I am not stupid about crowds as we almost always have to travel during holidays and summers. We have done trips during Christmas week. You just can't shrug this off as it being busy, but there is a change coming and it will effect you. Also busy times are busy because that's when most people go.
Here's what is most concerning, once the old system goes away you will get 3 choices (even if it's 4 choices in the end), rest of the time it's standby. I see where we used FP-all the time for the lesser attractions and even rode some of the major rides a couple of times in a day. That is going away.
And during busy times you can't just change your times because those times won't be available. You are locked in and honestly that is a PITA. Old system you pulled as you needed. Now you do as Disney wants.
They are taking away tangible benefits from the guests. They are transforming the vacation by lowering what you can expect to get.
I saw long lines to get into the FP line, and yes showing tickets us way faster than scanning the band. Those FP lines will only get worse. I observed a lot of CM just finally letting people through when the Mickey wouldn't turn green. You can literally feel the frustration in the air and it's effecting the CMs.
We are DVC owners and we will need to think long and hard about keeping our shares because this is a huge cut in what we had come to expect at WDW.
This was the original post, it does a good job explaining how the experience will change for a lot of people.
The reason this conversation has gone on now consistently for 18 months - is because we all have to decide how to use our vacation time in the next 12 months. We have to project and predict what it will look like.
We can't wait "to see what the final product is" or hope that it turns out ok.
As for Trusting Disney... I can't do that, they have said over and over again these changes are designed for the accountants not the guests.
I completely understand that it is going to work out for those planners who don't ride many rides. Those that fish, like to wander through the parks, golf, etc. it will be good for that group. (Non-planners who like to do those things will most likely be shut out - if this turns out as successful as Disney hopes).
But for me, my travel groups, and my teenagers we have a lot to think about. Will the cuts in our ride opportunity (and yes my teens do like riding ToT multiple times a day) combined with ticket price increases be a smart use of our money?
Combine that with the shorter evening EMH and the credit card guarantee for all restaurants ( even restaurant Marrakesh?) and I am not sure it is going to work.
The FP+ conversations have to continue! we have to keep projecting.
I visited twice in 2014 during this "test", I didn't like it. I will keep watching. I am punting 2014 (I'm going to Toronto, Montreal, Vermont, Newport, NYC instead!) but my DVC points will be fully stocked in July 2014, and I will have to decide how to budget them.
So I have about 7 months to watch, learn, and guess. I appreciate all the different perspectives and on the scene stories.
Thank you lugnut33.