Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[keishashadow]

commandos & uber-planners have an advantage of sorts from learning how to jump thru the disney hoops. Been there, done that & still do when something is important to me to 'do' on a specific trip i.e. this thread lol. The process is akin to deciding whether to use the tools disney has provided us and the power of sharing information/tips here.

Now, disney is going forward with options to even the playing field for those willing to pay big $$$, akin to paying for a FP on a FP. Their park, their rules...like it or leave it, unfortunately.

The person who walks into the park without a plan will struggle. the seasoned pros who were able to use their toolbox effectively once again will need to adapt their strategies to accommodate recent developments and any future 'pay to play' bright ideas disney dreams up.

Good morning everyone

With all this non-existant info on what's gone happen with ROL I have decided I am going to be playing the handicapped card if that is my only choice to see it. I really wanted to get a dining package so I do not have to take up a wheelchair spot but with Disney being this noninformative and indecisive about whats going to happen with ROL. I cannot wait two or more hours in line - it simply isn't going to happen with 3 kids and me in an ECV. Now Disney is making me feel real bad that I have to take a wheelchair spot from someone who could have used it more than me. Oh, and I have also decided we will not do TH after all - if they don't want my money for a dining package, then they're not gonna get my money for a character meal either.

This is really getting to me, isn't it

ouch, appears that way. I understand you are frustrated but are you aware that accessible seating is first come/first served? Same as on the parade routes. Having a DAS, WC or ECV doesn't necessarily equate to getting a spot. if anything, the options as # of seats available in theaters are more limited than those to the general population.

 

[staceyj2]

Okay the new picture and additional height information explains it. I knew something was new or different with it.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I feel the need to comment against all the negativity about having to plan to the greatest detail for Disney vacations. Quie simply, you do not have to. I do it so my family has the best chance of doing all the things that are important to them. Yes, it limits spontaneity, but with only 3 secured Fast passes, it's not like my entire day is scripted.
FP+ versus the first of Fastpass system isn't even close. Here is my old 'rope drop' at HS...Travel with the throngs of people to TSMM, get the family in line, grab cards and print Fastpasses (usually for within 30 mins), join the family (get dirty looks as a line-cutter), ride, run like mad to ToT and print Fastpasses as soon as my other time window opens, run back to TSMM, ride again, then off to next ride. I know I'm not the only one.
The new way is so much better. Does it require more planning? Of course. The reason isn't because Disney has a bad system, it's because demand is high. I don't get mad at Disney for 'forcing' me to plan way in advance, as it truly is my choice. What I get mad at is when the system fails because they are not doing their part and make me feel less valued as a customer.
OK, rant over, back to today's regularly scheduled Sarcasm....

I'll be the first to admit I dislike having to plan; my family hates being in a schedule, we dislike that we can't be spontaneous. That said, after a couple of trips of not being able to get onto restaurants or see attractions we want to because of long lines we have conformed to planning. I do it but I don't have to like it. I loved the old rope drop/paper fast pass system. It was like a challenge, a game. We could be in and out of HS by 1:00 then go back for Fantasmic, plus a couple of repeat rides and that was when there was more to do there and shows to boot. Eta: that's just us. I totally get that others love planning and the new fp+ system and that's great. As you said above when he system fails it's a pain and for those of us who don't like planning to start with its epic lol.

 

[KMWoolley]

I think cut backs even reached the Blog moderators.... My comments sat for over 12 hours before eventually being released.
The assault continues......

 

[emi6891]

I feel the need to comment against all the negativity about having to plan to the greatest detail for Disney vacations. Quite simply, you do not have to. I do it so my family has the best chance of doing all the things that are important to them. Yes, it limits spontaneity, but with only 3 secured Fast passes, it's not like my entire day is scripted.
FP+ versus the first of Fastpass system isn't even close. Here is my old 'rope drop' at HS...Travel with the throngs of people to TSMM, get the family in line, grab cards and print Fastpasses (usually for within 30 mins), join the family (get dirty looks as a line-cutter), ride, run like mad to ToT and print Fastpasses as soon as my other time window opens, run back to TSMM, ride again, then off to next ride. I know I'm not the only one.
The new way is so much better. Does it require more planning? Of course. The reason isn't because Disney has a bad system, it's because demand is high. I don't get mad at Disney for 'forcing' me to plan way in advance, as it truly is my choice. What I get mad at is when the system fails because they are not doing their part and make me feel less valued as a customer.
OK, rant over, back to today's regularly scheduled Sarcasm....

