JUST back and I hate the new FP+

[Suvadoo]

Oh my, embarrassed, but I'm glad I posted it too. It is how I feel. sorry you got blasted.

Oh well, I'm just glad I could help you avoid the same pitfall!

 

[minniemous]

That is too bad sorry it did not work out.

I like the system but I have not encountered too many problems when visiting....yet.

Toy story was down quite a bit when we were there and they did offer to switch fast passes but we found ourselves holding out for Toy Story to come back on line because if you did not... you would not be able to get another fast pass for TOY Story for that day.

 

[Shaden]

Funny that a bunch of people are here talking about how the reason the OP didn't have a good time was because rides were down, but the people who were in the "other post" about how they had a great time, are saying how awesome that is and great that FP+ is so awesome ...

Except the other poster didn't have a good time because of FP+, they had a good time because the crowds were so low, FP+ or FP- have basically no impact on a trip like theirs. Read that Posters Original Post ...

On a 1 or 2 day, you aren't getting a bunch done because of FP+ or FP- ... you are getting a bunch done because crowds are so bloody low.

 

[WDmommyof4]

I am really sorry you did not have a good time. We too arrived on Jan 25th and are actually still here. We are one of the ones who have actually really liked the FP+ system both for rope drop and even today when we did not arrive in the parks until almost 11am. With the old paper system which we also loved, we never would have been able to arrive that late because we would then never have scored a FP for Soarin' or Test Track.

We arrived today and I had a FP for Soarin' that I booked just 11 days before our dates for 10:30-11:30am. We had another for Mission Space 11:50-12:50 and one for Spaceship Earth (which does have much longer SB wait times now) from 1:50-2:50. After riding Spaceship Earth, we went and were able to get a FP for Test Track around 3pm for a return time of 5:45pm. With the old system, we never would have been able to get a FP for TT that late in the day.

I will say this, we have found that the kiosks seem to have availability that constantly changes. There were new rides and times popping up all the time. So, if something we wanted was 2 hours for the closest time, we would pick something else with an immediate return time and then come back later to get the other one. This worked extremely well for us in the MK, but would definitely be less effective in parks with less rides.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Funny that a bunch of people are here talking about how the reason the OP didn't have a good time was because rides were down, but the people who were in the "other post" about how they had a great time, are saying how awesome that is and great that FP+ is so awesome ...

Except the other poster didn't have a good time because of FP+, they had a good time because the crowds were so low, FP+ or FP- have basically no impact on a trip like theirs. Read that Posters Original Post ...

On a 1 or 2 day, you aren't getting a bunch done because of FP+ or FP- ... you are getting a bunch done because crowds are so bloody low.

i have not read the other thread that you're talking about BUT i used FP+ in mid july and found it to be just as useful as it was the trip before which was in mid december so in my experience it does not matter whether you go in low or high crowd times FP+ was better than legacy fastpass was in my opinion.

 

[Shaden]

I am really sorry you did not have a good time. We too arrived on Jan 25th and are actually still here. We are one of the ones who have actually really liked the FP+ system both for rope drop and even today when we did not arrive in the parks until almost 11am. With the old paper system which we also loved, we never would have been able to arrive that late because we would then never have scored a FP for Soarin' or Test Track.

That's actually probably not true. Its a 2 level day ? We have been able to pull non-RD FPs for Soarin and Test track on 4 and 5 level days.

Its quite likely that you would have been able to pull multiple Soarin and TT FPs under the old system.

 

[Shaden]

i have not read the other thread that you're talking about BUT i used FP+ in mid july and found it to be just as useful as it was the trip before which was in mid december so in my experience it does not matter whether you go in low or high crowd times FP+ was better than legacy fastpass was in my opinion.

That is very dependent on touring style.

Maybe you weren't using FP- well ? Maybe FP+ just suits your touring style better ? Maybe you took better advantage of FP+ ?

To be fair your experience of FP in December 2013 was not the full roll out of FP+ ... it was a weird time where some people were able to use FP+ others FP- ... some people both. Not really a fair comparison by any means. BUT, many people report the same thing, some people genuinely like FP+ more, and that's ok. But during the lowest part of the season, someone getting on a bunch of rides has nothing to do with FP+ or FP- ... it has everything to do with low crowds.

 

[_Mickey_]

OP, I'm sorry you had a crummy experience with FP+, but I'm glad you posted (your misfortunes may help others to plan better). The only experience I've had so far with the new system is booking the fast passes online for my upcoming trip. I was an ace at the old system, so needless to say I've been very skeptical/apprehensive of the new system. I too was a fast pass hoarder, so being limited to 3 initial fast passes makes me feel a bit gypped. I know the name of the game with the new system is to book your FP early - unfortunately for the more popular rides this usually means having to wait up until midnight when your window opens (this is especially true of off site guests); having to do that is something I do NOT like. I'm all for anticipation, but there are more fun ways to get excited without having to plan each minute in the park so far in advance. Plus, for those traveling with younger kids, can you really be sure what rides they'll be willing/wanting to go on?

