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

[jade1]

so , if you have Uber drop you off at MK it will be at the TTC right? So the CR is closer?

TTC is safe, I have heard the resorts can be a bit sticky letting folks in without a ressie (your band just opens the gate), esp in case its Uber-but I cannot say the source was reliable, seemed to be- just not sure.

I guess you could just jump out and run for it.

But yes-CR would be way faster than TTC.

 

[jade1]

Sounds like lots of success stories, found this one-seems its a bit frowned on but

Just got back from a vacation and used Lyft several times to go off property and back. Though kind of allowed, Disney doesn't really like the non-taxi taxis. Our drivers complained about the rules they try to exercise, such as charging a ~$20 parking fee to drop off at the park if you're not an official taxi with a seal. The hotels were easier to get into, but we had to let the driver use our magic bands to enter. I don't know how they got through to pick us up.

But it can be done. Just don't be surprised if there is some hassle at various entrances around the property.

 

[Laketravis]

Sounds like lots of success stories, found this one-seems its a bit frowned on but

Just got back from a vacation and used Lyft several times to go off property and back. Though kind of allowed, Disney doesn't really like the non-taxi taxis. Our drivers complained about the rules they try to exercise, such as charging a ~$20 parking fee to drop off at the park if you're not an official taxi with a seal. The hotels were easier to get into, but we had to let the driver use our magic bands to enter. I don't know how they got through to pick us up.

But it can be done. Just don't be surprised if there is some hassle at various entrances around the property.

Weird. I haven't tried Lyft in Orlando, just Uber. Used the app to order a ride from the lobby of CSR and other resorts several times and the driver was outside within a couple of minutes. I never asked how they got in, and when we were going to the other resorts it was never a problem getting thru the gates - we just said we had ADR's (which we did).

Orlando city council just drafted some new ordinances late last year that just took effect, they were trying to force Uber to charge as much or more than cabs do (of course it wouldn't work the other way around, right?). But I've seen Uber go thru the same thing in Ausitn, it's pretty much the cab drivers (or Mears in Orlando) lobbying city officials and they are the only two parties that try to suppress the progress. Users and the general public are pretty big fans.

I did have one conversation with a rather talkative driver about the Orlando CC efforts and WDW and his comment was that Disney pretty much stays neutral in matters like that and doesn't hassle them.


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[Laketravis]

so , if you have Uber drop you off at MK it will be at the TTC right? So the CR is closer?

We had an ADR at Chef Mickey's one night, spent the afternoon at the CSR pool and ordered an Uber ride from CSR to CR - no problem at all, dropped us off right in front, we walked into the lobby and up to Chef Mickey's.


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[jade1]

We had an ADR at Chef Mickey's one night, spent the afternoon at the CSR pool and ordered an Uber ride from CSR to CR - no problem at all, dropped us off right in front, we walked into the lobby and up to Chef Mickey's.


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I would do that if I have an ADR on file, but unless I'm staying at a resort I wouldn't lie to get in to visit a park, unless it's allowed anyway, I don't think it is.

 

[Laketravis]

I would do that if I have an ADR on file, but unless I'm staying at a resort I wouldn't lie to get in to visit a park, unless it's allowed anyway, I don't think it is.

Then you could have them drop you off at TTC. Probably not a huge difference between walking to and taking the monorail and walking from CR.

 

[Silock]

I personally felt more restricted with the old system. I had a TSMM that I pulled mid to late morning that didn't have a return time until 7:00 pm or so. So, we stayed longer than intended. Another that fell right during an ADR. I like not having it be a gamble.

That's a fair point. But at least you could be pulling other FPs up until then, and at different parks. And you could apparently come back after the return time up until the very last days of FP-, which I never knew was even possible.

If you're scheduling FP+ in the afternoon or evening for whatever reason (availability for yourself or the FP+ itself), it's standby only up until then. And having to pick the day so far in advance when you don't know weather conditions or crowd levels (beyond educated guessing) is a lot more restrictive than deciding day-of that you want to visit, say, DHS, and everyone having an equal chance for a good TSMM time that morning. It's far harder to change now and have it be convenient.

 

[Silock]

The first part of the sentence you didn't include says "a huge majority of the Dis are" long time, multi-trip guests ....". So I would expect that there are people on the dis who aren't as I described.

Okay, that's fine, but I was only talking about myself. I don't see why the first part is particularly relevant.

And my biggest complaint about paper fp was that it placed restrictions on our schedule for the day.

