My FP+ success story ..

[Laketravis]

I won't underestimate that at all, because I am new and I never got to see what it used to be like. And if it was a great system before and it worked well for you, I am really sorry that technology blew it, like it often does.

It's not about "what it used to be like".

It's about what it is now and the value you currently get for the dollars you currently spend.

It has nothing to do with what gas used to cost or what a park ticket used to cost; it has everything to do with what a WDW vacation costs now and what you get in return.

If you are okay with three attractions per day and having to wait in long lines for everything else, then you'll probably see value in it.

But if you're the kind of person who tends to measure what you get each day against what you spent to get it, there's a good chance you might come home thinking you paid too much.

Either way, I hope you have a good time.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

But isn't it kind of silly to think anything will be exactly the way it was 5 or 10 or 15 years ago? Like my 99 cent gas, I sure wish it was, and I'm bummed it isn't that way. But, that's life. So, I can be bitter and ride a bike everywhere (unlikely, I live in the suburbs of the Motorcity...). Or, I figure out how to make it work for me.

That's what you aren't understanding. Disney has been evolving form day one, but most changes were improvements, new things to discover, new attractions.

I'm sticking around because I still care deeply about the place. It's been a part of my family life for 40+ years. Disney trips are among my fondest childhood memories. It is mostly only recent changes that have messed up the experience.

I know Disney still has many good employees. Folks that are trying to fight the tide from the inside.

The folks at the top will eventually retire, move-on to greener pastures, or get fired.

As for our nation, I'm less sure. The amount of real goods we actually produce these days is way below what it should be. Way below. We no longer celebrate our heritage, we are embarrassed by it. When was the last time you saw a movie celebrating the Wild West? The pioneer spirit? Name an American hero that hasn't been questioned, dissected, and criticized!

 

[MrInfinity]

A riddle...

How many Disers does it take to tell someone they shouldn't be happy about something that made them happy and what makes them happy isn't actually all that great.

To OP... Enjoy! I love planning. To me the time spent picking FPs is not time wasted but time enjoyed thinking about my upcoming trip.

 

[Sharpdisney]

For others, it's the fact that once they arrive they have a schedule to keep.

That is a really good point. I see a lot of complaints about difficulty getting FP+, staying up till midnight, etc. I forgot about this group. Now I can see how those types of people too don't love this system. If you have a life before your vacation, you are working hard and sticking to a schedule all the time; and this should be your time off. I agree!!!

I am not thrilled about having a schedule to keep either. I plan to try to wake my family up early two days on vacation! Not sure they'll love that! I hope they will want to, so that they can enjoy the things I have planned. But where I need to stop myself (and I promise that I will!!!) is... so what if they don't want to wake up? Really? So what? I miss the Welcome Show? Ok, bummer. I might even miss the first 5 rope drop rides I'm hoping to try. Well, rats. But, by say 10:30, we will still be walking into the Magic Kingdom as a family, for the first time. How cool.
What if my son wants to meet Talking Mickey at 11 am, with a 30 minute wait, and ruin my Peter Pan FP+? Well, gee, why not meet Mickey? So, I don't really see how I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to keep to a schedule. I'll do the best I can. I'd rather not miss an ADR due to the no-show penalty, but once a day I'm sure we can all plan to get one place on time. Roll with the rest. It's not like you have a shock collar on to zap you if you miss your 7DMT time!!!

Another thing I remember reading, and I'm sure it was here on the DIS... a family went to Cedar Point or some other coaster park like that, and it made them really appreciate Disney (number of rides they could get on, cost of food, friendliness of staff). Last summer we went to Cedar Point for the day. I think they have something you can buy to bipass lines or make them shorter or something; we didn't get that as it was a free work trip. So, we waited in the sun for a few rides. Lines were long, rides were short. My husband wanted a thrill ride, so he went without me and DS, so the family was split. I didn't know where things were and walked around alot. We ended up at the kiddie bumper cars for maybe two hours. My point is, if I had planned, and had either paid or had access to their pass system, I probably would have had more fun, but I might have had a "plan" or schedule for my day that I had to stick too. So you play it by ear at any park, and you will wait and miss things, but you'll do so at your own discretion. If you plan ahead at any park, you'll get to the items on your list, but you are bound by some schedule. So just pick which you want to do and go with it; no right or wrong way. But my point is I think that you will need to plan, and then adhere to the plan; or fly by the seat of your pants and miss or wait for things, no matter where you go. Just a thought!

