FP+ Royally sucks

[klitteral2009]

SethSchroeder, I agree with you 100%! Planning a Disney vacation should not be so unpleasant and it doesn't have to be! For me, my planning is second only to taking our Disney trip in terms of fun. Call me crazy. I understand frustrations with system glitches and yes, FP+ is a little maddening at times but you can make it work, you just have to give it a little time. A previous poster said something about OP wanting to plan for specific FP times. I'm sorry, thats crazy. You can shoot for a window, but you cant possibly expect to be able to plan your ride times to the minute. As much as I like to plan, I am also extremely flexable. You really should be to maximize your enjoyment of vacation. Another thing that kind of confuses me, OP says this is all for DS first trip, and while I understand wanting to make it magical, if they do in fact own DVC as someone else noticed in their signature, why is this being treated as a be all end all, once in a lifetime trip? Maybe I'm too laid back or complacent or whatever, but I just don't see the point of getting so worked up over this.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

...
I finally assure you that I know my own kid well enough that I know if he is not out of the park between the hours of 2-5 pm (The only times most of my FP+ are showing available) and catching a nap, we are in for a full on meltdown around dinner time, something I would prefer to avoid.

What has worked for us is to get late afternoon or evening FP+ intentionally and tour morning EMH and RD until it's crowded or we are hot or hungry or... Then we take our break - a bit earlier than your ideal 2-5. When we are refreshed, we are ready to return to the park and use the FP+s waiting for us. It worked for us - just trying to give you some options - of course, YMMV.

 

[ariane37]

I assure you I am technologically advanced enough that I have figured the site out. It is just a really crappy site.

I also assure you that I am logically advanced enough to know that there has to be an iota of "Go with the flow" mentality when going about your day.

I finally assure you that I know my own kid well enough that I know if he is not out of the park between the hours of 2-5 pm (The only times most of my FP+ are showing available) and catching a nap, we are in for a full on meltdown around dinner time, something I would prefer to avoid.

I was trying to be nice. I wasn't implying you aren't "technologically advanced" enough to use the site. The site sucks and it doesn't explain all the tips that other posters have given you to help you maneuver around changing the FP times. If you haven't use the system before, even if you're tech-savvy it may take a little time to figure it out. Most people are WAY more "technologically advanced" than I am , so maybe I should assume you and most others have the ins and outs of the site down pat within minutes?

I also wasn't implying you lack logic. But sometimes we get so caught up in trying to plan the "perfect" trip that we forget to sit back and take a deep breath, and try to look at things another way. Again not implying you DIDN"T do this.

I don't think I implied you don't know your child lol. I did suggest trying again. I though perhaps after reading some of these posts or working with the system a little bit more (although I guess you already know it inside and out) you'd be able to find times that worked better for you.

Good luck OP. As I said a couple times already the system does suck and has taken a lot of the fun out of planning, at least for me.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

While I haven't read all of the responses on this thread, I have read a few of yours to understand what was happening and really believe you need to take a step back here. I'm not sure if I misunderstood you or not, but one post said that you planned in such a detailed manner that you counted on getting FP+s for certain times of the day. Did I read that correctly? If so, I think this may be why you're having difficulty. You cannot count on getting the exact times that you want during a peak season trip (and, more than likely, for some moderate to off-season visits). It's just not realistic. If I read it incorrectly, I apologize as I'm just trying to understand so that I can help.

My suggestion when it comes to park planning is to decide what parks you will visit on which day. If EMH plays into that decision for you, check that schedule first. Then, you can select your ADRs or FP+s; do whichever is more important to you first and then the other.

FP+ can be modified easily. If you get a plan that isn't what you're looking for, try one of the other options (they give you a Best Match, Option A, Option B, etc.). Choose one of those, and you can always go in and alter a time, if need be.

It's important to remember that you can change your FP+s even on the day you are in the parks. Quite often, I or friends of mine have been in the situation in which this can be done within an hour or two of ride time. Make sure you have your smartphone with you in the parks and check it here or there if you're not having luck with what you want. Don't lose hope.

Also, please keep in mind that you don't have to have a FP+ in order to ride an attraction or experience an entertainment option. With smart planning, you can take the regular route and wait in line. Go to the parks just before opening and you'll find very short wait times even in the summer. This is why I don't recommend using FP+s for the morning hours. It's better to save them for the afternoon and evenings when parks are at their busiest.

I hope this helps. I have used FP+ many times since it first began testing up through now so these are my tips based on personal experience. Remember, you're going on vacation. Relax and enjoy it!

