I know I'm late to the game...

[MrInfinity]

You know, blanket statements like this can cause these discussions to go downhill. You advise people that it is a "pretty cool system"because it is realistic. This goes beyond sharing your opinion, to saying that what you are suggesting is the realistic thing anyone should expect. Why should they expect what you saw and not what I saw? I couldn't ride as much as always, and found the lines to be way too long. Not doubting what you experienced, but one should maybe not conclude that is realistic in general when several people have expressed opinions in to the contrary.

You would have a point if I'd actually said that! Love it. Misquote me, then poke fun at your own misquote. I did not say it was a cool system because it is realistic. Cormoran used that verbiage to say that one should lower their expectations because that is what is realistic. And if you were really "not doubting what I experienced" that would be nice!

What we can conclude, is that it is very possible and realistic to have a wide range of good, bad, or neutral experiences with FP+. (you agree on this, I hope?) People are having all types (Yes?). Some are getting on lots of rides, others not. (Agree?) We have yet to figure out just why, but I attribute my personal success to a good touring plan (I don't know anything about your touring plan). So for the OP, if both experiences are possible, why would you recommend lowering expectations?

I do accept that FP+ did not work to get you and Cormoran a good experience. Can't you accept that it did, for me? It seems like my discussions with both you and Cor are always just you saying a good time is not possible any more, or that any trip *will not* meet expectations. I disagree w that. Simple. It's Disney World, it's fun, and I do not believe 50M people are going to this happy place and leaving w their expectations not met. Some? Yes. I know at least 2. But not all.

last April the SB lines were longer than on previous trips, and my family will only wait for 20-30 minutes at most, so a lot of rides were skipped because of this: IASW, HM, POTC. On previous trips we rode these multiple times per day. In April 2014 not.

Right now IASW, HM, POTC are 15-15-30. Seems pretty good, and within your 20-30 min cap. You went in April, this is March. Maybe that's the difference? I dunno.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know which trip you're asking about, but last April the SB lines were longer than on previous trips, and my family will only wait for 20-30 minutes at most, so a lot of rides were skipped because of this: IASW, HM, POTC. On previous trips we rode these multiple times per day. In April 2014 not.

I was asking specifically about the trip you cited.

So it sounds like personal constraints also had an influence on ultimately riding so few.
I could definitely see that happening at a busy time and hope you were able to find other things that were fun to do.

 

[wisblue]

On trips prior to FP+, my family was able to go on 25- 30 attractions in MK. I think on our trip last April, we were down to 15 rides. This is a lot less for us and it was disappointing. I advise people to lower their expectations because it realistic. If your family goes to WDW to ride attractions, expect to ride a lot less with FP+.

Just out of curiosity, what days in April were you there last year? Because Easter was very late I think moderate to high crowds were around for most of the month.

Were your previous trips at the same time of year? I'm just wondering if at least part of what you experienced may have been a result of higher overall crowds and not just FP+.

 

[Mikie]

Just out of curiosity, what days in April were you there last year? Because Easter was very late I think moderate to high crowds were around for most of the month.

Were your previous trips at the same time of year? I'm just wondering if at least part of what you experienced may have been a result of higher overall crowds and not just FP+.

I wasn't there in April, but wasn't that also during the "perfect storm" of FP+ troubles? Meaning, it was still fairly new and people hadn't yet developed great personal strategies for it, off-site guests were still day-of only and all had to use kiosks, no 4th allowed yet. . . and of course potentially crowded depending on Easter and spring breaks. Not exactly set up for successful trips!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Not a fan either. I think some of us, though we have adapted, will never like the system. We only accept it because we don't get a choice.

 

[wisblue]

I wasn't there in April, but wasn't that also during the "perfect storm" of FP+ troubles? Meaning, it was still fairly new and people hadn't yet developed great personal strategies for it, off-site guests were still day-of only and all had to use kiosks, no 4th allowed yet. . . and of course potentially crowded depending on Easter and spring breaks. Not exactly set up for successful trips!

I wasn't there in April last year either and I don't remember exactly when onsite guests were able to book FPs in advance. I am pretty sure that the availability of 4 th FPs came later (like sometime in June?)

