kides say Magic Bands have ruined Disney

[BrianL]

I don't really know how in peak times people pull 4+ FPs for headliners on the old system (or at DL). At DL recently, I found pulling paper FPs to be a nightmare on a VERY busy day (Thanksgiving week). Between having to walk to the ride just to see what the return time was, then discovering that if I pull now the return time overlaps my lunch ADR, then going back after lunch to find return times at 11PM. Indy was out of FP's by around 12:30. It was difficult to me and I would've been very happy to have a Magic Band with 3 scheduled attractions that day!

Now, on the day before it wasn't as busy and the paper FPs worked well enough, but I still only pulled about 4 (and I gave one away). For me, I just don't see the big advantage.

 

[Hokie2000]

Why the need to assume the OP is a troll based on one statement? I am always willing to wait and have them come back and clarify. We all know FP books at 60 days at the earliest. If someone was going to make something up, I'm sure they could find better ways to do that.

And why would I need to try FP+ to know that I won't like being limited to 3 selections, tiering and no repeats? Yes, I know 4th FP+ options are possible. But everything I see indicates that it would be foolhardy to rely on getting headliners for a 4th and beyond. I know our touring style and what FP+ offers so we defected to the west last year when FP+ rolled out at WDW. And we had a great time at DLR the last 2 years with legacy FP.

I continue watching these threads because deep down inside I want to return to WDW at some point. I am encouraged that there are fewer reports of gliltches, lost fastpasses, that sort of thing. Additionally, we are considering a beach trip in the summer, and I am considering a brief stop at the parks, so shouldn't I be informing myself on FP+?

Based on general tone and overall statement. The 6 month claim could be a typo/mistake of some kind, although 2 is not really close to 6 and weeks are very different than months. I actually think it's more along the lines of a gross exaggeration. I wonder...If a poster you didn't agree with made such a glaring error, got called on it and never returned, would you be so quick to give them the benefit of the doubt?

Your vacationing/Disboard habits are none of my concern. I'm just surprised that you don't have firsthand experience with FP+ since you post negatively about it quite often.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't really know how in peak times people pull 4+ FPs for headliners on the old system (or at DL). At DL recently, I found pulling paper FPs to be a nightmare on a VERY busy day (Thanksgiving week). Between having to walk to the ride just to see what the return time was, then discovering that if I pull now the return time overlaps my lunch ADR, then going back after lunch to find return times at 11PM. Indy was out of FP's by around 12:30. It was difficult to me and I would've been very happy to have a Magic Band with 3 scheduled attractions that day!

Now, on the day before it wasn't as busy and the paper FPs worked well enough, but I still only pulled about 4 (and I gave one away). For me, I just don't see the big advantage.

We were at DL a couple weeks ago on a Saturday of the last weekend before most APs became blocked. It was crazy packed. But even with several rides down we were still able to pull FPs all day long. And keep in mind DL does not have FP on as many attractions as WDW.

Based on general tone and overall statement. The 6 month claim could be a typo/mistake of some kind, although 2 is not really close to 6 and weeks are very different than months. I actually think it's more along the lines of a gross exaggeration. I wonder...If a poster you didn't agree with made such a glaring error, got called on it and never returned, would you be so quick to give them the benefit of the doubt?

Your vacationing/Disboard habits are none of my concern. I'm just surprised that you don't have firsthand experience with FP+ since you post negatively about it quite often.

I've never hidden the fact that I haven't been back to WDW since FP+ rolled out. I know better than to plan a trip around something I know will disappoint me, especially when we live about mid-way between the 2 Disney resorts and can enjoy legacy FP still (at least for now). We have in fact already committed to heading west again for our next big trip by upgrading to APs at DLR. That said, if I hope to make a quick stop in the MK this summer, wouldn't it behoove me to be up to date on FP+?

And I'd like to think I would allow anyone the chance to come back and clarify such a glaringly incorrect statement. What's the point about lying or exaggerating something so easily proven wrong?

 

[Jennasis]

Ive never eaten bugs before but im pretty sure i wouldnt like them..yet there are plenty of people who do.

 

[JimmyV]

No, you're not. The majority are fine with it. What you get here are all the usual suspects (and their children) cluttering the boards with their negativity.

Wow! Newsflash!! There are only 12 people who do not like FP+ (and, apparently, their easily influenced children). I feel better now. We can all rest easy. Whew!

We had a Dec 1 to Dec 16 at WDW and absolutely loved the MB and FP+. Didn't use two thirds of the FP because wait times were only 10-20 min for most of rides except 7DMT. Had a really relaxing time.

