FP+ is now completely worthless if you are staying offsite.

[millweather]

And similarly this is us. We considered a "last minute" trip to Disney but planned a different trip because the 60 day FP window had passed. Heck the 30 day may have passed. We do stay on site but didn't want to go without getting FP+. So we didn't go. My fault for feeling this way I am sure but this is the new Disney reality, I think.

Even if you are staying on-site you may not get a FP for the top attractions. They go quickly!! My problem is having to plan every minute of my vacation. It is a VACATION for heavens sake!! I take a vacation to get away from schedules. I hate all the changes Disney is making. This upcoming trip will probably be our last for a while.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kmb584]

Not sure how many wives or kids you have but there are the 3 bedroom villas. Those sleep 12 people plus kids under 3yo don't count. These r located at Bay Lake Tower, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Saratoga Springs.

Only 1 child under 3 doesn't count. Also, the 3BR villas are insanely priced. I rented points for a grand villa at AKV a couple of years ago (we had a mini family reunion) and paid $13,500 for 7 nights, roughly $2,000/night. Since we visit WDW so often I tend to stay offsite now and am paying $1,000 for 9 nights in a 2BR unit at the Sheraton Vistana next month.

 

[Maine-iac]

1. Rope drop one day
2. Rope drop another day
3. Standby was a 10-15 minute wait most days in August
4. We used a FP for this, arrived early and there were still people standing in front of us. We won't do that again.
5. Go to Frontierland.

OP, I don't recommend stalking the boards daily. Chances are you might get some or all of these fp's eventually, but they may be at really obscure times. This can really play havoc with your ADR's or other plans that you have made.

I agree with all of this. I made my FP+ for my evening parks and plan to be at the morning parks at rope drop to do the attractions that are important to me. I will never FP+ parades. Have always had great views from Frontierland.
Also I have no interest in A&E or Enchanting Tales with Belle.

 

[StarWarsJez]

I only know Universal vs WDW but no, they don't charge a lot more. They're actually cheaper when you compare ftl vs fp+.

A 1 day, 1 park ticket at Universal is $96. Two parks is $136 and that's without the ftl added in. Add ftl pass that isn't valid for some of the most popular attractions is $190.

1 day MK ticket-$99, add park hopper option to get 4 parks- 143. That's with fp+ of course.

So actually, WDW is cheaper.

Wow - great way to twist some stats by using the one-day!!!

A better example would be three days, for Disney it's $290 but for Universal it's $175 plus you can't compare FP+ with what Universal has with front of line where you can go on every ride (apart from HP) - not just three!

Disney tickets are considerably more than Universal. It's crazy to suggest otherwise.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Yeah, but they are also being a bit short sighted here.
I talk to more and more people at work and in pubs that see no reason to go back to Disney ever. They did their one trip and they did not enjoy it. Not specifically because of FP+, but just unhappy with the whole experience in general.
I also talk to more and more people doing a Universal only weekend trips from Boston and NY.

But the thing is, for every person you talk to that says they are never going back, there are ten that are planning a return trip, and twenty more that are thinking about their first trip.

Disney's biggest problem is their biggest strength, the huge attendance numbers and the fact that the family trip to WDW is considered to be a right of passage in a large part of the world for the average family.

I've just gone through day 60, and made my selections...found it easy enough, and I like knowing I'm not going to have to wear myself out first thing in the morning trying to get the TSMM fast pass at an early enough time to fit our plans. After our trip, I will see what the hole thing was like before calling FP+ better than the old "show up and pray you get one" method.

 

[flicx]

But the thing is, for every person you talk to that says they are never going back, there are ten that are planning a return trip, and twenty more that are thinking about their first trip.

Disney's biggest problem is their biggest strength, the huge attendance numbers and the fact that the family trip to WDW is considered to be a right of passage in a large part of the world for the average family.

This is all conjecture. Disney never tells anyone the real attendance numbers. If Disney is truly that busy I would like to know why the room discounts are creeping up again. Just a few years ago Disney said they were cutting back on discounts. Now I just received an email offering up to 35% off rooms. Two years ago 25% was the top number. If they go up to 40% they will be back to what the were 10 years ago when things weren't good in the economy.

 

[tony67]

But the thing is, for every person you talk to that says they are never going back, there are ten that are planning a return trip, and twenty more that are thinking about their first trip.

That's not what I see - no doubt it was like that a few years ago.

I talk to a lot of people each week and have given advice on the Disney trips to many of them. It's amazing what people who don't use this site or one like it don't know about planning a trip to Disney.

No doubt my experience may be different than yours - so I can only share my experience.

I doubt the 10 to 1 number to be honest, I'd say its lower, but that's just speculation on both are parts.
As least 20 to 1 planning their first trip, I'll give you that - and say it may even be higher than that - but planning is not booking.