 

[MrInfinity]

That is a really good point. I see a lot of complaints about difficulty getting FP+, staying up till midnight, etc. I forgot about this group. Now I can see how those types of people too don't love this system. If you have a life before your vacation, you are working hard and sticking to a schedule all the time; and this should be your time off. I agree!!!

I am not thrilled about having a schedule to keep either. I plan to try to wake my family up early two days on vacation! Not sure they'll love that! I hope they will want to, so that they can enjoy the things I have planned. But where I need to stop myself (and I promise that I will!!!) is... so what if they don't want to wake up? Really? So what? I miss the Welcome Show? Ok, bummer. I might even miss the first 5 rope drop rides I'm hoping to try. Well, rats. But, by say 10:30, we will still be walking into the Magic Kingdom as a family, for the first time. How cool.

What if my son wants to meet Talking Mickey at 11 am, with a 30 minute wait, and ruin my Peter Pan FP+? Well, gee, why not meet Mickey? So, I don't really see how I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to keep to a schedule. I'll do the best I can. I'd rather not miss an ADR due to the no-show penalty, but once a day I'm sure we can all plan to get one place on time. Roll with the rest. It's not like you have a shock collar on to zap you if you miss your 7DMT time!!!

Can we go with you?

This is so right on, that although one may book a bunch of FP+'s, you are under no obligation to go to them. If you get caught up doing something else fun, you just go with it! Getting on a ride is probly less "fun" than whatever else you found yourself doing spontaneously anyways. Folks need to keep this in mind. FP+ gives you 3 guaranteed return times. That's all! Use them, or find you were doing something else better? Well how can you complain about doing something better than riding a ride with a FP. I plan action-packed days to give me some options, but then we end up going off on tangents that are totally unrelated. Vast swathes of plan can get cast aside if we want! Especially when you go with people who don't go as often. It's neat to relive just how many amazing firsts there are thru other people's eyes. All the little things.

 

[Suvadoo]

Well said Mickeyluv'r, thank you.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

That is a really good point. I see a lot of complaints about difficulty getting FP+, staying up till midnight, etc. I forgot about this group. Now I can see how those types of people too don't love this system. If you have a life before your vacation, you are working hard and sticking to a schedule all the time; and this should be your time off. I agree!!!

I am not thrilled about having a schedule to keep either. I plan to try to wake my family up early two days on vacation! Not sure they'll love that! I hope they will want to, so that they can enjoy the things I have planned. But where I need to stop myself (and I promise that I will!!!) is... so what if they don't want to wake up? Really? So what? I miss the Welcome Show? Ok, bummer. I might even miss the first 5 rope drop rides I'm hoping to try. Well, rats. But, by say 10:30, we will still be walking into the Magic Kingdom as a family, for the first time. How cool.
What if my son wants to meet Talking Mickey at 11 am, with a 30 minute wait, and ruin my Peter Pan FP+? Well, gee, why not meet Mickey? So, I don't really see how I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to keep to a schedule. I'll do the best I can. I'd rather not miss an ADR due to the no-show penalty, but once a day I'm sure we can all plan to get one place on time. Roll with the rest. It's not like you have a shock collar on to zap you if you miss your 7DMT time!!!

Another thing I remember reading, and I'm sure it was here on the DIS... a family went to Cedar Point or some other coaster park like that, and it made them really appreciate Disney (number of rides they could get on, cost of food, friendliness of staff). Last summer we went to Cedar Point for the day. I think they have something you can buy to bipass lines or make them shorter or something; we didn't get that as it was a free work trip. So, we waited in the sun for a few rides. Lines were long, rides were short. My husband wanted a thrill ride, so he went without me and DS, so the family was split. I didn't know where things were and walked around alot. We ended up at the kiddie bumper cars for maybe two hours. My point is, if I had planned, and had either paid or had access to their pass system, I probably would have had more fun, but I might have had a "plan" or schedule for my day that I had to stick too. So you play it by ear at any park, and you will wait and miss things, but you'll do so at your own discretion. If you plan ahead at any park, you'll get to the items on your list, but you are bound by some schedule. So just pick which you want to do and go with it; no right or wrong way. But my point is I think that you will need to plan, and then adhere to the plan; or fly by the seat of your pants and miss or wait for things, no matter where you go. Just a thought!

