Just Returned and despise Fastpass +

[teambraunlovesdisney]

My family and I just returned from our annual trip to the World 2/2-2/7. First off I had a horrible experience with the MDE website. I spent HOURS and HOURS on the phone with Disney pre trip. I understand that this system in new and that there are going to be "kinks" but I would also expect that each department within Disney to all be on the same page. I spoke with IT, Website assistance, guest relations, and finally those who had the power to actually help me. Mind you that regardless of the FACT that I spent no less that 30 hours on hold and I have no idea how many different departments I spoke with. The problem I was having was that when I would go to confirm a dining reservation and instead of receiving a confirmation I would be greeted with the very annoying Stitch announcing that he had indeed eaten my page. The same thing would happen with Fastpass selections. I would try repeatedly, restart my computer, and give it another go. I was told by IT my problem was that I had a MacBook and the program was designed for Internet explorer and not Safari. He suggested that I install google chrome or Internet explorer on my Mac. NO WAY! Then I had a tech help me with my "selections". After two hours on the phone with IT all I had was one fast pass for Nemo and it was not even in my Parties name. Moving on...This time of year is considered to be one of the slowest times to go to disney. Touringplans.com predicted our trip with 1,2,&3. Not even close. The park and resorts were busy. Disney makes it sound so easy to change your plans with your MDE app but here is the thing...you may or may not be able to change it at all. Most times there were no longer any experiences available or your choices where grim. The lines for the FP kiosks had long lines, the rides had long lines, and I can only imagine what spring Break or Christmas will be like. Personally we do not like planning every moment of our trip and prefer to chill and relax and use the FP as it use to be. This new system made us feel rushed and times. A 100 minute wait at test track on a Wednesday four days into Feb is a big sign that something isn't working. A 35 minute wait for Figment...which is one of the few FP choices you can not get a fast pass for both TT and Soarin'. All in all it made us feel rushed, and like we were on Disney's schedule and not our own. I hate the no park hopping with FP+. This system is awful. I love the Magic Bands but I could do without all the unchaperoned cheerleaders and the chanting of the lovely Tour groups.

 

[kapoof]

My family and I just returned from our annual trip to the World 2/2-2/7. First off I had a horrible experience with the MDE website. I spent HOURS and HOURS on the phone with Disney pre trip. I understand that this system in new and that there are going to be "kinks" but I would also expect that each department within Disney to all be on the same page. I spoke with IT, Website assistance, guest relations, and finally those who had the power to actually help me. Mind you that regardless of the FACT that I spent no less that 30 hours on hold and I have no idea how many different departments I spoke with. The problem I was having was that when I would go to confirm a dining reservation and instead of receiving a confirmation I would be greeted with the very annoying Stitch announcing that he had indeed eaten my page. The same thing would happen with Fastpass selections. I would try repeatedly, restart my computer, and give it another go. I was told by IT my problem was that I had a MacBook and the program was designed for Internet explorer and not Safari. He suggested that I install google chrome or Internet explorer on my Mac. NO WAY! Then I had a tech help me with my "selections". After two hours on the phone with IT all I had was one fast pass for Nemo and it was not even in my Parties name. Moving on...This time of year is considered to be one of the slowest times to go to disney. Touringplans.com predicted our trip with 1,2,&3. Not even close. The park and resorts were busy. Disney makes it sound so easy to change your plans with your MDE app but here is the thing...you may or may not be able to change it at all. Most times there were no longer any experiences available or your choices where grim. The lines for the FP kiosks had long lines, the rides had long lines, and I can only imagine what spring Break or Christmas will be like. Personally we do not like planning every moment of our trip and prefer to chill and relax and use the FP as it use to be. This new system made us feel rushed and times. A 100 minute wait at test track on a Wednesday four days into Feb is a big sign that something isn't working. A 35 minute wait for Figment...which is one of the few FP choices you can not get a fast pass for both TT and Soarin'. All in all it made us feel rushed, and like we were on Disney's schedule and not our own. I hate the no park hopping with FP+. This system is awful. I love the Magic Bands but I could do without all the unchaperoned cheerleaders and the chanting of the lovely Tour groups.

I don't blame you for being upset! It is so frustrating when disney could have spent the money towards a new park, not on a system that has caused so much stress. I have found this time of year is NOT the time to go due to the btg. I don't think the touring plans have taken In account fast pass + which has really thrown a monkey wrench In to the system. I hope disney scraps this mess!