What my point is is that the number of people who don't plan to go back again seems much higher than it was a few years ago - and again pure speculation based on my experiences.

You can even see the change on this site, a few years ago you could not say anything negative about Disney without being blasted. Now people are having much more open discussions about the changes - that should be a red flag to Disney.
Even the DDP has lost it's luster now that they have optimized the profit of it at the cost of quality.

In the end if you are loosing the hardcore fans, then maybe something is not 100% right.
It may not affect the bottom line today or tomorrow, but 5 to 10 years who knows.
I think Disney is on the wrong track, and Universal is making the most of it.

 

[Novakm]

Amestitsa

Not sure if it makes you feel any better, but on site guests can't get those FP either. I logged on at 9 am at the 60 day mark and none of the ones you list were available at any time during our stay. I'm going 2nd week of November, which is normally relatively slow. touring plans is predicting crowd levels of 3 to 5.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yeah, but they are also being a bit short sighted here.
I talk to more and more people at work and in pubs that see no reason to go back to Disney ever. They did their one trip and they did not enjoy it. Not specifically because of FP+, but just unhappy with the whole experience in general.
I also talk to more and more people doing a Universal only weekend trips from Boston and NY.

If people can't get a FP and then go and can't even wait in line for ride they will think twice about going to Disney again. I'm sure the people that were told they could not wait in line for TSM will think twice about going back. I'm sure the people that don;t even know this site exists who show up and are told they can;t wait in line for BOG will think twice about going back. I'm sure people who show up at a half empty restaurant and are told there are no tables available (there have been comments of some restaurants are not taking walk ins even though there is availability on the app) will think twice about going back.

I'm 90% sure I'll be skipping F&W next year and doing a Universal only long weekend and I've been to every F&W at Epcot and to Disney at least 30 times over the last 20 years.

The bean counting penny pinchers have ruined Disney IMO, from food to FPs.

I'm sure Kool-Aid man will show up now and say "Oh yeah! Good riddance - more FPs for me!"

I agree. But barring them building more rides that people want to ride, it seems like highly-controlled rationing is how its going to be done from now on. And if it means they have to take away the standby lines, I think they will.

 

[Ametista]

That stinks, it really does.

What did you get in the other parks?

This is a short trip and we are only doing 2 MK days (one of which is MVMCP) and an AK day, plus one day to visit relatives. Our AK day we got the 3 we wanted (EE, KS, KRR). I am just hoping for MVMCP there is meet and greet with A&E because my daughter REALLY loves that movie.

My daughter is the quintessential "Disney girl". She has grown up going there frequently and she still thinks its all magic. I will do my best to get her the last 2 fast passes we need (7DMT and A&E) but I really feel like every second of my vacation is pre-planned, and over-planned at that. Onsiters already get the perks of the EMH, and that used to be the beauty of Disney: aside from EMH the offsiters were still first class citizens.

Whatever. I am sure we will enjoy our trip, its just different now.

 

[ArwenMarie]

This is a short trip and we are only doing 2 MK days (one of which is MVMCP) and an AK day, plus one day to visit relatives. Our AK day we got the 3 we wanted (EE, KS, KRR). I am just hoping for MVMCP there is meet and greet with A&E because my daughter REALLY loves that movie.

My daughter is the quintessential "Disney girl". She has grown up going there frequently and she still thinks its all magic. I will do my best to get her the last 2 fast passes we need (7DMT and A&E) but I really feel like every second of my vacation is pre-planned, and over-planned at that. Onsiters already get the perks of the EMH, and that used to be the beauty of Disney: aside from EMH the offsiters were still first class citizens.

Whatever. I am sure we will enjoy our trip, its just different now.

Have you thought about seeing the Frozen Sing-A-Long at DHS? We just went in August and I couldn't get a FP for the M&G, but we went over and saw that instead. I know it's not the same as meeting them, but it was a really neat show for Frozen fans.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[johde]

I only know Universal vs WDW but no, they don't charge a lot more. They're actually cheaper when you compare ftl vs fp+.

A 1 day, 1 park ticket at Universal is $96. Two parks is $136 and that's without the ftl added in. Add ftl pass that isn't valid for some of the most popular attractions is $190.

1 day MK ticket-$99, add park hopper option to get 4 parks- 143. That's with fp+ of course.

So actually, WDW is cheaper.

If you look at 1 day. Also, express passes are priced by season so at least for the regular express pass the price could be higher or lower. Looking at 4 day tickets. Disney's price for a 4 day park hopper ticket is $377 + tax. The price at Universal for a 4 day Park to Park ticket with Unlimited Express pass is $339+tax during nonpeak season, $379+tax Standard season, and $420 Peak Season. So, during all but peak season Universal is Cheaper or the same price for 4 days and you get Unlimited Express Pass that let's you skip the lines as much as you want on every ride except Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Hogwarts Express, and Pteranodon Flyers. Where everybody, except those who book a VIP tour, wait in the same line. Although, unless you're traveling solo it might be cheaper to book onsite to get the Unlimited Express Pass included with your hotel stay.

