Epcot FP+ tiers gone...for now.

[mom2rtk]

you mean more flexibility. you can now be flexible about the time you enter a park and ride TSMM without a standby. flexibility has increased.

So there you go PP.

Told you so.

There is an entire group of people who wanted the rest of us limited so they could have more left when they rolled into the parks mid to late afternoon.

 

[mom2rtk]

you said: are the ones wanting to sleep in and stroll into the parks mid-afternoon

I now have the FLEXIBILITY to rope drope epcot, ride TT and Soaring with short early morning lines, then park hop and ride TSMM without a standby in the afternoon.

the cry baby brigade continues to lie about the increased flexibility fp+ has granted people.

nope. your distortions of the truth are getting called out....again

Such distortions.

I said there is an entire group. I never said you were part of that group.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Who knows why Disney IT does anything? Maybe it's an oversite, maybe a glitch or maybe it's an attempt to steer traffic to the less popular attractions?

The less popular attractions never need a Fast Pass anyway. That was the whole problem with the tiering in the first place. If they want to con people into going to those attractions, by making them think "oh well, we have a FP for it, we might as well use it", then I guess they love cynically manipulating and pissing off their customers...

It's time to drop the silly and pointless tiering and just offer FP+ for popular attractions for which people need FPs. Or would that just make too much sense?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Flexibility has increased for a segment of the guests with a certain style of touring the parks.

It has decreased for others.

I would agree with this statement. Scheduling 3 rides/day, as well as 1 meal/day does make for less flexibility for our touring style.

That may not be the case for others, and that's fine. But I think it's a bit ridiculous to imply that FP+ works equally well for all touring styles. FP- didn't work equally well for all touring styles, neither does FP+...it's just not the same types of groups that are affected.

 

[goofy4tink]

So there you go PP.

Told you so.

There is an entire group of people who wanted the rest of us limited so they could have more left when they rolled into the parks mid to late afternoon.

I sincerely doubt that anyone really thinks that way. I mean, seriously...do you think there are people out there that think that if they can get FP+ for the afternoon, while they have a more leisurely morning, too bad for everyone else? That they want you early risers to be 'limited'? Doubt it.
That's kind of a gross generalization. I know that both times I've used the FP+ system, I was able to make changes to my choices the same day, and was pretty much always able to get whatever attraction I wanted. So, I'm not sure what you mean by the rest of you being limited earlier in the day.

But your ability to ride something non standby has increased flexibility? You could have always arrived at DHS in the afternoon and rode TSMM standby.

I go to one park for rope drop, ride what I want to ride..no FP+ used. Then, head to another park and use my three FP+ choices. Gives me a lot more flexibility.
A few weeks ago, my dh and I were at DHS..it was cold and rainy, but still plenty of people there. We had a FP+ for TSM. By the time we got there, our return time was still 65 mins away. We figured we would just do standby. Yeah, that wasn't a great idea. The stated wait time was 45 mins. However, once in the line, I saw that wasn't going to be the case at all. Waited about 20 mins, didn't move much. So, we left..and went over to the Walt Disney:One Mans Dream. Hadn't done that in years. When we left there, it was time for our FP+.

Lets face it...FP+ isn't going to suit everyone. Heck, when Disney did away with being able to return any time after your FP window opened, people went nuts and said it would negatively impact the way they toured! I tend to take a more leisurely approach to touring the parks. Yes, there are things that I really enjoy doing...and I usually get to do them. But I also like to just take it all in. I'm not much of a commando person anymore. I guess there are those that want to just do certain attractions over and over...and not worry about other 'stuff'. And the new FP+ system is probably going to really negatively impact their methods of touring.

But for now, it is what it is. Who knows what the FP+ system will morph into in a few months. It would be nice if we were allowed to make more choices per day...perhaps a total of 5, at any combination of parks. I don't much care about the tier system....I can work with that. But I know others hate it. To me, its the lesser of the issues with this system. I'll wait and see how my trips work out...going in June and again in Nov..both will be fairly busy times.

I will say that I have had no issue using FP+ on my last two trips..Dec and late Jan. I was able to ride what I wanted, the number of times I wanted...for the most part.

 

[FLchick415]

The backhanded comments are kind of tired and pointless. Just because one tours one way, and someone else tours another way, does not make one more right than the other. Calling people names is uncalled for. Agree to disagree and move on.

 

[Sammie]

I never said lazy. They are on vacation and deserve their sleep.

