Don't cancel your vacations yet!!!

[disneymom1229]

I have not had the opportunity to use FP+ yet. And while there are features to it that do not fit with our preferred touring style, I am proceeding in the spirit of this thread and I'm not cancelling my vacation!

Our scheduled vacation is budgeted at $5000 with airfare and believe me this is a huge expense for us and we cannot afford to be anyone's guinea pig. I have been reading posts many negative and many positive in regards to FP+. I do not feel brought down by the negatives, on the contrary I read them with much interest. I am taking these months before my trip to learn as much as can. And am keeping my eyes open for any changes and tweeks that will come along. Great thing about the disboards is that if anything comes along, this is the first place to find it out!! The features that I know exist and don't need to be there and experience to know I don't agree with are the tiering in Epcot and DHS (not that I don't see the reasoning behind it), not being able to spread FP+ over multiple parks and being limited to 3 in the MK.

That said, my family has been multiple times and we still have a list of things we have not seen or done. Guess what? None of those items require a FP at All!!! I mean the reason we haven't is because we really love and enjoy all the headliner attractions and have been thrilled and satisfied doing these things multiple times on our trips. So we have decided to go into this trip (our longest yet by the way!! ) with the attitude that we will still do our favs hopefully a couple times and then have the time to experience some new to us attractions or shows.

We can't always control situations that we put ourselves in, but we can control the attitude that we face them with. If someone has decided that they will cancel based on these changes, then maybe it is for the best for them. Chances are going into it so negative, they would not be able to see any positive if presented with it. I respect all opinions and info shared in regards to FP+, however, it makes me smh when I read posts filled with statements about how "we are probably done with WDW" etc and yet there is one and sometimes two tickers in the poster's signature with upcoming trips???

I have 10 days to go until I can make my ADRs for my upcoming trip and I am so excited!!! to everyone who is out there in planning mode just like me!!!!

 

[bama belle]

Headed down on Friday. Super excited and happy to see a thread with optimism posted. Will be glad to add that for us the magic is in the hearts & eyes of our children. A short line is nice but the amazement of our kids...that's the good stuff. Gasps of joy the first time you go over the top of splash mountain. Stares of wonder & amazement as you gaze at the biggest bestest fireworks show ever. Laughter when a character tickles them or a street performer cracks a joke. The tall walk of pride after driving the jungle cruise or defeating Darth Vader in Jedi Training. The breathless hug as you arrive one minute before closing at the standby for mission space after running across the park for one last ride. Nothing can replace those moments or steal them away. And I wouldn't trade those moments for all the fast passes in the world.

Aww! Well said-exactly why I love taking my family to Disney!

 

[luvthemouse71]

We have so many memories in WDW. I cherish those much more than getting to ride something three times in a row. Plus, I've been there so many times that I don't feel the need to do the same things multiple times in a day. I like the fact that all of our trips are different.

 

[dvczerfs]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE FP+! Have been during Free Dining, New Years Week , September, and loved it so much, we again got APs after several years without. (Keep in mind, we are a 24 hour drive away!

We loved the old FP- system, but find the new one so much more touring friendly. After more than 40 yrs touring WDW, some of the pros are:
Getting Hard to get FP (TSMM, Soarin', etc) The "I used to get 8-10 a day people rarely mention the Sold out situation)
Not traversing over the parks to pick up FP
Knowing the time in advance
BEING ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIMES!!!
Even easier ability to park hop!!

BANDS BANDS BANDS!!!- Tickets, Water parks, room keys, DDP, Shopping! How great is this!

We did a spontaneous trip during one of the busiest times of year, rode everything multiple times!!! I could go on, but when I do, the naysayers state I must not be using them right!

AMEN SISTER!!!!!! no more having a room key and an ap ticket. the stupid room key would demagnetize the ap paper ticket!!!!
ive posted the same thing as you on other threads how the new system works and at this point it is still in testing and who knows how many fps you are going to get in the future and was passed over with no comment.
if it was there intention to limit you to three fps per day they could have done that with the old system. i kinda recall all the kicking when they rolled out epcot, started fp and if you recall harry potter was going to put the place out of business. the people who are complaining are the people who no longer can scr^% the system and have to follow the same rules that many of us have lived by for years.
"you don't know what your talking about, the new fp system stinks!"

keep the magic!!!!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I made the mistake of reading more of the "FP+ sucks!" threads....but I didn't let myself get baited and pulled back into the drama.

I am looking forward to both of my 2014 trips so I came back here for more rainbows and unicorns

My best friend will be at WDW over Easter and trying out FP+ for the first time. It should be really interesting to hear her experience.

In the meantime - is anyone going to the Flower & Garden Festival? They released the Outdoor Kitchen menus and everything looks delicious

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Have kind of stayed away from boards lately just because of all the negativity. Although most of those threads are quite hilarious to read. Had two great trips/experiences late last year with FP+ and MBs . Saw some folks with problems so it's not perfect yet, but my God its nothing to cancel a vacation over
Hoping to go later this year (fingers crossed) but have dates planned in 2015 2016 2017 already .

 

[dizprincess27]

I really only ventured over to the theme parks discussions after finalizing my ADR's which just took forever as usual Anyway, I've been going since my dd was 6 and now we are going for her 21st. I was just there in October for the test drive so to say and there were absolutely no problems except a few sour CM's in France haha! Reading a few of the negative posts scared me to death and made me actually think maybe we shouldn't go and oh no what's happening to my beloved Disney. Thank goodness for all of you positive glass is half full people as you have made me realize that we are going to have a blast no matter what we're in Disney Hope you all have wonderful vacations too and let's all post our experiences after our trips!!!

