Just back, hate fp+ system

[OB1]

We went on a busy weekend - Memorial weekend. Only planned our trip 3 days out as it was a VERY last minute trip. Still was able to get TSM, RnR, ToT (2 diff days at HS), and plenty of others. We only got the 4th on 2 occasions of our 4 days, even though we hopped every day.
I found I was not scrambling around the park as much as before. In the past, it was run to a FP machine, then go in a totally different direction for attractions, then back when the FP window was open. Sure the past was nice when you could collect for the day, but that should not have been an option. It ruined the true FP system.
SO . . . . busy weekend, did everything we wanted, had time to chill, and ready to go back. Fortunately, I had read up on this board and understood what and when to book. Guess I'm drinking the koolaid.

 

[cassandrap83]

I got back today after a short weekend trip. I loved the new FP+! I used it once before in May, and liked it then too. We were able to reserve three rides that we really wanted to go on - and go on them! We are not rope-drop(ers) but we like to ride stuff in the early afternoon. Before, we would have to get there at rope drop to get a fastpass before 2.

FP+ is great for me, and for anyone else with a smart phone.

 

[mesaboy2]

I got back today after a short weekend trip. I loved the new FP+! I used it once before in May, and liked it then too. We were able to reserve three rides that we really wanted to go on - and go on them! We are not rope-drop(ers) but we like to ride stuff in the early afternoon. Before, we would have to get there at rope drop to get a fastpass before 2.

FP+ is great for me, and for anyone else with a smart phone.

Glad it worked for you, but I think it is a bit more complicated than what kind of phone you have.

 

[Lees75]

We got a 4th one for POTC at about 12.30pm on Friday. There was no wait in the kiosk line at all (the one near POTC). We could have had more, but we had already ridden Big Thunder twice, Haunted Mansion twice, Splash once, and there were none left for Splash.

Today we were at AK and got a 4th one at 4.45pm, with no wait in the kiosk line. It was for Primeval Whirl.

 

[lilpooh108]

FP+ is great for me, and for anyone else with a smart phone.

I have an iPhone, and FP+ had various glitches when I was in the park:

1. Could not change/update existing FPs (would simply time out or get error)

2. Existing FP+s would get dropped (sometimes for only one person in the group) after changing/updating existing FPs OR adding a 4th FP at a kiosk

3. 4th FPs for more than 3 people never gave any good availability. Best avail was always for 1 person or 2 person groups.

4. Sometimes the App would simply not load, or would not show which people in our group were assigned FPs (I had screenshots, so I knew already).

Anyway, glad it worked for you but it definitely wasn't user-friendly. I can't imagine people who aren't used to extensively using their smartphones beyond music/calling/internet browsing figuring stuff out. Or non-DIS people.

In fact, I saw (more than 3 times while waiting to choose my 4th FP) people simply walking away from the kiosk because: (1) group couldn't decide on FPs; (2) didn't understand what to choose; (3) saying they felt overwhelmed.

 

[tlw29]

Thanks for the heads up. I have already felt very limited by the online booking system for FP+. I was hoping it would be better once we were in the parks, but now I am not so sure. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Suvadoo]

Today we were at AK and got a 4th one at 4.45pm, with no wait in the kiosk line. It was for Primeval Whirl.

When I've visited, even at busier times, Primeval Whirl was a 5 minute wait max. I would never think a FP was needed for this ride. Did you really need the FP, or was it the only one available for your 4th?

 

[mom2rtk]

FP+ is great for me, and for anyone else with a smart phone.

Having a smart phone would increase your odds of liking FP+. But there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[buzz2400]

When I've visited, even at busier times, Primeval Whirl was a 5 minute wait max. I would never think a FP was needed for this ride. Did you really need the FP, or was it the only one available for your 4th?

There was a very short wait when we went.

 

[wahhutch9]

Gosh.. these FP+ have me stressed out. I'm a total amateur with WDW as it is.. and then trhow this on top of it. ugh

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We got back yesterday. FP+ saved our day on Saturday. MK was BUSY! However, we got to do SDMT, meet A&E, do all of the Mountains, Pirates, HM, and about every other ride in the Park with the exception of Dumbo and Goofy's Barnstomer and we didn't even go to the Park until 12:30. I like not having to run around the Park collecting FPs and we like to sleep in.

