My Un-magical FP+ Experience...

[Viteh]

Can't Disney have both? The kiosks and FP+? Surely they could regulate the amount of Fastpass tickets available based on the FP+ data they had before each day.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Except that WDW isn't GM.. competition from Honda, Audi, VW etc..isnt going to replace the one and only 30,000 acres at WDW.

There are plenty of destinations competing for a family's vacation money. And the middle class's income isn't really growing like it used to. So Disney is relying on smaller portion of the population that has enough discrestionary income to go on a big vacation.

What's this half stuff? According to the poll on the boards roughly 1/3 like FP plus and roughly 2/3 like legacy. I know it's not scientific, but get you mis information straight!

You know that only the highly scientific surveys done by Disney count, right?

MK is the most visited theme park in the world by far. There will never be another 30,000 acres WDW build in the United Staes again. We love WDW for a reason. Universal and sea World aside..there is no comparison.

Tokyo Disneyland isn't that far behind and had an attendance growth of almost 16% last year.

Disney is a multi billion dollar corporation with deep pockets and a model designed well into the future to return huge annual profits to their investors..The "Parks" devision is a huge cash cow and a tiny fraction of the overall corporation. The changes they have made to date show an attitude of "who cares" about tradition, history, Walts vision, employees welfare etc..
And the suits..couldnt care less about you or me.

Always the hallmark of good customer service.

You may be right, but I know they will care about this:

Per DisUniversal
Universal Orlando's new Harry Potter land sent Comcast Corp.'s third-quarter theme-park revenue soaring 18.7 percent compared with the previous year, the company said in an earnings report today.

I would imagine the Disney suits are having kittens over this piece of news!

They should be. AFAIK, MM+ and FP+ jhas not led to the increase in spending, Disney was hoping for. I think any increase in revenue will mostly be the result of all of the premium add on packages that Disney has been offering.

Let me give it a try...

You wake up and downpours with lightning so delay going to the park for several hours missing the first two fast pass rides.

Next day over stay time at park to make up for previous day. No swimming. Kids are exhausted so oversleep the next day.

Beautiful weather and the entire family decides a full day at the pool would be fun. Why not? On vacation and it would be nice. Enjoying time around pool and eating meals by pool thereby missing the advance dining reservation made months ago.

Next day at park someone does not feel well so leave park early. Back at hotel after a nap, feeling better so return to park with no fast passes in hand.

I could continue, but readers of the Disney Forum, does this not describe the experiences of many guests at Walt Disney World?

We always enjoyed our numerous trips to Disney World without fast passes because we could plan on what we would like to do yet roll with the circumstances each day and enjoy the variety of options available at any given moment. This included waiting to go onto the most popular rides.

We were at Disney 9/26-10/5 and probably had the worst luck with eather we have ever had. It rained so much and FP+ definitely made it harder to roll with the punches. We weren't able to swim on days that we originally planned to have time away from the parks. Rides were closed due to bad weather. Do you keep your FP+ and hope that the ride opens again later or do you use it for something else. You may not be able to get another FP for that ride. And if TT is closed, you aren't allowed to use your FP to ride the only other ride in Epcot that even needs a FP. We knew that no matter what, we could not change our plans for Friday, because we had FP for 7DMT and A&E and we would not be able to replace them.

We had a good time on our trip in spite of FP+, but even my kids noticed a difference.

Yeah! no longer do you have to be at the park at the ungodly hour of 9am!

Unless you want to ride both TT and Soarin without a wait. Or ride TSMM and RnR. Or ride TSMM twice......

 

[LilyWDW]

I am sitting in the airport waiting on my flight after a wonderful trip. I enjoyed FP+. I liked knowing that I would get the chance to ride everything that I wanted ahead of time. I liked that I could pull up the app to see what else may be available and to change things on the fly. It was much better, in my opinion, then having to trek across the park with no idea what return time you may end up with.
That said, I do undestand some concerns. I went during a time that wasn't crazy busy (but not slow either). So I had some flexability. However, I can only guess what will happen come the holidays. I do not see that flexability being as available for those families. It is harder to get the big name rides.

