FastPass... What's all the hype about?

[Klayfish]

It's all subjective. I'd disagree with the disagreement that FP+ is simple, easy and fun. I think it's all of those, I'm a huge fan of FP+.

From the WDW side, I'm sure it's a very difficult problem to have, and essentially a no-win situation. They're not going to please everyone no matter what they do. If there is no FP+ system or advanced reservation system of any kind and everyone just has to stand in line for every ride, IMO that would be a debacle. You'd have hoards of people melting down. The old paper system had its' flaws. For example, back then if you wanted to ride TSMM with a FP+ you had little choice except to get to the gates for rope drop and rush to the kiosk...then hope someone leading a tour group with 50 cards in their hand wasn't in front of you. Plus, you had no control over what time your reservation was and you literally had to run from ride to ride to get your FP+. It allowed no flexibility at all. I can see where that leads to unhappy guests (I was one of them). The existing FP+ system isn't perfect either, some of the concerns are outlined in this thread. I can see how that might get some people upset. So what is the "right" answer? Frankly, I don't see one. They have to make the best of the situation. I think it's them reacting to guests. That's not to "blame" guests, because it's not a matter of anyone doing anything wrong. But it plays out over and over. If you allow guests to only get FP+ at the kiosk, they're going to flock to them and literally run. If you allow guests to get FP+ at 60 days, they're going to be waiting on the computer for the clock to change (just like checking into an airline flight). If they made it 26 days, 19 days, 3.14 days, it would be the same scenario. WDW is very popular, people want to get on the attractions. There's no easy way to do it. Whatever they come up with is probably going to have weak points and make some people unhappy. I happen to like the current system, but that's just my own opinion.

 

[FSU Girl]

I think you just need to do research before a trip to know how to work the FP. I just went with my friend over the weekend. We went on every single ride at MK (minus very little kiddie rides) and all with a fast pass, didn't wait in any line. We used our first three and kept picking up new ones including seven dwarfs and peter pan that I couldn't get when we booked. We didn't even get into the park until 1:30pm. So you really only need to plan for those first three, but after that you can do whatever pops up that works for you. It was a great Saturday.

 

[GPC0321]

Is it because I/we don't do coasters and similar rides?

Yes, it is. You aren't trying for the three biggies: Slinky Dog Dash, Flight of Passage, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It's usually necessary to snap them up at the 60-day mark to have a chance.

The next group of popular but not impossible-to-get rides would be things like: Frozen Ever After, Na'vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Soarin', Test Track, Tower of Terror, Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain Big Thunder Mountain. If you don't enjoy coasters/thrill rides, a lot of these probably wouldn't be priorities for you either.

Next come the rides like you mention: Pirates, Spaceship Earth, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear, and other popular "dark rides" like these which are nice to have a FP for, but can usually be picked up pretty easily on the same day. (For the record...these are my favorite rides!)

Then you have the stuff that doesn't offer or need FP. These "anytime" attractions like Carousel of Progress, Peoplemover, the boat ride in Mexico at Epcot, etc. are usually easy to get into/on with minimal wait.

Finally there are character meet-and-greets, some of which offer FP, and that can definitely be worth it as the waits can get long.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

It is very far from simple. I also disagree that it works well, that planning is easy, or that it’s particularly fun.

I think it's easier the more times I use it and the better I know it. It's by far better then having no FPs or a paid system that I wouldn't feel I could buy into. But it was very intimidating and stressful the first few times. And having to do it for a small group that plans to stay together is much easier then doing it for a larger group with varied interests.

 

[tinkerjo]

I think you just need to do research before a trip to know how to work the FP. I just went with my friend over the weekend. We went on every single ride at MK (minus very little kiddie rides) and all with a fast pass, didn't wait in any line. We used our first three and kept picking up new ones including seven dwarfs and peter pan that I couldn't get when we booked. We didn't even get into the park until 1:30pm. So you really only need to plan for those first three, but after that you can do whatever pops up that works for you. It was a great Saturday.

Here is my only issue with that. I go on vacation to get off my phone. I hate to have my nose in my phone all day trying to get fast passes then my phone goes dead.

 

[FSU Girl]

Here is my only issue with that. I go on vacation to get off my phone. I hate to have my nose in my phone all day trying to get fast passes then my phone goes dead.

I was barely on my phone. I opened my app after checking into the fast pass line and looked to see what was available and grabbed it. Then phone went away until after we did that ride. Did use my phone for pictures, but I never went on Facebook or anything else while there. Didn't come close to running out of battery or anything and we stayed until park close.

 

[soniam]

Also, June 9th isn't exactly a busy time. I know everyone thinks summer is busy, but it's been the slowest time we have been. We have been early June, late July, early August, early November, Thanksgiving, xmas->NYE, and 2nd or 3rd week in March for Spring Break. All of the non-summer times have been busier than any of the summer months. I am diligent about getting up, because I have a schedule set out and want my FP+, luckily only 3 people, for certain rides, including headliners, at certain times and on certain days. I wouldn't try to book FP late during busy times, if one really cares what & when one gets it.

 

[Disneypro1]

It is very far from simple. I also disagree that it works well, that planning is easy, or that it’s particularly fun.

