Nov Trip..How much harder can this get?

[mom2rtk]

This to me makes it soo not fun. You're planning a vacation. It shouldn't take checking your app multiple times a day. This should be fun, it should be building the anticipation of a great time. But it sounds like it isn't and the new system sets people up to fel like they somehow lost before they even started playing. OP i feel your pain. the old way you just went to the ride when you got there and got your FP now you have to play with your phone all day in the hopes of getting what you want.

I wish you good luck.

Very well put. That's the unfortunate side effect of Disney wanting to lock people in.

 

[Lucius Best]

To be clear, with the old way you went to the ride when you got there, hoped there were Fast Passes left and IF there were hoped they worked out with what you had planned for the rest of the day, went on other rides, and then went back to the first ride and then got on.

You are correct, but just to elaborate on this thought regarding the old way, if you got to the park at rope drop, there were always FP available. OP's complaint is with the new system, she was essentially at virtual "rope drop", online at midnight, and for several rides there was no availability at all.

 

[leebee]

We are going 11/7-11/12 and I haven't even begun to plan. We confirmed doing this just 10 days ago. Everything is still refundable in case plans change, but I have a room (ASMu) and airfare (SWA). I haven't bought park tickets yet; that will have to wait until after 9/16 when the credit card cycle changes, LOL! Heck, I haven't even checked park hours yet! I am not worrying about FP+. If I can get them, I will. If not? Oh well. I am SO GLAD that we have been to WDW so many times, that HAVING to get a certain ride is pretty much irrelevant. Actually, with all this preplanning, Disney is becoming irrelevant. I just can't work myself up to playing the game, throwing myself into the rat race yet. I know I might regret this, but I just can't make myself want to do all the preplanning that's necessary. It's not fun anymore. I know, by not entering the fray, that I might be "dooming" our vacation to secondary experiences, but I just can't care enough. Planning isn't fun anymore. I miss the old fast pass system.

 

[Lucius Best]

The only thing is I need to ride Big Thunder at least 4 times, then the trip will be perfect.

The positive side effect of the popularity of 7DMT and A&E is that more than 75% of the mob at rope drop is heading to Fantasyland. If you head straight to Frontierland, you should easily get multiple rides on BTMRR and/or Splash.

 

[ldymcbth]

I miss the old fast pass system, too. For those of you who are frustrated, I might suggest that your next Disney trip be to Disneyland - old fastpasses there, and it's just much more relaxed and laid back. It doesn't feel like you have to preplan out the wazoo.

 

[jani3]

I miss the old fast pass system, too. For those of you who are frustrated, I might suggest that your next Disney trip be to Disneyland - old fastpasses there, and it's just much more relaxed and laid back. It doesn't feel like you have to preplan out the wazoo.

I agree. I'm a DL APholder and going to wdw for the first time in Nov. This planning is stressing me out. I'm not used to having to plan out where I'm eating, what and when...months in advance. I'm used to booking my ADR a week or less away and still get the "real" meal time (like 5:30pm).

My FP window is opening soon and I don't even have a set plan of which parks we'd like to go to on our dates. In other words, I'm screwed. What do WDW APholders do in regards to getting FP on a day they randomly decide to go, let's say tomorrow? Does that mean they're out of luck and will have to do standby lines?

 

[AThrillingChase]

November 11th - Veterans Day - is a school holiday juts about everywhere. With the Wine and a Dine Race the weekend Prior and the last week of Food And Wine and No School - it shouldn't be surprising that these days are all very busy. We are going 11/3-11/9...the jersey week crowds seem far more manageable than the Veterans Day crowds!

True, but I am there for the race and through the 11th. I had a lot of options just a few days ago. Maybe that extra head start on the +10 is what helped.

We are going 11/7-11/12 and I haven't even begun to plan. We confirmed doing this just 10 days ago. Everything is still refundable in case plans change, but I have a room (ASMu) and airfare (SWA). I haven't bought park tickets yet; that will have to wait until after 9/16 when the credit card cycle changes, LOL! Heck, I haven't even checked park hours yet! I am not worrying about FP+. If I can get them, I will. If not? Oh well. I am SO GLAD that we have been to WDW so many times, that HAVING to get a certain ride is pretty much irrelevant. Actually, with all this preplanning, Disney is becoming irrelevant. I just can't work myself up to playing the game, throwing myself into the rat race yet. I know I might regret this, but I just can't make myself want to do all the preplanning that's necessary. It's not fun anymore. I know, by not entering the fray, that I might be "dooming" our vacation to secondary experiences, but I just can't care enough. Planning isn't fun anymore. I miss the old fast pass system.

This is my life. Lol. My MVMCP is on standy!!

 

[Davey Jones II]

The positive side effect of the popularity of 7DMT and A&E is that more than 75% of the mob at rope drop is heading to Fantasyland. If you head straight to Frontierland, you should easily get multiple rides on BTMRR and/or Splash.

Yeah, I've heard that the rest of the park is a ghost town for a couple hours after rope drop. As long as there was no extra magic hour in the morning, going against the herd is a great strategy.

 

[Jhondy210]

My mom and I are going for a short trip Nov. 15 - November 19. I'm nervous cause my FP+ window isn't for a few days still and I feel like I'm going to be late to the game. Luckily, neither of us cares to se A&E and my mom is afraid of roller coasters even the small ones so if I don't get 7dmt it won't be a huge deal. We got all the restaurants that we wanted and since I am not concerned with getting the hard to get Fastpasses (although a FP for a parade would be nice) I should be okay. However, I am worried about crowds. I chose this time period because I wanted to see Christmas decorations and the crowd calendars had it at a lower time. I'm still hoping the crowds stay at a level 5 or 6 at the highest.

