My Un-magical FP+ Experience...

[Suvadoo]

I will say that when I started working for my company my health insurance was much cheaper and better than it is now. Each year, the cost went up a little. My deductible went up 2 years ago. My out of pocket max went up last year. And they changed some of the things that could be covered. They took away benefits and never even asked me. Jerks! But I never thought about quitting or dropping my coverage. Because I realized how lucky I am that I have this. So many many people don't have insurance and many are way more expensive than mine. I was blessed! And even though it wasn't perfect and I wasn't getting everything that I selfishly believed I was entitled to, I made it work for me and life is good.

Anyone here good with analogies? If so, suck it up, put on your big kid pants, and have fun anyway! You have no one to blame but yourself if you don't have a good time. Your life is what you make it. My family will arrive in 28 days and we will have fun even if we don't get to ride everything and see everything because we are blessed to be there and we are a family together.

Now, I am going back to my newbie bubble because it is fun and exciting there.

Comparing health insurance with a Disney trip is like comparing camels to moon rocks.

A trip to Disney is made with discretionary income. For most people health insurance is a necessity, if you want to retain your discretionary income during a health crisis.

Across the boards, insurance rates, copays, and out of pocket costs have increased. At the same time, overall benefits have decreased.

The same can be said of Disney vacation prices: ticket prices, parking (for off-site guests), food, and hard ticket events have all increased. EMH has decreased, quality of food has decreased, selection of unique merchandise has practically vanished. Add to that the frustration of FP+ ( for some guests, me included)

I have to maintain my health insurance so that I can avoid financial disaster. On the other hand, I do not have to spend my discretionary income at Disney. I do not, as you say, "have to suck it up". I have the right to express my opinion, just as you and everyone else does. I find Disney's current practices disappointing and I will continue to voice my opinion. However if I choose to spend my money at WDW, I am going to make the most of my vacation, just as I know you will. I don't think anyone goes to WDW to have a miserable time!

 

[over50visits]

As one of the obviously ignorant and dreaded "newbies".... (P.S. Why so many ""?), I won't say anything about FP legacy or FP plus although I really really want to.

I will say that when I started working for my company my health insurance was much cheaper and better than it is now. Each year, the cost went up a little. My deductible went up 2 years ago. My out of pocket max went up last year. And they changed some of the things that could be covered. They took away benefits and never even asked me. Jerks! But I never thought about quitting or dropping my coverage. Because I realized how lucky I am that I have this. So many many people don't have insurance and many are way more expensive than mine. I was blessed! And even though it wasn't perfect and I wasn't getting everything that I selfishly believed I was entitled to, I made it work for me and life is good.

Anyone here good with analogies? If so, suck it up, put on your big kid pants, and have fun anyway! You have no one to blame but yourself if you don't have a good time. Your life is what you make it. My family will arrive in 28 days and we will have fun even if we don't get to ride everything and see everything because we are blessed to be there and we are a family together.

Now, I am going back to my newbie bubble because it is fun and exciting there.

I don't believe your health example means anything here. Everyone does have health insurance (except those who are breaking the law).

Disney is not a necessity, it is a luxury. And those lucky enough to visit, many of whom are now emotionally invested in Disney, can and should want to fix problems. Take it or leave it isn't the right approach, help improve it is.

 

[mom2rtk]

Comparing health insurance with a Disney trip is like comparing camels to moon rocks.

A trip to Disney is made with discretionary income. For most people health insurance is a necessity, if you want to retain your discretionary income during a health crisis.

Across the boards, insurance rates, copays, and out of pocket costs have increased. At the same time, overall benefits have decreased.

The same can be said of Disney vacation prices: ticket prices, parking (for off-site guests), food, and hard ticket events have all increased. EMH has decreased, quality of food has decreased, selection of unique merchandise has practically vanished. Add to that the frustration of FP+ ( for some guests, me included)

I have to maintain my health insurance so that I can avoid financial disaster. On the other hand, I do not have to spend my discretionary income at Disney. I do not, as you say, "have to suck it up". I have the right to express my opinion, just as you and everyone else does. I find Disney's current practices disappointing and I will continue to voice my opinion. However if I choose to spend my money at WDW, I am going to make the most of my vacation, just as I know you will. I don't think anyone goes to WDW to have a miserable time!

