Don't cancel your vacations yet!!!

[Dudetrue]

I will be going back to Disney with my dd and her bff and my wonderful cousin in May. I've been not looking at the boards much lately because it's been bumming me out. I love Disney for all the magic touches. I love how the street lights in AK look like bugs. I love how the water parade at night is the same since I was little and it still makes me smile. I love how the resorts each have a different smell. After seeing fireworks at Disney, it's hard to watch them at July 4th without any music. I love how each morning when you enter the MK you can smell the bakery and hear the music. I love all the rides, even the old ones. I don't even worry about FP because just walking around makes me happy. I like to go on carriage rides or rent bikes and ride around the campground. Never a line for that! I love seeing the toys in DTD and eating ice cream and buying a bath soap.
I love how they wave to you when you are leaving, like family . I guess I notice the little things. So do the kids. Ever watch them? The kids notice all the cool stuff. And that's what it's all about. My daughter spent the whole afternoon once long ago laughing at the giant dog nose breathing on her in HS. It was so worth the trip.

 

[QueenQuad]

After reading so many negatives about the new FP system it's really nice to see a positive thread. I haven't been to WDW in 20 years. So many changes for me. But I'm super excited that my family and I are getting to go (my mom, DH, DS 14, DD 11 and DD 8 ) I'm pleased that I know we'll get to see all the headliners with our reserved fast passes and really just can't wait to enjoy it once again and see it through my kids' eyes. This thread is a reminder to take it easy, have fun and mostly enjoy the moment March 13th can't get here quick enough!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Yellowstonetim]

We used the website, app, bands, and FP+ in September during testing. It worked great. We did have regular FP available but did not use it much. I liked the following:

• The bands worked great and it was really nice not having to carry a wallet.
• Scheduling FP+ was easy and flexible.
• It was SO NICE knowing we had certain rides reserved ahead of time. We had not ridden the one Toy Story ride in a previous 6 day stay, but were able to this time.
• It made park hopping better. We would go in the morning to one park and then go in the afternoon or evening to a second park and we already had our FP's for the second park. That would never have worked before!
• While it works in peak times, it makes the low times like January and September very attractive because you can ride rides at one park in the morning and save the FP+ for the second park.
• It was really great to be able to change FP times! Our grown kids stayed at a different resort and did not have FP+, so they would pull regular FP. We would change our FP+ times. Once, we changed the time of our FP within 30 minutes of the window!
• We really don't like waiting around on the street for parades and fireworks shows, we used one for Illuminations and it was a great spot!
• Everything else was unchanged: CM's were great, service was top notch, everything was clean, and the whole atmosphere was... special.
• These are the most unique parks on earth: MK is the most magical place, cool stuff Star Wars and TOT can be found at DHS, Epcot is the most amazing collection of countries filled with people actually from those countries, and AK is the most beautiful theme park I have ever visited.

Did I mention I had a good time and liked Disney?

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We used the website, app, bands, and FP+ in September during testing. It worked great. We did have regular FP available but did not use it much. I liked the following:

• The bands worked great and it was really nice not having to carry a wallet.
• Scheduling FP+ was easy and flexible.
• It was SO NICE knowing we had certain rides reserved ahead of time. We had not ridden the one Toy Story ride in a previous 6 day stay, but were able to this time.
• It made park hopping better. We would go in the morning to one park and then go in the afternoon or evening to a second park and we already had our FP's for the second park. That would never have worked before!
• While it works in peak times, it makes the low times like January and September very attractive because you can ride rides at one park in the morning and save the FP+ for the second park.
• It was really great to be able to change FP times! Our grown kids stayed at a different resort and did not have FP+, so they would pull regular FP. We would change our FP+ times. Once, we changed the time of our FP within 30 minutes of the window!
• We really don't like waiting around on the street for parades and fireworks shows, we used one for Illuminations and it was a great spot!
• Everything else was unchanged: CM's were great, service was top notch, everything was clean, and the whole atmosphere was... special.
• These are the most unique parks on earth: MK is the most magical place, cool stuff Star Wars and TOT can be found at DHS, Epcot is the most amazing collection of countries filled with people actually from those countries, and AK is the most beautiful theme park I have ever visited.

Did I mention I had a good time and liked Disney?

Wondering if you tried to ride headliners multiple times without fastpass at the second park on a park hoppper day and how that worked out? And you can ride any ride in the morning during offseason, correct?

 

[minnie1012]

I will be going back to Disney with my dd and her bff and my wonderful cousin in May. I've been not looking at the boards much lately because it's been bumming me out. I love Disney for all the magic touches. I love how the street lights in AK look like bugs. I love how the water parade at night is the same since I was little and it still makes me smile. I love how the resorts each have a different smell. After seeing fireworks at Disney, it's hard to watch them at July 4th without any music. I love how each morning when you enter the MK you can smell the bakery and hear the music. I love all the rides, even the old ones. I don't even worry about FP because just walking around makes me happy. I like to go on carriage rides or rent bikes and ride around the campground. Never a line for that! I love seeing the toys in DTD and eating ice cream and buying a bath soap.
I love how they wave to you when you are leaving, like family . I guess I notice the little things. So do the kids. Ever watch them? The kids notice all the cool stuff. And that's what it's all about. My daughter spent the whole afternoon once long ago laughing at the giant dog nose breathing on her in HS. It was so worth the trip.

