My impression of FP+ for the masses

[LaurenT]

So, today is my last day of a 5 day solo trip.
I've been maxing out the parks - open to close every day and chatted with a lot of people. Families, seniors, lot of people with their first visit buttons. I also spent a lot of time just listening (because I'm just standing there by myself, wasn't intentionally eavesdropping).
Most people were very happy with FP+. People seemed happy in general, I think due to great weather and moderate crowds, but I saw very little melt downs and angry parents.
I chatted with people who are happy not to have to run around hunting FPs. First timers who were very happy to have FPs for things that Disers would laugh about....
Just wanted to share my experience. I think we are way more involved and concerned with the details of FP and perhaps we're a bit jaded. But I don't think the one or two things that the general public has to wait a really long time for is too upsetting to them. And let's remember that FPs for parades and fireworks didn't exist until recently and aren't really necessary .... I always head to Frontierland 15 minutes before and find a perfectly acceptable spot.

 

[Laketravis]

Thanks for an interesting perspective.

I met up with a friend earlier this week who lives in Florida but visited DW for the first time over the weekend. While he did form an opinion that he liked Epcot better than MK, FP+ was a non-issue for him - he didn't even use it.

 

[jlwhitney]

I love FP+, its not perfect, but worlds better than the old system. I still think in time it will be tweaked more. I agree most people I have talked to like it also.

It works great for the planner, since before FP+ they had basically done the same thing. Planned out each day.

The non planner, that tends to wing it still works for them since they tend to be the people that don't care what they do and tend to oblivious to whats around them or what they miss.

The only thing I don;t like if when they try to make something FP+ only since if people are willing to to stand in line for something they want to do they should be able to.

 

[Beatles_Girl]

I love FP+ I got all the rides I wanted and a BOG lunch, the fact that we dont have to be up early to run around the park is awesome!!

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I would have guessed this...

The folks I feel a little badly for are 1st or 2nd timers who find this board and become horrified at FP+ due to all the complaining.

sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

 

[saskdw]

So, today is my last day of a 5 day solo trip.
I've been maxing out the parks - open to close every day and chatted with a lot of people. Families, seniors, lot of people with their first visit buttons. I also spent a lot of time just listening (because I'm just standing there by myself, wasn't intentionally eavesdropping).
Most people were very happy with FP+. People seemed happy in general, I think due to great weather and moderate crowds, but I saw very little melt downs and angry parents.
I chatted with people who are happy not to have to run around hunting FPs. First timers who were very happy to have FPs for things that Disers would laugh about....
Just wanted to share my experience. I think we are way more involved and concerned with the details of FP and perhaps we're a bit jaded. But I don't think the one or two things that the general public has to wait a really long time for is too upsetting to them. And let's remember that FPs for parades and fireworks didn't exist until recently and aren't really necessary .... I always head to Frontierland 15 minutes before and find a perfectly acceptable spot.

Thanks for posting!

I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. The general masses will appreciate FP+ and it will enhance their vacation experience. The couple hundred angry complainers on DIS don't represent the masses.

 

[saskdw]

I would have guessed this...

The folks I feel a little badly for are 1st or 2nd timers who find this board and become horrified at FP+ due to all the complaining.

sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

Exactly!

 

[cakebaker]

I would have guessed this...

The folks I feel a little badly for are 1st or 2nd timers who find this board and become horrified at FP+ due to all the complaining.

sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

There's a lot of wasted worry because of it and it's a shame. New visitors are not getting an accurate picture of what goes on in the parks on these boards a great deal of the time because of the excessive complaining and exaggerated claims of problems.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interesting observations.

I could see how FP+ would be very helpful on a first trip. Even just having three things planned for you would give you some structure as opposed to just wandering in and pulling a map and trying to figure it out then.

After the first trip...well, then I can't see how anyone can do more with it than without it (assuming you learned a little and did a bit of planning), but I know opinions differ on that to say the least!

 

[famy27]

I don't doubt the OPs experience at all, but it is still not a representative sample. I'm guessing she didn't approach people whose kids were in the middle of meltdowns or hang around Guest Relations all day to hear about people's issues and problems (with FP or with Disney in general).

I didn't have to visit GR during my late September trip, but I did in June and August. I definitely heard a fair number of FP complaints. I've also talked to people in real life who loved FP+, who hated it, and who had no opinion.

So, I don't think that negative experiences here can be written off as "excessive" or "exaggerated" any more than the OPs positive report can be.

 

[PEC]

I had a similar experience (though just one person). At my Army Reserve monthly drill I talked to a person that just got back. I asks him what he thought of the new FP+ and thought it was great because they give you so many (3). I asks did he get more at the park and he said no. Of course he talked of the Roller Coaster he rode at MK (Barnstormer) and how excited he was that it was his 4 yo daughters 1st roller coaster ride. I didn't really press but I think he used a FP for it. Bottomline he talked how great of a trip it was and how much he enjoyed FP. No touring plans, no stressing etc. I am beginning to believe that Disney realizes there are a lot more of people like this than people on DIS board.

