants. But you can spontaneously decide to wait in Standby - that's always an option I guess.

Pretty sure this is just of one of those different strokes for different folks sort of things, I think. The OP asked if they had to plan because they hated to do so, and I was simply offering up the fact that we have successful trips during peak times without having to plan hardly anything.

 

[Cormoran]

This year will be our 5th WDW trip since 2007. Truthfully I can't imagine what it would have been like without a plan on any of those trips!

The reality is your choices will be limited if you don't make some ADRs and book FP+. When you're spending this much money on a vacation why would you limit yourself by not taking advantage of some advanced planning?

I don't think it's the idea of pre-planning that is discouraging to the OP, it's the level of pre-planning. Specifically, making Ride reservations.

 

[Cormoran]

Pretty sure this is just of one of those different strokes for different folks sort of things, I think. The OP asked if they had to plan because they hated to do so, and I was simply offering up the fact that we have successful trips during peak times without having to plan hardly anything.

But as you've previously stated, your family doesn't mind standing in long SB lines. Obviously, everyone likes different experiences. My family has a 20-25 minute SB wait limit, so your touring strategy would not work for us.

 

[nilla]

You can certainly enjoy MK without FPs, especially when you're going. You'll enjoy it more with FPs, however, IMO.

There's no downside, really, to having them. If you don't like that your FP says you have to be at Splash Mountain in 5 minutes, simply don't go to Splash Mountain at that time. No loss.

 

[jomass]

Touringplans has an interesting page where you can calculate what your vacation time is worth. I forget the acronym or name they use, but it is a value calculated using your total vacation cost and your waking hours at the parks. The cost per hour is the same no matter if you’re gainfully engaged in an attraction or if you’re standing in line. For us it’s $55.03/hr (this does not even take into account what I personally value my free time at in all of my affairs). So it will be a cold day in Disney before I pay $55.03/hr. to knowingly stand in lines when I can avoid it. This puts it back to, yes you have to preplan more than ever now, if you want to minimize your waiting time and be able see all of the best attractions. You can’t possibly achieve minimal wait time without utilizing FP and you can’t get the FP for popular rides without waking up at midnight and logging in 30-60 days before you set foot in a park. Now if you don’t care about standing around for hours, or if you’re happy with seeing 1 headliner for $105 admission, then this doesn’t apply to you. And I for one believe it's your vacation to be spent any way you want, not matter what I or anyone else thinks.

 

[TheDisGuy]

Touringplans has an interesting page where you can calculate what your vacation time is worth. I forget the acronym or name they use, but it is a value calculated using your total vacation cost and your waking hours at the parks. The cost per hour is the same no matter if you’re gainfully engaged in an attraction or if you’re standing in line. For us it’s $55.03/hr (this does not even take into account what I personally value my free time at in all of my affairs). So it will be a cold day in Disney before I pay $55.03/hr. to knowingly stand in lines when I can avoid it. This puts it back to, yes you have to preplan more than ever now, if you want to minimize your waiting time and be able see all of the best attractions. You can’t possibly achieve minimal wait time without utilizing FP and you can’t get the FP for popular rides without waking up at midnight and logging in 30-60 days before you set foot in a park. Now if you don’t care about standing around for hours, or if you’re happy with seeing 1 headliner for $105 admission, then this doesn’t apply to you. And I for one believe it's your vacation to be spent any way you want, not matter what I or anyone else thinks.

While I think the need to be up at midnight is overstated, though it is clearly true for some attractions, the general premise is true. All things held equal, if you do not plan and do not pre-select FP+s, and if attractions is what you are about, you are at a greater disadvantage now than you were before FP+.