My biggest gripe with Fastpass +

[practicallyperfect77]

My biggest gripe is all the historical FP hoarders complaints how they can't go "commando" on a park or how not getting 4+ FP ruins their entire trip and they threaten how they might not come back for years.

If anything FP made it to easy and didn't require planning like the new system does. 1-3 is when Jungle Cruise is shortest each day, 3pm parade always takes people away from Buzz Lighter, you have to use the FP+ between 4-7 a its always the worst part of the day, always schedule lunch for 11:30 as you avoid the 12-1 craziness.... these are just made up but just because you can't see ways to take advantage of the new system doesn't mean there isn't ways....

Am I understanding you correctly that you said FP- was too easy and didn't require planning? And you don't understand why folks are upset with the new system. The reason why is b/c they may not want their vacations run by the clock. Ya know taking it easy and relax some. I was just talking to a coworker today about the new system. Her last visit was July last year. Her response was "you mean I have to plan my rides in advance"?

Also, how are the examples of jungle cruise, buzz and eating lunch at 12:30 taking advantage of the new system. You could do this with the old.....nothing new.

 

[AndreaA]

I don't get the whole "it's fairer because now everyone gets the same amount of FPs" mentality. Do people who feel that way also think that everyone should make the same amount of money no matter how hard they work? That everyone should be able to go to Harvard no matter what their grades are? Fair is having EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. That was already in place with FP. Those who chose to work harder (getting up early, running around, etc..) got to take better advantage of that opportunity.

I say this as someone who rarely used FPs. Maybe one per day for Thunder Mtn or Space Mtn. Instead, we arrived at RD and sped through the rides as quickly as possible while crowds were low. Well now, even that is not going to be available, because according to most sources, the early hour-short line connection has been broken with the advent of FP+ and people clogging up the lines by 9:30 when previously it would have been standby only until at least 10am.

It's not just FP commandos who are annoyed with this change, and until they up the number of FP+s I'm allowed to get, we won't be going back.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

I don't like the idea of having to pre plan my day so far in advance. I guess you don't have to but from what I understand if you don't pre plan you might miss FP opportunity on big rides. Also I don't like the limit of 3 FP, some days we used more while others we only used 1-2. I just miss the paper too.
My other fear is that Disney is going towards a system like Universal. Essentially the more you pay the more benefit you get. While I understand as a business they want to make more money... I liked the old system so I'm not crazy about FP+ in general.

 

[DVClurkerRob]

It is interesting to me that people think the new system is more fair. The insinuation is that people who got up early, criss-crossed the park, and obtained many FPs were treated in a more favorable manner. I simply don't understand that logic. Everyone had the same opportunity to utilize classic FP in the same way. If people chose not to work to maximize their FP usage, that was their rite. They were able to vacation in the manner they chose.

My original point is that now I feel like I'm getting less value for my buck. I'm limited to only 3 FP, some to rides that don't require them, no matter how much I'm willing to criss-cross the park.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

It is interesting to me that people think the new system is more fair. The insinuation is that people who got up early, criss-crossed the park, and obtained many FPs were treated in a more favorable manner. I simply don't understand that logic. Everyone had the same opportunity to utilize classic FP in the same way. If people chose not to work to maximize their FP usage, that was their rite. They were able to vacation in the manner they chose.

My original point is that now I feel like I'm getting less value for my buck. I'm limited to only 3 FP, some to rides that don't require them, no matter how much I'm willing to criss-cross the park.

I totally agree. Fair shouldn't even be mentioned b/c Disney hasn't mentioned fairness as being a reason for FP+. They did it to lock guests in to a Disney vacation. What cracks me up is I've read so many posts that say something along the lines of "I like FP+ except for the limit of 3, one park, no repeats, and tiers". What exactly do they like then? And usually it comes down to being able to ride TSM for the first time. I don't understand that logic. So they like a system b/c they are now able to ride 1 ride. 1 ride that while FPs did go by quickly, they usually had them til 10:30 or so. I admit I am a rope dropper but is it really that hard to get to a park by 10:30? I understand sleeping in, heck I love sleep too, but if it was important to you to ride TSM just once, I don't see how guests couldn't make that happen. Sorry for my rant...

 

[*disgal*]

I have a brain that's constantly thinking of strategies for tackling the parks, so I loved the idea of trying to maximize the Fastpasses. Of course, I've never really done that at Disney World. We have two young kids and visited twice with our first daughter when she was 2 and 3. I was the FP runner for us because we brought along the grandparents, but it was more low-key.

