Just back and not happy

[Oswin]

It always makes me sad to see that people have lost the magic at Disney, but I hope you find what you're looking for at Universal or wherever else you decide to go! I think your kids are right in the perfect age range for great Universal vacations. If thrill rides are something your family loves, Cedar Point is highly recommended. For cheaper than the price of a Disney trip, my family buys Six Flags season passes and does a cross country Six Flags tour. It's really fun to get to see other parts of the US and ride pretty great coasters and other thrill rides.

 

[GadgetRick]

My impression is that hardcore DIS people who used to like the FP system as it allowed ambitious people to get their hands on tons of them do not really like the new system.

As for me? Well I'll have 30 passes over my ten day trip. Easily double what I would have chased down on the old system. Works for me. Sorry it doesn't make everyone happy.

As for some other comments. You say food still sucks? Well, that implies you have had plenty of food that "sucks" on previous trips. My suggestion is to stop paying money for something you expect will suck based on previous experience.

As for me. I am easy to please. I like the food. I expect to pay too much for it. So I do.

Yes, the food has sucked since they started the whole DDP. When you're with people who are in from out of town and they want to eat, well, typically, you sit down and eat with them.

My issue with FP+ isn't about being ambitious. I was never the guy who ran around and got on as many attractions as possible. There are certain attractions we like to ride and it's more difficult to get on them than it was before FP+.

 

[GadgetRick]

We were in Darth's Mall over the weekend of the 23rd and there was plenty of artwork there. Far right corner near Ackbar's Snackbar.

Not much there compared to past years. That's my point.

 

[FLchick415]

To the PPs, I'm sorry you had a less than stellar time at Disney.

But if I never hear the phrase "drinking the kool aid" or any variation of it again, it'll be too soon.

 

[mesaboy2]

1. Honestly, I didn't mean to come off so harsh towards you, sorry about that. My point is, it shouldn't be so complicated that guest should have to research it in order to figure out how to work the system.

2. And I'm sorry but I've been there 3x since FP+ came out. Each time I had the same problem getting a FP for the more popular attractions. Sure, if you don't mind staying at the park until it closes you may be able to get one but not everyone plans to be there all night. And some of the attractions have NONE available (mine train is an example).

3. I will say one thing positive about FP+ the wait for someone with a FP is much shorter. Then again, that may be because they are giving out less FPs? I think there may be a happy medium somewhere.

1. Agreed.

2. There are a couple that are admittedly very, very hard. Anna/Elsa M&G, 7DMT. Beyond those, most open up more FPs morning-of.

3. Even I don't share that optimistic view. I think FP lines are at least as long as they were before.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I did a weekend back in May and there were loads of Star Wars characters out near the "backlot." I mean, lots of them. Bounty hunters, talking stormtroopers, non-talking stormtroopers, jawas, clone troopers. The cantina band was hanging around up by Star Tours. Got pictures.

 

[Disfan1968]

My issue with FP+ isn't about being ambitious. I was never the guy who ran around and got on as many attractions as possible. There are certain attractions we like to ride and it's more difficult to get on them than it was before FP+.

I do understand your concern. It can be tough if you don't plan far out. By coincidence I am 60 days out as of today and two hours ago easily got an Anna and Elsa FP for my family, along with everything else I wanted. But again. That's 60 days out.

Many of us LIKE to plan on DISBOARDS, but I understand not all people do. You are certainly correct in saying to get "the most" out of a vacation you have to plan the heck out of it these days.

But hey, I hear plenty of people stumble into Disney blind these days and still have a great time. *shrug*

 

[GadgetRick]

I did a weekend back in May and there were loads of Star Wars characters out near the "backlot." I mean, lots of them. Bounty hunters, talking stormtroopers, non-talking stormtroopers, jawas, clone troopers.

That's usually where they are. They weren't there.

 

[ArwenMarie]

You should stick with Universal, esp if you stay onsite. It feels like a vacation, no planning at all, which is great for people who don't want to plan their rides or meals in advance. And the hotels are lovely. I still like the actual Disney parks better, but we will either be staying at Universal from now on or at minimum, splitting our trips. With your ages of kids, you should be able to have a blast at UOR. Good luck using up the rest of your AP!

 

[JanaDee]

So everyone has to read what you've read in order to figure out how to use the system? Yeah that makes sense.

Again, FP+ sucks.

Look, I am not a FP+ fan, either.

But Mesaboy has gone out of his way to help people understand this new system and how it may best work for them.

Your frustration is misplaced and out of line.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

At Universal, you're forced to stay at a Universal resort or pay an exorbitant price for access to the equivalent of their "fast pass".

You are not "forced" to do either.

If you stay at one of the three participating Universal official hotels, you get Express Pass as part of your room rate.

If you are staying offsite, you have the option to purchase Express Pass in advance of your visit or when you arrive at the park.

Or, you can ride standby.

And just to clarify......Express Pass is NOTHING like Fastpass. No "timed" windows of use. No limits on the number or frequency of use (with the exception of Forbidden Journey). No pre-booking required, as much as 60 days in advance. Front of the line, as many times as you want, when you want. It does not compare to Disney's system at all, and certainly not an "equivalent".

 

[MakiraMarlena]

That's usually where they are. They weren't there.

They were there May 17 and 18. Not sure why they were not there a couple of weeks later.

Maybe you can get your money back on those APs if you talk to Disney. It'll help you get Univeral APs and then you can get the really awesome AP hotel rates for their hotels (and front of the line).

