Just back... LOVED Magicbands... FP+ nearly perfect!

[AlohaAnnie]

Magicbands are the best invention since sliced bread! The ease of not dealing with those ridiculous cards is out-of-this-world great! I cannot say enough good things! We used them for room key, park entrance, dining plan, charging everything we bought, EMH and FP+. Fastpass+ worked quite well for us, too. Lines were short, so we didn't have to use them very often. But, when we did, they worked great. I loved that I could change them on the fly with my smartphone... I did that several times. My only gripe was that we couldn't park-hop with them. On multiple days, we did AK in the morning for safari and EE. EP in the afternoon to eat and drink around the world. DHS at dusk for RNR and TOT. Then MK for wishes and over to EP for Illuminations. On those days, I booked FP+ for RNR and TOT (and a throwaway one). But, I would have loved to use the throwaway for a safari in the morning instead of standing in line. When they finally allow park-hopping, FP+ will be perfect. IMO I should also note that I went into this with a lot of trepidation and angst because of all the naysayers on here. But, they worked great for us. We do have friends who traveled nearly the same days as us... she has a few complaints... but, she was so anti-MB before we left that I couldn't even talk to her about them. She contacted me several times before the trip complaining about them and saying that she didn't want them. I think going in with a positive attitude and knowing there are minor limitations with the FP+ system will help you appreciate them more. I'm hoping to write a trip report. But, if anyone has any questions, please ask here.

Jensen - Thank you for your opinion and point of view concerning your experience, I appreciate it.


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[TwoAtDisney]

Obviously each person is entitled to spend their own money in their own way.

Many people choose WDW as a resort destination rather than an amusement park destination - DH & I included.

Re: it being a waste of money because a non-WDW resort location is cheaper, is in the eye of the beholder (per my first sentence). For those who can afford the Disney costs as a resort destination, and/or can afford + don't mind spending the high costs, it makes sense - for them. Our 1 to 2 times a year trips to WDW range from 5-10 nites & we only go to a park about 2-3 days each trip (sometimes less!). Sometimes we stay at a WDW resort & sometimes we don't. We're not fanatics on WDW for our travels, we go elsewhere if we choose - Europe, cruises, other US destinations. But WDW is an easy trip for us (Indiana), so we go there for the ease of the traveling.

 

[cgdmom]

I am a lover of all thins disney! I have been to WDW multiple times each year for 16 years. the joy of our disney vacation begins for me in the excitement of planning. my dh is a teacher and so our only time that we can go to wdw is then the students are out--(super busy times) I am very happy that the op had a lovely time with the new system. However our goal at disney is to ride more than 5 attractions a day. I personal have held in my hand 3 completely legal fast passes at a time. EX get one at 10 with a return time of 1:30. at 1201 get fp number 2. at 1:31 get fast pass number 3. then ride your ride with 130-230 return time. We always keep up with times of our fast passes to maximize our time in parks during the busy times. i would love for anyone to explain to me,a disney veteran that knows how to make fast passes work HOW this travesty of a fast pass + can give our family the same quality of trip as we are used to !?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? We are going in august. And the idea of having only 3 fast pass + per day is unbelievable. I am glad that they worked for the op, and i love the idea of the wrist band---and i NEVER EVER bash Disney--- until today. but Even a positive attitude will not make fast pass + better for our august trip. Crowds and long lines , crowds and long lines Just a thought--to me it seems like this new program is a slap in the face to those who know how to do disney--return guests. Those who have never been probably won't really care about the differences in this new system. I am very disappointed.

 

[MsMagical]

On the days we hop to all the parks, we'll drive to AK in the morning. Then drive to EP for the afternoon. We take the boat over to DHS for the evening, hop the bus to MK for Wishes, then hop the monorail back to EP for Illuminations.

I love this kind of "touring". I look forward to getting back to this as the kids get older. The younger ones are only 5 and 2 so it is too long of a day for them now but this is exactly the kind of schedule we liked to keep before they came along (we also have a 20 year old!). I am neutral on fp+ for the most part but would probably favor it very much if it included the ability to make them in more than one park. I love the magic bands too for their ease of use. We had no problems with them in September.

 

[jensen]

I am a lover of all thins disney! I have been to WDW multiple times each year for 16 years. the joy of our disney vacation begins for me in the excitement of planning. my dh is a teacher and so our only time that we can go to wdw is then the students are out--(super busy times) I am very happy that the op had a lovely time with the new system. However our goal at disney is to ride more than 5 attractions a day. I personal have held in my hand 3 completely legal fast passes at a time. EX get one at 10 with a return time of 1:30. at 1201 get fp number 2. at 1:31 get fast pass number 3. then ride your ride with 130-230 return time. We always keep up with times of our fast passes to maximize our time in parks during the busy times. i would love for anyone to explain to me,a disney veteran that knows how to make fast passes work HOW this travesty of a fast pass + can give our family the same quality of trip as we are used to !?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? We are going in august. And the idea of having only 3 fast pass + per day is unbelievable. I am glad that they worked for the op, and i love the idea of the wrist band---and i NEVER EVER bash Disney--- until today. but Even a positive attitude will not make fast pass + better for our august trip. Crowds and long lines , crowds and long lines Just a thought--to me it seems like this new program is a slap in the face to those who know how to do disney--return guests. Those who have never been probably won't really care about the differences in this new system. I am very disappointed.