Again, proving the point made above (see post #35) that FP+ works best at the times when it is least needed. (Of course, the same thing could be said about FP-). I'm not taking a side here. All of this simply points that going to WDW during the busiest time of the year means that one's touring style will be cramped. Go at RD (which can mean getting up at an ungodly hour), ride 3 or 4 rides before the 110 minute waits kick in, use your 3 FP+s and be prepared to spend the rest of the day soaking up the atmosphere because additional FPs (for meaningful rides) will be scarce and waits will span from 40-150 minutes. Go back to a park at night and do what you can. Rinse and repeat each day, assuming that your late nights do not preclude your early mornings. FP+ cannot overcome this approach, but neither could FP-.

 

[bumbershoot]

How is this any different than having a paper FP in your hand with an afternoon time? If we wanted to leave the park before we could ride the next ride, we just handed the paper to another family as we left the park...

Because you could get more for other rides once the window (always printed on the bottom of the FP) opened. You didn't have to wait until you used the third before getting others.

That link does not say that 90% of guests love FP+. It says: Approximately *half* of all guests now use Magic Bands. 90% *of them* (them = the "about half" that now use Magic Bands), rate the experience as excellent. And, those percentages are referring to use of Magic Bands, not specifically FP+. Nothing in that statement says that there is a 90% approval rating out of 100% of all guests.

And it's from a survey, which means the numbers are lower, because the percentages come from those who responded.

I see the "if you had a bad experience with FP then you must be mistaken" crowd is out again.

Actually a lot of us are asking for clarification. Since she had errors and some unclear things in her posts, people want to be sure she knew how to use it. If she did and still had troubles that one thing. If she didn't know about trying to change things once at the parks and didn't try, that's another.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

It doesn't sound like your issue is with Magic Bands, but with FP+. The two don't really have anything to do with each other.

 

[W.E.D.]

(1) You are not a slave to FP+. Nor are your children. Here is a completely out of the box concept........dump the fast pass and go to the other park and wing it.

(2) I love Disney but I doubt I would love it as much if I went twice a year for six years in a row. We look forward to our annual trip and that is good enough.

(3) Your kids are growing up and they are ready for something new. Give Disney a break and revist after some new attractions have been completed.

(4) Your kids wouldn't subject others to the downer of Disney? Oh please! If that is true your kids need a serious attitude/gratefulness lesson. Maybe you do too! I don't even like to tell people that we take our kids to Disney every year cause around here (farm small town USA) to be able to afford one family trip there is a rare and fortunate opportunity. Just about every single kid I know would jump on an opportunity to come along.

(5) I' m not buying for one second that you were unable to change your FP+ selection, I'm calling BS on that one.

(6) You choose to play during the craziest time of year (xmas - new years) then you choose to wait and wait along side a million others. Me? No way would I attempt Disney during the peak season.....you couldn't pay me.

I usually don't jump on the hounding bandwagon but your post was asking for it. Maybe you are just bored and are welcoming the backlash???

Bottom line, find a new place to vacation for everyone's sake!

What a kind and understanding nature you have. Not.
I've been here for a few years now and the grey area is getting really thin. You're either black or white. Do we really need to call the OP a liar? Can't you say you disagree.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I don't really know how in peak times people pull 4+ FPs for headliners on the old system (or at DL). At DL recently, I found pulling paper FPs to be a nightmare on a VERY busy day (Thanksgiving week). Between having to walk to the ride just to see what the return time was, then discovering that if I pull now the return time overlaps my lunch ADR, then going back after lunch to find return times at 11PM. Indy was out of FP's by around 12:30. It was difficult to me and I would've been very happy to have a Magic Band with 3 scheduled attractions that day!

Now, on the day before it wasn't as busy and the paper FPs worked well enough, but I still only pulled about 4 (and I gave one away). For me, I just don't see the big advantage.

If the only ride you got fast passes was say Soarin you MIGHT get 4 in a day during a slow period (not during summer or holidays). But the problem with the old system is normally the first one would't be for a few hours after you got it and then the next one again the same time if not longer. And you can't get a second FP until the first FP time zone starts. Now a second or a third, very possible, but the thing is then you are on your own for Test Track. Though riding single rider solves that.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Ive never eaten bugs before but im pretty sure i wouldnt like them..yet there are plenty of people who do.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually a lot of us are asking for clarification. Since she had errors and some unclear things in her posts, people want to be sure she knew how to use it. If she did and still had troubles that one thing. If she didn't know about trying to change things once at the parks and didn't try, that's another.

Asking for clarification is great. But some posts went too far and came closer to accusing the OP of being a liar.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ive never eaten bugs before but im pretty sure i wouldnt like them..yet there are plenty of people who do.

 

[W.E.D.]

No, you're not. The majority are fine with it. What you get here are all the usual suspects (and their children) cluttering the boards with their negativity. We did 2 week-long visits this year and had no problems at all. We don't go during busy times so that's a big part of the strategy.

