Just back, and it couldn't have gone smoother!

[mlittig]

It is nice to read a positive, up-beat report

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Magpie-I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip, thank you for reporting

 

[Magpie]

Despite what the OP or anyone else might think, I really am glad they enjoyed their trip as well, truly.

But the OP has been one of the most staunch supporters of FP+ and constant proponent of everything WDW has done, as if it can do no wrong and its always awesome and great and rainbows and sunshine and ... bleh.

And you have been one of the most virulent opponants of FP+ and constant critic of everything WDW has done, as if it can do no right and it's always awful and miserable and rain clouds and gloom and ... bleh.

It's nice you're so happy for me!

And to be fair, you're right. I'm a happy person who does tend to look on the sunny side of life. I've been very fortunate in work and family and my life is generally awesome, so it's not difficult to be positive. I also can't deny that, considering it's currently snowing outside my window, Disney really didn't have to work TOO hard to thrill me.

I would go back tomorrow, if I could!

 

[fbb]

saw everything except the Rock and Roller Coaster (which makes my husband sick)

How did he tolerate Primeval Whirl?

 

[Shaden]

And you have been one of the most virulent opponants of FP+ and constant critic of everything WDW has done, as if it can do no right and it's always awful and miserable and rain clouds and gloom and ... bleh.

It's nice you're so happy for me!

And to be fair, you're right. I'm a happy person who does tend to look on the sunny side of life. I've been very fortunate in work and family and my life is generally awesome, so it's not difficult to be positive. I also can't deny that, considering it's currently snowing outside my window, Disney really didn't have to work TOO hard to thrill me.

I would go back tomorrow, if I could!

Actually I have actually had some positive things to say about FP+. But I do constantly call people out on their causality. And I am certainly not a critic of everything WDW has done, though I do on balance think FP+ is a bad development.

Still glad you had an awesome time, very much looking forward to our trip in 17 days.

 

[Ted C]

Hi Gang,

I'll jump on too and second this. We just got back from 12-days at the Grand and all went perfectly, not a glitch one, and we threw some interesting challenges at the system. I have to say we really loved the MB's and FP+. Now that being said, we were a few of the blessed ones that got dual tier one rides all week due to the glitch in the system a few weeks back However it would have been great anyway. I will likely start a new thread and discuss the trip. I too was very skeptical but they're getting it worked out.

 

[mobay2000]

Just wow.

 

[Magpie]

How did he tolerate Primeval Whirl?

He rode it for me, like he did Tower of Terror. I guess because it's shorter/slower/whatever, he'll do it once a day, whenever we're at that park. He's also commented that he can cope with the spinning on Primeval Whirl because they "unwind you" every couple of revolutions... you go one way, then you go another, so apparently it's not so bad.

He sometimes offers to sit on the side, if I want to ride the Teacups or Dumbo, or any of the other spinny stuff. But rides aren't as much fun when you're riding alone.

 

[Magpie]

Actually I have actually had some positive things to say about FP+. But I do constantly call people out on their causality. And I am certainly not a critic of everything WDW has done, though I do on balance think FP+ is a bad development.

Still glad you had an awesome time, very much looking forward to our trip in 17 days.

Causality?

I understand you feel that you're battling for truth and that I'm, I guess, the opponent of truth, or something. But, that said, some of your "causality" is kind of inexplicable.

Sooooo your magic night, which again would not at all align with what we would like to do, was doable because it was raining as and you said ... the park had "all but cleared out"

I have NO idea what you're talking about here. Where did I ever mention rain, for example? Or empty parks? It was a bit cloudy one morning/midday, and sprinkled lightly. It didn't affect our touring or discourage anyone from showing up at the parks (that we noticed). The rest of our trip had beautiful weather.

And yes, being in the parks on a beautiful clear night with the man I love, doing the things we like without waits of any sort, is indeed "magic", though I didn't originally use that word myself.

I do hope you have your personal version of fun on your trip (whatever that is), and aren't too inconvenienced by the changes.

 

[Cheert789]

The FP+ worked well over all for us in march I had 52 people as group in attendance and only had 3 issues with magic bands which prevented the of FP for the first couple of days. Put the parks gave them FP for that park day. They were very helpful. I like the new system mostly bc I wasn't one to run all overt he park grabbing FP after FP prefer the schedule of picking before hand. As with anything new it takes time to work out all the bugs. One thing I hope will happen is that you will be able get FP at more then one park in one day

 

[rastuso]

I am with you on this but maybe not "horrible". Some of the positive reports I've read do not look so good compared to what I'm used to during less crowded times. I'm glad that the OP was able to relax and enjoy what the parks had to offer based on the situation.

Looking at the Spring Break Poll for 2014, this week is the peak week but the spring breaks have been more spread out this year. The peak is not as high as in year's past (close to 26% during peak week in 2013).

Gotta agree. MOst "awesome" TRs of late are fairly lame sounding. But, this one did include the ever popular "slept in late, and then used our TSMM FP+"! However, after sleeping in late, he still went back for a nap after 3 or 4 hours at the park.