Though I wasn't there myself, two of my daughters were there the week before Easter so I was getting regular reports from them and occasionally changed FPs for them as they changed plans due to weather or other things. They didn't think things were any different than their many previous Easter trips, except for having the FPs to use in the evening if they wanted them. But then, they are Disney fanatics who enjoy the rides, but are satisfied with one or two rides on their favorites per trip and have fun doing other things around the resort. When I asked them what FPs they wanted for their trip this year (I will be joining them this time) their answers were variations on "whatever", except that they wanted to be sure to get their first rides on the mine train.

 

[Cormoran]

Just out of curiosity, what days in April were you there last year? Because Easter was very late I think moderate to high crowds were around for most of the month.

Were your previous trips at the same time of year? I'm just wondering if at least part of what you experienced may have been a result of higher overall crowds and not just FP+.

Here are the dates of previous trips:
3/31/14- 4/4/14
4/20/13- 4/27/13
4/17/12-4/24/12
Basically,we try to pick dates with the lowest crowds during the Flower and Garden Festival. I should also add that when I am speaking of Attraction yield before and after FP+, I am referring MK experiences. I'm not saying we didn't experience less attractions post FP+ in the other parks also, but the other parks don't have as many attractions.

 

[Luckybee]

You would have a point if I'd actually said that! Love it. Misquote me, then poke fun at your own misquote. I did not say it was a cool system because it is realistic. Cormoran used that verbiage to say that one should lower their expectations because that is what is realistic. And if you were really "not doubting what I experienced" that would be nice!

What we can conclude, is that it is very possible and realistic to have a wide range of good, bad, or neutral experiences with FP+. (you agree on this, I hope?) People are having all types (Yes?). Some are getting on lots of rides, others not. (Agree?) We have yet to figure out just why, but I attribute my personal success to a good touring plan (I don't know anything about your touring plan). So for the OP, if both experiences are possible, why would you recommend lowering expectations?

I do accept that FP+ did not work to get you and Cormoran a good experience. Can't you accept that it did, for me? It seems like my discussions with both you and Cor are always just you saying a good time is not possible any more, or that any trip *will not* meet expectations. I disagree w that. Simple. It's Disney World, it's fun, and I do not believe 50M people are going to this happy place and leaving w their expectations not met. Some? Yes. I know at least 2. But not all.



Right now IASW, HM, POTC are 15-15-30. Seems pretty good, and within your 20-30 min cap. You went in April, this is March. Maybe that's the difference? I dunno.

I have no doubt that with fp+ you had a good experience, but where you and I differ is that while you seem to think that everyone will do so, or that one should go into fp+ expecting that one will have a good experience with it I do not have those beliefs. Ive already explained to you why I feel that it is preferable to have lower expectations in that there will be less chance for disappointment and if they happen to be amongst those who are happy with fp+ then great, nothing lost.

And if you really think that it is just a few or "at least 2" that don't like fp+ or didn't have their expectations met, then Im sorry to be so bold but may I suggest some reading classes because these boards along with everywhere else on the internet are filled with stories of fp+ letdown !

 

[Angel Ariel]

What I don't understand here is why "lowering your expectations" is somehow synonymous with "it isn't possible to have a good time anymore."

FP+ lessens the ability to reride attractions. That's pretty much an undisputed fact here. In fact, many proponents say it is one of the equalizing benefits of FP+. So, for those who like to re-ride attractions a lot, it seems it would be smart for them to change their expectations in how much they will be able to re-ride attractions. I don't know if that applies to the OP or not, I'm just using one example of a situation where I can absolutely see a change in expectations as good advice.

I'll speak for myself, but yes I did change my expectations for our November trip.

1. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both Soarin and TT, as we've been able to to on every other trip we've taken.
2. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both RNRC and TSMM as we've done previously.
3. I did not expect to get multiple FP+ for Space Mtn in the same day, as we've done on previous trips.

Most people would consider those changes in expectations to be "lowering" expectations - as it is expecting to get less than one did in the past.

