Here now and FP+better than expected

[casjen]

I am a planner and this is our 10th trip, including Disneyland. So I was worried about FP+ limiting our fun.

At MK on Saturday 8/2 we rode everything we wanted. We walked right into Space at RD. Then rode the speedway and Dumbo and Goofy in less than an hour. Hit up 7DMT around 10:15 and then walked onto Smallworld with a 10 minute wait. We rode Splash with our FP and then walked over to Big Thunder with our FP. We used the later end if our fastpass window and squeezed other rides in between.

We were unable to make a 4th FP bc the whole system crashed . We we're give one "use anytime" FP and then they handed out some paper passes. We left at 1:30 after riding JC with a 20 minute wait for a mid day break.

Got back at 5 and got a POTC FP for after dinner. Rode that and Splash ten waited for the electric light parade .

Overall a very productive day with a nice midday break.

We loved not having to run all over the park pulling multiple FP which we used to love to do. It is so hot we needed to go back to the room and cool off.

Today hit headliners at Epcot with no fastpasses and spent the afte rnoon/night at Hs. Loved having our favorites already reserved. So far we love it !

 

[lauritagoddess]

This is great to hear. There are so many reports of FP+ being a disaster, it's nice to hear when it's working out for someone.

 

[OB1]

Totally agree casjen. On our late May trip, we were also worried, but found it pretty easy to use. We also liked not having to run all over the place for our FP. It was really nice to hop to another park mid day and have our FPs scheduled.

 

[ARAITHEL]

LIKE LIKE LIKE!

We were in on the "pilot" for FP+ in Sept of '12. I thought it was awesome, and couldn't get over the amount of bad press it has gotten since its implementation. I'm thinking that I'm going to love the new system when we try it out next month.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Never a doubt ! FP+ is awesome and will only get better. The doomsayers just love you hear themselves talk (type ?)

 

[btk2333]

good to hear we've had good experiences with FP+ too. There are pros and cons to both systems but magical vacations can be had with both of them! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[dobtia]

I have to admit that I was not a doomsayer, but I was a bit of doubter....we did a week second week of June. Our experience was pretty solid and we had a fantastic time. There are some kinks to work; tiers (and some additional rides at EPCOT and DHS could help there) and only 3 at MK to start. However the system is not as bad as advertised in my opinion and pretty easy to figure out.

 

[gericoronado]

I was someone who loved to run around collecting paper FPs but my traveling companion for an upcoming trip will be in a wheelchair due to emphysema. We wouldn't be able to do it without the new FP+ and being able to pre-schedule is great.

 

[Ava]

Thanks for the positive report! Our trip next month will be our first using FP+, and while it's a little daunting to figure out all the scheduling between ADRs and FP+, I'm looking forward to having our "must do" attractions reserved in advance. Running for FP at rope drop with two little kids in tow does not sound easy or fun.

 

[ARAITHEL]

Our trip next month will be our first using FP+, and while it's a little daunting to figure out all the scheduling between ADRs and FP+, I'm looking forward to having our "must do" attractions reserved in advance.

We have a specific touring style and type of person who generally goes with us. We eat late, like to have one day we eat our TS at lunch (generally Sci-Fi at HS) and we make the RD. Our families are livestock families and our kids are used to being up at 4:30AM, showing their cattle at shows all day at top capacity, and then eating with their families at restaurants at 10PM in the evenings. I am thankful, as these types of kids make great additions to commando Disney plans. For that reason, it was easy for me to plan fp+ and ADR reservations. I know the style and planned accordingly.

I think the biggest thing to remember on juggling fp+ and ADR reservations is to know your family's habits and triggers, and then plan your schedule accordingly. This made the transition easy for me from FP- to FP+.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I am a planner and this is our 10th trip, including Disneyland. So I was worried about FP+ limiting our fun.

At MK on Saturday 8/2 we rode everything we wanted. We walked right into Space at RD. Then rode the speedway and Dumbo and Goofy in less than an hour. Hit up 7DMT around 10:15 and then walked onto Smallworld with a 10 minute wait. We rode Splash with our FP and then walked over to Big Thunder with our FP. We used the later end if our fastpass window and squeezed other rides in between.