You sound so much like me! Anyway, a tip on the ADR. not saying this will work all the time but when we were there in December we had an ADR we couldn't keep for a very popular restaurant that I'm sure was turning people away. We had a reservation for 6 people so I went over there 20 minutes before our reservation time and told them. I asked if they had anyone waiting for a no show or cancellation and that we had reservations for 6 in 20 minutes and rather than take a penalty I would honor that reservation as a single but they said no problem; we were going to make someone very happy. She even made me a reservation for the next day. (Something I had tried to so prior to going but nothing was a available. She said the problem was with actual no shows but I showed up in person to cancel. This was the manager. So if you can't make it at least send someone over to talk to the restaurant manager. If it is a busy time they will appreciate it. Doesn't always work but at least show up.

 

[Eldon_Brasche]

I agree....someone is missing the point.


I find it more relaxing to know when I'll be riding my top choices rather than running to a machine multiple times a day not knowing if I will get a FP until I get there and not knowing the time.
Then once I know the time trying to fill the space until then in a reasonable non criss-cross the park way.


With FP+ I know what and when...so I just plan around those times and locations.

Much less work to check an APP for a few days then to run around a crowded park hoping to get what I want at some randomly assigned time.


But maybe thats just me.....


And to whoever asked....YES the copy feature is only on the APP.

Actually, you can copy on the website as well. "Add Friends and Family to Existing Fastpass+" is underneath the other selections on the "Welcome to Fastpass+" page.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/fastpass-plus/

 

[BugsDaddy]

Oh. Okay. In other words, we need to get used to feeling screwed. We need to accept the fact that we are going to pay more for less. And we need to be happy about that. I'm with you on the all-inclusive caribbean getaways. Unfortunately, my DS9 can't drink and wouldn't be content laying on his rear all day in a pool being used as a toilet by drunk guests. I see two distinct groups voicing their opinions. The first group tends to be a more casual, older (almost senior) frequent visitor demographic often without young children who consider the ability to reserve 3 activities per day a godsend because they like to sleep late, they aren't much into "rides" and can find many other things to keep themselves occupied. Like naps. Or bar-hopping. Or dining. Or golf. Or shopping. Or sitting on a bench people watching. Then there is the second group, who's demographics typically consist of younger couples with younger children. They have to save the coin for a trip like Disney and they aren't able to go during less-crowded times. They seem to be looked upon as "only interested in rides or coasters" yet this demographic constitutes a much larger segment for Disney, and they don't seem to be very happy with the increased amount of planning for much less in return. Over time, I do believe that second group is going to have a much greater impact on positive change at WDW.

I am curious, where do you get the notion that young couples with children aren't happy with FP+?

You seem to generalize a lot in this statement. Older people need their naps, like to bar hop and always sleep in. While younger parents have their kids at the gate at rope drop, ready to go.

Pretty much, you just made that up without any real data to back it up, right?

 

[SmithSmith]

And the irony is that they spend more time posting complaints about it than it would take to hop on an app.

The various reasons why they don't like doing that are applied to anyone who dare posts a positive experience. It's like their own negative thread posse is not enough. They have to pee in someone else's Cheerios. For rational adults, they would just move on to experiences more suitable. Perhaps they find personal reward in mocking and trashing the good experiences of others.

 

[SmithSmith]

A riddle...

How many Disers does it take to tell someone they shouldn't be happy about something that made them happy and what makes them happy isn't actually all that great.

To OP... Enjoy! I love planning. To me the time spent picking FPs is not time wasted but time enjoyed thinking about my upcoming trip.

 

[SmithSmith]

Pretty much, you just made that up without any real data to back it up, right?

This thread is hilarious!

Thanks for the laughs guys!

 

[Laketravis]

You seem to generalize a lot in this statement. Older people need their naps, like to bar hop and always sleep in. While younger parents have their kids at the gate at rope drop, ready to go.

Pretty much, you just made that up without any real data to back it up, right?

I didn't make that part up, you did.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I didn't make that part up, you did.