But you know what? It didn't mean that I didn't have a good time, or that I went into the trip expecting to not have a good time. I had a fantastic trip. I love WDW, and FP+ doesn't change that love. FP+ frustrates me, yes, but FP+ doesn't change the childlike joy I feel when I step foot into MK. What changing my expectations meant for me is that I came to accept - BEFORE being in Disney - that those things weren't going to happen. So instead of being disappointed about it during my trip, I was able to:

1. Book a Soarin' FP+, and plan to use Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon party time to ride Test Track.
2. Book a TSMM FP+, and plan to ride RNRC with the single rider line (we've never needed to do single rider lines before)
3. Book 2 Space Mtn FP+ - one on each of our 2 MK days - to get in our multiple Space Mtn. rides.

(ETA: These are only some examples, and certainly not a definitive list for our entire trip )

Changing my expectations allowed us to better plan so that we didn't lose out on experiences that were important to us. We expected to have a great time at disney before we arrived, but we also expected that it would be quite different than our past trips. It was. I'm glad we adjusted our thought process before the trip to understand that, and adjusted our planning to accommodate for that, because otherwise we might have actually been disappointed or had the trip affected negatively. Instead we had an amazing (much needed! ) vacation, and are excitedly planning our next visit with our daughter.

So yeah...I disagree that changing/lowering expectations or whatever name you want to give it means that you're expecting a lesser trip or experience. It's possible to do the former without doing the latter.

 

[MrInfinity]

I have no doubt that with fp+ you had a good experience, but where you and I differ is that while you seem to think that everyone will do so, or that one should go into fp+ expecting that one will have a good experience with it I do not have those beliefs. Ive already explained to you why I feel that it is preferable to have lower expectations in that there will be less chance for disappointment and if they happen to be amongst those who are happy with fp+ then great, nothing lost.

And if you really think that it is just a few or "at least 2" that don't like fp+ or didn't have their expectations met, then Im sorry to be so bold but may I suggest some reading classes because these boards along with everywhere else on the internet are filled with stories of fp+ letdown !

Lucky, you're just wrong here. I don't think everyone will have a good experience. Not one bit. For example, if you were to go to WDW tomorrow, I would not expect you to have a good experience with FP+. But if someone comes out to ask on the boards... how to have a good time, given they're skeptical of FP+, my first instinct is not to tell them well just lower your expectations, plan to do less, learn to like shopping instead of riding rides, and you'll be fine. That's just awful advice. How about... "Tell me about your expectations, and I'll do my best to give you advice on how to have the best trip possible, given FP+ makes touring optimally a little different"? Isn't that so much more relevant to the original question than to suggest one simply lower their goals (without even knowing their goals first!), or plan for a trip to not be as good as they'd imagined?

I just don't get your dismal view. While I have repeatedly said that FP+ is great for some, not great for others, and a whole range in between, millions of guests are going to WDW and having a wonderful amazing time. So it's definitely possible to have ones' highest of expectations totally met. I don't know anyone outside these boards who would talk about Disney in such a way that... "Oh we'll like it there, but we've lowered our expectations enough that we can meet them, given how downhill the parks have gone in recent years due to FP+".

OP was asking how to deal w the changes that are FP+. My answers are constructive because that was the question.

 

[Networth]

I'll tell you what I tell my younger brother. Life is change. Either get used to or be miserable.

I've said it 100 times in the board I just wish they would monetize the system already so I can purchase no tiers or extra.

 

[MrInfinity]

I'll speak for myself, but yes I did change my expectations for our November trip.

1. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both Soarin and TT, as we've been able to to on every other trip we've taken.
2. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both RNRC and TSMM as we've done previously.
3. I did not expect to get multiple FP+ for Space Mtn in the same day, as we've done on previous trips.

Most people would consider those changes in expectations to be "lowering" expectations - as it is expecting to get less than one did in the past.

But you know what? It didn't mean that I didn't have a good time, or that I went into the trip expecting to not have a good time. I had a fantastic trip. I love WDW, and FP+ doesn't change that love. FP+ frustrates me, yes, but FP+ doesn't change the childlike joy I feel when I step foot into MK. What changing my expectations meant for me is that I came to accept - BEFORE being in Disney - that those things weren't going to happen. So instead of being disappointed about it during my trip, I was able to:

1. Book a Soarin' FP+, and plan to use Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon party time to ride Test Track.
2. Book a TSMM FP+, and plan to ride RNRC with the single rider line (we've never needed to do single rider lines before)
3. Book 2 Space Mtn FP+ - one on each of our 2 MK days - to get in our multiple Space Mtn. rides.

