I have a confession.... I LOVE FP+

[snoopy352]

for a true representation of the meaning of this thread, shouldn't it really be titled "I have a confession... I LOVE low crowd days!" I mean, whether you like FP+ or FP- or neither or both, experiences are going to be enhanced enormously due to low crowds, which is what the OP benefitted from.

 

[Robo]

There are no kiosks near the front of the park.

I believe there are kiosks at Guest Relations and in the Town Square theater.

There are no longer FP+ kiosks at the Town Square Theater.

But yes, there ARE two FP+ kiosks inside MK's City Hall, which is the inside-MK Guest Relations location.

 

[prudence64]

for a true representation of the meaning of this thread, shouldn't it really be titled "I have a confession... I LOVE low crowd days!" I mean, whether you like FP+ or FP- or neither or both, experiences are going to be enhanced enormously due to low crowds, which is what the OP benefitted from.

I'm only considering a trip during a peak time because of FP+. I would not have considered it under the old system

 

[RogueKnits]

I love it too. I grew up visiting Disney in the days where there were NO Fast Passes, and I only experienced traditional FP on a single trip, so maybe it's a function of never getting used to traditional FP. I can vividly remember running from ride to ride on a set schedule when I was a kid in order to hit the headliners before the lines got too long. We visited WDW the last week of June 2014 and were very pleased with the way FP+ worked. I had no problems scheduling the FPs I wanted for our group, and thanks to being a regular reader of TheDIS was even able to score SDMT FPs when those opened up. We did not take advantage of scheduling additional FPs after our first 3 were used because we did not feel the need. In most cases, we had already ridden everything we wanted to by the time the 3rd FP was used just by taking advantage of EMH, rope drop and waiting in standby. If the ability to book additional FP+ via mobile app had been available, we probably would have taken advantage of that, though.

 

[first state]

Fp+ works for everyone here, because it looks like you all make multiple trips a year. You ride the mountains and go home. If you went once every two years and your kids want to ride every ride it isn't any easier with Fp+. Fp+ is better then all stand by lines. There are still lots of people I see walk up to FP+ entrance. CM says you have no fastpasses on your ticket and the person walks away confused. If you read these boards you know the deal, but everyday guests are left out.

 

[linskypens]

I think it works for everyone....it certainly levels the playing field for everyone. As a "super user" of the old system, sometimes pulling 5 or 6 FP in the morning and returning in the evening with a handful, I was worried about the new system.
I used it last May,and I have to say, the kiosks and the app are so much easier and less stressful than running all over the place trying to figure out the next best thing to pull a FP for, according to what time it was, or how long the window was etc. It was AWESOME to hit one park in the morning, and hop to another, and have FP+ in the second park. When we hopped before, we knew we weren't riding headliners in the second park. All different now with a little planning. Rope drop is still Rope Drop, the single best weapon you have. Add FP+ and you've got it made.
Upcoming trip in March, Im sure it will be busy, but we have our plans in place, FP+ picked, and all ready to go. No stress being felt on our end. We love the new system, and will continue to sing its praises.

 

[SmithSmith]

for a true representation of the meaning of this thread, shouldn't it really be titled "I have a confession... I LOVE low crowd days!" I mean, whether you like FP+ or FP- or neither or both, experiences are going to be enhanced enormously due to low crowds, which is what the OP benefitted from.

I think you need to read the OPs posts a second time. They said:
1. they've been using FP+ since October
2. they've been going at least one weekend a month (last time I checked weekends are still busy)
3. they're previous trip was over NYE (one of the highest crowd days of the year)

 

[Brian Noble]

Fp+ works for everyone here, because it looks like you all make multiple trips a year. You ride the mountains and go home. If you went once every two years and your kids want to ride every ride it isn't any easier with Fp+. Fp+ is better then all stand by lines. There are still lots of people I see walk up to FP+ entrance. CM says you have no fastpasses on your ticket and the person walks away confused. If you read these boards you know the deal, but everyday guests are left out.

It's not just DISers. From a recent presentation Jay Rasulo gave for investors:

many, many people are using that tool, I mean today over 50% of our guests are using the FastPass+, which is an inherent part of MyMagic+
​

There were 50 million turnstile clicks (not counting hopping) in 2013. Even if the average guest visits for 5 park days, that still gives you 10 million people, 5 million of whom use FP+.