I guess what I am saying is that there are flaws in the system. It will work for some and not for others. You have to decide how much the system will impact you vacation and decide if it is worth it.

Plese excuse any typos btw. Writing this on my phone at the airport.

 

[DisUniversal]

I hope it works great for you. Just one question. Why are you going to WDW when DLR is in your own backyard?

Well, it would certainly help one appreciate DLR more.

 

[saskdw]

This illustrates just how different families can be. We are early birds and we love rope drop and morning EMH, and wouldn't tour the parks without being there at opening.
As mentioned in a previous post, we haven't yet been to WDW with FP+. I expect we'll try to reserve ours for late in the day at a park other than the one we start the morning in. We'll see how that works for us.

We're early birds when were not on vacation. We want things at a more leasurely pace when we are on vacation. Last trip we never arrived at a park earlier than 11am.

I think the strategy you are suggesting will work out good for you. You should still be able to accomplish alot at rope drop and then have reserved headliners for later in the day!

 

[Stasieki]

We just got back from our first FP+ trip. My only complaint is the cap of 3 prebooked. Only because if you can only get one of your top 3 after dinner, you don't have the option to get more FP's. I know we could have picked something else earlier in the day, though, too. It was just my daughters #1 must do. I wish you can get your next after you use your first one.

 

[cakebaker]

You mean, for example, these snarky posts on page one?





It certainly goes both ways.

Indeed it does.

 

[DISNEYD14]

*** Thanks! ***
Well for someone up until today who loved this new FP+ system I'm going to say I'm a little angry and sadden at what I just went through.

The tech support were wonderful and I'm glad I didn't get angry but I urge everyone to check your MDE account before you leave.

Two of my childrens FP+ were completely wiped out. I logged in at my 60day in August, booked all my FP+ never made any changes or tweaks. All was good yesterday even.

I got a weird email on Tuesday saying my Magic Band package will be waiting for me at my resort. I called and they said oh it's a generic email but we see yours were shipped. I said yes and because we personalized them I wanted to be sure I could bring them. She said yes ignore that email. Not sure that was the right thing to do because I woke up this morning to print out everything before our trip tomorrow and two of my children were showing 0 FP+ and not valid park tickets? Huh?

I called and after 57 minutes they don't know what glitch hit my reseservation.
The CM had to attach special FP+ to my 2 children as they would not be happy that only the 4 year old could do A&E and 7DMT

That is SCARY! We think "everything is a go", work hard to pick these FP+ and then you see them DISAPPEAR in the MDE A/C????

FRUSTRATING AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN!

Hope that you get it resolved.

 

[lugnut33]

She said next trip she'll likely play the 60 day out FP game. I told her to have at it, because I refuse. I'll stay offsite, buy multi day tickets to Universal and go to Disney just for a hard ticket party. There is no way I will be trapped into that kind of pre planning. It's insanity.

This is a prime example of a long time WDW fan who just doesn't like the new changes (and it's not just FP+). He/she has been here 15 years, so there's no way we can question their loyalty and I highly doubt his or her's attitude is just because they've gone too many times.

I have seen so many people like this Dis Boards member to think they are an isolated few.

 

[wdwrich]

I hope it works great for you. Just one question. Why are you going to WDW when DLR is in your own backyard?

We enjoy both places, but they provide different experiences. Since DLR is a 90-minute drive from our house, we tend to go for short visits (1, 2, or 3 days), and not as a full vacation. When we make the trip cross-country to WDW, it's for a vacation of anywhere between 7 and 12 days. At WDW, it's not just the parks that we enjoy. We like the various resorts (hence a few split stays), and the separation from the outside world.

 

[Ellwood970]

I'd like to see the whole post put on a bronze plate and hung up right on the entrance to MK

Smack in front of the managers blaming the guests when their tickets won't let them in.

