My Un-magical FP+ Experience...

[Angel Ariel]

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.

Under legacy FP, the entire day's worth of FP was available at RD. If you got there at RD, you got a FP. When it would be for was not guaranteed, but that you would get one was. Shorter park hours meant it would run out sooner, yes, but not that there wouldn't be availability at RD.

Under FP+, the entire days' worth of FP+ is NOT available at each person's 60 day mark. It has been depleted by those who check in earlier than you, yet are also there during your vacation. Shorter hours further exacerbates the situation as there aren't as many FP+ to begin with. I believe this is visible in the threads about December FP+ availability, where everyone is getting their FP+ easily even for A&E/7DMT and yet those of us with trips in October/November have had a much more difficult time of it.

I'm not trying to say "red herrings" or anything of the sort. But I really don't see how the following can be argued:

At RD under legacy FP, the *entire day's worth of FP* was available to you. At the new RD (a person's 60 day mark), the entire day's worth of FP+ is not available.

That was the point I was trying to make. I apologize if I didn't state it well.

 

[faneuil]

At RD under legacy FP, the *entire day's worth of FP* was available to you. At the new RD (a person's 60 day mark), the entire day's worth of FP+ is not available.

And some ppl's rope drop is 30 days, limiting them even more.
Which, honestly, I am fine with. I think the 60 day thing is a very nice perk for on-site guests.

Somehow, I have to think 100% of the FP+ are NOT being released at one time, even now. And the system still is glitchy.

For instance, I was able to move my FP+ for Soarin' on November 1 from 6pm to 9am. In fact, I could have moved it to any time that day. However, I also wanted to move the Character Spot FP+ from 8pm to the AM. Zero. Nada. Nothing available all day. Seems weird that Soarin' had a bunch available and the characters did not.

 

[twinsmama]

And some ppl's rope drop is 30 days, limiting them even more.
Which, honestly, I am fine with. I think the 60 day thing is a very nice perk for on-site guests.

Somehow, I have to think 100% of the FP+ are NOT being released at one time, even now. And the system still is glitchy.

For instance, I was able to move my FP+ for Soarin' on November 1 from 6pm to 9am. In fact, I could have moved it to any time that day. However, I also wanted to move the Character Spot FP+ from 8pm to the AM. Zero. Nada. Nothing available all day. Seems weird that Soarin' had a bunch available and the characters did not.

I also wonder if not 100% are released at the same time. The day before my 60 days I heard that A&E were gone for every day of my 4 day trip. At Midnight, I went on, and found a FP+ for 4 at 8:30pm the last day of my trip (there were 2 other choices as well, late a night), then I looked to add the other 2 people in my party and there were about 6 open hour slots from afternoon to evening. I was able to get us all in at 8:30pm and was amazed....the day before people were saying it was all booked up, then suddenly there were multiple spots and times open.

 

[PEC]

Let's get the facts straight. The "Parks" division is not a huge cash cow. That dubious distinction goes to ESPN.

As a corporation, Disney is a well diversified Entertinment Company with no true "Cash Cow". Yes the TV brings in the most Revenue (ABC/ESPN etc) but so do the parks and to some degree the movies (yes the corporation feels the affect of successful movies and failures). A hit by the parks will greatly affect the stock holders meetings. Companies like this have set planned profits. If not met the stockholders let the execs know. Example would be Disney expecting to make 10 Billion profits for the year but they only make 8 billion. Woe to the exec in charge of the division causing the loss. I don't think we will know the affects of MM+ for at least 5 years. Could be good for Disney or it could be bad. And yes it will be by what the suits (DISCorporateBOARD) considers success not DISboards. I am not siding with the suits here, it is just a fact.

 

[cinda65]

We are getting ready to take our first trip to WDW in several years, and all this FP+ stuff is freaking me out. My husband already hates dealing with preplanning and this is stressing me out. Also to complicate things - we have nonexpiring tickets from years ago that I'll have to change out on theme park or Downtown Disney property before we can do any liking to our Magic Band??? We wanted to hit the park early and go adventure - but now I'm wondering how much time will be spent trying to convert our tickets, plan FP+ etc.

We are going November 3, and I'm wondering if we just use our paper tickets, not link anything to a magic band, and just go ride what kind of problems we might have. We are doing Animal Kingdom...

