I'm Done!!! Too Many Changes We Don't Like

[Jenny Sanders]

I'm still going, and I can't wait!! If you don't like the changes, then stay home!!!
29 trips too Disney World and counting...next stop POFQ March 2014

 

[PrettyFlower2]

I will have to try out the system to see for myself in June Then I'll decide if I will return again. I am trying to be positive but after so many discouraging threads my expectations are not going to be high.

 

[lugnut33]

You'll only have one reserved time to ride those rides. I don't get the whole thing about only being able to ride a ride once. In the "old days", people would pull a FP and then immediately get in the standby line. They'd ride once on standby and then wait for their FP time. If they absolutely positively had to ride a third time, they could pull another FP if FPs were still available, which wasn't always the case. During Thanksgiving week in particular, it wasn't unusual to have FPs gone for popular rides early in the day, meaning that once you had one standby ride and one FP ride finished, you couldn't pull another FP for later. It's not like the "old" system (once they started requiring you return during the window) allowed people to ride a gazillion times with no waiting.

If you want to ride something multiple times, you get to the park early and ride standby, just like before FP+ reared its ugly head. Then you also ride your FP+ time, which means you've got two rides. And if you notice that the standby line is relatively short later in the day, then you can ride it again, just like you would have in "old FP" days if all the FPs were gone. You make it sound like once you've reserved your FP+ Disney will physically bar you from riding at any other time.

And even with "old" FP, you needed to make sure you didn't miss your times. Otherwise, you'd be stuck in the standby lines (or have zero rides on those attractions).

Let me start by saying I don't discount the good that has come from forcing people to return at the times on their FastPass.

That said, I really did enjoy gathering up fastpasses through the day and then coming back at night and riding the same attraction a couple of times. Those days are long gone and probably for the better. It did feel like FP lines were getting long in the evenings.

My point was, if you miss your FP+ time you're done with that ride. You will not get on some of the major attractions again. And I don't see how you'll get to ride more than once if you're not willing to wait more than an hour in standby. I guess a morning run to the attraction would work.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Between FP+, not being able to get FP- for at decent times unless there before RD, the changes to GAC/DAS, and the new upcoming ADR CC policy, I really think no more visits to WDW. No longer a vacation. Anybody else feel the same?

The GAC change is for the better. The ADR CC policy is slightly annoying, but also for the better. The only people who can be upset with these two things are people trying to screw over the system. The FP+ is horrific, so I'm with you there. But I'd rather the Negative Nancy's never come back and leave more room for the Positive Pauls!!!!!

 

[sonofanarchy]

See ya. One less person in the crowd I'll have to deal with.

If THESE are the reasons that you won't visit Disney World, then I think your have your vacationing priorities wrong to being with.

Pointless thread.

Ethan

Not nearly as pointless as your post.

 

[Minnesota!]

I forgot to add one thing - the FP+ was the least of our worries - even though it didn't work for us a good chunk of the time, we are not FP diehards, and we were really only using FP+ for the novelty of it being a new thing. Our issues were mostly with the MB. They never worked as they should, I had many many many reservations mixed up b/c of errors with them, poor room access, I had $400 withdrawn from my checking b/c of them, etc. It was just an ugly mess and nobody seemed to be able or willing to help. It just made a very frustrating vacation - when WDW is typically where we go to wind down and relax. There was no winding down - dealing with angry guests, rude and frustrated CM's...who are anything but "magical". One particularly RUDE and OBNOXIOUS CM at Pop Century....after the encounter I had with him, I had no choice but to get a manager involved. They comped me with 1 day hoppers. Hmmm. Not exactly willing and or ready to rush back and take advantage of that.

Which is why, I will not be back until things are straightened out and the new process is just "the process"....where CM's and guests know just what the hell they are doing.
But for us "lucky ones" who got the shaft during the testing (not everyone, I concede...)...it certainly soured us on everything - MB, FP+, and WDW as a whole...

I hope that the rest of the testing is seamless and nobody has to put up with the BS that I did....that would be fantastic if they were able to get it smoothed out before too long.