It's far more restrictive now. Yes, there are advantages to the current system in terms of scheduling, but overall, it's not as forgiving.

 

[Silock]

Orlando city council just drafted some new ordinances late last year that just took effect, they were trying to force Uber to charge as much or more than cabs do (of course it wouldn't work the other way around, right?). But I've seen Uber go thru the same thing in Ausitn, it's pretty much the cab drivers (or Mears in Orlando) lobbying city officials and they are the only two parties that try to suppress the progress. Users and the general public are pretty big fans.
.

I love Uber. I do, however, hate the surge pricing. I wonder if that would be a problem on Star Wars Weekends or even trying to leave right as Wishes is over. That could quickly turn a $10 fare into a $100 fare.

 

[cakebaker]

It's far more restrictive now. Yes, there are advantages to the current system in terms of scheduling, but overall, it's not as forgiving.

We could go back and forth forever with yes it is, no it isn't. But the truth is, it's more flexible for me, you say it isn't for you. Ok. Sorry, I know exactly how you feel. That's how it was for us when paper fp was in effect.

 

[erc]

We could go back and forth forever with yes it is, no it isn't. But the truth is, it's more flexible for me, you say it isn't for you. Ok. Sorry, I know exactly how you feel. That's how it was for us when paper fp was in effect.

I agree with this. Besides being required to plan which park you will attend on which days, which to be honest is what we did before FP+ anyway, I loved entering the parks knowing exactly what three rides we were guaranteed to ride and when. That would allow us to plan around those rides and those times to experience the other attractions in a strategic manner.

At the end of the day, we attended Magic Kingdom on two level 9 days last week and I would say we rode more headliners as well as secondary rides under FP+ than we ever accomplished with FP-.

So, yeah, my conclusion is that for us, FastPass+ has been a very good experience.

 

[MrInfinity]

And having to pick the day so far in advance when you don't know weather conditions or crowd levels (beyond educated guessing) is a lot more restrictive than deciding day-of that you want to visit, say, DHS, and everyone having an equal chance for a good TSMM time that morning. It's far harder to change now and have it be convenient.

Hehe... I'm not going for 9 months, yet I have already thought out which parks I'll be at, which restaurants we'll eat at, and which rides I'll pull Fast Passes to. This is cuz I like thinking about it tho -- not because I have to. If you think having to pick your park days so far in advance is restrictive, you can opt not to. But that's no reason to say that someone like me, who likes picking my park days and rides in advance, should not be able to. Why can't we just plan if we want to, or not if we don't?

That's what you're getting at right? You don't want to pick park days, restaurants, or rides for yourself, but that's not enough... You'd prefer that other guests not get to pick them either, so that when you get to the park and decide last minute where to go, you are not at a disadvantage to those who planned ahead? Why should one who is willing to plan not get an advantage? This has always been the case at WDW. FP+ just makes planning even more worthwhile.

Wishing fewer planning options upon other people because you want to wait till day-of to decide what you want to do is not really practical. The planning tools are there for us all equally, and if you have some high-priority restaurant or ride you want to do, you probably already know and it's not unreasonable to think you should just go book it, especially if many other guests will want it too.

 

[JimmyV]

Hehe... I'm not going for 9 months, yet I have already thought out:

• which parks I'll be at,
• which restaurants we'll eat at, and
• which rides I'll pull Fast Passes to.

But....we did all these things under FP- too. I have spreadsheets (that drove my wife nuts) that had our days planned out but also had "change on the fly" contingencies. These contingencies included things like "Get FP for Splash Mountain with later return time if temperatures are too cold in the morning". It was always possible to do this. Now, on a crowded day, maybe not. If you are locked in at 10:00 a.m., you may have no ability to get a FP for 3:00. Under FP-, you could. Yes, that might involve a "runner" to go to that area of the park to get the FP at noon. Or perhaps not. Either way, it was not a huge inconvenience in exchange for getting a FP exactly when you wanted one.

Let's not assume that FP+ allows for advance planning that is somehow unique or revolutionary. Planning has always existed. FP+ has done nothing to change planning as it relates to anything other than 3 rides a day. All other planning remains the same as it has always been. You can lock in your FP for Soarin' at 10:30 a.m.. I knew pretty much how to get one with a 10:30-11:30 return time each and every time. Is FP+ easier in that regard? Unquestionably. But "easier" doesn't mean "additional planning options". The planning options are the same. The implementation is simply different. You lock in your 3 FPs 60 days in advance. Tell me what rides you got them for and for what times, and I could replicate that with FP- every time.