Any advice for a stressed out mom that just wants to go ride some rides for her kid's birthday?

 

[allie_to_you]

And 10,000 more to replace them. Disney corp couldn't care less.

And herein lies the rub. Every day more and more of these posts about FP+ show up on the Disboards and other Disney discussion boards with people complaining or praising this new system. What good is it doing other thatnjust garnering comments (good or bad) from other people? If you don't like it, call Disney and complain. "The Squeaking Wheel Gets the Grease" as my parents have always told me. Sometimes I find this to be true and sometimes the wheel has to just squeak for a while before anything gets done.

By making bold, complaining statements on a board primarily designed to help people plan their trips, those who are still learning and excited about upcoming trips (especially newbies) now find themselves stressed and worried that their trips will suck or be too complicated. I myself am not a newbie to Disney, but this will be my first trip using the new FP+/Magic Band system and I am nervous that I don't know enough to use it properly. When I see posts like the OP wrote, it makes me nervous that I won't get to have the enjoyable trip that I want even though I am a detailed planner.

Obviously, there are enough people who do like the new system or who have figured out how to work it properly or it probably wouldn't exist. If it isn't working for you, then figure out how to make it work better the next time, but don't just come on here and say "IT SUCKS" and make those of us who are still learning feel like were doomed from the start

 

[tim123]

And herein lies the rub. Every day more and more of these posts about FP+ show up on the Disboards and other Disney discussion boards with people complaining or praising this new system. What good is it doing other thatnjust garnering comments (good or bad) from other people? If you don't like it, call Disney and complain. "The Squeaking Wheel Gets the Grease" as my parents have always told me. Sometimes I find this to be true and sometimes the wheel has to just squeak for a while before anything gets done.

By making bold, complaining statements on a board primarily designed to help people plan their trips, those who are still learning and excited about upcoming trips (especially newbies) now find themselves stressed and worried that their trips will suck or be too complicated. I myself am not a newbie to Disney, but this will be my first trip using the new FP+/Magic Band system and I am nervous that I don't know enough to use it properly. When I see posts like the OP wrote, it makes me nervous that I won't get to have the enjoyable trip that I want even though I am a detailed planner.

Obviously, there are enough people who do like the new system or who have figured out how to work it properly or it probably wouldn't exist. If it isn't working for you, then figure out how to make it work better the next time, but don't just come on here and say "IT SUCKS" and make those of us who are still learning feel like were doomed from the start

Good points. I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip and that the new system works for you!

 

[faneuil]

We are going November 3, and I'm wondering if we just use our paper tickets, not link anything to a magic band, and just go ride what kind of problems we might have. We are doing Animal Kingdom...

As far as I understand it, they are not accepting paper tickets at the gate. So you'll have to convert them to a plastic ticket, or a MB. MB are not required.

 

[Angel Ariel]

and make those of us who are still learning feel like were doomed from the start

I don't mean for this to sound mean, truly. But I think, that the only person in charge of whether someone is excited/not feeling "doomed" for a trip or not is themselves.

I am leaving for Disney in 2 weeks. I've had issues with MDE, I'm not thrilled with the preplanning. Yet, despite that, I am still excited about my trip.

It's my husband and I's first trip away from our daughter since she was born. He's running the wine.and dine 1/2 marathon, a friend of mine is coming with us to join me during the finish line party. We are going to fully enjoy the food and wine festival. I'm going to have a blast introducing my friend to all the new things she'll experience since she was last at WDW in 1999.

Fp+ may enhance that trip, it may detract...we will see. Regardless, though, nothing I read here, or anywhere else, will change my excitement for the trip or the awesome memories we will make.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

For weeks now I have bben reading threads about the loss of the magic, all the advanced planning, trouble and successes with FP+, and I'm getting stressed out---with no trip even booked for now. We may go in February or it may be next September before we get to return as we already have a trip to Alaska planned for summer.

I'm the planner for our group and sometimes it can be as many as 11 family members going. The usually "let me" plan the dates, resort, parks to visit, flights, etc., and in the past I have enjoyed doing that. But if I have to do all the FP+ planning for them on top, that will NOT be fun. And since some are seniors who do not have a computer or smart phone, they would not be able to book them anyway.