That was great : )

 

[minnie1012]

I will be going back to Disney with my dd and her bff and my wonderful cousin in May. I've been not looking at the boards much lately because it's been bumming me out. I love Disney for all the magic touches. I love how the street lights in AK look like bugs. I love how the water parade at night is the same since I was little and it still makes me smile. I love how the resorts each have a different smell. After seeing fireworks at Disney, it's hard to watch them at July 4th without any music. I love how each morning when you enter the MK you can smell the bakery and hear the music. I love all the rides, even the old ones. I don't even worry about FP because just walking around makes me happy. I like to go on carriage rides or rent bikes and ride around the campground. Never a line for that! I love seeing the toys in DTD and eating ice cream and buying a bath soap.
I love how they wave to you when you are leaving, like family . I guess I notice the little things. So do the kids. Ever watch them? The kids notice all the cool stuff. And that's what it's all about. My daughter spent the whole afternoon once long ago laughing at the giant dog nose breathing on her in HS. It was so worth the trip.

That was great! : )

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Love this thread! I actually just booked a trip in May in addition to our October trip.

The things that keep me going back to WDW aren't the rides, the parks, the FastPasses or anything of that nature. The thing that keeps me going back to WDW is the memories, the ones past and the ones yet to be made.

This past September my Mom and I were walking from Liberty Square towards the Hub. We have crossed that bridge near Adventureland dozens of times. My grandmother, my Mom's mom, passed away in May of 2013 and her favotite movie was Meet Me In St. Louis. Now, I know the Trolley Song is featured prominently on Main Street but on this particular walk we heard a different song....the title song....Meet Me In St Louis. In the hundreds of times we have been in The Hub and on Main Street we have NEVER heard it. My grandma used to sing it all the time....and in that moment she was there with us. That is a memory I will always have.

It has nothing to do with rope drop, FastPasses, attractions, standby wait times etc...it is simply a magical family moment - and those are what define WDW to me.

 

[dansyr2514]

Love this thread! I actually just booked a trip in May in addition to our October trip. The things that keep me going back to WDW aren't the rides, the parks, the FastPasses or anything of that nature. The thing that keeps me going back to WDW is the memories, the ones past and the ones yet to be made. This past September my Mom and I were walking from Liberty Square towards the Hub. We have crossed that bridge near Adventureland dozens of times. My grandmother, my Mom's mom, passed away in May of 2013 and her favotite movie was Meet Me In St. Louis. Now, I know the Trolley Song is featured prominently on Main Street but on this particular walk we heard a different song....the title song....Meet Me In St Louis. In the hundreds of times we have been in The Hub and on Main Street we have NEVER heard it. My grandma used to sing it all the time....and in that moment she was there with us. That is a memory I will always have. It has nothing to do with rope drop, FastPasses, attractions, standby wait times etc...it is simply a magical family moment - and those are what define WDW to me.

That is a great memory!!!! Brought tears to my eyes .

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Wondering if you tried to ride headliners multiple times without fastpass at the second park on a park hoppper day and how that worked out? And you can ride any ride in the morning during offseason, correct?

Yes, off season would be pretty good without FP of any kind. Only a few of the most popular rides have long lines all day long, but even these are available at rope drop and closing. We rode all we wanted and some rides many times such as Star Tours and Everest. I think we rode everything multiple times. I think the busiest ride was Toy Story Midway Mania. We rode a lot of rides multiple times early morning and late evening. I like evening estra magic hours because people don't seem to stay out late and ride rides.

I know it isn't possible for everyone, but I would do everything possible to go at a low time.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

That is a great memory!!!! Brought tears to my eyes .

Thank you it made us cry as well but it was so wonderful. We also released a Minnie balloon in her memory.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

This is such a wonderful thread! Thanks to OP for starting this! I love disney for so much more than the great rides. I love being immersed in the magic and feeling as if all your cares in the world disappear. I love the interaction with the characters! I love the priceless smiles the whole experience brings to my kiddos faces! love the magic that the CMs provide. On our last trip a CM stopped my DD to compliment her on her dress. She commented how her princess dress was just missing one thing and asked is if we knew what that was. Me and my DD just looked at each other stumped. The CM said well she needs pixie dust! And then she proceeded to sprinkle pixie dust on my DDs head. It was so magical! My DD kept asking through the day if her pixie dust was still in her hair. Lol. She just loved being treated like a princess. So many little things that you just can't get anywhere other than Disney!

 

[Alohagirl73]

Thank you for this thread. Glad to read some positive feedback about FP+.

