FP+ Frustration

[summerskye]

My trip has not even started and I am already frustrated. We leave for Disney in 4 days. I have already set up plans, ADRs, FP+, etc. Looking at our schedule, I thought about adjusting a couple of days. We have park hoppers so bouncing between parks is not an issue. But thanks to Disney's new FP+ system, I feel locked into our plans. If I change parks, I can't get FPs for the popular stuff. In all of our past trips, we made adjustments as we wanted or needed. Now, I feel trapped. I know it may be nice to know that we have a FP+ for this or that. But, I miss the freedom of waking up and changing my mind...

OK, stepping down from my soapbox.

 

[OB1]

There are still plenty of opportunities, its just different. We like to hop each day. If we get to a park at opening and ride some biggies early, then we set our FPs for the hop to park. EX - ride Soarin & TestTrack at opening, then play around in EPCOT, hope to MK where we have our FPs for 3:00 and on. Of course, if we use our FPs early in the day, we can then get the additional FPs. Just depends on your strategy,

In the past, we could not hop in the mid afternoon and expect to have any luck at any of the major attractions. All FPs would be out, and the standby would be way too long. Now you have an option to have FPs for majors when you hop. I think we have more options than the old system - it just takes a different approach.

GOOD LUCK - wish I was traveling with you!!!

 

[mcjaco]

But, I miss the freedom of waking up and changing my mind...

We bought our tickets through our time share (Marriott) because they offered them at $50 off a piece. Only problem was that we had to buy them through the concierge, so we couldn't buy them until we arrived. No FP+ for us.

The second day we went to MK, and I went to a FP+ kiosk, after about five minutes of getting frustrated with the interface, I gave up. I didn't like the choices, or being locked into three FP throughout the day. We had no idea how the kids would be, and couldn't be locked in like that. So far, I'm not a fan of the new system. It really hurts the people that are not into pre-planning. I can't decide what I want for breakfast most days. How am I supposed to know what I (or my two kids and wife) want to ride 90 days out????

 

[HatboxHaint]

I agree. You better have a a good plan because you do feel locked in and changing comes with heavy trade-offs when you lose other ADR's or FP+'s.

 

[disneydude365]

It's regulating everything to be more fair. The system is great only people who have problems are the ones who can't decide on something and expect to do what they want. It's cutting down on the frequent number of times ppl rides an attraction but garunteed you getting to at least do three of you're choice honestly park hopper is waste of money. During the peak season it's even better cause you go in knowing you get to pass your favorite standby lines.

The system is easy to work you start with three and as the day goes you are able to try and switch if you want to change a fast pass.
Disney is trying to get more structure in the parks I hated the paper fast passes as they were always out when igot to kiosk now before I'm even in the gate I've already got three. However most ppl hate the new system because they don't get as much as they used to since Disney is leveling the playing field

 

[MickeyOCD]

There are still plenty of opportunities, its just different. We like to hop each day. If we get to a park at opening and ride some biggies early, then we set our FPs for the hop to park. EX - ride Soarin & TestTrack at opening, then play around in EPCOT, hope to MK where we have our FPs for 3:00 and on. Of course, if we use our FPs early in the day, we can then get the additional FPs. Just depends on your strategy, In the past, we could not hop in the mid afternoon and expect to have any luck at any of the major attractions. All FPs would be out, and the standby would be way too long. Now you have an option to have FPs for majors when you hop. I think we have more options than the old system - it just takes a different approach. GOOD LUCK - wish I was traveling with you!!!

Everybody tour differently. To you, FP+ may open up more options, however for others it is more limiting. I'm not knocking your strategy, just saying, that to others (me for example), FP+ limits my ability to change plans the night before, week before, heck even 30 days before. For example, Park hrs change or a hard ticket party is added after my 60 day window & I want to switch around my parks, good luck getting a FP for 7DMT. Or local friends decide to join us the day before & want to go to EPCOT, good luck getting Soarin. It has SEVERELY limited my ability to change parks past the 60 day window (or 45, or even 39 day window depending on time of yr & crowds) & I am not liking this aspect of FP+. Being able to pre-schedule Soarin for arrival day, that I do like. But all in all, I like the old way, as it allows my family (our touring style, level of spontaneity) maximum flexibility.

 

[Laketravis]

I'm right there with ya. We leave for WDW on Thursday and I've been going over our "spreadsheet" of ADR's and FP's and Parades and Fireworks and Activities for the 15 days we'll be there and I have to admit that it almost seems asinine at times to schedule an entire day around three events that each last, what? Three minutes each?

