JUST back and I hate the new FP+

[jesse8931]

There are several posters that don't seem to understand what OP is saying. It sounds to me that OP had FP+ for attractions A, B and C with the intention of getting to the parks early and riding headline attractions X, Y and Z. Unfortunately, X,Y and Z were down which meant that OP would have to come back later to ride those attractions which usually means long lines. With FP- this would not have been a problem, as she could have obtained FP- for those attractions for later in the day. If her FP+ for A, B and C were for later in the day, then OP would have to wait until the 3 FP+ were used before trying to get additional FP+ for X, Y or Z, when in fact those might not be available any more. There's just less flexibility with the new system, so when little hiccups arise it can throw a big wrench in plans.

That makes more sense.

In that regard I could see how someone would prefer the old system.

 

[abaldacci]

There are several posters that don't seem to understand what OP is saying. It sounds to me that OP had FP+ for attractions A, B and C with the intention of getting to the parks early and riding headline attractions X, Y and Z. Unfortunately, X,Y and Z were down which meant that OP would have to come back later to ride those attractions which usually means long lines. With FP- this would not have been a problem, as she could have obtained FP- for those attractions for later in the day. If her FP+ for A, B and C were for later in the day, then OP would have to wait until the 3 FP+ were used before trying to get additional FP+ for X, Y or Z, when in fact those might not be available any more. There's just less flexibility with the new system, so when little hiccups arise it can throw a big wrench in plans.

OMG
Thank you so much. You understand I was beginning thinking I had written it all wrong

 

[BradChristian]

This is beneficial... I will have the benefit of being there March 1st.. so more will be open, but I will plan on having alternates ready to go if my primary rope drop pick is closed.

Also - good to know that if one of my fastpass rides close - that I can pick another.

 

[Laketravis]

OMG
Thank you so much. You understand I was beginning thinking I had written it all wrong

Naw, I think some are just so eager to pounce on anybody who doesn't have a positive spin on their experience at WDW that they don't actually read what was posted.

 

[abaldacci]

That's awful!

Were TT and RR down the entire day, or just for a bit?

Did you get to ride them eventually?

Why did you hate FP+? None of what you posted tells about your experience with FP+. I would be very put off and getting a CM to get me a freebie FP to something if TT and RR were down for my entire day-- I mean those are the one thrill ride at those parks.

So where you actually used FP+... like to Toy Story... did that work as expected? Or Soarin?

You only got on a few headliners twice... do you mean you only got on 2 headliners in a day? Or a few twice aka 3 or so rides twice each for 6? That would be okay, I think. I'd think without fastpass at all, I could get on 6 headliners in a day. TT would probly have an hour wait, but if it came down to riding it or not, I'd probly wait it out.

Are you going back in 11 mo and 2 weeks like your sig says? Would you do anything differently in your planning? I will be going a month before you... so hopefully TT and RR will not be closed. I'm already vastly disappointed that POTC might be closed for a major refurb... but if that is all that is closed, it'll be bearable.

My biggest concern has nothing to do w FP+, rather is how under construction the Poly will be...

FP+ does not allow for rides being down, if you don't have a fastpass for it, which I did not which caused all of the problems. On a six full days trip I rode all the Headliners and rode SDMT twice BTMR twice and Space MNT twice and Space ship earth Twice. I was in the magic kingdom one night and two days. Prior to FP+ I could have rode all headliners as much as I liked within reason.

 

[MrInfinity]

There are several posters that don't seem to understand what OP is saying. It sounds to me that OP had FP+ for attractions A, B and C with the intention of getting to the parks early and riding headline attractions X, Y and Z. Unfortunately, X,Y and Z were down which meant that OP would have to come back later to ride those attractions which usually means long lines. With FP- this would not have been a problem, as she could have obtained FP- for those attractions for later in the day. If her FP+ for A, B and C were for later in the day, then OP would have to wait until the 3 FP+ were used before trying to get additional FP+ for X, Y or Z, when in fact those might not be available any more. There's just less flexibility with the new system, so when little hiccups arise it can throw a big wrench in plans.

I asked some questions... but I'm not sure the experience would have been better under FP-... There is really no way to overcome those key rides being down. That is really a deal-breaker there to have so many of the most desirable rides be unavailable all day.

