Seasoned Disney goers confused

[mmmcl]

Just went in May and have to say I believe we accomplished more than we normally do in when we typically go at slower time periods of the year. FP+ was the reason for that, in our opinion. I agree if you don't plan correctly you could be zig zagging the park a bit, so you do need to put some though into when/what rides you are getting the FP+ for. It was nice to know we were automaticaly guarenteed a ride on those 3 rides for the day and took some of the stress off of having to rush to do those first thing during the day. As far as not being able to ride everything, that was not our case. We were able to ride everything at least once and most things that we wanted to at least twice - including the big headliners. We didn't feel like stand by times were any longer than they have ever been, but that seems like it's always up for dispute here on the Dis.

We had a very similar experience the second week of June, and I was really concerned about crowd levels.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

We just got back from a 9 day trip...6 days in the parks. It was our first time using MB/FP+, and I have to admit that I was very skeptical. We had a few issues early on with our tickets not showing up, but that was at least partly our fault. Other than that the system worked great and we actually LOVED it. I found that we did as much as or more than we ever did before, and didn't feel like we were constantly running back and forth across the park to get to or pull FP's. It was a bit of a pain to have to find a kiosk to book a new FP, but I believe I heard that they are working on making that option available on the app. I felt like FP availability was probably about the same as before...you weren't going to get soarin, TSMM, or SDMT very late in the day, but at least you had the option to reserve those in advance and not have to risk getting trampled in the stampede at RD. It did seem like SB times may have been a bit longer than usual, but we only rode SB once or twice and chose to do that when lines were a bit shorter. In contrast, I found the FP lines to be very reasonable which surprised me.

Like I said, I was very skeptical about the new system...so much so that I wasn't very excited about our trip and seriously considered changing our plans and going somewhere else besides disney. I know I'm in the minority, but I was very pleasantly surprised and they new system actually suited our touring style quite well. I have to give it ����. I hope you have the same experience that we did.

Nice!!!!! I just can't seem to get enough of all this good FastPass+ news from real folk who just got back from Disney!! I know that you think you are in the minority but you part of the majority!! This is what I'm mostly seeing from folks!! Thank you very much----I do hope to have a similar experience!!

 

[FINFAN]

We just got back from a 9 day trip...6 days in the parks. It was our first time using MB/FP+, and I have to admit that I was very skeptical. We had a few issues early on with our tickets not showing up, but that was at least partly our fault. Other than that the system worked great and we actually LOVED it. I found that we did as much as or more than we ever did before, and didn't feel like we were constantly running back and forth across the park to get to or pull FP's. It was a bit of a pain to have to find a kiosk to book a new FP, but I believe I heard that they are working on making that option available on the app. I felt like FP availability was probably about the same as before...you weren't going to get soarin, TSMM, or SDMT very late in the day, but at least you had the option to reserve those in advance and not have to risk getting trampled in the stampede at RD. It did seem like SB times may have been a bit longer than usual, but we only rode SB once or twice and chose to do that when lines were a bit shorter. In contrast, I found the FP lines to be very reasonable which surprised me.

Like I said, I was very skeptical about the new system...so much so that I wasn't very excited about our trip and seriously considered changing our plans and going somewhere else besides disney. I know I'm in the minority, but I was very pleasantly surprised and they new system actually suited our touring style quite well. I have to give it

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Have fun!!!

Thank you- ajwolfe!!!! I sure intend to!!

 

[FINFAN]

I got so sick of taking my phone in and out and in and out that I finally just stuck it in my bra. We were CONSTANTLY checking the FP times and the wait times. We were keeping in eye on the lines and the rides broken down or back up even through our fancy Brown Derby dinner. The app has its advantages (saves your feet), but you will see TONS of people walking like zombies while watching their phones.

awww, see, to me that is just not right and actually takes away from one of my favorite things about WDW, seeing the happy, excited guests~people watching, just enjoying being with others who are excited in general. I hope that is still the majority

 

[ajwolfe]

care to share your touring plan? How many days were you there? Glad the trip was awesome, that's how vacations are supposed to be.