Thank you sir, may I have another.........

 

[ArwenMarie]

My trip has not even started and I am already frustrated. We leave for Disney in 4 days. I have already set up plans, ADRs, FP+, etc. Looking at our schedule, I thought about adjusting a couple of days. We have park hoppers so bouncing between parks is not an issue. But thanks to Disney's new FP+ system, I feel locked into our plans. If I change parks, I can't get FPs for the popular stuff. In all of our past trips, we made adjustments as we wanted or needed. Now, I feel trapped. I know it may be nice to know that we have a FP+ for this or that. But, I miss the freedom of waking up and changing my mind...

OK, stepping down from my soapbox.

Yep. This is the main reason I hate FP+.

I so miss having that clean slate every morning, where you could regroup and change plans based on how things were going, weather, illness, bad night's sleep, etc.

 

[5Hfan]

I However most ppl hate the new system because they don't get as much as they used to since Disney is leveling the playing field

moving rope drop out 60/30 days did not level the playing field...it just shifted the playing field. and tiering? def not a level playing field.

 

[Missyrose]

It's regulating everything to be more fair. The system is great only people who have problems are the ones who can't decide on something and expect to do what they want. It's cutting down on the frequent number of times ppl rides an attraction but garunteed you getting to at least do three of you're choice honestly park hopper is waste of money. During the peak season it's even better cause you go in knowing you get to pass your favorite standby lines.

The system is easy to work you start with three and as the day goes you are able to try and switch if you want to change a fast pass.
Disney is trying to get more structure in the parks I hated the paper fast passes as they were always out when igot to kiosk now before I'm even in the gate I've already got three. However most ppl hate the new system because they don't get as much as they used to since Disney is leveling the playing field

Disney has said absolutely nothing about the system "regulating everything to be more fair." Disney has one goal with the system: to make more money off guests. And the No. 1 way Disney will make more money off guests is to "lock them into" their park days. That way no one is swayed by pesky billboards to visit Universal or Sea World because their Disney days were planned 60 days before.

The consequence of all this is exactly what the OP learned. Yes, you can book things in advance. But if your plans change (or god forbid you book a last-minute trip) you will be pretty severely hampered when it comes to the more popular attractions at Disney.

 

[Shaden]

Everybody tour differently. To you, FP+ may open up more options, however for others it is more limiting. I'm not knocking your strategy, just saying, that to others (me for example), FP+ limits my ability to change plans the night before, week before, heck even 30 days before. For example, Park hrs change or a hard ticket party is added after my 60 day window & I want to switch around my parks, good luck getting a FP for 7DMT. Or local friends decide to join us the day before & want to go to EPCOT, good luck getting Soarin. It has SEVERELY limited my ability to change parks past the 60 day window (or 45, or even 39 day window depending on time of yr & crowds) & I am not liking this aspect of FP+. Being able to pre-schedule Soarin for arrival day, that I do like. But all in all, I like the old way, as it allows my family (our touring style, level of spontaneity) maximum flexibility.

I'm right there with ya. We leave for WDW on Thursday and I've been going over our "spreadsheet" of ADR's and FP's and Parades and Fireworks and Activities for the 15 days we'll be there and I have to admit that it almost seems asinine at times to schedule an entire day around three events that each last, what? Three minutes each?

Thank you sir, may I have another.........

Yep. This is the main reason I hate FP+.

I so miss having that clean slate every morning, where you could regroup and change plans based on how things were going, weather, illness, bad night's sleep, etc.

Yes, YeS, and YES !

ADRs for May, done ...
These might go out the window early March when FP+s get booked ...
That might go out the window for any number of reasons WDW changes the park hours, Whether forecast doesn't agree, etc etc ....
Then all that might get tossed out again during the trip for any number of unforeseen reasons...

But you know, plan, plan, plan and "lock it in" and make your trip more relaxing and magical and ... bleh.

 

[tony67]

I have to agree..it is in no way about making things more fair.

Sure it's great for those that are willing to get up at midnight 60 days in advance and/or check back every day to get the rides they want.

And it's great for people who want to plan every minute of every day down to the second.

If you are one of those people that actually wants to have a vacation and just go with the flow than Disney really isn't for you anymore.

