not a fan of fast pass plus

[magicbob]

Saw this in another forum, apparently this prominent travel guide isn't a fan of FP+ either:

Frommer's Travel Guides

"Disney is selling this as a wonderful advance because you can "enjoy the confidence of knowing that some of your must-do experiences are locked-in before your visit," but in practicality, the new plan sucks a lot of the spontaneity out of a day at Disney World.

No longer can you pass by an attraction, decide it looks promising or the line looks too long, and grab a Fastpass to see it later. Now, you have to pre-research everything before you set foot in the park so that you'll know what you want to do later.

And because not all rides have long waits, you're bound to waste your precious Fastpass allotment on a few attractions that you could have seen swiftly without one. How can you know what's worth Fastpassing until you see how long the line is?"


Hmmmm........

To be fair, some of those "less than worthwhile" FP choices will be selected because they are the only options left. If I show up and have a choice of Stitch or nothing.... ummm, on second thought, let me consider that for a little while longer.

I also find this passage from the article very prescient...

"The new Fastpass system will create a whole new army of stressed-out moms and dads who spent weeks of their pre-vacation time mapping out their Disney vacation with pinpoint, military precision, and on the big day, countless families will feel unwelcome pressure to stick religiously to the plan, hunched over the My Disney Experience app on smartphones with fast-draining batteries, no meandering or side trips allowed. Have fun, kids!"

 

[Postal68]

My favorite design of this multi-million dollar system is how you have to search the park for a line at an attraction that "should" get you through the line and off the attraction before your FP expires. If not, you get Double Disney Screwed and lose one of the few FP you actually are allotted.

I had booked to stay on site for the first time in 25 years at Fort Wilderness for Christmas 2014. I love the Fort at Christmas and of course the Parks. But this entire FP+ debacle has soured me on Disney World (maybe forever) and now I have changed our Christmas trip to a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

 

[Robo]

1- My favorite design of this multi-million dollar system is how you have to search the park for a line at an attraction that "should" get you through the line and off the attraction before your FP expires. If not, you get Double Disney Screwed and lose one of the few FP you actually are allotted.

2- I had booked to stay on site for the first time in 25 years at Fort Wilderness for Christmas 2014. I love the Fort at Christmas and of course the Parks. But this entire FP+ debacle has soured me on Disney World (maybe forever) and now I have changed our Christmas trip to a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

1- To be fair, that's not entirely true.

2- Sorry to hear it, but I understand it.

Please put that info in the Mail to WDW.
We may all get some benefit from them hearing from the
many disappointed guests who decided to limit their trips.

eMail-

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com



Snail Mail-

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

 

[Silock]

But I LIKE Spam... I'll have yours.

Sure, I'll just give you this little slip of paper with my Spam reservation on it . . . oh wait, it's on my Magicband. Sorry, you're SOL.

 

[MermaidMommy]

At least people who read Frommer's are getting accurate information. I googled something that accidentally got me to the Disney Mom's Panel, and one of the "experts" was telling multiple people (and these questions were asked over this past weekend) that the only park without FP- is MK, and that the other parks will have FP- in March. I mean, I know they're not always known for their correct answers, but we talk about people doing their research before they visit -- I feel sorry for the people who "think" they know what's going on. They're probably assuming that Disney's park maps have accurate information, too....

 

[mom2rtk]

Sure, I'll just give you this little slip of paper with my Spam reservation on it . . . oh wait, it's on my Magicband. Sorry, you're SOL.

 

[Planogirl]

Why are the parks so crowded? Am I the only person who has to work any more?

I do wonder at the lengthy lines that I keep reading about. Are these due to more people or were some people right when they said that FP+ would cause longer lines?

I'm beyond happy that we visited the world in December. I wouldn't want to deal with all of this right now.

 

[Robo]

Why are the parks so crowded? Am I the only person who has to work any more?

I do wonder at the lengthy lines that I keep reading about. Are these due to more people or were some people right when they said that FP+ would cause longer lines?

I'm beyond happy that we visited the world in December. I wouldn't want to deal with all of this right now.

I think it will be interesting to see any reports starting tomorrow (Jan. 21) as
the Holiday Weekend crowd should be mostly back to school and work.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Why are the parks so crowded? Am I the only person who has to work any more?

I do wonder at the lengthy lines that I keep reading about. Are these due to more people or were some people right when they said that FP+ would cause longer lines?