 

[JoeA]

I do understand that "newbies" might like the "new/improved"(??) FP+ system..since we know: you dont miss what you never had!!

I've been going on a regular basis since 1986, when we lived in FL and had 3 Season Salute passes, and kept going after we moved west and bought DVC. Granted, that isn't 43 years but not sure I'd count myself as a newbie, either.

Sorry your trip sucked but I hardly think this is an "old pro v. newbie" issue. I personally have had no issue with the new system, but sorry it didn't work for you and your family.

 

[kaytieeldr]

For those that travel when the park operating hours are shorter, the FP+ availability is less.

At 60 days at midnight, I couldn't get even 1 A&E FP+. Within 10 mins all 7DMT FP+ were gone as well (I managed to get those right away, but couldn't change times 10 mins later when I was trying to modify as there were none left).

Only 2 attractions, yes, and it certainly doesn't make or break our trip, but if I had waited until the time you had, those are 2 things that we *want* to do that we would not have been able to get.

I'm very happy for you, sincerely, that you were able to get everything you wanted and not have to be online at midnight. I hope you can appreciate/accept that that is not the case for everyone.

For those who traveled when FastPass existed and the park operating hours were shorter, the FP availability was less.

For those who traveled before there was any FastPass, the FP availability was nonexistent.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That would require an open mind and a flexible attitude and a desire to enjoy your magic without a sense of entitlement.
Question how many years did WDW operate without fast pass? And did those families bring home memories to last a lifetime?

Approximately 27. Then about 14 with FastPass, and now about one with FastPassPlus?

 

[snoopy352]

For those who traveled when FastPass existed and the park operating hours were shorter, the FP availability was less.

For those who traveled before there was any FastPass, the FP availability was nonexistent.

I am confused that you are confused.

So just because 15 years ago there was no FP you are saying that people who have problems with the new system should just be happy that it's not the way it was 15 years ago? So if my cell phone doesn't work on a stranded highway, should I be happy that I even have a cell phone since 30 years ago they didn't exist?

 

[BuenaVistaBound]

I'm two weeks out from my trip. I had no problem making FP+ reservations for the rides that I wanted at the 60-day mark. I'm cautiously optimistic about it.

My wife has food allergies, so we're accustomed to making ADRs well in advance, and planning our trip around those (we only do table service, Disney is great with food allergies). I was able to slot our FP+s around the existing reservations -- TSMM at 10:40 a.m. followed by Sci-Fi Drive in at 11:30, Tusker House at 1:30 p.m. followed by Safari at 3:00, etc. I can understand where some people don't like that level of planning, but I've gone in and fiddled with the FPs a number of times since making my original selections, it's getting me geeked to go!

Last year we stayed at Saratoga in the last week before they went over to Magic Bands, so we felt like the only people in the parks without FP+. It was terrible, huge lines even at the rides that were always reliable walk-ons. I feel badly for anyone who tries to do Disney without using the new system.

I really miss the days of the paper tickets before they began enforcing the return times. I would always collect FPs for the big rides while we did the less popular ones. It wasn't unusual for me to have a pack of 16 FPs in my pocket at dinner time. Then we'd do a big sweep -- BTMRR, Space Mountain, Peter Pan, all in a row. Like a grand finale! And I always handed off a set to a random family, a trick I learned here on the DIS that isn't possible anymore.

That kind of magic is gone, but I'm hoping for the best.

PS - I realize that paper FP collectors like myself probably hastened the move to an electronic system. So, yeah, sorry about that...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let me give it a try...

You wake up and downpours with lightning so delay going to the park for several hours missing the first two fast pass rides.

Next day over stay time at park to make up for previous day. No swimming. Kids are exhausted so oversleep the next day.

Beautiful weather and the entire family decides a full day at the pool would be fun. Why not? On vacation and it would be nice. Enjoying time around pool and eating meals by pool thereby missing the advance dining reservation made months ago.