It's not even about sleep, truly one can't sleep very late at Disney, there is simply too much noise at the resort from other guests and housekeeping.

It is about having a choice, to do other things in the mornings, such as golf, fishing, boating, shopping, tennis, the Spa, a nice breakfast, biking, horseback riding and still be able to go to the parks later and know that you are guaranteed a Fastpass to a headliner, that would never happen with Legacy.

Also for someone with an Annual Pass it's about booking headliners late in the day on your day of arrival, so you can actually ride Toy Story Mania after you check in.

It is also about distribution of Fastpasses to more people. I will gladly take 3 or 4 over none.

 

[Shaden]

I sincerely doubt that anyone really thinks that way. I mean, seriously...do you think there are people out there that think that if they can get FP+ for the afternoon, while they have a more leisurely morning, too bad for everyone else? That they want you early risers to be 'limited'? Doubt it.
That's kind of a gross generalization. I know that both times I've used the FP+ system, I was able to make changes to my choices the same day, and was pretty much always able to get whatever attraction I wanted. So, I'm not sure what you mean by the rest of you being limited earlier in the day.


I go to one park for rope drop, ride what I want to ride..no FP+ used. Then, head to another park and use my three FP+ choices. Gives me a lot more flexibility.
A few weeks ago, my dh and I were at DHS..it was cold and rainy, but still plenty of people there. We had a FP+ for TSM. By the time we got there, our return time was still 65 mins away. We figured we would just do standby. Yeah, that wasn't a great idea. The stated wait time was 45 mins. However, once in the line, I saw that wasn't going to be the case at all. Waited about 20 mins, didn't move much. So, we left..and went over to the Walt Disney:One Mans Dream. Hadn't done that in years. When we left there, it was time for our FP+.

Lets face it...FP+ isn't going to suit everyone. Heck, when Disney did away with being able to return any time after your FP window opened, people went nuts and said it would negatively impact the way they toured! I tend to take a more leisurely approach to touring the parks. Yes, there are things that I really enjoy doing...and I usually get to do them. But I also like to just take it all in. I'm not much of a commando person anymore. I guess there are those that want to just do certain attractions over and over...and not worry about other 'stuff'. And the new FP+ system is probably going to really negatively impact their methods of touring.

But for now, it is what it is. Who knows what the FP+ system will morph into in a few months. It would be nice if we were allowed to make more choices per day...perhaps a total of 5, at any combination of parks. I don't much care about the tier system....I can work with that. But I know others hate it. To me, its the lesser of the issues with this system. I'll wait and see how my trips work out...going in June and again in Nov..both will be fairly busy times.

I will say that I have had no issue using FP+ on my last two trips..Dec and late Jan. I was able to ride what I wanted, the number of times I wanted...for the most part.

With the exception of TSMM on many days, because of its insanely limited capacity and high popularity, you could have ALWAYS DONE THIS.

You could have always gone to whatever park you wanted to at RD, and rode whatever you wanted to, SB AND with FP (meaning you would have gotten more done most likely) ... then you could have hopped to another park and picked up FPs for other attractions and rode them.

The very fact that people keep saying "I was still able to change my FPs around same day for other headliners" points to exactly this, there was no need to have those FPs pre-selected.

While its true that during peak times FPs are more prone to run out, and in those cases Pre-selecting FPs might be beneficial and add 'flexibility', though not really flexibility, more like options for the afternoon, that is not true for the other 64% of the year.

How many days are 8 9 or 10 crowds ???
(Edited to answer) 36% of the year is 8+ according to Easy wdw, yes, I counted and did the math.

The ability to go to RD and ride what you want SB is not something new to FP+, so FP+ does not add this element of 'flexibility'. Of course, the inability to use FPs during that time (if you want to use them later) does restrict your flexibility.

Adding "options" is not the same as adding flexibility.

 

[Shaden]

It's not even about sleep, truly one can't sleep very late at Disney, there is simply too much noise at the resort from other guests and housekeeping.

It is about having a choice, to do other things in the mornings, such as golf, fishing, boating, shopping, tennis, the Spa, a nice breakfast, biking, horseback riding and still be able to go to the parks later and know that you are guaranteed a Fastpass to a headliner, that would never happen with Legacy.

Also for someone with an Annual Pass it's about booking headliners late in the day on your day of arrival, so you can actually ride Toy Story Mania after you check in.

It is also about distribution of Fastpasses to more people. I will gladly take 3 or 4 over none.

This actually always happened with Legacy for us and our Family, Sept/Oct, Feb, May.