It should also be mentioned for $435 you can get the premier annual pass that include admission, Free Valet or Self Parking (select nights excluded on Valet), and Unlimited Express after 4:00 p.m. for the entire year.

 

[jcemom]

Amestitsa

Not sure if it makes you feel any better, but on site guests can't get those FP either. I logged on at 9 am at the 60 day mark and none of the ones you list were available at any time during our stay. I'm going 2nd week of November, which is normally relatively slow. touring plans is predicting crowd levels of 3 to 5.

My SIL is going the week of November 16. I was online and ready to make her FP+ at midnight 60 days out from her check in date. None of the things the OP listed were available. I have been checking many times per day and just two days ago I was finally able to get SDMT, not an ideal time but we will work with it. I still have not seen any of the other available. I will keep trying for A&E and ETWB but I am getting really tired of looking.

 

[Ametista]

My SIL is going the week of November 16. I was online and ready to make her FP+ at midnight 60 days out from her check in date. None of the things the OP listed were available. I have been checking many times per day and just two days ago I was finally able to get SDMT, not an ideal time but we will work with it. I still have not seen any of the other available. I will keep trying for A&E and ETWB but I am getting really tired of looking.

They weren't available at midnight 60 days out for onsiters??? Then where do they go?

 

[Safari23]

It's not just offsite people. I'm booked onsite. I went online at 12:01 on my 60 day. The only thing from your list that was available was enchanted tales with belle. It's ridic. I started with the last day to. So frustrating.

 

[jcemom]

They weren't available at midnight 60 days out for onsiters??? Then where do they go?

Not for either of my SIL's two MK days, for a party of four, no. I was able to get three ETWB, and one at a totally different time, but have not been able to get the times anywhere near each other so I cancelled them a few days ago.

My DD went with friends the first week of September, also a party of four. There was exactly one set of A&E available for the last day of their trip, which I booked. They had plenty of choices for 7DMT and ETWB. I didn't even notice the parade or fireworks availability because I wasn't looking for it.

Another SIL also went the first week of September, with a party of five. I got 7DMT for them at about 55 days out, with limited availability, but there was enough for me to get something that worked for them. They weren't interested in A&E or ETWB. I got four MSEP spots for them and was able to snag the fifth one a week or so later.

DD and I are going in December, with only one park day and one MVMCP. I got one A&E at midnight 60 days out, and picked up another one with an overlapping time two days ago. I have been checking at least ten times a day. 7DMT had limited availability and I had to work around the A&E (on party night we only have from 4-7) and was only able to get 3-4:00. If there is still a grace period and we get into the park AT 4:00 we might make it. Definitely not a preferred time slot for me, but it's all I could get. (The one A&E I booked was for 4-5:00 so I really needed 7DMT after 5:00, but no luck).

 

[jcemom]

It's not just offsite people. I'm booked onsite. I went online at 12:01 on my 60 day. The only thing from your list that was available was enchanted tales with belle. It's ridic. I started with the last day to. So frustrating.

It is VERY frustrating. Considering I am working on planning the fourth trip of the year (only one of which I actually get to go on lol) I am beyond frustrated at this point. At any given time I have half a dozen restaurant pages' tabs pinned so I can check for ADRs multiple times per day, plus FP+ pages pinned in two separate browsers so I can check for FP on two accounts without logging in and back out and back in. I am so sick of it that I almost don't even want to go any more.

I will have a good trip once I get there, I'm sure. I am SO over the planning though, and I have always loved planning.

 

[Suvadoo]

Wow - great way to twist some stats by using the one-day!!!

A better example would be three days, for Disney it's $290 but for Universal it's $175 plus you can't compare FP+ with what Universal has with front of line where you can go on every ride (apart from HP) - not just three!

Disney tickets are considerably more than Universal. It's crazy to suggest otherwise.

Thanks for responding to this. I was getting ready to do a bunch of research, but you've done it for me. I really get tired of people pretending Disney is the same price as everywhere else. It's not.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Leaving today. Have been checking almost daily since my window opened and no enchanted tales, a&e or 7dmt ever opened up. We're just going to try to ride these at RD and Halloween party.

Exciting day for you guys. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[DVCcurious]

I don't think off-siters should get any FP+s

Why should Disney reward you when you won't stay at their hotels?

People who stay at Disney hotels eat all their meals at Disney restaurants. They buy their souvenirs at Disney stores. Off-siters eat their meals off site, they buy their souvenirs at Target. Why should Disney reward you with any FP+?

You want to go to the parks, great. But you should have to wait in line for everything. The very few FP+s should be a benefit to those who are willing to stay on site and give Disney more of their money.