Off Site visit to Disney, why bother?

[TreeSapp]

All true, on paper, Just like some professional teams are easily the best when you look at them but then it is put into the real world and it doesn't play out like that. I saw the mess in person 2 weeks ago, and that was before FP+ is in full implementation.

Are you sure you weren't just seeing the Fall Break attendance surge that going on at present?

 

[ShayBells]

I've seen quite a few posts about a recent disastrous week when it was difficult to get headliner fastpasses. Of course, we don't know why that happened.

That's what I meant about assuming it was FP+. It might of been it might not of and if it was it does not mean automatically that it will stay that way. No one can tell the future.

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[Tamiami]

I'm an advocate of staying off site!!!!

That's the entire point of my post. Disney is putting off site guests at a handicap the second they walk into the gate because all of it's resort guests with FP+ are taking up all the FP's before off site and day guests even get a chance to get one.

I got your point. I, too, am not very happy about the MB/FP+ situation. We already had our vacation planned long before I started reading about what a mess it's become, so we are going, and going to make the best of it. Thankfully, we are staying much longer than we've ever been able to, and getting a 10-day PH (*excited beyond belief* lol), so we should be able to still enjoy our favorite rides. We're old pros at getting thru the parks, so I'm hoping we'll be ok. We also enjoy the ambience, and just soaking up the experience and people watching. We even enjoy exploring the resorts, especially since it's Christmas, and they're decorated to the hilt, so cool. I just love Disney, period. But....a part of me is very disturbed, and betrayed, to think that we will not be treated equally simply because we don't have the money to stay on-site. My daughter and I would be thrilled to have a magic band, we were so excited when we heard about them (we're geeks, lol). But, I'm sure that will not be happening for us this trip, no matter how much I wish it to be so.

 

[ShayBells]

Not spinning anything. I was on the Dream from the 6th through the 10th and at the Parks the 10th through the 14th. It was a mess. I'm not saying FP+ was a mess for it's users. it probably was great for most people. But for those who aren't part of it the FP's were either not available or very very late return times(in other words, hardly any left) for the BIG attractions. I hope FP+ works, I honestly do, but my main point is it should be available to every guest that pays the same price for the same exact Park Admission. not just resort guests. I'll wait until all guests have equal access to it to return, otherwise it's simply not worth it in my opinion. There aren't many attractions at Disney that are worth more than an hour wait. One of my favorite things to do in the Park is to just sit and people watch in the "aura of Disney" but I'm not paying $90 a day to people watch and wait in 90+ minute lines. And for the record, I am a fan of the Magic Bands. I like the idea of having one less thing to carry and using the band for admission, purchases, ect...

Then why are you being so harsh about it and freaking out to people. Put your complaints in to Disney see how fast the can get the ball rolling to off site guests.

And I wasn't a tester and did fine. I dot know what it's like now but if all these people complained about it to Disney and didn't come on here and rip everyone else's vacation ways maybe something would change.

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[Postal68]

I got your point. I, too, am not very happy about the MB/FP+ situation. We already had our vacation planned long before I started reading about what a mess it's become, so we are going, and going to make the best of it. Thankfully, we are staying much longer than we've ever been able to, and getting a 10-day PH (*excited beyond belief* lol), so we should be able to still enjoy our favorite rides. We're old pros at getting thru the parks, so I'm hoping we'll be ok. We also enjoy the ambience, and just soaking up the experience and people watching. We even enjoy exploring the resorts, especially since it's Christmas, and they're decorated to the hilt, so cool. I just love Disney, period. But....a part of me is very disturbed, and betrayed, to think that we will not be treated equally simply because we don't have the money to stay on-site. My daughter and I would be thrilled to have a magic band, we were so excited when we heard about them (we're geeks, lol). But, I'm sure that will not be happening for us this trip, no matter how much I wish it to be so.

I am with you. I would rather save money by staying LONGER off site and put more money into days at a Park or different experiences(Dinner/shows, water parks)

We can afford to stay on site, but every time we think about doing it, we just don't see the value when we can rent an entire beautiful home for less money or just stay at a hotel for 1/4 of the the price.


We are not "room snobs" by any means. As long as a place is clean and has good management in case of any problems, we are satisfied.


And in all honesty, I think Disney's customer service has waned over the years as WDW grew larger and larger. There are still great cast members there, we come across a few every trip, but I find more and more uninterested in going out of their way to give people the Disney Magic.

 

[Postal68]

Then why are you being so harsh about it and freaking out to people. Put your complaints in to Disney see how fast the can get the ball rolling to off site guests.