 

[Vidia2]

The GAC change is for the better. The ADR CC policy is slightly annoying, but also for the better. The only people who can be upset with these two things are people trying to screw over the system. The FP+ is horrific, so I'm with you there. But I'd rather the Negative Nancy's never come back and leave more room for the Positive Pauls!!!!!

The GAC changes help to level the playing field for the non-disabled. The other changes are now usable for the disabled, whereas they weren't before. It's all in the eyes of the beholder and some people will just never be happy.

I'm personally over the moon about FP+.

 

[Andie272]

I will still be going to Disney! When we want a relaxing vacation WDW is the LAST place I think of, we cruise for a relaxing time.

 

[Schmeck]

monty, I agree with most of what you posted except for one thing. I never agree with taking something away from people. I think that there will always be hard feelings when that happens. I can easily feel happy for someone who is fortunate but still feel unhappy when I think that I've lost something.

This just made me smile, and think about everything that gets taken away from us as we live our lives. The womb, binkies, cribs, training wheels, T-ball, weekly allowance, my mom cooking dinner for me every night...

 

[WDSearcher]

I'm sorry, no disrespect lol but I have to giggle about this.. In my "old days" there was no FP...

Oh ... mine too. My "old days" included ticket booklets and deciding which E ticket rides were worth it.

But most people are lamenting "the days before FP+", so it's an easy comparison phrase!

 

[Bete]

I do think it's getting pretty complicated to go to Disney World. Since I'm a veteran (over 40 trips) the changes don't bother me so much, but I stay offsite (We take our dog on all our trips, now and I want her with us in our resort) and I'm fearful of our December trip this year. I feel we won't be doing the amount of rides we have done in the past. I'm grateful there will be holiday decorations and special events like Candlelight Processional to keep us somewhat satisfied.

Also, I think John Q. Public may not be savvy enough to get through all of this with Disney right now. I suppose what you don't know won't hurt you, but it certainly seems to be more difficult to get the best bang out of your Disney dollar, right now. I hope they will have good guest relations when the time comes for all the changes to go full speed ahead.

Somehow, I feel those who are offsite will become second class citizens. I see the onsite guests getting first priority with fastpass plus where it was more fair with regular fastpass; regular fastpass was first come, first serve to all.

If my trip is impacted very negatively in December I will think twice about going again. One reason I'm doing a December trip this year is I'm hoping the old fastpass system will still be around for us to use. By next December that won't be true.

I do feel sorry for those under DAS. This has become a lot harder for those individuals.

I have ventured out more on other non-Disney trips the last few years and I have to say I've been very happy with those results. I will probably still go to Disney World in the future, but it won't be as often as the past.

Disney will always remain a business first; so, we are all pawns in this new game.

 

[tecdavidt]

My Husband just booked our FP+ for our NYE trip. Going, DH, me, DD, DS and his wife and 2 yr. old DD. It took DH 4 days to get the bookings. The system just was not working as all who have used it already know. Our ADR's were easy and that is not included in the 4 days of bookings, that was all the rides, yes just the 3 rides apiece.

To quote him, "This new system is way too much work. They must not have enough computer power to handle the load. They need something like what Google is building in Council Bluffs and what Microsoft has here in Des Moines metro and what Facebook is building in Ankeny (another burb of Des Moines.) These are power house computer banks that can handle the load."

We just wonder how bad will it get as more and more people start the prebooking FP+ rides. He did book one day in Nov. when we are at our house for use of FP+. We are AP holders. He said the system let him book our 3 rides apiece and we have a lunch at Brown Derby. He wanted to try it out. We do not have magic bands, only our RFID AP. I will report back on how it goes.

The NYE trip does include Magic Bands. He already knows, mine will be in my bag 99% of the time. I refuse to put that thing on my wrist.