ADR's are not a big deal as we do not use the Dining Plan and normally just eat close to where are when we are hungry.

Disneyland is across country from us, but we enjoy it so much as very little advanced planning and I seriously doubt the locals would create a need for 60 out planning. It is more expensive to get there, but I really enjoy that park. And if the stress that the new system is causing is any indication of our next trip, DLR may in fact become our home park.

I'm a very open minded person and willing to give anything a try on my own at least once. I hope that all the nay sayers are proven wrong. But with SO many people SO upset with the system, I'm really concerned. I can't imagine what it will be like when we actually do book our next trip!

 

[allie_to_you]

I am leaving for Disney in 2 weeks. I've had issues with MDE, I'm not thrilled with the preplanning. Yet, despite that, I am still excited about my trip

Oh, don't get me wrong. We are super excited for our trip, even if we don't get any Fast Passes. We were never huge fast-pass people before, but we do want to try to utilize them the best we can on our upcoming trip. I just get nervous that it'll be more of a headache than a help with all the posts I keep seeing about how horrible it is.

 

[Terapin]

My experience with FP+ has been mixed. While it allowed me to choose not to get to the parks at rope drop, we saw a lot less. When I took my kids for a trip, they remarked on how much they got to see, unprompted. They had been a year or so prior to FP+ and we went on everything. Being only able to choose 3 rides in MK meant there was a lot we didn't have FP for and the lines were too long to bear. We gave up most days and headed back to the resort. During our trip, although it was October and the touring guides didn't have it as a busy time, we saw things like Jungle Cruise have a 60-70 minute wait. I tried and tried to work our times for things to more workable time slots - it just didn't work for us.

For my last trip (without kids) we couldn't even get on Mine Train. I tried so many times to try to get a FP but there was just never any available. Under the old system I could have gone first thing in the morning and at least been quite likely to have gotten a FP for late afternoon or evening.

In any case, the kids said their last trip "just wasn't that fun". They have been Disney fanatics in the past. I passed along our comments but never heard back. I also had comments about our concierge and ticketing issues - never heard back.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Oh, don't get me wrong. We are super excited for our trip, even if we don't get any Fast Passes. We were never huge fast-pass people before, but we do want to try to utilize them the best we can on our upcoming trip. I just get nervous that it'll be more of a headache than a help with all the posts I keep seeing about how horrible it is.

Sorry about the.misreading. Glad to hear it hasn't dampered your excitement!

I'm with you on being a bit nervous, but I'm taking the stubborn route...headache or not, we *will* have a great time. I.keep repeating that to.myself when I get nervous

 

[JZCubed]

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.

Right, it rains in FL.

At 10am maybe you had a FP- six hours later for Toy Story at 4pm. But it starts raining, no way to reschedule a FP-.

I could continue.

It's sunny the next day and you decide to go to the swimming pool, you decide to 'waste' the FP+ you had for midday. So, instead, you are able to reschedule at least some of your FP+ for later that evening, when you decide to make it to the Park.

 

[Suvadoo]

By making bold, complaining statements on a board primarily designed to help people plan their trips, those who are still learning and excited about upcoming trips (especially newbies) now find themselves stressed and worried that their trips will suck or be too complicated. I myself am not a newbie to Disney, but this will be my first trip using the new FP+/Magic Band system and I am nervous that I don't know enough to use it properly. When I see posts like the OP wrote, it makes me nervous that I won't get to have the enjoyable trip that I want even though I am a detailed planner.

Obviously, there are enough people who do like the new system or who have figured out how to work it properly or it probably wouldn't exist. If it isn't working for you, then figure out how to make it work better the next time, but don't just come on here and say "IT SUCKS" and make those of us who are still learning feel like were doomed from the start

Personally, I can tell by the title of a post if it's a positve or negative opinion on FP+. If the negative posts increased my misgivings about the FP+ system and an upcoming trip, I would skip them entirely. I read both the good and bad so that I can learn from other people's experiences and hopefully make my next trip better.

