FP+ Please tell me the Pros and Cons

[linda36d]

Hi everyone...making a single trip in either September or October and this will be my first time in WDW since the change over to the FP+. I have purposely NOT read anything about how the new system is working for everyone. I am trusting all of YOU who have experienced it first hand how it's working out. Please let me know. Thanks in advance!!

 

[PSUGuy]

We were Guinea Pigs last Oct during the test phase and used it early last month. It all worked well for us. We got our bands in late Sept for a mid Oct trip, chose our FP+ options without a hitch after linking our bands with our UnderCoverTourist passes we already had. We enjoy FP+ because we hop every day, almost always to Epcot and in the past FP- would be gone or way late for the E-Ticket rides, now we do Soarin' or TT or the like in the afternoon. Yes, more than 3 passes a day would be nice, but we're pleased, Commando Tourists who got many FP- passes in the past, not so much.

Bill From PA

 

[SoonerSean]

We went last November and didn't have any major issues with FP+. Twice the changes we made via the app didn't show up in the system, but the CM's at each attraction accepted a screen shot I took on my phone to show where I had made the changes.

While we were there you could also still use your room keys to pull additional paper fastpasses. So we really had the best of both worlds.

I cringe at the thought of the old FP system no longer being there next time we go back. But FP+ is certainly better than no FP system at all.

My only issue with FP+ is the inability to book more than one park - if you pay for the privilege of park hopping then FP+ should support it. You shouldn't have to exhaust three FP+ choices at one park and then hustle over to the next hoping you can get lucky and pull a FP there (that would be impossible for Soarin' or Toy Story).

And I also don't like tiers... as an adult with teenagers there's only two attractions at EPCOT they like (Soarin and Test Track) and at DHS it's only Rockin' Rollercoaster, Toy Story, and Tower of Terror. Tiering means we can't pull all of those. To me not letting you pull the same ride twice in the same day is the only limit they should have.

 

[DisneyBum303]

We were there 4/5-4/12. While we didn't experience any problems with it, we didn't love the restrictions (which appear to have been adjusted as of today. Not as much as we would like, but it's definitely better). And it did seem that there were significant increases in wait times for attractions that previously had low numbers (we go same time every year).

Maybe it's because I'm an old lady, but I don't love change . I liked it the way it was before. Did it ruin our vacation? Absolutely not. But was it as magical? No, not really.

 

[JennyDrake]

Just a few thoughts (I've used it Dec and Feb next trip is later this week)

Pros
Can set itinerary in advance
No rushing to get FP at RD

Cons
Only 3 FP+ /day
Cannot duplicate FP+ to ride something twice
BIGGEST FOR ME Standby lines are now significantly longer than anything I've ever seen in 20 years of regular trips

 

[SuperRob]

Hi everyone...making a single trip in either September or October and this will be my first time in WDW since the change over to the FP+. I have purposely NOT read anything about how the new system is working for everyone. I am trusting all of YOU who have experienced it first hand how it's working out. Please let me know. Thanks in advance!!

Don't sweat it. FP+ is, at this point, just about identical to the old FP system, with the exception that you can book your first three FP selections between 60-30 days in advance of your trip. After you've used your third pass, you can go to a kiosk (ANY kiosk) and get additional FastPasses for any ride that still has them available.

One big change is you can FastPass parades, fireworks, etc. If you desperately want a reserved spot to see Wishes, you can book it in advance, or your can risk waiting until you've used your other FPs and see if there are still passes available.

Really, you're getting some better flexibility and the ability to guarantee spots on popular rides like Toy Story without having to be there at Rope Drop. In theory, there are no downsides.

In reality, it's causing some longer waits, as people either show up too early or two late for their FastPass return times, or something happens and their band/card isn't read properly. Also, because FastPass is now available at EVERY ride, Standby times for some rides have increased, but really, who would ride Standby!? So really, the old strategies still hold true. Get there early, FastPass the busiest rides, take a break mid-day.

Cons
Only 3 FP+ /day
Cannot duplicate FP+ to ride something twice
BIGGEST FOR ME Standby lines are now significantly longer than anything I've ever seen in 20 years of regular trips

Those first two things are no longer true as of today. Your first three FP have to be used, then you can get a "rolling fourth" as many times as you want, and it can be for rides you've already FastPassed.

As for the increase in Standby wait times, Standby is for suckers.

 

[amg35]

Just a few thoughts (I've used it Dec and Feb next trip is later this week)

Pros
Can set itinerary in advance
No rushing to get FP at RD

Cons
Only 3 FP+ /day
Cannot duplicate FP+ to ride something twice
BIGGEST FOR ME Standby lines are now significantly longer than anything I've ever seen in 20 years of regular trips

Just quoting in that I think people are able to book same ride with the 4th fast pass of the day starting today? People were able to get TSMM and Space Mountain for later in the day.

 

[JennyDrake]

After you've used your third pass, you can go to a kiosk (ANY kiosk) and get additional FastPasses for any ride that still has them available.

My concern is the Kiosk LINES/wait times. I was there the end of Feb and wait times at kiosks were 45-60 minutes!! What good does it do me to get another FP+ if I have to wait an hour in line for each one?

 

[SuperRob]

My concern is the Kiosk LINES/wait times. I was there the end of Feb and wait times at kiosks were 45-60 minutes!! What good does it do me to get another FP+ if I have to wait an hour in line for each one?

Jenny,

Those lines are pretty much gone now that anyone can book FastPasses in advance. It should be just like grabbing an old pass now, except that you don't have to go to a SPECIFIC machine to do it now.