Next day at park someone does not feel well so leave park early. Back at hotel after a nap, feeling better so return to park with no fast passes in hand.

I could continue, but readers of the Disney Forum, does this not describe the experiences of many guests at Walt Disney World?

We always enjoyed our numerous trips to Disney World without fast passes because we could plan on what we would like to do yet roll with the circumstances each day and enjoy the variety of options available at any given moment. This included waiting to go onto the most popular rides.

That's a lot to go off schedule or just completely wrong on one trip. Downpours and lightning don't need to stop the prepared guest from touring a park. Sure, some attractions may be closed, by lines should be substantially shorter than normal. FastPasses can be rescheduled - maybe not for the same attractions, but they don't have to go to waste except by choice.

Guests thinking they might want or need the flexibility of an unexpected no-park day can always make reservations to eat outside a park. And if the ill person does need to be accompanied by the whole family to recover, again, there's always the option to reschedule FastPasses via the app.

Glass half full vs glass half empty.

 

[senecabeach]

PLEASE .....
Let me first sincerely apologize to those taking issue with my use of the word "newbie" statement.
I AM SOOO SORRY if it was taken derogatorily.... It certainly wasn't meant that way.

Now you and I will calmly sit back until the " experts" come in and tell you everything you did wrong......

Im calm now thanks to You. You are sooooo right !!!

Yepper all the "experts" and "flame throwers" arrived, I can tell by the amount of posts they have, and those who could probably be my grandchildren....

Those who think I'm "snarky?" and "hate?" Disney... and think I don't know how to "plan" after all these years.....guess thier elevators don't go to the top floor and just haven't got a clue about what I posted or my love of Disney.
Nor can say that they have never waited more than a half an hour in line for any WDW attraction...ever. Yea...Guess they didn't go to the 64' World's Fair in NY & see IASW & CoP either..

Geeeezzzeeee....Maybe I'm older than dirt...but...I absolutely KNOW how to DO Disney!!

I liken it to when mom/dad used to tell me/you about the "Good Ole Days" and we were too young to understand the concept.

I think the FP+ technology/progress is good....the delivery is lousey..just keep the old way of getting FP's...1 at a time, maybe 2 "SPONTANEOUSLY" and exactly the rides you want and less people will miss a ride ....this is my major objection. This is not rocket science...use the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) system !!

That said...don't be afraid to use it. Maybe it'll work for your family.....
BTW...I was able to get the 7 Dwarf Mine Train only once @ my 60th day opening. Also..remember you can't get a 4th FP till ALL 3 existing ones are past thier times.

Good luck!! Going to plan my April 15 trip now..


One thing for sure...memories of the "Good Ole Disney Days" are Great!!

 

[Angel Ariel]

For those who traveled when FastPass existed and the park operating hours were shorter, the FP availability was less.

If you showed up at Rope Drop, you could get a FP for anything. It didn't matter that park hours were shorter.

I showed up at the "new rope drop" (60 day mark), and I could not get a FP+ for everything. My trip is only 4 days long, which is part of the reason. 2 out of my 4 days, MK closes at 7 for parties, which is another reason. Both of those affect the availability of FP+ for the "hot ticket" attractions (as people with 7 day stays who arrive 3 days before me could book through my entire vacation).

That is a difference. As I said in my post, it's not like it makes or breaks my vacation, but knowing I'm shut out for a FP+ for something I wanted 60 days before I even get there is, for *us*, a negative change.

The person I was responding to wrote as though what was the case for her should be what everyone experiences. I was simply replying with my experience which was not the same as hers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am confused that you are confused.

So just because 15 years ago there was no FP you are saying that people who have problems with the new system should just be happy that it's not the way it was 15 years ago? So if my cell phone doesn't work on a stranded highway, should I be happy that I even have a cell phone since 30 years ago they didn't exist?

Nope. Just pointing out that the statement highlighted is a red herring. Shorter park hours reduce the availability of FastPass, no matter what version of FastPass is being offered.