We have one day at WDW before our Disney cruise. It will be DH and my second time to WDW, and DD first time (3 by the time we go). I liked that we could schedule the rides for DH ahead of time therefore he is guaranteed a chance to ride on Test Track in the afternoon at Epcot. The whole reason we have to go to Epcot!!! We will probably go to MK at rope drop and enjoy the new Fantasyland then head over to Epcot.

Can't wait for June!!!

 

[wendybeth75]

Thank you for this thread. Glad to read some positive feedback about FP+.

I agree! I don't love every aspect of it, but overall I like the concept!! I certainly won't let it stop me from having an awesome Vacation!

 

[Networth]

Had a great last trip. I have been going to WDW since the early 80's I have seen plenty of changes. Some I liked others I did not, but thats life everything changes. I have years I go and years I don't go but WDW will never loose that place in my heart, some of the best memories I have as a child are from their. I just recently proposed to my GF(now fiancé) their so the memories will continue as an adult. I am a Florida resident with AP's to WDW, Universal, and Busch Gardens. They all have their pro's and con's but none even hold a candle to WDW. They have me by my emotions/heart and that my friends is true brand loyalty. Who gives a rats butt about FP+, not I so sick of those threads thanks for starting this one. That said we had an amazing trip last December and will probably be doing the same trip again this year.

 

[AlisaMom]

We really enjoyed our recent FP+ experience: early morning without FP+ (short waits ) - then afternoon break - then evening FP+ rides.

 

[rastuso]

Well, since the pro FP+ always chime in on the realistic threads, I gotta do the same.

This thread is doing a HUGE disservice to people who aren't very experienced with WDW.

Let it be known, that many of the pro FP+ folks are more than happy with 2-3 rides for the day, since they are either locals, or spend their money without regard to getting on rides.

If you, the reader, DO want lots of rides, and are used to getting a FP every 2 hours, it ain't gonna happen anymore, for most days.

Also note that most of these people are saying they had great visits in Jan or Feb. Or, they had great visits when they were in a small test group for FP+, or when they were double dipping, which is no longer an option. The fact is, FP+ really hasn't been in place for a busy day, besides MLK weekend, which had reports of being pretty horrendous. Please don't get the belief your Spring Break trip is going to be fantastic because of this thread. Unless you like to spend thousands on a trip that leaves you disappointed.

The facts of FP+ have remained unchanged. You get an absolute total of 3 FP+ per day. Depending on the park, only 1 of these may be usable on a ride you really want. Meaning, you will NOT have an option to get FP+ for all teh rides you want.

No go back to rainbows and unicorns...

-Jason

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Well, since the pro FP+ always chime in on the realistic threads, I gotta do the same.

This thread is doing a HUGE disservice to people who aren't very experienced with WDW.

Let it be known, that many of the pro FP+ folks are more than happy with 2-3 rides for the day, since they are either locals, or spend their money without regard to getting on rides.

If you, the reader, DO want lots of rides, and are used to getting a FP every 2 hours, it ain't gonna happen anymore, for most days.

Also note that most of these people are saying they had great visits in Jan or Feb. Or, they had great visits when they were in a small test group for FP+, or when they were double dipping, which is no longer an option. The fact is, FP+ really hasn't been in place for a busy day, besides MLK weekend, which had reports of being pretty horrendous. Please don't get the belief your Spring Break trip is going to be fantastic because of this thread. Unless you like to spend thousands on a trip that leaves you disappointed.

The facts of FP+ have remained unchanged. You get an absolute total of 3 FP+ per day. Depending on the park, only 1 of these may be usable on a ride you really want. Meaning, you will NOT have an option to get FP+ for all teh rides you want.

No go back to rainbows and unicorns...

-Jason

Just gotta say that the red bolded statement and black bolded statement contradict each other. How exactly would someone who is unexperienced or aren't very experienced be used to collecting FP- every 2 hours?

This thread is about the reasons we choose to return to WDW. Within that we are happy to share our experiences with FP+.

 

[rastuso]

Just gotta say that the red bolded statement and black bolded statement contradict each other. How exactly would someone who is unexperienced or aren't very experienced be used to collecting FP- every 2 hours?

This thread is about the reasons we choose to return to WDW. Within that we are happy to share our experiences with FP+.

Did I say those two statements were to the same people?

Feel free to share experiences, but don't build someones expectations by stating special case experiences as normal. Which anyone comparing pretty much ANY FP+ experience to this coming Spring Break is doing.

-Jason

 

[dansyr2514]

Hi jason. This thread is for good experiences at disney. There are 50 other threads about the cons. I would suggest you post there. Also I'm pretty sure dis'ers are smart enough to look at both sides....so give them some credit before you are say we are mis leading them. If you are just trying to rain on someone's parade.. You're on the the wrong thread. As you said we are all rainbows and unicorns here!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Did I say those two statements were to the same people?

Feel free to share experiences, but don't build someones expectations by stating special case experiences as normal. Which anyone comparing pretty much ANY FP+ experience to this coming Spring Break is doing.

-Jason

Thank you so much for giving us permission to share our experiences as we see fit!

Now, if you don't mind we have some rainbows and unicorns to get back to

Have a Magical Day!