Just Back from Spring Break with FP+

[msdroz]

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


Thanks for letting us know your experience!

Great suggestion, I am going to do that. Thanks!

 

[redsbe]

I totally agree about FP+. We went the last week in February and we used to enjoy being able to do Pirates or Haunted Mansion virtually every time we walked by them! This trip was very frustrating with the long lines that FP+ has created. It has made things worse, not better. But the big wigs at Disney seem to be blinded.

That is because the end of February was what a 6 or 7 park day, and this week has been 9+? SO yes more crowds have always resulted in long lines, certainly not walk on or under 30 minutes for even Pirates or HM on a 9 park day during spring break crowds.

 

[redsbe]

sorry correction, currently today (3/28) is a 8 park day, last week in February were 3-4 days, so yea it is busier this week hence long lines and no walk on mid day or later for Pirates and HM - always been that way with 8+ crowds day, FP+ is not helping but is not the reason by itself.

 

[redsbe]

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!

Have you been to WDW on Memorial Weekend and week after (level 7 to 9 park days that period) before, if so what has been your experience or what are you expecting this year? If you think lines will be short for any ride after noon those days prepared to be shocked when they are not as that is been the case especially for level 8+ days for years.

 

[sunkissed4]

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.

This is my exact experience as well. We've gone about twice a month since January and have seen huge increases in the wait times for secondary rides.

Our day long trips that always end with a table service and often a hotel stay are now RD and leave by lunch time, stopping for lunch on the way home.

 

[redsbe]

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

I am also from Ohio and Cedar Point does not have 150 rides! There are about 15 major coasters and another 15-20 "thrill" type rides - which attract the major crowds and interest. $50 for basic one day ticket plus $60-80 for fastlane for quicker access to some rides. And I have been to Cedar Point many times and have seen long rides even on non-holidays of 60-120 minutes for their most popular rides. So apparently many visitors are not paying the extra $60-80 for fastlane and willing to wait that long and only get 4-5 major rides in a day.

 

[msdroz]

I am also from Ohio and Cedar Point does not have 150 rides! There are about 15 major coasters and another 15-20 "thrill" type rides - which attract the major crowds and interest. $50 for basic one day ticket plus $60-80 for fastlane for quicker access to some rides. And I have been to Cedar Point many times and have seen long rides even on non-holidays of 60-120 minutes for their most popular rides. So apparently many visitors are not paying the extra $60-80 for fastlane and willing to wait that long and only get 4-5 major rides in a day.

I got the figure from their website, and I have a seasons pass and have never ridden only 4-5 rides in a day.

 

[Mikelly1221]

We just returned today from a 5 night trip and our experience was exactly like the OPs. The crowds were huge (not unexpected) but everything had lines, even rides that traditionally don't have lines, like the peoplemover. Hollywood Studios was impossible to navigate; we did our three FPs and left.

We have traveled to Disney during spring break several times in the past and our experience this time was very different than in years past. Not terrible, but we'll definitely need a revamped strategy.

 

[minmate]

I'm curious, anyone know what crowds are ranked next week, April 1-4, Tuesday through Friday? I keep seeing everyone refer to a 6 or 9+ crowd.

 

[redsbe]

I got the figure from their website, and I have a seasons pass and have never ridden only 4-5 rides in a day.

Sure they have plenty of minor rides and attractions just like WDW, but the major headlines that draw interest and the 60-120 minute lines are fifteen or so.

Are you paying extra for their fastlane? And when do you visit?

And just like WDW getting there early at opening and avoiding busy days does mean you can get more then 4-5 rides.

If is it busy and park is open day 9am-12 midnight, you could still get on 8+ major rides but will have those long waits, with same hours you do same for MK, if you are willing to wait.

 

[redsbe]

I'm curious, anyone know what crowds are ranked next week, April 1-4, Tuesday through Friday? I keep seeing everyone refer to a 6 or 9+ crowd.

I am seeing 6s and 7s for the next two weeks on crowd calenders I use, until pre-Easter break crowds start to appear on 4/13.

 

[minmate]

Thank you redsbe! Trying to adjust my expectations accordingly. The crowd pics and chatter on here are stressing me out a little bit!

 

[Disneyhabs]

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

100% this when the news reports that they shut down guest entrance to the park there will be Long waits at any and all attractions.

 

[katallo]

We are being cautiously hopeful, but trying to prepare for a mess. This trip will be a group of 10 friends. Some onsite, some offsite. Last night, we all agreed to see what happens as far as wait times and crowds. We did agree not to wait in lines for hours, so we will probably spend more time offsite. Going in 6 weeks. I think we all wish we had re-thought this trip, but it is what it is. I guess this will determine if we try something new next year.

 

[brockash]

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

I don't. We went last Sept. (go every Sept.) during one of the slowest times of the years and this was with only a handful of resorts testing fastpass+ and we too, noticed a big difference in lines for things like POC, Haunted Mansion etc. Rides that used to be basically walk-on's in Sept. had at least 15-20 min. waits, and again this was with only a handful of resorts even testing the new system.

 

[xxxlovinitxxx]

Wow. I just started planning and saving for what would be our first WDW trip next May (10 of us for 10 days). But I'm definitely not spending $20,000 to go and be bored or shop for souvenirs. There are only 2 places I've ever wanted to go in the world; Disney World and Italy. The more I read about the FP+ system here and other sites, the more I think I should be brushing up on my Italian.

Even Universal Studios and Legoland is starting to look better than WDW. I really hope they straighten this mess out soon, however, I have a feeling WDW is not one to admit failure.

We were already reconsidering our trip since they did away with their special considerations for the handicapped (myself and both of our children are physically handicapped) but thought we'd try it anyway. This is just another strike against Disney in my book.

