Not to reopen that can of worms but...

[Angel Ariel]

Thanks for this info! On Oct 1, we are planning to be at MK by rope drop, cram as much in as possible before late brunch res at Chef Mickey's, rest and return for MNSSHP. Your post gives me some insight for my planning strategy!

Being there at RD, you should be able to get quite a lot done! We did find that MK was not as crowded on party days during the morning, early afternoon...people without hoppers and without party tickets tend to avoid.MK party days because of the short hours. It starts to get noticeably more crowded starting at 4pm.

Have a wonderful trip! We did MNSSHP a few years ago and it was awesome!

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

I guess where my opinion falls is that it's perfectly fine to describe our own negative experiences for all to see, whether it might add potential stress to someone else's future plans or not. As said before, I firmly believe that complaining both publicly and directly affects how they may adjust things in the future.

I have an adjusted strategy and will be in the parks for a long trip in 2 weeks, so we'll see.

I agree with this line of thinking, and have found the negative posts regarding FP+ to be some of the most useful in planning our trip a few weeks ago. The adjusted strategy is a wise approach.
Best of luck on your trip in 2 weeks !

 

[WillAustin]

I agree with this line of thinking, and have found the negative posts regarding FP+ to be some of the most useful in planning our trip a few weeks ago. The adjusted strategy is a wise approach.
Best of luck on your trip in 2 weeks !

Thanks! While I certainly enjoy reading about successful trips, when I'm looking for help on my trip planning I want to hear about everything, warts and all, not just the pixie dust. Sometimes hearing about the problems gives me the most helpful information.

 

[momof2n2]

I agree with this line of thinking, and have found the negative posts regarding FP+ to be some of the most useful in planning our trip a few weeks ago. The adjusted strategy is a wise approach.
Best of luck on your trip in 2 weeks !

Yes. Every experience shared honestly can contribute to trip planning.

 

[Luckybee]

I agree here, the FP+ system is perfectly suited for someone who wants to come just for an evening, 4 hours or so. Just enough time to ride 3 big things, a few small things in between, have a snack, and leave. For us, coming for a week from far away, the challenge is much different. The balancing factor is that being a resort guest for a week, we can pick our FP+ times first. 60 days. That's a pretty big balance. So I can get the SDMT every day, A&E, and pick my other rides at the times I want them. The guest just popping in only gets to pick their 3 from what's available, after all the resort guests at 60 days and other resort guests at 30 days picked theirs. I think this is fine. They get to have the majority of their time be FP+ rides, but only those rides that I or other resort guests haven't already chosen.

It all works out. I really think FP+ benefits both sides quite well. Like a good constitution, a flexible system that accommodates all these different styles of touring is perfect. And FP+ is just that. FP- really only benefited the one type of guest -- the FP- commando (or "user" for those who did not consider themselves commandos nor wore fatigues). Under FP-, if you did not follow the strict plan of knowing where to go to pull tickets early and queuing them up, you'd simply be left out, and that's why FP- had an abysmal adoption rate, and why it was so great for those few. FP+ fixed so much, making a system that works for so many different touring styles... from the week-long resort guest, to the day-passer, to the AP holder who wants to stop in for a few hours after work, to the park hopper, the rope dropper, really everyone.

And just as there were compliments about the recognition from some fp+ proponents that fp+ doesn't work as well for everyone there is this

Not everyone who liked fp was a commando, or a super user, or had to get there early, or had to have a runner, or had to follow a strict plan, or was left out. We were none of those as were many others on this board. There was nothing to fix from our point of view ! Fp+ does not work as well for everyone and those are not all " the FP- commando (or "user" for those who did not consider themselves commandos nor wore fatigues) " !!!!!!!!

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

And just as there were compliments about the recognition from some fp+ proponents that fp+ doesn't work as well for everyone there is this

Not everyone who liked fp was a commando, or a super user, or had to get there early, or had to have a runner, or had to follow a strict plan, or was left out. We were none of those as were many others on this board. There was nothing to fix from our point of view ! Fp+ does not work as well for everyone and those are not all " the FP- commando (or "user" for those who did not consider themselves commandos nor wore fatigues) " !!!!!!!!

Thank you Luckybee. This is very well said.

 

[ghtx]

FP+ is great. Huge success. Haters gonna hate, though.

 

[Here Now]

We were in MK yesterday as well and while we never felt like we were park commandos before we sure felt like some yesterday. We made it to rope drop and rushed to accomplish what we could as the wait times quickly rose. I think a lot of other guests are getting wise to being there early as well. By 1pm it was getting hot and we were literally exhausted. We don't have hoppers and made our FP's for early afternoon in hopes we could get additional ones at the kiosks after using them but frankly by 3pm there wasn't really anything left we were interested in and we were just too tired to wait in the long lines for the things we did want to do.

