Just back, my FP+ feedback

[Disneylover99]

I understand all of that. I just find it interesting that people are not held to the time they reserve.

That's probably coming. The number of unused fp's is probably being analyzed at this very moment. Expect an announcement about this sometime next week!

 

[Disneylover99]

Many would maintain that allowing someone to re-schedule their FP+ because they didn't make their return window is no different than when Disney allowed late use of FP-.

Except that you can't just come late, you do have to reschedule and in my experience using FP+, my ability to reschedule the more popular attractions were slim to none.

 

[Disneylover99]

The argument could be made that it's more analogous to missing your FP time and pulling a new FP. Even if this is the case, you are kind of getting an extra FP+. One you didn't use and one that you use later. And you prevented someone from being able to get a FP+ at the earlier time. So, even though you only USED three FP+, you technically took up an extra FP+ slot.

I agree with this and maybe people shouldn't be so quick to blow off scheduled fp's without cancelling or trying to reschedule ahead of time. I'm thinking that pretty soon, there may not be an option to reschedule if you are a no-show.

Or maybe Disney knows that this will happen to a certain percentage of rides each day and they make allowances for this when they allot FP return times.

 

[rastuso]

We've never been park hoppers, but I would think FP+ would improve park hopping. Rope drop 1st park, hit headliners standby until lines build (and if possible again with childswap an FP-). Park hop to 2nd park with 3 FP+ ready to go in the afternoon. Am I missing something? Sure the old days of paper FP without enforcable return times were the best, but short of returning to that, I don't see how FP+ devalues park hopping much, may even improve it.

You need to let that idea go. Folks are already saying how RD has changed dramatically. When FP+ starts almost immediately, you're crazy if you think the days of having a couple hours of short standbys will continue.

I once hit an E ticket at all four parks in a day. Really, almost ALL of them. I know what could be done. But there is no way FP + doesn't fundamentally change RD like it is everything else.

I really can't see how anyone can honestly think FP + is improving something unless you like paying for a day of park entry just to people watch, and maybe catch a ride or two.

Jason

 

[mggeary]

You need to let that idea go. Folks are already saying how RD has changed dramatically. When FP+ starts almost immediately, you're crazy if you think the days of having a couple hours of short standbys will continue.

I once hit an E ticket at all four parks in a day. Really, almost ALL of them. I know what could be done. But there is no way FP + doesn't fundamentally change RD like it is everything else.

I really can't see how anyone can honestly think FP + is improving something unless you like paying for a day of park entry just to people watch, and maybe catch a ride or two.

Jason

Look, maybe when my kids get older I'll change my tune, but right now FP+/child swap combo worked better for us than old paper FP system, even when using a FP runner. The flexibility of child swap (no return time) and FP+ (changeable for most rides) made all the difference. Now if they would only add more character meets, we may be able to do everything with no waits.

 

[mom2rtk]

Look, maybe when my kids get older I'll change my tune, but right now FP+/child swap combo worked better for us than old paper FP system, even when using a FP runner. The flexibility of child swap (no return time) and FP+ (changeable for most rides) made all the difference. Now if they would only add more character meets, we may be able to do everything with no waits.

Sorry, but rider swap is not a touring strategy many people can use. I'm glad it works for you, but don't hold it out as a great touring strategy for the masses on a message board.

 

[nkereina]

Here now and I agree that FP+ for Illuminations was a waste. Worked well for MSEP though. Disagree about not being able to change times for headliners. Maybe we have just been lucky but I have altered my times for TSM and TT day-of with no issue so far.

 

[amwildwood]

I personally don't get how people leave, take naps, and come back unless it you are at MK and staying at a monorail resort or at Epcot and staying at an Epcot resort.

I think touring plans are really only needed for the morning. Have a plan for the headliners or characters before lunch, then just use common sense in the afternoon, fitting in the low wait attractions and using FP+. I like to use my FP+ 11-12, and 1-4. Always grab a child swap pass at every opportunity. The open ended return window is invaluable. Many CMs are kind enough to give them even if the little ones are not present at the ride.

Above all else, go in a colder weather time. We struggle when it is humid and above 85, but we are Northeners. February should be perfect.

Taking a mid day break ate up a lot of time. We stayed in VWL, so we'd go back to the resort, nap, and then go back. At best we got 6-8 hrs per day in the park. The villa was really comfortable and I think we spent too much time in the villa, but no one else seemed to mind. The heat took a lot out of us, so we probably should have stayed in the parks longer in the evenings.

Thank so much for your advice. I think we will try to stay in the parks most of the day at least a few days this trip.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Here now and I agree that FP+ for Illuminations was a waste. Worked well for MSEP though. Disagree about not being able to change times for headliners. Maybe we have just been lucky but I have altered my times for TSM and TT day-of with no issue so far.

