Perhaps FP+ will make WDW better for more people?

[BuckeyeBama]

I did. Disneyland was awesome. I expect it will be awesome when we go this year again.

We are actually considering DL for our next Disney trip - have never done it as a family.

 

[Evoga]

I really enjoyed fast pass + and look forward to using it again in august. 3 a day is more than enough for my family.

Sent from my Windows Phone using DISBoards

 

[DisneyKentucky]

True. Maybe the system won't be flawless for DisneyKentucky next time.

When I say flawless, that is more of a stretch than my Manhattan Mom's comment (which was used to portray sense of entitlement not bending rules). There was 2 problems I had and one was user error that Disney fixed in less (I kid you not) thirty seconds. The other is where my fast pass for MSEP with reserved viewing area was bumped due to either over booking or weather. I was compensated with a "super choice" where I could ride any ride in the park with a fast pass (no matter if I had already booked it prior) at anytime.

I am watching as it goes and Disney seems to be listening and making tweaks for everyone.

If people are consumed by rides with short lines, I'm not sure Universal is your spot. I think many should look to Sea World. Short waits and if you can carry a tune you probably can perform at their events.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Me too. Or three or five. I have tunnel vision when it comes to my/our Disney experience. I don't care (or I didn't) about having multiple FP each day. Before or after FP+.
However I do care that it affects me. Us. Our trip. And I did just fine with the previous "system". Thank you very much.
If others needed to work around that system, do it.
Changing to what is currently going on and currently still changing, doesn't suit me.
I know. Tough.
But that's my humble opinion.
No one has come up with anything that fixes anything. It just changed the rules.

 

[DisneyKentucky]

FP+ benefits those with more money to spend, even if there's never an option to pay for more FP -- people who can afford to stay onsite; people who go to the parks for multiple days (and/or multiple times a year) and have no need to maximize their hours in the park or ride TT and Soarin in the same day and don't suffer as much wasting time when their MB doesn't work; even people with smartphone data plans.

The change from FP- to FP+ hurts people traveling on a tight budget, staying offsite possibly sharing a rental with extended family, people who can only afford one or two park days and want to arrive at RD and pack as much into those days as possible.

Gaining an advantage with legacy fastpass was just about doing basic research before a trip (or reading the park map when you arrive, or asking someone for help) and putting in a little more effort to make your trip the best. The beauty was that it was equal opportunity.

I agree it benefits the people on property. I stayed this time for 3 nights on property and then off for 7. I did it because of the race. I probably would be in the upset camp had it been reversed. I honestly love the band and with my AP now connected I have the same options as anyone who stays on property. So, book a campground site for one day and get the band and attach to the annual pass. It's the cheapest way to get the band and avoid FP+ kiosks.

 

[SmallWorld71]

That's pretty awful. Sorry to hear that.

Any particular reason you didn't get one of the new DAS cards? Seems like it would have helped a lot.

Don't want to go too far off topic, but if you pop on over to the disABILITIES board you will see that Disney is saying that people who use wheelchairs/ ECV's don't need a DAS because they the wheelchair/ ECV is their accommodation. (With just a few exceptions and I highly doubt the poster's mom would apply to their exceptions.)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

FP+ benefits those with more money to spend, even if there's never an option to pay for more FP -- people who can afford to stay onsite; people who go to the parks for multiple days (and/or multiple times a year) and have no need to maximize their hours in the park or ride TT and Soarin in the same day and don't suffer as much wasting time when their MB doesn't work; even people with smartphone data plans.

The change from FP- to FP+ hurts people traveling on a tight budget, staying offsite possibly sharing a rental with extended family, people who can only afford one or two park days and want to arrive at RD and pack as much into those days as possible.

Gaining an advantage with legacy fastpass was just about doing basic research before a trip (or reading the park map when you arrive, or asking someone for help) and putting in a little more effort to make your trip the best. The beauty was that it was equal opportunity.

I agree, to a point. We stayed on property but did not book our FP+ reservations until late morning all but one day and got to ride all of our preferred rides at times that worked for us. Granted we booked from the on-line app instead of a kiosk, but that probably saved us less than 15 minutes. That 15 minutes could be recaptured by arriving 15 minutes earlier (again, we arrived late each day).

The best strategy for a ride packed day is still to arrive early. FP+ will encourage even more people to sleep in, as they no longer need to arrive early for rides like TSMM and Soarin'. Book your meals and FP+ reservations for mid-day, when crowds are at their peak. Ride everything else early and late. Not the same as before, but still very manageable on a budget.

