Just a FP+ Thought...Don't Have to Like My Opinion!

[jeneric997]

Just to be clear, I have no stake in Disney other than being a big a fan...I do believe that there are certain ages when your children would rather enjoy US OR busch Gardens. Etc. Regardless of FP+....

I just have been so amazed with people commenting about a system they never tried!

Well you do have a stake in Disney, you own DVC , I do too and I'm a stockholder. I have used FP+ when it was less restrictive and I didn't like it. I also don't like that Disney keeps giving these MB's away like they are candy- this can't be cost effective. I don't like that Disney is tracking my every move- and to their own admission in the future they will try to sell me things. Everyone keeps stating that they are still testing. How long will this "test" last? People were making FP+ choices last January! At some point it isn't a test and they are just tweaking it. As much as I hope it is not true, one thing that has been consistent is 3FP+ a day and I think tiers are here to stay.

I've always known Disney was tracking and controlling me to a point while I was there. What I don't want is while I'm smelling the roses, Disney telling me I need to be doing some great experience they think I'll like. It's coming- that's part of this, they've admitted it. Actually, it's already happening- they are emailing people photos of their park visits that they didn't photo pass.

I think if you want to smell the roses you won't mind FP+. I think it works great for certain groups. I also think people who have a couple trips and know their family and the way they tour can predict the problems with FP+, just like they can tell you if you showed up at 3pm with FP- to TSMM you weren't getting a FP.

I hope you have a great vacation in March. I think you will because the crowds should be low! Enjoy!

 

[annaaidan99]

But that's my point. At Disney you have to add the price of admissions to the price of lodging and food. There are no additional admission costs at the beach. Well, in all fairness it does cost $2 to park when I want to drive down to the pier instead of staying on that gorgeous shell-strewn beach right in front of our condo.

Yes you do, and it comes out less than $100 per day w/ ten day pass. I still pay less than beach trips. I'm sure some beaches are cheaper, but for where we can travel to reasonably rentals are high. So when total cost WITH hotels is more at beach, I count room cost as well.

 

[DaisyNY]

Agree...I do own DVC but if you knew me, I am the last person to allow anyone to influence me to the point of not speaking my mind. I just had a good experience, hope to continue to have a good experience and am amazed by all the naysayers who haven't even experienced FP+ but are so doom and gloom!

 

[Mad Hattered]

If I wanted to stop and smell roses then I can do that for free at any given Florist, gas station or grocery store. If I am paying thousands of dollars for a week's stay at Disney, the last thing I want to do is smell them. And if I do, it will be at the Hess station while I am stopping to pick up some adult beverages.

 

[jeneric997]

Agree...I do own DVC but if you knew me, I am the last person to allow anyone to influence me to the point of not speaking my mind. I just had a good experience, hope to continue to have a good experience and am amazed by all the naysayers who haven't even experienced FP+ but are so doom and gloom!

I think you are being completely honest about your experience and based on when you went I think because crowds were low and not everyone was on the FP+ it worked well. The last major piece for Disney to implement is allowing off site people to make FP+ prior to entering. It will be interesting to see how that affects making FP+.

Thank you for sharing your positive experience. I know the boards can be depressing! But also realize your experience with FP+ no longer exists, now there are tiers, everyone is on it, no more legacy FP. I want to hear the good and the bad because it makes me feel better informed, but I can understand why many are brought down by the doom and gloom.

 

[AlixaLock]

She wants to ride Everest and the RnR 10 times in a row. If we aren't riding anything, she's bored. I'm not forking over $5-6,000 for my kid to be bored and unhappy. Therefore, Disney isn't "forcing" me to Universal, but I'm choosing to vacation there from now on.

Not trying to convince anyone of anything and I believe strongly that everyone is entitled to their opinion!

But I had to jump in and say that I have a 6 year old who already falls into this category. We visited on a crowded weekend October with bands, FastPass+ and no cards to us Legacy FastPass. We did recommended parks by EasyWDW. We rode Everest 9 times in a row one morning with a less then 10 minute wait each time. This allowed us to push all of our FP+ back to that night at DHS where we rode TOT (x2, once standby with a 30-sh minute wait) Star Tours X4 (FP+ and Standby). DD is too short for RnR, but my DH rode twice, once with his band and once with my daughters.

Again ... not de-valuing your opinion or anything! Just want to let you know that there is a chance you might surprised and find you really are still able to do the things you and your family love on your upcoming trip!!! Either way, I hope it is a great trip!