We expected to have a great time at disney before we arrived, but we also expected that it would be quite different than our past trips. It was. I'm glad we adjusted our thought process before the trip to understand that, and adjusted our planning to accommodate for that.

So yeah...I disagree that changing/lowering expectations or whatever name you want to give it means that you're expecting a lesser trip or experience. It's possible to do the former without doing the latter.

Great post!

You say you changed your expectations. But really what you did was understand the system and change your plan. You still rode Soarin and TT. Only... it wasn't via FP-, you were creative. You still rode TSMM and Rockin, again by being resourceful. You rode Space Mtn several times. I did similar things. Nowhere in there did you lower your expectations. You just changed how you operated. That's what happened w me. I still rode all those headliners, multiple times per day. It's just... different how you go about it.

I disagree that changing/lowering expectations or whatever name you want to give it means that you're expecting a lesser trip or experience.

Changing how you meet your expectations... vs... lowering your expectations... you did the former. not the latter. That's a good thing.

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

What I don't understand here is why "lowering your expectations" is somehow synonymous with "it isn't possible to have a good time anymore."

FP+ lessens the ability to reride attractions. That's pretty much an undisputed fact here. In fact, many proponents say it is one of the equalizing benefits of FP+. So, for those who like to re-ride attractions a lot, it seems it would be smart for them to change their expectations in how much they will be able to re-ride attractions. I don't know if that applies to the OP or not, I'm just using one example of a situation where I can absolutely see a change in expectations as good advice.

I'll speak for myself, but yes I did change my expectations for our November trip.

1. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both Soarin and TT, as we've been able to to on every other trip we've taken.
2. I no longer expected to get a FP+ for both RNRC and TSMM as we've done previously.
3. I did not expect to get multiple FP+ for Space Mtn in the same day, as we've done on previous trips.

Most people would consider those changes in expectations to be "lowering" expectations - as it is expecting to get less than one did in the past.

But you know what? It didn't mean that I didn't have a good time, or that I went into the trip expecting to not have a good time. I had a fantastic trip. I love WDW, and FP+ doesn't change that love. FP+ frustrates me, yes, but FP+ doesn't change the childlike joy I feel when I step foot into MK. What changing my expectations meant for me is that I came to accept - BEFORE being in Disney - that those things weren't going to happen. So instead of being disappointed about it during my trip, I was able to:

1. Book a Soarin' FP+, and plan to use Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon party time to ride Test Track.
2. Book a TSMM FP+, and plan to ride RNRC with the single rider line (we've never needed to do single rider lines before)
3. Book 2 Space Mtn FP+ - one on each of our 2 MK days - to get in our multiple Space Mtn. rides.

(ETA: These are only some examples, and certainly not a definitive list for our entire trip )

Changing my expectations allowed us to better plan so that we didn't lose out on experiences that were important to us. We expected to have a great time at disney before we arrived, but we also expected that it would be quite different than our past trips. It was. I'm glad we adjusted our thought process before the trip to understand that, and adjusted our planning to accommodate for that, because otherwise we might have actually been disappointed or had the trip affected negatively. Instead we had an amazing (much needed! ) vacation, and are excitedly planning our next visit with our daughter.

So yeah...I disagree that changing/lowering expectations or whatever name you want to give it means that you're expecting a lesser trip or experience. It's possible to do the former without doing the latter.

One of the best posts I've read in a while.
Great advice for someone who doesn't like to plan so far in advance and is having a hard time accepting the change in FP systems, but is sort of muddling through trying to make the best of it anyway.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Great post!

You say you changed your expectations. But really what you did was understand the system and change your plan.

What I really did was change my expectations, as I stated. To further explain - we used to ride TSMM multiple times in a trip. We enjoy competing against each other. We didn't on this trip, nor did we expect to. Nor do I expect to in the future (unless the 3rd track drastically alters the dynamics here). We used to ride Space Mtn at least 2x each time we were in MK - so that would be 4 rides each trip (we do at least 2 MK days). We knew that wouldn't happen with only getting 1 FP+ for it/day, so we did the best we could with getting 2 FP+. (and yes, those are only 2 examples, again, not exhaustive).