 

[summerw]

Um, the word "crybaby" in itself is not nasty. It is a rather mundane word. You were deliberately saying his choice of using it was Nasty, implying that of him -- for his choices. Now you're trying to back out and say you were talking just about the word. Uh-huh.

Neither word offends me, I more am just pointing out the hypocrisy.

"Crybaby" is definitely not a "mundane" word.

Although I don't agree with all the FP+ negative talk, the people putting it out there are neither actually "babies" or "crying." They are adults using their words, which is what I request of my 4 year old who can actually sometimes be a crybaby--and I still wouldn't call him that because I think it's unnecessary name-calling. Using a word reserved for children ("baby" is actually in the word if you didn't notice) who don't use their words to refer to adults putting their concerns out there is most definitely "nasty." And yes, the action is nasty, not the name-caller, on whom I don't know at all well enough to make a personality judgement.

I feel bad for the people who feel their touring style will be affected. Ironically, I think it would actually get me to most of the parks earlier. It is great to be able to sleep in for TSMM, since I live near DLR and don't ride ToT much and can't do upside down coasters. However, for Epcot, I would now have to make rope drop if I want to do Soarin' and Test Track, and same for a lot of the rides at MK, because I am a spoiled brat who won't wait over 20 minutes for anything except TSMM, Peter Pan and Radiator Springs Racers at DLR, so I definitely wouldn't pay to fly there to wait longer.

We did rope drop a few times at WDW and strolled in by 11 sometimes. No more 11 if we want to ride more than 3 rides with short waits. Even still, I like the idea of FP+ because I hate the backtracking and hoping for a good return time that went with FP-.

I was super excited when I saw this thread because if you take out the tiers, the limit of 3 and the park hopping issue and I think most people would like FP+. I think Disney will eventually figure out a way to make park hopping work and will probably allow more FPs once they get a handle on the usage. And Carsland might change HS's tier problem, since the Racers will for sure be a tier 1 choice. That just leaves Epcot, but hopefully it will just point out to Disney just how badly they need to add another good ride there.

I think FP+ is an adjustment, like changing the return time policy for FPs or the GAC situation was--and all humans struggle with change. I think as soon as everyone settles in and finds a way to apply their touring style to it, combined with what I think will be some changes on Disney's part, and a lot of this will die down. I can't say I'm enjoying the current 3.5 million threads on the DIS complaining about it though, but I think everyone has a right to express themselves with respect.

On a side note, I was thinking last night... does anyone think Disney's end game is to eliminate standby altogether. Just think... only ride reservations all day so that the rest of the time customers can be in stores and restaurants spending. I'm not sure I'd like it, but it would definitely be a different way to do Disney, and a way for Disney to justify the ridiculous amount they've invested in MyMagic.

 

[mom2rtk]

On a side note, I was thinking last night... does anyone think Disney's end game is to eliminate standby altogether. Just think... only ride reservations all day so that the rest of the time customers can be in stores and restaurants spending. I'm not sure I'd like it, but it would definitely be a different way to do Disney, and a way for Disney to justify the ridiculous amount they've invested in MyMagic.

I don't actually think that's Disney's end game at all. Although I have joked about it over the past year, referring to it as "appointment riding".

But you're not the only one wondering:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3235464

 

[Shaden]

"Crybaby" is definitely not a "mundane" word.

I feel bad for the people who feel their touring style will be affected. Ironically, I think it would actually get me to most of the parks earlier. It is great to be able to sleep in for TSMM, since I live near DLR and don't ride ToT much and can't do upside down coasters. However, for Epcot, I would now have to make rope drop if I want to do Soarin' and Test Track, and same for a lot of the rides at MK, because I am a spoiled brat who won't wait over 20 minutes for anything except TSMM, Peter Pan and Radiator Springs Racers at DLR, so I definitely wouldn't pay to fly there to wait longer.

Its funny, there is this ironic thing going on where many of those happy with FP+ keep telling us there is SO MUCH MORE to wdw then just what we are references, except, the only ride they can make a good case for as being advantageous under FP+ is TSMM. That's it. "Oh and can sleep in and still have a TSMM FP" True, but you can't have a TT and Soarin, you Can't have an EE and Safari, there are many MANY "can'ts" and very few "cans".

 

[summerw]

I don't actually think that's Disney's end game at all. Although I have joked about it over the past year, referring to it as "appointment riding".