I agree. I remember very clearly at AK how I used to do FP. Rope drop, get safari FP, run over to everest to get FP, back to safari to ride and use FP, back to everest to use FP, maybe picking one up for kali on the way, if the times were good. There are pros and cons to both systems and I feel like people forget that. Yes, I didn't like when FP+ initially came out. As someone used to getting 6-7 FP in a day, getting only 3 (4+ if you're lucky and plan well) was something I did not like. Now, having been there a few times using FP+; it's grown on me. There is way less running around the whole park now. You don't have to rope drop to get a FP for some of the rides. I like knowing I have FP in the evening booked at a different park than the one I go to in the morning, which was impossible before. Yes, there is planning, but there was some planning then too. It's just changed to planning 30-60 days out instead of planning that morning. When TSMM first came out, I didn't know what it was, so by the time I went to see, all the FP were gone. With both systems, rides run out of FP, it's just that now, popular rides run out of FP a few weeks in advance instead of like 11am that day. Anyway, back to waiting anxiously for no news on ROL...

 

[Tiggerette]

Speculation on the "unlimited fast pass" at Universal: could this be the express unlimited pass? It sounds similar to their experience. I'm excited to go to Universal for the first time this Summer. It's exclusively because Disney had on their blog/info that Star Wars Weekends was coming this summer, reinforced it through cast member answers to SWW questions, then yanked it entirely. I'm not actively angry, I'm simply bringing my dollars elsewhere. Most of our families in the 30-ish large group are doing the same. It seems we plan to express disappointment at the poor communication through alternate revenue distribution.

I'm looking forward to our big group experience. Although some families are staying a week. We're just planning weekend activities for the group. Only one - two group activities per day. The rest are up the individuals families to enjoy their vacation. I've already apprised them of the recent changes that could affect their plans (special tickets to early/late park access, RoL, SW parade/fireworks/stage show) and that none of these have concrete details for us to plan around them for the time period we're there. Of course the "go with the flow" people don't really care, but it's harder for my friends that want to make sure x, y, z experience is enjoyed.

Anyways…. I think today calls for some delicious chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes. Maybe with a peep or two ontop? Hmmm…. now to find some breakfast worthy of the Morning Hootenanny!

 

[gwynne]

I think cut backs even reached the Blog moderators.... My comments sat for over 12 hours before eventually being released.
The assault continues......

I don't know if Tina Fey will help our cause, but I'm amazed at what they let through.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I think cut backs even reached the Blog moderators.... My comments sat for over 12 hours before eventually being released.
The assault continues......

I have been enjoying your blog posts

 

[KMWoolley]

I don't know if Tina Fey will help our cause, but I'm amazed at what they let through.

I think they've just given up on me.
I think it lends credence to my opinion that they really don't care about the feedback to their Blogs.

People just going through the motions.
Oh crap, Saturday is my day to post a Blog. I'll just take some stock photo, type up some mumbo jumbo, then I have another 2 weeks before it's my turn again...

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I'm really slipping - I haven't even checked the blog yet today...must go now...

 

[gwynne]

I think they've just given up on me.
I think it lends credence to my opinion that they really don't care about the feedback to their Blogs. People just going through the motions.

I think you have a point about just going through the motions. They used to moderate like crazy, this is a big change. I wonder if it will continue.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I find it ironic that there's a story and a picture of Tina Fey meeting Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters at the Castle in MK when you can no longer meet Lady Tremaine at Magic Kingdom. It's the stuff like that that really gets my goat! Trying to roll with the punches, but my DD9 really wanted to meet Lady T. after a couple of near misses the last trip - that's maddening!

 

[KMWoolley]

I find it ironic that there's a story and a picture of Tina Fey meeting Lady Tremaine and the step-sisters at the Castle in MK when you can no longer meet Lady Tremaine at Magic Kingdom. It's the stuff like that that really gets my goat! Trying to roll with the punches, but my DD9 really wanted to meet Lady T. after a couple of near misses the last trip - that's maddening!

Good point, I I'll be surprised if my follow up comment regarding this gets through.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Good point, I I'll be surprised if I follow up comment regarding this gets through.

I plan on making a comment about it - it's really ticking me off! But I have egg-coloring company and then a hockey game, so it will have to be later! Grrr!