We were unable to make a 4th FP bc the whole system crashed . We we're give one "use anytime" FP and then they handed out some paper passes. We left at 1:30 after riding JC with a 20 minute wait for a mid day break.

Got back at 5 and got a POTC FP for after dinner. Rode that and Splash ten waited for the electric light parade .

Overall a very productive day with a nice midday break.

We loved not having to run all over the park pulling multiple FP which we used to love to do. It is so hot we needed to go back to the room and cool off.

Today hit headliners at Epcot with no fastpasses and spent the afte rnoon/night at Hs. Loved having our favorites already reserved. So far we love it !

Thanks for the post - it is good to hear. We go soon and can't wait.

 

[abctriplets]

Yep as I mentioned on another thread we loved the fast pass crash on sat. The 1-2-3-4 combo of 3 online passes for the must haves, 1 pass for anything, paper passes to the older rides whenever you wanted it, and then your 4+ passes in the evening when the system came back on.

 

[GoOfyInDisNEy]

Thanks so much for the positive post. It's refreshing to hear something good . We enjoyed the new system during late January, and are excited to use it again late October.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I am a planner and this is our 10th trip, including Disneyland. So I was worried about FP+ limiting our fun.

At MK on Saturday 8/2 we rode everything we wanted. We walked right into Space at RD. Then rode the speedway and Dumbo and Goofy in less than an hour. Hit up 7DMT around 10:15 and then walked onto Smallworld with a 10 minute wait. We rode Splash with our FP and then walked over to Big Thunder with our FP. We used the later end if our fastpass window and squeezed other rides in between.

We were unable to make a 4th FP bc the whole system crashed . We we're give one "use anytime" FP and then they handed out some paper passes. We left at 1:30 after riding JC with a 20 minute wait for a mid day break.

Got back at 5 and got a POTC FP for after dinner. Rode that and Splash ten waited for the electric light parade .

Overall a very productive day with a nice midday break.

We loved not having to run all over the park pulling multiple FP which we used to love to do. It is so hot we needed to go back to the room and cool off.

Today hit headliners at Epcot with no fastpasses and spent the afte rnoon/night at Hs. Loved having our favorites already reserved. So far we love it !

Refreshing to hear! Out of curiosity, how long was the SB time at 7DMT at 10:15?

 

[AmyB2006]

No doubt FP+ has its pros and cons, but it sounds like if you plan it out and have a good strategy that it can work out.

 

[disneyygirrl]

Thank you for sharing! I've been super nervous for our upcoming trip (we leave in a month), so this was amazing to read!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Yep as I mentioned on another thread we loved the fast pass crash on sat. The 1-2-3-4 combo of 3 online passes for the must haves, 1 pass for anything, paper passes to the older rides whenever you wanted it, and then your 4+ passes in the evening when the system came back on.

So we all need to hope for system crashes?

OP - great to hear the system is working for you and you're having a great time.

 

[casjen]

At 10:15. Good luck!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks so much for the positive post. It's refreshing to hear something good .

It is interesting that every negative thread that rails on the new system seems to take on a life of its own with a buzillion posts......while you can hear crickets chirp in a positive thread!

Add me to the list of fans. There is definitely a 'take the good with the bad' mentality that needs to be used, because it's not all overwhelmingly positive, but the good outweighs the bad, IMHO. We are 23 year WDW vets who knew how to maximize the WDW experience under every previous system......and we just had a great trip with FP+. Hoping to get to a more detailed report later.

Hey, not everyone is a planner, or makes sure to arm themselves with knowledge before they go......but for those who do, the new system can provide an equally magical vacation as the old, with some real positives.

 

[luvthemouse71]

FP+ works well for us. I've used it twice now and no glitches or problems yet.

I like that you can stroll into HS at noon and still have a FP for TSM, for example.

Not a fan of the tiering but other than that, I like the new system.