But here is what really surprised us - today we decided to go to HS and by 1pm we aren't sure what happened but the wait times seemed to have dropped so we took advantage of it for Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and Rocking Roller Coaster and finished those three in less than 3 hours. So it's really hit or miss, hard to plan a strategy around it when we don't really understand when or why the times will be shorter but with the combination of heat and crowds we felt like we needed a strategy but wasn't sure what it should be. I would think that if people liked the old system because it forced them to plan and strategize then I would think they'd really love it now!

 

[Lucius Best]

Thanks! While I certainly enjoy reading about successful trips, when I'm looking for help on my trip planning I want to hear about everything, warts and all, not just the pixie dust. Sometimes hearing about the problems gives me the most helpful information.

Definitely agree. As a FP- superuser, when I was planning our first trip with FP+, I did a lot of reading here, and I was looking for detailed honest reviews, both positive and negative. I wanted to hear how people used FP+, and how their experiences differed from what they could do with FP-. I was trying to figure out whether I should reserve my 3 FP+ in the morning or afternoon, rope drop then hop every day or don't hop, likelihood of getting 4th/5th FPs, etc. It was especially helpful to read reports from people who had used FP- like I did, and people who hated it and why.

What was especially not helpful were comments like "You don't have to use FP+, it's totally voluntary" or "No one is forcing you to book FP+ in advance" or my new favorite "Haters gonna hate".

 

[itchin2go]

What was especially not helpful were comments like "You don't have to use FP+, it's totally voluntary" or "No one is forcing you to book FP+ in advance" or my new favorite "Haters gonna hate".

Shake it off!



Just kidding - totally with you. Opinions with details - those are the educational ones.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think saying you don't have to use FP can be helpful. If a guest finds it just doesn't work for them, they can drop it, and do what does work for them. Just like with ADRs if someone doesn't want to be tied down to them, they don't have to be. You can still have a great time at WDW without ADRs and FPs.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Agree with the above. We've found we need to be much more flexible. Our own personal situation doesn't make getting to the park early in the morning for rope drop a reasonable possibility, so we have to play with the cards that are dealt to us.

Yesterday afternoon, for example, we were disappointed to find a 105 minute wait time for Space Mountain. But the two secondary attractions in the area had much shorter waits (PeopleMover and Carousel of Progress) so we elected to do those instead and then move to another area of the park for other attractions like Hall of Presidents and Philharmagic where wait times are usually no longer than the time it takes for the next show to start.

So it's definitely possible to be able to "do something" while in the park, we've just had to accept that some of the things we've looked forward to doing in the past could have a wait much longer than we are willing to endure.

I think this is what they are hoping to drive people to. Maybe you didn't get to ride Space Mountain but you got to ride PM and CoP so that's like 2 for 1.

This is really most evident at EPCOT and HS where they've created lines with this system. EPCOT is the worst where people are getting FP now for things that have been walk on for years. I laughed when I saw Journey on the list until we got to the park and saw lines for it since people are just taking whatever they can get.

I see the pitches for it but it all I keep thinking is they're doing something to me and telling me it's raining or to paraphrase the great thespian Spanky:

Me:
I don't like FP+

Disney:
You'll use FP+ and you'll like it!

ME:
I'll use it, but I don't like it.

 

[itchin2go]

I think this is what they are hoping to drive people to. Maybe you didn't get to ride Space Mountain but you got to ride PM and CoP so that's like 2 for 1.

This is really most evident at EPCOT and HS where they've created lines with this system. EPCOT is the worst where people are getting FP now for things that have been walk on for years. I laughed when I saw Journey on the list until we got to the park and saw lines for it since people are just taking whatever they can get.

I wonder if there's a large segment of "people" that really are happier just taking whatever they can get. You're not happier, and I'm not happier, but I wonder if some are.

 

[MrInfinity]

And just as there were compliments about the recognition from some fp+ proponents that fp+ doesn't work as well for everyone there is this

Not everyone who liked fp was a commando, or a super user, or had to get there early, or had to have a runner, or had to follow a strict plan, or was left out. We were none of those as were many others on this board. There was nothing to fix from our point of view ! Fp+ does not work as well for everyone.

Heh Lucky, no one is looking for compliments. FP+ is a better system, period. It benefits more guests, and makes Disney more money. It is a proverbial win-win over FP- because it is better for more people on both sides of the equation.

Is there anyone in the world that FP+ is not good for? Well, I suppose there is the person that wants to plan nothing, show up, and ride the hottest rides w/o waiting. But then that person is probably not out here on the Dis, where we are all about planning and being a step ahead of the other guests by the mutual planning that we do.

If you want to be adamant that FP+ is worse for you, I have no objection! It is worse for you. And a handful of others. But Disney World is what we all make of it.

I got a ton of benefit out of FP-, but I also can get a ton of benefit out of FP+ by doing things a bit different. I suppose if I refused to do things that little bit differently, and showed up expecting to pull tickets, I might find FP+ was worse for me, because tickets are not there to be pulled.

There is a point at which even the most die-hard FP- person should come to grips w FP+, and stop asserting that they get less, and figure out how to get as much or more. It's doable!

