Preach it Pete!

[slapwhitey]

To say that people discussing opinions is "getting out of hand," is just ridiculous. The Dis a DISCUSSION board, afterall. We all don't just blindingly agree with Pete all the time.

I never said discussing opinions is "out of hand". I said I personally think (opinion) that citing FP+ as the reason you will no longer travel to or enjoy WDW is a little overactive and doomsday mentality. What gets under my skin is the long time, die hard Disney fans being so incredibly disenchanted with this new system that they're willing to just never go again. I don't know why it bothers me, it really shouldn't. I'm not saying it's wrong to feel that way but I just don't get it. We are lucky enough to be die hard, long time Disney fans that have not only found a way for the system to work for us but actually work better. I guess what I don't understand is that rather than trying to see how this new system can possibly work for an individual or maybe try to change the way they tour the parks, they would simply rather not go. More power to you if you have that kind of resolution. I know I couldn't. Bottom line to me is that Disney is not going to retract this program. I'm sure it will be tweaked and adjusted in the future but I believe it is hear to stay. I have decided on a personal level to accept and embrace it in order to not sour my future trips to my favorite place on the planet.

So, again, I never said discussing opinions was "getting out of hand". I merely believe (opinion) that some of the reactions to the changes Disney has made is a little extreme.

As far as "blindingly agreeing with Pete all the time". Ha, if you only knew how far from the truth that is.

 

[slapwhitey]

I'll try to keep an open mind. And I really loved the Hogsmeade area, and have heard nothing but good things about Diagon Alley. I'm really looking forward to checking it out.

Sayhello

Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are incredible. Best themed areas of any theme park I have ever visited.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Not all families or touring parties are the same.

Not everyone approaches a Disney park in the same way.

Not everyone is computer or cell phone literate. Not everyone wants to be. Not everyone wants to be at Disney.

Not everyone wants to plan their day in such a fashion.

Not everyone sees this as a great leap forward.

Many guests see this as confusing.

There are guests that are negatively impacted by the longer than usual standby lines.

Day guests are annoyed that they are required to purchase a ticket and then purchase second item in order to use the system associated with the original ticket purchase.

There are several perspectives at play here and it's great if it works for you. It doesn't work for everyone. Not everyone has to like it.

I don't like the fact that when you go to buy concert tickets you are given a number. they then randomly pull a number and that number is now first in line. I don't like it enough that I have stopped visiting that concert venue. This is much the same.

Having an opinion without trying something is very common. I have never been skydiving, but I know I wouldn't like it.

I keep hearing the declaration that this is never going away. At this point...this is an opinion. Much like the opinion that I don't like this new system

 

[tjevans]

Not all families or touring parties are the same.

...

Not everyone is computer or cell phone literate. . . .

I keep thinking of my parents, who don't own a computer and do not have a smart phone. While they do seem to be in the minority of people nowadays, they would be at a severe disadvantage on a trip to WDW.

(And yes, I realize there is no system that won't cause a disadvantage for someone, but you think about it more when it impacts your family)

 

[lttlmc3]

I think the reason people don't want to "try" this is because a Disney trip is very, very expensive. For some people, the idea of all of this FP+ is not worth the risk of the cost of a trip for any kind of a negative experience. People read all about this new system, do their research, dislike the idea and decide that it's not for them or worth it for their families. Inevitably, they get upset about it because they love WDW but the risk is not worth the gamble. It could work out...but it may not. A lot of people do not have the money to risk any kind of "it may not."

 

[sayhello]

I think the reason people don't want to "try" this is because a Disney trip is very, very expensive. For some people, the idea of all of this FP+ is not worth the risk of the cost of a trip for any kind of a negative experience. People read all about this new system, do their research, dislike the idea and decide that it's not for them or worth it for their families. Inevitably, they get upset about it because they love WDW but the risk is not worth the gamble. It could work out...but it may not. A lot of people do not have the money to risk any kind of "it may not."

It's not just that, at least for me. I don't have an infinite amount of vacation time, either, and I really don't want to waste that vacation time on an experience that really doesn't sound like the type of vacation that I'd enjoy any more.

Sayhello

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with Pete it is sad to hear so many people say I just need a break from such a wonderful place, I am hearing that a lot from my non-disser friends as well.

Whenever I see people say this - I think being totally selfish. "Oh goody! Please, I hope you stop going!" If DME/FP+ truly does drive people away, that's shorter lines and better discounts for ME, ME, ME!

Unfortunately, I think it has utterly failed at driving people away. Darn you Disney!

Seriously though - I have a more moderate feel towards FP+. It's a new system, and I've had to tweak the way I tour, but to me it has made things neither worse nor better, just different.

There are aspects of it I really like (pre-booking FP, not having to pull my card/ticket/hard FP out, no more FP running) and a few things I don't (don't much like the FP tiers at Epcot/DHS, but honestly last trip they didn't really affect me much. the FP limit of 3 only really affects things at MK but is a bit annoying too).

Oddly enough - the biggest problem we've had with them is both trips being locked out of our rooms when our band didn't work. Not fun, but tried to be patient with it.

