Fastpass Plus ruined my vacation

[anniemae]

The key to having an enjoyable WDW vacation now is to be ok with doing a lot less in the parks everyday. And to have low expectations, not in a bad way, but just to accept what it is.

I think this is true. No more slow times, no more low crowds, no more walking onto big rides with no waits. The simple fact is that you will do less due to increasing crowds and long lines. If you choose to do sb lines, you will spend much of your day in lines.

 

[SeilerBird]

Seriously? Are you visiting every week as a family of 4? Are you trying to maximize every park day to see as much as possible because you visit WDW infrequently? Did you not notice that the OP stated she was unable to get the FPs that she wanted?

No I am a single. No I am not stupid enough to think I could ever see as much as possible no matter how often I visited. I go and do the things that are possible and not cry about the ones I don't see. She was unable to get the FP+ she wanted because she doesn't know how to use the system. And she has expectations that are too high. The OP was here at Christmas time, that is really a bad idea.

 

[Aurora0427]

My family finds that one good way to stay close is to compare ourselves to other families and tell each other how much better we are than other families. It really bonds us together and reinforces our loving feelings of sanctimonious superiority.

excellent response! exactly what I was thinking in response to that post!

 

[Aurora0427]

No I am a single. No I am not stupid enough to think I could ever see as much as possible no matter how often I visited. I go and do the things that are possible and not cry about the ones I don't see. She was unable to get the FP+ she wanted because she doesn't know how to use the system. And she has expectations that are too high. The OP was here at Christmas time, that is really a bad idea.

Dude, you are unbelievable. Seriously.

 

[Angel Ariel]

No I am a single. No I am not stupid enough to think I could ever see as much as possible no matter how often I visited. I go and do the things that are possible and not cry about the ones I don't see. She was unable to get the FP+ she wanted because she doesn't know how to use the system. And she has expectations that are too high. The OP was here at Christmas time, that is really a bad idea.

I didn't see the OP say she was there at Christmastime. She said she was "just back.". It's January 10th. If she really is "just back,' then she could easily have been there after the Christmas/NYE heavy crowds.

General statement:

Regardless of when she was there, there's quite a lot of rudeness in this thread directed towards the OP that's more than a bit unnecessary.

 

[Laketravis]

I just returned home from WDW and had the most stressful, miserable trip of my life. My family was not able to ride the rides we wanted unless we waited in long stand-by lines.

I'm really sorry to hear that. Especially since it sounds like you weren't there during a busy holiday week like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years but instead just this past week which is historically low crowds of 2's to 5's depending on which crowd calendar you look at.

Yet you were faced with long lines for the attractions you wanted to see and it obviously caused stress for your family.

The unfortunate reality for all of us is that when a machine as large and powerful as Disney decides they are going to change conditions so that their customers have to spend more time under their bubble to accomplish the same amount of activities, the most effective strategies are reduced expectations and longer stays with less time in each park each day. Some are obviously eager to adapt to that and some aren't.

I know the last thing you think about under such circumstances is keeping notes about the particular details causing grief, but can you help others who might be considering going during "slow" times by providing some details about which parks you visited on which days and what your experience might have been trying to get FP's for what you wanted both outside and inside the park?

 

[Planogirl]

No I am a single. No I am not stupid enough to think I could ever see as much as possible no matter how often I visited. I go and do the things that are possible and not cry about the ones I don't see. She was unable to get the FP+ she wanted because she doesn't know how to use the system. And she has expectations that are too high. The OP was here at Christmas time, that is really a bad idea.

It used to be easy to see a lot if not everything. Yes, it is harder now due to crowds and other factors including FP+. Frustration with that fact doesn't make a person stupid. A person also isn't stupid if they don't understand the system. Touring a themepark shouldn't be so complicated.

 

[pigletgirl]

I don't think FP+ is the cause of your distress on your vacation....

 

[Suvadoo]

I didn't see the OP say she was there at Christmastime. She said she was "just back.". It's January 10th. If she really is "just back,' then she could easily have been there after the Christmas/NYE heavy crowds.

General statement:

Regardless of when she was there, there's quite a lot of rudeness in this thread directed towards the OP that's more than a bit unnecessary.

Problem is that anyone who is critical of Disney gets ripped to shreads on the WDW forums. I haven't seen this on the DLR side, but I could be wrong.