I guess if you need that much sleep, for whatever reason, FP+ is probably awesome. But again, I sure don't Disney prices to sleep in late, then take a nap, and call it a day by 8 pm.

But, yeah, this TR sure doesn't convince me FP+ is not bad. No lines at AK at night, and no lines at the MK when it's raining sure doesn't nullify the horribleness of FP+.

-Jason

 

[rastuso]

Hi Gang,

I'll jump on too and second this. We just got back from 12-days at the Grand and all went perfectly, not a glitch one, and we threw some interesting challenges at the system. I have to say we really loved the MB's and FP+. Now that being said, we were a few of the blessed ones that got dual tier one rides all week due to the glitch in the system a few weeks back However it would have been great anyway. I will likely start a new thread and discuss the trip. I too was very skeptical but they're getting it worked out.

They aren't working it out. You got to enjoy a HUGE glitch which gave you double the E ticket rides that they really want you to have.

-Jason

 

[dawnhaze]

I love the people who tie up the line at QS restaurants because they didn't bother to read the menu during the time they spent standing directly in front of it. They remind me of the days I spent working at a movie theater when our big times board apparently didn't exist to some people.

I'm glad the band scanning is getting better. That was my main complaint last fall. I wonder if they changed the positioning of the readers or something like that.

Also, I'm so glad every even remotely positive thread has the downer brigade to crap on it. This forum might actually be fun to read otherwise, and I guess we can't have that.

 

[FLchick415]

I'm really glad you had a great time, OP!

 

[Magpie]

Gotta agree. MOst "awesome" TRs of late are fairly lame sounding. But, this one did include the ever popular "slept in late, and then used our TSMM FP+"! However, after sleeping in late, he still went back for a nap after 3 or 4 hours at the park.

I guess if you need that much sleep, for whatever reason, FP+ is probably awesome. But again, I sure don't Disney prices to sleep in late, then take a nap, and call it a day by 8 pm.

But, yeah, this TR sure doesn't convince me FP+ is not bad. No lines at AK at night, and no lines at the MK when it's raining sure doesn't nullify the horribleness of FP+.

-Jason

Where does you people get this "no lines at the MK when it's raining" thing from? It wasn't raining on the night I described! It sprinkled a bit that morning, but cleared out beautifully for the Fireworks Party!

And there weren't "no lines" by any stretch of the imagination. Pooh and Pan were their usual 60 minutes or so. We quite appreciated our FP+ for skipping those lines.

For what it's worth, while we enjoyed our naps and not rushing to be at the parks by 7:30 or 8:30 in the morning (depending whether they opened at 8 or 9am), we certainly didn't call it a day by 8pm. The Fireworks party alone would make that impossible. We frequently closed out whatever park we were in.

I love the people who tie up the line at QS restaurants because they didn't bother to read the menu during the time they spent standing directly in front of it. They remind me of the days I spent working at a movie theater when our big times board apparently didn't exist to some people.

I'm glad the band scanning is getting better. That was my main complaint last fall. I wonder if they changed the positioning of the readers or something like that.

Also, I'm so glad every even remotely positive thread has the downer brigade to crap on it. This forum might actually be fun to read otherwise, and I guess we can't have that.

I really have to wonder about those people! They truly appear oblivious to the fact that everyone's staring at them as they hem and haw.

I appreciated the better band scanning, too. Maybe they increased the sensitivity of the readers?

I believe part of the "downer brigade" thing has to do with differing priorities. I've never been one to rate the success of my day on the basis of how many times I rode a single coaster over and over. We're "once-and-done" people.

One of my most "magical" days this past week involved me and my husband spending hours eating our way around the World Showcase, talking to castmembers, exploring the pavilions, and collecting stamps in my Flower and Garden Festival Passport. Another day had us playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom all the way to the end and defeating Hades. And yes, after 4 or 5 hours in the parks, we're ready for a nap, before returning to close out the park!

Two moments, though, stand out most in my mind, and they had nothing to do with FP+. One was running into a castmember who remembered us from a year ago, when I was giving out thank you buttons to nice people. She was in the student program back then, but has returned to work full time. And she says our button is still on her bulletin board!

The second was when we got a paper FP good for any ride in Epcot, for up to five people. It was part of our UnDIScovered FutureWorld Tour (along with a cute pin, and preferred viewing for Illuminations). Since we're just two people, we went and lurked around the entrance to Soarin' on our last day looking for some other folks to add to our party. Saw a mother and daughter looking discouraged about the 100-something minute wait, and about to walk away, and we asked them to join us. They asked if the husband could come too, which was great because it brought up up to five. Turns out they were from Israel, celebrating their daughter's bat mitzvah! They hadn't ridden Soarin' yet, either, and were about to give up. So we felt very good about that.

There's SO much more to Disney for me, than just "how many times did you ride a coaster today"?

 

[RnbwSktles]

Where does you people get this "no lines at the MK when it's raining" thing from? It wasn't raining on the night I described! It sprinkled a bit that morning, but cleared out beautifully for the Fireworks Party!