We were there for 6 days, including the 24 hour day. We are typically not rope drop people. We usually arrived at the park between 9-10 to start the day off and almost always stay until close. We do park hop, as well. I went into this trip really not sure how to handle the FP+ so we were pretty flexible with our schedule.
My main goal was to have a FP+ for all the big headliners over the course of our trip and then fill in as we had time. So since we were in MK at least a portion of several days we spread the headliners out over those days to make sure we were able to ride all the mountains and such. I also tried to group my FP+ close together and in the same area. So as an example: maybe an 11am for Splash, 12pm for Big Thunder and then a 1pm for Haunted Mansion. That way we stayed on the same side of the park and in the same general area. We always tried to be at the ride at the start of our FP+ time so we had room in between to possibly grab a bite to eat, shop or ride something else in the area that didn't have a long wait. Several times we found that the standby wait times were short enough that we would ride the ride as we were walking by it the first time and then come back for a second ride during our FP+ time. This was the most obvious case in AK and MK.
We didn't mess with switching our times around a lot, because it just wasn't really needed and we didn't want to be staring at our phones the whole time. We did change once or twice and it was no biggie. Also booked a 4th a couple nights, but never anything beyond that.
My biggest piece of advice is to not be so locked into the schedule of the FP+. We went into it with the attitude that if we used them great, but were not going to let them dictate the course of our entire trip. Ended up we used all of them but maybe 2 over the course of the trip and it wasn't a huge deal where we had to keep staring at our phones or a clock.
Enjoy your trip and relax!!

 

[ElizabethG]

I like FP+. My strategy is to schedule them all in the morning and get a 4th(+) after that. We are not early risers. In parks where there is tiering, if there are only 2 actual FP that I want, I schedule a dummy FP for 9:00am. Then I can get a 4th FP after riding the 2 I want.

This might be helpful. Someone posted the details of there experience with FP+ on their trip - including a day where they used 11FPs!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3289788

 

[ajwolfe]

May STUNK for us.

When were you there? We were there from May 18-24.

 

[AmyB2006]

awww, see, to me that is just not right and actually takes away from one of my favorite things about WDW, seeing the happy, excited guests~people watching, just enjoying being with others who are excited in general. I hope that is still the majority

IMO, it is. I think the "phone argument" is a weak one. JMO. Those same people would be phone zombies regardless. (Phone Zombies, I like that) How does one know that every person walking by with their face stuck in their phone is looking at MDE?? You don't LOL. Some people just can't live without their phones, and it has nothing to do with Disney.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

When were you there? We were there from May 18-24.

Park days were May 3,4,10 around our DCL with a day at SeaWorld May 9 off the Magic. We did NOT hop, which had been to our advantage previous years (hang out, see everything, don't feel under the gun to get your hop money's worth, if there is a bad line, it's ok because you can wait out the day), but all that is different now. Our friends who did hop got to ride a lot more. If the park was busy, they did a few things with us and then moved on where there were better waits. We were stuck. Masses of people. Weekends because the cruise was Mon-Fri. It wasn't SWW yet but it was warming up to it. Something about May the 4th. But that was less noticeable than the cheerleaders EVERYWHERE.

I've decided that Land and Sea trips are just too short for the parks now. If you have a week there, its less dramatic. But when you only have one day for each park, one shot at a tier at HS and TSMM is a 60 min wait at 9:04 when we got there and you already have dinner reservations that include Fantasmic (which is when our friends rode), it meant that we waited in line for 80 min at 7:30 for TSMM. Later on, we had a big family drama over who picked the tiers and it sucked a big part of the magic out of our family reunion.

We picked the first weekend in May because May 3 is our anniversary and because the cruise was a good rate. I'd cruise then. I wouldn't park then. For that matter, some of our family disney magic having been sucked away, Disneyland is looking REALLY REALLY interesting right now, and a few of us are checking their forum out since our FP so called plus experience.

 

[dominiondad]

I think it depends on the time of year and how long you consider a moderate wait to be. Looking at the rides you mentioned during a crowd level of 9, they can all reach waits over 45 minutes. I personally consider that more than a moderate wait and would certainly look to grab a fast pass under the old system.

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

but if you only had 3 days would you find it advantageous? My DD feels like you, since she is local and can go whenever too, but feels when we visit her and only have 3 park days ,it is going to be pretty rough trying to accomplish what we would have in 3 days in the past.