 

[Sydnerella]

I agree with some of what you said. I've pretty much put off writing my feelings about FP+ on any thread b/c I know so many will disagree, and I also understand why it does and will work for some. And I think we all just have to realize we won't ever all agree one system was better than the other.

We used FP+ for the 2nd time in August. In Feb. it was ok; my main concern was getting on our favorite rides multiple times like we're used to, and for the most part we managed that (remember no 4th, 5th, etc. available then). In Aug. I thought it would be easier due to projected lower crowds and the ability to get more than 3.

Both trips we felt more rushed and locked in, locked in before we even started. Felt we were running around the parks more. Never felt that way with FP-. If we found a kiosk in Aug. with a long line, that sucked. If we had decided to find a kiosk with a shorter line-what's the difference between doing that, or "running around getting paper FP's"? Don't see an improvement there. I don't want to plan my entire day 60 days out based on FP's. We used to go wherever we wanted to first and get a FP. BTMRR? Ride once, grab FP, do other rides in the general area until FP time. If we felt like doing PP first we'd do that, grab FP, general rides in the area until FP time. I could decide while waiting to go in. No running around, no deciding 2 months before trip We also could (and did) ride TSMM at RD and grab a FP, then RnRc SB no wait; back to TSMM with FP, grab another FP for it and do RnRc again SB with barely a wait. No more of that...............

App rarely worked in Aug. so when we decided at dinner one night to change our park the next day, I couldn't change FP's in restaurant. Or walking around park afterwards. Or on bus. WiFi at resort wasn't good that night so couldn't change them until about midnight. Very annoying, when with old system we could have made our decision to switch parks and that was that. Yes, we could forego using our FP's and stand in line (and last week of Aug. wasn't that crowded but certain rides still had waits and it was HOT on line lol) but, we've always gone during relatively slow times and don't wait on long lines. If waiting on long lines had been our experience on our first few trips, I don't know that we've have kept returning as often.

Last week of Aug. had lowest predicted crowds I believe since sometime in May?? However, arriving at EPCOT twice that week, at RD, TT and Soarin' were already out of FP's for the day. Same deal 3 mornings at RD at HS for TSMM. We weren't looking for these, but I noticed on the signs they thankfully now put up (which weren't there in Feb) before you wait on the kiosk lines. We didn't try for any 4th's except BTMRR one day, tried at 1:00 and got a 5, fine. Tried at 4:00 one day for a TOT and all that was left was Fantasmic and Muppets LOL!! It was the day before Labor Day yes; but c'mon, really?? Finally, we got less repeat rides on the big ones in Aug. than in Feb. Not sure why. Well, because SB lines were longer even though crowds were lower. And as I said, we don't wait on long lines b/c we've never had to.

Again let me say my experience with FP+ is that of a family used to going during non-busy times. Although, Black Friday 2012 we got FP's for Soarin' at 9:30 for 10:45, and at about 11:15 for 2:00. So there were more available later in the day then, than on Aug. 28th, 2014 at 9:00 with FP+

Thank you for your post - sums up our feelings very well!! It is truly disappointing the learn that the popular rides are STILL out of FP at ROPE DROP - seriously, this is a big issue - in particular during your "slower" time of visiting! We really hoped this was a "testing glitch" that we ran into last October rather than the new normal.

Our last trip was last October (testing phase) so with less constraints than now, but your post shares exactly how we felt after navigating the new system. And while we do typically go in busier times, we too did not wait in lines longer than 20 minutes before FP+ and definitely not for Spaceship Earth! That was not the case October 2013 with FP+...

Things have changed and if people have to/choose to spend more time in their resorts with these ever higher ticket prices, then the price per hour of park entertainment is spiking and park value is decreasing. The new target customers indeed. Bummer

Sydnerella's Mama

That is disappointing.

