Not sure I'm getting why FP+ is "limiting" peoples experience.

[morethananyonex]

No, no, we get that three is less than six but in the past since we didn't spend the better part the day retrieving and then returning for six or more FP's...it doesn't really matter.

Well neither did we. What we did do, without fail, almost every park day was get at least one FP in more than one park.

However, everyone who tours the park has a different way of going about it, and the 3 limit hits a lot if people hard.

 

[rt2dz]

You did mention May 2008 actually so that's what I based my comparison on

Yup, I mentioned May 2008. I did not say say that was when a massive wave of closures happened, although that is around when a massive amount of cutbacks that effected the parks dramatically happened. Side note, how long have you been going? Not to be condescending, but some of us "old timers" have just been around a lot longer to see the changes for good and bad and can evaluate a little more realistically v ideally. Anyhow, my mention of 2008 was to say that was the last time a fully NEW ride was added. Just underscoring the lack of additions to the park, which this part of the conversation is about.

If you really want to go back to 1971 you can do that too but the majority of those rides you mentioned are not exactly "e-tickets". As a matter of fact if they had opened new rides like that you probably would have complained (can you imagine if Disney opened a new Penny Arcade and called it a new attraction?!)

No, they are not "e-tickets", but they are losses with no replacements. That is my point. I did not go through refurbishments/replacements that got rid of strong attractions and gave us weak attractions in their place. And, actually, I'd love to see the penny arcade reopened. It was cool. A step back in time. I'm pretty sure my kids would enjoy it. A nice distraction. And NOT girl or under 5 only centered. No, I wouldn't call it "new" because it is not. But it beats the heck out of stores with generic merchandise of dollar store quality. I'm the type to really complain about any new attractions. I did think new fantasyland was overly girl centered, especially before they cut back on the girly stuff, but that's about it.

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[Bullseye]

Not a busted system....you just had to wait in line for those two rides if you didn't get there early.

FP was still available for most of the other attractions, even during the late afternoon/early evening.

Ah yes the early bird angle... "I'm sorry little Tommy, it's just not possible at WDW to have a birthday breakfast at Chef Mickey and still FP TSMM in the same day!" Prioritize....Earn....or..

 

[patty57]

Thank you Lord, Sweet Baby Jesus!!!! This show was awful the first time it was out, and I can't believe they brought it back (sorry this will probably offend some) just because he died.

Took it away because he was reported as a child molester, brought it back because apparently when you're a dead child molester, it's ok.

 

[Jennasis]

while we complain about this to kingdom come a quick story here.

about two years ago, with my then 3 YO daughter and 5 year old son, we were at HS at Rope. obviously, as most people in the know do, you got there early and went straight to TS mania to FP. as we tended to do, my wife would take my son and get in the SB line, and I took my daughter to FP the ride and would meet her in line, so we could, you know, ride twice.

they would put cast members in a 'Chain line' directing people to the attraction, and tried their best to limit the rush.

long story short, while HOLDING my daughter and walking, people started running, someone tripped me, and to protect my daughter from the fall I obviusly held her and didnt try and break my fall, and gashed my knees and elbows.

No one stopped.

No one tried to help.

Disney was gracious enough to offer us free mickey bars. seriously. ice cream.

my point here is THATS what they're trying to ELIMINATE with FP plus.

They eliminated the running of the bulls at HS already by not doing a rope drop anymore. However, People will STILL make a mad dash for TSMM though, ..even with Fp+. May be more now since TSMM could well be "sold out" for the ride by park opening leaving standby the only option.

Sorry you got hurt. It isn't the norm.

 

[rt2dz]

No, no, we get that three is less than six but in the past since we didn't spend the better part the day retrieving and then returning for six or more FP's...it doesn't really matter.

I never spent "the better part of the day "retrieving and then returning" 6 or more FPs. Ever. And, yet, we still used 5-7 on a typical day. When we entered an area, we grabbed FPs for the longer lines on desired attractions and enjoyed other attractions in the area until it was FP time. Or we grabbed them on our way elsewhere, like lunch.