Can I just ask in what way was the Illuminations FP a waste? I have one for Dec ! Thanks and thanks for yet another about changing FP's day of .Seems to me there is hardly any issues with that portion of the system.

 

[mggeary]

Sorry, but rider swap is not a touring strategy many people can use. I'm glad it works for you, but don't hold it out as a great touring strategy for the masses on a message board.

Maybe not for "the masses", but it still would help a significant percentage of families so I think it is worthwhile posting.

 

[rastuso]

But it sounds to me like you are abusing the child swap pass.

It is designed to let everyone in the family except the ones too little to ride, and one other person, to not ride while everyone else WAITS IN LINE, and then does the ride. Then, when they are done, the one person staying back then rides, usually with one person as an accompaniment.

You are talking about no return windows and such, and I get the idea you are just going straight to swapping, without anyone waiting in line.

Or, you are a family of 3, getting FPs, and then using only one FP for both of you to ride via swap.

Either way, as much as you are hyping swapping, you are abusing it in some form.

Jason

 

[rastuso]

Here now and I agree that FP+ for Illuminations was a waste. Worked well for MSEP though. Disagree about not being able to change times for headliners. Maybe we have just been lucky but I have altered my times for TSM and TT day-of with no issue so far.

That's great to hear that you could change TSMM FP+ times in mid November. I can't wait to do it in December.

Jason

 

[OtherScott]

But it sounds to me like you are abusing the child swap pass.

It is designed to let everyone in the family except the ones too little to ride, and one other person, to not ride while everyone else WAITS IN LINE, and then does the ride. Then, when they are done, the one person staying back then rides, usually with one person as an accompaniment.

You are talking about no return windows and such, and I get the idea you are just going straight to swapping, without anyone waiting in line.

Or, you are a family of 3, getting FPs, and then using only one FP for both of you to ride via swap.

Either way, as much as you are hyping swapping, you are abusing it in some form.

Jason

The rationale for some seems to be the same as used by those using FP+ and unlinked KTTWs and old KTTWs and used KTTWs from craigslist and stolen KTTWs and counterfeit KTTWs and APs to game system - as long as it can be done, it may be done...

To heck with that kid whose parents didn't take advantage of all this "planning"...

Now, this applies only to people who don't post on this board, or who are not known by anyone who posts on this board.

The posters on this board all intend to use swap only as intended by Disney...

 

[kmarie99]

That's great to hear that you could change TSMM FP+ times in mid November. I can't wait to do it in December.

Jason

I have never been to Disney in Mid-December, how easy was it to get a FP- for TSMM? What time where they normally gone by?

 

[larie21]

I think rider swap could be abused as someone suggested if you were swapping bands with your children to get "extra" FP+s.

But for the OP to use the whole family's FP+ reservations & then get rider swap is not an abuse. It's just like using the legacy FP system with rider swap.

 

[wisblue]

Problem is, FP+ essentially makes ALL but the absolutely dead days busy days. Since they always bribe people into their rooms, they run pretty high occupancy rate.

Jason

I am highlighting what I think is the fundamental flaw in your logic.

A number of people are reporting going to WDW at what they think of as traditionally uncrowded times (like mid-October) and finding them to be more crowded than they expected. So, they jump to the conclusion that it's the existence of FP+ that is causing these greater crowds.

In fact, I think it's your next sentence that gets at the real reason why the parks are more crowded more often these days. Disney has done much more to draw visitors to the resort during the slower periods. Things like free dining, room discounts, special events (marathons, etc.) help to increase occupancy in those rooms. You can call those "bribes" if you want, but to me it is smart business. And, more people in the rooms is inevitably going to lead to more people in the parks and longer lines at the most popular attractions, whether you have FP+ or not.

The mantra of the FP+ haters that tiering of attractions at Epcot and DHS means that they can only do one major attraction without waiting an hour or more in line is, frankly, a dramatic misstatement of the truth. There have been several reports in recent weeks of people encountering short lines at the parks, and that is with FP+ being used at all of the resorts. So, there are still plenty of off peak times.

But, even with a larger crowd, all you have to do to enjoy the two major attractions at Epcot and the 3 major attractions at DHS is to get to the park at or around opening, go immediately to the attraction for which you don't have a FP+ reservation, and ride it before the standby line builds up. If you get there early enough, you can probably do more than one of the headliners with short lines and still have your FP+ reservations for later use. Two weeks ago, we arrived at DHS before the actual 8:45 opening and rode TSMM, TOT, and RNRC (using single rider) without using a FP and were done with all 3 by 9:40. So, don't tell me that it can't be done.

And, of course, it will be more difficult to do that, during the busy holiday times, but that has ALWAYS been true. I can already see the people next week who will look at the wait times on the days around Thanksgiving and blame it all on FP+, as if touring on those days would have been a "walk in the park" otherwise.

