FASTPASS being added to many Epcot and Studios attractions

[WSLover]

I agree. I'm heading out for my first trip to WDW next week, and I was totally overwhelmed with trying to get the ADRs in order.

If I had to figure out rides like this, I think my brain would explode.

I am a veteran WDW trip planner but I honestly can't even imagine trying to plan ride times 180 days out. I found it challenging to plan ADRs around MNSSHP, MVMCP, Food & Wine, and Wishes Dessert Party for our Nov trip especially when Disney released the event dates for them 60-90 days out instead of the 180 day timeframe to book ADRs. It was stressful waiting for dates to be released to see what ADRs would have to be shifted around. It really kind of pissed me off and made me think that there may not be many more trips to the World in my future when planning vacations to so many other destinations is a lot easier.

 

[SaraJayne]

It sounds like this fastpass+, along with the ADR's, will make a Disney vacation more and more like a series of appointments that you'll need to have a paper schedule or calendar app on a phone to keep track of- need to be here by this time for this ride, then we've got x minutes to make it to this ADR, then x minutes til this ride, etc. This doesn't really sound fun to me, I dunno, maybe it appeals to others

No, that sure doesn't appeal to me.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I've heard that the FP line and the regular line at Figment are going to be the same thing, the only difference being that you get "sucker" stamped on your forehead with red ink if you actually turn up with a FP in hand.

I think I would like the idea of Fastpass+ more if I didn't have young children. If all my kids were older than preschool aged, I might be more enthusiastic, because I could (in theory) see how it might be helpful to have ride times mapped out ahead of time.

For the next few years though (and maybe a few more if we have a third child), FP+ is going to make touring with young kids even harder and more frustrating. Its all well and good to have a plan, but 90% of the time my plan gets thrown out the window an hour after arriving at the parks.

The only way to have a good Disney vacation with really little kids is flexibility. They are so unpredictable when their typical schedules are thrown off, and there is so much stimulation, and different foods, and sleeping in different places. It can be really, really fun and awesome, but it can be a real challenge to plan things in advance.

If my kids were all 7, 8, 9 years old or older, I wouldn't be sweating this because then they'd be old enough to roll with the punches, not have to nap, and are easier to reason with.

In about 10 years I may change my tune, but right now, I'm dreading FP+

 

[Sandy Mouse]

Uh oh. I must have missed something. Is WDW going to completely do away with regular fastpasses when fastpass + is set in place? I thought they would coexist. I thought if guests staying on property picked one fastpass 6 months out, everyone would still be able to get them (a reduced number of them) at the parks.
This would drain most if the fun out of my trip.
Fun cannot be too structured; there must be some spontaneity.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've heard that the FP line and the regular line at Figment are going to be the same thing, the only difference being that you get "sucker" stamped on your forehead with red ink if you actually turn up with a FP in hand.

Now that is seriously funny!

 

[lugnut33]

Thank goodness they are installing fastpasses for Journey Into Imagination because I always have a hard time getting on it with less than a minute wait.

 

[princessallegra]

Uh oh. I must have missed something. Is WDW going to completely do away with regular fastpasses when fastpass + is set in place? I thought they would coexist. I thought if guests staying on property picked one fastpass 6 months out, everyone would still be able to get them (a reduced number of them) at the parks.
This would drain most if the fun out of my trip.
Fun cannot be too structured; there must be some spontaneity.

I'm with you, I didn't realize regular fp would be gone. I don't see how this could work as there are so many locals and day guests and whatnot that would never be using fp+ anyway...

 

[Tltorrez]

Uh oh. I must have missed something. Is WDW going to completely do away with regular fastpasses when fastpass + is set in place? I thought they would coexist. I thought if guests staying on property picked one fastpass 6 months out, everyone would still be able to get them (a reduced number of them) at the parks.
This would drain most if the fun out of my trip.
Fun cannot be too structured; there must be some spontaneity.

Don't worry. At this stage no one knows anything except which rides have machines. The impact this will have on existing FPs, ride times, etc. is all speculation. No one even knows who will have access to FP+, how far out you can book, etc. Nothing has been announced and the field tests were just tests.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Picture this 3 months out. I'm sorry sir, all fast passes to Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space are booked. But we have plenty of fast passes for Figment and Ellen's energy adventure. Really? How many do you have? Well sir, uh, it appears we still have nearly all of them left.

 

[jhaig]

This whole system goes beyond ridiculous. You just cannot plan what ride you're going to do every hour 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE!!! Suppose it rains on the day you have your Test Track FP+ - oops sorry, here's a consolation FP to hit Ellen's Energy Adventure - hurry there's only 200 spots left!!!! What if the ride you're scheduled for is down? WHAT? Space Mountain is down again? Cool, I've only been waiting for 180 days to ride - no biggie right?