We absolutely went in knowing that we would not be riding everything we wanted as many times as we had on previous trips. By acknowledging that before arrival, we were able to do the best we could to plan and make up for that difference as much as possible.

My plan changed because my expectations of what I would be able to do changed. If my expectations hadn't changed, my plan wouldn't have needed to change.

ETA: I will freely admit, though, that I am one that would rather be happily surprised by getting something more than I expect than be disappointed by expecting more and getting less
*The expectation that I'd have a great trip was never in question. How that great trip was going to happen is what changed. If my view on how to make it happen hadn't have changed, and I hadn't adjusted my expectations, it may not have been as great of a trip.*

 

[Luckybee]

What I really did was change my expectations, as I stated. To further explain - we used to ride TSMM multiple times in a trip. We enjoy competing against each other. We didn't on this trip, nor did we expect to. Nor do I expect to in the future (unless the 3rd track drastically alters the dynamics here). We used to ride Space Mtn at least 2x each time we were in MK - so that would be 4 rides each trip (we do at least 2 MK days). We knew that wouldn't happen with only getting 1 FP+ for it/day, so we did the best we could with getting 2 FP+. (and yes, those are only 2 examples, again, not exhaustive).

We absolutely went in knowing that we would not be riding everything we wanted as many times as we had on previous trips. By acknowledging that before arrival, we were able to do the best we could to plan and make up for that difference as much as possible.

My plan changed because my expectations of what I would be able to do changed. If my expectations hadn't changed, my plan wouldn't have needed to change.

ETA: I will freely admit, though, that I am one that would rather be happily surprised by getting something more than I expect than be disappointed by expecting more and getting less
*The expectation that I'd have a great trip was never in question. How that great trip was going to happen is what changed. If my view on how to make it happen hadn't have changed, and I hadn't adjusted my expectations, it may not have been as great of a trip.*

Is there a place to click "love" for a post instead of "like"

We still expect to have great trips including any time at Disney that we spend. But if I went in to Disney expecting to do the same thing at Disney as in previous years I would be unhappy afterward. We did that in Sept and it wont happen twice. I dont think it is fair to only tell posters that it is all sunshine and rainbows. And I really don't get why some have a hard time accepting that not everyone agrees with this.

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

What I really did was change my expectations, as I stated. To further explain - we used to ride TSMM multiple times in a trip. We enjoy competing against each other. We didn't on this trip, nor did we expect to. Nor do I expect to in the future (unless the 3rd track drastically alters the dynamics here). We used to ride Space Mtn at least 2x each time we were in MK - so that would be 4 rides each trip (we do at least 2 MK days). We knew that wouldn't happen with only getting 1 FP+ for it/day, so we did the best we could with getting 2 FP+. (and yes, those are only 2 examples, again, not exhaustive).

We absolutely went in knowing that we would not be riding everything we wanted as many times as we had on previous trips. By acknowledging that before arrival, we were able to do the best we could to plan and make up for that difference as much as possible.

My plan changed because my expectations of what I would be able to do changed. If my expectations hadn't changed, my plan wouldn't have needed to change.

ETA: I will freely admit, though, that I am one that would rather be happily surprised by getting something more than I expect than be disappointed by expecting more and getting less
*The expectation that I'd have a great trip was never in question. How that great trip was going to happen is what changed. If my view on how to make it happen hadn't have changed, and I hadn't adjusted my expectations, it may not have been as great of a trip.*

The bolded bears repeating and really gets to the heart of the matter. The plans wouldn't need changing if the expectations weren't first changed/lowered....due to the new FP+ system.

 

[wisblue]

Here are the dates of previous trips:
3/31/14- 4/4/14
4/20/13- 4/27/13
4/17/12-4/24/12
Basically,we try to pick dates with the lowest crowds during the Flower and Garden Festival. I should also add that when I am speaking of Attraction yield before and after FP+, I am referring MK experiences. I'm not saying we didn't experience less attractions post FP+ in the other parks also, but the other parks don't have as many attractions.

First, I agree that it makes sense to focus these discussions on MK. Because of the lower number of rides at the other parks, it shouldn't be difficult for anyone to do each of them that he/she wants to do with an efficient plan and effective use of FPs. So, at those parks, much of the dissatisfaction people have with FP+ relates to being able to do some of the major attractions multiple times, and I think that's a different discussion than longer standby lines.