I did employ my strategies when I visited Disneyland in 2012. They didn't enforce FP times, and I racked up a lot of FPs in the smaller park and across both parks. I loved doing it and really hope they at least keep FP+ out of DLR.

From your mouth to God's ears!! lol

Actually, we are thinking of taking a family trip there when DS graduates in 4 years. So, I'm sure a few months before our trip DL will change everything over to FP+.


Aack! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I swore to turn over a new leaf! There's no place like FP+, there's no place like FP+.......

 

[*disgal*]

It is interesting to me that people think the new system is more fair. The insinuation is that people who got up early, criss-crossed the park, and obtained many FPs were treated in a more favorable manner. I simply don't understand that logic. Everyone had the same opportunity to utilize classic FP in the same way. If people chose not to work to maximize their FP usage, that was their rite. They were able to vacation in the manner they chose.

Umm, take this from one who is on the 5th stage of grief(I hit stage 4 HOURS ago ), it looks like you might be on stage 2. Just want you to know, we're here for you. We can do this together!

I totally agree. Fair shouldn't even be mentioned b/c Disney hasn't mentioned fairness as being a reason for FP+. They did it to lock guests in to a Disney vacation. What cracks me up is I've read so many posts that say something along the lines of "I like FP+ except for the limit of 3, one park, no repeats, and tiers". What exactly do they like then? And usually it comes down to being able to ride TSM for the first time. I don't understand that logic. So they like a system b/c they are now able to ride 1 ride. 1 ride that while FPs did go by quickly, they usually had them til 10:30 or so. I admit I am a rope dropper but is it really that hard to get to a park by 10:30? I understand sleeping in, heck I love sleep too, but if it was important to you to ride TSM just once, I don't see how guests couldn't make that happen. Sorry for my rant...

again, I think you are a stage 2-er. I once felt like you (yesterday lol). Just remember, don't do anything silly. Come here for support.




what can I say, I'm sick and can't sleep so I'm getting giddy.

 

[kappyfamily]

Was there a couple weeks ago and will say I liked everything about it! I was able to see and do a lot of things I normally rush by. Honestly, it's really not that big of a deal! Stay opened minded, you just might like it!

 

[ZoZo]

It is interesting to me that people think the new system is more fair. The insinuation is that people who got up early, criss-crossed the park, and obtained many FPs were treated in a more favorable manner. I simply don't understand that logic. Everyone had the same opportunity to utilize classic FP in the same way. If people chose not to work to maximize their FP usage, that was their right. They were able to vacation in the manner they chose.

My original point is that now I feel like I'm getting less value for my buck. I'm limited to only 3 FP, some to rides that don't require them, no matter how much I'm willing to criss-cross the park.

Well said. I've never understood the term "fast pass hoarder." With the legacy FP system, all guests had the opportunity to use the FP system equally. Some used it more (better?) than others, and ended up getting more FPs. I was one of those people. I considered myself a FP "power user," often getting as many as five or six a day. To do this, I chose to get to the park at rope drop, maximizing my time, and nearly always got a new FP as soon as the FP system would let me. How is this unfair?

 

[jelloarms]

So now there are 3 rope drops...60 days out, 30 days out, and the morning of!

Who is only allowed to reserve things 30 days out?

 

[hsmamainva]

Annual pass holders (who aren't staying on-site) can't book their FP+ choices until 30 days before their trip.

 

[JohnneeO]

I completely agree, mw and my family have been going forever and we loved getting as many fast passes as possible a day. But maybe the change won't be all bad

It's all about employing a strategy for the current conditions. The FP- system was the only condition in place for a long time, and so many WDW guests have grown accustomed to utilizing strategies designed for that condition.

Ultimately, things change. I remember some inconsequential change my junior year of college, and initally feeling upset about it, until I realized that for incoming freshman, it would be all they knew. So for new visitors to WDW, FP+ and magic bands are just the way things are.

What's making FP+ difficult to devlelop and lock in new strategies for is that conditions are in a state of flux because it's all still a test. I anticipate at some point there were will be some stability in the system, and that will be different than what we are seeing and planning for today. I know that I will need new strategies the next time I visit WDW, and that I don't know what they will be yet.