Finally - I'm probably in the minority here, but I wish that I could get a MB that had a watch on it. I am old-fashioned in that I like to wear a watch. (I look at it as much as the White Rabbit does.) So, I tried just wearing the MB, and I had to keep pulling my phone out to look at the time. I tried wearing both the MB and watch, but that bugged me too. Wish I could get an all-in-one!

 

[slapwhitey]

Finally - I'm probably in the minority here, but I wish that I could get a MB that had a watch on it. I am old-fashioned in that I like to wear a watch. (I look at it as much as the White Rabbit does.) So, I tried just wearing the MB, and I had to keep pulling my phone out to look at the time. I tried wearing both the MB and watch, but that bugged me too. Wish I could get an all-in-one!

This would be fantastic. I too like to wear a watch. When I go to the parks now I currently have my watch on the left wrist and my MB on my right wrist. I would love to have a watch on my MB.

BTW....I also have that devious side of me that silently cheers when people say they're not going back. More room and less wait for me I think to myself.

 

[WDW Crawl]

Found fast pass+ underwhelming and not a good fit for the way we like to vacation from the moment we used it before the full roll out.

"Press 1 to schedule a hug"
"Press 2 to schedule a look at a pirate"

Less of that and more organic/spontaneous fun making for us. Food reservations are enough.

 

[Go Vols]

BTW....I also have that devious side of me that silently cheers when people say they're not going back. More room and less wait for me I think to myself.

Will not happen. Those of us who aren't going back for a while will just be replaced by the ever increasing demand.

 

[FireOwl98]

My wife and I last went to WDW in Dec 2013 for our fifth anniversary. We stayed off-property (for the first and last time, that's a whole different story) and bought our park tickets from our local Disney store. As a result, we didn't have Magic Bands or any of the other perks from staying in a Disney hotel like the fast pass system. While it wasn't ideal, it didn't diminsh from our enjoyment. Sure, we would have liked to have used the shorter FP lines, but we still got on the attractions we wanted. I know when we eventually bring our son, waiting in long lines may not be feasible. We'll just need to deal with it at that point.

I agree with Kevin about change not always being better. Jokingly, my initial reaction to anything different has always been "Change am bad" (incorrect english intended since I'm a math guy). I'm not a technophobe, and I like the concept of the FP+ system for those who like to plan that far in advance. Admittedly, I take an inordinate amount of pleasure in doing my Disney homework. My problem is that Disney is now catering to those who have a need to plan that far in advance (sounds a little hypocritical, right?). The more casual travelers who enjoy visiting the attractions are being pushed aside by the "Disney schedule". One of the things I enjoyed seeing in the parks is the wonder and excitement of the first-timer, the small knowing smiles of the grizzled veteran as they watch their kids and grandkids explore for the first time. They could choose to do something spontaneously without having to think about how much time they needed to dedicate to each endeavor in the park. It still happens now, but I feel bad that the stories and opportunities they have are now truncated by Anna and Elsa's 5,000 hour wait time. I'll definitely use the FP+ system when I eventually go back and give it a fair shot at impressing me. It may make me a true believer in its advantages. But there's always going to be part of me that is going to lament lost stories.

 

[famy27]

I never said discussing opinions is "out of hand". I said I personally think (opinion) that citing FP+ as the reason you will no longer travel to or enjoy WDW is a little overactive and doomsday mentality. What gets under my skin is the long time, die hard Disney fans being so incredibly disenchanted with this new system that they're willing to just never go again. I don't know why it bothers me, it really shouldn't. I'm not saying it's wrong to feel that way but I just don't get it. We are lucky enough to be die hard, long time Disney fans that have not only found a way for the system to work for us but actually work better. I guess what I don't understand is that rather than trying to see how this new system can possibly work for an individual or maybe try to change the way they tour the parks, they would simply rather not go. More power to you if you have that kind of resolution. I know I couldn't. Bottom line to me is that Disney is not going to retract this program. I'm sure it will be tweaked and adjusted in the future but I believe it is hear to stay. I have decided on a personal level to accept and embrace it in order to not sour my future trips to my favorite place on the planet.

So, again, I never said discussing opinions was "getting out of hand". I merely believe (opinion) that some of the reactions to the changes Disney has made is a little extreme.

As far as "blindingly agreeing with Pete all the time". Ha, if you only knew how far from the truth that is.

I went. I tried it. I got 12 FP+s in one day at MK (way more than I ever got with paper FP), and I still vastly prefer the old system. I don't hate change. When paper FP was introduced, I did a dance of joy. No more two-hour wait for Splash on a hot day! Woo!! I don't hate FP+ with a passion, and I have learned to work the system, but it has soured me a bit, because it has meant a negative change (not just a change) for ME. I admit that there are some aspects of the new system that I prefer to the old one, but if they brought paper FP back tomorrow, I'd do another dance of joy.

And I have written several letters to Disney. I love Disney and am a diehard Disney fan, but if Disney is doing something that has a negative impact on my trips, I definitely let them know. The introduction of the 4th FP was a positive change for me and moved my from rabid FP+ hate to moderate dislike. I'm hoping for a few more changes that will bring me back to the liking FP+ side. I think lots of others feel the same.