Not Missing FastPass+

[Disneylover99]

Well we had three little kids in tow and that made the waiting get old really fast, especially when it felt like one in five rides would have a lengthy cleaning procedure while we were stuck in line, and when outdoor queues in August are really unpleasant. So while we did get plenty done, it was less pleasant because we were spending more time in lines and less time relaxing in between FP with a snack, browsing gift shops (which also often had lines just to get in this trip), or taking in street entertainment (less of that available this trip). So for us while the quantity of rides we gone done was on par with FP, the quality of the experience was way down.

That makes sense. I’d feel the same if we were in line for extended periods in the hot sun.

 

[cjlong88]

I feel like if you know how to max out the FP system, then it might not feel as great even with the short wait times. That was our experience this weekend. We still had a great time and we rode plenty of attractions, but we did have to manage our expectations a bit.

 

[Tormania]

It's a double-edged sword, right? When used correctly during normal, busy park days FP can easily save you 2 hrs in time per day, and that's just for 3 attractions. With all waits much shorter now it seems fine to not have it, but no one was required to use it before so not really understanding folks complaining about it before if they didn't like all the planning. You could have done then exactly what you are doing today, but with 45-60+ minute waits for everything. Me, I'll take my FP+ all day, everyday, no question. We did FoP back in Dec 2017 with a FP, in and out in 15 min when standby was 3+ HOURS long. You'll never convince me that FP+ isn't a better deal. Hell a 5 min wait is better than a 10 min wait in my book. The ONLY thing I miss with FP+ is some of the really nifty queues that exist for some rides that we skip right past.

 

[jerseygal]

That makes sense. I’d feel the same if we were in line for extended periods in the hot sun.

It must be very hot wearing masks outside for an extended period of time! No parks for us, but our faces were sweating just walking outside at the resorts!

 

[KMarston]

We just booked a trip for June, I’ve been away from the DIS since January. Just popped in to see how FPS are being managed. We have a grandson on the spectrum and waiting more than 15-20 minutes isn’t going to fly. I’ve always been able to manage between rope drop, FP+, and Magical Mornings and I really good touring plan. I’m really hoping they’ll be back before June! We typically go in January so I’m not looking forward to June crowds or heat but it’s the only time we could plan it since we’re taking his parents and step brother.

 

[disneygirlsng]

It's a double-edged sword, right? When used correctly during normal, busy park days FP can easily save you 2 hrs in time per day, and that's just for 3 attractions. With all waits much shorter now it seems fine to not have it, but no one was required to use it before so not really understanding folks complaining about it before if they didn't like all the planning. You could have done then exactly what you are doing today, but with 45-60+ minute waits for everything. Me, I'll take my FP+ all day, everyday, no question. We did FoP back in Dec 2017 with a FP, in and out in 15 min when standby was 3+ HOURS long. You'll never convince me that FP+ isn't a better deal. Hell a 5 min wait is better than a 10 min wait in my book. The ONLY thing I miss with FP+ is some of the really nifty queues that exist for some rides that we skip right past.

Last Monday I walked right onto FOP 5 times in a row, waiting less than I ever have with a FP. Like literally walking off, being directed back to the place where they split you up and walking right into a preshow room. I am allll about FP and as I said earlier I only use FP, no standby, getting at least 12-15 in a day. I did significantly more rides in way less time and effort this past week than I ever have. Like 25-30+ rides each day with no effort (only exception being Epcot). Never waited close to 45-60 minutes for anything. Now when normal crowds come back, yes absolutely give me all the FPs back.

 

[OKWFan88]

When I went at the end of July, it was mid week when I went to AK and went about an hour into opening time and my sole goal was to ride FOP as many times as I could. After the initial 10 min wait for the first ride as it takes so long to get thru the long queue, right before exit, the CM's let whoever wanted to ride again to go down a different path to avoid having to go thru the long queue again. I lost count after the 12th ride on how many times I rode but I was there until at least 2-3PM and that was the only ride I was on all day. It was fantastic.

 

[gatordude99]

With the Fast Pass system properly utilized, I would maybe sit through 3 or 4 standby lines all day and the rest of the day would be character meet and greets, play areas, table service meals, parades, shows, fireworks, and actual rides (usually around 10-12 of them without waits due to proper use of the Fast Pass system). Currently, there are no character meet and greets and the kids play areas are all closed. There are no parades, no shows, no fireworks, and table service menus are restricted and some of the best of them are not open, and in any case sit down meals eat up too much of the day during the decreased park hours. So right now, there's almost literally nothing to do but ride the rides and therefore it's not much of a problem that you're standing in line more of the day. Right now, Disney reminds me of what it used to be like when I was a punky teenager in the late 80s - a race to do as many rollercoaster rides as possible with definite benefits to going on weekdays. This has been neat for a change, but once you ride "the mountains", or Slinky Dog, or FoP like 5 times in a row just because you can, it gets old.

So once all the other stuff opens up again, I think people are going to be wishing they had their Fast Passes back and that they could be doing all other more "magical" stuff while waiting for rides instead of standing in line, even if it's just a whole bunch of shorter lines than before.

That said, I doubt that they ever bring Fast Passes back again. They were already doing visitor surveys asking questions about how to revamp or eliminate the Fast Pass system even before the shutdown, and currently cast members have been instructed to refer to the entrances signed "Fast Pass" as "alternative entrances" or something like that, which to me sounds like they are trying to phase out the term. I think the writing is on the wall that they intend to move to some sort of virtual queue system, but we'll have to wait to see how it will be implemented.

 

[Ariel620]

I know the waits are only about 30 min, but with little kids, 30 min per (big) ride is still more than I'd like to wait. With fastpess we waited 5-10 at even the big rides (maybe 15 if something was excessive). I personally want FP back asap. I don't mind the planning, I'd rather have the planning and lower waits.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I know the waits are only about 30 min, but with little kids, 30 min per (big) ride is still more than I'd like to wait. With fastpess we waited 5-10 at even the big rides (maybe 15 if something was excessive). I personally want FP back asap. I don't mind the planning, I'd rather have the planning and lower waits.

I waited 30 minutes for 2 rides all week (MMRR and Rise), the rest were all significantly shorter. Waiting 5-10 min, or less, without FP for big rides all week. Occasionally in the 15-20 min range, but still not bad as the lines were constantly moving.

 

[tzvdmd]

We wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes in a line before the Fastpass system. However after it was implemented we sometimes had waited longer in the Fastpass line. The last couple of visits we rode all the rides just like in the old Value Season. If you know how to work it you can hit everything even with the shorter hours.

 

[AprilDecember]

It isn't necessary right now, but I'm gonna want it back when the crowds return. FP+ is a revelation next to the old paper system (hated the pressure to get to the parks early and pray) and I can't imagine going back to the wild west of no fastpass at all when the perpetual crowds era resumes.

FP+ requires a little advance planning, but it does give you peace of mind that you'll be doing SOMETHING without having to wait an hour to do it, avoids the reserve boarding group blues, and by no means monopolizes your whole day.

I'm more chafed by our current inability to parkhop. THAT is confining af. The only thing I really don't like about the parks right now.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Boy, I have missed it! We hit the jackpot a couple nights ago with walk-ons but the few trips prior, we waited 15-30 minutes for everything and I am not used to that. I've been spoiled by FP! The outdoor queue in the heat + holding a 20lb wiggly baby + 25 minute wait for It's a Small World had me wishing for one.

I've never been tied down to FP's, though, because I could snag them back to back while touring.

Sadly, I'm not sure they'll return in their previous form