LOVE or HATE FP+ Anyone's mind been changed ??

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why would I WANT anything to be true? I don't wish ill on Disney, the place I have been going every year since my honeymoon. I just stated that X amount of people are defecting to UNI because of FP+, judging from my family, some here on the Dis and others I have spoken to in the "real world". Hence, my more than the Disboards could possibly reflect statement. Again, only time and real stats over the course of time will tell.

I personally know people who "defect"--but that type of thing happened before FP+, too!

Number 1 cited reasons--they want more coasters and their children are tall enough to ride the ones at Uni. This has gone on since IOA. Opened (at least "locally"). None said they hated Disney. They just had a different product to try and enjoy.

Because of Uni/IOA's HP addition an expansion, it would be difficult to say that folks are truly defecting due to FP+ specifically because there isn't a way to measure it. And for the most part, their growth has been directly attributed to the HP addition and expansion.

Having so much construction would be a greater deterrent to visiting Disney, IMO. When people have to wonder where to spend their money and plan on future returns to Orlando, it would make sense to maybe hold off on Disney and trek over to USO. Or postpone trips all together as some
Folks are doing.

But basically--with all of the variables, it would be impossible to blame one feature (FP+) at Disney as the reason when so many other variables exist.

Heck, if someone asks me if HP is worth it, I have no problem saying yes. It is that good even for a single day visit as painful as that ticket price may be.

I wouldn't send someone over there based on a ride reservation system as a negative. I send them over based on whether the competitor has any thing worth the price of admission. And USO does--and that is Harry Potter. That is an excellent thing.

To compare, we visited Legoland recently. Nice park. Kids had fun. Extremely short waits. Very low crowds. Lots of prices. But dear goodness, their single day ticket price is insane. Even with all we did, I won't be rushing the gate to pay nearly $90. Thank goodness we has a group discount. We even got a free gift of return tickets to use in Jan/Feb. But I just don't see us returning.

We have returned to Disney 3x since that vacation. ("Free" due to our AP--and for free, we prefer Disney to Legoland.)

 

[cakebaker]

Glad to hear they are now working on expanding I-4. Seems there's a lot of traffic between WDW and USO.

Lol- You seriously think that the expansion is due to an increase in guests driving from one park to the other? Really, I can't stop laughing on that one.

People tacking on a couple of days for Universal has been happening since the day Universal opened their doors. This is nothing new. The idea of popping back and forth between the parks on a daily base is just not plausible for most people.

 

[Laketravis]

But basically--with all of the variables, it would be impossible to blame one feature (FP+) at Disney as the reason when so many other variables exist.

I think your post was great but there was this one part I wanted to address because I think that is where a lot of the ******* and defensiveness comes from.

I'm not "blaming" FP when I say it allows us to experience more on a given day or that it could be contributing to increased split stays - I'm giving it "credit" for allowing people to do that.

To blame implies fault. A benefit is not a fault. If someone states that FP+ made it possible for them to visit two park systems in one day, why would anyone think they are "blaming" FP?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

There is no logical reason in my opinion why there is to hate it - the program is fabulous.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think your post was great but there was this one part I wanted to address because I think that is where a lot of the ******* and defensiveness comes from.

I'm not "blaming" FP when I say it allows us to experience more on a given day or that it could be contributing to increased split stays - I'm giving it "credit" for allowing people to do that.

To blame implies fault. A benefit is not a fault. If someone states that FP+ made it possible for them to visit two park systems in one day, why would anyone think they are "blaming" FP?

"Attribute to a negative FP+ experience".

The poster I quoted was speaking of a "defection".

So it would seem if "blame"
Is incorrect, then so to would the term "defection".

 

[Laketravis]

Lol- You seriously think that the expansion is due to an increase in guests driving from one park to the other? Really, I can't stop laughing on that one..

I said "seems there's a lot of traffic between WDW and USO" and that I'm glad they are working on expanding I-4. Draw your own laughable conclusions but I think my comment was pretty clear; I've been told in numerous posts that the traffic between the two park systems is very bad.


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[Lisa loves Pooh]

And if I'm going to stand in line for something before/after I've used my three FP's, I can see where it might be more attractive to stand in line for something like Harry Potter.

Glad to hear they are now working on expanding I-4. Seems there's a lot of traffic between WDW and USO.


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I assume you are joking.
It has nothing to do with that and more to do with workers trying to get to work during rush hour. A problem that predates even IOA.

And as we all know, such expansions are not an overnight decision. They take years of proposal, modification, funding fun, and then execution.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I said "seems there's a lot of traffic between WDW and USO" and that I'm glad they are working on expanding I-4. Draw your own laughable conclusions but I think my comment was pretty clear; I've been told in numerous posts that the traffic between the two park systems is very bad.


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You drew an incorrect conclusion then.

Orlando is a functioning working city and that is the reason for rush hour traffic.