 

[preemiemama]

To be honest, a screaming husband would have done FAR more to ruin my trip than Fastpass ever could. Even the thought of having to deal with screaming and anger and impatience while on vacation just puts my back right up. Sorry you had to deal with that.

My recommendation for your next trip would be to make up a plan of attack where you and your husband are on the same page. Plan out your days carefully and ensure you both know what you're going to do and when. And then work together to make it happen. Be a team.

Yes, this means you *may* have to plan this out like you're storming the beaches of Normandy. But if that's what it takes to keep everyone happy and not screaming at you, then that's what you have to do.

Use EasyWDW and every other resource you can find (several linked in this thread already).

For what it's worth, FP+ has actually enhanced my vacations. However, these days it's just me and my husband and we're early risers (whether we want to be or not), who nap every afternoon. So it suits us much better than the old FP system did! Figuring out a strategy that works for you may be a bit more difficult.

Good luck!

I absolutely agree! My DH gets frustrated easily, so this is what I do for our family trips. I read crowd calendars and touring plans by Josh on EasyWDW and follow his advice. Epcot and DHS are the toughest to plan due to tiering, but rope drop helps a lot in these parks.

We did most of what we wanted last summer- with my entire family along (18 of us!) which stressed DH out even more! I had a solid plan, we made the FP+ we could in advance, and the made additional ones in the park as we were able. The key for us was to rope drop in the morning, take a mid-day break in the afternoon for pool time and a nap, then head back out to the parks for a later dinner and more rides. Things usually clear out after (or for the rides, during) the nighttime shows and parades. Not staying on property may affect your ability to do that, but it might be helpful. We found that the afternoon nap helped us stay out past midnight and still be able to go the next morning.

Hope the advice you are getting helps. Read Mesaboy’s post as well as the tools on EasyWDW and make a plan- it will make a big difference!

 

[hiroMYhero]

OP....if you are going back again in the summer, maybe consider staying at a Disney resort so you can book your fp's 60 days out.

If staying onsite isn't an option, I would recommend reading the "Throwaway Room" thread and the "Book Your Next Stay Using a Different MDE" thread. These two threads and mesaboy2's FP thread can all help to maximize FPs during your next stay.

Even with that, I would agree with others who are recommending DL. Save on airfare and stay onsite at the Grand Californian - 5 can fit in a room there. Have a less frustrating staycation!

 

[Dis703]

That's what I'm wondering too.

OP....if you are going back again in the summer, maybe consider staying at a Disney resort so you can book your fp's 60 days out.

Onsite was also helpful for when some of us weren't able/willing to get to the parks early and others could. It's easier for half of our family to up and go and the rest catch up later. Might be something for OP to consider if they have different touring styles.

 

[Laketravis]

Problem is that anyone who is critical of Disney gets ripped to shreads on the WDW forums. I haven't seen this on the DLR side, but I could be wrong.

I think the motivation behind many such speculative comments is not to respond to the op but to rationalize any potential negativity for other readers.

 

[pinkangel460]

I also agree with the posters who said that we, as Disney guests, just have to adjust our expectations. OP, I am sorry you left feeling frustrated. I know that I have certainly been in situations before where I felt frustrated with a change - it can really feel defeating. However, I have learned to adopt an "it is what it is" motto - and, no matter how any of us feel about FP+, it is what it is. So, we either have to adjust to the new system, or choose to not go. I think either option is fine - some will adjust and continue to go, and others will find it less enjoyable and no longer go. Everyone has to do what works for their family.

OP - I think the advice here is great. Adjust your expectations to doing less each day, let DH go by himself early is he wants, stay onsite to let you get FP+ earlier, etc.

That said, I am amazed at some of the negative comments on this post - those directed at OP and those not directed at OP. OP is entitled to feel that way OP feels without being attacked. Similarly, the person who mentioned their family doesn't yell was attacked for pointing out that screaming is not a result of FP+ - FP+ doesn't force anyone to scream. Some people just handle stress in different ways - I used to be a screamer, so I totally get where the OP and the commenter are coming from. However, I tend to agree with the commenter in general - that screaming can't be blamed on something that happened in the vacation. It's all about how you handle situations - otherwise every person would react the exact same way to the same situations.