If you show up to HS planning to hit RR at rope drop, and it's closed, sure you could pull a ticket to it. Great. (provided they don't close the FP distribution if they're expecting it to be out for a while). But now, you're holding a FP ticket to a ride that may or may not reopen, and you've got nothing to get on TSMM, and you can't even pull any other FP for at least 2 hours, and with RR closed, the others will all get picked over twice as fast.

With RR is closed, everyone is going to dump over to TSMM and TOT. Now you've got the choice of riding in a longer than normal standby line to TSMM cuz RR is closed, or go do something else. But you can't pull any other FP for at least 2 hours cuz you grabbed the RR one.

At least w FP+, he still had his FP's to TSMM and two other things to pass the time till RR reopens.

So that's why I asked. Given RR was closed, but he had FP+'s to other things, how did those work? And did RR ever reopen, and did he end up riding it?

FP+ does not allow for rides being down, if you don't have a fastpass for it, which I did not which caused all of the problems. On a six full days trip I rode all the Headliners and rode SDMT twice BTMR twice and Space MNT twice and Space ship earth Twice. I was in the magic kingdom one night and two days. Prior to FP+ I could have rode all headliners as much as I liked within reason.

So at Epcot... you rode SE twice-- and nothing else? I get that TT was closed but you still had your FP+'s to Soarin, MS, SE, or something else? I can't envision a day at Epcot only riding SE twice and leaving the park, and not using my fast passes.

EDIT... Oh wait, I see you rode "All the Headliners". And then double on the rides stated. I misread that.

 

[abaldacci]

I asked some questions... but I'm not sure the experience would have been better under FP-...

If you show up to HS planning to hit RR at rope drop, and it's closed, sure you could pull a ticket to it. Great. (provided they don't close the FP distribution if they're expecting it to be out for a while). But now, you're holding a FP ticket to a ride that may or may not reopen, and you've got nothing to get on TSMM, and you can't even pull any other FP for at least 2 hours, and with RR closed, the others will all get picked over twice as fast.

With RR is closed, everyone is going to dump over to TSMM and TOT. Now you've got the choice of riding in a longer than normal standby line to TSMM cuz RR is closed, or go do something else. But you can't pull any other FP for at least 2 hours cuz you grabbed the RR one.

At least w FP+, he still had his FP's to TSMM and two other things to pass the time till RR reopens.

So that's why I asked. Given RR was closed, but he had FP+'s to other things, how did those work? And did RR ever reopen, and did he end up riding it?

We spilled over to TOT and rode that because it was right there then rode TSM with FP+ RR had about a 50 to 60 minute wait when it did open back up and we did complain to costumer service and 40 minutes and a act of congress later we got a paper FP was it worth it not really, It just not a forgiving system like old FP. If you never really used the old system you will not miss a thing but if you ever have I think you will not like the new FP+s system.JMHO

 

[abaldacci]

Naw, I think some are just so eager to pounce on anybody who doesn't have a positive spin on their experience at WDW that they don't actually read what was posted.

THANK YOU
I loved WDW too, It broke my heart to have bad feelings about it. but I feel like it's less bang for the buck which seems to be the way WDW is going.

 

[JanaDee]

There are several posters that don't seem to understand what OP is saying. It sounds to me that OP had FP+ for attractions A, B and C with the intention of getting to the parks early and riding headline attractions X, Y and Z. Unfortunately, X,Y and Z were down which meant that OP would have to come back later to ride those attractions which usually means long lines. With FP- this would not have been a problem, as she could have obtained FP- for those attractions for later in the day. If her FP+ for A, B and C were for later in the day, then OP would have to wait until the 3 FP+ were used before trying to get additional FP+ for X, Y or Z, when in fact those might not be available any more. There's just less flexibility with the new system, so when little hiccups arise it can throw a big wrench in plans.

Naw, I think some are just so eager to pounce on anybody who doesn't have a positive spin on their experience at WDW that they don't actually read what was posted.

 

[disney world dreamer]

If you never really used the old system you will not miss a thing but if you ever have I think you will not like the new FP+s system.JMHO

not my experience and i've been going to disney world since 1985.
there are positives and negatives about both the old and new system but in general i like the new fystem better.

 

[abaldacci]

not my experience and i've been going to disney world since 1985.
there are positives and negatives about both the old and new system but in general i like the new fystem better.

I've have too.What are the positive, if you will please.