 

[leebee]

This is my life. Lol. My MVMCP is on standy!!

Yup, same here!

 

[Accident]

I miss the old fast pass system, too. For those of you who are frustrated, I might suggest that your next Disney trip be to Disneyland - old fastpasses there, and it's just much more relaxed and laid back. It doesn't feel like you have to preplan out the wazoo.

LA Times had an article that the bands weren't coming soon but variations of the new mymagic+ system, which might include the bands working are coming. It won't be long until you have this same mess in every disney park. the bands are basically a resort thing that have overlapping uses with the cards.

 

[maxiesmom]

You are correct, but just to elaborate on this thought regarding the old way, if you got to the park at rope drop, there were always FP available. OP's complaint is with the new system, she was essentially at virtual "rope drop", online at midnight, and for several rides there was no availability at all.

For me it is easier to get one person to virtual rope drop than it is to get a whole family to real rope drop. I like knowing what rides I have ahead of time, and not having to fast walk at park open to a FP machine. Some people would rather the old way. But all any of us can do is make the best of the situation as it is now.

 

[ldymcbth]

LA Times had an article that the bands weren't coming soon but variations of the new mymagic+ system, which might include the bands working are coming. It won't be long until you have this same mess in every disney park. the bands are basically a resort thing that have overlapping uses with the cards.

Ugh, that stinks. We love WDW (so much to do! and we can drive there) but I also have a lot of love for DL because it's such a calmer trip and you can operate on a whim if you want to, based on how things are now. We were even there opening weekend of Carsland (by accident!) and aside from Carsland being a zoo, it was so great!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

To be clear, with the old way you went to the ride when you got there, hoped there were Fast Passes left and IF there were hoped they worked out with what you had planned for the rest of the day, went on other rides, and then went back to the first ride and then got on.

OP--Keep checking. I couldn't get 7DMT for my first day in the park. But I checked every so often and was soon able to snag it!

Actually with the old system, I would check the app from wherever I was to see what the posted wait time and return time were. Then I would make a decision about what I wanted to ride. Plus, I knew the first 45 minutes of the morning would be standby only which kept lines moving faster.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I feel your pain. It can be stressful. But dont lose hope! For example... i've tried desperately to get FP for MSEP but had no luck, completely sold out for my dates! Kinda my fault, i fell asleep and instead of booking FP at midnight, I did it at 6am. Anyway, low and behold one day i did a random check for MSEP FP at the 45 day mark and they became available!! I couldnt believe it! I was so happy. So please, dont give up.

UNBELIEVABLE!

This is just an amazing example of what Disney's Customer Service has become, it's the customer's fault they fell asleep at midnight? REALLY?

No Goofyintoronto this is NOT your fault This is just insane that people are willing to take the blame for not staying up all night to fight with this stupid IT shop.

There are several reasons my AP won't be renewed.. See above!

 

[maxiesmom]

UNBELIEVABLE!

This is just an amazing example of what Disney's Customer Service has become, it's the customer's fault they fell asleep at midnight? REALLY?

No Goofyintoronto this is NOT your fault This is just insane that people are willing to take the blame for not staying up all night to fight with this stupid IT shop.

There are several reasons my AP won't be renewed.. See above!

It is not a customer service issue. When something goes on sale, or has a time frame where it becomes available, if you don't jump on that offer right away and you miss out it is no ones fault but your own. To me it is no different than going to the doughnut shop at 3 pm on Saturday and expecting them to have the same amount of doughnuts available as they did when they open. Or going out at noon on Black Friday and being ticked that the sale items are all gone. If you feel it is inconvenient to be there when the item is first offered, then that is your choice.

 

[jeanico2000]

Planning a vacation should be a lot more fun than this!

Bingo!

 

[goofyintoronto]

UNBELIEVABLE!

This is just an amazing example of what Disney's Customer Service has become, it's the customer's fault they fell asleep at midnight? REALLY?

No Goofyintoronto this is NOT your fault This is just insane that people are willing to take the blame for not staying up all night to fight with this stupid IT shop.

There are several reasons my AP won't be renewed.. See above!

I agree wit you. i've had soooo many problems with booking ADRs at 180 day mark. I dont think i have successfully booked my ADRs once over the years. Not once. I always end up calling disney because they either say my reservation isnt linked, or some other error message. so annoying. Why does it continue to happen year after year?

 

[SaraJR]

unpopular opinion: I love disneys system, im going in the eye of the storm nov11-18 booked all my ADRs at 6am 180days there was only one i really wanted and couldnt get (sci-fi diner) I booked my FP+ at midnight for 60days but iv changed them a lot since then i actually rearranged them all yesterday evening no issue. I like planning and find it less stressful having a solid plan ahead of time . If someone prefers to just wing it you still can im going with 2 groups and the other group isnt nearly as into planning as me I feel like mines been a lot smoother than theirs but most of them still seem happy, in the end your still in the disney magic no matter what happens

 

[mellyf]

Actually with the old system, I would check the app from wherever I was to see what the posted wait time and return time were. Then I would make a decision about what I wanted to ride. Plus, I knew the first 45 minutes of the morning would be standby only which kept lines moving faster.

Completely agree. I realize that a few years ago, not as many people had smartphones, but I know there were a few years that we had the capability to check return times from an app. We didn't have to cross the park to check to see if a time would work for us. For us, it may have been the Touring Plans app that we used, I don't remember for sure, but Disney also had an in-park app to use I think.