Is it that bad?

[jt'smom]

I feel like we have lived at Disney this summer and used our AP's to death, and we have had nothing but success with FP. Rudeness, doesn't get me down so much, simply because I see rude people every where and I just don't get bothered by it. Overall, I would say out of the last 3 years as AP holders, we've really enjoyed this year the most.

 

[Nancyg56]

Or, stop declaring anecdotal evidence as fact. Opinion couched as truth is intellectually dishonest. There's no shame in simply saying "I like/dislike FP+ and I readily admit that there is no way I could possibly know how the majority feels."

LOL! You know we can't do this either! THis is the DIS!

The bottom line is that we all think we know the answersbased on how we choose to analyze the information we read. It really is okay, because if you or I disagree, we can. I think that it will be years before this system is working the way that Disney intends, and not until then will we know if this system is preferable for the majority of guests. It will never be preferable to those folks who used FP- really really well. This system is not going to give those folks the experience that they used to enjoy. For the guests who straggled into the parks at 2 Pm, and wnated to ride Soarin befor 7 M, this one will be a gift

 

[MrInfinity]

I haven't been since April 2014. Not that long ago but it seems the negative threads about FP+ and crowds and rudeness have been getting worse. I don't know if I am just noticing them more. Is negativity contagious? Has it all really gotten that bad?

I'm not letting it get to me and am holding judgement until I go but it makes me curious which side is the majority. The side that is getting disappointed or the side that doesn't see anything wrong.

Thought I'd make a poll and see the results.

Interesting! I'm kind of surprised your poll results are 79% "Still Love" and only 7% "Against". That is great! And that's among the most critical 1% or so of guests who got the most out of FP-, i.e. those out here on the Dis.

 

[socrateze]

We won't be returning to WDW because of FP+. I have read lots of articles, blogs, trip reports, and I have spoken with TA's and the majority of these people hate FP+. Do I believe this is representative of a majority? NO.

No one knows if FP+ is successful except Disney, and it will remain shrouded in mystery.

 

[itchin2go]

So overall our park experience is still good but not as good as it once was.

I agree, and that's why I didn't vote. My choice wasn't there. Ironically, that's the problem with a lot of polls (not knocking the OP at all - this has been an interesting thread). But the results you get depend a great deal on the options you provide for answers.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

LOL! You know we can't do this either! THis is the DIS!

Touché.

The bottom line is that we all think we know the answersbased on how we choose to analyze the information we read. It really is okay, because if you or I disagree, we can.

That's where we differ. I never claim anything beyond my own experiences. I do think disagreement is a good thing, and I have certainly never sought to squelch anyone's opinion. I do prefer people to be thoughtful, well-reasoned, and honest when disagreement arises, as it inevitably will. Claiming to know the opinion of the majority of guests is none of these.

 

[ShayBells]

Interesting! I'm kind of surprised your poll results are 79% "Still Love" and only 7% "Against". That is great! And that's among the most critical 1% or so of guests who got the most out of FP-, i.e. those out here on the Dis.

I am very happy with the results as well but I do understand we are not a majority but a select few but still even within that small few I am very happy with the results of the poll.

I agree, and that's why I didn't vote. My choice wasn't there. Ironically, that's the problem with a lot of polls (not knocking the OP at all - this has been an interesting thread). But the results you get depend a great deal on the options you provide for answers.

That is true maybe I should of added an "other" like people usually do or maybe a "still good but could be better?" answer. But thank you for voicing your opinion.

I like a lot of the answers that I have been getting and while I intend to go into this vacation excited and with positive thoughts I am anxious to see how I feel about the parks these days. FP+ just rolled out last I was there and the only negative I remember is small world having a wait when I've never waited my life for that ride but than I was never there in April before so I'm doubly excited to see what it's like in Sept, when is my usual vacation time. Thank you again to everyone who has answered.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Very simply, read the various forums, trip reports, travel agents we know as friends, are getting positive feed back, other friends we know who have gone under the new system etc. As I pointed some folks are still unhappy are mostly mostly those who had there own system and FP + interfered with that.
AKK

That's your experience. The people we know who have gone under the new system have not liked it at all. And they aren't people who had their own systems either. They were first time visitors (or first time as adults). They found the whole idea of pre-booking rids to be very overwhelming. They didn't even know where to begin booking rides, because they didn't know what the rides were like in the first place to know what would be "must dos" for them.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Love or hate FP+, rude people, etc. is all secondary to the revenue numbers being pulled in at the parks. There are people who have been "predicting" the fall of Disney for years now. As long as attendance and just as important, spend per guest keeps increasing, Disney has nothing to worry about. The people that matter the most are casting their vote at the cash registers and that doesn't require a "source" other than the numbers themselves.