Since this new system is designed to allow for frequent change on the IT side, the possibilites that the system can offer seem limitless;

- Like of Free Dining, maybe extra FP+ slots will be offered as incentives.
- Sign up to receive email alerts when a particular FP+ timeslot/attraction opens up.
- Sign up to receive email alerts when your magic band is near an attraction with available FP+ slots.
- Reach a pre-determined (but undisclosed) spend amount for some time period (as tracked by your MB) swipes, and receive an extra FP+ for the day.
- An extra FP+ slot on your birthday!

FP+ slots are currency that WDW can give out without any direct monetary expense, something that could never have been accomplised with the old FP- system.

 

[Peteyi]

Hello,

So far my FP+ experience is only in theory as we have yet to actually use it in the parks yet. Arriving in mid April I have just gone online to set up FP+ for me, Son and Wife. Overall the experience has been mostly smooth.

In the past we would usually arrive at rope drop and I would do the dash to get at least one key FP in the park. For us setting up our FP+ 60 days out with the ability to arrange them to fit around our food reses will save me from my daily park dash. After 1 or 2 trips a year for the past 10 or so years we have mellowed out quite a bit.

My big gripe is that we are traveling with my sister in law who is staying off site and does not have an annual pass. The 3 of us have our passes all set and she has nothing. While I was on the phone with Disney trying to fix something with my on line account, I brought up this topic and they said that when we get to the parks that they would be able to try and help us get my SIL the same fast pass times as us. Has anyone had any experience with this so I know if thats possible? Having FP for 3 out of the 4 people on the trip doesn't help us much.


Thanks
Peter

 

[starousse]

Sorry, if this has been answered, but in choosing your three for the day, can you pick two for TSM and one for TOT? or do they have to be three separate attractions? Thanks.

 

[jimandami]

Sorry, if this has been answered, but in choosing your three for the day, can you pick two for TSM and one for TOT? or do they have to be three separate attractions? Thanks.

3 separate attractions.

 

[starousse]

Thanks

 

[EMode]

Well said. I've never understood the term "fast pass hoarder." With the legacy FP system, all guests had the opportunity to use the FP system equally. Some used it more (better?) than others, and ended up getting more FPs. I was one of those people. I considered myself a FP "power user," often getting as many as five or six a day. To do this, I chose to get to the park at rope drop, maximizing my time, and nearly always got a new FP as soon as the FP system would let me. How is this unfair?

It isn't but for some reason people like to pretend that it was.

 

[OtherScott]

It is interesting to me that people think the new system is more fair. The insinuation is that people who got up early, criss-crossed the park, and obtained many FPs were treated in a more favorable manner. I simply don't understand that logic. Everyone had the same opportunity to utilize classic FP in the same way. If people chose not to work to maximize their FP usage, that was their rite. They were able to vacation in the manner they chose.

My original point is that now I feel like I'm getting less value for my buck. I'm limited to only 3 FP, some to rides that don't require them, no matter how much I'm willing to criss-cross the park.

Your idea of fair: equal opportunity

Some other guy's idea of fair: equal result

Disney is banking on there being more "other guys"

Simple math

 

[OtherScott]

It's all about employing a strategy for the current conditions. The FP- system was the only condition in place for a long time, and so many WDW guests have grown accustomed to utilizing strategies designed for that condition.

Ultimately, things change. I remember some inconsequential change my junior year of college, and initally feeling upset about it, until I realized that for incoming freshman, it would be all they knew. So for new visitors to WDW, FP+ and magic bands are just the way things are.

What's making FP+ difficult to devlelop and lock in new strategies for is that conditions are in a state of flux because it's all still a test. I anticipate at some point there were will be some stability in the system, and that will be different than what we are seeing and planning for today. I know that I will need new strategies the next time I visit WDW, and that I don't know what they will be yet.

Since this new system is designed to allow for frequent change on the IT side, the possibilites that the system can offer seem limitless;

- Like of Free Dining, maybe extra FP+ slots will be offered as incentives.
- Sign up to receive email alerts when a particular FP+ timeslot/attraction opens up.
- Sign up to receive email alerts when your magic band is near an attraction with available FP+ slots.
- Reach a pre-determined (but undisclosed) spend amount for some time period (as tracked by your MB) swipes, and receive an extra FP+ for the day.
- An extra FP+ slot on your birthday!

FP+ slots are currency that WDW can give out without any direct monetary expense, something that could never have been accomplised with the old FP- system.

exactly

 

[WillAustin]

Your idea of fair: equal opportunity

Some other guy's idea of fair: equal result

Disney is banking on there being more "other guys"

Simple math

Based on the evidence all around us, they're probably right, unfortunately.