 

[tlmadden73]

I enjoyed Fast Pass+ with my family trip in October.

We had a 2 year old (26 months) .. and not having to wait in lines for the key rides we knew he would enjoy (and could go on) ..just made sense.
We weren't staying on-site, so I made our reservations sometime within the 30 day window.
Our day at Magic Kingdom was three fast passes --
1) Buzz
2) Little Mermaid
3) Winnie the Pooh.

Knowing the Park like I do, I made sure they were all close to each other (and in a logical walking order) (not on the other side of the park) and all before lunch. we were even able to do things between fast passes like the People Mover.. Dumbo .. see characters .. see the afternoon parade and just have some snack breaks.

We got "lucky" and our Pooh Fast Pass was canceled because it was broken and we got a freebie to use any time of day .. which we used to walk on Peter Pan later that night.

I used the Kiosks then to schedule other rides Jungle Cruise .. then Aladdin .. then Small world .. then Peter Pan ..

Granted we weren't trying to do any of the "big" rides (that we probably couldn't have fast passes for) .. but the longest line we had to wait in the day was probably waiting for Dumbo or to see Donald/Goofy in the big top.

That being said.. because I know the parks (and know realistically how long it takes to get from ride A to ride B ... and just like planning in general . .it works for me. i can see where it doesn't work for the people who want to "wing it" for the day.

 

[Allison]

Fp+ works for everyone here, because it looks like you all make multiple trips a year. You ride the mountains and go home. If you went once every two years and your kids want to ride every ride it isn't any easier with Fp+. Fp+ is better then all stand by lines. There are still lots of people I see walk up to FP+ entrance. CM says you have no fastpasses on your ticket and the person walks away confused. If you read these boards you know the deal, but everyday guests are left out.

Incorrect. I don't make multiple trips a year.

 

[cakebaker]

There are no longer FP+ kiosks at the Town Square Theater.

But yes, there ARE two FP+ kiosks inside MK's City Hall, which is the inside-MK Guest Relations location.

Thanks for the update!

 

[SabbyR]

Im going in with an open mind. This is our first trip in two years and Im crossing my fingers. We were super users of the old fp system. Wed collect them until about 2-3 then head back to our resort and take a break. Wed come back for a supper in the parks and then use our fps all night. We also went in October and early December when crowds were lower. Were going end of April and beginning of May this time. Im hoping the heat, crowds and new fastpass system works for us.

 

[cakebaker]

for a true representation of the meaning of this thread, shouldn't it really be titled "I have a confession... I LOVE low crowd days!" I mean, whether you like FP+ or FP- or neither or both, experiences are going to be enhanced enormously due to low crowds, which is what the OP benefitted from.

No, we never get the luxury of visiting during a slow season. Still works, especially when it's busy.

 

[wisblue]

LOL! Wis, it's like I posted in another thread:

I don't know anyone who's stated they "like" tiering.
I don't know anyone who's stated they "like" being limited to one park
I don't know anyone who's stated they "like" only being able to reserve three and then only one per attraction.
I do know that everyone does "like" being able to reserve 3 FP's in advance.
And after you've used your 3 FP's, I think everyone agrees the only difference is the old system used paper to issue additional FP's and the new system uses kiosks.

So it seems to me that everyone likes and dislikes the same things about FP+ just for different reasons. In my case, I "love" the advanced reserve component because as I've illustrated in another thread I can use it to my advantage by accomplishing more in Orlando while spending less money.

.

I don't think anyone "likes" tiering in isolation. But, I wonder how many people would favor removing the tiers if they understood that that would mean that they might have a shot at getting FPs for more than one of the tier one attractions, but that they also might not get a FP for either of the top 2 attractions because other guests have snapped them up.

I also wonder how many people would like allowing guests to reserve more than 3 FPs in advance, and getting more than one for some attractions, if they understood that that would mean that it might make it more difficult for them to get the FPs they want because other guests would have grabbed them before they have a shot at them.

It is also not true that everyone like being able to reserve 3 FPs in advance. Several of the most ardent opponents of FP+ have said that they don't like the loss of spontaneity and that they would prefer giving everyone a clean slate to start the day.

