Just Back 1/22 - Thoughts on FP+ and MB

[LoveBugs]

We just got back yesterday and I have to say, our overall experience with both FP+ and MB in general was quite positive. For background, we are DVC owners who go once a year on average for a week at a time in October. This was a weekend trip for just us adults.

What We Liked:
1. LOVED missing rope drop! We woke up at a leisurely 10am and made our way to Hollywood Studios. Immediately got in line for RNR (50 min wait) and then did our FP+ for TSM, TOT, and Star Tours. The wait time in the FP+ line for all those rides was about 5-10 minutes. NEVER would I have been able to sleep in and get through all those rides in a matter of 3 hours.

2. Liked not having to worry about paper tickets.

3. Liked MB in general for purchases, tix, etc, although I did still have to carry my TIW card and ID so there was that.

What We Didn't Like:
1. Day 1 we approached our first FP+ attraction, Space Mountain, and found the FP line stretched almost to the rockets. Turns out, that was only because it takes people longer to get their MB to make the light beep than it does to flash a CM their ticket. We ran into this extended initial line throughout MK and while we were initially concerned, once we got in the line was as short as it should be (Space, Thunder, and Pirates).

2. The line for Soarin was far longer than usual. We were queued well into the long hallway before you make that right turn to the second check. The overall wait wasn't bad, but it seems they issued far too many passes for our time slot.

3. Not allowing the choice of multiple park FP+s is absolutely ridiculous. We didn't park hop once, a wasted feature now on our passes.


So all in all, I think FP+ is a good thing for us. We're not rope droppers, we're park closers. I loved that we could stay all night (3am Sunday!!), sleep in the next day, and still not miss the big rides. It will change the tickets we buy in the future (no hoppers) but I'm ok with that knowing what I'm going into.

BTW, 3 hour wait for Anna and Elsa on a Tuesday in January. Crazy!!!

 

[Planogirl]

When I see these waits for characters I'm so glad that I had a boy. He liked the characters but not enough to wait so the occasional character meal was enough.

I'm glad that it worked well for you! I can see that it would given how you like to tour.

 

[Ametista]

Interesting. Thanks for posting. I am trying to figure out what the Powers That Be will do about park hoppers because they seem pointless now, unless you do one park at RD and then head to the other one for your FP+. The way my family operates (unpredictably) I can't see us ever being dependable or organized enough to do that, so hopping is out for us. I do like the fact that I could plan all my FP+ for afternoon and sleep in.

 

[MsMagical]

When I see these waits for characters I'm so glad that I had a boy. He liked the characters but not enough to wait so the occasional character meal was enough.

I'm glad that it worked well for you! I can see that it would given how you like to tour.

For what it's worth, I have a girl and there is no way she would ever wait in long lines to see a character. She is super girly but not super patient.

On the other hand my oldest son would wait hours in line for what he wanted to experience including characters if we had let him (he is 20 now so he can wait all he wants...without us. )

OP, I dream of having an all adult trip someday (my younger kids at 5 & 2). Ah, someday... It must have been dreamy.

 

[LoveBugs]

OP, I dream of having an all adult trip someday (my younger kids at 5 & 2). Ah, someday... It must have been dreamy.

Call it one of the few perks of divorce. Bad joke My girls are 8, 6, and 3. They were with their dad for the weekend so we took advantage and planned a little trip! They weren't thrilled that we were going without them, but with an October trip on the horizon for them, they let it slide. It really is a different trip without kids. Dinner at Shulas, drinks at Brown Derby and all around the world in Epcot, but I tell you, seeing the little ones there with the big smiles sure made me miss my own princesses!

 

[recmouse]

Call it one of the few perks of divorce. Bad joke My girls are 8, 6, and 3. They were with their dad for the weekend so we took advantage and planned a little trip! They weren't thrilled that we were going without them, but with an October trip on the horizon for them, they let it slide. It really is a different trip without kids. Dinner at Shulas, drinks at Brown Derby and all around the world in Epcot, but I tell you, seeing the little ones there with the big smiles sure made me miss my own princesses!

The first time I went without my kids I felt bad... and then got over it! We have a great time with them... but we have an awesome time without them too! My husband and I always joke when we hear a kid crying and say, "Not ours!"

Heading down on February 2nd to celebrate my 50th with just my sister! (Nothing like being two little kids again!)

 

[diskids2]

Thanks for the review! We intentionally did not book our yearly summer trip and booked January instead. Really enjoying all the FP+ comments so that we can figure out how we want to tour.

The point about the Park Hoppers is interesting. I have to think about it. We are RDers and I was thinking about going to RD, then hopping to a park using FP+ there. Just the fact that we are going early January vs. July should seem like culture shock enough!