 

[dkrauss]

Gosh.. these FP+ have me stressed out. I'm a total amateur with WDW as it is.. and then trhow this on top of it. ugh

Hey don't let this discussion get you down. Use it as information but keep an open mind. Since your a "amateur" you don't have a lot of preconceived ideas going in. Look to mesaboy2's information and go and draw your own conclusions. There's a ton of good info here but many opinions are based on several factors, the biggest from my perspective, is if you used the old FP system to power ride the big time attractions. Nothing wrong with that but that seems (note I said "seems") to impact those folks in a negative way with regards to FP+.

You're new so take everything as it comes........... Please don't let it make you wary of your vacation..........at least not until you've experienced it.

Doug

 

[mesaboy2]

Hey don't let this discussion get you down. Use it as information but keep an open mind. Since your a "amateur" you don't have a lot of preconceived ideas going in. Look to mesaboy2's information and go and draw your own conclusions. There's a ton of good info here but many opinions are based on several factors, the biggest from my perspective, is if you used the old FP system to power ride the big time attractions. Nothing wrong with that but that seems (note I said "seems") to impact those folks in a negative way with regards to FP+.

You're new so take everything as it comes........... Please don't let it make you wary of your vacation..........at least not until you've experienced it.

Doug

See the green link in my signature for that info.

 

[DISNEYD14]

Maybe I’m naïve or tour completely different from others but I’m very excited about FP+
We leave in about 2 weeks

I was able to book all the ADRs and FP+ I wanted based on the park we planned to visit each day. All of my FP+ reservations are back to back by the hour so they fall in line nicely to possibly get a 4th and if we can’t no big deal especially at EP, AK and HS. We like to tackle sections of the park instead of running back and forth between lands for FP distribution at a specific ride.

For my family of 5 with 3 young ones, mid day breaks don’t work. The buses take too long going back and forth to POR. They don’t nap well and if they do then they don’t wake up for dinner or night time park activities. FP+ gives me the option to show up at HS around 11am, still score FP+ TSMM and Frozen show to keep kids awake enough for Fantasmic.

Same at AK, we can tour Africa at leisure knowing we can hit Everest and Kali later in the afternoon.
We are animal lovers so we like to take our time touring and take the train to affection section, see Lion King and we’ll spend 4 hours just in Africa , then another 2 in Asia. DinoLand is our shorter stay.

I’m a little skeptical on how things will go in MK but again all our FP+ res are back to back with plenty of room to get a 4th if we wanted, and once again we tackle MK by section, luckily we have a longer vacation then most and get 3-4 days at MK including a MNSSHP. All of my FP+ for MK are all in the same land for each day we plan to tackle each land.
I guess time will tell how my ‘itinerary’ actually plays itself out once we are there.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Pros -- Everything located on a central source. you do your picks and you can do a screenshot of your choices.

Cons -- not being able to do many Tier one rides and if you don't get in at midnight 60 days ahead, forget about it.

 

[ariane37]

Thank you for your post - sums up our feelings very well!! It is truly disappointing the learn that the popular rides are STILL out of FP at ROPE DROP - seriously, this is a big issue - in particular during your "slower" time of visiting! We really hoped this was a "testing glitch" that we ran into last October rather than the new normal.

Our last trip was last October (testing phase) so with less constraints than now, but your post shares exactly how we felt after navigating the new system. And while we do typically go in busier times, we too did not wait in lines longer than 20 minutes before FP+ and definitely not for Spaceship Earth! That was not the case October 2013 with FP+...

Things have changed and if people have to/choose to spend more time in their resorts with these ever higher ticket prices, then the price per hour of park entertainment is spiking and park value is decreasing. The new target customers indeed. Bummer

Sydnerella's Mama

That is disappointing.

You're welcome It is very disappointing, I still love our Disney trips and I don't WANT to stop them, but if it starts making more sense/becomes less stressful for us to spend LESS time in the parks and MORE time elsewhere on property, I fear our WDW trips will become fewer. We go mainly for the parks; I know this isn't the case for everyone but it is for us. So we don't want to finish quicker in the parks and get back to the resort, we want to keep doing what we want to do in the parks! But not spend more time in lines that were never there before A few families I know went earlier this year for the first time and love FP+ as they were able to get on "rides the heard were popular" with no wait. Many of them are planning on going back soon and see FP+ as a huge perk. I'm not saying they're wrong in their cases, and I can understand why since they never experienced WDW before it. Definitely one of their new target customers......

