New Al Lutz ( Micegage Update )

[sheetz]

The general consensus is that by enforcing FP and introducing FP+, Disney will eventually be able to include this 'perk' as a part of a vacation package.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The way I look at the new fast past system is this. It's still the same game. He who plans and knows how to get around wins. And I don't think that's going to change. A parameter change just means an adjustment is all. For all the hand wringing when the change was made at WDW, it really didn't amount to too big a change on my part. And to be honest, It really didn't cramp my fast pass usage at all. The one thing I had to do a bit differently was plan things out so we didn't end up running across the whole park. But it was easy to figure out how not to end up having to do that. And we still got everything in just as easily as we did before to be honest. Now one thing it will stop for me is running from DL to DCA and accumulating a ton of fast passes to Grizzly River Run and then hopping over and using them up all at once to get soaked when it is hot. Oh those were good times when that machine was disconnected from the system. I certainly will miss that.
As for a hard ticket event featuring the special Christmas parade and fireworks shows in December, I pretty much figured it was coming just as soon as DCA became a viable park to visit at night.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I don't think the FP return has anything to do with the system not working. I think it works just fine, and late FP has little to no effect on anyone else. But with the NextGen system, FP returns have to be enforced or the whole system gets messed up. I know they have a lot of trial and error to do, but I think it starts with FP enforcement.

I hate it I also wish they wouldn't try to fix what isn't broken. I was really looking forward to another opportunity to use FP when we wanted this Dec., but now it sounds like the enforcement will be happening already

Does "NextGen system" refer to something other than FP+? Just curious

 

[aan1701]

This logic doesn't make sense. The whole idea of FP enforcement is so that they can slowly introduce FP+. If you hated having to plan out every min of the day, why wouldn't you want to flexibility that DLR offers right now to come back whenever you can with your FP?

To clear up the confusion. I only get a FP when I know I am going to be able to make it back in the window that it says on the Fastpass. Most of the time I wait in line because I'd rather wait 30-45 min than 2-3 hours for my window just to open.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DarthMole]

Chip, chip, chipping away. My wife wants to go to Hawaii next but I've been arguing that we need to take the kids to DL regularly while they are young. As they keep chipping away I'm starting to think Hawaii may be in our future. I don't like getting nickel and dimed and that's what it's starting to feel like. We were new to the reality of open ended FP return windows this last trip. It made for a relaxing trip. Going back to rushing around to hit a return window or missing a window because of a long cue on another ride is not desirable at all. Aloha.

 

[kkendle]

We went to WDW the week they started enforcing the fastpass return times in March. It was bad news for us as we had always went early and got fast passes for later as well.

We just visited DL for the first time early October this year. It was great not having to return during the fastpoass window.

There are hundreds of posts concerning the fastpass time enforcing on the WDW threads but like all the other changes they make, it is just going to be something people have to get used to.

 

[nunzia]

I guess I am alone in thinking all of this is just fine. The nights when they had the Halloween fireworks without the special extra ticket had truly scary stories of crowds. Christmas is also scary crowded. An extra ticket event party makes perfect sense and the couple of weeks around Christmas with higher ticket prices but all the holiday events makes perfect sense too. Part of the experience hinges on how overwhelming the crowds are...if they can tweak that then I have no problem with it. The massive amounts of local APs have led to this and the company has their reasons for this too..try to fill the park at times when it would otherwise be empty. Fastpass enforcement? People ignoring the times has probably started getting much more prevelant because so many messgae boards and Disney sites have make it clear it isn't enforced. I have no problem with them enforcing this but feel sorry for all the front line CMs who take the hit. The only thing that really bothers me in the changes is them getting rid of the CM Christmas Party.

 

[dsny1mom]

I guess I am alone in thinking all of this is just fine. The nights when they had the Halloween fireworks without the special extra ticket had truly scary stories of crowds. Christmas is also scary crowded. An extra ticket event party makes perfect sense and the couple of weeks around Christmas with higher ticket prices but all the holiday events makes perfect sense too. Part of the experience hinges on how overwhelming the crowds are...if they can tweak that then I have no problem with it. The massive amounts of local APs have led to this and the company has their reasons for this too..try to fill the park at times when it would otherwise be empty. Fastpass enforcement? People ignoring the times has probably started getting much more prevelant because so many messgae boards and Disney sites have make it clear it isn't enforced. I have no problem with them enforcing this but feel sorry for all the front line CMs who take the hit. The only thing that really bothers me in the changes is them getting rid of the CM Christmas Party.

No you are not alone in how you feel. I agree with you. I especialy look forward to being able to enjoy RSR at night without a bazillion people using fastpasses that they got at 10 am.

dsny1mom

 

[DLmama]

I too am in the minority by thinking the return time enforcement is good.

 

[Sherry E]

I don't mind the FP enforcement either, to be honest.

I can easily skip the parade and the fireworks. I don't need to pay extra to see those when I've already seen them. I care only about the snow at the moment, and that comes with the fireworks.

What will make me mad is that I will be forced to pay extra $$ to see some snow on Main Street during a party, or pay even higher admission prices to see the snow during the impossibly crowded Christmas week and/or New Year's week. That's not anything that I am going to be doing a happy dance about!

I feel bad for the CM's who don't get a party this year, but the powers that be must have their reasons for that decision, too.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I am quite excited about time enforcement for the FP, I'm glad to see that I am not alone.