I'm beyond happy that we visited the world in December. I wouldn't want to deal with all of this right now.

Thatvis what we were wondering. We go this weekend every year due to the holiday and a family birthday. Like every other tome of year the crowds are increasing more and more. What we saw was half the South American continent there - I mean like I have never seen before. Not sure what kind of marketing they are down there but DANG! We go 4-6 times a year for various lengths and various stays on and off site. Never seen anything like this mess!

 

[flateacher]

Why are the parks so crowded? Am I the only person who has to work any more?

I do wonder at the lengthy lines that I keep reading about. Are these due to more people or were some people right when they said that FP+ would cause longer lines?

I'm beyond happy that we visited the world in December. I wouldn't want to deal with all of this right now.

My husband and I were trying to figure out the answer to this question as we stood in line for Pirates this weekend. A LINE for Pirates!? We hardly EVER wait in line for Pirates unless it is Thanksgiving or Christmas... But this weekend we waited 20 min. (which is looooong for us) and even saw it top out at 45 min.

When we went in we realized it is because in the "old days" you could walk in and "choose a side" go left or right to enter. NOW the right side is completely dedicated to fast passes. Soooo the stand by line is longer. Granted if no one is coming in the fast pass line they let a few ppl at the front of the standby line "go left" to board the boats on the other side. BUT this creates a very long line outside.

Plus on other rides (which didn't HAVE fast passes before) the fp ppl get to "go in" before the stand by ppl - therefore creating a longer line for rides which didn't have that long of a wait before.

I really do not understand WHY they changed the system. I thought the paper fast passes were equal for all guests. It didn't matter where you stayed. Now they are forcing people to stay on property - but at the same time penalizing those who have park hoppers?! Ride less - spend more? No thanks!

 

[mamabear0222]

I know this is completely crappy....so I'm going with no expectations and I'm hoping to just go stand by for what we wish to ride...at rope drop for headliners ...when the ride times get over 30-45 mins I'll find a fp machine if I come across one and see what's left. I have no plans to look at MDE since we're offsite anyways. I can't let this get me down. It is my kids first trip... we will have fun.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[Laketravis]

Longer visible lines and guests who have used up their 3 FP's who are then wandering around the park wondering what to do next can make a park 'feel' more crowded.

 

[flateacher]

Thatvis what we were wondering. We go this weekend every year due to the holiday and a family birthday. Like every other tome of year the crowds are increasing more and more. What we saw was half the South American continent there - I mean like I have never seen before. Not sure what kind of marketing they are down there but DANG! We go 4-6 times a year for various lengths and various stays on and off site. Never seen anything like this mess!

My husband and I said the same thing!!

HUGE crowds of kids with tour guides and green flags and yellow shirts!!

One of the groups (about 50 of them) got in the FP line for Buzz (in front of us) only to have to get back out of line (after a 5 min. explanation). I think they had the wrong time? OR didn't have fast passes.

I can't TELL you the amount of ppl in the FP line this weekend who had to leave the line because when they got up there they didn't have FP's!!

This also makes the lines longer... and as a pp said I also saw ppl walk right by CM in the FP line and not even scan their band or cards while the CM was talking to someone else... I told my husband we should try that trick!!

 

[mom2rtk]

My husband and I said the same thing!!

HUGE crowds of kids with tour guides and green flags and yellow shirts!!

One of the groups (about 50 of them) got in the FP line for Buzz (in front of us) only to have to get back out of line (after a 5 min. explanation). I think they had the wrong time? OR didn't have fast passes.

I can't TELL you the amount of ppl in the FP line this weekend who had to leave the line because when they got up there they didn't have FP's!!

This also makes the lines longer... and as a pp said I also saw ppl walk right by CM in the FP line and not even scan their band or cards while the CM was talking to someone else... I told my husband we should try that trick!!

OK, there's a big prize (or at least a big thumbs up smilie) for the first person to find out how they are handling FP+ for the BTGs! I'm really curious. The system seems to not handle big groups very well.

 

[wisblue]

According to both Touring Plans and easyWDW, yesterday was a crowd level 8, which is always going to be a significant crowd. That is more like a spring break or summer crowd than a typical January or February crowd.

According to both, there won't be another crowd that large until President's Day weekend. So, yesterday should not be typical of what to expect for the next few weeks. After tomorrow, almost every day is listed at below 5, and several are 1s and 2s.