 

[MrInfinity]

But....we did all these things under FP- too. I have spreadsheets (that drove my wife nuts) that had our days planned out but also had "change on the fly" contingencies. These contingencies included things like "Get FP for Splash Mountain with later return time if temperatures are too cold in the morning". It was always possible to do this. Now, on a crowded day, maybe not. If you are locked in at 10:00 a.m., you may have no ability to get a FP for 3:00. Under FP-, you could. Yes, that might involve a "runner" to go to that area of the park to get the FP at noon. Or perhaps not. Either way, it was not a huge inconvenience in exchange for getting a FP exactly when you wanted one.

Let's not assume that FP+ allows for advance planning that is somehow unique or revolutionary. Planning has always existed. FP+ has done nothing to change planning as it relates to anything other than 3 rides a day. All other planning remains the same as it has always been. You can lock in your FP for Soarin' at 10:30 a.m.. I knew pretty much how to get one with a 10:30-11:30 return time each and every time. Is FP+ easier in that regard? Unquestionably. But "easier" doesn't mean "additional planning options". The planning options are the same. The implementation is simply different. You lock in your 3 FPs 60 days in advance. Tell me what rides you got them for and for what times, and I could replicate that with FP- every time.

I don't see your point. So... you could replicate them with FP-. I could replicate them with FP-. Who cares.

JimmyV: FP+ has done nothing to change planning as it relates to anything other than 3 rides a day.

Well, ok, glad to hear you say this. I mean it's pretty much the anti-FP+ mantra that FP+ has added in a world of new restriction and planning mandates that many people think destroys the flexibility of their trips, locks them into parks, and causes them to go to Universal Studios. I'm glad to hear you actually acknowledge that FP+ doesn't really change much at all. That's pretty much why we get on just as much as before. Only... because of how it does change things, it gives me some new planning options to make some really nice days for my family. It's a little more relaxed, cuz I can do what little planning was done in the parks before, from home instead. And, I'm willing to commit to them, and am not worried about being unable to flex or be spontaneous on the go.

JimmyV: The planning options are the same.

Hey if you feel this way, then cool, you should be fine with FP+. I personally think the planning options are a little different, and I can pick on the nuances of the differences to get some nice relaxing days with just as many rides as before, by putting in a little thought ahead of time.

JimmyV: If you are locked in at 10:00 a.m., you may have no ability to get a FP for 3:00.

Um... I'm going in December. I will not be planning FP+'s to Splash Mountain at 10am. I will use my common sense and pick things I'd prefer, and improvise from there. It's not really hard. If a ride gets rained out (knock on wood) we'll improvise like we always would have.

 

[bsj1701]

That's what you're getting at right? You don't want to pick park days, restaurants, or rides for yourself, but that's not enough... You'd prefer that other guests not get to pick them either, so that when you get to the park and decide last minute where to go, you are not at a disadvantage to those who planned ahead? Why should one who is willing to plan not get an advantage? This has always been the case at WDW. FP+ just makes planning even more worthwhile.

Great point!

 

[prudence64]

We improvised pretty easily with fp +. Changed from an MK day to a split Epcot/HS day the night before with no problem.

 

[wisblue]

Tell me what rides you got them for and for what times, and I could replicate that with FP- every time.

I seriously doubt this. Let me give you a real example for my upcoming trip.

On Thursday, April 9, we have a 5:30 reservation for dinner at BOG. I wanted to make FP reservations to work around that reservation, and made them for 7DMT from 4-5 PM, A&E for 7-8 PM, and Space Mountain for 8-9 PM ( I then changed that one to Wishes).

If paper FP were still in place, I seriously doubt that you could have found FPs for each of these things at those times unless you were very lucky. Based on the experience with things like TSMM during holiday periods, the FPs for both 7DMT and A&E would be going very quickly and you'd have to be there at just the right time to get a FP with a 4-5 PM return. And, 2 hours later, the FPs for A&E would be long gone.

You would also have zero chance of getting these FPs at those times if you didn't spend most of the day at MK. We won't decide until the time comes where we will spend the morning and early afternoon that day. That will depend on what we do on the first few days of our trip. But, I can say with almost absolute certainty that, if we arrived at the MK in the middle of the afternoon on a busy day, the FPs for 7DMT and A&E would be long gone and, if FPs for SM were still available, they might have return times later than 9PM.