I guess I should reserve judgment till my trip, but in my mind there seems to be more cons than pros. Yes, it's convenient not to have to run from one part of the park to another, but to me that mad dash and antipation of grabbing FP before they ran out was part of the fun (and everyone regardless of whether or not they stayed on property had more or less the same opportunities).

I think those of use who knew the old system really well had a big advantage. This new system sort of takes that advantage away.

 

[abaldacci]

OP, I'm sorry you had a crummy experience with FP+, but I'm glad you posted (your misfortunes may help others to plan better). The only experience I've had so far with the new system is booking the fast passes online for my upcoming trip. I was an ace at the old system, so needless to say I've been very skeptical/apprehensive of the new system. I too was a fast pass hoarder, so being limited to 3 initial fast passes makes me feel a bit gypped. I know the name of the game with the new system is to book your FP early - unfortunately for the more popular rides this usually means having to wait up until midnight when your window opens (this is especially true of off site guests); having to do that is something I do NOT like. I'm all for anticipation, but there are more fun ways to get excited without having to plan each minute in the park so far in advance. Plus, for those traveling with younger kids, can you really be sure what rides they'll be willing/wanting to go on?

I guess I should reserve judgment till my trip, but in my mind there seems to be more cons than pros. Yes, it's convenient not to have to run from one part of the park to another, but to me that mad dash and antipation of grabbing FP before they ran out was part of the fun (and everyone regardless of whether or not they stayed on property had more or less the same opportunities).

I think those of use who knew the old system really well had a big advantage. This new system sort of takes that advantage away.

I hope you have a great trip. You and people like you(getting ready to leave on a trip) is the main reason I didn't want to post a big ole negative post about it and yes you should decide for yourself. It may be better for you than it was for me. Have a FABULOUS trip.

 

[WDmommyof4]

That's actually probably not true. Its a 2 level day ? We have been able to pull non-RD FPs for Soarin and Test track on 4 and 5 level days.

Its quite likely that you would have been able to pull multiple Soarin and TT FPs under the old system.

They may be available, but then you are looking at return times hours away with no way to get another FP in the meantime. I don't want to argue it. I realize that the new system doesn't work for some. I am not trying to say anyone is wrong. I am truly sorry that the OP had a bad experience and a less than magical trip.

 

[Jennasis]

They may be available, but then you are looking at return times hours away with no way to get another FP in the meantime. I don't want to argue it. I realize that the new system doesn't work for some. I am not trying to say anyone is wrong. I am truly sorry that the OP had a bad experience and a less than magical trip.

If your FP- time was for "hours away" (I'm assuming you mean more than 2 hours) you could get another one two hours after you pulled it...

But I digress. I don't even miss original recipe FP anymore. I miss the days pre-FP. Old school waiting in line.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Nevermind

 

[mhake01]

I am currently here and toy story was down from 9 am - 6 pm today. So that's one whole hour it was open. Of course we had a fast pass for it at 11-12 so they sent us a fp for any other ride at any time. It threw a link in our plan as we were going to go to toy story at rope drop. We altered and went to rrc. It wasn't ready yet so we waited in line. Ended up riding twice with about a 10 min wait each time. Ride ToT twice before using our 9:30-10:30 fast pass. Then went and met sorcerer Mickey with a 10 minute wait and did the art class.

Even though the ride went down it really only affected the ability of us getting a 4th fp. We decided to wait it out and did some shows, hopped over to Epcot and rode Soarin and TT and never waited longer than 20 min. Checked the app and saw toy story was up and went back and rode it with our fp. Rides being down just means you have to be selective on what you really want to do. Use the free fp or try to wait it out.

Yesterday we had no problem using our fp at animal kingdom. Safari, Everest, and dinosaur all done before 12:30. Saw nemo and lion king. Met all the characters, then hopped to studious and still had time to book fantasmic for our 4th. I don't know if it's just good luck or good planning but fp+ has worked awesome for us and we have had a monkey wrench or two thrown in.

 

[Shaden]

They may be available, but then you are looking at return times hours away with no way to get another FP in the meantime. I don't want to argue it. I realize that the new system doesn't work for some. I am not trying to say anyone is wrong. I am truly sorry that the OP had a bad experience and a less than magical trip.

If your FP- time was for "hours away" (I'm assuming you mean more than 2 hours) you could get another one two hours after you pulled it...

But I digress. I don't even miss original recipe FP anymore. I miss the days pre-FP. Old school waiting in line.

