FP+ - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[amylevan]

Well, now that I've officially used FP+, I guess I'm allowed to hate it now, right? Hate, confirmed.

Here are some details from our trip 1/26-2/7

The Good
We were able to modify the time on all 8 of our GMR FP+ at the last minute so that we could see Indiana Jones.

Two days before we went to AK on 2/6, we were able to make our FP+ reservations (the only day I didn't make 60 days out). Both Everest and the Safari were still available with plenty of times to choose from.

The Bad
As soon as my 4 yr old got off TT for the first time, he told us he loved it and wanted to right it again. The wait was 70 min and I'm not sending a 4 yr old through the single rider line. So, we had to explain that he couldn't ride anymore today. A year ago, I would have just grabbed the kid a fp.

We had 2 days at MK. The first was rainy and cold, so we didn't need our reserved FP+ for anything except peter pan (what is it with that ride??). So, I wasted an unbelievable amount of time dealing with MDE for no reason. The other day was much better weather wise, and we gladly would have used more than 3. (And that's still low season, arriving at rope drop and using a touring plan....)

The Ugly
Tiers suck. Seriously, how is the system an improvement when last year I could get a fp for both RNR and TSMM, and this year I can't? Ditto for Soarin' and TT.

The safari ride at AK is a mess. The FP+ line winds down the walkway to Pangini. I don't know what is going on over there, but it is in need of serious help. They are going to have to build a gueue for the FP+ return line.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Thanks. I'm cutting my park days down to two or even one this summer. We used to just go and I was the fast pass runner and the kids did whatever they wanted that day. One day they wanted small world twice just having a good time. Now when I look at the fast pass choices I think " done that and that " so I'm not caught in the moment so will pass.

 

[amylevan]

Oh, and as for the MB themselves, I could take or leave them. But my 4 yr old hated his, which means I had to carry an extra band around all day. It would have been much easier to carry a card than a bulky band.

 

[Classickat]

How were your wait times when you returned to use your FP?

I have read where people are waiting 45+ minutes in the FP lines. I have FPs scheduled back to back and if I hit the first one near the end of the return time, I'm worried that we won't get to the next one in time!

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

How were your wait times when you returned to use your FP?

I have read where people are waiting 45+ minutes in the FP lines. I have FPs scheduled back to back and if I hit the first one near the end of the return time, I'm worried that we won't get to the next one in time!

Any input is greatly appreciated!

I wasn't the PP, but we just returned from a 2/1 - 2/7 trip, and I can say that none of our FP+ waits were longer than 5-10 minutes. The longest was Soarin', but that was because you wait in the "load" area for a bit while the ride before you finishes up.

I warned my group a number of times that "this ride's FP+ may back up at times," but none of that actually occurred.

 

[amylevan]

How were your wait times when you returned to use your FP?

I have read where people are waiting 45+ minutes in the FP lines. I have FPs scheduled back to back and if I hit the first one near the end of the return time, I'm worried that we won't get to the next one in time!

Any input is greatly appreciated!

We waited at most, 20 min. That would be at the safari and at BTMRR. At BTMRR, they were opening the other side and bringing more trains online, so everything was at a standstill while they did that. The safari FP+ line is just crazy.

However, most of our return times were late morning or early afternoon. We break back at the resort for late afternoons, and when we return to the parks we have TS and see entertainment. The FP+ lines may have been longer during the busiest time.

 

[ucfknight]

I have read where people are waiting 45+ minutes in the FP lines.

That would be an extremely rare occurrence and would likely only happen if the ride broke down while they were in the FP line.

I've used FP+ now for about 20 total days. The most I've waited has been about 25 minutes for Soarin', and that was only because right before we got to the merge point one of the theaters was shutdown because someone was complaining of chest pains when their ride finished. They had to call the paramedics. So everyone who was waiting at the gate for that theater was shifted over to the other theater. With the ride running at half capacity, that increased the wait times dramatically.

Other than that, the most I've waited in the FP line has been about 15 minutes for both Soarin' (which has a 5 minute wait after the merge point) and Test Track (which includes the time in the design room). About 90% of my FP returns lines have been 5 minutes or less.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Well, now that I've officially used FP+, I guess I'm allowed to hate it now, right? Hate, confirmed.

Here are some details from our trip 1/26-2/7

The Good
We were able to modify the time on all 8 of our GMR FP+ at the last minute so that we could see Indiana Jones.

Two days before we went to AK on 2/6, we were able to make our FP+ reservations (the only day I didn't make 60 days out). Both Everest and the Safari were still available with plenty of times to choose from.

The Bad
As soon as my 4 yr old got off TT for the first time, he told us he loved it and wanted to right it again. The wait was 70 min and I'm not sending a 4 yr old through the single rider line. So, we had to explain that he couldn't ride anymore today. A year ago, I would have just grabbed the kid a fp.

We had 2 days at MK. The first was rainy and cold, so we didn't need our reserved FP+ for anything except peter pan (what is it with that ride??). So, I wasted an unbelievable amount of time dealing with MDE for no reason. The other day was much better weather wise, and we gladly would have used more than 3. (And that's still low season, arriving at rope drop and using a touring plan....)

The Ugly
Tiers suck. Seriously, how is the system an improvement when last year I could get a fp for both RNR and TSMM, and this year I can't? Ditto for Soarin' and TT.

The safari ride at AK is a mess. The FP+ line winds down the walkway to Pangini. I don't know what is going on over there, but it is in need of serious help. They are going to have to build a gueue for the FP+ return line.

Did you arrive at all the parks at rope drop? We'll be there late April and the plan is to arrive at rope drop and hit the headliners (hopefully more than once) before the crowds build then take a break and use FP+ later in the day. I'm not happy with the changes and if it really sucks this will be our last trip to Disney but we'll see how it plays out.

 

[amylevan]

Did you arrive at all the parks at rope drop? We'll be there late April and the plan is to arrive at rope drop and hit the headliners (hopefully more than once) before the crowds build then take a break and use FP+ later in the day. I'm not happy with the changes and if it really sucks this will be our last trip to Disney but we'll see how it plays out.

We are always rope droppers. We missed rope drop 1 day at Epcot because we an Epcot bus didn't arrive for over 45 min!!!! There were some mighty angry people that morning. But every other morning we were at rope drop.

 

[drew64]

Did you arrive at all the parks at rope drop? We'll be there late April and the plan is to arrive at rope drop and hit the headliners (hopefully more than once) before the crowds build then take a break and use FP+ later in the day. I'm not happy with the changes and if it really sucks this will be our last trip to Disney but we'll see how it plays out.

We just did that and it worked fine. rode TOT 3 times the one day in the morning with no wait longer thna 10 min.