Oh and don;t even think about using the app...it was down 4 of the 6 days I was in the parks..it's been in testing for well over a year at this point..and I'm really tired of the cast members telling me "It's in testing" or "Well Walt said...". Guess what ..Walt never said anything about FP+

Anyway that's all fine with me...I'm done with Disney for the foreseeable future.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yes, YeS, and YES !
ADRs for May, done ...
These might go out the window early March when FP+s get booked ...
That might go out the window for any number of reasons WDW changes the park hours, Whether forecast doesn't agree, etc etc ....
Then all that might get tossed out again during the trip for any number of unforeseen reasons...

But you know, plan, plan, plan and "lock it in" and make your trip more relaxing and magical and ... bleh.

That's the key! You have to be willing to plan, plan, plan and then be ok if your plans go to crud because of circumstances out of your control.

 

[wisblue]

I understand that there are a lot of people who don't like to schedule anything in advance. But one thing I've had trouble understanding is how people who make one or two ADRs almost every day of their trips are so upset about FP+. It seems to me that ADRs create a much greater commitment to being in a specific place at a specific time and, if you're going to do that, then FP+ seems to present an opportunity to schedule popular attractions around those ADRs.

Given that there are so few attractions for which FPs are gone days in advance, I also don't understand why anyone should feel that those FPs commit you to a particular park. If you want to change your plans, even the same day, why not just do it and accept whatever FPs are available to you?

To me, it really comes down to deciding what is more important to you: flexibility or being sure to do one or two rides that, as other posters have said, take no more than a couple of minutes. It doesn't seem to be an all or nothing proposition. Make the reservations, and if you feel like changing your plans, don't let yourself feel trapped into doing something you don't want to do.

Believe me, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about missing paper FP. But, since FP+ isn't going anywhere, I think it makes more sense to treat it as an opportunity instead of a trap.

 

[elaine amj]

I take it as a different way of touring and is going to require all of us to learn new strategies and figure out how to "make the most of it". I've learned to adjust my idea of "must do". I must say - I was adjusting my DHS day for 12/28 and was shocked to see TSM fully available all day even though we are about 40 or so days out. So at least that should be available to off-siters at 30 days during the extreme peak season of Christmas Week.

I agree with a PP that Disney did this to "lock us in" so we can't switch to Universal or whatever. It also makes it too tempting to pre-purchase the max number of park day tickets rather than waiting until you get there to see if you "feel like adding an extra day".

Another thing I read before is that they wanted to redistribute the lines and encourage ppl to ride the less popular attractions. They've certainly been successful in doing that with much longer standby lines at historically uncrowded attractions. From what I have seen, many people feel tied to their FP+, and use it a a firm "schedule" whether they need to or not.

 

[surferdave]

It's regulating everything to be more fair.

Ah, the wisdom of Solomon. Everybody gets half a baby, what could be more fair.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

OP, you are completely right. We are here now. It is only day 3 of 10 and I have already had mulitiple times I have wanted to do a quick switch a roo and then I remember I can't because of the new system. This is supposed to be a slow week. Can't imagine the poor should that visit at busy times. I wanted to give it a fair chance, but I don't care for it at all. I think there is a lot of DcL in our future.

 

[wisblue]

OP, you are completely right. We are here now. It is only day 3 of 10 and I have already had mulitiple times I have wanted to do a quick switch a roo and then I remember I can't because of the new system. This is supposed to be a slow week. Can't imagine the poor should that visit at busy times. I wanted to give it a fair chance, but I don't care for it at all. I think there is a lot of DcL in our future.

Just out of curiosity, what were you trying to switch and why couldn't you do it?

 

[disneydude365]

If you don't like it your not forced to use it. I use three specific rides the first two are an hour apart while the last one is three hours after the second this gives time to wander around and not make a mad dash to the third. I've accepted that in Disney odds are you can't do everything and if you go in planning to you'll leave disappointed. Disney has offered a way that better serves everyone a chance to get at least 1 ride on a few attractions. In my opinion it is fair it's not disneys fault if you chose to change your plans.

People who can't make rope drop ended up missing out on a number of fast passes so honestly I'm glad to see them gone. And rope drop and EMH are both still there so that's more time to play.
Honestly for me ADR has been harder to reserve than fast pass+

 

[saintsfanshelly]

I know a lot people don't like the new system, but for my husband and I we enjoy -gasp- sleeping in at Disney and touring mid day and night. FPP guarantees we get to do some headliners without lines. Besides A&E and 7DMT I've noticed all rides have been having availability a day or so in advanced. Heck, Test Track had FPP for today still at 2pm.