 

[WillAustin]

As long as attendance and just as important, spend per guest keeps increasing, Disney has nothing to worry about.

If the price increases stay on pace, that spend per guest will always go up.

 

[Disneychick75]

We have not run into rude guests in the 42 years that we've gone to WDW.
Now, I will say that we felt like we're paying more and getting less with FP+ which we haven't liked. That said, it is what it is and there are ways around FP+.

 

[itchin2go]

Love or hate FP+, rude people, etc. is all secondary to the revenue numbers being pulled in at the parks. There are people who have been "predicting" the fall of Disney for years now. As long as attendance and just as important, spend per guest keeps increasing, Disney has nothing to worry about. The people that matter the most are casting their vote at the cash registers and that doesn't require a "source" other than the numbers themselves.

Leaving aside the issue of how Disney comes up with the numbers and the reasons why revenues might go up, I can see your point from Disney's point of view. A good case can be made for, "Who cares what the guests think? We're still growing revenues. End of story."

How does that help the OP, though?

 

[BugsDaddy]

Leaving aside the issue of how Disney comes up with the numbers and the reasons why revenues might go up, I can see your point from Disney's point of view. A good case can be made for, "Who cares what the guests think? We're still growing revenues. End of story."

How does that help the OP, though?

I didn't realize that we were trying to "help" the OP. I thought they were looking for opinions. My opinion is that despite the negativity portrayed on this board and despite any disagreement with FP+ and/or perceived rudeness, attendance and revenue continue to rise which for any business (and Disney is a business, first and foremost) is the most important indicator that the public still wants to consume your product.

 

[BugsDaddy]

If the price increases stay on pace, that spend per guest will always go up.

More accurately, as long as people are willing to absorb price increases which they consider to be good value for their entertainment dollar, spend for guests will always go up.

 

[Nancyg56]

We won't be returning to WDW because of FP+. I have read lots of articles, blogs, trip reports, and I have spoken with TA's and the majority of these people hate FP+. Do I believe this is representative of a majority? NO.

No one knows if FP+ is successful except Disney, and it will remain shrouded in mystery.

What was your experience with FP+? I was not sure how I would feel about intil I went myself, and while I understand how some people may have negative experiences, and therfore choose to stay away, mine was positive. WIll you share how FP+ made your trip so bad you are not going again?

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I didn't realize that we were trying to "help" the OP. I thought they were looking for opinions. My opinion is that despite the negativity portrayed on this board and despite any disagreement with FP+ and/or perceived rudeness, attendance and revenue continue to rise which for any business (and Disney is a business, first and foremost) is the most important indicator that the public still wants to consume your product.

Who said otherwise? It's possible to go to a theme park, have a good time, and still find flaws in the system. If the plumbing in my house springs a leak, I don't abandon the house and move somewhere else, I fix the leak.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

More accurately, as long as people are willing to absorb price increases which they consider to be good value for their entertainment dollar, spend for guests will always go up.

I don't know whether people make a decision on Disney based on whether they consider it to be a good value. Many go because it's what they've always done and others because they see it as a right of passage. In these cases value has nothing to do with it.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I don't know whether people make a decision on Disney based on whether they consider it to be a good value. Many go because it's what they've always done and others because they see it as a right of passage. In these cases value has nothing to do with it.

To say nothing of the average guest, who is potentially unaware what FP+ entails before booking a trip. I think most people on the board can at least agree that unlike Disneyland, WDW draws more first-time guests, rather than repeat customers.

 

[itchin2go]

More accurately, as long as people are willing to absorb price increases which they consider to be good value for their entertainment dollar, spend for guests will always go up.

Some people are just experiencing the new normal for the first time. Just because they decided to try it out, isn't necessarily a vote of approval.

With me, I tried it, and it didn't horribly affect my vacation. I think MM+ was not money well spent and I worry about the direction being taken with the parks, but we still had a good time. That said, FP+ still feels like a step backward to me, and it was inconvenient in some ways. I'm wary about the future, but we still found enough good in the trip to want to go back. I don't think that's a resounding vote of confidence.

So just because people spring for a trip in the here and now, doesn't mean they're over the moon about the changes. My view is that we managed to have a good time despite the changes.

Now, Disney may only care that I'm continuing to patronize their parks. I'll give you that. I still don't think that necessarily translates to all happy campers.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Who said otherwise? It's possible to go to a theme park, have a good time, and still find flaws in the system. If the plumbing in my house springs a leak, I don't abandon the house and move somewhere else, I fix the leak.

If I have a leak in my house, especially what I would consider a major leak, I would certainly leave the house until it was fixed. I wouldn't wade around in water until the plumber arrived. The original question was if any of these perceived "leaks" at Disney was enough to affect your park experience. Not, will you abandon Disney forever because of X or Y issue.