Is the remainder of your "Disney life" going to be less happy because you think you are getting less now? Because there isn't a system in place that was so flawed that it made is so that a small fraction of guests could get all the benefit out of a fastpass system at the expense of most other guests?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think saying you don't have to use FP can be helpful. If a guest finds it just doesn't work for them, they can drop it, and do what does work for them. Just like with ADRs if someone doesn't want to be tied down to them, they don't have to be. You can still have a great time at WDW without ADRs and FPs.

There are posters who do exactly this (not use FP+). Knowing it isn't obligatory is a good and helpful tip.

Conversely, if you have certain expectations that only FP+ can help meet, then saying it would require FP+ to facilitate XYZ under the desired parameters is also helpful.

 

[itchin2go]

There are posters who do exactly this (not use FP+). Knowing it isn't obligatory is a good and helpful tip.

Yeah, but we know that this "tip" has *sometimes* been used in a dismissive way in the past. "You don't like it? Don't use it." I understand it *could* be a friendly tip. It does not always come off that way, I'm willing to bet it is not always INTENDED to come off that way.

Not that anyone has cornered the market on being the victim of dismissive comments .... "drinking the kool-aid" and "Disney apologist" come to mind. Those are dismissive, too.

 

[Lucius Best]

I think saying you don't have to use FP can be helpful. If a guest finds it just doesn't work for them, they can drop it, and do what does work for them. Just like with ADRs if someone doesn't want to be tied down to them, they don't have to be. You can still have a great time at WDW without ADRs and FPs.

Valid Trip Report: "We used to get 6-8 FP per day with the old paper system. But now we were lucky to get 4 or 5 with FP+. We did rope drop and used first 3 FP in morning then hit the kiosks. So FP+ wasn't better for us."

Helpful Advice: "Maybe try not using FP+ at all, then you'll have zero FPs!"
Helpful Response: "FP+ is great, period!"

 

[MrInfinity]

Yeah, but we know that this "tip" has *sometimes* been used in a dismissive way in the past. "You don't like it? Don't use it." I understand it *could* be a friendly tip. It does not always come off that way, I'm willing to bet it is not always INTENDED to come off that way.

Not that anyone has cornered the market on being the victim of dismissive comments .... "drinking the kool-aid" and "Disney apologist" come to mind. Those are dismissive, too.

While it most definitely has been used dismissively, it isn't necessarily dismissive. For example if you have a FastPass for Space mountain for 1pm-2pm, but your 12pm lunch runs long, and then you walk out and run into a roaming character, or your kids meet another friend they want to hang out w for 20 min, there is NO PRESSURE to say "hey we gotta go we have a FP at 1pm". It's not like that. You just go w your day. Maybe you skip that SM.

In other words, you are not ever bound by your FP+ selections, they only give you options. Want to ride SM between 1pm and 2pm? You can do so. But having more fun doing something else fun / spontaneous? Well that's priceless! Of course you go w the moment! People should not feel like FP+'s are deadlines but options.

 

[TheDisGuy]

I think saying you don't have to use FP can be helpful. If a guest finds it just doesn't work for them, they can drop it, and do what does work for them. Just like with ADRs if someone doesn't want to be tied down to them, they don't have to be. You can still have a great time at WDW without ADRs and FPs.

Sorry but I have to disagree, NEVER have I seen someone comment and say "you don't have to use FP+, you can just SB everything" and the person respond with any indication they did not already know that absolutely obvious fact. No one has ever said "Wait what ? Stand by is still an option ?" Usually the "you don't have to use FP+" is a snarky reply to someone who posts a legitimate dislike about the system "No one is forcing you to use it, you can always just SB" And I have only once or twice seen someone acknowledge after they said you don't need to use FP+ that people will end up waiting significantly longer for attractions, and are at a greater disadvantage now than they were before FP+.

If you aren't providing them with new information you aren't really being helpful, you are probably just offering a sarcastic/snarky response. I mean, if you honestly didn't know the poster was unaware of the fact they didn't have to use FP+, then you can't be blamed for offering that information, but that's not usually how I have seen the "information" offered.

 

[TheDisGuy]

While it most definitely has been used dismissively, it isn't necessarily dismissive. For example if you have a FastPass for Space mountain for 1pm-2pm, but your 12pm lunch runs long, and then you walk out and run into a roaming character, or your kids meet another friend they want to hang out w for 20 min, there is NO PRESSURE to say "hey we gotta go we have a FP at 1pm". It's not like that. You just go w your day. Maybe you skip that SM.

In other words, you are not ever bound by your FP+ selections, they only give you options. Want to ride SM between 1pm and 2pm? You can do so. But having more fun doing something else fun / spontaneous? Well that's priceless! Of course you go w the moment! People should not feel like FP+'s are deadlines but options.

Again, that's not usually how the "if you don't like it you don't have to use it" or the "no one is forcing you to use FP+" or the "there is always SB" is offered.

If someone asked, "What happens if I miss a FP+ appointment" ... your response would seem quite reasonable, but that's not what we are talking about.

To suggest those comments are "helpful" when the PP knows full well the context in which they have been offered 90+% of the time on these boards is rather disingenuous.