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

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Tough call. It is not mandatory to buy. And not mandatory to use. We always had the "option" because it came with the ticket. But we never used it. And we don't use it now. So I don't know where I stand on including in the comparison the cost of a feature that one does not have to have nor use. In the end, if a family is struggling to find a way to go to WDW and is pricing out the options, odds are they are going to skip the hopper option. So while this academic exercise may be invigorating, if we are really complaining about WDW becoming a country club, I choose to look at the problem as: what does someone have to spend to go there? And the answer would be the least expensive option. Remember, that back in the day, you only had the two original hotels. There was no "value" option. So in comparing prices today, do we compare only the Contemporary to the Contemporary and ignore the fact that someone on a strict budget could, if they chose, stay at Pop?

I am of the opinion they charge an extra fee since the ticket prices didn't go down when removing that feature.

But, I do know we used it in the mid to late 80s for MK and EPCOT, so I could not accurately compare my (well my parent's) costs without including the add-on.

As staying on site is not a requirement to enjoy Disney--what level hotels they have now compared to then is moot.

But my mom loved the price of our Poly concierge room rates in 1992. Somewhere near $200, though I don't remember exactly. (And if someone wants to correct from
Their memory if what it cost in July back then, be my guest. I am only going by what she told me as I did not see the final bill.)

 

[cakebaker]

Yes. Not sure when it opened, but I camped there about 1981.

But that was meant as a camping option and not so much a value hotel option. Maybe that is what JimmyV meant.

So the cabins weren't there? Just curious, this is where we stayed our first trip- the cabins. Mostly because we were on very tight budget. My sister came too but they got to stay at the Polynesian. I still resent that.

I can recall specifically because it was such a financial stretch for us- I took $2k in travelers checks and came back with $300. So we spent $1700 and that's everything- resort, tickets, souvenirs, food, gas to drive, hotel on the road...all of it. And back then, $1700 was a fortune to us at least.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It was. But I don't recall if it had rentable cabins or just camp sites. If the latter, then it wasn't a practical option for non-camping people. My next door neighbor was the very first person I knew who went to WDW in June, 1972. They drove their camper down and stayed at FW. We arrived about 3 weeks later and stayed at the Contemporary. For about $35 per night. I still have the receipt somewhere.

Simultaneous posting with LLP. Yes, that is what I meant.

They had trailers that look like trailer park trailers. We stayed in those, too. No idea the cost compared to Poly or Contemporary.

 

[Cormoran]

Ummmm....no I didn't. I said some people. If you fit in there, great. If not, then I'm not talking about you. I may well have the impression that if it's not a "ride", it doesn't count in your world, but thrill ride? No, never said. If you can find that quote where I said, YOU only want to see more thrill rides, I'll be more than happy to tell you that I was wrong since you say that is not true.

Great, glad everything is clear. Thanks.

 

[wdhinn89]

I keep coming to read about Fastpass Plus and I have not seen it mentioned for pages. Can you please take your bickering to private messages or make a new thread? Thank you

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Wait a second, I thought you said the podcasts were boring.

Sometimes when someone says "hey listen to this"..some folks check it out.

So the cabins weren't there? Just curious, this is where we stayed our first trip- the cabins. Mostly because we were on very tight budget. My sister came too but they got to stay at the Polynesian. I still resent that.

Fleetwoods, I think.

 

[JimmyV]

So the cabins weren't there?

Just confirmed that they were not there. The "Wilderness Homes", (later, Wilderness Cabins) were added much later. And my research revealed something that I had long since forgotten. There was a train that ran through the campground from 1973-1980. I will look for a photo to post in the "Not Seen Anymore" thread.

"When Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened in 1971, there were two comfort stations and 232 campsites. In 1973, Fort Wilderness expanded by adding more campsites and 10 Airstream trailers. Also in 1973, the Wilderness Line Steam Railroad was introduced and ran through 1977. In 1974, the still running “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” opened at Pioneer Hall. In 1985, Fort Wilderness continued to expand by adding 7 loops with and additional 363 campsites and constructing the Meadow Creek Recreation Complex. By 1986, Fort Wilderness had expanded to its current size, 799 campsites and 409 cabins."
http://www.disneydrawingboard.com/WDW/MKArea/Fort Wilderness/FortWilderness.html

Fleetwoods, I think.

Airstreams apparently. Put there in '73.

 

[cakebaker]

I keep coming to read about Fastpass Plus and I have not seen it mentioned for pages. Can you please take your bickering to private messages or make a new thread? Thank you

Yeah, in a thread titled love/ hate- You're probably going to run into people that love AND hate so sometimes the discussions get..ummm...intense.

If you're looking for information, this is thread you want- tells you everything you ever wanted or needed to know- very factual and clean to read.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

 

[JimmyV]

I keep coming to read about Fastpass Plus and I have not seen it mentioned for pages. Can you please take your bickering to private messages or make a new thread? Thank you

Like the song at the Country Bear Jamboree, give it time and it will circle back around again. Right, Henry?

 

[johde]

On to Universal with the simulator/3D attractions...aren't they inherently the same concept with different "skins"?

I have only been on Spiderman and due to a variety of factors (related to my vision), it is unlikely I will ride it again. So I am curious about the other

The only Universal major attractions in my mind that could qualify same ride different skin are Spiderman and Transformers. The other attractions are enough different that they are unique to Orlando. Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Simpsons (through it's predecessor Back to the Future) are all unique innovative ride experiences different from one another. It's about like saying Star Tours, Soarin' and Mission Space are all the same because they make use of screens.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just confirmed that they were not there. The "Wilderness Homes", (later, Wilderness Cabins) were added much later. And my research revealed something that I had long since forgotten. There was a train that ran through the campground from 1973-1980. I will look for a photo to post in the "Not Seen Anymore" thread.