 

[mom2rtk]

We are actually considering DL for our next Disney trip - have never done it as a family.

Any Disney fan should go at least once. If you can time that with some missing some nasty growing pains at WDW, then all the better.

 

[AmyB2006]

Any Disney fan should go at least once. If you can time that with some missing some nasty growing pains at WDW, then all the better.

I've wanted to do this for a while now. When's the best time, weather-wise? Are crowds the same there as in WDW?

 

[DisneyKentucky]

I've wanted to do this for a while now. When's the best time, weather-wise? Are crowds the same there as in WDW?

I grew up in California and had AP to Disneyland. Weather tends to always be good. The only time you have to worry is big holidays. Also, realize there are around 1 million Californians with AP (At least that is what I heard reported). So, the weekends and nights tend to be a bit more picked up.

If you make the trip, also try to get to WD Studios. Look for events around there or the El Capitan. http://elcapitan.go.com/

 

[AmyB2006]

Thanks! I'd probably go late October'ish.

 

[aubriee]

That's pretty awful. Sorry to hear that.

Any particular reason you didn't get one of the new DAS cards? Seems like it would have helped a lot.

We tried at both MK and DS. We tried to explain that the ECV did not meet all her needs, but the CMs at guest services just saw her ECV and tuned out the rest of what we were trying to tell them. One CM said point blank that the DAC was strictly for kids with Autism and WDW no longer offered anything for the elderly other than wheelchairs and ECVs. She then proceeded to say, "Really what rides can an 80 y/o ride anyway?". The only thing we were asking for was a quieter, less crowded place to wait, as my mom has some senile dementia and gets really confused and panicky in crowded situations where she is surrounded and being bumped into, plus is on meds where she needs to stay out of the sun as much as possible, plus is a very brittle diabetic who has frequent and unexpected blood sugar drops and has alot of mobility problems due to arthritis. She also has problems with her eyes adjusting from bright sunlight to darkness. The ECV handles the mobility problems, but not her other issues. We weren't asking to get on the rides any faster, just needed a different place to wait our turn where she wouldn't get bumped or overwhelmed with people bumping into her. We were turned down for a DAC at both DS and MK. We didn't even bother to ask at Epcot. At the Nemo ride we did ask to avoid the dark queue and to enter through the wheelchair entrance inside the gift shop. The CM outside said it wouldn't be a problem, but when we went inside, no one ever came to open the door and the CM at the cash register said she didn't think they were using that entrance that day. So due to her not being able to navigate that dark queue we just didn't get to ride Nemo. WDW was not handicap friendly, nor friendly for offsite guests that week, (even though we were long time loyal annual passholders).

 

[Silock]

Don't want to go too far off topic, but if you pop on over to the disABILITIES board you will see that Disney is saying that people who use wheelchairs/ ECV's don't need a DAS because they the wheelchair/ ECV is their accommodation. (With just a few exceptions and I highly doubt the poster's mom would apply to their exceptions.)

Wow, I didn't think they could do that, especially with hppaa laws. I would then say it was for someone else, and not the wheelchair/ecv person.

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

I'm trying to reserve judgement on MBs and FP+ until my trip in April. But, I am already concerned because, as an experienced planner, iPad/phone and fairly savvy computer user, I have already spent over an hour (over three calls), just trying to get my RSVP with two rooms booked "linked" so I can be ready to do FP+ for my entire party, together (all (only) 4 of us...) when my 60 days hits. (BTW, I was told by one CM that it is easiest if only one person has a MDE account, despite email/mailers/ect. encouraging us all to sign up!?!? ). I love planning for our trips, but worry how many extra hours will I have to spend due to technical detail glitches...not "simple" or "incredible" so far.

Question for experienced FP+ users: AFTER your initial 3 FPs are used, can you make additional ones, in the same park? Per 3 different CMs- 1 said no (3 per day period), 2 said yes...?