But you're not the only one wondering:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3235464

I hadn't seen that thread. Thanks! I don't think it's anytime soon, but I can see it as a "someday" kind of thing, at least at WDW. I doubt the logistics of DLR would ever allow that unless they were willing to rip up Fantasyland. And then I'd have to go find Walt's frozen head and re-animate him so he could yell at them.

Its funny, there is this ironic thing going on where many of those happy with FP+ keep telling us there is SO MUCH MORE to wdw then just what we are references, except, the only ride they can make a good case for as being advantageous under FP+ is TSMM. That's it. "Oh and can sleep in and still have a TSMM FP" True, but you can't have a TT and Soarin, you Can't have an EE and Safari, there are many MANY "can'ts" and very few "cans".

I totally see your point and definitely agree that TSMM is the only one you can make a specific case for since it's the only one that routinely ran out early, but from my perspective not having to run all over the park and guess what time my FP might be for is way better for me. That's me though. I think it might have made everyone happier if they had just made FPs mobile though. Definitely would have been a better way to ease people into it and probably cheaper.

 

[MrInfinity]

Its funny, there is this ironic thing going on where many of those happy with FP+ keep telling us there is SO MUCH MORE to wdw then just what we are references, except, the only ride they can make a good case for as being advantageous under FP+ is TSMM. That's it. "Oh and can sleep in and still have a TSMM FP" True, but you can't have a TT and Soarin, you Can't have an EE and Safari, there are many MANY "can'ts" and very few "cans".

Ok, I think this sentiment comes from a false sense of entitlement.

Take KS and EE for example.

What you're saying, basically, is "I want to be able to go to the AK, and ride the two most popular rides, without waiting, at all."

Well great! EVERYONE would want that.

Could you do that w FP- on a midsummer day? NO. You cannot just show up, stay from say 12 to 5, and ride those both fast. At 12 you'll get a FP to one, and then by the time you ride that the FPs to the other will be gone.

Now you could always RD one or the other. Just like you can w FP+.

EC is no worse. I've planned my day at EC. Missing rope drop, I'm STILL able to ride Soarin, TT, Seas, Crush, MS, and Figment. I am creative tho, and I look beyond "I can't do it the old way this sucks". I had absolutely no problem planning a day that sees me getting on every ride I want at Epcot plus TT, twice. That is outstanding. I never once have to part from my family, I don't even have to rush to make RD.

And, I do it all from home and sit back knowing I won't have to rush around. It really is a cool system...

 

[mesaboy2]

Ok, I think this sentiment comes from a false sense of entitlement.

Take KS and EE for example.

What you're saying, basically, is "I want to be able to go to the AK, and ride the two most popular rides, without waiting, at all."

Well great! EVERYONE would want that.

Could you do that w FP- on a midsummer day? NO. You cannot just show up, stay from say 12 to 5, and ride those both fast. At 12 you'll get a FP to one, and then by the time you ride that the FPs to the other will be gone.

Now you could always RD one or the other. Just like you can w FP+.

EC is no worse. I've planned my day at EC. Missing rope drop, I'm STILL able to ride Soarin, TT, Seas, Crush, MS, and Figment. I am creative tho, and I look beyond "I can't do it the old way this sucks". I had absolutely no problem planning a day that sees me getting on every ride I want at Epcot plus TT, twice. That is outstanding. I never once have to part from my family, I don't even have to rush to make RD.

And, I do it all from home and sit back knowing I won't have to rush around. It really is a cool system...

And EVERYONE, not so long ago, could do that. You know exactly how. You just decided, at some level, that you wouldn't. Now DISNEY has decided that no one can that way anymore. And that is less flexible.

 

[MrInfinity]

And EVERYONE, not so long ago, could do that. You know exactly how. You just decided, at some level, that you wouldn't. Now DISNEY has decided that no one can that way anymore. And that is less flexible.

You still can now! You just have to stop thinking of "the old way".

 

[skater]

Ok, I think this sentiment comes from a false sense of entitlement.

Take KS and EE for example.

What you're saying, basically, is "I want to be able to go to the AK, and ride the two most popular rides, without waiting, at all."

Well great! EVERYONE would want that.

Could you do that w FP- on a midsummer day? NO. You cannot just show up, stay from say 12 to 5, and ride those both fast. At 12 you'll get a FP to one, and then by the time you ride that the FPs to the other will be gone.

Now you could always RD one or the other. Just like you can w FP+.