You did indeed manage to misunderstand perfectly. I would never be naive enough to think I would get rides exactly when I wanted them. However I thought a plan of Rope Drop for an hour, book a FP one per hour for the next 3 while squeezing in some standbys, then attempting to acquire a 4th FP for the evening followed by a break at the hotel is not asking too much. I'm not shooting for A&E here or SDMT, I was looking for Buzz, Peter Pan an Space Mountain. I realize SM is a popular ride but for me to stay up till 1am log on and not get a single SM availability till after 3pm, when hopefully my kid will be fast asleep, is a sign there's something very, very wrong with the system.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

What has worked for us is to get late afternoon or evening FP+ intentionally and tour morning EMH and RD until it's crowded or we are hot or hungry or... Then we take our break - a bit earlier than your ideal 2-5. When we are refreshed, we are ready to return to the park and use the FP+s waiting for us. It worked for us - just trying to give you some options - of course, YMMV.

Considering that plan of attack, thanks. My only question is does that knock out any chances of a 4th FP for anything. I'm not even talking headliners, I mean your middle wàit time rides (I anticipate being asked to ride Buzz.....A LOT)

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Very strange. I'm going to be in WDW around the same time you are and am not seeing these issues.

If you arrive 30 minutes before park opening, you will be able to do all of Fantasyland (or Buzz like you mentioned) with very little wait times without a FP. You can get one for Space for later in the morning or afternoon.

What dates were you looking at?

 

[klitteral2009]

Very strange. I'm going to be in WDW around the same time you are and am not seeing these issues.

Very interesting....

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just checked a few days at random based on the OPs vacation ticker. I chose Peter Pan, Buzz, and Space Mountain for four different days and found FPs available for all of them. In fact, the OP can ride them all before 1-2 in the afternoon.

OP, I'm a little confused. What are you not getting on your end?

 

[sethschroeder]

Very interesting....

That's one of the biggest issues with technology these days is that there is too many formats and options almost. Options are great and a good way to support the direction of certain companies but it makes it messy.

Also (I AM NOT POINT FINGERS) based on other sites you visit or how old your computer is or who your ISP (internet provider) or who you connect to your internet (Wi-Fi or hardwire) you can have issues creep in that no matter how much beta testing you did you wouldn't come across those issues.

In the end I am glad I am not Disney IT when these issues crop up but hopefully they can kick them I the butt so people stop having the issues and can worry about more important things like what time they can fit in getting a Mickey Ice Cream

 

[wordwitt]

Sorry Judgey McJudgerton. Trying to make this once in a lifetime, first ever WDW trip for my lil' guy as perfect as it can be. Spent the last 3 months spending hours daily trying to plan everything out so when we get there, it is simply wave a band, have some fun. You keep being awesome, though, Kay!

To be fair to Judgey McJudgerton, while I understand being frustrated, crying over FP+ is a pretty extreme reaction. It is also extreme, and I say this as an uber-planner myself, to spend "hours daily" for three months planning one's WDW vacation. You wouldn't be doing that unless you liked the planning aspect of it, because even with FP+ it's not necessary to go to those extremes, and it's pretty much a voluntary exercise. (Unless you're having extreme technical issues with MDE.)

But yeah, take some deep breaths and realize that FP+ availability isn't static-- it seems as if more are released the closer you get to your dates, and usually you can change times pretty successfully. And if you do end up with evening FP+ times, you can work with that if you really want to. It's actually a great way to tour, esp. if you stay onsite and can use morning EMH and rope drop. Use the afternoons for napping/relaxing, and the little one is ready to go again for the evening (when FP- would have been unavailable in most cases under the old system).

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want my magic bubble burst lol~
OP I sincerely hope things smooth out for you and everyone else (myself included) who hit brick walls.
If I see liquor sales increasing I'm going with a direct correlation to WDW FP+ planning
I think I just figured out my MNSSHP costume...a screen shot/page from FP+ planning lol...sounds like the scariest costume ever

You don't know how true this is ringing. Was so frustrated after last night, this morning, that I grabbed a co-worker and went for a "Friday Special" lunch. Lo and behold I come back, try to change my times again and a reasonable time opened up for 1:25 It is now showing available most of the day. I could even snag a SDMT at a decent time if I was so inclined.

So there is your solution to FP problems, alcohol.

Thank Mickey my kid isn't into Frozen or I'd be losing it more, lol. A&E filled up the whole week already.

This system needs major work, first and foremost the FP window should not be opened till 7am when tech support is available.

 

[JimmyV]

I'm not sure if I misunderstood you or not, but one post said that you planned in such a detailed manner that you counted on getting FP+s for certain times of the day. Did I read that correctly? If so, I think this may be why you're having difficulty. You cannot count on getting the exact times that you want during a peak season trip (and, more than likely, for some moderate to off-season visits).

If a person is on their computer at 1:00 a.m. exactly 60 days out, they should be able to get exactly what they want. The only reason for not being able to do so would be if there are also 20,000 other people doing the exact same thing at the exact same time. And if that is indeed the case, then this entire system needs to be re-thought. For months we were told that the "beauty" of FP+ was to eliminate the need for Rope Drop and commando planning. But if we now have a virtual Rope Drop at 1:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m., and 20,000 people are in the queue to "get in" instead of 1,500, then we have lept out of the frying pan and squarely into the fire.

 

[sethschroeder]

This system needs major work, first and foremost the FP window should not be opened till 7am when tech support is available.

