Just Returned and despise Fastpass +

[jtowntoflorida]

It's a very valid point. I came so close to signing up in 2009 and ended up not going through with it. About a year ago I suddenly started having serious regrets about my decision and felt I would have been better off if I had bought. Roll on 2014 and I feel like I've dodged a bullet. While it's hard to say that it will cause sales to drop, it certainly will make some people who are on the fence about it sit it out a little longer or decide against it completely (at least for now).

ITA. I was planning on using my bonus this year to buy into DVC, and then all of this FP+ crap came up, and I decided...yeah, no. My husband is happy that we saved all that money, though!

 

[3happydancers]

ITA. I was planning on using my bonus this year to buy into DVC, and then all of this FP+ crap came up, and I decided...yeah, no. My husband is happy that we saved all that money, though!

We purchased back in 2008 (no regrets as we have had wonderful visits to the world up until now). But...if we hadn't purchased back then and we were you now, we would probably hold off too! DVC isn't going anywhere!

 

[2Tiggies]

We purchased back in 2008 (no regrets as we have had wonderful visits to the world up until now). But...if we hadn't purchased back then and we were you now, we would probably hold off too! DVC isn't going anywhere!

I honestly didn't mean it to sound as though it was a bad move for those who did buy. I hope it didn't come across that way. Had I bought then I doubt I would have regretted it. But thinking it might be a nice idea last year to where I am now feeling like I got spared has made me think about it carefully.

 

[disneyerin]

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.

That sounds absolutely horrible......what a let down that must have been for you!!

 

[king kamehameha]

So many changes, construction, etc. This is the first year in a decade we will not be visiting Disney. As some have said, a vacation shouldn't cause stress! We are among the people that are going to wait and see what happens. Not sure about the future of the parks. It seems that the crowds have reached epic proportions, and our beloved Poly will never be the same. This is just one posters opinion and others may vary. Oh well.

 

[Davey Jones II]

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!

Based on everything I've read, FP+ won't be coming to DLR for a few years, if ever. Disney wants to iron out the bugs before they even consider exporting it to the West Coast. Also, it may be harder for them to foist it on the savvy California locals (who comprise the bulk of visitors to DLR).

 

[harbin]

Didn't read all the posts.. But own only apple products. MacBook pro, iPad, and iPhone. I have Only used these systems and safari OS to schedule all ADRs as well as all FP+ with no issues whatsoever. Perhaps it is just Disney site, and not necessarily safari.

 

[cgates616]

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.

^perfect!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Based on everything I've read, FP+ won't be coming to DLR for a few years, if ever. Disney wants to iron out the bugs before they even consider exporting it to the West Coast. Also, it may be harder for them to foist it on the savvy California locals (who comprise the bulk of visitors to DLR).

I think it will come there too. They would probably have to roll it out to APs and regular tickets at the same time though, not like the mess they made in FL.

I'd say they are definitely "learning" from this Florida experience and it will take a long time to get to DLR though. And the roll-out will look very different.

I think it will come there eventually if only out of pure hubris.

 

[3happydancers]

I honestly didn't mean it to sound as though it was a bad move for those who did buy. I hope it didn't come across that way. Had I bought then I doubt I would have regretted it. But thinking it might be a nice idea last year to where I am now feeling like I got spared has made me think about it carefully.

Oh no, 2Tiggies, you didn't sound like that at all! I guess what I meant was that I think it was a good choice for those who have decided to hold off or decided not to purchase DVC. I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.

 

[Jennasis]

Let me throw a monkey wrench in...

We hate FP+. Really do. Just put an offer in for DVC this past weekend. Looking forward to ownership...not looking forward to FP+.

 

[kbelle8995]

I think it will come there too. They would probably have to roll it out to APs and regular tickets at the same time though, not like the mess they made in FL.

I'd say they are definitely "learning" from this Florida experience and it will take a long time to get to DLR though. And the roll-out will look very different.

I think it will come there eventually if only out of pure hubris.

Yes I think that's it in a nutshell.

 

[athumann]

I will admit to not reading each and every post here, just skimmed through. But I truly think that everyone's experience is going to be different. I for example, just returned from a 6 night stay (March 4- 10th) and toward the end of that 6 nights the parks really got busy, I guess maybe the start of spring break but I had absolutely no issues with Fast Pass + or wait times being longer than normal. I went to Animal Kingdom at about 9:30 (park opening was 8:00 that day) and had a 10 minute wait for Kilamanjaro Safari and waits for everything else seemed low to normal (5 minutes for Tough To Be a Bug, 30 minutes for Everest, etc.)

With that being said, I loved Fast Pass + and had the opposite feeling than the OP. I for once did not feel rushed, knowing that I had all of my favorites pre-scheduled. No running back and forth from rides to get fastpasses, no trying to keep track of when I could pull my next one, no worrying about them being gone for the day or having the return times not work with my plans at all.

We are normally rope droppers and on one of the days we did that at Magic Kingdom we walked on Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear then crossed the park and rode Pirates with a 5 minute wait and Haunted Mansion with a 10 minute wait. That afternoon we had the Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood Studios so we used our FP+ there and rode Toy Story Mania after dinner at 6 ish and then did Tower of Terror after Fantasmic. We had fp+ for Muppets but didn't need it, there was a 5 minute wait, so changed it to The Great Movie Ride but didn't need it there either it was a 5 minute wait.

We did sleep in 1 day and it was so nice to not have that feeling that we were missing out on prime touring time because we had our plans pre-scheduled. I was also able to change times for things within minutes of our window coming up. I had no feeling of being rushed, in fact for once I felt like I was in control rather than being at the mercy of the old fast pass. I like choosing my time rather than being told what time to come back, which half of the time never worked out with our existing plans anyway. This trip was the first time I've ever gotten to ride Toy Story Mania and we got to ride Peter Pan's Flight twice during our stay. I'm a big fan so I hope they don't take it away because of all of the negativity.