I know in the beginning the press release by Disney Corp. stated they wanted to enhance the first time visitor's experience so that they would come back. My husband and I concluded, a first timer is only going to get frustrated. How will they know what they even want to try? How will they know to book rides in advance? Especially the off sight people will be lost. He believes the only people who will gain from FP+ are the people who go a lot and know the parks. I know we will ride more this NYE than ever before due to pre booking the rides as long as the system does not crash and lose our FP+ ressies.

I also know, if I had to do the arranging, I would quit going. Way too much work for a vacation. He was enjoying the planning but after the first day he started to complain.

Kathy

 

[WDSearcher]

My Husband just booked our FP+ for our NYE trip. Going, DH, me, DD, DS and his wife and 2 yr. old DD. It took DH 4 days to get the bookings. The system just was not working as all who have used it already know. Our ADR's were easy and that is not included in the 4 days of bookings, that was all the rides, yes just the 3 rides apiece.

To quote him, "This new system is way too much work. They must not have enough computer power to handle the load. They need something like what Google is building in Council Bluffs and what Microsoft has here in Des Moines metro and what Facebook is building in Ankeny (another burb of Des Moines.) These are power house computer banks that can handle the load."

We just wonder how bad will it get as more and more people start the prebooking FP+ rides. He did book one day in Nov. when we are at our house for use of FP+. We are AP holders. He said the system let him book our 3 rides apiece and we have a lunch at Brown Derby. He wanted to try it out. We do not have magic bands, only our RFID AP. I will report back on how it goes.

The NYE trip does include Magic Bands. He already knows, mine will be in my bag 99% of the time. I refuse to put that thing on my wrist.

I know in the beginning the press release by Disney Corp. stated they wanted to enhance the first time visitor's experience so that they would come back. My husband and I concluded, a first timer is only going to get frustrated. How will they know what they even want to try? How will they know to book rides in advance? Especially the off sight people will be lost. He believes the only people who will gain from FP+ are the people who go a lot and know the parks. I know we will ride more this NYE than ever before due to pre booking the rides as long as the system does not crash and lose our FP+ ressies.

I also know, if I had to do the arranging, I would quit going. Way too much work for a vacation. He was enjoying the planning but after the first day he started to complain.

Kathy

I don't know ... I think first-timers will actually have a much easier time of it because they have nothing to compare it to. They'll follow whatever instructions they get on the website or via e-mail and just book their trip. They'll read descriptions of rides or scan through the lands to see what they want to do and book their FPs. And if they don't want to, then they won't. Every one of us here was a "first timer" at some point, and probably every one of us was a little clueless. And we all figured it out, and we all came back. I think the long-timers (for lack of a better term) are the ones who are having the hardest time because they don't want to learn a new way to do things. They just want it the way they're used to. It's way easier to learn something new when you don't have to unlearn "the old way".

As for "how will they even know what they want to try"? How does any first-timer know what they want to try?

I imagine those folks will do what most people planning a major trip that costs a gazillion dollars do -- they'll do a little research. I don't get why people think first-timers are going to go to book their WDW trip without a stitch of information! That might have been true pre-internet, but I'm thinking the majority of people are going to check out websites, travel guides, YELP, the DIS, etc. and figure it all out. And if someone doesn't do even a whisp of research, well ... that's not really Disney's fault, is it? I mean, the person with no research would have the same issues whether they're under FP+ or FP-. They won't have ADRs, they won't have FPs to work with, they won't know to show up at RD to get lots of rides done before the crowds ... they'll be totally clueless when they walk into the park with their MB just as they would have with their paper ticket.

First timers will be just fine, unless they come here and read about how clueless they are and how horrible everything is!

 

[Planogirl]

Concerned is reasonable. Choosing to never visit someplace again because a bunch of people you've never met don't like something seems a bit of an over-reaction.

You may flat out hate FP+ and you may come back and say that nope ... can't abide it ... won't do it ... not going back. You gave it a shot and it didn't work out.

But it's also possible that you'll come back thinking, "Geez ... what was I so worried about?"

I agree with you here (hey it can happen! ) which is why I decided to quit worrying as much and just go. I still don't like what I see but I agree that that could change.