Additionally, I-4 is a huge artery for traffic from east to wear Florida and vice versa.

Kind of like blaming Dc traffic on all those visitors who want to see the Smithsonian.

 

[Laketravis]

"Attribute to a negative FP+ experience".

The poster I quoted was speaking of a "defection".

So it would seem if "blame"
Is incorrect, then so to would the term "defection".

I know you were addressing someone else and I used your comment as an example but it's probably not an effective one out of context. My point was that some seem to think that people are "blaming" FP+ when in fact they are giving it credit.

It's a built in bias - like when I say I'm glad they are expanding I-4 because there's apparently a lot of traffic between WDW and USO and someone takes that to mean I meant there are a lot of people traveling from one park to the other.

Kind of like blaming Dc traffic on all those visitors who want to see the Smithsonian.

Wow, look - you just did it too. I simply said (and accurately so) that there is a lot of traffic between the two on I-4. I didn't draw any conclusion whatsoever as to where that traffic originates from or terminates to. But you assumed I meant all of that traffic was caused by people traveling from one park to the other.

Bias.


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[wisblue]

And if I'm going to stand in line for something before/after I've used my three FP's, I can see where it might be more attractive to stand in line for something like Harry Potter.

Glad to hear they are now working on expanding I-4. Seems there's a lot of traffic between WDW and USO.


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This is where personal preference comes in.

Some people prefer using their 3 FPs and then enjoying some attractions that have short lines (even if they aren't the biggest headliners in the park), or maybe taking in some of the nighttime entertainment.

Other people like to use up their 3 FPs and then get out to the parking lot, drive over to Universal, park there, trek over to one of the Universal parks and get in line for one of the HP attractions before the park closes.

You know which you prefer and I know which I would prefer. I wonder which of us is in the majority.

 

[Luckybee]

Your original point was that FP+ works BEST for frequent guests. Maybe some frequent guests have found value in spending just 3 hours a day in a park, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't work even better for the infrequent guest that can reserve times for 3 of their highest priority attractions in advance and experience more things than they would have with paper FPs.

As long as you label the point about FP+ working best for frequent visitors as your opinion, then I accept that, and disagree with it.

Personally, I think FP+ works best, and provides the best value, for someone who spends more than 3 hours in a Disney park.



For as long as I can remember there have been a lot of people at WDW sporting things like "Thing 1" t-shirts. So, there has always been evidence that a number of people have visited both WDW and Universal on their Florida trips. We have visited Universal a few of times, once when we stayed offsite and a couple of times more recently, mainly to see the Harry Potter areas. It tells us absolutely nothing about how many more people may be doing split stays.

This is where I think you're both wrong, and you're both right. I don't think there is a one size fits all for who fp+ does and doesn't work for and that is the problem with sweeping statements on both sides of this argument. When I first began to see the reports coming out after inception and kept hearing that "fp+ wasn't good if one wanted to repeat ride" Wasn't us so great ! Then I read that it worked well for those who visited only once a yr or so, and thought ok that's us...only once or twice a year and not every year. Then I started to look at the way we liked to tour and for us it was having very little of a "plan". We simply did what we felt like doing at the park when we arrived presuming the lines weren't too long. We didn't care if we did "everything" as long as we had fun and didn't have to spend hours in lines. And while fp+ may have guaranteed us 3 rides...it took away from the ability to tour the way we liked. Matter of fact it made it absolutely impossible because the big part of our touring was having short standbys on secondary rides.
Now someone else in the exact same situation as us might feel the exact opposite. Imho personality and lifestyle play a role here too. Dh and I are both super Type A's and when we vacation we want to be able to completely and totally relax. Contrary to what I have read on here for years that "you shouldn't choose Disney to relax" we were always able to until the last trip which was our first fp+ trip. So for us it didn't work. At all ! Doesn't mean it wont for someone else though who visits once or twice a year some years, or for new visitors, or repeat visitors.
My point is this and I hope it doesn't get lost in the explanation. Only the person planning the trip or taking the trip knows what will and will not work for them . Generalities don't really apply because there are far too many variables which affect each and every family. One can only look at there own individual circumstances and decide if fp+ will work for them or find out after trying it.

 

[Laketravis]

Some people prefer using their 3 FPs and then enjoying some attractions that have short lines (even if they aren't the biggest headliners in the park), or maybe taking in some of the nighttime entertainment....

OR: Some people prefer using their 3 FP's and then spend a lot of time looking for attractions that have short lines and try to enjoy them even if they aren't the biggest headliners in the park, or maybe try to find a decent spot in a crowded area for a parade or fireworks.

Other people like to use up their 3 FPs and then get out to the parking lot, drive over to Universal, park there, trek over to one of the Universal parks and get in line for one of the HP attractions before the park closes..

OR: Other people will reserve their 3 FP's in the evening so they can first enjoy some highly themed attractions with short lines at Universal, then take a short drive over to WDW, find a place to park, take two different methods of transportation to MK, and work their way thru the crowded main street area to use them.