If you think there is any kind of system that Disney could design that would make everyone happy, I think you are dreaming.

 

[Laketravis]

I don't think anyone "likes" tiering in isolation. But, I wonder how many people would favor removing the tiers if they understood that that would mean that they might have a shot at getting FPs for more than one of the tier one attractions, but that they also might not get a FP for either of the top 2 attractions because other guests have snapped them up.

I also wonder how many people would like allowing guests to reserve more than 3 FPs in advance, and getting more than one for some attractions, if they understood that that would mean that it might make it more difficult for them to get the FPs they want because other guests would have grabbed them before they have a shot at them..

I haven't seen anyone post that they like not being able to reserve more than 3.

I haven't seen anyone post that they like tiers.

I haven't seen anyone post that they like being able to reserve their 3 FP's in just one park, or that they like being limited to one per attraction.

For you to suggest that they might actually begin to like those restrictions if they were to be told that the alternatives are just as unattractive really is a stretch.

It is also not true that everyone like being able to reserve 3 FPs in advance. Several of the most ardent opponents of FP+ have said that they don't like the loss of spontaneity and that they would prefer giving everyone a clean slate to start the day..

I haven't interpreted that to mean they don't like having the option of making advance reservations. Instead, they have expressed concern over the limited choices available as they approach their day of arrival.

If you think there is any kind of system that Disney could design that would make everyone happy, I think you are dreaming.

That really wasn't necessary because I'm not suggesting they could or would design a system that makes everyone happy. What I said was that I haven't seen anyone state they like tiers or the other elements I've pointed out that there seems to be a unanimous dislike for.


.

 

[wisblue]

I haven't seen anyone post that they like not being able to reserve more than 3.

I haven't seen anyone post that they like tiers.

I haven't seen anyone post that they like being able to reserve their 3 FP's in just one park, or that they like being limited to one per attraction.

For you to suggest that they might actually begin to like those restrictions if they were to be told that the alternatives are just as unattractive really is a stretch.
.

And, what is your point other than stating the obvious? I wouldn't expect people to say affirmatively that they like tiers or other limitations any more than I would expect people to say affirmatively that they like the fact that you have to pay to enter the gates of a Disney park. But, most people understand why that isn't realistic.

I may not be suggesting that people would affirmatively like restrictions if they understood that the alternatives might be less appealing, but I think they might stop complaining about them.

Just to be clear, though, are you saying now that, upon reflection, you think that the imperfect FP+ system is a better system for you and your family than the imperfect paper FP system?

 

[Laketravis]

And, what is your point other than stating the obvious?

I'm glad we agree on those "obvious" points.

Just to be clear, though, are you saying now that, upon reflection, you think that the imperfect FP+ system is a better system for you and your family than the imperfect paper FP system?

Just to be clear, I am not drawing comparisons between the current system and one that hasn't been available for over a year, or ticket books, or anything else. I am speaking only to the attributes of what is currently available.

 

[wisblue]

I haven't interpreted that to mean they don't like having the option of making advance reservations. Instead, they have expressed concern over the limited choices available as they approach their day of arrival.

I guess we'll just have to disagree about that.

Some posters have been so adamant about how much they like the "clean slate" and the ability to "wing it" that they give me a very strong impression that they don't like having anything scheduled in advance. They would rather just decide in the morning what park to go to and take their chances with whatever FPs they would be able to get.

If some of the regulars who are the most vocal opponents of FP+ think I have misinterpreted their comments, I invite them to say so and I will stand corrected.

 

[Laketravis]

If some of the regulars who are the most vocal opponents of FP+ think I have misinterpreted their comments, I invite them to say so and I will stand corrected.

Invitation accepted. You pretty much always misinterpreted mine.

 

[wisblue]

Just to be clear, I am not drawing comparisons between the current system and one that hasn't been available for over a year, or ticket books, or anything else. I am speaking only to the attributes of what is currently available.

In other words, you are not willing to answer a simple and direct question. Nothing new there.

I guess we have to draw our own conclusions from the fact that you unfailingly agree with the most vocal opponents of FP+ and refer to people who prefer FP+ as part of the "FP+ PR Team".