And that highlights why a lot of people consider FP+ to be more flexible. Especially at busy times, paper FP just didn't work well if you didn't plan to spend almost all day in one park. If you wanted to take a break from, say 1-4 PM, you wouldn't be around to use FP's that were available late in the morning, or to collect ones to use in the evening. If you wanted to hop to a different park for dinner or a night show, your chances of getting anything useful were even lower.

But, I'm open minded. If you can explain how you would have used paper FP to get FPs for 7DMT, A&E, and Space Mountain at times close to the ones made, I would like to hear it.

 

[Shaden]

We could go back and forth forever with yes it is, no it isn't. But the truth is, it's more flexible for me, you say it isn't for you. Ok. Sorry, I know exactly how you feel. That's how it was for us when paper fp was in effect.

But how ? I would seriously like to know this, how was the old paper FP system, pull them when and where they are available for whatever time is available, if you got one for later in the day you could still pull others all day. How was that more restrictive than booking 60 days in advance without knowing the conditions on the ground, or if you change your mind day of having to chose from what people have picked over for 60 days already, and being locked in to those 3 until you use all 3 ?

This is an honest question, I am not doubting your feelings, people can feel trapped in a very large room with open doors, just wondering why (if you can express it) you felt this way ?

 

[cakebaker]

"Tell me what rides you got them for and for what times, and I could replicate that with FP- every time."

No, you couldn't. Not with any degree of certainty. You could get the paper fp, but you're limited as to when you have to be there to get it. You pick your fp+ for the time you want to be there rather than letting the availability of the pass force you there.

Time frame: Mid June
TSM at HS- arriving at the park at 6pm
Epcot- Soarin' arriving at the park at 6pm

I could just as easily replace the arrival time with any number after 3pm and the chances are slim to none I'd get a paper fp. With FP+, it's a near guarantee.

 

[Shaden]

I seriously doubt this. Let me give you a real example for my upcoming trip.

On Thursday, April 9, we have a 5:30 reservation for dinner at BOG. I wanted to make FP reservations to work around that reservation, and made them for 7DMT from 4-5 PM, A&E for 7-8 PM, and Space Mountain for 8-9 PM ( I then changed that one to Wishes).

If paper FP were still in place, I seriously doubt that you could have found FPs for each of these things at those times unless you were very lucky. Based on the experience with things like TSMM during holiday periods, the FPs for both 7DMT and A&E would be going very quickly and you'd have to be there at just the right time to get a FP with a 4-5 PM return. And, 2 hours later, the FPs for A&E would be long gone.

You would also have zero chance of getting these FPs at those times if you didn't spend most of the day at MK. We won't decide until the time comes where we will spend the morning and early afternoon that day. That will depend on what we do on the first few days of our trip. But, I can say with almost absolute certainty that, if we arrived at the MK in the middle of the afternoon on a busy day, the FPs for 7DMT and A&E would be long gone and, if FPs for SM were still available, they might have return times later than 9PM.

And that highlights why a lot of people consider FP+ to be more flexible. Especially at busy times, paper FP just didn't work well if you didn't plan to spend almost all day in one park. If you wanted to take a break from, say 1-4 PM, you wouldn't be around to use FP's that were available late in the morning, or to collect ones to use in the evening. If you wanted to hop to a different park for dinner or a night show, your chances of getting anything useful were even lower.

But, I'm open minded. If you can explain how you would have used paper FP to get FPs for 7DMT, A&E, and Space Mountain at times close to the ones made, I would like to hear it.

I don't think Jimmy could do what you are planning with Paper FPs during anything above low crowds, unless, as you say, they hung around the park all day to grabbed those paper FPs just at the right time.

But what you are pointing to isn't flexibility, its the exact opposite. You are pointing to the rigidity of the system as an advantage. You are locked in to those times/attractions. No one else can take those slots, unless you release them.

What happens for you for instance if its going to poor rain later in the day and you are expecting your attractions to be closed (or don't want to brave the rain), or if in the morning you decide you don't want to do those attractions in the evening, but would rather do them around lunch or in the morning ? Of if someone starts feeling ill later in the day and you miss them and the next morning they decide they want to do them still ? You and I both know that you likely wont be able to FP those if the crowds are moderate or above. The system is not flexible. That you can move your day around a fixed inflexible point doesn't make the system flexible.

Though I happily admit that FP+ in some ways certainly works better than FP- during busier season (which is only about 1/3rd of the year), its not because of its flexibility, its the inflexibility in the system that people CAN use to an advantage.