So sorry your trip was stressed.

 

[JennyDrake]

I also had a less-than-stellar experience w/ MB, FP+ and AP renewal/linking in December. The web site was a quagmire for me, though I spent much less time there than you suffered, and tech support was also unable to help me.

I was there the first week of December, traditionally a slower time, yet I noticed even then how long the FP+ lines were for Test Track and ExE in particular.

I'm going back in a little over 2 weeks and will post what I find

I'm OK w/ planning FP+ as we do all CS, so nothing else to schedule around, and we are RD people, but I think 3 FP+ is way too few and I dislike not being able to hop.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I think, and could certainly be wrong, that if you are the type of guest who took full advantage of Fast Pass - arrived at rope drop, used upwards of 6 fast passes a day (and more at MK since they had the detached fast pass rides), used multiple fast passes for a ride, etc. - you aren't really going to be a fan of FP+. Now, if you are the type of guest who enjoys sleeping in, leisurely arriving at the park at 11:00 or later, you often enjoy FP+. My family happens to fall into the former category and we found that FP+ did negatively impact our touring 2 weeks ago. I kept getting assurances that they had't finalized FP+ and that they were still taking feedback to make changes, but all of the FP machines seem to be gone. So, unless they are going to really change how you do FP+ in that you can have 10 a day and multiples for the same ride, I don't see it really being a better system for my style of touring than the legacy fast pass.



Edited to add: We were told on multiple occasions that a study was done that found that the average guest only used 1.3 Fast Passes per day. Now, I don't doubt this to be true, but I'd be willing to bet that that average is because there were people using 6, 7, and 8 and then MANY people who used none due to believing you had to pay for it. I don't think it is in the best interest of Disney to limit it to 3 since the average was 1.3 per guest. That average means that there were plenty of guests who used fewer, which means that they won't care that the limit is 3, but also that there were many who used more who would be angered by the limit.

 

[Golf4283]

I think, and could certainly be wrong, that if you are the type of guest who took full advantage of Fast Pass - arrived at rope drop, used upwards of 6 fast passes a day (and more at MK since they had the detached fast pass rides), used multiple fast passes for a ride, etc. - you aren't really going to be a fan of FP+. Now, if you are the type of guest who enjoys sleeping in, leisurely arriving at the park at 11:00 or later, you often enjoy FP+. My family happens to fall into the former category and we found that FP+ did negatively impact our touring 2 weeks ago. I kept getting assurances that they had't finalized FP+ and that they were still taking feedback to make changes, but all of the FP machines seem to be gone. So, unless they are going to really change how you do FP+ in that you can have 10 a day and multiples for the same ride, I don't see it really being a better system for my style of touring than the legacy fast pass.



Edited to add: We were told on multiple occasions that a study was done that found that the average guest only used 1.3 Fast Passes per day. Now, I don't doubt this to be true, but I'd be willing to bet that that average is because there were people using 6, 7, and 8 and then MANY people who used none due to believing you had to pay for it. I don't think it is in the best interest of Disney to limit it to 3 since the average was 1.3 per guest. That average means that there were plenty of guests who used fewer, which means that they won't care that the limit is 3, but also that there were many who used more who would be angered by the limit.

I just wanted to thank you for your honest response without blatantly bashing the system. So many times on this board people just bash it saying it's terrible and Disney wasted our paid money on garbage. The truth is, which you pointed out, that different styles of vacationing will be catered differently.

My family is in the latter category with three kids under 3. We wake up later and were so happy to have our FP+ ready to go. It made our whole experience that much better and we love the system and can't wait to go again.

Once again thanks for at least understanding that the system itself doesn't stink but people opinions are in a lot of cases based on their vacationing preferences.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I just wanted to thank you for your honest response without blatantly bashing the system. So many times on this board people just bash it saying it's terrible and Disney wasted our paid money on garbage. The truth is, which you pointed out, that different styles of vacationing will be catered differently.

My family is in the latter category with three kids under 3. We wake up later and were so happy to have our FP+ ready to go. It made our whole experience that much better and we love the system and can't wait to go again.

Once again thanks for at least understanding that the system itself doesn't stink but people opinions are in a lot of cases based on their vacationing preferences.

Well you are welcome and thank you for your kind response!