I don't think so. You might have to do a little more planning of the times you will be using FP.
Example HS:
FP's booked: ToT TSMM Star Tours

In the AM go on RnRC (lines are short in the am and NO I don't mean rope drop), then possibly food/shopping then ToT FP, if its not time for TSMM then I would ride GMR, Then TSMM, then watch LMA, go through Streets of America, Star Tours FP, Then Muppets, pick up FP #4 for Fantasmic, then just hit whatever else you want, stroll around, grab an dinner , see Fantasmic!

That is at least how I would do it, and it would require minimal zooms around the park. And remember its vacation just have fun

 

[FINFAN]

We were there for 6 days, including the 24 hour day. We are typically not rope drop people. We usually arrived at the park between 9-10 to start the day off and almost always stay until close. We do park hop, as well. I went into this trip really not sure how to handle the FP+ so we were pretty flexible with our schedule.
My main goal was to have a FP+ for all the big headliners over the course of our trip and then fill in as we had time. So since we were in MK at least a portion of several days we spread the headliners out over those days to make sure we were able to ride all the mountains and such. I also tried to group my FP+ close together and in the same area. So as an example: maybe an 11am for Splash, 12pm for Big Thunder and then a 1pm for Haunted Mansion. That way we stayed on the same side of the park and in the same general area. We always tried to be at the ride at the start of our FP+ time so we had room in between to possibly grab a bite to eat, shop or ride something else in the area that didn't have a long wait. Several times we found that the standby wait times were short enough that we would ride the ride as we were walking by it the first time and then come back for a second ride during our FP+ time. This was the most obvious case in AK and MK.
We didn't mess with switching our times around a lot, because it just wasn't really needed and we didn't want to be staring at our phones the whole time. We did change once or twice and it was no biggie. Also booked a 4th a couple nights, but never anything beyond that.
My biggest piece of advice is to not be so locked into the schedule of the FP+. We went into it with the attitude that if we used them great, but were not going to let them dictate the course of our entire trip. Ended up we used all of them but maybe 2 over the course of the trip and it wasn't a huge deal where we had to keep staring at our phones or a clock.
Enjoy your trip and relax!!

Your strategy was spot on and I like what you did! Thanks for sharing as I feel like your plan is what I would have done (once I figured it out lol) so you saved me a lot of "what if" thinking I am pretty sure I am stressing due to the unfamiliaritity of the new system combined with park 3 days and only 2 of those on-site. The odds are against us but you guys are helping combat that big time!

I like FP+. My strategy is to schedule them all in the morning and get a 4th(+) after that. We are not early risers. In parks where there is tiering, if there are only 2 actual FP that I want, I schedule a dummy FP for 9:00am. Then I can get a 4th FP after riding the 2 I want.

This might be helpful. Someone posted the details of there experience with FP+ on their trip - including a day where they used 11FPs!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3289788

Most helpful and thanks for the "dummy fp" tip

IMO, it is. I think the "phone argument" is a weak one. JMO. Those same people would be phone zombies regardless. (Phone Zombies, I like that) How does one know that every person walking by with their face stuck in their phone is looking at MDE?? You don't LOL. Some people just can't live without their phones, and it has nothing to do with Disney.

True, true...I don't even have a smart phone (only dinosaur in my family lol) so it just doesn't click with me haveing to be "connected and available" at all times

I don't think so. You might have to do a little more planning of the times you will be using FP.
Example HS:
FP's booked: ToT TSMM Star Tours

In the AM go on RnRC (lines are short in the am and NO I don't mean rope drop), then possibly food/shopping then ToT FP, if its not time for TSMM then I would ride GMR, Then TSMM, then watch LMA, go through Streets of America, Star Tours FP, Then Muppets, pick up FP #4 for Fantasmic, then just hit whatever else you want, stroll around, grab an dinner , see Fantasmic!