That’s not Disney’s fault.

 

[Disneypro1]

My DD lives on the west coast so she frequents DL a lot. For $10 they can get an app and get fast passes for almost anything throughout the day ( I know there’s are some rules ie:time elapsed between FP and I think she said 1 per ride but I can’t be sure) but I am still a fan of the old FP system. We had it down to a science and i loved deciding the day before what park we wanted to go to. It gave way more flexibility.

We just went to DL last fall. we try to go every other year. With their FP it easy to get over 10-15 per day. EASY. Yet some people find that system hard to use. I just don’t get it. It’s easy.
At WDW after the first 3. We usually acquire about 3 more. However We go in early May. FP isn’t needed nearly as much then. Very low crowds. I also get a couple anytime FP. Sometimes Disney is nice that way.

 

[mesaboy2]

That’s not Disney’s fault.

Did I say that? I disagreed with your assertion that the FP+ system is simple, and that there are thousands of questions in the FP FAQs would seem to support that opinion.

 

[Disneypro1]

Did I say that? I said the system that Disney set up is very far from simple, and that there are thousands of questions in the FP FAQs would seem to support my opinion.

Well. There is a lot of people that isn’t savvy at common things.
The system is easy to use. And I’m not a rocket scientist. (Just flown in one ). It really couldn’t be easier to use. And planning is fun.
But. I find FP + to be just as easy as anything really could be. The program code couldn’t be written anymore simple to use. Planning wise. I think that’s the OPs. Original comments. Heck it’s fun planning when a family can get on Splash. Amazingly satisfying.

 

[mesaboy2]

Well. There is a lot of people that isn’t savvy at common things.
The system is easy to use. And I’m not rocket scientist. (Just flown in one ). It really couldn’t be easier to use. And planning is fun.

So many things, but I’ll bow out now.

 

[SaintsManiac]

The system itself is easy to use, but people tend to overthink it (myself included).

 

[Disneypro1]

The system itself is easy to use, but people tend to overthink it (myself included).

That’s a fair comment. We all can be guilty of that.

 

[MainMom]

Also, June 9th isn't exactly a busy time. I know everyone thinks summer is busy, but it's been the slowest time we have been. We have been early June, late July, early August, early November, Thanksgiving, xmas->NYE, and 2nd or 3rd week in March for Spring Break. All of the non-summer times have been busier than any of the summer months. I am diligent about getting up, because I have a schedule set out and want my FP+, luckily only 3 people, for certain rides, including headliners, at certain times and on certain days. I wouldn't try to book FP late during busy times, if one really cares what & when one gets it.

Glad to hear this. We are arriving the 8th.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I have never understood the issues with FP+ either. Its simple and it works. Planning is easy. Its all part of the fun.

But it's not simple for everyone, nor does it work for everyone. Simple, we all have our definition of what is simple. Planning, easy? For you and me? Sure. For this person with a family of 6 and 1/2 want this and the other half want this...no planning is not easy. My family, my hubby and son let's me do it all and just follows my lead when we get to Disney. So yes it's super easy for me. As far as fun...it's what keeps me happy till Disney time arrives.

I understand perfectly why people react to FPs the way some do. First off, not everyone knows about our boards. You guys were my saving grace when it came time for my FPs back on the 3rd for our June 2nd trip. In 2015, I knew nothing about the new system. I made some poopy FPs and I never even knew what modify or refresh was. It wasn't until I returned to the boards August or September of 2018 in preparation for our June 2019 trip that I began reading up on FPs. Thanks again @mesaboy2 !!

 

[Love Tink]

Also, June 9th isn't exactly a busy time. I know everyone thinks summer is busy, but it's been the slowest time we have been. We have been early June, late July, early August, early November, Thanksgiving, xmas->NYE, and 2nd or 3rd week in March for Spring Break. All of the non-summer times have been busier than any of the summer months. I am diligent about getting up, because I have a schedule set out and want my FP+, luckily only 3 people, for certain rides, including headliners, at certain times and on certain days. I wouldn't try to book FP late during busy times, if one really cares what & when one gets it.

Saying summer isn't that crowded because it is less crowded than Jersey Week/Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break shows a lack of understanding of crowd patterns.

 

[Love Tink]

Anyone else doing a face-palm at someone coming in and doing their very first post about how everyone's an overreacting dummy, it was no problem at all getting (not very hard to get) FPs!

 

[BobbyMoon]

Is it because I/we don't do coasters and similar rides?

Winner winner chicken dinner.

Of course it's not going to be a big deal if you aren't trying to get onto coasters or attractions that draw huge crowd. If you had actually "read all this doom and gloom" you would know that tho.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Today was my 60 day fast pass mark. Got up at 5am(Mountain Time). No luck at all for Slinky Dog and only one FoP on our last day at an undesirable time. I knew that could be possible yet I’m still super pleased with how things turned out and it will certainly not “ruin” our trip.
I did comment to my husband how it must be a bit daunting to people who have never visited or planned out a WDW trip. It can be overwhelming if you don’t have great resources like these boards.
I am Just so excited to be going back to my Happy Place!