 

[Golf4283]

Well you are welcome and thank you for your kind response!

It's just so rare around here for people to understand the positives about the system.

I also can't wait to go back over Easter. I am excited to see the park without the FP machines taking up precious real estate. Anyone know if they've all been removed and from which parks?

 

[surferdave]

Jenna & Golf, what you're saying is nice but has nothing to do with anything the OP said. The OP didn't complain about the number of Fastpasses, the system just plain didn't work for them at anything approaching a satisfactory level.

 

[mom2rtk]

All in all it made us feel rushed, and like we were on Disney's schedule and not our own.

I think this is the way a lot of people feel. Eventually the IT issues will be worked out. Maybe they'll work out hopping. Maybe they'll work out tiering. Maybe they'll work out the limitations. But then you are still left with this.

I love planning our trips. I don't mind scheduling dining in advance and setting park days in advance. But I LOVE walking into the park in the morning, full of possibilities, going where the mood strikes us.

We opted for DLR this past trip to avoid the FP+ nonsense. But just having a tour, some ADRs, and F! Dessert party set kept us watching the clock a lot more than I like. Next time we'll go with fewer time commitments and I'm looking forward to it. Having ride times committed in advance does absolutely nothing for me.

 

[Golf4283]

Jenna & Golf, what you're saying is nice but has nothing to do with anything the OP said.

my apologies. I wouldn't want to share an OPINION here on this message board. Back to passive mode for me!

Edit to add: before you ask my what my opinion was I'll insert it here and then be gone. My opinion was that of the other perspective. Jenna pointed out that some peoples dislike might be because of vacationing style to which I agreed and stated how FP+ worked wonders for our trip as we were able to utilize more fastpasses than usual. My opinion is of the minority here

 

[surferdave]

my apologies. I wouldn't want to share an OPINION here on this message board. Back to passive mode for me!

I honestly didn't mean to steal your sunshine, but the comments about previous FP- users who wanted more than 3 was so off the mark of the OP's issues that I wondered if the people following it up read it at all or just assumed that if they didn't like FP+ then this must be the reason. There's been a lot of talking in circles on this topic and I'm trying to understand why, like what people's assumptions are.

 

[lugnut33]

I believe the appropriate answer here is, "It's in testing", so the 30 hours you spent on hold, the thousands of dollars you spent, and the horrible experience you had with the whole app doesn't really matter because "It's in testing".

 

[ilovemk76]

My family and I just returned from our annual trip to the World 2/2-2/7. First off I had a horrible experience with the MDE website. I spent HOURS and HOURS on the phone with Disney pre trip. I understand that this system in new and that there are going to be "kinks" but I would also expect that each department within Disney to all be on the same page. I spoke with IT, Website assistance, guest relations, and finally those who had the power to actually help me. Mind you that regardless of the FACT that I spent no less that 30 hours on hold and I have no idea how many different departments I spoke with. The problem I was having was that when I would go to confirm a dining reservation and instead of receiving a confirmation I would be greeted with the very annoying Stitch announcing that he had indeed eaten my page. The same thing would happen with Fastpass selections. I would try repeatedly, restart my computer, and give it another go. I was told by IT my problem was that I had a MacBook and the program was designed for Internet explorer and not Safari. He suggested that I install google chrome or Internet explorer on my Mac. NO WAY! Then I had a tech help me with my "selections". After two hours on the phone with IT all I had was one fast pass for Nemo and it was not even in my Parties name. Moving on...This time of year is considered to be one of the slowest times to go to disney. Touringplans.com predicted our trip with 1,2,&3. Not even close. The park and resorts were busy. Disney makes it sound so easy to change your plans with your MDE app but here is the thing...you may or may not be able to change it at all. Most times there were no longer any experiences available or your choices where grim. The lines for the FP kiosks had long lines, the rides had long lines, and I can only imagine what spring Break or Christmas will be like. Personally we do not like planning every moment of our trip and prefer to chill and relax and use the FP as it use to be. This new system made us feel rushed and times. A 100 minute wait at test track on a Wednesday four days into Feb is a big sign that something isn't working. A 35 minute wait for Figment...which is one of the few FP choices you can not get a fast pass for both TT and Soarin'. All in all it made us feel rushed, and like we were on Disney's schedule and not our own. I hate the no park hopping with FP+. This system is awful. I love the Magic Bands but I could do without all the unchaperoned cheerleaders and the chanting of the lovely Tour groups.