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

I think our family will benefit from the new FP+ system. We don't do the RD, we are not morning people. There have been times when the lines are to long and we didn't get a FP so we just didn't ride the attraction We explain to our kids we always come back and maybe we can ride next time.

Now I can schedule the FP+ before our trip and not worry about getting to the park super early.

My kids seen the MB online and they like them. They feel it's a present from Mickey and they get to choose their color.

I do hope they change the FP+ system so it's easier it park hop.

I'm sure Disney will get everything right.
I have faith

 

[syp4dis]

Oh nice!!!!! Our kids are the same age, maybe well run into each other at the pool!! We are Sugarloaf 16-26. Can't wait!!! And I absolutely agree with what you said. And I know not everyone feels the same way. I'm excited to be able to get 3 FP's, we never pulled that many before, lol!!!

It would be awesome to meet at the pool. Maybe our kids will find each other. Good luck with your ADR's. IPO is doing a few for me. Let us know how you make out!

 

[Mousemommy1]

It would be awesome to meet at the pool. Maybe our kids will find each other. Good luck with your ADR's. IPO is doing a few for me. Let us know how you make out!

Made out great!!!

HUGE shout out to the GF IPO!!!!! As you know, I was worried about handing over my reservations to them as I am too much of a control freak. ADR day is today and woke up to find I got all of my reservations, including 'Ohana and Be Our guest and opening at crystal Palace...all for the exact times I asked for!!!!

GF IPO rocks!!!!

 

[syp4dis]

Made out great!!! HUGE shout out to the GF IPO!!!!! As you know, I was worried about handing over my reservations to them as I am too much of a control freak. ADR day is today and woke up to find I got all of my reservations, including 'Ohana and Be Our guest and opening at crystal Palace...all for the exact times I asked for!!!! GF IPO rocks!!!!

So happy for you! Congrats! Now, I'm thinking, what can I add? I wasn't sure about BOG for lunch or dinner, so didn't ask for either, but now I think I'll see if IPO can get it for dinner. I've read so-so reviews, but I'd still love to try it one time. And DH is asking for LTT on arrival night. I'll give it a shot. Enjoy reading your itinerary!

 

[Mousemommy1]

So happy for you! Congrats! Now, I'm thinking, what can I add? I wasn't sure about BOG for lunch or dinner, so didn't ask for either, but now I think I'll see if IPO can get it for dinner. I've read so-so reviews, but I'd still love to try it one time. And DH is asking for LTT on arrival night. I'll give it a shot. Enjoy reading your itinerary!

My family LOVED BOG, so we definitely wanted it again this trip!!! Go for it!!! I am so pleased with IPO right now....I mean, down to the exact times I wanted.

Good luck!!!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Sorry for intrude but what is GF IPO?

 

[syp4dis]

Sorry for intrude but what is GF IPO?

Oh no, don't apologize! Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll stop now. IPO is the Itinerary Planning Office. Basically the concierge for all club level guests. They'll book ADR's for you if you give them a list. Have never stayed club level before so excited to try.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Sorry for intrude but what is GF IPO?

It's the Grand Floridian's Itinerary Planning Office.

If you stay CL, they will do all of your dining reservations for you. In our previous CL stays, I have not let IPO do it, because I like the control. I let them do it for me this time and they did not disappoint!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Oh no, don't apologize! Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll stop now. IPO is the Itinerary Planning Office. Basically the concierge for all club level guests. They'll book ADR's for you if you give them a list. Have never stayed club level before so excited to try.

oh I see! Thank you so much. How wonderful they do that for you I must try this experience! Last year we did AK CL at Jambo and loved it. I did not know they had it at GF

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

It's the Grand Floridian's Itinerary Planning Office. If you stay CL, they will do all of your dining reservations for you. In our previous CL stays, I have not let IPO do it, because I like the control. I let them do it for me this time and they did not disappoint!

thank you! Sounds great. Do you also get the joy of a CL lounge like at AK? That made our vacation!

 

[Mousemommy1]

thank you! Sounds great. Do you also get the joy of a CL lounge like at AK? That made our vacation!

Yup! All of the Disney Deluxes have club level (with lounges).

We have not done AKL, but have stayed club level at WL and YC. Both were great experiences!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Yup! All of the Disney Deluxes have club level (with lounges). We have not done AKL, but have stayed club level at WL and YC. Both were great experiences!

sweet we are DVC members so typically stay in DVC villa but sometimes we run out if points and book rack rate it's nice to treat ourselves to such experiences. We really enjoy the 3 and 4 night cruises also and this year we have concierge booked so see what that is like! We just love all things Disney! Including FP+ yes shock horror ...lol..it actually worked great for us!

 

[misse320]

I'm so happy to find this thread! I love to jump on the boards right before each trip, just to get even more excited. This last weekend I've been on and I feel like the excitement is getting sucked out of me. There is some hard core complaining going on.

I have my FP+ booked for our trip in March. We are taking some friends with us this year and meeting some other friends there. I did find that it has caused me some stress (since I'm the mega-planner of the whole group) as I've rethought my FPs a number of times, but finally reached a point of where I decided it's good enough.

On the positive side of things, we will actually ride TSM at HS! That's not a park we like to go to early, so we never make it on that ride. Also, I won't have to grab everyone's tickets when we first get to a park and run to the back for a FP. Yay for FP+!!