EC is no worse. I've planned my day at EC. Missing rope drop, I'm STILL able to ride Soarin, TT, Seas, Crush, MS, and Figment. I am creative tho, and I look beyond "I can't do it the old way this sucks". I had absolutely no problem planning a day that sees me getting on every ride I want at Epcot plus TT, twice. That is outstanding. I never once have to part from my family, I don't even have to rush to make RD.

And, I do it all from home and sit back knowing I won't have to rush around. It really is a cool system...

I'm glad you like it, but I don't see where the false entitlement comes in. Not liking the new system and missing what someone used to have, is not entitlement. Why wouldn't someone express a negative opinion about a new system that "took away" from what they once enjoyed? I don't see that as entitlement. Its disappointment.

I actually do like some (but not all) aspects of this new system. I think its cool that I'll be able to go to DHS on arrival day and get my sister on TSM that night with little (I hope) wait. But on a discussion forum, it would be nice if people could express dislike of certain aspects of the new system without being called entitled.

 

[skater]

You still can now! You just have to stop thinking of "the old way".

There will never be total agreement on more flexible/less flexible. I find it less flexible, but for people who tour differently than me, I can understand the disagreement.

 

[MrInfinity]

A simple day-plan at Epcot. Family of 6. 2 adults, ds11 ds7 dd5 dd2. This works out beautifully and gets us on everything we want:

FP slots:
MS 10-11
Seas 11-12
Soarin 12-1

Arrive for Akershus 8am. We're not going to rush thru a $40 breakfast just to get out and RD a ride... BUT if you were so inclined, there are bonus rides here just for ducking out of breakfast at 8:55. So say we stay till 9:15 maybe 9:30 to hang w the princesses.

Leave Akershus, go to TT. By this time the park has been open for 20 min. Get in the standby line, grab a RS pass for DW... she then departs and goes with DD5 and DS2 over to meet Anna & Elsa. Goodbye to them for a while, cuz that'll be a wait.

Getting back to us. We ride TT in say 30 min. Now it's 10. If the kids like it (which they will) then we go again via single rider lines. Or, if DW is back from Anna, then they go w her and the RS pass from before. She won't likely be back this quick tho, so back to single riders. Done! 20 min.

Now it's 10:30.

We go next door to our MS slot. Hopefully DW is back by now and she can meet us, cuz DD would like MS green. If she makes it, we all catch MS w our FP. If not, we carry on. We ride.

When done, it's now 11. We head over to Seas. By now, (2 hours) DW WILL be back for sure. We all ride Seas together it's great for all ages!! When done (11:15) we hang around and wait standby for Turtle Talk. No biggie... 20-30 min wait while the kids play in the aquarium. Done with that, it's close to noon.

We head over to Soarin where our FP is magically waiting for us. (note, I never had to run up these stairs into this pavilion to grab a ticket!) Bam, ride it fast, taking turns holding the baby. Maybe pick up a RS pass here if we can get it w all having FPs. Maybe we ride Living (with the baby) while the other half are on Soarin or some of us snack in the Grill while the others ride FP.

Now it's 12:30. Continue on, ride Figment twice (it's our ride!). 15 min each, no biggie.

1:00, go eat. Get lunch in Canada or England.

Done!

We "do" all of Epcot in the first 4 hours. We did not have to Rope Drop. DW and DD got to meet Anna & Elsa. Boys got to ride TT (twice) and MS. Everyone got to do the kid stuff (Seas, Turtle, Living, Figment twice) and we all rode Soarin.

We're now happily eating lunch in the world showcase and will not return to future world till later.

In addition, we have an RS pass to TT and Soarin in our pocket, and we might have a few FPs unused (depending on if DW and DD made it to MS). After spending a full day in Epcot, maybe on the way out we might decide to use (or not) the RS passes that we have left, or the two FPs that we have left to go on TT on the way out.

* It was an action packed day.
* We were never waiting in any significant lines
* We did not rush to RD, nor cram thru breakfast
* We went on headliners multiple times

We did it all without even having to use RS! On the way out remember you can always get in a line at 9pm and get on for sure. It just helps us leave the park a little earlier since we have kids.

This system REALLY IS AWESOME. You just have to drop the mindset of "I'm going to stand here and stomp because my old way does not work". Be creative! As you can see for a typical family of 6 "Doing Epcot" is perfectly doable with FP+.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

And EVERYONE, not so long ago, could do that. You know exactly how. You just decided, at some level, that you wouldn't. Now DISNEY has decided that no one can that way anymore. And that is less flexible.

This guy gets it!