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We just got back from our 2nd trip each within 60 days of each other.

FP+ works well for us in that we park hop. We scheduled afternoon/evening fp's for one park, did rope drop at the other. This worked well both trips. I have no problem with the concept of fp+- the advance scheduling and all is fine with me.

I do have issues with the fact that even though it didn't happen to us, fp's for the big rides can be sold out at the 60 day mark, virtually locking you out of riding unless you go standby- that's not right and it needs fixed. Open up more allotment for those rides- even if it makes the fp line a little slower, it simply should not be that you book a room on site and still can't get the headliners.

Frankly, it's ok with me that 30 days out its even harder. Disney wants their guests to stay on site. It's their choice to run their business as they see fit. Those that stay on site should have an advantage, and a big one, over those who do not. But it's not ok when you do stay on site and still can't get the fp's.

I don't think we should under-estimate the impact the practice of using multiple bands to garner additional fastpasses is having on sdfp availability. It's a pretty popular idea here on the dis and I doubt that only those who frequent these boards have figured out the game. Disney should put a stop to that abuse.

At any rate, if they'd allow us to use our own devices, increase the number of fp's for the hot rides and tighten up the system against abuses, I think a lot of people would be a lot happier.

I felt the opposite. On Thursday, we went to MK for morning EMH and Splash Mountain didn't open on time leaving BTMRR with higher than average waits. Previously, I would have grabbed a FP and come back later. With FP+ we couldn't use any FP because we wanted to ride Soarin' later.

We got a 4th one for POTC at about 12.30pm on Friday. There was no wait in the kiosk line at all (the one near POTC). We could have had more, but we had already ridden Big Thunder twice, Haunted Mansion twice, Splash once, and there were none left for Splash.

Today we were at AK and got a 4th one at 4.45pm, with no wait in the kiosk line. It was for Primeval Whirl.

Like a PP pointed out, I've never seen Primeval Whirl with more than a 10 minute wait.

The only time we tried to get extra FP was on Saturday at MK. Most of the kiosks had a long line and most of them were moving slowly because most of the people using them didn't seem to know what to do. I finally found kiosk in FL that had a short wait, but this was after checking two other kiosk locations. The kiosk offered me BTMRR and then told me it didn't have any times available.

I have an iPhone, and FP+ had various glitches when I was in the park:

1. Could not change/update existing FPs (would simply time out or get error)

2. Existing FP+s would get dropped (sometimes for only one person in the group) after changing/updating existing FPs OR adding a 4th FP at a kiosk

3. 4th FPs for more than 3 people never gave any good availability. Best avail was always for 1 person or 2 person groups.

4. Sometimes the App would simply not load, or would not show which people in our group were assigned FPs (I had screenshots, so I knew already).

Anyway, glad it worked for you but it definitely wasn't user-friendly. I can't imagine people who aren't used to extensively using their smartphones beyond music/calling/internet browsing figuring stuff out. Or non-DIS people.

In fact, I saw (more than 3 times while waiting to choose my 4th FP) people simply walking away from the kiosk because: (1) group couldn't decide on FPs; (2) didn't understand what to choose; (3) saying they felt overwhelmed.

I had lots of problems making changes on the app too. I would try to change my FP time and it would just tell me nothing else was available, even though it was 11am. Or sometimes I just couldn't get to my FP to change them.

 

[Davey Jones II]

FP+ is great for me, and for anyone else with a smart phone.

I've read that 60% of people in the U.S. (and probably similar figures here in Canada) have smart phones. How nice to know that us 40% are getting the short end of the stick. That's what I call magical

 

[Lees75]

When I've visited, even at busier times, Primeval Whirl was a 5 minute wait max. I would never think a FP was needed for this ride. Did you really need the FP, or was it the only one available for your 4th?

It was a 30 minute wait a lot of the time yesterday. It was a 30 minute wait at the only time we had to slot it in before our safari, so it was well worth the 4th FP for us, given that there was no wait at the kiosk