 

[leebee]

In response to the posters who say that they experienced things they never did before, and those who say it's time to stop and smell the roses… Shouldn't these kinds of things should be an individual's choice? If you wanted to climb Swiss Family TreeHouse or sit and people watch, you could choose to spend your time that way. Unfortunately, now with FP+, Disney is elbowing you into experiencing other rides and seeing other things because there's no other choice. You CAN'T ride whatever you want as many times as you want, because FP+ makes you choose between your favorite rides and stand in LONG lines if you want to experience them again. Those other attractions were always there, you just never chose to ride them because you had other interests. NOW you see them because Disney has pushed you to them. Does Disney really know best in how you should spend your vacation time? Big Brother, anyone?

Also… if you didn't experience FP+ without KTTW cards for legacy fastpass, and if there wasn't tiering in effect, and all resorts and offsite weren't on FP+, I really don't think you experienced FP+ in all its "glory" and will in all likelihood have a VERY different experience when next you travel to WDW.

 

[AlixaLock]

Also… if you didn't experience FP+ without KTTW cards for legacy fastpass, and if there wasn't tiering in effect, and all resorts and offsite weren't on FP+, I really don't think you experienced FP+ in all its "glory" and will in all likelihood have a VERY different experience when next you travel to WDW.

I agree, to some degree. Tiering at Epcot, FP+ (for all resorts) etc ... were in effect for my last trip, but it was onsite only. So I definitely wasn't competing with off-site guests, but I was competing with Legacy FastPass (which I didn't pull because I felt it wasn't the right thing to do, for me, not judging anyone else who did.) So, in my opinion, I don't think the experience is going to be as radically different as you think.

That said, it's not so much that I don't agree things will be different for my August trip then they were in October, for example. I am just not assuming the differences will be horrible before I actually experience them.

 

[magicbob]

Just maybe FP+ will force all of us to relax and enjoy all that Disney has to offer...We have been crazy touring people in the past...wanting to get on all rides, etc, getting there at RD to experience everything...and all our kids wanted to do after a few hours in the park was to sit in the pool...

There's nothing wrong with a relaxation approach. There's also nothing wrong with a commando approach.

We've done both and I like taking a relaxed approached. But I value freedom of choice.

The key point is that no one should be forced to adopt a more "enlightened" touring style because they don't know what's good for them.

In response to the posters who say that they experienced things they never did before, and those who say it's time to stop and smell the roses… Shouldn't these kinds of things should be an individual's choice? If you wanted to climb Swiss Family TreeHouse or sit and people watch, you could choose to spend your time that way. Unfortunately, now with FP+, Disney is elbowing you into experiencing other rides and seeing other things because there's no other choice. You CAN'T ride whatever you want as many times as you want, because FP+ makes you choose between your favorite rides and stand in LONG lines if you want to experience them again. Those other attractions were always there, you just never chose to ride them because you had other interests. NOW you see them because Disney has pushed you to them. Does Disney really know best in how you should spend your vacation time? Big Brother, anyone?

Also… if you didn't experience FP+ without KTTW cards for legacy fastpass, and if there wasn't tiering in effect, and all resorts and offsite weren't on FP+, I really don't think you experienced FP+ in all its "glory" and will in all likelihood have a VERY different experience when next you travel to WDW.

Exactly.

People should not dismiss the fact that a high-level Disney exec has stated that one of the primary functions of FP+ was to "guide" (my word) guests toward "under-utilized" attractions.

Everyone wants to ride Splash Mountain? No one wants to experience the Enchanted Tiki Room? Watch this! FP+... Voila! Problem solved.

 

[quandrea]

So it must say something that a huge fan such as myself would be so unhappy with the new system.

We loved Disney because we could do it ALL. We could enjoy rides, characters, shows, parades....... the whole ball of wax. But that all takes a lot of time. And if I'm spending more of my time accomplishing one piece of that puzzle (the rides), the balance is gone. The time has to come from somewhere. It's even more important now that my princess is a teenager intent on taking multiple rides on the headliners. I loved that Disney was growing with us as she moved out of the little kid stuff and into the thrill rides. Like so many other kids her age, she wants to take repeat rides on her favorites. Now we can't even do each of her favorites once with fastpass, let alone twice. It's really becoming apparent that it's time for us to move over to US. And it does indeed make me sad.

I imagine a fair number of you thrilled with the new system have no kids or very young kids. When they become teens and thrill ride junkies you'll understand better.

What makes you say you can't do headliners multiple times? Have you tried? This week we rode all the headliners at least twice. We rode Everest four times in succession. Could easily have gone six times but we moved on. There were headliners that we rode twice and then decided to move on (space mountain, tower of terror, rockin roller coaster).

You are very vocal about how bad fp+ is but have you been yet? I can't understand bad mouthing something until you try it.

As I said I went in a sceptic. Didn't like the whole preplanning my days. It has proven to be extremely flexible.

 

[quandrea]

Not trying to convince anyone of anything and I believe strongly that everyone is entitled to their opinion!