The only place I grabbed a FP and returned was TSMM, which we did not get there at RD for. Early, but not RD. It usually had a late return time, so we got that FP and went on with the majority of our day, swinging back by at its time. Shhh... Sometimes we grabbed it, went to Epcot, and came back for TSMM and F!, also fitting in ST.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Momtomouselover]

I have been going regularly for the past 7 years with my family. Sometimes one trip a year and many times multiple trips a year. Depending on the day, who came on that trip, the season, etc. we would tour according to how we feel. Some days we planned, somedays we ran around and rode lots using FP to the max ability, some days we just decided what park to go to when we woke up in the morning or even while standing at the bus and could then use FP in that park, some days we chose a resort day or a water park day, some days we slept in and others RD....my point is that now with FP+ you are expected to plan all those days and every day. Spontaneity is gone unless you don't mind Standby lines and in the busy season those are long. Less value for more cost is how I currently see FP+ and thus it is very limiting. Requires planning and you STILL GET LESS than current system. The only benefit I saw is I did not have to use RD for TSMM and that is not worth the exchange for me, especially when adding another headliner in DHS for families could have remedied this problem and provided variety.

 

[Angel Ariel]

my point here is THATS what they're trying to ELIMINATE with FP plus.

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that opening then gates before park opening (15 mins-30mins) and no longer having a true RD had pretty much eliminated this as a problem. At least I thought I saw someone post something to that effect (Robo, maybe? Sorry for the typo... stupid tablet's spellcheck )

*if* that is the case, then no, FP+ is not being enacted to fix this problem.

 

[mesaboy2]

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that opening then gates before park opening (15 mins-30mins) and no longer having a true RD had pretty much eliminated this as a problem. At least I thought I saw someone post something to that effect (Robot, maybe?)

*if* that is the case, then no, FP+ is not being enacted to fix this problem.

Yep.

 

[gina2000]

FP+ is a brilliant marketing scheme targeting new families who do not know the ropes of FP-. These families come, stand in line, love WDW but hate the lines, and perhaps vow not to return.

Now, these families with small tots can choose 3 rides (1 major and 2 minor in tiered parks) and are thrilled to death that they can ride headliners that they normally would ignore because the standby lines are too long. It's a win-win for the inexperienced visitor.

And if it's a win-win for the inexperienced visitor who has fallen in love....the next step is buying DVC (a part of WDW that definitely has seen money thrown at it with the hope of great financial return). Win, win for the new visitor; win, win for WDW.

Not such a great win for families who have already figured out the ropes and love riding headliners multiple times per day, who park hop, who have figured out how to make their experience top notch in an ever expanding, totally over populated park environment.

WDW doesn't have to spend millions creating new headliners and has the opportunity to sell the DVC vision with FP+ to newbies. It's a gamble but it probably will work.

My family rides the single rider line whenever possible - we're adults. We always pull fast passes whenever possible - and when they aren't - we ride single rider. We park hop like crazy - if a park is too busy - hop. That won't be so easy with credit card ADRs and FP+. So for us, this is probably it. Last trip we all decided that the lack of new headliners, the lines, and the ride breakdowns were not for us. Add FP+ in its present form and it's a deal breaker. WDW wasn't getting the return on us that they wanted....we don't buy souvenirs, often eat offsite due to food quality, etc., etc., etc. It's all good - we see the real world and others will see WDW and love it.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that opening then gates before park opening (15 mins-30mins) and no longer having a true RD had pretty much eliminated this as a problem. At least I thought I saw someone post something to that effect (Robot, maybe?)

*if* that is the case, then no, FP+ is not being enacted to fix this problem.

Robo

And yes, they have not had the actual ROPE drop there for quite some time.

 

[Robo]

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that opening then gates before park opening (15 mins-30mins) and no longer having a true RD had pretty much eliminated this as a problem. At least I thought I saw someone post something to that effect (Robot, maybe?)

*if* that is the case, then no, FP+ is not being enacted to fix this problem.

I, (Robot) have mentioned this. (So have many others.)

And, it is the case.
The "letting guests in at the measured pace of the entry gates" has severely curtailed the "running of the bulls"
at DHS (et al.)