 

[bababear_50]

I know this is completely crappy....so I'm going with no expectations and I'm hoping to just go stand by for what we wish to ride...at rope drop for headliners ...when the ride times get over 30-45 mins I'll find a fp machine if I come across one and see what's left. I have no plans to look at MDE since we're offsite anyways. I can't let this get me down. It is my kids first trip... we will have fun.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

Hi mamabear
You are going in with a good attitude Hon,
I would rope drop the headliners and then check for a close by Kiosk and FP+ three rides/attractions.
I am wondering if everyone has to be at the Kiosk to get 3 fastpass+,maybe you could have a FP+ runner who goes and makes the FP+ reservations?
Hugs and Pixie dust to you and your family!
Mel


Keep an eye on this thread for FP+ locations

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3224688

 

[MelissathePooh]

My husband and I said the same thing!!

HUGE crowds of kids with tour guides and green flags and yellow shirts!!

One of the groups (about 50 of them) got in the FP line for Buzz (in front of us) only to have to get back out of line (after a 5 min. explanation). I think they had the wrong time? OR didn't have fast passes.

I can't TELL you the amount of ppl in the FP line this weekend who had to leave the line because when they got up there they didn't have FP's!!

This also makes the lines longer... and as a pp said I also saw ppl walk right by CM in the FP line and not even scan their band or cards while the CM was talking to someone else... I told my husband we should try that trick!!

We saw people just walk through too. The CMs were so busy having to explain something to every other person they couldn't keep.up with large groups.

My husband timed yesterday from the first scan on BTMRR to the second check scan - 8 minutes. That is all Disney is tracking. It dis not track the other 20 min getting to the first and to the train after the second scanner.

We talked to one Brazilian family on the bus - the mom actuly saod she was shocked at how many Americans they were seeing - normally it is all Brazil!

 

[mamabear0222]

Hi mamabear
You are going in with a good attitude Hon,
I would rope drop the headliners and then check for a close by Kiosk and FP+ three rides/attractions.
I am wondering if everyone has to be at the Kiosk to get 3 fastpass+,maybe you could have a FP+ runner who goes and makes the FP+ reservations?
Hugs and Pixie dust to you and your family!
Mel

Keep an eye on this thread for FP+ locations

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3224688

Thanks! I can't change it and are getting a 7 day pass. Im hopeful if I can do 2 headliners per day I'm doing ok! Thanks for the link!!!

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[Angel Ariel]

According to both Touring Plans and easyWDW, yesterday was a crowd level 8, which is always going to be a significant crowd. That is more like a spring break or summer crowd than a typical January or February crowd.

According to both, there won't be another crowd that large until President's Day weekend. So, yesterday should not be typical of what to expect for the next few weeks. After tomorrow, almost every day is listed at below 5, and several are 1s and 2s.

No one has said.it would be typical during low crowd times .

Crowd levels of 8 are on par with spring breaks and other holidays between now and summer...that is where people are concerned.

Even most "fp+ detractors" have said that low crowd times (when you rarely needed.fp-) aren't going to be affected by all of this the same way.

 

[morethananyonex]

No one has said.it would be typical during low crowd times .

Crowd levels of 8 are on par with spring breaks and other holidays between now and summer...that is where people are concerned.

Even most "fp+ detractors" have said that low crowd times (when you rarely needed.fp-) aren't going to be affected by all of this the same way.

As of now we have the flexibility to go at whatever times of year we want, and we also stay onsite. So, the MK rollout doesn't really effect us personally. As an onsite guest, we were already stuck with 3 only.

It is VERY concerning if this system cannot handle busy times well. Spring break, summer, thanksgiving, christmas, new years, etc. Busy days do make up a frequent chunk of the calendar, it's not just Christmas/NYE and the rest is low season.

Assuming Disney gets offsite guests using MDE as well, resolving the kiosk issue, they'll still have the long FP return lines complicated by the blue Mickey heads. That is a fairly complicated issue to fix, one that did not exist at all with FP-. Unless Disney does a complete 180 concerning their IT, they will not have technology reliable enough to know if the guest truly does hold a FP+ or not. The "debates" at the ride entrances will not go away unless Disney takes a hard no green no go stance, and that has never been how they've dealt with their guests. I can't see them deciding now is a good time to start to accuse guests of lying.

To all the people crying about people cheating the system before, you ain't seen nothing yet. It is incredibly easy to cheat the FP+ system now if you choose to do it. After all, there was no debate if someone held a paper FP or not, you either did or didn't.