Irritated already!

[Flamingeaux]

I am going Nov 13 to Nov 20th...split stay...half of it I could not get free dining for...

I booked my fastpasses this morning and was able to get 7D for both MK days. I did not book FP until well after 9am est.

Great news, we book tomorrow morning!!

 

[JOE DELL]

Bottom line is the whole FP and ADR system is a joke and needs reworked/updating. Me and my girl go about once a month or so for a weekend and have seen stand by lines shorter than FP linesa few times and longer by a good bit.

The dining reservations is absolutely bs because the only thing stopping me for tying up times for every restaurant in the kingdom for the next 2-3 months while I figure out exactly what day I'll eat and where is other people doing the same and well as the scalpers.

The system is played as well as broke and won't be fixed anytime soon so of now learn to play the system or just relax and go with it, its a vacation not the end of the world. No pity or entitlements here.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yeah aren't there like 4 rooms in the theater up front for Mickey?

not sure how many, but definitely more than 1!

 

[pclvnmcky88]

I want to comment on this post, but at the same time don't want to say something I will regret.

All of us on here love Disney and pay good money (and lots of it) to go. Some of only get that one trip every five years and some get to go more often. Which is more entitled to what they want? Neither. We both go because we love it and want to be there. We're all paying good money to be there. Is the FP+ system perfect? No. Was the paper fastpass system perfect? Absolutely not. Enjoy your time at the parks, smile because you're at Disney.

 

[safroim]

I want to comment on this post, but at the same time don't want to say something I will regret.

All of us on here love Disney and pay good money (and lots of it) to go. Some of only get that one trip every five years and some get to go more often. Which is more entitled to what they want? Neither. We both go because we love it and want to be there. We're all paying good money to be there. Is the FP+ system perfect? No. Was the paper fastpass system perfect? Absolutely not. Enjoy your time at the parks, smile because you're at Disney.

But, but, but I'm ENTITLED. My $4,000 is better than your $4,000!

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep checking for any FP+ you want. I couldn't get everything I wanted the day my booking window opened up, but after continuing to check, I have now! And that includes 7DMT on multiple days.

As for how much you are spending, I cannot afford a moderate every trip either. So I mix it up with some value resort stays. Other people may go less often and only stay at deluxe resorts. We all have a budget to work with, the fact that you choose to stay at moderate resorts and pay what you do is neither here nor there.

 

[#1DopeyFan]

I want to comment on this post, but at the same time don't want to say something I will regret.

All of us on here love Disney and pay good money (and lots of it) to go. Some of only get that one trip every five years and some get to go more often. Which is more entitled to what they want? Neither. We both go because we love it and want to be there. We're all paying good money to be there. Is the FP+ system perfect? No. Was the paper fastpass system perfect? Absolutely not. Enjoy your time at the parks, smile because you're at Disney.

Ditto. Am I a big fan of FP+? No. Do I make it work as best as I can? Yes.
Bottom line is, FP's are NOT a necessity!! Only a bonus.

 

[maxiesmom]

The day the fast passes open up they should only allow so many to pick in the first couple of hours and stagger the opening amounts throughout the days. Some of us work at midnight!

I work at 5:30 am. So I got my rear out of bed at Midnight for 30 minutes, and then went back to bed for 4 hours. My last trip I took a vacation day so that I could sleep in. There are ways to make the time frame work if you need to, get a friend to at least book 7DMT. Take a vacation day. Have a spouse or other family member book FPs for you. The time they become available will never work perfectly for everyone.

 

[tlmadden73]

Anyway, fast passes opened up Sat morning. I got online to pick then at 7:30am and 7DM was already gone and so were Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet. I'm angry! I am paying for my food and can't get what I want, but the people not paying get want they want!

Who says that someone getting free dining got those Fast Passes that you didn't?

Also .. NOT getting the Fast Pass doesn't mean you are not able to do those attractions. They are a BONUS. You can do those attractions early, late, or simply wait in line in the middle of the day if you choose. Getting a Fast Pass for another ride you wouldn't have gotten because you got SDMT (let's say Big Thunder Mountain) still saves you time that you can now spend waiting for SDMT! Say the average standby line for BTMT is 40 minutes. If you now Fast Pass that . .you've saved 30+ minutes of your day you can then CHOOSE to use to stand in line you don't have a Fast Pass for (SDMT).

Are you people nuts?????? I am paying good money to go there! I love Disney, but yes, it irritates me that to bump sales they give free dining making the slow times crowded! If I started picking Fastpasses three days after it opened up then shame on me, but 7:30am. That's ridiculous!

Disney is in the business to make money. Empty rooms don't make them money, so YES they will encourage people to fill those empty rooms during "slower" (non-summer) times with special events, special parties and promotions like free dining. I would argue there isn't really a SUPER slow time at Disney anymore due to all their marketing approaches.

Until people start talking with their pocket book (in other words staying off-site .. going to Universal, etc.) .. Disney has no incentive to change. Is it frustrating to have to plan out things like dinner reservations and fast passes and not even have anything available despite trying to reserve something the minute you are first available?

