Just Back from Spring Break with FP+

[xie]

And before someone suggests I should be shopping, I don't want to go shopping on vacation and I am not going to start spending money because I'm bored.

Not only that, but since they "dumbed down" the parks merchandise a few years ago, every shop carries the same things as every other shop. One trip through MouseGear, World of Disney, or Emporium row and you have seen almost everything there is to buy in any of the smaller shops throughout the parks. The only exceptions inside the parks are the World Showcase shops and the vendor-run shopping in Animal Kingdom.

So even if you do decide to kill some time by walking into a store, you have probably seen the items 8x already in other places.

 

[msdroz]

This actually makes the new system a deal breaker for us more than the 3 limit. It kills all reasonable options and gives little incentive to remain in the park.

And before someone suggests I should be shopping, I don't want to go shopping on vacation and I am not going to start spending money because I'm bored.

Thanks for the report OP. These recent and live updates are so valuable to us.

Couldn't agree with you more... I don't like paying admission for an amusement park to spend it shopping and dining. I can do that at home. I spend that money to ride RIDES!

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Can someone please explain how FP+ is the cause of longer lines at "secondary" rides? I'm not doubting this is happening, I'm just trying to work through how this happening.

TIA

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Never mind. I just found the other thread explaining why this is happening.

 

[*disgal*]

OP thanks for the report. I am one who appreciates hearing the good and the bad so I can make intelligent decisions when planning our park touring.

Of course, there's not too much planning involved after I've picked our 3 FPs. I picture my family and I singing "Let it go" all over the parks.

"......Here I stand, In the light of day, Let the line rage on, I wanted a Mickey bar anyway....."

 

[kapoof]

Some people are saying even though the fast pass lines are scarey long they are only waiting in them for about 10 minutes...is this true for most people?

 

[rluey29]

We waited 20 minutes in the FP+ Line At The Land! Never waited more than 10 in standby before FP+.

This is not just because of spring break. We live 45 minutes away and we have visited MK about six times since December. Haven't been able to ride POTC or HM since then because of 40 minute waits while we are there. We used to walk on both rides almost every time we visited. Now at MK we do our three FP+ And leave.

 

[disneyfreak33]

We have APs and own DVC.

Generally, we liked the Magic Bands, except that they are hot and sweaty. Most of us wore them on our belt loops instead of our wrists. They are convenient for admission, charging and room keys. They are also generally a good way to use FP rather than the old paper system. But the FP+ system is, in our opinion, mostly awful.


The cons of FP+: Simply stated, I have 2 issues: 1) no park hopping; and 2) the lines!
For us, FP+ is having what is likely the undesired effect. We go to the parks, use our 3 FP+ and then leave. No wandering around, eating lunch out and shopping. Instead, we went back to our resort, swam in the pool. Fixed lunches in our room (we had a 1-bedroom with a full kitchen), did free stuff around the resort, and relaxed a bit more (no running from ride to ride).

We have a trip coming up again in June with extended family. We'll be staying in a 2-bedroom this trip and our plan is to use the FP+ for our 3 rides and enjoy the water parks and pools much more. We've also decided not to renew our APs until they get this mess they've created straightened out.

All this is EXACTLY the same for us as well. We are doing are FP rides and LEAVING. We have a dinner show scheduled, a BBB appt. for our girls, and a tour scheduled. Other then that we are doing other things. Pool/water park/ legoland/seaworld, etc. We are DVC, live 3 hours from Orlando, so for us it works out. For Disney, not so much since we will not be spending time/money in the parks like we use to nor are we renewing our AP's until this FP thing is sorted out. We refuse to wait in those lines with those wait times with a FP, even our little ones said no way last trip and this is coming from a 4 and 6 year old. I would rather skip it altogether and spend time with my family at the pool.

 

[csmith041177]

Thank you for the information!

 

[kapoof]

We waited 20 minutes in the FP+ Line At The Land! Never waited more than 10 in standby before FP+.

This is not just because of spring break. We live 45 minutes away and we have visited MK about six times since December. Haven't been able to ride POTC or HM since then because of 40 minute waits while we are there. We used to walk on both rides almost every time we visited. Now at MK we do our three FP+ And leave.

Wow!

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Why the standby lines are longer.

First off, its spring break from March through April - depending on your school (college, grades K - 12 and school district/area of country). It's always been busier during this time.

Secondly - and most important - those individuals that are not staying on site do not have access to fastpass at all. They have no choice but the standby lines.

And finally, I believe everyone needs to take a step back as far as FP+ is concerned. The system has just been introduced and I'm sure Disney will be tweaking it as time goes on. I personally see them changing it to incorporate FP+ for park hopping, letting you book the headliners more than 1X a day (although I think this will still be restricted to maybe 2 or 3 times in a day per person).

We used FP+ in December and I personally liked it. We are DVC and tend to take our time in the morning - but often encountered no FP available when we got into the park (I.E. Soarin). And we were usually there by 11.

So, for now, I will be patient in seeing how all of this unfolds.