And I wasn't a tester and did fine. I dot know what it's like now but if all these people complained about it to Disney and didn't come on here and rip everyone else's vacation ways maybe something would change.

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I actually have already sent a letter off stating my concerns.

 

[Tamiami]

Then why are you being so harsh about it and freaking out to people. Put your complaints in to Disney see how fast the can get the ball rolling to off site guests.

And I wasn't a tester and did fine. I dot know what it's like now but if all these people complained about it to Disney and didn't come on here and rip everyone else's vacation ways maybe something would change.

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I DID write to Disney..... the response was "At this time no announcement has been made on whether or not guests staying off-site will be able to get magic bands".

But I agree, EVERYONE who is unhappy with this should write. Who knows? Maybe they'll listen.

 

[Planogirl]

I wrote to Disney too and got a form letter explaining what FP+ is right now. I just asked if offsite visitors would eventually be included and the form letter didn't address it.

 

[mefordis]

Get there at rope drop and you will be able to ride everything you want, little wait, for the first 2 hours!

 

[Tamiami]

I wrote to Disney too and got a form letter explaining what FP+ is right now. I just asked if offsite visitors would eventually be included and the form letter didn't address it.

Yes, the rest of mine was also a form letter, explaining how to use fast passes, lol

 

[Tamiami]

Get there at rope drop and you will be able to ride everything you want, little wait, for the first 2 hours!

That's the only way we've ever done it....rope drop to close! Like I said, we're Disney diehard veterans. I just hope this will still work.

 

[Postal68]

Get there at rope drop and you will be able to ride everything you want, little wait, for the first 2 hours!

Not happening. 30 years of visits and I have never done a single rope drop, and I have only stayed to Park Closing maybe 4 or 5 times.

I am on vacation, we don't do any of that commando park touring. We find it ridiculous to do that.
(Actually I wouldn't have a problem with rope drop since I am awake at 5 am daily, work or not. But my 2 teens and wife are "sleepers")

I don't expect to do every attraction, nor do I need to. I have been there enough that so I don't feel that pressure. But I feel that Disney is giving day guests or off site multi day guests a raw deal with the FP+ system. I would like a fair shot at getting a FP to at least a couple E Ticket attractions without having to be there at rope drop.

 

[mefordis]

Even as a day guest I feel I HAVE to be there at rope drop, or very shortly after. I don't want to miss out on that low crowd feeling you get when others are sleeping in and you get the park to yourself.

My dh is just like you, so he meets us later, around lunch time. He refuses to get up early for anything, really! Doesn't even have to do it for work! I just take my girls there, grab fastpasses, ride with them, and save some Fast Passes for when he gets there.

With FP+ we can plan rides for when he gets to the park, around 11 or so.

Not happening. 30 years of visits and I have never done a single rope drop, and I have only stayed to Park Closing maybe 4 or 5 times.

I am on vacation, we don't do any of that commando park touring. We find it ridiculous to do that.

I don't expect to do every attraction, nor do I need to. I have been there enough that so I don't feel that pressure. But I feel that Disney is giving day guests or off site multi day guests a raw deal with the FP+ system.

 

[3Gsandme]

Not happening. 30 years of visits and I have never done a single rope drop, and I have only stayed to Park Closing maybe 4 or 5 times.

I am on vacation, we don't do any of that commando park touring. We find it ridiculous to do that.

I don't expect to do every attraction, nor do I need to. I have been there enough that so I don't feel that pressure. But I feel that Disney is giving day guests or off site multi day guests a raw deal with the FP+ system.

But, how can you say that when you have no idea how FP+ will actually affects off site guests and Disney themselves says FP+ will be rolled out to EVERYONE. You're just fear mongering because things aren't the way you'd like them to be anymore.

I'm sure Disney is motivated to give "perks" to its on-site guests. It makes a killing off of them, I'm quite sure, but you're wildly speculating that Disney is going to absolutely ignore off site guests including annual pass holders and you have no evidence of this beyond a negative impression of how much things have changed during your most recent trip when you, yourself, said that you didn't have access to the FP+ system yet.

I know trips to Disney are extremely expensive and, tbh, if you're staying off site and this is your once in a lifetime trip and you're concerned about MB and FP+, I'd encourage you to put off your trip a few months to a year to see how things roll out, but this disadvantage to off site guests is nothing but wild speculation at this point.

 

[kathy884]

We just did a two day Orlando trip, stayed offsite, and still had a magical time on our Disney day. Day 1 Plan: SeaWorld and pool time at resort in evening, Day 2: MK, Titanic Attraction on I-drive, and Epcot (one day park hopper)

Since we weren't going to do any full day just at Disney, didn't make sense to me to pay a premium to stay onsite and drive off site every day. We stayed at a hotel near SeaWorld.