The issue I have with the system is being able to book Fast Passes based on your arrival date .. thus some people are able to book a Fast Pass for a day 1-10 days before someone else even gets a shot. It doesn't seem fair, but the alternative isn't good either .. (having to try and make your reservations every single day).

The fact remains is that a LOT of people go to Disney and there are only so many Fast Passes available per day.

 

[DizBelle]

I want to comment on this post, but at the same time don't want to say something I will regret.

All of us on here love Disney and pay good money (and lots of it) to go. Some of only get that one trip every five years and some get to go more often. Which is more entitled to what they want? Neither. We both go because we love it and want to be there. We're all paying good money to be there. Is the FP+ system perfect? No. Was the paper fastpass system perfect? Absolutely not. Enjoy your time at the parks, smile because you're at Disney.

Well, my money is pretty bad. It can be downright naughty. Sometimes I have to spank it. Sometimes a timeout does the trick!

 

[JOE DELL]

And me and my girl will continue to renew are AP, go as many times as work allows and ball like there ain't no tomorrow despite maybe not getting the FP or reservations we want, it is what it is.
Enjoy it and be happy you have 4k to ball with because there is a lot who don't.

 

[phillymummer]

I feel your pain. I'm doing a very short trip- only three days, and FPs for A&E, 7DMT, and MSEP were gone days before my window even opened. The system really screws people with short trips. BUT I will keep looking and hopefully will get lucky. I think that's the best attitude you can take in this situation.

 

[castle4us]

There are cancellation threads here on the DIS where people sometimes do post that they're going to cancel A&E reservations (much like the ADR cancellation threads). Those threads were the only way I got A&E last year. So definitely find the one for November and subscribe.

I have read about cancellation threads but don't know where to find them. I have a BOG for December that I need to cancel being plans changed. I wasn't sure if I just go into the regular restaurant thread and make a post or quite what to do.

 

[Disneylover99]

Op, book an 8am BOG breakfast. Then you could probably ride The Mine Train and hop in line for Anna and Elsa with zero wait time before the rope drop hoards arrive.

 

[J'Adore Disney]

Take advantage of evening extra magic hours to see Anna and Elsa. At night the wait times are not so bad. My daughter and I waited 40 minutes to see Anna and Elsa; and we walked right into Peter Pan (you must see the new interactive queue). This of course all depends on how old your little one(s) are and if they can stay up at night; perhaps go back to the hotel for a nap, rest up a bit and go back to Magic Kingdom during the evening.

I wouldn't advise calling Disney to complain about Fast Passes. They will not be sympathetic to your "Fast Pass" needs. I don't mean that in a bad way, but from experience, there is only so much they can do. For example, if you don't like your room view; if your room is not up to par, they may accommodate you every way they can, sometimes even upgrade you from standard to garden/lake/pool view. But when it comes to Fast Passes... they simple have no control.

Another way to see Anna and Elsa is during the Festival of Fantasy parade, it's not a meet and greet but if you plan ahead and find a good spot to sit at on Main Street, you will have full view of Anna, Elsa, and all the Disney Princess and characters. Make sure you have a poncho or blanket to sit on because the sidewalk and pavement gets really hot!

Good luck and Have a Magical Trip

 

[JOE DELL]

I feel your pain. I'm doing a very short trip- only three days, and FPs for A&E, 7DMT, and MSEP were gone days before my window even opened. The system really screws people with short trips. BUT I will keep looking and hopefully will get lucky. I think that's the best attitude you can take in this situation.

It definitely doesn't help us short tripers lol last minute run downs your totally out of luck, but in a way its a good thing because it saves you money hahahaha

 

[BudgieMama]

I work at 5:30 am. So I got my rear out of bed at Midnight for 30 minutes, and then went back to bed for 4 hours. My last trip I took a vacation day so that I could sleep in. There are ways to make the time frame work if you need to, get a friend to at least book 7DMT. Take a vacation day. Have a spouse or other family member book FPs for you. The time they become available will never work perfectly for everyone.

Definitely, especially as WDW is an international destination. FP+ opened at 5am UK time when went. I'd have preferred midnight, and my DH was so unimpressed when my alarm went to set them, but you do what you gotta do!

 

[ny0090]

My trip falls between the dates of the OP (Nov. 12 to Nov. 16) and I was able to get a fast pass for Anna and Elsa and reservations at Be Our Guest. I have to admit it wasn't easy. My ADR window opened on May 16th and it took me two and a half months (checking everyday) until I got BOG. For A+E, I didn't get it during my 60 day window. I found a fast pass the next day after switching around my entire schedule. I was checking all day and not being very hopeful when I saw it come up (I saw Seven Dwarfs Mine Train come up several times too). I know it's frustrating but with a lot of determination and patience, you will be able to get everything you want.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have read about cancellation threads but don't know where to find them. I have a BOG for December that I need to cancel being plans changed. I wasn't sure if I just go into the regular restaurant thread and make a post or quite what to do.

There is a subforum in the Disney Restaurants forum specifically for Reservations. Here's a link to the December ADR Cancellation thread for you

 

[RoryRose]

Does anyone else recognize the lunacy of having to take time off from a paying job to schedule vacation time?