I thought I was going to be disappointed... after all I'd read here, I thought the world as I knew it was gone and expected to have a less magical visit this time. I even prepared my family for that...

Instead, I found the opposite to be true. I hope that is your experience, as well.

 

[jensen]

I love this kind of "touring". I look forward to getting back to this as the kids get older. The younger ones are only 5 and 2 so it is too long of a day for them now but this is exactly the kind of schedule we liked to keep before they came along (we also have a 20 year old!). I am neutral on fp+ for the most part but would probably favor it very much if it included the ability to make them in more than one park. I love the magic bands too for their ease of use. We had no problems with them in September.

Yes, this is almost impossible with a stroller. Once we were free of the stroller our touring style changed immensely. But, we loved going when the kids were babies...

Often people say they want to wait to go until their kids are old enough to remember. My response is that I'm taking them when they are young to create memories for me.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thanks for posting. I totally agree with you, and it's nice for there to be less negativity on these boards!!!

 

[Luscien]

I appreciate you sharing your opinion. Our experience with FP+ and Magic bands during NYE week was very good also, in my opinion. We felt like we got value, even when the parks were crowded, in some cases perhaps more than we would have with the old FP system. Granted, my opinion is not coming from someone who had used the old FP system much.

From what I can see, in my not scientifically verified point of view, is that many people who are anti-FP+ really liked the system before. Now, their "cheese has been moved" and they aren't happy about it. This is a place where they can vent that frustration and commiserate with other like minded folks.

Value is subjective, what one person finds good, another will find unacceptable, and there's lots of factors that go into making those value judgments. If you like the new system, great. If you miss the old system, I'm sorry but things change. The good news for you is that things change, and maybe Disney will adjust it back closer to what it used to be.

If you miss the old system to the point that you feel like you can't have fun anymore, then don't go. Vote with your money and your feet.

As for my feet, I'll be back there in May.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Thanks for posting. I totally agree with you, and it's nice for there to be less negativity on these boards!!!

I agree!!

 

[DaisyNY]

Agree...for me FP+ evens out the playing field and gives everyone the opportunity to try their favorite rides. We no longer try to make rope drop and generally get to the Parks around 10 or 11 in the morning. By then there was no chance of getting on TSMM unless we waited one hour plus! Now I can schedule a time that works for us!

 

[wisblue]

I am a lover of all thins disney! I have been to WDW multiple times each year for 16 years. the joy of our disney vacation begins for me in the excitement of planning. my dh is a teacher and so our only time that we can go to wdw is then the students are out--(super busy times) I am very happy that the op had a lovely time with the new system. However our goal at disney is to ride more than 5 attractions a day. I personal have held in my hand 3 completely legal fast passes at a time. EX get one at 10 with a return time of 1:30. at 1201 get fp number 2. at 1:31 get fast pass number 3. then ride your ride with 130-230 return time. We always keep up with times of our fast passes to maximize our time in parks during the busy times. i would love for anyone to explain to me,a disney veteran that knows how to make fast passes work HOW this travesty of a fast pass + can give our family the same quality of trip as we are used to !?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? We are going in august. And the idea of having only 3 fast pass + per day is unbelievable. I am glad that they worked for the op, and i love the idea of the wrist band---and i NEVER EVER bash Disney--- until today. but Even a positive attitude will not make fast pass + better for our august trip. Crowds and long lines , crowds and long lines Just a thought--to me it seems like this new program is a slap in the face to those who know how to do disney--return guests. Those who have never been probably won't really care about the differences in this new system. I am very disappointed.

We were able to use FP+ to our advantage during the week between Christmas and New Years Day by getting to the parks early and covering many major attractions before the crowds built up and then using our FP+ in the evening. This let us take a break from the parks in the middle of the afternoon when they were most crowded. We definitely did more than we would have with paper FPs.

Everyone tours differently, but I enjoy a day at WDW more with a break in the middle of the day than I do trying to be at a park for 14-16 hours straight. We haven't visited WDW during the summer too often, but when we have, I had no desire to be in a park in the middle of the afternoon when both the crowds and the heat were at their peak.

Personally, I think FP+ will be at its best during the most crowded times of the year when FPs for the top attractions would run out early, and you really had to be in the park all day to get that many FPs. Being able to get FPs with times of your choosing is especially valuable when crowds are highest.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

I'm not a mathematical scholar, so I don't know - but, wouldn't decreasing the # of Fast Passes help the stand-by line move faster? So, the wait will not be longer, & might be shorter, which would decrease the # of fast passes needed?

DH & I don't, & never have, used fast passes. For several years, we wintered in WDW area & we've done the parks too many times = boring. We only buy 1-3 days basic tics for our 7-10 day trips. We arrive at a park about 9-9:30am (M-F only). We always walk right onto the rides - no lines or very short lines. We leave the park about noon - which includes eating lunch. We usually only go to MK & MGM.