And then there are the posts like this.
Those of us who are concerned about the new system have just as much right to share our opinions as those who will (apparently) never, ever have anything wrong with thier trips to WDW.

 

[mom2rtk]

If the only ride you got fast passes was say Soarin you MIGHT get 4 in a day during a slow period (not during summer or holidays). But the problem with the old system is normally the first one would't be for a few hours after you got it and then the next one again the same time if not longer. And you can't get a second FP until the first FP time zone starts. Now a second or a third, very possible, but the thing is then you are on your own for Test Track. Though riding single rider solves that.

Under legacy FP, you were eligible to pull another once the window opened on your old one or two hours later, whichever came first. Worst case scenario was 2 hours.

 

[DebbieB]

I used FP+ on 3 trips and love it! You aren't limited to 3. One day in May, I pulled 8 in one day, 5 at MK and 3 at AK.

 

[ilovemk76]

We have gone to Disney twice a year for the past 6 years. The kids, as well as the adults, always look forward to going. this time was no different, they talked about it for weeks, prior to our departure. It was a birthday trip and they were prepared for the large crowds. This week at DWD, the crowds have been large, but expected and manageable. The kids have said Disney has ruined the experience and they do not want to come back. When pressed for a reason, they are very precise...Magic Bands. When we booked the fast passes, the family received 2 fast passes in the morning, and the 3rd in the mid to late afternoon. The kids say they feel trapped in that one park. Everyone is tired of having to kill time for the last fast pass. We have gone in every gift shop (not bought anything), gone to every show, gone on every possible ride to kill time. Then by the time the 3rd fast pass is used, there are no fast passes left for any ride in the park.

The kids were to the point of bringing friends with them, but now they do not want to return at all. As they said, they do not want to subject anyone else to wasting time in a particular park. They are old enough to reason it out, it makes not sense to even attempt to park hop.

If Disney is a business, they need to find a way to keep people coming back again and again. At the present time, they are in danger of losing my kids and their potential families from every coming to Disney. If other families are finding the same to be true, Disney better figure out something quickly.

Now what do I do with the DVC purchase???? Dave's????

Bold - You did not have to just take the times they gave. You accept a "plan" and then change your times. We have done it where we put all three FP+s the first three hours after opening. We then got a 4th in the same park or the park we hopped to.

Have you ever been there during Christmas week? This is the busiest time of the year.

I love WDW, but I know I would hate it at Christmas if my need was to ride all the rides I wanted. If I just went to unwind and see the decorations, then I would love it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Bold - You did not have to just take the times they gave. You accept a "plan" and then change your times. We have done it where we put all three FP+s the first three hours after opening. We then got a 4th in the same park or the park we hopped to.

That's the sort of information I continue to read these threads to find out. It really is a shame though that it has become a system where you have to research and know all the unpublished tidbits about to use fully to your advantage.

And they said legacy FP was hard to understand!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Senior citizens, DVC and PAP holders here, and we love the FP+ system. We have managed to do what we want during all of our FL trips this year and now during the very busy, Chrisrmas, NYE week! We have filled in the down time between FP+ with amusing things.

The system lets us plan what we like during a reasonable time period to be in the parks we choose!
I do edit the times when I need to do it.

Bobbi

 

[MakiraMarlena]

yes, I'm sort of seeing that the Op didn't understand that you don't have to accept the 3 attractions/times you are assigned when you book, you can change them, and you can change them right away if better options are available.

I found it interesting that they wanted to leave the park they were in and go to another park, but felt they had to stick around to do that late FP. Could they not leave and then come back, or would they have rather left and not done that attraction at all? Both would be options, unless the park had closed for capacity.

But the OP says that their children don't ever want to go back, and they are actually thinking about getting rid of their DVC so I assume that's permanent, so I'm taking them at their word that they no longer want any part of it.

 

[JimmyV]

Bold - You did not have to just take the times they gave. You accept a "plan" and then change your times.

But only if other times are available. Based on the threads that appear here, many seasoned veterans are on their computers exactly 60 days in advance at midnight (or 1:00 a.m.). Sure. At that time, you might be able to accept your plan and then make changes. People who stay off site or who do not stay up all night to plan their vacations? No so much. There have been lots of posts over the past 60 days telling us that FP+ availability for headliners has been tough to come by. Not a surprise. But it is one of biggest (if not the biggest) downside to FP+. With FP-, every one of the 100,000 people who got up in the morning with plans to go to the MK had a theoretical chance of getting a FP for Space Mountain. Not everyone wanted one, and not everyone would get one. But at 6:00 a.m., everyone's playing field was level. With FP+, about 70,000 of those people had no chance to get a FP+ for Space Mountain until 30 days before their visit. To them, the playing field was anything but level. And even if they could get one, the notion that they could simply change their time to a different time is ovely optimistic.