 

[disneyseniors]

Since most of us on these boards are "Disney Addicts", we can talk about not going to WDW because we dislike the changes they've made. And yes, at some point, Disney will begin to miss the money from the AP clients, the Vacation Club people, off-site guests and other repeat customers. But I think we're forgetting about the people who are there for the first time or come only once or twice a decade. Will these people even know about FP+ before getting to the parks? I doubt it. Think about their experience now - longer SB lines in previously walk-on attractions, more people milling about making the parks seem much more crowded, and getting on fewer rides. AND IF they know about FP+, their first experience might be the long line at the FP+ kiosk. I don't think these people will become repeat customers either. I do believe that at some point in the future, Disney will see a decline in attendance.

Also, let's talk about word-of-mouth. Since I hated my last trip last year, when friends ask me how the trip was I tell them about the changes and what it's now like. I can honestly say that at least 10 or so families decided NOT to go because of what I told them (and they were repeat visitors-going about once a year). They decided they could get more of their money's worth going elsewhere - and besides, there isn't anything new to see.

When will this begin to affect Disney? Who knows, but I think it will soon.

you forgot about the over 700,000 South American visitors to WDW a year!!!! They have surpassed the UK at a lower 700,000. So, if this keeps happening I guess the well won't run dry for visitors from other countries. I read this in another post with references to these figures on another site. Don't know for gospel if the exact quotes are correct, so don't flame me please I know that wdw lets these tour groups get away with a lot of chanting and rude behavior. I hope wdw corrects this soon, cause we won't go when they are their. Just a thought! Oh, I also don't like fp but will wait for my final review after our trip in November

 

[Nancy F]

So far we have lucked out with the FP+. Now I don't have to get up with the chickens to get to EPCOT to score a FP for Soarin'. Same thing with HS and TSM. We'll see how the wait times for the rides we don't have FPs for work out. We didn't have any problems the last two trips. We'll see.
Nancy

 

[DisUniversal]

And herein lies the rub. Every day more and more of these posts about FP+ show up on the Disboards and other Disney discussion boards with people complaining or praising this new system. What good is it doing other thatnjust garnering comments (good or bad) from other people? If you don't like it, call Disney and complain. "The Squeaking Wheel Gets the Grease" as my parents have always told me. Sometimes I find this to be true and sometimes the wheel has to just squeak for a while before anything gets done.

By making bold, complaining statements on a board primarily designed to help people plan their trips, those who are still learning and excited about upcoming trips (especially newbies) now find themselves stressed and worried that their trips will suck or be too complicated. I myself am not a newbie to Disney, but this will be my first trip using the new FP+/Magic Band system and I am nervous that I don't know enough to use it properly. When I see posts like the OP wrote, it makes me nervous that I won't get to have the enjoyable trip that I want even though I am a detailed planner.

Obviously, there are enough people who do like the new system or who have figured out how to work it properly or it probably wouldn't exist. If it isn't working for you, then figure out how to make it work better the next time, but don't just come on here and say "IT SUCKS" and make those of us who are still learning feel like were doomed from the start

A board where people only post positive comments and constantly do nothing but mindlessly spread pixie dust would be about as helpful the reviews on Amazon if they only allowed 4 stars or better. The fact is, FP+ has some serious flaws which granted, effect some more than others, however that doesn't mean they should just be ignored.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Not quite correct. There are other theme parks in the area. You can argue about the value and quality of these Parks. But you also have the choice of Universal, Sea World. If you really wanted too you can drive to Tampa and go to Busch Gardens. And quite frankly I think Disney needs the competition otherwise they can get really set in their ways.

Or you can just go to the beach.

So there are other options.

Oh my, you left out Weeki Wachee Springs. The Horror.

"Oh my," was done with my best George Takei and "The Horror," with a Brando whisper.

 

[lugnut33]

We are getting ready to take our first trip to WDW in several years, and all this FP+ stuff is freaking me out. My husband already hates dealing with preplanning and this is stressing me out. Also to complicate things - we have nonexpiring tickets from years ago that I'll have to change out on theme park or Downtown Disney property before we can do any liking to our Magic Band??? We wanted to hit the park early and go adventure - but now I'm wondering how much time will be spent trying to convert our tickets, plan FP+ etc.

We are going November 3, and I'm wondering if we just use our paper tickets, not link anything to a magic band, and just go ride what kind of problems we might have. We are doing Animal Kingdom...

Any advice for a stressed out mom that just wants to go ride some rides for her kid's birthday?

You are going to have a good time, don't let our discussions scare you.