Thank you for providing the dates of your recent trips. If you look at the observed crowd levels for those dates on Touring Plans, they might explain that at least part (if not most) of the reason you saw longer standby lines at the MK on your trip in 2014 is that those days had generally larger crowds than your trips in 2012 and 2013.

Here are the Touring Plans actual crowd levels for the resort and the MK for those dates:

3/31/14 6/7
4/1/14 5/7
4/2/14 5/6
4/3/14 5/7
4/4/14 4/6

4/20/13 6/6
4/21/13 4/4
4/22/13 3/2
4/23/13 3/5
4/24/13 2/2
4/25/13 3/5
4/26/13 4/5
4/27/13 6/5

4/17/12 1/5
4/18/12 2/3
4/19/12 3/3
4/20/12 5/5
4/21/12 5/4
4/22/12 4/4
4/23/12 1/5
4/24/12 5/5

Of course, I don't know if the crowd levels on any of these days were affected by weather. But, regardless, the crowd levels at the MK for every day of your 2014 trip were at 6 and 7 and the MK crowd levels for every day but one of your 2012 and 2013 trips were 5 or less, with some 2's and 3's thrown in.

Both Touring Plans and easywdw have said that, because of overall increasing crowd levels, crowd level numbers do not compare directly from one year to the next. For example, a crowd level 5 (average) in 2015 will translate to more people than a crowd level 5 a few years ago. I recall Josh at easywdw saying something to the effect that a crowd level 2 day in 2014 would be about the same as a crowd level 5 day 4 or 5 years ago. Therefore, you would have to expect that a crowd level 6 or 7 day in 2014 will have had a noticeably larger crowd than a level 3 or 4 day in 2012.

For another comparison, I looked at Touring Plans' average wait times for the 3 MK rides you mentioned, IASW, POC, and HM. For the one crowd level 6 day from your two trips (4/20/13) the average wait times were 20, 22, and 28 minutes. For the two crowd level 6 days from your trip in 2014, the average wait times for 4/2 were 21, 26, and 28 minutes and for 4/4 were 16, 26, and 29 minutes. The average waits on the crowd 7 days were higher; the highest was 3/31/14 at 27, 33, and 38. If you visited on one of the crowd level 2 days in 2013 you would have seen much shorter lines at these rides. On 4/24/13, one of the crowd level 2 days, the average wait times were 7, 8, and 13 minutes.

Touring Plans does not report actual observed wait time data as far back as 2012 so I can't compare those. But, I think the most significant thing in all of this is that the average waits for days of your 2013 trip (before FP+) are pretty much the same as the days of your 2014 trip with the same crowd level.

To be clear, I am not saying that FP+ has not had any impact on any standby lines. It is also very possible that standby lines have increased between 2014 and 2015. And I don't know if comparing other dates with similar crowd levels would produce the same results. But, at least in the case of your recent trips, I would conclude that the longer wait times you observed in 2014 were caused mostly by larger overall crowds during those visits. If you had been fortunate enough to visit on dates with crowd levels in the 2-5 range, you probably would have seen crowds similar to what you saw in 2013.

 

[BugsDaddy]

What this will (already has) turned into is people arguing the meaning of changing/lowering expectations.

What I will say is that a lot and I mean a lot of people still go to WDW and have a terrific time! For many people, WDW is the only place they want to vacation. Even some of those that will try to discourage you are probably in the process of planning yet another vacation to WDW at sometime in the near future, FP+ in place.

Read some of the trip reports on this site of people having a fantastic vacation. I would never want to go and spend a week at a location where I was not happy to be there. I am not sure why people feel obligated to do that. Not at the prices Disney charges.

When I go on vacation, I go to relax and have fun, period. That being said, every vacation I have ever been on has had some sort of small hiccup. We have always adjusted and had a great time. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to react to it. If you go in with a "glass half empty" outlook, you will probably come out the same way.

 

[Luckybee]

What this will (already has) turned into is people arguing the meaning of changing/lowering expectations.

What I will say is that a lot and I mean a lot of people still go to WDW and have a terrific time! For many people, WDW is the only place they want to vacation. Even some of those that will try to discourage you are probably in the process of planning yet another vacation to WDW at sometime in the near future, FP+ in place.