About 11am, the lines get a little longer & we noticed that the "old" Fast Pass line really slowed down the standby line - thus causing more people to want more Fast Passes. Seems like 1 line with a first come, first served system would be a better & more fair way of doing things, isn't it?

 

[shalom]

I'm not a mathematical scholar, so I don't know - but, wouldn't decreasing the # of Fast Passes help the stand-by line move faster?

It might, but OTOH if the stand-by line looks shorter, more people will get into it, meaning it won't move any faster. And no one knows if they're actually decreasing the over-all number of FPs -- it may be they're still giving out the same number, but to more individuals (no repeat rides).

I'm not sure even Disney knows how FP+ is going to change lines over all, although they do have a lot of management techniques (manipulating the line times; pushing specific rides onto newbies who won't bother to change the suggested FPs, etc). Even mathematical scholars struggle with traffic patterns; people do what they do for individual preference reasons, and predicting how that'll work is surprisingly tricky.

 

[DividedSky]

I'm not a mathematical scholar, so I don't know - but, wouldn't decreasing the # of Fast Passes help the stand-by line move faster? So, the wait will not be longer, & might be shorter, which would decrease the # of fast passes needed?

I don't think the number of fast passes have been reduced. the same number are likely being given out. what changed, is some people were pulling way more paper tickets then others were.

It's like watching a kid that never was taught to share that he has to share from now on. tantrums erupt. kids scream that they will take their ball and go home. lather, rinse, and repeat every single day on this board.

 

[mrstomrice]

Here's the problem with your general statement "FP+ nearly perfect". Lines were short because you were there off off peak. Low attendance plays into FP+ limitations. The stark reality of FP+ is seen during peak times. How would your experience have changed during the middle of the summer, Pop Warner or Christmas? I think it's great you had an awesome time, but the only reason FP+ worked was due to when you went and not FP+ itself.

I was there during Christmas (Dec 21-28) and found them to be perfect! We never set the alarm clock because we could sleep in knowing that we had fastpasses for the rides we wanted to be able to ride on. We were even able to add fastpasses for Christmas night the morning of since we changed our minds about going to a park that day. We did not feel cheated because we were able to go on several other rides in addition to our fastpass experiences. I look forward to our August vacation and making our fastpass+ choices.

 

[blackmamba10000]

One thing, I think people forget is how stressful it used to be having to be at the parks early in order to even snag one fast pass for rides like Soarin and Toy Story midway mania. This system let's me take my time. We had glitches with our magic bands on our last trip, but overall found we liked using them. And, even over MLK weekend, we had very little to no wait to go on rides in the standby line. The only thing I'd change about magic bands, is make them more park hopper friendly. I'd like to be able to split my FP'S between parks, or be able to have the option of choosing 3 for each. I think Disney would sell more park hoppers if people were guaranteed more fast passes.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't think the number of fast passes have been reduced. the same number are likely being given out. what changed, is some people were pulling way more paper tickets then others were.

I agree. I don't think the overall number being distributed has been lessened so the theory that the standby lines will be shorter probably won't hold water. I used to think this myself.

But let's just say you have 1000 FPs being distributed (just throwing out a number as an example) in a day at one ride. Now, instead of 500 people grabbing 2 each you now have those same 500 people limited to only 1 each for that one ride. So you have 500 now being used by that group of people and 500 "leftover" for other people to use. They're still going to issue those 500 out to be used by someone. So the ratio of FP to standby shouldn't change much.

Unless I'm missing something.

 

[DividedSky]

I think Disney would sell more park hoppers if people were guaranteed more fast passes.

park hoppers create a slight logistics problem though as it makes it impossible for Disney to create a working algorithm to gauge park attendance.

without having any insight into the numbers or work-ability, I would love it if they bumped up the # of fp+ to 4 a day, and those with park hoppers could get an additional fp+ for each park they hopped to (but only allowing on-site booking once in the park for the extra one)

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing, I think people forget is how stressful it used to be having to be at the parks early in order to even snag one fast pass for rides like Soarin and Toy Story midway mania. This system let's me take my time. We had glitches with our magic bands on our last trip, but overall found we liked using them. And, even over MLK weekend, we had very little to no wait to go on rides in the standby line. The only thing I'd change about magic bands, is make them more park hopper friendly. I'd like to be able to split my FP'S between parks, or be able to have the option of choosing 3 for each. I think Disney would sell more park hoppers if people were guaranteed more fast passes.

I'm sure that for some it would be stressful to have to be there at rope drop. But that is highly dependent on an individual's touring style. We loved rope drop because we knew with 100% certainty going in that we would get at least the top FP we wanted for that day. Plus we got the benefit of lower rope drop crowds for standby.

The ones I feel for right now are the offsite guests competing at rope drop for whatever top draw FPs happen to be left over from pre-booking. There's no such thing as a sure thing any more.

 

[AmyB2006]

The ones I feel for right now are the offsite guests competing at rope drop for whatever top draw FPs happen to be left over from pre-booking. There's no such thing as a sure thing any more.

It isn't just what's leftover from pre booking. They are definitely releasing some the morning of.