This just made me smile, and think about everything that gets taken away from us as we live our lives. The womb, binkies, cribs, training wheels, T-ball, weekly allowance, my mom cooking dinner for me every night...

I'm claustrophobic so the womb is but the others you could theoretically provide for yourself as you grow up. Even though a few of these would certainly be odd.

I don't know ... I think first-timers will actually have a much easier time of it because they have nothing to compare it to. They'll follow whatever instructions they get on the website or via e-mail and just book their trip. They'll read descriptions of rides or scan through the lands to see what they want to do and book their FPs. And if they don't want to, then they won't. Every one of us here was a "first timer" at some point, and probably every one of us was a little clueless. And we all figured it out, and we all came back. I think the long-timers (for lack of a better term) are the ones who are having the hardest time because they don't want to learn a new way to do things. They just want it the way they're used to. It's way easier to learn something new when you don't have to unlearn "the old way".

As for "how will they even know what they want to try"? How does any first-timer know what they want to try?

I imagine those folks will do what most people planning a major trip that costs a gazillion dollars do -- they'll do a little research. I don't get why people think first-timers are going to go to book their WDW trip without a stitch of information! That might have been true pre-internet, but I'm thinking the majority of people are going to check out websites, travel guides, YELP, the DIS, etc. and figure it all out. And if someone doesn't do even a whisp of research, well ... that's not really Disney's fault, is it? I mean, the person with no research would have the same issues whether they're under FP+ or FP-. They won't have ADRs, they won't have FPs to work with, they won't know to show up at RD to get lots of rides done before the crowds ... they'll be totally clueless when they walk into the park with their MB just as they would have with their paper ticket.

First timers will be just fine, unless they come here and read about how clueless they are and how horrible everything is!

Sorry to quote you twice but I see one possible danger when it comes to newcomers. Family members who have been and choose not to go again have to travel during busy times and cite long lines and crowds as one of the reasons they don't care to go again. IF the lines actually get longer (I don't know if they will before you correct me) that could actually cause trouble for them too.

Plus they could unknowingly pull FP+ for Stitch.

 

[tecdavidt]

All you have to do is listen to the "first timers" in the parks. Really. I am amazed with the internet how many do not do research. Period. They assume what they see on TV ads is the truth. The characters run up to the children. They play on the grass in front of the Castle. Ah, no they don't.

The first timers complain about how the sit down restaurants are all booked, "what do we do now? Where are we suppose to eat?"

Classic comments while we walk down the Fastpass lane, "So how much did those people pay to be able to do that?" Ah, nothing did they not watch the in room TV if they are staying on property. It was not a secret.

How many first timers think MK is Disney World? You mean there are 3 other parks?

Yes, there are a lot of people out there who have no clue what Walt Disney World really is. There are people who ask us why we keep going back to that kiddy place.

First Timers will be lost. Why? They watch the TV. They book a last minute room. They think, lets go visit that place and let the kids ride some rides only they pay the bucks, they walk around and they get little for the cash they spent. They complain, this place is too expensive for what they got for the dollar.

Yes, FP+ only helps the people who return often and know the place. First Timer's do not know Walt Disney World. I have had a woman I know ask about where to stay because she thought they would bring their grandson down in March 2014.. I explained the new system. She thought I was joking about prebooking the rides and the thought of booking a sit down restaurant 180 days out? Her comment, I think we will skip Disney. That is way over the top. She just thought her 7 yr. grandson would enjoy the rides.

Disney really is risking the first timer's. When I got my hair cut this week I was asked where do we like to stay when we go to WDW. This is the owner of the salon plus she owns 2 other salons. I told her but I added that the new system is being tested but should be up and running by the time she indicated they wanted to go. The thought of prebooking rides was down right crazy! Are they serious, yeah, they are serious. Again, that is crazy. Another first timer who decided never mind.

If the Disney minds that thought this concept up thought FP+ would help first timers I am not seeing it or hearing it from the mouths of first timers to be who ask me questions. Skipping Disney is what I hear. The other comment, "That is way more work than what I want to do for a vacation. Maybe we will just go to the beach." No I did not make that up, that is what I heard.