"When Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened in 1971, there were two comfort stations and 232 campsites. In 1973, Fort Wilderness expanded by adding more campsites and 10 Airstream trailers. Also in 1973, the Wilderness Line Steam Railroad was introduced and ran through 1977. In 1974, the still running “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” opened at Pioneer Hall. In 1985, Fort Wilderness continued to expand by adding 7 loops with and additional 363 campsites and constructing the Meadow Creek Recreation Complex. By 1986, Fort Wilderness had expanded to its current size, 799 campsites and 409 cabins."
http://www.disneydrawingboard.com/WDW/MKArea/Fort Wilderness/FortWilderness.html


Airstreams apparently. Put there in '73.

Hold up now. Really????

 

[jade1]

Been over a decade since I last bought tickets. They were under 500 for 10 days no exp plus water parks. I can go to Disney quest and waterparks for years, I probably have 20 visits built up.

1) you still purchased as prices went up

2) maybe the no exp will be back when you buy 10 years from now

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just confirmed that they were not there. The "Wilderness Homes", (later, Wilderness Cabins) were added much later. And my research revealed something that I had long since forgotten. There was a train that ran through the campground from 1973-1980. I will look for a photo to post in the "Not Seen Anymore" thread.

"When Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened in 1971, there were two comfort stations and 232 campsites. In 1973, Fort Wilderness expanded by adding more campsites and 10 Airstream trailers. Also in 1973, the Wilderness Line Steam Railroad was introduced and ran through 1977. In 1974, the still running “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” opened at Pioneer Hall. In 1985, Fort Wilderness continued to expand by adding 7 loops with and additional 363 campsites and constructing the Meadow Creek Recreation Complex. By 1986, Fort Wilderness had expanded to its current size, 799 campsites and 409 cabins."
http://www.disneydrawingboard.com/WDW/MKArea/Fort Wilderness/FortWilderness.html


Airstreams apparently. Put there in '73.

Hopefully you can see this...

Better link. This is not an airstream and it is what we stayed in in the 80s. (At least I don't think it is as I thought airstream a were the silver trailer/campers.)

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/whome10.jpg

 

[JimmyV]

Hopefully you can see this...

Better link. This is not an airstream and it is what we stayed in in the 80s. (At least I don't think it is as I thought airstream a were the silver trailer/campers.)

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/whome10.jpg

By the 1980s, the Wilderness Homes had been added. That is what is depicted in the photo. The Airstreams were removed when the cabins were put in. Those older cabins were then removed and replaced by Wilderness Cabins. Much more substantial. And expensive.

 

[cakebaker]

Hopefully you can see this...

Better link. This is not an airstream and it is what we stayed in in the 80s. (At least I don't think it is as I thought airstream a were the silver trailer/campers.)

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/whome10.jpg

That's what ours looked like in '87.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

By the 1980s, the Wilderness Homes had been added. That is what is depicted in the photo. The Airstreams were removed when the cabins were put in. Those older cabins were then removed and replaced by Wilderness Cabins. Much more substantial. And expensive.

Okay. Thought I was imagining things because I knew I stayed on a home (*cough*trailer*cough*). That link is great for the noon we there thread. I revisited the kitchen pics. Whoa!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I keep coming to read about Fastpass Plus and I have not seen it mentioned for pages. Can you please take your bickering to private messages or make a new thread? Thank you

I made my FP+ reservations at 11:00 Sunday night. I will say that I think that they have improved the process as far as ease of changing times. Other than that, I still greatly dislike FP+. In fact, I do not like any aspect of it over original FP. The first time I ever used it was in December of 2012. At the time, I was one of the guinea pigs. I made three selections for FP+ but still was able to use FP on top of that. I thought that they were going to do something similar when they rolled out FP+. I thought that they were going to give resort guests the opportunity to use FP+ on top of FP and keep FP for all guests. I thought it was going to be great. When I found out FP was going the way of the dodo and FP+ was going to be it, I was really let down and pretty skeptical. After using it a few times, I'm really not a fan. So I guess you could say my opinion changed from my original opinion based on my first experience.


There ya go. Back on topic. Feel free to discuss it with me, if you like.

 

[wdhinn89]

We refused to test the system in July 2013 but we really have no choice now. I should have saved the 2 sets of bracelets they sent me back then. I hate the thought of everything being so scheduled but we are NOT a rope drop family so hoping I do like it better than I am anticipating. It seems that all the stand by lines are longer now too from what I am reading.

 

[Cormoran]

We refused to test the system in July 2013 but we really have no choice now. I should have saved the 2 sets of bracelets they sent me back then. I hate the thought of everything being so scheduled but we are NOT a rope drop family so hoping I do like it better than I am anticipating. It seems that all the stand by lines are longer now too from what I am reading.

You may have actually liked FP+ in July 2013, because legacy FP was still around so you could have used both. Also, I don't think the tiers were introduced yet.
For our touring style, FP+ has reduced our enjoyment in the parks. We didn't use Lagacy FP's that much on past vacations, and it was only available for headline attractions. For us, adding FP+ to secondary attractions ( like HM, POTC, figment, SE) has been the biggest negative. Most of our park days were spent on these rides, since the standby line was usually less than 15 minutes. It seems these simple spontaneous pleasures are no longer part of a trip to WDW.

 

[erc]

Somewhat off-topic but related to ticket prices and value of a WDW vacation, this article:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-disney-is-a-bargain-even-at-105-a-day-2015-02-26?siteid=yhoof2