I think part of the problem was that the title of this post is going to ignite a response in everyone - people who hate FP+ were going to agree, please who like FP+ were going to disagree. Saying a reservation system "ruined" your vacation and saying that a reservation system caused screaming is probably not accurate, though it may feel that way. Likely, OP feels frustrated because, like many of us our first time, the FP+ system did not yield the results she was hoping for, which put her family in a stressful situation filled with disappointment, which they reacted to negatively (no judgment - I react negatively in situations too).

 

[Disneylover99]

I think part of the problem was that the title of this post is going to ignite a response in everyone - people who hate FP+ were going to agree, please who like FP+ were going to disagree. Saying a reservation system "ruined" your vacation and saying that a reservation system caused screaming is probably not accurate, though it may feel that way.

I think it's the word "ruined" that ignites a response. You can take out FP+ and substitute it with ECV's, strollers, tour groups, etc.... ruined my vacation. And the thread will take off.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it's the word "ruined" that ignites a response. You can take out FP+ and substitute it with ECV's, strollers, tour groups, etc.... ruined my vacation. And the thread will take off.

Exactly. And it is not as if the people who like the new systems are welcomed for their comments either. They are bashed a whole lot more than people who post complaining about anything Disney does.

I'm sorry you didn't have a great vacation, OP. I do think when you have family members with different ideas on how to tour the parks, you need to work that out ahead of time. Make some day early up days, and other days sleep in if you wish days.

If you are someone who used to collect FPs and use them all later in the day, then they new system is hard to get used to.

 

[chasemac]

I am so sorry that the OP had such a hard time and didn't enjoy their vacation. Disney trips are expensive and time consuming and come with such high expectations especially as parents wanting your kids to have a great time, that is a shame to hear about someone having such a bad time.

When I was planning our trip, threads like this made me stressed about how FP+ was going to affect our trip and I'm happy to say that FP+ worked well for us. We just returned - we were there from 1/3 thru 1/9 and got home late last night. We booked this trip right at 30 days out, for 2 adults and 2 kids. The only fastpass I wasn't able to get was an Anna & Elsa FP and I was unable to get an Ohana ADR at the time I wanted. I was able at 30 days to get 7DMT FP and also a dinner ADR at Be Our Guest. When we arrived, I had not planned the last two days of our trip - it had been over 3 years since we had been to Disney and I had no idea what rides my kids would like at this point, so I wanted to be able to use those last two days to experience things they wanted to do again. I was able to get FP for our last two days a day in advance - the only thing I couldn't get a 2nd (or 3rd) time was 7DMT and we were able to this at park closing on our last night with a 25 min wait.

All in all we were able to do everything we wanted (even were able to meet Anna & Elsa) by being somewhat flexible. So just wanted to put my two cents in about how FP+ worked for us with 2 kids and 2 adults, planning a trip at 30 days out. Also, we had a little pixie dust a couple of times and that helped too!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Wow. That is mean. My dh wanted to get things done early. The rest of my family wanted to go at a different pace. If you lived 20 minutes from DL and never had to deal with this new system, you would be frustrated, too.

...It's really not frustrating...at all....at all. Don't project on the DIS community either - no one deserves to be yelled at over rides...

 

[prudence64]

We don't stay joined at the hip when we go, though it's easy for us with only one child. I have more stamina for the parks then my husband. So, I had a really long day with my daughter while my husband went back and relaxed at the hotel. Another night I went to world showcase alone because my husband and daughter were pooped. We still spent the majority of time together, but didn't get frustrated at one another either.

So, my advice would be to let those who want to rope drop do that but don't expect it of the entire family.

Both in the old fast pass system and the new one we reminded our daughter that crowds are high and lines are long. We may not get to ride everything and we can't ride things more than once unless we get lucky.

We actually got more repeat rides in under the new system.

 

[Luckybee]

No I am a single. No I am not stupid enough to think I could ever see as much as possible no matter how often I visited. I go and do the things that are possible and not cry about the ones I don't see. She was unable to get the FP+ she wanted because she doesn't know how to use the system. And she has expectations that are too high. The OP was here at Christmas time, that is really a bad idea.

Suffice to say that your experience then would not be indicative of most posters and certainly not applicable to the op who lives in California and not "25 miles from the mouse" in Orlando, never mind that it is much easier to obtain and change fp+'s for a single person. We don't travel to Disney at Xmas either , but guess what ...some do(as evidenced by the fact that it is crowded) and perhaps just maybe that is the only time they're able to, or maybe they like the lights, the decorations, the, the, the.......