Totally agree. If health insurance was optional, we would have ditched it when our rates jumped 70% at our June renewal this year.

 

[AndreaA]

Cliff notes: Big pie- lots get it some. Small pie- some get lots. Ice cream gets you more big pie.

Yeah, except in fact the "pie" is exactly the same size, Disney is just shoving it down everyones' throat now.

I don't care that on-site people have a better chance (I always stay on-site) but let's not pretend that this system is now a "level playing field" as some like to say.

The playing field was perfectly level before. Everyone had the same chances. If you took some personal responsibility, did your research and did a little planning, you were able to maximize those chances. The fact that some people denounce those who researched and planned and got up early and took advantage (in a GOOD way) of that system while simultaneously praising those who research and plan and get online at midnight to take advantage of the new system is truly mind boggling.

 

[surferdave]

Yeah, except in fact the "pie" is exactly the same size, Disney is just shoving it down everyones' throat now.

At least they bought a $1.5B pie pan.

 

[cakebaker]

At least they bought a $1.5B pie pan.

It is one expensive pie, I'll give you that!

 

[AndreaA]

At least they bought a $1.5B pie pan.

HA!

What's even worse is that they are actively taking "pie" from people who used to work hard to get it and giving it to people who didn't even care about it, but who will take it if shoved at them just as people often take free coupons at a grocery store even if they have no intention of using them. I wonder how many FPs are being assigned to people who decide they never used them before and don't want to follow a schedule and skip most or all of them. I wonder how many people who used to work for their legacy FPs are now being shut out because of that.

And just for the record, I rarely used FP (maybe for BTMRR or EE) but we DID arrive at RD and took advantage of low lines until nearly 2pm. Obviously those days are now long gone.

 

[flicx]

At least they bought a $1.5B pie pan.

I prefer to think of it as a 1.5 billion dollar edsel, but hey that's just me.

 

[cakebaker]

Yeah, except in fact the "pie" is exactly the same size, Disney is just shoving it down everyones' throat now.

I don't care that on-site people have a better chance (I always stay on-site) but let's not pretend that this system is now a "level playing field" as some like to say.

The playing field was perfectly level before. Everyone had the same chances. If you took some personal responsibility, did your research and did a little planning, you were able to maximize those chances. The fact that some people denounce those who researched and planned and got up early and took advantage (in a GOOD way) of that system while simultaneously praising those who research and plan and get online at midnight to take advantage of the new system is truly mind boggling.

What do you mean by personal responsibility?
But yes, the tables have tilted away from favoring touring styles to favoring on site guests.

It's not really the same size. They added rides that didn't previously have fp, including some m&g's, parades etc so there are most fp+'s to choose from. I'm not sure we know that the number of fp+'s they issue per ride is the same as the number of legacy fp's that were available each day. So, can't really say it's the same size pie.

 

[Laz]

My solution: Disneyland!!!!

Years from now when the smoke clears I will re-evaluate if WDW would be my choice for a Disney vacation.

 

[flicx]

My solution: Disneyland!!!!

Years from now when the smoke clears I will re-evaluate if WDW would be my choice for a Disney vacation.

That's our next trip too. Never been but I will fit it in on a trip to vegas sometime.

 

[Hokie2000]

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.

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.

I agree with you, 100% in that I think people are in charge of their own vacations and can control how stressed they get in planning them.

But, I have the luxury of tons of personal Disney vacation experience and memories to fall back on. I can filter through the wide spectrum of viewpoints because I've been there myself before fastpass, when fastpass was brand new, after it was established and I fully knew how to use it, and now that it's "plus".

If I had never been and was planning my first trip this site would most likely freak me out. People come on here ranting about how awful it is and usually the first thing they say is how many trips they've been on, to ensure that everyone knows just how much Disney experience they have. It's no wonder that "newbies" give some weight to their opinion.

Actually I shouldn't have quoted you because your post is rational and doesn't really apply to what I'm talking about. Everything I'm talking about is directed to the OP. I really don't care how much a person vents or rants, but I do feel bad for the first-time Disney planner/visitor who stumbles upon their posts and then becomes discouraged before their trip even starts.

