I think the lack of a need to plan is stressing me out!

[havoc315]

I have an August trip to WDW, that I've been planning in detail for months, stressing over the plan, over the unknowns about Animal Kingdom nights and Frozen Ever After at Epcot...

At the somewhat last minute, we just booked a guys trip to Universal.. me, friend and my son. July 4th weekend. Other than likely the need to wake up super super early for early entry, I'm a little shocked at how little planning and organization needs to be done.

And I hate to say this, I think Universal may have the right idea about fastpasses over Disney. We will see after I actually try both. But Disney, by taking the socialist approach and giving everyone and equal number of fastpasses, all you are really doing is rearranging the lines. Instead of 20 minutes at Jungle Cruise and 20 minutes at Pirates (for example), you're giving the guest 2 minutes at Jungle Cruise and 40 minutes at Pirates. By limiting fastpass to those willing to pay extra, you are keeping the standby lines more reasonable, while giving an extra benefit to those willing to pay more. I'll be in a better position after doing both trips, and I suspect I'll still prefer Disney for lots and lots of reasons, but I do think the need to plan Disney has gotten too extreme.

 

[Jhaberlein]

We leave in 2.5 weeks for 3 days in Universal (and one Disney park hopping day) and I feel horribly unprepared. I've read the boards, researched, and done everything I can... But I still feel like I haven't "planned" enough. Staying offsite, no express passes, no ADRs... I feel like we're doomed.

 

[AndreaDM]

Ditto! My DD13 and I leave on Sunday for CBBR, with park days planned for Tue & Wed. Thought we'd just hang at the pool on Memorial Day since I'm guessing the parks will be busier then. I have flights, hotel, park tickets and car rental. Feels so weird to not have ADRs or FP booked! She has never been there and it's been 16 years since I have been!

 

[CalKhat]

I feel like to old FP system at WDW worked really well. Open to everyone, first come first served. I didn't have to know 6 months ahead of time that I would want to ride Space Mountain at 3pm on Wednesday. I could pick my park when I woke up, rather than months in advance. I could have spontaneous moments because we weren't rushing off to make sure we get FP2 in on time to make FP3. I really hate the new FP+ system. But I geuss that's a thread for another forum! lol
Looking forward to Universal and "free style" vacationing.

 

[havoc315]

I had my travel agent book it, who usually does our Disney stuff. She basically emailed saying, "here is some dining information etc, but it's nothing like Disney, don't worry about making plans in advance"

 

[keishashadow]

I have an August trip to WDW, that I've been planning in detail for months, stressing over the plan, over the unknowns about Animal Kingdom nights and Frozen Ever After at Epcot...

At the somewhat last minute, we just booked a guys trip to Universal.. me, friend and my son. July 4th weekend. Other than likely the need to wake up super super early for early entry, I'm a little shocked at how little planning and organization needs to be done.

And I hate to say this, I think Universal may have the right idea about fastpasses over Disney. We will see after I actually try both. But Disney, by taking the socialist approach and giving everyone and equal number of fastpasses, all you are really doing is rearranging the lines. Instead of 20 minutes at Jungle Cruise and 20 minutes at Pirates (for example), you're giving the guest 2 minutes at Jungle Cruise and 40 minutes at Pirates. By limiting fastpass to those willing to pay extra, you are keeping the standby lines more reasonable, while giving an extra benefit to those willing to pay more. I'll be in a better position after doing both trips, and I suspect I'll still prefer Disney for lots and lots of reasons, but I do think the need to plan Disney has gotten too extreme.

what you need to do to get a real time feel (for comparing the FOTL @ U to scheduling FP @ WDW) is to do them both during the same split trip. If you decide to take 'the challenge' make sure to do WDW first or you will likely find yourself wondering dreaming of the U's FOTL perk while standing on-line waiting for a minor attraction @ WDW.

FP isn't quite as socialist as it first appears imo. The commando planners often scarf up the majority of eticket opportunities, especially @ the MK. We've been able to switch things around the day of @ WDW but choices are rather limited.

 

[havoc315]

what you need to do to get a real time feel (for comparing the FOTL @ U to scheduling FP @ WDW) is to do them both during the same split trip. If you decide to take 'the challenge' make sure to do WDW first or you will likely find yourself wondering dreaming of the U's FOTL perk while standing on-line waiting for a minor attraction @ WDW.

FP isn't quite as socialist as it first appears imo. The commando planners often scarf up the majority of eticket opportunities, especially @ the MK. We've been able to switch things around the day of @ WDW but choices are rather limited.

I'll be comparing different trips... but it will be a huge crowd Universal trip July 4th weekend, versus a moderate crowd WDW late August trip. So in theory, lines should be worse at Universal... but we will see and I'm sure I'll be commenting on the different in 3 more months.

 

[keishashadow]

I'll be comparing different trips... but it will be a huge crowd Universal trip July 4th weekend, versus a moderate crowd WDW late August trip. So in theory, lines should be worse at Universal... but we will see and I'm sure I'll be commenting on the different in 3 more months.

4th of July!!! may the force be with you lol

 

[havoc315]

4th of July!!! may the force be with you lol

If it was WDW for July 4th weekend, it would be impossible.... Let's see how it is at Universal with early entry and with express pass.