I agree that the technical side does need to work for everyone every single time.

As far as 7am opening I think it works better now for tech support. People just give up by 7am and don't backup there phone lines. Instead they already

 

[mom2rtk]

If a person is on their computer at 1:00 a.m. exactly 60 days out, they should be able to get exactly what they want. The only reason for not being able to do so would be if there are also 20,000 other people doing the exact same thing at the exact same time. And if that is indeed the case, then this entire system needs to be re-thought. For months we were told that the "beauty" of FP+ was to eliminate the need for Rope Drop and commando planning. But if we now have a virtual Rope Drop at 1:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m., and 20,000 people are in the queue to "get in" instead of 1,500, then we have lept out of the frying pan and squarely into the fire.

 

[amg35]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want my magic bubble burst lol~
OP I sincerely hope things smooth out for you and everyone else (myself included) who hit brick walls.
If I see liquor sales increasing I'm going with a direct correlation to WDW FP+ planning
I think I just figured out my MNSSHP costume...a screen shot/page from FP+ planning lol...sounds like the scariest costume ever

I think you will be fine. While there are still the unlucky ones (this poster included) who get stuck with the glitches, there seems to be a decrease in all the negative fast pass posts and more positive ones lately.

Not that it will be the case for everyone, but I choose to take it as a good sign.

I have no plans to be glued to my phone either. I will have my fast pass times and adrs. I probably won't check my phone all that much except for some wait times, not interested in really switching any fast passes around, and will play the fourth fast pass by ear.

My fast pass plan is to make them on my day, play around so I get the right times and close the book on my planning! I'm not going to go back in and change things around or over think it.
I will spend the rest of my 60 day wait shopping and deciding what food I want to eat.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I just checked a few days at random based on the OPs vacation ticker. I chose Peter Pan, Buzz, and Space Mountain for four different days and found FPs available for all of them. In fact, the OP can ride them all before 1-2 in the afternoon.

OP, I'm a little confused. What are you not getting on your end?

Yeah, try again, OP. Things open up/change all the time.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I guess I'm not exactly sure what the point of this thread is now.

Buzz wanted FPs for his trip which appears to be in late August.

Those FPs are available for the attractions he mentioned and for the time of day he was looking at:

I just checked a few days at random based on the OPs vacation ticker. I chose Peter Pan, Buzz, and Space Mountain for four different days and found FPs available for all of them. In fact, the OP can ride them all before 1-2 in the afternoon.

OP, I'm a little confused. What are you not getting on your end?

Buzz, I'd suggest going on MDE right now to get those you were looking for.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you look at Post 151, Buzz has got his Space Mountain. he's even noting that he could have had Mine Train if he'd wanted it.

The only thing he couldn't see times for was Anna and Elsa, but he didn't want them.

 

[jeffbear]

I guess I'm not exactly sure what the point of this thread is now.

I do think there's one VERY valid point in all this ... at a minimum.

The MDE site really isn't very intuitive when it comes to the FP+ selection process. The entire conceit behind the "we'll make three automatic selections for you" is bizarre given the nature of Disney's regular visitors. They HAD to know that was going to be a problem for people. And the process by which you change FP+s isn't exactly crystal clear either. Too many steps, too many button labels that don't make much sense. It's OK once you get the hang of it, but people seem to be attaching the same level of urgency to FP selection that was needed to get Cindy's Royal Table ADRs back in the bad old days ... or Be Our Guest currently.

The web/app designers really did a poor job designing that interface IMO. And given what was spent on it, that shouldn't be the case. That section of the site and the apps REALLY needs a fresh start with a new point of view.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Considering that plan of attack, thanks. My only question is does that knock out any chances of a 4th FP for anything. I'm not even talking headliners, I mean your middle wàit time rides (I anticipate being asked to ride Buzz.....A LOT)

We were unsuccessful in getting a 4th FP+ for anything we wanted during the first week of June, so I'm not personally taking that into account. Some folks find availability for 4th FP+ but it seems random enough that I am not comfortable counting on it. If I would be happy with plan A assuming I can get 4th or more FP+ or happy with plan B, then I take plan B because it is more certain. If I would be happy with A or B equally without needing or wanting a 4th FP+ and A has a higher chance of getting a 4th FP+, then I will try A... (Unlike the old system where afternoon FP availability was first-come first-served that day, this new system has afternoon FP+s pre-booked by other guests leaving much less availability for 4th etc FP+s. In my experience... We found the most success touring without FP+s for 2 or more hours first thing in the morning and starting FP+s for mid-day and/or evening. 4th FP+ was rather new when we were there, so maybe they are allowing more 4th etc FP+ availability than they were then - we can hope...)
We ride Buzz a lot - first thing at park opening and/or am EMH, we will ride repeatedly without FP+. Then, later in the day, we will use a FP+ for another turn. Just letting you know what we do so you might find options that work for you. Which is, I believe, what should be the intent of this thread.