And there weren't "no lines" by any stretch of the imagination. Pooh and Pan were their usual 60 minutes or so. We quite appreciated our FP+ for skipping those lines.

For what it's worth, while we enjoyed our naps and not rushing to be at the parks by 7:30 or 8:30 in the morning (depending whether they opened at 8 or 9am), we certainly didn't call it a day by 8pm. The Fireworks party alone would make that impossible. We frequently closed out whatever park we were in.



I really have to wonder about those people! They truly appear oblivious to the fact that everyone's staring at them as they hem and haw.

I appreciated the better band scanning, too. Maybe they increased the sensitivity of the readers?

I believe part of the "downer brigade" thing has to do with differing priorities. I've never been one to rate the success of my day on the basis of how many times I rode a single coaster over and over. We're "once-and-done" people.

One of my most "magical" days this past week involved me and my husband spending hours eating our way around the World Showcase, talking to castmembers, exploring the pavilions, and collecting stamps in my Flower and Garden Festival Passport. Another day had us playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom all the way to the end and defeating Hades. And yes, after 4 or 5 hours in the parks, we're ready for a nap, before returning to close out the park!

Two moments, though, stand out most in my mind, and they had nothing to do with FP+. One was running into a castmember who remembered us from a year ago, when I was giving out thank you buttons to nice people. She was in the student program back then, but has returned to work full time. And she says our button is still on her bulletin board!

The second was when we got a paper FP good for any ride in Epcot, for up to five people. It was part of our UnDIScovered FutureWorld Tour (along with a cute pin, and preferred viewing for Illuminations). Since we're just two people, we went and lurked around the entrance to Soarin' on our last day looking for some other folks to add to our party. Saw a mother and daughter looking discouraged about the 100-something minute wait, and about to walk away, and we asked them to join us. They asked if the husband could come too, which was great because it brought up up to five. Turns out they were from Israel, celebrating their daughter's bat mitzvah! They hadn't ridden Soarin' yet, either, and were about to give up. So we felt very good about that.

There's SO much more to Disney for me, than just "how many times did you ride a coaster today"?

I think you're someone that appreciates Disney for what it is, and that's what I like! If I wanted to ride coasters all day long without stopping to "smell the roses" (I really hate that phrase) I'd go to Six Flags and save myself a lot of money. I also tend to be a once and done person, just because there is so much else to see and do. If I see an opportunity ride something again, I'll take it, but that's not my goal. I, too, would rather spend a day eating and drinking around the world!

I also think it's wonderful that you were able to help out that family with Soarin!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good feedback, Magpie.

 

[OtherScott]

Gotta agree. MOst "awesome" TRs of late are fairly lame sounding. But, this one did include the ever popular "slept in late, and then used our TSMM FP+"! However, after sleeping in late, he still went back for a nap after 3 or 4 hours at the park.

I guess if you need that much sleep, for whatever reason, FP+ is probably awesome. But again, I sure don't Disney prices to sleep in late, then take a nap, and call it a day by 8 pm.

But, yeah, this TR sure doesn't convince me FP+ is not bad. No lines at AK at night, and no lines at the MK when it's raining sure doesn't nullify the horribleness of FP+.

-Jason

Now you know what some of us* were thinking when reading the fabulous pre-FP+ TRs, with all of the detailed planning, pre-dawn ops, FP runners, military execution, etc.




*based on Disney's actions, a significant number - financially speaking, of course

 

[OtherScott]

I think you're someone that appreciates Disney for what it is, and that's what I like! If I wanted to ride coasters all day long without stopping to "smell the roses" (I really hate that phrase) I'd go to Six Flags and save myself a lot of money. I also tend to be a once and done person, just because there is so much else to see and do. If I see an opportunity ride something again, I'll take it, but that's not my goal. I, too, would rather spend a day eating and drinking around the world!

I also think it's wonderful that you were able to help out that family with Soarin!

Seriously. If I were to use the word "lame" when discussing Disney, it would be the "headliner rides." Of course, we have season passes to Cedar Point/Kings Island.

The Banshee opens this weekend! It ain't BTMRR, but it'll have to do:

 

[Ted C]

Jason,

The system worked fine regardless of the few dual tier 1's we received. That only made up a small amount of the experience. We were able to stand by in many other instances and ride regardless of FP+. All I'm telling you is the system worked over a 12-day stay with absolutely no glitches at any of the parks, or with any fast passes, hotel rooms, or any charging on property. We rode everything we wanted to ride as many times as we wanted, had no waits for any of the FP+ selections. We really enjoyed it and I really thought we wouldn't.

There were many updates to the system in the last month which has made it run much smoother. We didn't see any of the described long lines for FP+ changes, nor did we encounter any more rude guests or CM's than normal for a trip of this duration. In fact we had many great interactions with both especially with CM's. A few went out of there way to make and made things really special.

I really went in negative and skeptical and came out feeling great about it.
The system was working fine and when they get the fourth floating fast pass in place it will even be better. Heck we were able to get TSM late last Friday night for Saturday due to a scheduling change.

My only gripe was the slowness of the app at times. I was told they are working very hard to fix this.

Nuff said...