 

[3happydancers]

Let me throw a monkey wrench in...

We hate FP+. Really do. Just put an offer in for DVC this past weekend. Looking forward to ownership...not looking forward to FP+.

This is ok, too. You already know what FP+ is and the problems Disney is presently having so you are purchasing with your eyes open. My family loves our DVC but dislikes the new FP system. We've owned since 2008. Since that time, we have been able to share many vacations with family and friends. This year we will be at AKL Club level in a 2 bedroom. My DD's BBF and my DSIL will be joining us. FP+; not so much; The joy and memories; priceless! (So, no regrets). We are cautiously optimistic that Disney will make changes for the better in the months to come. But, FWIW, for our family, I would not purchase now. This does not mean your purchase is wrong!!!

In the mean time, good luck with your purchase and enjoy it to the fullest!

"WELCOME HOME"

 

[shelemm]

I will admit to not reading each and every post here, just skimmed through. But I truly think that everyone's experience is going to be different. I for example, just returned from a 6 night stay (March 4- 10th) and toward the end of that 6 nights the parks really got busy, I guess maybe the start of spring break but I had absolutely no issues with Fast Pass + or wait times being longer than normal.

The beginning of your stay is probably the lowest attendance of the year. I've done that week twice. At that time, Space Mountain is a walk-on middle of the day and you don't need FP for a thing.

 

[3happydancers]

I will admit to not reading each and every post here, just skimmed through. But I truly think that everyone's experience is going to be different. I for example, just returned from a 6 night stay (March 4- 10th) and toward the end of that 6 nights the parks really got busy, I guess maybe the start of spring break but I had absolutely no issues with Fast Pass + or wait times being longer than normal. I went to Animal Kingdom at about 9:30 (park opening was 8:00 that day) and had a 10 minute wait for Kilamanjaro Safari and waits for everything else seemed low to normal (5 minutes for Tough To Be a Bug, 30 minutes for Everest, etc.)

With that being said, I loved Fast Pass + and had the opposite feeling than the OP. I for once did not feel rushed, knowing that I had all of my favorites pre-scheduled. No running back and forth from rides to get fastpasses, no trying to keep track of when I could pull my next one, no worrying about them being gone for the day or having the return times not work with my plans at all.

We are normally rope droppers and on one of the days we did that at Magic Kingdom we walked on Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear then crossed the park and rode Pirates with a 5 minute wait and Haunted Mansion with a 10 minute wait. That afternoon we had the Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood Studios so we used our FP+ there and rode Toy Story Mania after dinner at 6 ish and then did Tower of Terror after Fantasmic. We had fp+ for Muppets but didn't need it, there was a 5 minute wait, so changed it to The Great Movie Ride but didn't need it there either it was a 5 minute wait.

We did sleep in 1 day and it was so nice to not have that feeling that we were missing out on prime touring time because we had our plans pre-scheduled. I was also able to change times for things within minutes of our window coming up. I had no feeling of being rushed, in fact for once I felt like I was in control rather than being at the mercy of the old fast pass. I like choosing my time rather than being told what time to come back, which half of the time never worked out with our existing plans anyway. This trip was the first time I've ever gotten to ride Toy Story Mania and we got to ride Peter Pan's Flight twice during our stay. I'm a big fan so I hope they don't take it away because of all of the negativity.

So glad to hear your vacation went smoothly. I wish all guests were enjoying the same experience. After spending countless hours reading the pros and cons, and many reports, I have learned that I can live with the technology of FP+ (if fixed), but it is the new rules I do not like. I am cautiously optimistic that Disney will make changes to better the system like offering additional Fast Passes and they definitely need to fix the technology otherwise, far too many guests will continue to have negative experiences. But honestly, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I doubt Disney will take the new system away but I am almost certain they will make changes. What they will be only time will tell!

Thanks for sharing! For me, It's good to read both the positive and negative reports!

 

[Jennasis]

This is ok, too. You already know what FP+ is and the problems Disney is presently having so you are purchasing with your eyes open. My family loves our DVC but dislikes the new FP system. We've owned since 2008. Since that time, we have been able to share many vacations with family and friends. This year we will be at AKL Club level in a 2 bedroom. My DD's BBF and my DSIL will be joining us. FP+; not so much; The joy and memories; priceless! (So, no regrets). We are cautiously optimistic that Disney will make changes for the better in the months to come. But, FWIW, for our family, I would not purchase now. This does not mean your purchase is wrong!!!

In the mean time, good luck with your purchase and enjoy it to the fullest!

"WELCOME HOME"

It boils down to this...we love Disney more than we hate FP+...and we really really hate FP+.

 

[Davey Jones II]

We own DVC, and honestly FP+ will allow us to spend more time back at the resort enjoying the pool and other free activities.

You mean, discourage you from spending much time in the parks? Yep, sounds like a smashing success!

 

[Davey Jones II]

I think it will come there too. They would probably have to roll it out to APs and regular tickets at the same time though, not like the mess they made in FL.

I'd say they are definitely "learning" from this Florida experience and it will take a long time to get to DLR though. And the roll-out will look very different.

I think it will come there eventually if only out of pure hubris.

I think they'll have a battle on their hands if/when they try. I think Cali locals will fight it all the way.

 

[dissupermom]

why are people saying that they are being forced to participate? I don't understand. you don't have to participate in FP+, FP-, or whatever the new ideas may be. you have a choice... you can stand in the standby lines and ride whatever you want , when you want. you do not have to preschedule anything. no one is forcing you to choose what you want or how you plan your day.