For our Disney day, we chose to do the MK the morning of a evening party event. That worked wonderfully. It was practically walk on to the rides, less than a 15 minute wait for everything and we did six out of the seven attractions we planned before noon and the 7th after lunch at "Be Our Guest". We used a touring plan and had no need what so ever for a fast pass. Then it was off to our I drive attraction and over to Epcot at 6. Now a fastpass for Soar'in would have been great. We waited an hour for this. Truth be told though, I heard these fastpasses would run out before 2 p.m. even before Magic Bands and FP+, so really no difference. Anyway, we waited an hour for Soar'in, but had lots of fun in line visiting with other guests who lived in several different states. Then instead of watching Illuminations, we did Test Track twice and that was walk on, given that lots of people headed over to the fireworks show. Just saying I have no regrets whatsoever that we stayed offsite for our three night / two day mini stay last weekend. We had so much fun, and I'd do something similar again in a heartbeat.

We'll have to see how things roll out. Maybe some of this is to provide incentives to get more people to stay at the overpriced onsite resorts, buy the overpriced food, and spend more time spending money at Disney gift shops. It's not at the point yet for me, though, that I'd consider this.

 

[ponyboy]

I think staying offsite is awesome! I wish more people would stay offsite. Would make it less crowded for me!

 

[doctornick]

I hope FP+ works, I honestly do, but my main point is it should be available to every guest that pays the same price for the same exact Park Admission. not just resort guests.

Why should Disney be obligated to provide a "level playing field" for off site guests versus on site?

I don't really understand the folks who argue that it is so much better value to stay off site and that people are fools to waste their money to stay on site, but then get annoyed if Disney gives on site guests advantages. Well, duh, Disney wants to make it more beneficial for people to pay their high resort rates and stay on property.

Now, Disney has come out and said that everyone will have access to FP+ once it is fully rolled out. It is certainly possible that on site guests will have either earlier access to FP+ bookings or might be able to book more FP+ per day (or both). If they do that, then it would provide another advantage/perk for staying on site. At that point, people will have a choice (just like they have had pre-FP+): stay on site and get the benefits of that option (free transport, proximity to the parks, EMH, free parking, early access to dining ressies, whatever FP+ perks) versus the benefits of off site (cheaper/larger accommodations, potentially nicer decor and amenities)

 

[fbarker]

I'm the original poster and we ALWAYS stay offsite, every year, for the last 30 years(only 3 times on site). It's not comfortable or cost effective to stay in a Disney room. For 4 or 5 nights at the All Star resort I can get an entire house with it's own pool and a full kitchen.


We just came back 2 weeks ago, it's a mess now. Very soon if you are unable to make your FP+ reservation online weeks before you go, you will be unable to get one. Technically, yes, offsite guest can use their park tickets at the kiosks to get a FP, realistically almost 95% of them will be gone before you even walk through the gate. And stand by lines will move at a crawl because the attractions will be busy being loaded with FP holders

I am sorry and I have not looked at prices outside of Disney but All Star is about $118/night. That seems pretty reasonable. You can really get an entire house cheaper than that??

 

[ShayBells]

I am sorry and I have not looked at prices outside of Disney but All Star is about $118/night. That seems pretty reasonable. You can really get an entire house cheaper than that??

Yeah to me that's not bad at all. My sister lives in DC we get a hotel to stay with her unless you want a bad hotel in a bad part of town you won't find anything that low.

Same with the beach. Same prices as that higher for boardwalk in MD. You can always find deals but it's around that price.

I'd rather be right in Disney with no worries especially of safety than save a couple dollars.

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[Tonka's Skipper]

I thought to remember folks. the OP is providing opinion and little in the way of facts. We don't know yet what the final policies in off site guests and how the FP+ program will work for them and on line guesses.

As the system has the kinks worked out, there will very little be many changes made. It seems harder likely Disney is going to make the off site guests feel unwelcome or not give them a fair deal. We don't know yet nor has Disney made any official announcements about final FP+ passes that will be available for off site. All the statement made has been opinion and rumor.
when the system is officially on line we will know what the program is and then sane and fair assessments can be made.

Not like now ranting and throwing out rumors and opinions. Not telling everyone if they don't go to the parks way the op does your not doing it right.

When we go in may, only then will I be in a position to judge how I feel the system works , good or bad!. The same is for everyone else, after the system has been fine tuned.

AKK