 

[asbyrneva]

I agree. I remember very clearly at AK how I used to do FP. Rope drop, get safari FP, run over to everest to get FP, back to safari to ride and use FP, back to everest to use FP, maybe picking one up for kali on the way, if the times were good. There are pros and cons to both systems and I feel like people forget that. Yes, I didn't like when FP+ initially came out. As someone used to getting 6-7 FP in a day, getting only 3 (4+ if you're lucky and plan well) was something I did not like. Now, having been there a few times using FP+; it's grown on me. There is way less running around the whole park now. You don't have to rope drop to get a FP for some of the rides. I like knowing I have FP in the evening booked at a different park than the one I go to in the morning, which was impossible before. Yes, there is planning, but there was some planning then too. It's just changed to planning 30-60 days out instead of planning that morning. When TSMM first came out, I didn't know what it was, so by the time I went to see, all the FP were gone. With both systems, rides run out of FP, it's just that now, popular rides run out of FP a few weeks in advance instead of like 11am that day. Anyway, back to waiting anxiously for no news on ROL...

When we first started going it was only Thanksgiving and Easter, even at RD getting paper FP for TSMM was insane. I hated the crazy rush to get the one fP for noon and then figure out what we could go do and when I had to break away to go get the next one at exactly the right time. I literally watched people run a woman over and not stop. We are early park goers and use EMH am and RD to the full advantage so wasting time running around to get old FP never was worth it to get more than 2 or 3 a day anyway. Yes the planning can be frustrating but it sure beats the stampede at RD and the crazy runs back and forth across the parks.
Yes, I get the planning can be crazy but even if we only checked stuff a week ahead, those of us that plan and read boards and blogs etc are way ahead of the masses. I literally had to stop a mom from using a FP+ on barnstormer with a five minute (walk on)wait one morning. Once I explained to her how to change her FP to something else in the same window she realized she could walk on BS and still go do Pooh. (that's why I stopped her, her daughter was crying that she couldn't do pooh cause her mom said she didnt have a FP) That is what most of the folks at Disney on a given day know about touring the parks, not nearly as much as we do. We plan cause we know how to maximize things. Remember how disappointing it was to go running from Space mountain at 10 to try and get a FP for peter pan and the return times were all after dinner time and you were going to be at EPCOT by then.

Personally I like the planning and knowing I have control not the whims of the crowds and figuring out where to go based a return time - Although as a control freak these changes make me crazy too!

 

[elmoandzoey]

Yes, I remember reading about that...I asked her how that could be possible but she didn't really know. It was significantly less $ than a Disney tour, and they weren't really on a plan - they could just wander where they wanted and just FP everything. I didn't understand the Universal part especially, since I don't have a reference point for it. In any case, I couldn't figure out how it could be above-board...

Universal sells Express passes. It's a fastpass queue that you only can use if you have an Express pass. You don't need to schedule when you want to go and you are not limited to how often you can use it. You just walk up to the attraction, show your Express pass and you can go into the express queue. So in that sense it is unlimited.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Universal sells Express passes. It's a fastpass queue that you only can use if you have an Express pass. You don't need to schedule when you want to go and you are not limited to how often you can use it. You just walk up to the attraction, show your Express pass and you can go into the express queue. So in that sense it is unlimited.

I've heard of that, but she said that they had "fast passes" or at least didn't have to wait, for rides that were exempt from the Express pass - maybe HP stuff? Again, I'm not sure, are there rides that are exempt? I don't have much working knowledge of Universal - hoping we'll get there next trip!

 

[ITALIANNYC]

=]

 

[elmoandzoey]

ouch, appears that way. I understand you are frustrated but are you aware that accessible seating is first come/first served? Same as on the parade routes. Having a DAS, WC or ECV doesn't necessarily equate to getting a spot. if anything, the options as # of seats available in theaters are more limited than those to the general population.

Keisha, I'm very aware of that which is why I didn't want to go that route. I can walk shirt distances and I can transfer so I wouldn't really need a spot for the ECV - I could leave it outside. I wanted to the dining pack so I had assigned seating AND didn't have to find myself in a mad dash in a huge group shoving and pushing to find some seating, especially when there are stairs involved. I do not want to find myself stuck in such a mass. That would not end well. FP+ would be another thing I would use if it was announced as I think it can be treated like reserved seating. But right now there is no way I can wait with the masses and enter with them.

 

[elmoandzoey]

I've heard of that, but she said that they had "fast passes" or at least didn't have to wait, for rides that were exempt from the Express pass - maybe HP stuff? Again, I'm not sure, are there rides that are exempt? I don't have much working knowledge of Universal - hoping we'll get there next trip!

The HP rides don't have express lines, that's ride. Pteradon Flyers doesn't have one either because of the way the queue is set up. Handicapped access at Universal has always been handled like it is handled now at Disney with the DAS with return times. I do know though that VIP tours at Universal get front of the line access aside of the express pass.