 

[morethananyonex]

I have been going regularly for the past 6 (7?) or so years with my family. Sometimes one trip a year and many times multiple trips a year. Depending on the day, who came on that trip, the season, etc. we would tour according to how we feel. Some days we planned, somedays we ran around and rode lots using FP to the max ability, some days we just decided what park to go to when we woke up in the morning or even while standing at the bus and could then use FP in that park, some days we chose a resort day or a water park day, some days we slept in and others RD....my point is that now with FP+ you are expected to plan all those days and every day. Spontaneity is gone unless you don't mind Standby lines and in the busy season those are long. Less value for more cost is how I currently see FP+ unless it is modified.

That's how I feel too.

I don't mind the actual planning of the rides once you've got a park selected. What bothers me is we had those do what we feel like days too. Now I need to decide in advance what days we'll feel like having a slower morning, or if we'll want to head back to the resort for a break, or if we'll even be in the parks during the day.

I've said it before, but I think FP+ works out nicely for shorter trips, especially ones during the busy seasons. Those are the trips that are much less spontaneous to begin with. Heading down for 4 days over Christmas? Perfect, you get 3 guaranteed rides you may not have had otherwise, and you don't have time to have resort days if you want to see everything.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yes you do. As of today all resort guests except Pop and All Stars can double dip.

So it kind of sucks to be at Pop and All Stars, doesn't it?

I am not sure how this is going to play out, and until it is fully functional, with all it's bells and whistles, no one is going to know how this system is going tio impact guests. I liked the old FP system, and my family used it to make our touring better. We did not "abuse" it but we knew how to ensure that we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. and therefore got to enjoy the attractions we enjoyed more than one time. I have no idea if this new system will make out trips more or less enjoyable, but in the end, I get to decide if it works for us, and do not need to defend myself. I don't insist the folks who welcome the change are wrong, or that their vacation style is wrong.

I believe that Disney is trying to equalize attendance throughout the parks and bring people to the "second class" attractions, and perhaps manage crowds better. I think if they are attempting to boost shopping or snacking, this may not be successful, but time will tell that as well. In the meantime, FP+ is here, some people are really having a difficult time and others experiences are very smooth. Until all the glitches are ironed out, no one knows if in general, this will be a successful transformation of the old FP system.

 

[Angel Ariel]

No, no, we get that three is less than six but in the past since we didn't spend the better part the day retrieving and then returning for six or more FP's...it doesn't really matter.

I truly don't understand the constant referring to "spending the better part of a day retrieving" FP-. Getting FPs never took up much of our time. Returning for a FP ride never took up much of our time, because we generally stayed in the near vicinity (the land the ride was in, generally) to kill time before the return time. We easily managed to get 5-7 FPs/day (at MK, b/c most other parks don't require that many to begin with).

 

[joecatz]

. I am happy we had such a great Christmas trip (well minus a day from a stomach bug) but am unsure if I will renew my AP if FP+ remains 3, and tiered. We may still go but only one trip a year and with a different touring plan involved as well as some side trips. Alas, time will tell.

EXACTLY.

Right now we spend roughly $1300 on seasonal passes that are blacked out during the summer and holidays.

I could buy 4 day passes with water park options for $947 with a six month expiration, no park hopper as a florida resident and instead of doing three or four trips and staying at moderates for say, 2 nights each trip at $200 a night...

you do two three night trips, plan them around the halloween party and christmas party, maybe stay at a monorail resort for $300 a night, don't hop, and actually ENJOY your vacation.

thats kind of what we're thinking to do next year.

 

[twopeasonepod]

That's how I feel too.

I don't mind the actual planning of the rides once you've got a park selected. What bothers me is we had those do what we feel like days too. Now I need to decide in advance what days we'll feel like having a slower morning, or if we'll want to head back to the resort for a break, or if we'll even be in the parks during the day.

I've said it before, but I think FP+ works out nicely for shorter trips, especially ones during the busy seasons. Those are the trips that are much less spontaneous to begin with. Heading down for 4 days over Christmas? Perfect, you get 3 guaranteed rides you may not have had otherwise, and you don't have time to have resort days if you want to see everything.