 

[DharmaLou]

Bah humbug.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Chip, chip, chipping away. My wife wants to go to Hawaii next but I've been arguing that we need to take the kids to DL regularly while they are young. As they keep chipping away I'm starting to think Hawaii may be in our future. I don't like getting nickel and dimed and that's what it's starting to feel like. We were new to the reality of open ended FP return windows this last trip. It made for a relaxing trip. Going back to rushing around to hit a return window or missing a window because of a long cue on another ride is not desirable at all. Aloha.

Having done the new system over at WDW, all it takes is a tiny bit of shift in how you do things and that isn't going to happen. The window is an hour. And seeing as how most of us aren't going to be stepping into a line with a 60 minute wait, we're not likely to get hung up on another ride beyond the last return time on our fast pass. Also there is a grace period no questions asked both before and after the window. So if you get over there 5 minutes early, you don't have to stand and wait. And you're ok if you're 5 minutes late or so. And if you have a legit reason you're late such as your ADR at restaurant XYZ went very late or you were stuck on broken down ride X, they let you through. Just don't abuse the privilege. The two things that are going to be out are accumulating a bunch in the day, going back to the hotel, and then using them in the evening and accumulating a bunch for one ride and riding it several times in a row. I'll miss both of those things but it isn't going to break a trip for me. For all the big Waaaaah fest we had over WDW's change it turned out to be not all that bad actually.

 

[furb & dez]

No you are not alone in how you feel. I agree with you. I especialy look forward to being able to enjoy RSR at night without a bazillion people using fastpasses that they got at 10 am.

dsny1mom

Totally agree. Also, it will help sop up the crowds a bit if everyone is headed to their FastPass ride windows.

As much whining that everyone is going to do, it's really pointless. Adapt, this will be the new way. You'll find something else to whine about that will "completely ruin my vacation plans" soon enough, if history continues unabated.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I guess I am alone in thinking all of this is just fine. The nights when they had the Halloween fireworks without the special extra ticket had truly scary stories of crowds. Christmas is also scary crowded. An extra ticket event party makes perfect sense and the couple of weeks around Christmas with higher ticket prices but all the holiday events makes perfect sense too. Part of the experience hinges on how overwhelming the crowds are...if they can tweak that then I have no problem with it. The massive amounts of local APs have led to this and the company has their reasons for this too..try to fill the park at times when it would otherwise be empty. Fastpass enforcement? People ignoring the times has probably started getting much more prevelant because so many messgae boards and Disney sites have make it clear it isn't enforced. I have no problem with them enforcing this but feel sorry for all the front line CMs who take the hit. The only thing that really bothers me in the changes is them getting rid of the CM Christmas Party.

I agree with you too. I was thinking the postive side was being able to limit Christmas crowds for those shows. I would avoid a Christmas parade if it was too crazy crowded anyway. Our "Christmas Season" visit always falls during Vets day weekend. I just like seeing the holiday rides and decorations. I don't care if I see Christmas shows or not.
As for the FPs, I'll adjust. Right now we may or may not use them within the window. It was nice to be able to go back later, if we had some we didn't get to earlier. But no big deal if we can't.
I'm surprised more people aren't interested in the possible Tomorrowland ride. I don't know if it will come to pass, but it gives me hope. That are has been too neglected lately.

Also can't figure out how they will keep track of people walking through big open gates, but I guess we'll see if it happens.

 

[cmwade77]

Definitely not alone, I think this is great. No more 45 min. FP lines for RSR or 30 Min. FP lines for soarin'

 

[Mary09]

Chip, chip, chipping away. My wife wants to go to Hawaii next but I've been arguing that we need to take the kids to DL regularly while they are young. As they keep chipping away I'm starting to think Hawaii may be in our future. I don't like getting nickel and dimed and that's what it's starting to feel like. We were new to the reality of open ended FP return windows this last trip. It made for a relaxing trip. Going back to rushing around to hit a return window or missing a window because of a long cue on another ride is not desirable at all. Aloha.

This is about where I'm at. DL used to be a cheap, easy vacation. I just got back too and it felt less cheap and less easy. I felt the MHP was a rip-off. We couldn't even see the fireworks, the area was so jam-packed. We were there four days and didn't ever even do RSR. Lines too long or ride broken. You just feel a little suckered sometimes.

 

[disneymom0104]

Does "NextGen system" refer to something other than FP+? Just curious

No, I mean FP+- just got used to typing NextGen from the WDW FP threads before it was actually called FP+

 

[Jkpark]

I am in the crowd of those who collect all day, use as needed, have a stockpile at night and feel I failed if I'm not giving some away when I leave the park. I just returned from my first WDW trip since enforcement and we adjusted. My two annoyances shouldn't happen at DLR.

1 our travel companions are not rope drop people so on EPCOT day we let them sleep in and got to the park an hour after opening. Went right to Soarin for a FP and our return time was right during our lunch ADR. DH had the time wrong in his head so he pulled it. Now we had two options: hope that when we finished lunch and made it all the way back to Soarin there were still FPs available, or hope we could get a later ADR for 8 during free dining. With the size of DCA and DL, and the difference in the dining mentality - would have been easier to adjust at DLR

2 animal kingdom and magic kingdom are so spread out. And attractions are not as close together. We did a lot of walking back and forth and back and forth. I think this would be not as bad at DCA and DLR. I also guess that like anything, over time you master it and know how to tour most efficiently.

Now - if I can only visit enough at these prices to master it...

 

[SpaceMan5]

It really has been interesting reading all the different viewpoints and I can imagine that this thread will continue to grow and grow.

I would have to say that I am not real happy about it but it is what it is and will adjust to the new rule.

I am hoping that the CMs do not get too much grief from everyone when they enforce the return time.