 

[5forDis]

My solution: Disneyland!!!!

Years from now when the smoke clears I will re-evaluate if WDW would be my choice for a Disney vacation.

We went to Disneyland in Feb 2014 and it was so relaxing. No ADRs needed months in advance. We were able to see and do everything with planning, but didn't need to book rides or dining months ahead. I called to see if there were any opening for Blue Bayou and the cast member said, "you must be a Disney World regular"....

I'm sure it is less relaxing during Peak seasons but the week we were there was regular season.

The flight is across the country which is the downside for us. Going to Orlando is much easier and faster.

 

[cakebaker]

We went to Disneyland in Feb 2014 and it was so relaxing. No ADRs needed months in advance. We were able to see and do everything with planning, but didn't need to book rides or dining months ahead. I called to see if there were any opening for Blue Bayou and the cast member said, "you must be a Disney World regular"....

I'm sure it is less relaxing during Peak seasons but the week we were there was regular season.

The flight is across the country which is the downside for us. Going to Orlando is much easier and faster.

We went to DL for their 50th and loved it. It has the benefit of being small compared to WDW and I was actually glad there were fewer choices and less planning to be done because of it. We've been back once and hope to do it again soon. We got to do the dessert buffet for Fantasmic that is sadly, no longer available. Best memory ever, but sadly it's gone.

WDW is huge, I love it, but it just has always taken so much work to visit that DL is a nice reprieve.

 

[AndreaA]

What do you mean by personal responsibility?
But yes, the tables have tilted away from favoring touring styles to favoring on site guests.

What is difficult to understand about the phrase "personal responsibility"?

And sure, there may be a bigger pool of FPs now, but that's because it's including things that you used to be able to easily ride/do without them but which now have artificially inflated lines due to people redeeming FPs they never even needed or wanted.

 

[Hokie2000]

It really surprises and saddens me that so many people who have made several, if not dozens of, trips to WDW are apparently proud of themselves for talking other families out of going just once.

I feel sorry for those children who have been deprived of the opportunity to experience for themselves the thrill of that first sight of the castle and the characters because someone convinced their parents that going to WDW requires too much planning.

Maybe some of the frequent visitors should consider that one of the reasons the magic is gone for them is that they have visited so often.

My thoughts exactly. There is so much more to WDW than fastpass.

 

[cakebaker]

What is difficult to understand about the phrase "personal responsibility"?

And sure, there may be a bigger pool of FPs now, but that's because it's including things that you used to be able to easily ride/do without them but which now have artificially inflated lines due to people redeeming FPs they never even needed or wanted.

Well I was hoping to not misunderstand your meaning because when you say "take personal responsibility" when referring to getting a ticket for a ride, I have no idea. Call me stupid, but it could mean many things. But if you don't want to tell, that's ok.

In the busy season, lots of rides had long lines. I don't recall walking on to much of anything in the evenings especially. We did rope drop and got rides in that didn't have fp, just as we do now with fp+. And those inflated times ( almost all of which are manageable from what I saw) allows for less wait at the headliners.

 

[AndreaA]

Well I was hoping to not misunderstand your meaning because when you say "take personal responsibility" when referring to getting a ticket for a ride, I have no idea. Call me stupid, but it could mean many things. But if you don't want to tell, that's ok.

Well I DID pretty much spell it out in my post:

If you took some personal responsibility, did your research and did a little planning, you were able to maximize those chances.

Unless you're unclear as to the fact that researching and planning generally led to the discovery that making RD was a good idea and that gathering FPs was another good idea?

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

 

[Hokie2000]

But I totaly respect people who enjoy Fp+ when they vacation as well, I just feel like the pro fp+ crowd gets angry very quick, I know I am generalizing but just a vibe i get. Thats when I start to wonder who is behind the posts? Know what I mean?

I'm not trying to be rude or snarky, but did you read the OP? There was no mistaking the tone of it and it was very off-putting. There are a lot of posts like the OP where it is inferred that anyone who likes FP+ is a cotton-headed ninny muggins.

I've read most of the posts on this thread and the snark seems to be more prevalent with the anti-FP+ posters.