The part that was made up was that younger parents tend to not like FP+. Just more nonsense.

 

[Laketravis]

The part that was made up was that younger parents tend to not like FP+. Just more nonsense.

It's nonsense because that's not what I said at all.

I said "they don't seem to be very happy with the increased amount of planning for much less in return."

 

[BugsDaddy]

It's nonsense because that's not what I said at all. I said "they don't seem to be very happy with the increased amount of planning for much less in return."

In direct relation to FP+. I guess you took a poll of that particular demographic, eh?

 

[Laketravis]

In direct relation to FP+. I guess you took a poll of that particular demographic, eh?

Have you?

Read the next post.

 

[NEV2OLD4DIS]

Our family just used FP+ and Magic Bands for the 1st time over Christmas. I loved the MB's. Mine almost always worked correctly, but my family members did have issues with theirs. Luckily, we did stick together a lot and I could just scan mine since it was mostly when paying for food or items. My DD was finally able to get them straightened out at the check-in desk at our resort. Loved that they good go swimming with us and didn't fall out of pockets.

I have mixed reviews on FP+. I despised all the planning in advance. As hours for parks changed, I felt the need to change FP times that I had booked right when my window opened. Some of us became ill on vacation, and FP's were not available for other days on some of the popular rides, however many were available at times we honestly didn't know if we'd still wanted to be in the parks. If a ride shut down, like Expedition Everest, it was chaos the rest of the day being that anyone who had a FP while the ride was broken down could now go anytime that day. Oh, and longer lines for rides that used to be fairly easy to ride such as It's a Small World. The lines were ridiculous for obtaining a 4th FP, and I sure hope that WDW will allow this to be done on their app soon for those who are going.

However, in spite of all that time planning, it was nice to know that we did have FP's for rides we wanted each day, especially when crowds built up after Christmas. Looking at those in stand by lines with waits at 120 and even 150 minutes was just crazy. If we did not do rope drop on the busy days, we would just do our FP's, try to get a 4th and watch parades or some sort of entertainment. This was fine since we had 11 days in the parks, but would not have been ideal had we had a shorter visit. I aimed for many rope drops, but due to at least one of us not feeling good, mornings were tuff. One thing we LOVED taking advantage of when we were feeling okay was the 3am closing time for MK both before and the Friday after Christmas. By midnight things really began to slow down. We even got on to SDMT in 20 minutes around 2am. Then again, we are all 12 and older, so no little ones to keep awake. We would play around with the earliest of our FP's, usually the earliest was 10am, so that we could sleep in after the latest nights. This was a nice option with FP+. Again, we had many days to visit and were not first time visitors who needed to do most rides multiple times.

All in all, it is hard to say the time it took to plan everything was well worth it. Yes, it did save time and allow us the peace of mind to know that meals and FP's were booked and we would eat and ride where we liked. However, it did take many hours over many, many days at my computer, which took away from other things that could have been done leading up to the trip. For the first time ever, I am not ready to run back to Disney, and I love Disney, due to all the planning. It will most likely be an all inclusive vacation next time, or a place where we can find things to do spontaneously. I don't see FP+ leaving, so I know when we do feel the time is right to go back, the planning will have to start all over again no matter how much I dislike planning ahead-it's just the way it is now. Love that WDW has so much to see and do, so much more than just doing rides multiple times. Maybe because I am late 40's, okay just can't say 49, and I see all the creativity and work that bring WDW to life. Christmas is just amazing with the decorations, special parades and fireworks, shows and window and store displays.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

It does not work with my touring style but I do not begrudge those it does work for their happiness with the system. As I said in my first post, while my situation does not allow for as much flexibility, I am happy for those it does work for. However, if the current system left me largely unhappy with my experience, that does not make me a bad guy or part of anyone's posse. There are those on this thread who have expressed their displeasure with having words twisted or attributed to them they did not write, and I reserve the same for myself.

 

[rajak73]

It does not work with my touring style but I do to begrudge those it does work for their happiness with the system. As I said in my first post, while my situation does not allow for as much flexibility, I am happy for those it does work for. However, if the current system left me largely unhappy with my experience, that does not make me a bad guy or part of anyone's posse. There are those on his thread who have expressed their displeasure with having words twisted or attributed to them they did not write, and I reserve the same for myself.