 

[JimmyV]

Secondly - and most important - those individuals that are not staying on site do not have access to fastpass at all. They have no choice but the standby lines.

If this is the most important reason for your conclusion, then you need to go back to the drawing board because it is categorically untrue. Off site guests have been using FP+ since mid-January as their only means of obtaining FPs, same as on site guests.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Why the standby lines are longer.

First off, its spring break from March through April - depending on your school (college, grades K - 12 and school district/area of country). It's always been busier during this time.

Secondly - and most important - those individuals that are not staying on site do not have access to fastpass at all. They have no choice but the standby lines.

And finally, I believe everyone needs to take a step back as far as FP+ is concerned. The system has just been introduced and I'm sure Disney will be tweaking it as time goes on. I personally see them changing it to incorporate FP+ for park hopping, letting you book the headliners more than 1X a day (although I think this will still be restricted to maybe 2 or 3 times in a day per person).

We used FP+ in December and I personally liked it. We are DVC and tend to take our time in the morning - but often encountered no FP available when we got into the park (I.E. Soarin). And we were usually there by 11.

So, for now, I will be patient in seeing how all of this unfolds.

I am sorry but this kinda of comment just annoys me to no end, we are all paying top dollar to go to Disney and to be part of their test. But if I am getting a lesser service because of their testing, then I should be getting a discount, period. So yes, we are going to worry and complain when things go wrong and having huge waits on rides that are normally no longer than 10 min even on busy days is wrong and I think over a year of testing should have been enough time for them to fix it.

 

[Momtomouselover]

We are here now. Right now we are sitting in our room eating breakfast because no reason to rush to the parks. Lines are already long, even it's a small world hit 60 mins yesterday. We waited 15 mins WITH FP for two of our rides (Space and Thunder). Today we are waiting for our FP times before hitting the parks and then we will see. If the desired intent is to make people ride and then leave then Disney needs some other incentive to make you book again and come back. We are having a good time but are not riding headliners more than once, are doing less rides and taking it easy some days. All good but it is expensive for this ROI.

Also, once it is afternoon time you can forget rescheduling FP if for a headliner. This may also be contributing to long lines elsewhere as people just try and use the FP somewhere.

Eta: we have been during busy times before including spring break, summer, Christmas and 4th of July. Previously there were always some short line rides even in the afternoon...now it's different.

 

[Momtomouselover]

And now at the pool. Nice sunny day today though!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I think the issue of wait lines is due to Spring Break.

I agree...... The crowds are massive.....Florida schools are on break and they have a special rate on tickets for residents.

Got off SE at the end where it shows where everyone is from.....Midwest, mid Atlantic and Florida.

The MK closed Wednesday.......it was so crowded there was a 1/2 hour wait for water.........

I just got back from Epcot (world showcase) and it's not as busy as yesterday.

The FP lines are only because you have yo scan your fastpast twice, but then once you were in 3 minutes max you were on the ride.

 

[hale999]

It's actually pretty straight forward. If you liked the old fastpass, this new system is probably terrible for you. If you wanted to ride 3 rides a day and potentially only 1 headliner, this is a great change for you. There really isn't a need to argue. Most people will fall into one of these two camps. For those who are in the first camp, i think there has been enough discussion/complaining for you to know (if you haven't gone yet) that you will probably not like the new fast pass system. Disney will not change anything unless Camp 1 stays away and is large enough to hit their bottom line.

 

[msdroz]

It's actually pretty straight forward. If you liked the old fastpass, this new system is probably terrible for you. If you wanted to ride 3 rides a day and potentially only 1 headliner, this is a great change for you. There really isn't a need to argue. Most people will fall into one of these two camps. For those who are in the first camp, i think there has been enough discussion/complaining for you to know (if you haven't gone yet) that you will probably not like the new fast pass system. Disney will not change anything unless Camp 1 stays away and is large enough to hit their bottom line.

I understand your point but how could anyone be happy with only riding 3 or 4 rides with the current cost of tickets?

I'm from Ohio and people complain about the cost of Cedar Point ($49.99) and they have over 150 rides, not to mention a fast pass that allows you early access for an added fee. With that mentality I guess I'm just used to riding more rides at a theme park than just 3 or 4

 

[kbelle8995]

I agree...... The crowds are massive.....Florida schools are on break and they have a special rate on tickets for residents.

Some Florida schools. The schools here are back in session. It matters what area you are from as others have stated.

It is crowded because hey the area there and around are probably on spring break. The pass they offer cheap has blocked dates as well or at least they did when I did it.

Also the reasons to escape the horrible winter up north are very strong and very understandable.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Please email Disney guest relations. They need to hear this direct from the people who are going.

I am sure they also cruise these boards reading what folks post as well but taking the time to send a direct email to them is more effective I think.

Here's the email address: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I forgot to add, I am an AP holder too and have been for years. Depending on how our family trip goes over Memorial Weekend and the week after will determine whether I renew my AP or not for a solo September trip and a solo Flower and Garden Trip next May.

Thanks for letting us know your experience!