Hmm, see I was just there during Christmas, and I actually found that FP+ messed us up, too. Luckily, we were there for 10 days, so we got to do everything we wanted, but here's the scenario that really jacked us up…I did not plan well for ADR (totally had other things going on -- work, health stuff, and three trips in the fall, one literally the week before we left), and didn't get F! dining. (Lame, I know.) But I kept checking multiple times each day, and ended up getting a F! dinner package on Christmas Eve! Awesome, right? Except we had FP+ at MK that day. And the times were later in the day since we were double dipping with FP-. So now I had to change all the times, and not many choices available. We literally had to walk to opposite ends of the park three times in succession to make sure we made the times. I made it work, of course, but it wasn't as fun as FP+ seems.

Overall, I liked FP+, because my kids just don't care about these rides anymore (sad because they are only 7). But if they were Fantasyland-aged, or wanted to ride big ticket rides more than once, we would've been super bummed.

 

[AmyB2006]

I truly don't understand the constant referring to "spending the better part of a day retrieving" FP-. Getting FPs never took up much of our time. Returning for a FP ride never took up much of our time, because we generally stayed in the near vicinity (the land the ride was in, generally) to kill time before the return time. We easily managed to get 5-7 FPs/day (at MK, b/c most other parks don't require that many to begin with).

Semantics. All that means, is that she probably doesn't like having to go to one ride, then find something else to do in order to "kill time", so that you can go back to said ride during the FP time. If you're doing that 5 to 7 times a day, that would be annoying to me. To you it's not. Again, semantics and all in how different people view things.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I, (Robot) have mentioned this. (So have many others.)

And, it is the case.
The "letting guests in at the measured pace of the entry gates" has severely curtailed the "running of the bulls"
at DHS (et al.)

Sorry about the typo! I'm on my new MS Surface, and the autocorrect is annoying..I didn't see the autocorrect til just now! I do know your sn, promise

 

[baileybrad]

FP+ is a brilliant marketing scheme targeting new families who do not know the ropes of FP-. These families come, stand in line, love WDW but hate the lines, and perhaps vow not to return.

Now, these families with small tots can choose 3 rides (1 major and 2 minor in tiered parks) and are thrilled to death that they can ride headliners that they normally would ignore because the standby lines are too long. It's a win-win for the inexperienced visitor.

And if it's a win-win for the inexperienced visitor who has fallen in love....the next step is buying DVC (a part of WDW that definitely has seen money thrown at it with the hope of great financial return). Win, win for the new visitor; win, win for WDW.

Not such a great win for families who have already figured out the ropes and love riding headliners multiple times per day, who park hop, who have figured out how to make their experience top notch in an ever expanding, totally over populated park environment.

WDW doesn't have to spend millions creating new headliners and has the opportunity to sell the DVC vision with FP+ to newbies. It's a gamble but it probably will work.

My family rides the single rider line whenever possible - we're adults. We always pull fast passes whenever possible - and when they aren't - we ride single rider. We park hop like crazy - if a park is too busy - hop. That won't be so easy with credit card ADRs and FP+. So for us, this is probably it. Last trip we all decided that the lack of new headliners, the lines, and the ride breakdowns were not for us. Add FP+ in its present form and it's a deal breaker. WDW wasn't getting the return on us that they wanted....we don't buy souvenirs, often eat offsite due to food quality, etc., etc., etc.[/COLOR] It's all good - we see the real world and others will see WDW and love it.

we too fall in the category that you spoke of above that I highlighted. We are, oddly enough, DVC owners for a long time, resale of course, (HH is our home resort). We went about a week or so ago (12/20 - 12/24) and for the 1st time in many years have no future trips planned to WDW. We did pull the heck out of FP- on the trip....just for old times sake. And got those wonderful magic bands that people speak of....with no charging priviledges on them (sorry Disney, we quit being sheep years ago). We agree, we are good. 3 beach trips planned (2 in Florida (we would have always stuck a few Disney days on one end of those in the past) and 1 at Hilton Head DVC where there are no FP issues of any kind.