 

[Kellykins1218]

Yes, the food has sucked since they started the whole DDP.

Totally disagree. We love the food.

 

[jade1]

Anyway, first of all I must say, I'm incredibly-disappointed in the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train attraction. Really? That's it? After all that time and all that hype? Even my 11 and 8 year old kids were like, "That's it?" Sure, the 11 year old is liking bigger rides but the 8 year old still likes some of the tamer rides. But it really was disappointing. I'm sure there are people here talking about how awesome it is. Well, nobody in our party (7 in all) thought it was worthwhile at all and we've all been Disney fans for many years.

And yeah, it's impossible to get a FP for the more popular attractions. Try getting one for the mine train or for Toy Story Mania.

And some of the attractions have NONE available (mine train is an example).
.

Why care so much for an attraction you didn't like?

 

[Disfan1968]

Your frustration is misplaced and out of line.

I Imagine Mesaboy would say this guy has a right to his opinion. Mesaboy seems like he can handle it.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Unfortunately threads like this will become more and more common on the boards.

Do you think Iger and the bandits will care? Not in million years, by the time the full ramifications of their penny pinching nickel and dimming policy's hit a boiling point, they will be long gone with all their loot $$$$ in tow.

At least Eisner had a sense of pride in the Disney name and product. The new school team could care less.

 

[sethschroeder]

I never said there were hotdogs/burgers. I said normal fare like that sort of thing.

And yeah, it's impossible to get a FP for the more popular attractions. Try getting one for the mine train or for Toy Story Mania. There are none available when you get there. Again, you shouldn't have to plan out such details so far in advance to enjoy a vacation. What about someone who just says, "What the heck, let's go to Disney this weekend!" We've done that MANY times (we live 2 hoursish away as do MILLIONS of other people).

FP+ sucks.

What about the family that doesn't have the luxury of going there every weekend if they choose? Do your tax dollars go to build and update Disney? I can only imagine the amount of tax money coming out of our pockets when we come into your state.... What about the family who likes the idea that when they leave home 500 miles - 1000 miles - 2000 miles away they for sure have X restaurants and X rides already booked because they have been planning on going to Disney for over 6 months?

Still I read all the time of people getting premium rides into the afternoon the day of, heck there was a whole thread on it. You always have the ability to stand in line as well if there is something that important.

So everyone has to read what you've read in order to figure out how to use the system? Yeah that makes sense.

Again, FP+ sucks.

So you have written over 600+ posts on here, live 2 hours away, and have annual passes and didn't know anything about how to use FP+????

I guess I am confused?

I understand your frustrated and have fun elsewhere because hopefully enough people decide to go away from Disney that they change their ways into building out more rides for the extreme crowds that keep showing up.

Oh by the way the table service at Disney is great from my point of view but I expect to overpay for it. Its all I guess what you expect but I also wouldn't eat more than 2 times in a 8 day trip at the counter services restaurants... Snacks somewhere or Table Service for Dinner

 

[JimmyV]

Your frustration is misplaced and out of line.

Far from it. The OP's frustration is a perfect case study of some of the pitfalls of what WDW has become. Not everyone is an uber planner. The only solutions that most people here can offer are: study the system more; pre-plan more; and/or, don't let the door hit you on the way out. But in reality, the "new" Disney World is visited by many, many people who will not have read mesaboy's definitive treatise; will not have even heard of FP+ until they arrive; like to play Resort Bus Roulette in the morning and won't have planned a blessed thing in advance; or who just don't like to put that much effort into taking a vacation. It may be difficult for Dis Members to think that such people walk, eat and breath on this earth. But they are out there. And the OP's frustration, having been to WDW so many times in the past and not encountering the issues that they did this time, is real and will be replicated.

 

[GadgetRick]

Totally disagree. We love the food.

You're one of the few. Lots of threads over the years talking about how bad the food has gotten.

 

[vcgirl925]

You should stick with Universal, esp if you stay onsite. It feels like a vacation, no planning at all, which is great for people who don't want to plan their rides or meals in advance. And the hotels are lovely. I still like the actual Disney parks better, but we will either be staying at Universal from now on or at minimum, splitting our trips. With your ages of kids, you should be able to have a blast at UOR. Good luck using up the rest of your AP!

Agree 100%. We felt like we were on VACATION at universal. We stayed on site for a week, yes a week! We lounged by the great pools, we strolled through city walk, we took our time at the parks and did whatever we wanted, when we wanted. We rode rides over and over and over again with express pass. My 9 year old son was in heaven. Even the two year old had a blast with the Seuss characters, playgrounds, shows, and rides.

I haven't been to Disney since FP+, so I'm holding judgment. I'm sorry you didn't have a great time. Hopefully Disney will start putting out some E ticket attractions and continue to fix the FP+ complaints.

Far from it. The OP's frustration is a perfect case study of some of the pitfalls of what WDW has become. Not everyone is an uber planner. The only solutions that most people here can offer are: study the system more; pre-plan more; and/or, don't let the door hit you on the way out. But in reality, the "new" Disney World is visited by many, many people who will not have read mesaboy's definitive treatise; will not have even heard of FP+ until they arrive; like to play Resort Bus Roulette in the morning and won't have planned a blessed thing in advance; or who just don't like to put that much effort into taking a vacation. It may be difficult for Dis Members to think that such people walk, eat and breath on this earth. But they are out there. And the OP's frustration, having been to WDW so many times in the past and not encountering the issues that they did this time, is real and will be replicated.

Yes!