 

[Suvadoo]

We arrived home Sunday the 25th and I am not a negative person but the new systems did not work well with us we were there every morning at 830 for 900 opening and 3 rides at 3 different parks were down RR was down and we had chosen Toy story as FP+ so no go on RR first thing 2nd POTC Down our 2nd day in MK no FP on a bright note the line was only 8 minutes long when we did ride. 3rd Test track was down and again no FP+ for that either. It just threw kinks the whole trip and for the person that just got back Splash is down for refurb. What's up with the 10 minute wait on that??? you were taking about. I feel like the new FP+ systems is creating lines where there were none before we only got to ride a few headliners twice because of lines. I just plain hate it and as far as going back I don't know when I will return to the world because of this. I had not planned on posting how negative I felt about the FP+ systems but When I read the Thread JUST BACK EVERYTHING WORKS I had to put my 2 cents worth in the pot for what it's worth.

I can understand your frustration. I'm sorry FP+ doesn't work for you and I wholeheartedly agree woth your opinions.
I just want to point out something that I was too stupid to notice: the thread: Just Back Everything Works was originally posted on 5/22/14. I responded to it like it was a new thread and got blasted by some people. But I'm glad it prompted you to post your experience.

 

[awilliams4]

I feel like the new FP+ systems is creating lines where there were none before

This is accurate.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...cting-wait-times-at-disney-world-attractions/

 

[Magpie]

What are the positive if you will please.

Well, I'm not disney world dreamer, but I feel the same way.

I used the old system, extensively. Really, really enjoyed it when you could collect and hoard multiple fastpasses, and then use them all up at the end of the day. But I understand why that loophole had to close.

I've used the new system, twice now. Once during the first week of December when the crowds were reasonably light, and once last April when the parks were at crowd level 7 and 8. I'm going back this April/May, and will have to try the "rolling fastpasses".

Both times I enjoyed FP+ and found it better than the old FP system (except for when hoarding FPs was possible... ah, how I miss those days!).

For me, I enjoy choosing my parks and picking FPs 60 days in advance. It's just something that makes me happy, and builds anticipation for my trip.

I'm never tied down to a particular touring plan, so I'm not particularly bothered if a ride breaks down. It doesn't wreck my day.

I've visited often enough to have ridden basically everything multiple times, so there's very few "must do"s for me.

FP+ opened up the possibility of evening rides of many of the coasters - BTMRR is great at night! Under the old system, the FPs would be long gone, so we never rode it (or rides like it) at night.

FP+ also allowed us to make the most of our park hoppers. Now I can go to one park in the morning and ride anything I want while the lines are short. Then go back to the resort for a nap. And after my nap, head out to a second park in the evening, knowing I have FPs for the headliners on my band. Nothing quite like strolling into Hollywood Studios at 4pm, and walking right onto Toy Story Mania!

And yes, you can refute every single thing I've just said, and explain why it doesn't apply to you and shouldn't make anyone happy. That's not my point. My point is that some of us DO like Fastpass Plus, despite having extensive experience with Fastpass Minus. It's a legitimate opinion, just as your opinion is also legitimate.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you never really used the old system you will not miss a thing but if you ever have I think you will not like the new FP+s system.JMHO

I used the old system.

I resisted the new system. I still wish for the old system, but the new system worked fine for me and my friend in November. Especially since I found that all of the big rides, for which I hadn't been able to get FP+s ahead of time, had FPs available that day. I was able to change things on the fly, which was lovely.

I did not have FP for the ride that's why it was a problem..

Ah, OK.

You might want to, maybe tomorrow, re-read your sentences as though someone else wrote them? "we were there every morning at 830 for 900 opening and 3 rides at 3 different parks were down RR was down and we had chosen Toy story as FP+ so no go on RR first thing 2nd POTC Down our 2nd day in MK no FP on a bright note the line was only 8 minutes long when we did ride. 3rd Test track was down and again no FP+ for that either."

I'm usually actually pretty good at deciphering meaning from runon sentences and sentences written in conversational styles, but what you meant was NOT what I got at all from reading your initial post.

 

[Dis703]

not my experience and i've been going to disney world since 1985.
there are positives and negatives about both the old and new system but in general i like the new fystem better.

Same here. We definitely prefer the new system. Pluses and minuses to both but FP+ works best for us.

I didn't quite understand what OP was trying to say though. I can see how that would have been a bummer.