 

[Silock]

We tried at both MK and DS. We tried to explain that the ECV did not meet all her needs, but the CMs at guest services just saw her ECV and tuned out the rest of what we were trying to tell them. One CM said point blank that the DAC was strictly for kids with Autism and WDW no longer offered anything for the elderly other than wheelchairs and ECVs. She then proceeded to say, "Really what rides can an 80 y/o ride anyway?". The only thing we were asking for was a quieter, less crowded place to wait, as my mom has some senile dementia and gets really confused and panicky in crowded situations where she is surrounded and being bumped into, plus is on meds where she needs to stay out of the sun as much as possible. She also has problems with her eyes adjusting from bright sunlight to darkness. We weren't asking to get on the rides any faster, just needed a different place to wait our turn. We were turned down for a DAC at both DS and MK. We didn't even bother to ask at Epcot. At the Nemo ride we did ask to avoid the dark queue and to enter through the wheelchair entrance inside the gift shop. The CM outside said it wouldn't be a problem, but when we went inside, no one ever came to open the door and the CM at the cash register said she didn't think they were using that entrance that day. So due to her not being able to navigate that dark queue we just didn't get to ride Nemo. WDW was not handicap friendly, not friendly for offsite guests that week, (even though we were long time loyal annual passholders).

Holy crap. I'd be furious. I'd write a letter, call and I'd have probably tried to escalate the situation up the chain after that crack about older people not being able to ride things, anyway.

That is so not the Disney of magical dreams. You deserve some kind of compensation for that experience, if not at least some recognition on their part that they royally screwed up.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I agree it benefits the people on property. I stayed this time for 3 nights on property and then off for 7. I did it because of the race. I probably would be in the upset camp had it been reversed. I honestly love the band and with my AP now connected I have the same options as anyone who stays on property. So, book a campground site for one day and get the band and attach to the annual pass. It's the cheapest way to get the band and avoid FP+ kiosks.

We're actually staying onsite. Although I'd like to stay offsite again in the future, I'm more worried about other families who can't afford onsite. I wonder if the campground "loophole" will soon be closing, and it's certainly something you have to be "in the know" to take advantage of. Of course, we have no idea if offsiters will eventually have some pre-booking ability, but I really hope I don't see frustrated, confused families at long kiosk lines during my spring break trip. I'm going to feel guilty enough using my resort express pass at Universal. It's silly, but I want Disney to be more magical.

Maybe waiting in a line to book all at once when they arrive is better than picking them up throughout the day for some families, but they are dealing with the restrictions of FP+ without the primary benefit, the ability to book from home, and most are arriving having no idea about the recent change. It's also very uncertain what day-of availability will be like during the busiest times of the year, especially if Disney succeeds in getting more people using the system who would have chosen not to take advantage of legacy fastpass. It's in my nature to want to reward hard-workers over big spenders.

 

[Laketravis]

Question for experienced FP+ users: AFTER your initial 3 FPs are used, can you make additional ones, in the same park? Per 3 different CMs- 1 said no (3 per day period), 2 said yes...?

3 per day, that's it. You are Standby Line for everything else.

Must be in the same park.

Once per attraction.

Tiers in HS and EP apply - you can choose one headliner but not both.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

We tried at both MK and DS. We tried to explain that the ECV did not meet all her needs, but the CMs at guest services just saw her ECV and tuned out the rest of what we were trying to tell them. One CM said point blank that the DAC was strictly for kids with Autism and WDW no longer offered anything for the elderly other than wheelchairs and ECVs. She then proceeded to say, "Really what rides can an 80 y/o ride anyway?". The only thing we were asking for was a quieter, less crowded place to wait, as my mom has some senile dementia and gets really confused and panicky in crowded situations where she is surrounded and being bumped into, plus is on meds where she needs to stay out of the sun as much as possible, plus is a very brittle diabetic who has frequent and unexpected blood sugar drops and has alot of mobility problems due to arthritis. She also has problems with her eyes adjusting from bright sunlight to darkness. The ECV handles the mobility problems, but not her other issues. We weren't asking to get on the rides any faster, just needed a different place to wait our turn where she wouldn't get bumped or overwhelmed with people bumping into her. We were turned down for a DAC at both DS and MK. We didn't even bother to ask at Epcot. At the Nemo ride we did ask to avoid the dark queue and to enter through the wheelchair entrance inside the gift shop. The CM outside said it wouldn't be a problem, but when we went inside, no one ever came to open the door and the CM at the cash register said she didn't think they were using that entrance that day. So due to her not being able to navigate that dark queue we just didn't get to ride Nemo. WDW was not handicap friendly, not friendly for offsite guests that week, (even though we were long time loyal annual passholders).

I am so sorry. How is this the Disney I love? I thought their treatment of the disabled of all ages was one thing that made Disney a magical place. The lack of compassion you received is horrible, especially that cruel statement about 80-year-olds in a place that is supposed to be welcoming to everyone. That CM should be fired. I would report every instance of poor treatment. This is how your loyalty is repaid?