It seems like Disney is trying to regulate spontaneity, which makes me throw up in mouth just a little bit.

The stress and headaches that will come from having to plan every minute of a multiple day trip will ultimately push people away from the parks, myself included.

I can plan ADR's just fine, but no way will I plan ride times. There needs to be some flexibility. I mean c'mon - what if you need a bathroom break and your ride time is coming up? Maybe we can FP+ a toilet!!!

No flexibility + ride schedules = no fun

 

[Tltorrez]

This whole system goes beyond ridiculous. You just cannot plan what ride you're going to do every hour 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE!!! Suppose it rains on the day you have your Test Track FP+ - oops sorry, here's a consolation FP to hit Ellen's Energy Adventure - hurry there's only 200 spots left!!!! What if the ride you're scheduled for is down? WHAT? Space Mountain is down again? Cool, I've only been waiting for 180 days to ride - no biggie right?

It seems like Disney is trying to regulate spontaneity, which makes me throw up in mouth just a little bit.

The stress and headaches that will come from having to plan every minute of a multiple day trip will ultimately push people away from the parks, myself included.

I can plan ADR's just fine, but no way will I plan ride times. There needs to be some flexibility. I mean c'mon - what if you need a bathroom break and your ride time is coming up? Maybe we can FP+ a toilet!!!

No flexibility + ride schedules = no fun

Fortunately it seems highly unlikely it will work that way. Based on the tests it looks like you'll only be able to select a couple attractions per day. Presumably the ones most important to you.

And it seems really doubtful that Disney will require you to use it. Personally, I rarely use the current FP system but I'm looking forward to the new one, especially for shows and parades.

 

[lugnut33]

I don't think people will be picking out their full ride schedule 6 months in advance. What I think it will do is allow people staying on site to select a few attractions they really want to see and they will get a fast pass. Really no different than a few people beating you to the fastpass line in the morning.

 

[jhaig]

Fortunately it seems highly unlikely it will work that way. Based on the tests it looks like you'll only be able to select a couple attractions per day. Presumably the ones most important to you.

And it seems really doubtful that Disney will require you to use it. Personally, I rarely use the current FP system but I'm looking forward to the new one, especially for shows and parades.

Man, I hope so.

 

[Tltorrez]

I don't think people will be picking out their full ride schedule 6 months in advance. What I think it will do is allow people staying on site to select a few attractions they really want to see and they will get a fast pass. Really no different than a few people beating you to the fastpass line in the morning.

Agree, but has Disney announced that it will only be for on site guests, or is that speculation too?

 

[mom2rtk]

And it seems really doubtful that Disney will require you to use it.

No, Disney will absolutely not require you to use it.

But the same old standby option (the one with manageable waits at all but the busiest times of year) will not remain the same. For every FP slot they add to the FP load, that's one less standby person who gets through the line. Maximum ride capacity is a constant in this equation. (mostly).

 

[joy13]

I honestly don't believe that the FP+ system will have you picking rides 180 days out. That is really crazy! I think it will be at your resort the same day or something. I have never seen anything official that even hinted at 180 days, though I'm sure I may have missed something. It just seems like such a bad idea.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

One mention about the fast passes for Fantasmic. If it works anything like fast passes for WOC, it's not really a fast pass in any true sense of the word. It just gets you into the show and on days when the show is full, everyone getting into the show has one. And no matter what section you're in, you still have to show up very early to get a good standing spot. But at least you know long beforehand whether you're getting in or not rather than waste time waiting for a show you won't get to see in the end.

 

[Waddler]

Agree, but has Disney announced that it will only be for on site guests, or is that speculation too?

I think it's all speculation at this point. It could be offered to all guests, onsite guests only, deluxe resort guests only, AP holders... not sure.

Personally, I hope they don't use this as a way to discourage point rentals (no basis for this, just my own fear).

 

[poohbear13]

It would be nice to see some of this free up. We will have to see. Like pp said, may be moot for skilled guests.

 

[eeyoresnr]

I've heard a little about FP+. I'm not sure I am looking forward to it if it means getting on 180 days in advance to reserve ride time. I stress out enough trying to figure out when and what the family will want to eat each day and committing to a park. Now we have to figure out when and what rides we will be on. Yikes. Im a planner but it takes some of the Magic out for me and replaces it with more stress.

I agree and for some of us that don't always plan 6 months out or more it's gonna leave us at a real disadvantage.... and then I can already see people that reserve their FP 180 days out then change dates or cancel trip and don't cancel the reserved FP....hmmmm again, maybe I'm missing something