Not to reopen that can of worms but...

[Willows909]

I really do love to plan our trips, but not the whole "nailing" down our days in the park with FP. We are lucky to be able to travel to WD at least once a year and part of the enjoyment is sitting by the pool and saying...."hey, let's go to Epcot this afternoon" This seems to be a thing of the past. Sigh. We are heading back this September and I'm hoping for the low crowd factor. I'm still going back and forth over how to pick a park and when I will schedule FP...morning? afternoon? Last two trips were short, resort only. So definitely a first timer with FP+ We'll see. Thoughts on September crowds and FP anyone?

 

[merrick]

we went for our first trip in december, really overwhelmed by "all things disney" so didn't start at looking at booking fastpasses until a week or two prior. i like the "options" that allow for 3 different scenarios with what you have requested. we are hoping to go back this december. i really want the snow white minetrain thing (clearly, we are rookies) which wasn't an option ANY day we were there!

 

[maxiesmom]

I really do love to plan our trips, but not the whole "nailing" down our days in the park with FP. We are lucky to be able to travel to WD at least once a year and part of the enjoyment is sitting by the pool and saying...."hey, let's go to Epcot this afternoon" This seems to be a thing of the past. Sigh. We are heading back this September and I'm hoping for the low crowd factor. I'm still going back and forth over how to pick a park and when I will schedule FP...morning? afternoon? Last two trips were short, resort only. So definitely a first timer with FP+ We'll see. Thoughts on September crowds and FP anyone?

You still can do that! I honestly don't think it is a whole lot different than before--if go later in the day the best rides are out of FPs.

What I have found works for my family is to make the FP times a few hours into the day. That way you can sleep in, or hit rope drop, and still have FPs for good rides. Keep in mind the earlier you use all of your FPs up the earlier you can start adding another FP to your day, one at a time.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Best thing Disney did I don't have to rush to the park, trample people, from the convince of my home I can reserve what I want to do and when I can.

Best thing in years and I love the magic bands instead of carrying around or losing paper tickets and having to take my key out and again our of my pocket.

Ask anyone who wasn't use to the old system - it's awesome.

 

[Barnabe]

You still can do that! I honestly don't think it is a whole lot different than before--if go later in the day the best rides are out of FPs.

What I have found works for my family is to make the FP times a few hours into the day. That way you can sleep in, or hit rope drop, and still have FPs for good rides. Keep in mind the earlier you use all of your FPs up the earlier you can start adding another FP to your day, one at a time.

But Willow mentioned picking the park for the evening while sitting by the pool, same day. Like Bus roulette, I think you lose out on headliner attractions if you try to be spontaneous with FP+.

 

[Barnabe]

Best thing Disney did I don't have to rush to the park, trample people, from the convince of my home I can reserve what I want to do and when I can.

Best thing in years and I love the magic bands instead of carrying around or losing paper tickets and having to take my key out and again our of my pocket.

Ask anyone who wasn't use to the old system - it's awesome.

So you never visited the parks with Legacy FP?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I guess when I went I was never a super Disney fan and the five times I went prior to me being older and I never heard of fast pass and what it is or what it is about:

My travel agent never explained what are dining credits were used for and how they could be used and we wasted them all in hotel cafe.

Never ever was I educated what fast pass was or how to use it - so for me I have no emotional attachment to it and see how it is on paper the differences between the current platform

I'm going to Disneyland next week I'll let you know what I think

 

[Willows909]

I loved the old system. I think we will miss the relaxing and just doing what we felt like at any given day/time. The spontaneity of a vacation. Of course it's just DH and myself now, so no real rushing going on for us now that the kids are grown! Guess I just don't want to pick a park and FP 60 days out... I just want to whine about it! And maybe drink some wine!

 

[maxiesmom]

But Willow mentioned picking the park for the evening while sitting by the pool, same day. Like Bus roulette, I think you lose out on headliner attractions if you try to be spontaneous with FP+.

You would have the same problem with standard FP. If you went to the parks later in the day, all the good FPs were gone. So nothing has really changed, with regards to that.

 

[coolbrook]

Works great!