Thanks for the info. Sorry you didn't get the trip you wanted.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

It's not so much that I didn't get the trip I wanted...it's that I was surprised by how long the lines were at non-headliner attractions. We've been going to WDW since my son was 2 (he's 15 now). We weren't the kind of folks that pulled more than 3 to 4 fast passes under the old system. We're used to long lines at things like Peter Pan, Rock N Roll Rollercoaster, Toy Story Mania, Space Mountain and Expedition Everest. But we're also used to minimal waits at things like Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Pirates. I don't think I've ever waited more than 25 minutes at Pirates...and that was at Christmas/New Year's time.

The difference is definitely the FP system. Yes, you can ride your 3 rides...but then you stand in line for 40+ minutes at all the other attractions because they all have FP+ now when they were only standby lines before.

Disney is still a magical place...but some of the charm is gone now that every ride (or nearly so) seems to have a FP.

(With a $20K budget, I'd go to Italy for sure! We usually don't spend much more than $3K for a week at Disney...less now that we own DVC. I couldn't imagine spending $20K at Disney...maybe Disneyland Paris or other international Disney locations...but not in FL or CA. Yikes!)

Karen

 

[dipastor]

We also just returned from spring break and had a great time. We have never been to WDW in March. (Visited June , October , and December ). I knew we would be hitting high crowd levels.

I know not everyone is rope droppers. I can only give you my experience for early riser family (three kids 7 thru 11)

We hit every ride we had on our list. Friday EMH was a little tough but we still did it. Peter Pan ride around 8:30 am had 45 minute wait time. We waited only 20 minutes. Then did small world , haunted mansion, pirates, tiki room. We then split up for our fp+. Husband took boys on splash and big thunder. No delay in fp line. I took daughter to meet Cinderella and then under the sea ride Also did mickey's philharmagic.

We also did people mover , carousel and Winnie the Pooh. There were crazy waits after that for buzz and some other rides. We went back to hotel for swim and then dinner in Epcot with some rides (not too much waiting)... Spaceship earth and Mexico ride.

Same experience at Epcot. We got there at opening. Rode test track right away. Less then 10 minute wait. Fast pass for soarin. Hit what we wanted before 11. By 11, lines long but we do early lunch, walk around world showcase and afternoon pool.

Again this type of touring plan is for early risers. I do agree if we were not morning people it wouldn't work for us either. We usually schedule fastpass for early afternoon. We ride the B and C rides in late morning/early afternoon and leave park by 2

I just wanted to respond for first timers or people who can do mornings. We did have a great trip. Sorry for the long post.

 

[2Tiggies]

I just wanted to respond for first timers or people who can do mornings. We did have a great trip. Sorry for the long post.

Don't apologize for the detailed post. I found it very informative to see how early risers but not doing a full open to close day, achieved a fair amount. I am curious: Do you attribute a portion of your success at MK to the fact that you split up? Aside from your kids obviously having different interests which led you to go this route, do you think it was easier to navigate the park in pairs than as a family? Also what did you find hardest about the EMH at MK? Do you think it was the order you did things in or was it just a busier morning than you expected?

 

[dipastor]

Don't apologize for the detailed post. I found it very informative to see how early risers but not doing a full open to close day, achieved a fair amount. I am curious: Do you attribute a portion of your success at MK to the fact that you split up? Aside from your kids obviously having different interests which led you to go this route, do you think it was easier to navigate the park in pairs than as a family? Also what did you find hardest about the EMH at MK? Do you think it was the order you did things in or was it just a busier morning than you expected?

no... we don't usually split up... but we still get a fair amount done. I think the success is Rope Drop. When we go at rope drop, it's a pleasure. This March was slightly different in that the end of the week was more crowded (EMH). Every day is different. The beginning of the week (March 22) at Magic Kingdom wasn't as crowded (9 am opening) for spring break. We did rope drop and we didn't feel crowded or in a hurry. We got so much done from 9 to 11 a.m. The rest was gravy after that... Hall of Presidents, Laugh Floor, etc... all done in the early afternoon.

We had to split up one day because my DD won't do Splash or Big Thunder. We don't usually meet princesses. I didn't know what else to FP. Even at Hollywood... we rode Toy Story twice (once at rope drop and once with FP). We usually do everything together as family of 5,

This is what I learned from different web sites plus Disboards....
- Rope Drop is key (we get so much done... don't feel hurried... pleasure to walk around the park early and navigate easily)

- If you can, stay away from EMH. I find the park is more crowded early in the morning. The only reason why we had to do EMH this past Thursday (3/27) at MK is it was our last day. (I like to end our trip with MK) I totally noticed a difference this past week in Non EMH vs. EMH day. EMH day much more crowded At MK.

- Do more popular rides in the morning. Save the rides that fit more people for afternoon, after lunch (Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, People Mover, Carousel, Muppets in Hollywood, etc...) Most people are getting on the more popular rides

- Make your most favorite rides top priority in the morning

- Before you visit, look at wait times each day in the a.m. and afternoon. I did this and was able to set expectations for my family.

- We try to stay one step ahead of crowd level (eat breakfast and lunch + dinner a little earlier, less aggravation). This is obviously not good for everyone but works for us. We have a great dessert towards the end of the night.

- We like starting out earlier in the day. We get so much done. We got through at least 7 or 8 rides with no waits before 10:30. We didn't feel hurried... we weren't running, etc... Then, we had a great/relaxing time at pool in afternoon (plus I get my laundry done). On days where pool doesn't work out, we do other things.

Hope that helps. We have been following this model the last few years. We average WDW vacation twice a year and it's been working out great!