Was going to say what you did Jenn ....

But also ... no, not hours away. Crap on 4 days with EPcot as recommended, we would show up at 10, pull an fp, SB it for 20 - 30 mins, then FP it right away. On 5 and under days it was quite typical to pull an FP for within the hour ...

 

[_Mickey_]

I am currently here and toy story was down from 9 am - 6 pm today. So that's one whole hour it was open. Of course we had a fast pass for it at 11-12 so they sent us a fp for any other ride at any time. It threw a link in our plan as we were going to go to toy story at rope drop. We altered and went to rrc. It wasn't ready yet so we waited in line. Ended up riding twice with about a 10 min wait each time. Ride ToT twice before using our 9:30-10:30 fast pass. Then went and met sorcerer Mickey with a 10 minute wait and did the art class.

Even though the ride went down it really only affected the ability of us getting a 4th fp. We decided to wait it out and did some shows, hopped over to Epcot and rode Soarin and TT and never waited longer than 20 min. Checked the app and saw toy story was up and went back and rode it with our fp. Rides being down just means you have to be selective on what you really want to do. Use the free fp or try to wait it out.

Yesterday we had no problem using our fp at animal kingdom. Safari, Everest, and dinosaur all done before 12:30. Saw nemo and lion king. Met all the characters, then hopped to studious and still had time to book fantasmic for our 4th. I don't know if it's just good luck or good planning but fp+ has worked awesome for us and we have had a monkey wrench or two thrown in.

Whoa, you waited less than 20 minutes for Soarin without a FP (or am I missing something)?! Sounds like the new system worked well for you, or at least the crowd levels seemed to be in your favor! Hope we have that much pixie dust on our side when we go!

 

[Planogirl]

I hope you have a great trip. You and people like you(getting ready to leave on a trip) is the main reason I didn't want to post a big ole negative post about it and yes you should decide for yourself. It may be better for you than it was for me. Have a FABULOUS trip.

I appreciate that you posted. I find that I learn way more from negative posts than any other because I find out what could happen and how to react. Don't let those who feel like they must chastise you bother you.

 

[larryz]

OP, I understood what you were saying about FP+ not being as flexible as FP-.

Lots of folks feel that way.

Me, I've just decided to go ahead and me some FP+, regardless of what happens, 'cause at WDW, that's the only way to go now. Without it, you spend ALL DAY in line, apparently.

 

[_Mickey_]

Er, this may be a slightly off topic question, but since it pertains to the new FP system hopefully you'll forgive me for asking...

What's the situation with the FP+ kiosks, is there only one or multiple kiosks at each kiosk location? And considering (to my understanding) you can only book additional FP at the kiosks, how bad do the lines get for those? Has that been a problem for anyone?

 

[mhake01]

Whoa, you waited less than 20 minutes for Soarin without a FP (or am I missing something)?! Sounds like the new system worked well for you, or at least the crowd levels seemed to be in your favor! Hope we have that much pixie dust on our side when we go!

Yep the crowds seemed very low today. We hopped from HS to Epcot to eat and saw that Soarin was 30 min at about 4 pm. Walked over and took us about 20 min to get on. Walked by TT and saw it was 40 and peeked inside and it was really like 15 so we hopped on that.

I have come to find out the posted times are not very accurate. The app helps a lot so if we see a headliner less than 30 we head over, but sometimes it can be longer than listed. Rrc said 50 minutes an the cm at the front said it was more like 20, and in less than 25 min we were on, off, and in the gift shop.

At AK yesterday we rode dinosaur twice back to back with no wait, Everest twice back to back no wait, and headed to the lion king all at rope drop. We had Fp for dinosaur and decided to let it go because we didn't want to walk back over and have ridden it already, used our fp for safari, hit up all (and I mean ALL) the characters. Used our fp for Everest, hopped to HS Snd grabbed a fantasmic FP all before 4 pm. And I didn't mention we rode ToT twice and rrc once before fantasmic. I have come to find out if you can be flexible and check the app and things like that you can do everything in low crowded times without waiting longer than 20 -30 minutes.

 

[mhake01]

Er, this may be a slightly off topic question, but since it pertains to the new FP system hopefully you'll forgive me for asking... What's the situation with the FP+ kiosks, is there only one or multiple kiosks at each kiosk location? And considering (to my understanding) you can only book additional FP at the kiosks, how bad do the lines get for those? Has that been a problem for anyone?

Multiple kiosks at each location usually. Some kiosks are just cm's with iPads that pull everything up in front of you. And yes you can only get your 4th in the park which it is being used from a kiosk and not the app. Usually that happens later in the day and the kiosks are not at all crowded. Not nearly as bad as they are after rope drop