But I had to jump in and say that I have a 6 year old who already falls into this category. We visited on a crowded weekend October with bands, FastPass+ and no cards to us Legacy FastPass. We did recommended parks by EasyWDW. We rode Everest 9 times in a row one morning with a less then 10 minute wait each time. This allowed us to push all of our FP+ back to that night at DHS where we rode TOT (x2, once standby with a 30-sh minute wait) Star Tours X4 (FP+ and Standby). DD is too short for RnR, but my DH rode twice, once with his band and once with my daughters.

Again ... not de-valuing your opinion or anything! Just want to let you know that there is a chance you might surprised and find you really are still able to do the things you and your family love on your upcoming trip!!! Either way, I hope it is a great trip!

This is our experience this week. We are actually riding with MORE frequency and less waiting than before. All because we can book a ride, ride standby and alter fast pass if necessary. Easily a better experience than before.

 

[quandrea]

I think you are being completely honest about your experience and based on when you went I think because crowds were low and not everyone was on the FP+ it worked well. The last major piece for Disney to implement is allowing off site people to make FP+ prior to entering. It will be interesting to see how that affects making FP+.

Thank you for sharing your positive experience. I know the boards can be depressing! But also realize your experience with FP+ no longer exists, now there are tiers, everyone is on it, no more legacy FP. I want to hear the good and the bad because it makes me feel better informed, but I can understand why many are brought down by the doom and gloom.

I'm experiencing the final roll out. No paper fast passes. Off site users. It's going great. Able to change fast passes day of. Able to select full complement of passes the night before.

 

[magicbob]

If I want to relax, I'll go to the beach. They don't charge $100 a day to take in the atmosphere there.

C'mon, that's an exaggeration -- with a multi-day ticket, Disney doesn't charge more than $45 a day for atmosphere...

That would be a pretty hefty cover charge. They really should start selling an "atmosphere only" pass though.

On the way back from the beach last summer we stopped at the MK for one day (actually just part of one day). Admission? $105.

If I wanted to stop and smell roses then I can do that for free at any given Florist, gas station or grocery store. If I am paying thousands of dollars for a week's stay at Disney, the last thing I want to do is smell them. And if I do, it will be at the Hess station while I am stopping to pick up some adult beverages.

But if you average it out, it only comes to $8.34 per rose smelt.

I am so annoyed with all this FP+ bashing!! It is obvious you don't like it, but why go on and on and on about it. Why are you on this site if you would rather be at the beach. It sounds like you have nothing good to say so why are you here?!?! Go to Universal I don't care......... less people for me to worry about. I am tired of people clogging up with boards with junk. I use to go on here to get me excited for my trip not bring me down. I am excited to use FP+, don't try ruining it for everyone. I myself don't understand completely how its going to work, but the beauty in that is that it's not my problem!! Sorry you're so negative, I hope you can look at the glass half full.........

If you don't like this board, you can always go somewhere else. Less people for me to worry about.

Before I get flamed for being mean and engaging in ad hominem attacks, that was a weak attempt at humor (comparing to all the posters telling us to vacation somewhere else) and is not aimed at the PP.

But seriously, the mantra of "you're not allowed to criticize it until you tried it" is ridiculous. Sure, it's working out great for some people, but it's been disastrous for others. I don't need to actually play Russian Roulette with my vacation dollars to know that I don't like those odds.

 

[crostorfer]

Not trying to convince anyone of anything and I believe strongly that everyone is entitled to their opinion!

But I had to jump in and say that I have a 6 year old who already falls into this category. We visited on a crowded weekend October with bands, FastPass+ and no cards to us Legacy FastPass. We did recommended parks by EasyWDW. We rode Everest 9 times in a row one morning with a less then 10 minute wait each time. This allowed us to push all of our FP+ back to that night at DHS where we rode TOT (x2, once standby with a 30-sh minute wait) Star Tours X4 (FP+ and Standby). DD is too short for RnR, but my DH rode twice, once with his band and once with my daughters.

Again ... not de-valuing your opinion or anything! Just want to let you know that there is a chance you might surprised and find you really are still able to do the things you and your family love on your upcoming trip!!! Either way, I hope it is a great trip!

And you visited in October with no tiers, legacy FP still available to any guest with a KTTW card, and a daughter that is too short to ride one of my daughter's favorite rides.

I'm very glad you had a good experience, but your experience is very different than the one I'm walking into in 6 weeks.

 

[WillAustin]

This is our experience this week. We are actually riding with MORE frequency and less waiting than before. All because we can book a ride, ride standby and alter fast pass if necessary. Easily a better experience than before.

I'm experiencing the final roll out. No paper fast passes. Off site users. It's going great. Able to change fast passes day of. Able to select full complement of passes the night before.