 

[AllieBoo]

We just got back last week - our first time ever trying FP+ and I LOVE it! I scheduled most of our FP's for morning, and we were able to 4th, 5th FP's after we used those, so we never waited more than 15 min for a ride. One night we decided that we wanted to sleep in the next morning and just wait to go to DHS around 5pm. I logged onto the app and was able to change our FP's (including TSMM and TOT) to later that evening. I think it is a great system for people who don't like having to be at RD or shortly thereafter and have to rush to the "hot" rides to grab a fp for later.

 

[uccats97]

As the designated "runner" for the family in the FP- years, I will say FP+ has definitely made my trips more relaxing.

Agreed! I love it and I'd rather plan 60 days in advance than go running crisscross around the parks gathering legacy FP. I have visited WDW 6 times with FP+. I love the convenience! I don't see a big deal in planning rides 60 days in advance when many families plan dining reservations 180 days in advance.

 

[mesaboy2]

Works great!

Less filling!

 

[Willows909]

You would have the same problem with standard FP. If you went to the parks later in the day, all the good FPs were gone. So nothing has really changed, with regards to that.

I guess we were a bit spoiled in years past with September crowds so, so low. I can remember going on Splash Mountain and doing multiple rides without even getting off! The old FP was a handy tool to use when necessary, and I did love it. I think in May when we took our family we used the old FP more. I will probably pick our favorites ...mid morning...and if we go to the park, yay, but if we don't that will be okay too. The pool and drinks are nice too! LOL

 

[Willows909]

By the way mesaboy, I've been reading everything you post to get up to speed on all things FP+ Thank you! It will be an interesting trip. What is the reasoning behind Disney making the trip to a kiosk a requirement to get that 4th pass instead of being able to use our app?

 

[Jennasis]

FP+?

 

[Barnabe]

I guess when I went I was never a super Disney fan and the five times I went prior to me being older and wished I never heard of fast pass and what it is or what it is about:

My travel agent never explained what are dining credits were used for and how they could be used and we wasted them all in hotel cafe.

Never ever was I educated what fast pass was or how to use it - so for me I have no emotional attachment to it and see how it is on paper the differences between the current platform

I'm going to Disneyland next week I'll let you know what I think

Interesting perspective. I know you'll have a great time at DLR, your'e obviously an enthusiastic Disney fan.

 

[Barnabe]

By the way mesaboy, I've been reading everything you post to get up to speed on all things FP+ Thank you! It will be an interesting trip. What is the reasoning behind Disney making the trip to a kiosk a requirement to get that 4th pass instead of being able to use our app?

IMO there aren't enough attractions for everyone to book a 4th on the app. Making guests go to the kiosks, forces guests to stand in another line. The kiosks keep the 4th FP+ selections a secret. IMO it would be great if they had a board that posted the available attractions and the available times.

 

[TheDisGuy]

You would have the same problem with standard FP. If you went to the parks later in the day, all the good FPs were gone. So nothing has really changed, with regards to that.

Not our experience at all, this might have been true during the busiest days of the year, but it is now true during middle crowd levels at all. In the past during middle crowd seasons we would be pulling FPs for headliners right up until park close.

 

[nat8199]

For us FP+ is a negative, but it doesn't ruin the trip ... though the increasing prices along with FP+ might

We got a lot done with our last trip of FP+, but it took more work than legacy FP MORE running around the parks than legacy FP (since the only place you can get additional FPs is the kiosk). We never used to "sprint" or "Run" for FPs, we used to just snag FPs as we toured. Yes occasionally one of us would break off and swing by an attraction and meet the rest of the group at our next destination, but that was the exception, not the rule, and was done for convenience. Now, the whole group has to lug it over to a kiosk, wait while you stand in potential lines, then you get to shout to them about what you are finding available and decide what to pick, usually out of pretty slim pickings at that.

If you are planning on visiting the parks in the evening, I could see FP+ being a positive as you will be able to lock in 3 rides, and know for certain you have them with little wait. That being said, if you are also planning on being in the parks during the day, and then returning at night with FPs booked, I would see FP+ as a massive negative, as you will not have access to FPs during the day and will be standing in longer SB lines.

I don't understand this scenario at all. Why does the whole group have to be at the kiosk and shouting to each other? Cannot one person go and select an attraction for everyone, and then changes be made via the app/site if needed?