My gut tells me no company is to big to fail and wasn't it Walt Disney himself who stated, a good failure helps people grow? Well, this little experiment may help WDW grow. To get the first timers Disney needs a department for only first time visitors and to help them plan but then that only will work if the first timers decide to let Disney know they are coming.

Time will tell but I stand my ground, experienced Disney people benefit from FP+ if they are willing to spend the time it takes to get everything lined up before the trip. First Timers who know nothing may only go once.

Kathy

 

[monty]

Yes, FP+ only helps the people who return often and know the place. First Timer's do not know Walt Disney World. I have had a woman I know ask about where to stay because she thought they would bring their grandson down in March 2014.. I explained the new system. She thought I was joking about prebooking the rides and the thought of booking a sit down restaurant 180 days out? Her comment, I think we will skip Disney. That is way over the top. She just thought her 7 yr. grandson would enjoy the rides.

Disney really is risking the first timer's. When I got my hair cut this week I was asked where do we like to stay when we go to WDW. This is the owner of the salon plus she owns 2 other salons. I told her but I added that the new system is being tested but should be up and running by the time she indicated they wanted to go. The thought of prebooking rides was down right crazy! Are they serious, yeah, they are serious. Again, that is crazy. Another first timer who decided never mind.


Kathy

You are doing a great job keeping the crowds at Disney down.

I have read on Disboards over and over again what a great time people have had in the parks without ADR's, not doing rope drops, even without using fast passes. I will bet my bottom dollar that many many more people who are NOT on Disboards & make up the majority of Disney visitors, have had a great time too despite what a lot of Disers see as negatives. Everyone's touring style is different and it dismays me that so many people think 'their way' is the only way and you can't possibly have a good time unless you have the same mind set as themselves.
There will always be instances when Disney does not live up to someone's expectations, sometimes justified, sometimes not, wether they are a 1st timer or a 20th timer. Some will complain and may decide 'never again' others just go 'with the flow'.
What does it matter if others 'don't know Disney' as well as you do? Coming from overseas we don't visit anywhere near as much as we would like (or afford to) and are by no means experts on the parks. But do we have a good time? You betcha!

 

[Schmeck]

I

I do feel sorry for those under DAS. This has become a lot harder for those individuals.

Those using the DAS will just have to plan things like the rest of us. It's become a lot harder for everyone if they don't do the planning. As it stands right now, people using the DAS and staying onsite can have 5 attractions reserved at the beginning of their day. I think that should help with planning, timing, and needing to take breaks.

 

[coconutprincess]

I love it there. I cannot not go. But I understand your frustration. I would agree on multiple points, but will learn to deal with the fact I don't like most of the changes beause I do love it so.

To me, the new system is not very convenient for those with young children. DS has a bad day one day, and we had an ADR for Crystal Palace. We still went, because we didn't want to lose out on $30 if we cancelled....looking back though we probably should have.

 

[pieface]

I love Disney and have been there 53 times. Not a fan of F+ I don't like to plan my trip before I go I like to fly by the seat of my pants. I don't want to have to plan what park I'm going to go to until I get there. I'm not a big planner I like to relax and take things as they come. We do rope drop every morning and are really disappointed when we do a fast pass and the return time is in the afternoon. I'm a little older and not a techno geek so it's a little difficult for me to accept the new technology but I guess I will have to adapt if F+ becomes the wave of the future. I won't like it but I will continue to go to Disney under the new changes.

 

[rebbyparker]

Regarding first timers. IF they reserve through Disney, resort, tickets, dining, tours, then Disney has the perfect opportunity to explain to them what they should be doing regarding ADR's, tours, MB's and FP+. Will Disney step up to ensure that these people are well informed? I don't know, but the opportunity IS there (although CM's are helpful at times, they are not the most knowledgeable). IF they book a spur of the moment, stay off site, get tickets through UT, then hopefully just by researching the budget Disney, that should get them research on what they should be doing. So it remains to be seen how it will affect first timers.