Glad you are having an enjoyable experience.

As I know others have said before, with lighter crowds, it won't be any problem at all. The end of January is one of the slowest times for crowds at WDW.

 

[AlixaLock]

And you visited in October with no tiers, legacy FP still available to any guest with a KTTW card, and a daughter that is too short to ride one of my daughter's favorite rides.

I'm very glad you had a good experience, but your experience is very different than the one I'm walking into in 6 weeks.

As I said, definitely wasn't trying to de-value your concerns or change your mind. Just wanted to offer some encouragement. It is true about my daughters height, but RNR and Primeval Whirl are the only rides she can't ride and, as I indicated, the rest of my party did ride the ride. I just wanted to quickly add that tiering was in effect at EPCOT on my last trip it rolled out as I was standing in our first park of the trip. I also did not use KTTW card for additional FP-.

Regardless I hope you have an amazing trip! I would absolutely love to hear how it goes and get your perspective.

 

[mom2rtk]

We're really not comparing apples to apples here...a beach vacation doesn't include attractions, shows, theming, parades, fireworks and more...

You might be plesantly surprised how the new system may work for you....

I appreciate your encouragement. But I know a whole lot more about our touring style and what brings us joy on a Disney trip than anyone else. I can safely say that FP+ is a big takeaway for us.

There's nothing wrong with a relaxation approach. There's also nothing wrong with a commando approach.

We've done both and I like taking a relaxed approached. But I value freedom of choice.

The key point is that no one should be forced to adopt a more "enlightened" touring style because they don't know what's good for them.



Exactly.

People should not dismiss the fact that a high-level Disney exec has stated that one of the primary functions of FP+ was to "guide" (my word) guests toward "under-utilized" attractions.

Everyone wants to ride Splash Mountain? No one wants to experience the Enchanted Tiki Room? Watch this! FP+... Voila! Problem solved.

I wish I remembered who posted this. But they summed this all up by saying that Disney has now replaced "Magic YOUR Way" with "Magic OUR Way". It really sums this all up quite well.

I find it amusing that everyone thinks we somehow have a duty to now change what we like about touring the parks. Uh, no.

What makes you say you can't do headliners multiple times? Have you tried? This week we rode all the headliners at least twice. We rode Everest four times in succession. Could easily have gone six times but we moved on. There were headliners that we rode twice and then decided to move on (space mountain, tower of terror, rockin roller coaster).

You are very vocal about how bad fp+ is but have you been yet? I can't understand bad mouthing something until you try it.

As I said I went in a sceptic. Didn't like the whole preplanning my days. It has proven to be extremely flexible.

Sorry, but I've been to Disney enough to know the role FP paid in making our trips enjoyable. I will not put thousands of dollars on the table in a game of "vacation roulette". I don't need to. It's not a new program. It's a limitation of an old program.

Yes, I understand that sometimes you can stumble across the opportunity to do a ride many times in a row. But we used to be able to do that even if the week we chose turned out to be busier than we expected. Disney marketing works overtime to fill the previously "low crowd" weeks with more bodies. I commend them for that. It's their job. But it does make it harder than ever to plan on those opportunities to have better ride access without FP.

 

[mom2rtk]

We're really not comparing apples to apples here...a beach vacation doesn't include attractions, shows, theming, parades, fireworks and more...

You might be plesantly surprised how the new system may work for you....

You're wrong about that. There's a spectacular show every morning and every night. Lots of attractions along the way too. And they have free souvenirs.


Sunrise at Sanibel Lighthouse by mom2rtk, on Flickr


Sanibel Sunset by mom2rtk, on Flickr


Sanibel Shells by mom2rtk, on Flickr



IMG_0231 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[JimmyV]

Let's assume for a moment that FP+ is intended to get people to relax more and smell the roses. When the MK first opened, you paid around $5 to get in, you used your 7 attraction tickets, (or later 11), and your day was done. Lots of time for parades, pools, etc. Sounds to me like the OP is envisioning a new World order where we are moving back to that type of touring. Can't do the headliners more than a couple of times, and lines for rides that used to be 10 minutes are now 25 because guests have been re-directed elsewhere. So you will do less each day and have more non-park time or time to simply stroll. But this isn't evolution. It is devolution. Guests in 2014 will have a 1973 experience. Except at 2014 prices. I can't see how this works in a market with far more competition than Disney had in 1973.

 

[Lindaland]

Haters just gonna hate!!

It's sad that there are people here who seem to stalk the positive FP+ threads only to argue & debate with people. There are plenty of negative FP+ threads on here so I fail to understand the bizarre need to jump on these threads & insult peoples choice to be positive. But, like I said....

Haters just gonna hate!