Read some of the trip reports on this site of people having a fantastic vacation. I would never want to go and spend a week at a location where I was not happy to be there. I am not sure why people feel obligated to do that. Not at the prices Disney charges.

When I go on vacation, I go to relax and have fun, period. That being said, every vacation I have ever been on has had some sort of small hiccup. We have always adjusted and had a great time. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to react to it. If you go in with a "glass half empty" outlook, you will probably come out the same way.

I don't think anyone is "trying to discourage" anyone. At least Im not and I certainly haven't seen very much of that. Imho I think posters fall into different categories of personality types. There seem to be those who don't wish to hear about anything bad for fear that it might discourage others and those who want to know about the good and bad because travel is like life and nothing is perfect.
I realized on another thread how distinct and separate in thinking the 2 groups are. Which is why you'll never get agreement between them.
I cannot imagine going to any destination without both perspectives, and let me tell you dh and I have travelled a lot throughout the world. We have never gone anywhere thinking of the " glass half empty " but equally have never gone to any destination without consideration of the pitfalls. We have had amazing trips, great trips, good trips, and if I really stretch it I think 1 or 2 not so great. Even in the amazing trips if asked(and I am often because of our travel experience) I outline both positives and negatives for a prospective traveller. I wouldn't want less from someone else.
Many people here have been disappointed with fp+ just like others have had good experiences. Both sides have the right to express their opinions. But it really does become old when those who don't like it are repeatedly subjected to comments like " If you go in with a "glass half empty" outlook, you will probably come out the same way" simply because they don't view fp+ as a panacea of all things wonderful and found that it did have a negative impact on their Disney trips.

 

[wisblue]

I don't think anyone is "trying to discourage" anyone. At least Im not and I certainly haven't seen very much of that. Imho I think posters fall into different categories of personality types. There seem to be those who don't wish to hear about anything bad for fear that it might discourage others and those who want to know about the good and bad because travel is like life and nothing is perfect.
I realized on another thread how distinct and separate in thinking the 2 groups are. Which is why you'll never get agreement between them.
I cannot imagine going to any destination without both perspectives, and let me tell you dh and I have travelled a lot throughout the world. We have never gone anywhere thinking of the " glass half empty " but equally have never gone to any destination without consideration of the pitfalls. We have had amazing trips, great trips, good trips, and if I really stretch it I think 1 or 2 not so great. Even in the amazing trips if asked(and I am often because of our travel experience) I outline both positives and negatives for a prospective traveller. I wouldn't want less from someone else.
Many people here have been disappointed with fp+ just like others have had good experiences. Both sides have the right to express their opinions. But it really does become old when those who don't like it are repeatedly subjected to comments like " If you go in with a "glass half empty" outlook, you will probably come out the same way" simply because they don't view fp+ as a panacea of all things wonderful and found that it did have a negative impact on their Disney trips.

I have no objection to people posting about pitfalls or challenges relating to Disney trips when they do help others to plan their trips. But, if somebody really wants to help others plan their trips by talking about their experiences, I think it's important to provide at least general information about dates, times, and touring approach so that others can determine what parts of those experiences are relevant to them.

For example, if someone says "We go in February every year and this year the standby lines were much longer than they were in the past" that might alarm someone with a trip scheduled for the first week of February. But, it would make a big difference if the person reporting on his experience visited during President's Day weekend and previously had visited at different times of the month. Similarly, if someone says that standby lines for IASW were over 25 minutes the whole time they were there, it is relevant to know when the person entered and left the park.

That is why, when I ask about dates of trips or how someone approached the parks, I am not questioning anyone's truthfulness. I am just trying to make the report as useful as possible, both for me and others planning their trips.

I don't find general statements like "you have to lower your expectations" to be helpful at all because that depends on what you want to get out of your trip in the first place. If you expect to ride the park's most popular attractions multiple times, or to enter the park at 11 AM and find short standby lines, you probably do have to lower those expectations. But, if your goal is to experience as many attractions as possible once while also enjoying other things in the parks with your family and friends, and you are willing to take advice for efficient touring plans, your expectations can and should be met and exceeded.