See how that bias can work either way?



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[jade1]

OR: Other people will reserve their 3 FP's in the evening so they can first enjoy some highly themed attractions with short lines at Universal, then take a short drive over to WDW, find a place to park, take two different methods of transportation to MK, and work their way thru the crowded main street area to use them.

OR: Just park at BLT and walk over, or BC and walk to EPCOT (or boat to DHS).

 

[jade1]

OR: Other people will reserve their 3 FP's in the evening so they can first enjoy some highly themed attractions with short lines at Universal, then take a short drive over to WDW, find a place to park, take two different methods of transportation to MK, and work their way thru the crowded main street area to use them.

OR: Fish the AM, Golf the AM,Water Park the AM, Clearwater Beach the AM or even RD a WDW park.

 

[wisblue]

OR: Some people prefer using their 3 FP's and then spend a lot of time looking for attractions that have short lines and try to enjoy them even if they aren't the biggest headliners in the park, or maybe try to find a decent spot in a crowded area for a parade or fireworks.



OR: Other people will reserve their 3 FP's in the evening so they can first enjoy some highly themed attractions with short lines at Universal, then take a short drive over to WDW, find a place to park, take two different methods of transportation to MK, and work their way thru the crowded main street area to use them.

See how that bias can work either way?



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As long as you recognize that you are at least as biased as I am, I'm good.

But, I still say that not that many people are willing to go through the hassle and/or the expense of going to both parks in the same day. Good for you that you have found something that works for you given how much time and money you are able to spend in the Orlando area these days. But, I find it hard to believe you don't realize that it is simply not something that many people are willing or able to do. Even if I was going to spend something like 7 weeks in the area in a little over 6 months like you are, I doubt if I would ever go to both places in one day. I just don't see the value in knocking myself out that way when I have the luxury of taking it much easier.

 

[cakebaker]

Just park at BLT and walk over, or BC and walk to EPCOT

Better yet, just stay on site, at wdw- use the internal transportation and then at the end of your trip, book a couple of days at Universal. It's a crazy, radical idea- but we like it.

 

[jade1]

Better yet, just stay on site, at wdw- use the internal transportation .

Kinda my point-BC and BLT are onsite, we split stays with these, they make the return from US with much less effort.

Won't stay anywhere else for the reasons outlined above. Makes the trip what it is actually-and better than ever with FP+.

 

[MrInfinity]

Better yet, just stay on site, at wdw- use the internal transportation and then at the end of your trip, book a couple of days at Universal. It's a crazy, radical idea- but we like it.

Yeah, this is Universal's goal pretty much. Hope guests come to Disney World, and then entice them to come stay 2 nights there on the way in or out. If we were to go to Universal, this is what we'd do. We already do this with LEGOLAND. We would stay on prop at WDW to get the perks there, then stay on prop at Universal to get the perks there. Park once at each place, and then just enjoy. I would never go to both parks on the same day, except maybe the day we leave Uni to start our vacation. We might pop in there in the morning if there was anything we still wanted to do before we left.

Like any parasite relationship, Universal does well as long as Disney does well. The more people that Disney draws, the more will take a side-trip to Universal.

 

[Laketravis]

As long as you recognize that you are at least as biased as I am, I'm good..

I try not to be in a literal sense by not using a wealth of positive adjectives when describing one park system while using an abundance of negative adjectives to describe another as I've observed you often do. To me, they're just theme parks and it would be hard for me to describe moving from point A to point B with the likes of "We'd often take a refreshing ride on the monorail for a quick trip back to our wonderful resort for a delicious meal before returning back to the glorious park for some exciting fireworks." while referring to any plans of traveling and eating offsite as a battle in drudgery and traffic and smog, wasting time for a bland experience at a second-rate park system with meager meals at undesirable chain restaurants. I don't talk that way so I don't type that way either, but that's what I meant in terms of semantic bias.


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[cakebaker]

Yeah, this is Universal's goal pretty much. Hope guests come to Disney World, and then entice them to come stay 2 nights there on the way in or out. If we were to go to Universal, this is what we'd do. We already do this with LEGOLAND. We would stay on prop at WDW to get the perks there, then stay on prop at Universal to get the perks there. Park once at each place, and then just enjoy. I would never go to both parks on the same day, except maybe the day we leave Uni to start our vacation. We might pop in there in the morning if there was anything we still wanted to do before we left.

Like any parasite relationship, Universal does well as long as Disney does well. The more people that Disney draws, the more will take a side-trip to Universal.

To be honest - we only did that once and we're done with that. But it makes much more sense to do that way that to try and piece meal visits to both parks every day.

I agree though- Disney did quite well before Universal. Were it not for Disney, I don't think Universal would've ever built there and you have to wonder if they could survive without Disney. But I like the idea of the parasitic relationship.