 

[aubriee]

I am so sorry. How is this the Disney I love? I thought their treatment of the disabled of all ages was one thing that made Disney a magical place. The lack of compassion you received is horrible, especially that cruel statement about 80-year-olds in a place that is supposed to be welcoming to everyone. That CM should be fired. I would report every instance of poor treatment. This is how your loyalty is repaid?

That's the way we felt. We've never gotten a GAC for her, because we always felt there were others that needed them worse and getting to the parks early and FP- and leaving the parks before crowds got to too bad, was really all she needed. However, she has gotten worse and gets upset, frustrated, and flustered more easily. We found out very quickly that staying offsite put us at a great disadvantage and not being able to get fast passes with a decent return time was not going to work, as my mom can not stay in the parks that long. We knew going in that we wouldn't be able to get near as much done as someone who can stay all day, but we did expect to be able to ride at least a few good rides. Other than that one ride on Soarin it didn't happen. All the FPs for the good rides had return times that were just too late for us to use and the standby lines were longer than we have ever seen them for that time of year. We were there for eleven days and all my mom rode was Soarin once, Jungle Cruise once, and Buzz once. My husband and I rode those with her, plus Mission Space once and then used single rider once to ride Test Track. Oh and my husband did ride Tower of Terror once, while I sat with my mom. We have always been a family of uber users, who always have a fast pass in hand. We used them as fast as we could gather them, but couldn't this trip. After that third day we said to heck with Disney and just did stuff offsite. Don't get me wrong we loved Universal and Sea World. Then we took my mom on her first airboat and monster truck ride. We also took her to see ICE and to eat breakfast with Shrek at Gaylord Palms. She had a ball doing that stuff. It was only the Disney portion of the trip that was a bust. Not being able to either get a DAC and not being able to use FP+ really ruined the Disney portion. That CM at DS that made the comment that a DAS was just for kids with autism and WDW didn't have anything for the elderly except wheelchairs/ECV and what could an 80 y/o ride anyway, made me so furious, I just had to get away from her. I did remind her that 80 y/o was an annual pass holder (whose favorite rides are Toy Story Mania (which she didn't even get to ride this trip) and Buzz (which she only got to ride once). My husband and I love the three mountains in MK and EE at AK. We didn't get to ride any of them.

 

[nfceagles]

I'm trying to reserve judgement on MBs and FP+ until my trip in April. But, I am already concerned because, as an experienced planner, iPad/phone and fairly savvy computer user, I have already spent over an hour (over three calls), just trying to get my RSVP with two rooms booked "linked" so I can be ready to do FP+ for my entire party, together (all (only) 4 of us...) when my 60 days hits. (BTW, I was told by one CM that it is easiest if only one person has a MDE account, despite email/mailers/ect. encouraging us all to sign up!?!? ). I love planning for our trips, but worry how many extra hours will I have to spend due to technical detail glitches...not "simple" or "incredible" so far.

This is one of my biggest concerns. As big as Disney is and as good as they are at some things, they have a terrible track record IME with technology. I have had all sorts of problems with their DVC and regular website over the years, especially when they start changing things. They seem to have no ability to work out bugs before rolling new systems out. It's down right laughable that a company of Disney's size can't do better. We were at WDW the last 2 MLK weeks and I am so glad we are skipping this one. We're waiting for things to settle and hoping they do so by this December. Last January, pre-MB, we had so much trouble checking in (2hrs even though we did online checkin, I don't even know what the problem was, but they couldn't get our park tickets on our cards) and using our KTTW cards the rest of the day (not working on our door, not charging purchases even after going to the desk after each incident and having it "fixed") that a very nice and helpful manager put an $1,800 credit on our room account. FTR- I NEVER yelled at anyone or asked for compensation, but when I was still up at midnight working with this women she comped our first night. We were staying DVC in a BLT GV and she couldn't refund points so she comped us the rack rate for one night. I was plenty willing to forgive them after that!

All that and the fact that I have had a terrible time getting their pre-FP+ app to work in their parks makes me scared of what this new system might do to our next vacation.

I also very much agree that it favors wealthier patrons. I'm not thrilled about the FP+ system, though I love the idea of being able to get FPs from my phone rather than walk to the machines, but since we are staying for 8 nights on our next trip I figure we will just have to spread our headliners over multiple days, one day at Epcot we do Soarin, another we do TT. Three shorter days at MK instead of two longer ones, so we get 9 MK FPs. Someone on a shorter stay wouldn't be able to do that.

All said, I think I'd be more optimistic if Disney had a better track record with technology. Investing in increasing capacity instead of crowd management would have been my preference, but I'm not in charge.