 

[disney world dreamer]

I've have too.What are the positive, if you will please.

well i'd say getting 3 initial fastpasses is better than having to rush to get ONE fastpass at RD.
i like picking my 3 initial fastpasses 60 days in advance cuz i enjoy planning my days.
i also like that if a ride is down that you have a FP+ for you can either wait until that ride is back up or walk up to another ride and use your fastpass.
i've been on two trips with FP+ and i'm going on my next trip in mid april and i like it.

ETA found another positive.
i like that you can change the time of your FP+ or change which ride you're going to use your FP+ for on the fly on your phone.
we changed our space mountain FP+ time becauose my niece felt sick just before our original FP+ time was for.
also we had a FP+ forthunder mountain but saw it was a very short wait so we rode it without FP+ and then changed our thunder mountain FP+ to jungle cruise which had a long wait that day.

 

[MrInfinity]

We spilled over to TOT and rode that because it was right there then rode TSM with FP+ RR had about a 50 to 60 minute wait when it did open back up and we did complain to costumer service and 40 minutes and a act of congress later we got a paper FP was it worth it not really,

I guess that's not bad, right? You rode TOT w not too long a wait, then rode TSMM by FP+, then two other things? Star Tours and TOT again via FP+? What did you use your Tier-2's on?

And then despite some teeth pulling, you got a FP to RR, and you were able to ride it standby in 50-60 min? 50-60 is not bad at all for RR. Especially after being closed all morning.

I'm seriously not going to downplay the disappointment of your trip... because as far as "1st world problems" go, TT and RR being close at Rope Drop when those were your planned Rope Drop rides are pretty huge wrenches to have thrown into your plan. I would be really put off by this. I'm glad you got the extra paper ticket from a CM.

I've have too.What are the positive, if you will please.

Well, for example, despite the fact that RR was closed, which would make for longer lines at the other rides, you still had 3 FP's to use on TSMM, ST, and TOT.

The ride closure aside, the 3 FP's you had - did work.

It just not a forgiving system like old FP. If you never really used the old system you will not miss a thing but if you ever have I think you will not like the new FP+s system.JMHO

Well, I do agree it's more structured and less forgiving. Particularly when you talk about changing plans to add a guest at the last minute, or things like that. There are issues there... but I don't see a good way to fix them, cuz you cant just let ppl copy things over to their friends and family at will (forcing them into spots) or ppl would learn to exploit it. Everyone on the Dis could call each other a friend and copy over. You create a bit of flexibility, someone will find a way to take full advantage. The way to prevent that is to not have it be flexible (exploitable).

Or, just leave all the FP's in one big first-come-first-serve candy bowl, and let the people who can get more to get more.

I guess just having been thru pre-FP, FP-, and now FP+, FP+ just seems to have a lot more benefits to it.

The candy-bowl method just didn't work. A handful of the guests were able to get most of the candy. I was such a guest, and as Magpie points out, it was great while it lasted, but the loopholes had to go, and I think it's a better system overall now. There are so many benefits, but a lot of them revolve around liking to plan or be organized.

 

[abaldacci]

I can understand your frustration. I'm sorry FP+ doesn't work for you and I wholeheartedly agree woth your opinions.
I just want to point out something that I was too stupid to notice: the thread: Just Back Everything Works was originally posted on 5/22/14. I responded to it like it was a new thread and got blasted by some people. But I'm glad it prompted you to post your experience.

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

 

[maxiesmom]

well i'd say getting 3 initial fastpasses is better than having to rush to get ONE fastpass at RD.
i like picking my 3 initial fastpasses 60 days in advance cuz i enjoy planning my days.
i also like that if a ride is down that you have a FP+ for you can either wait until that ride is back up or walk up to another ride and use your fastpass.
i've been on two trips with FP+ and i'm going on my next trip in mid april and i like it.

ETA found another positive.
i like that you can change the time of your FP+ or change which ride you're going to use your FP+ for on the fly on your phone.
we changed our space mountain FP+ time becauose my niece felt sick just before our original FP+ time was for.
also we had a FP+ forthunder mountain but saw it was a very short wait so we rode it without FP+ and then changed our thunder mountain FP+ to jungle cruise which had a long wait that day.

I like FP+ for all of the reasons you listed. But I wish they had chosen a way to merge both FP and FP+. I did one trip while you could do both, and it was wonderful!