 

[wisblue]

I have never been to Disney in Mid-December, how easy was it to get a FP- for TSMM? What time where they normally gone by?

In our experience, even at relatively non busy times, FP- at TSMM are gone for the day by before noon. With FP+ they seem to be gone earlier, like in an hour after park opening.

The only way to be sure to get a FP- for TSMM is to get there at park opening and go right to TSMM to get one.

 

[kmarie99]

I am highlighting what I think is the fundamental flaw in your logic.

A number of people are reporting going to WDW at what they think of as traditionally uncrowded times (like mid-October) and finding them to be more crowded than they expected. So, they jump to the conclusion that it's the existence of FP+ that is causing these greater crowds.

In fact, I think it's your next sentence that gets at the real reason why the parks are more crowded more often these days. Disney has done much more to draw visitors to the resort during the slower periods. Things like free dining, room discounts, special events (marathons, etc.) help to increase occupancy in those rooms. You can call those "bribes" if you want, but to me it is smart business. And, more people in the rooms is inevitably going to lead to more people in the parks and longer lines at the most popular attractions, whether you have FP+ or not.

The mantra of the FP+ haters that tiering of attractions at Epcot and DHS means that they can only do one major attraction without waiting an hour or more in line is, frankly, a dramatic misstatement of the truth. There have been several reports in recent weeks of people encountering short lines at the parks, and that is with FP+ being used at all of the resorts. So, there are still plenty of off peak times.

But, even with a larger crowd, all you have to do to enjoy the two major attractions at Epcot and the 3 major attractions at DHS is to get to the park at or around opening, go immediately to the attraction for which you don't have a FP+ reservation, and ride it before the standby line builds up. If you get there early enough, you can probably do more than one of the headliners with short lines and still have your FP+ reservations for later use. Two weeks ago, we arrived at DHS before the actual 8:45 opening and rode TSMM, TOT, and RNRC (using single rider) without using a FP and were done with all 3 by 9:40. So, don't tell me that it can't be done.

And, of course, it will be more difficult to do that, during the busy holiday times, but that has ALWAYS been true. I can already see the people next week who will look at the wait times on the days around Thanksgiving and blame it all on FP+, as if touring on those days would have been a "walk in the park" otherwise.

Very well stated

People are so quick to blame something and this is the new fad. Please have always complained about the lines being long during peak season and I don't think FP+ will make that better or worse.

Don't worry, someone will tell me I am wrong and that FP+ is the end of all fun as we know it and no one should go to Disney anymore

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

But it sounds to me like you are abusing the child swap pass.

It is designed to let everyone in the family except the ones too little to ride, and one other person, to not ride while everyone else WAITS IN LINE, and then does the ride. Then, when they are done, the one person staying back then rides, usually with one person as an accompaniment.

You are talking about no return windows and such, and I get the idea you are just going straight to swapping, without anyone waiting in line.

Or, you are a family of 3, getting FPs, and then using only one FP for both of you to ride via swap.

Either way, as much as you are hyping swapping, you are abusing it in some form.

Jason

I think rider swap could be abused as someone suggested if you were swapping bands with your children to get "extra" FP+s.

But for the OP to use the whole family's FP+ reservations & then get rider swap is not an abuse. It's just like using the legacy FP system with rider swap.

Actually both the scenarios mentioned by rastuso and larie21 crossed my mind when I saw this tip:

10) Easy to swap bands and let others use them.

but I decided to give the OP the benefit of the doubt. I was not there, didn't see her FP+ reservations etc. Just because my mind went there, doesn't mean that's what she did.

 

[baileybrad]

Don't worry baileybrad. Soon there will probably be a company that rents out kids to accompany you to WDW so you can take advantage of the FP+/child swap advantage.

Depending on how many small kids you rent, you could really multiply your FP+ using child swap. Just use the kids bands to make different FP+ choices than the adults. Have the adults use the child's bands to get on the rides (since the bands come off so easily) and snag a child swap pass for each ride. Then the other adult rides with all the kids.

This is all tongue in cheek. OP I am not picking on you at all. You used the system as it is set up to be used. Your posts just gave me this wicked idea. Sigh...I will have to rent kids too. My babies are all teenagers now.

ETA: Oooohhhhh someone thought of it before me: http://blog.touringplans.com/2010/12...combination-2/

Thanks for the light-heartedness. I do so remember the kid swap days. But would never want to go back to them. Like I said earlier our kids are no longers K/S material......now a couple are teenagers......and of course, that comes with its own opportunities. We still have our 10 year old who thinks we are still smart.

I agree that whatever one can do to improve their family's vacation right now during all the confustion.....more power to them.

I still think that the park hopper has been weakened somewhat. We would enter a 2nd park at noon, especially after doing EMH at the 1st park and still bet a bunch of usage out of FP-. MGGEARY your idea about using FP+ for the 2nd park is a good idea especially during less busy times.