Bold 1 - This is a result of the number of people in the park. MBs or no MBs and FP- or FP+ did not cause it.

Bold 2 - This too has nothing to do with MBs or FP+. This problem has existed for years at the parks. I have seen unruly kids with their parents right next to them. As much as I would like to see this one end, I am afraid it will never end.

 

[jcvalenti]

I've got to say, we're planning a big group trip for August and FP+ is really scaring me. We get a group of between 15 and 25 together every few years, and go down for 10 to 15 days. Because we stay so long, we often get Annual Passes, and stay offsite and rent several vacation houses (saving about $200 per day). We enjoy riding rides and seeing attractions, and had perfected our "system" of getting to the parks early, working the old FP system and taking a nice long break in the middle of the day. It seems like FP+ is really going to throw a wrench in the way we tour, especially since we're going during a peak period this time around.

I love Disney, and I've been there enough that I personally don't care if I go on any rides or not, but the kids love the rides still and if they can't see at least a few a day, they'll be upset. I hope the kinks get ironed out beforehand so we're not spending the whole trip in hour long lines. I almost swore off Disney the last trip in 2012 because of the constant barrage of chanting, screaming Brazilian teenagers and the palpable drop in food quality (combined with the rise in prices) ... but I'm certainly not going to be dropping another $10,000 on a vacation if we don't even feel like we're having fun - and most of the feedback I've seen on FP+ is that it sucks the fun out of the trip.

 

[photo_chick]

OP did you ever try it in anything other than Safari? I can't stand to do anything online with Safari because it's slow, frequently has issues and likes to crash. It just flat out does strange things sometimes. The current version is truly the worst browser I've ever used, and I've been online since 1995. Chrome doesn't have nearly as many issues on a Mac.

I'm not saying that's all your online issues, just that it could have been a major contributor to your online frustrations.

 

[kimmar067]

Jenna & Golf, what you're saying is nice but has nothing to do with anything the OP said. The OP didn't complain about the number of Fastpasses, the system just plain didn't work for them at anything approaching a satisfactory level.

....good point.... I am tentatively planning a F&W Festival visit in Oct/Nov and I am getting a little worried....

 

[lugnut33]

Bold 1 - This is a result of the number of people in the park. MBs or no MBs and FP- or FP+ did not cause it.

Bold 2 - This too has nothing to do with MBs or FP+. This problem has existed for years at the parks. I have seen unruly kids with their parents right next to them. As much as I would like to see this one end, I am afraid it will never end.

OK, then it's a lack of headlining attractions and they should have spent the MM+ money else where. That would have helped the guests more than this new money pit.

 

[kapoof]

I believe the appropriate answer here is, "It's in testing", so the 30 hours you spent on hold, the thousands of dollars you spent, and the horrible experience you had with the whole app doesn't really matter because "It's in testing".

It matters a great deal to people who are spending big money for their vacation.

 

[loveysbydesign]

This is the main reason we are skipping WDW this year. We're gonna do a cruise instead, I gave the family the choice of that or DLR as they cost about the same for us. I was really hoping they'd choose DLR (but only 6 y.o. ds did as he is dying to go to Carsland) as we have been on 2 DCL and I love them but am hoping to visit DLR before they institute FP+ there, as we have never visited before and we are 6+ FP used per day type of family.
So DLR is on the list for next year! Has anyone heard rumor of if/when they may have FP+ there? I hope not next year!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Sorry to hear the OP had a bad experience. We were there from 2/1 - 2/7 and had the complete opposite experience.

Sure the parks were closer to Level 5/6 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th of February, but they were still manageable. Wednesday the 5th, through Friday the 7th, though, you could have shot a cannon down the walkways. Definately 1 & 2 material.

As for MDE we had no problems. Of course we did make our ADR's 180 days out (with a PC, not a MAC, and I do think Dis IT needs to work on accomodating both), and FP+ at the 60-day window.

However, once in the resort we made FP+ changes on the fly almost every day without a problem. This even included changing our TSMM time to later in the day than it was originally (I was a bit surprised by this).

So, while I'm sorry the OP had a terrible time with it, I think our experience really shows that the system is still in "beta" a bit, and we're going to continue to see hit-or-miss type reports.