 

[BroganMc]

I don't doubt the OPs experience at all, but it is still not a representative sample. I'm guessing she didn't approach people whose kids were in the middle of meltdowns or hang around Guest Relations all day to hear about people's issues and problems (with FP or with Disney in general).

I didn't have to visit GR during my late September trip, but I did in June and August. I definitely heard a fair number of FP complaints. I've also talked to people in real life who loved FP+, who hated it, and who had no opinion.

So, I don't think that negative experiences here can be written off as "excessive" or "exaggerated" any more than the OPs positive report can be.

I wish the forum had a like button.

The trouble with FP+ seems to be when people try to use it for the most popular things last minute (as in day and week of). That's when the availability issues create problems for guests and they either (a) don't bother using FP+ and just use a Standby strategy or (b) complain royally and don't do that attraction.

The universal praise seems to be: "I can book my FP+ with my phone and not have to traipse around a park or get there early to be stuck with whatever time the machine spits out." That works fabulously well for everyone as long as there is still FP+ availability for the attraction they want. When there isn't, see paragraph above.

 

[lugnut33]

I have been saying it for a year now, the feedback Disney gets is very positive. My cousin worked FP+ from inception and said most guests are happy with it. It's the ones that have been going to Disney for years that complain the most and I'm one of those people. I've also said its full steam ahead for FP+ at WDW, there's no going back now.

 

[cakebaker]

So, I don't think that negative experiences here can be written off as "excessive" or "exaggerated" any more than the OPs positive report can be.

There are people who start their posts with- I hate fp+! I couldn't get ANYTHING- everything was out!!!- then you read further and find out, well actually they couldn't get sdmt- that's the kind of exaggeration I'm referring to. Then they get responses from people who don't like fp+ commiserating with them and without someone else pointing out- wait, that's not exactly the case- one walks away with the idea that what they say is true, when it isn't. Those were the kinds posts I'm referring to.

Of course there are some people with who have legitimate gripes- they should post them. I wouldn't want a forum where it was only the good stuff posted. But an inaccurate representation of what the problem is helps no one.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

There are people who start their posts with- I hate fp+! I couldn't get ANYTHING- everything was out!!!- then you read further and find out, well actually they couldn't get sdmt- that's the kind of exaggeration I'm referring to. .

You forgot they are trying to get 7DMT for 15 people...on Thanksgiving day...at 1 pm...30 days prior...and so they "couldn't get ANYTHING!" and hate the system.

 

[famy27]

There are people who start their posts with- I hate fp+! I couldn't get ANYTHING- everything was out!!!- then you read further and find out, well actually they couldn't get sdmt- that's the kind of exaggeration I'm referring to. Then they get responses from people who don't like fp+ commiserating with them and without someone else pointing out- wait, that's not exactly the case- one walks away with the idea that what they say is true, when it isn't. Those were the kinds posts I'm referring to.

Of course there are some people with who have legitimate gripes- they should post them. I wouldn't want a forum where it was only the good stuff posted. But an inaccurate representation of what the problem is helps no one.

There is definitely hyperbole on both sides. You see statements like, "I couldn't get anything with FP+" or "FP+ was awesome, because I got to do everything!" But I don't take either of those literally. "I couldn't get anything!" means "I couldn't get the FPs that I most/wanted needed." While, "I got to ride everything!" means "I rode everything that was important to me."

I suppose you could call those exaggerations, but I don't really think most people on these boards really think someone couldn't get one single FP for a weeklong trip when they post, "I hate FP because I can't get anything"

 

[us2briggs]

You forgot they are trying to get 7DMT for 15 people...on Thanksgiving day...at 1 pm...30 days prior...and so they "couldn't get ANYTHING!" and hate the system.

I couldn't get FP 30 days out for 3 people for 7DMT or TSMM for any of the days we were there 3 weeks ago. Unreasonable?

 

[lugnut33]

I couldn't get FP 30 days out for 3 people for 7DMT or TSMM for any of the days we were there 3 weeks ago. Unreasonable?

Well, somebody did get FP+ for those days so it negates your experience!

 

[itchin2go]

First timers who were very happy to have FPs for things that Disers would laugh about....

You know, this brought an interesting point to mind. I think adding FP+ to attractions that never had FP before has added *perceived* value to those attractions for SOME.

It's just human nature. You make something look like it's hard to get and you give them a pass to skip a line, and all of a sudden, it looks like a bigger deal.

Maybe this at least partially explains why standby lines have increased for some of those lesser-loved attractions?

 

[saskdw]

You forgot they are trying to get 7DMT for 15 people...on Thanksgiving day...at 1 pm...30 days prior...and so they "couldn't get ANYTHING!" and hate the system.