That is at least how I would do it, and it would require minimal zooms around the park. And remember its vacation just have fun

thank you, I was picturing this as if I were there lol. One bit of wiggle room is that we have seen Fantasmic 3x's so we are more than o.k. missing it to be able to do rides or whatever we feel like. We will also have hoppers. My orig plan was for 3 day hoppers, but for the minimal increase in price (yes, I am drinking the WDW kool-aid for longer stay lol) I will prob get the 4 day ones (which on UT are actually 5 day lol) and heck with DD, we will go on the extra days of our schedule allows without her to get on things we couldn't during our time with her. SHE has the AP and lives there, lol...this could be it for us
ETA: We are also planning on MNSSHP which should (hopefully) allow for some ride access, but being our first time at this event I can see us diverting from even the best laid plans to enjoy the party

 

[FINFAN]

Park days were May 3,4,10 around our DCL with a day at SeaWorld May 9 off the Magic. We did NOT hop, which had been to our advantage previous years (hang out, see everything, don't feel under the gun to get your hop money's worth, if there is a bad line, it's ok because you can wait out the day), but all that is different now. Our friends who did hop got to ride a lot more. If the park was busy, they did a few things with us and then moved on where there were better waits. We were stuck. Masses of people. Weekends because the cruise was Mon-Fri. It wasn't SWW yet but it was warming up to it. Something about May the 4th. But that was less noticeable than the cheerleaders EVERYWHERE.

I've decided that Land and Sea trips are just too short for the parks now. If you have a week there, its less dramatic. But when you only have one day for each park, one shot at a tier at HS and TSMM is a 60 min wait at 9:04 when we got there and you already have dinner reservations that include Fantasmic (which is when our friends rode), it meant that we waited in line for 80 min at 7:30 for TSMM. Later on, we had a big family drama over who picked the tiers and it sucked a big part of the magic out of our family reunion.

We picked the first weekend in May because May 3 is our anniversary and because the cruise was a good rate. I'd cruise then. I wouldn't park then. For that matter, some of our family disney magic having been sucked away, Disneyland is looking REALLY REALLY interesting right now, and a few of us are checking their forum out since our FP so called plus experience.

I can see how it became a rough trip We will have hopper's so I hope that
gives us a fighting chance as we won't physically have much more time than you did. May 4th is the pun day for Star Wars May the FORCE be with you. We have only 1 TS ADR and that is during MNSSHP so hoping not too much time spent eating. We have also seen Fantasmic 3 x's so not planning on it again. Not sureif groups are there over Labor Day but I imagine it will be pretty crowded, guess we will see.

 

[ibela]

Not sureif groups are there over Labor Day but I imagine it will be pretty crowded, guess we will see.

This year will be my 3rd going over Labor Day weekend (but we go for a week, leaving Labor Day). Crowds are very manageable, at least they have been the last 2 years. Excluding the major headliners, everything else is basically a walk-on. Last year, I did Space Mountain with my dd for the first time since she was tall enough - walk-on. BTMRR, Splash, Peter Pan, the usual suspects were about 30-45 min. I think the line for BOG lunch was longer than 80% of the rides in MK that day. Same goes at the other parks. Ex. Epcot, I think pretty much everything except for Soarin' (we did FP-) and Test Track (standby, ~40 min), was walk-on. And Maelstrom, that took about 30 min. We never do rope drop and get there whenever we get there.

 

[lustergirl]

I will never understand why someone finds it necessary to give a snarky comment in response to a question?? You always have the option of just not responding.

Come on: you grow to suspect this on the disboards.

But seriously I am a little worried as well. Hubby and I were just talking about this last night. He says" We have been so many times that if we don't catch something no big deal." I have been telling him of all the changes and how you can now reserve FP's so far in advance. This is all new to him.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

FP+ are free, my attitude was 'if I didn't use it then so what!' unlike the Universal ones, I feel for people who pay $40 for an Express Pass and then hardly use them because the queues are short. If the queue was 5 minutes I wouldn't use it and then check if there is another ride I can change it with. I had the same thing with Spaceship Earth, got on really quick, so changed it for 'Living with the Land' which had a huge queue when I got there.

 

[kirstenb1]

We have been DVC'rs for 20 yrs and have many trips under our belts.

OP, I felt exactly the same way about the trip we just completed last week. In addition to the FP plus changes, etc, I am dreadful with technology, so was very stressed about our trip.

We have season passes to Sea World/Aquatica, so no stress there. When we arrived Sunday, we looked at the weather, and bought 1 day passes for the MK. I asked the lady at the concierge desk to book the fast passes for me. Our youngest family member still likes Peter Pan, Pooh, etc. So I split up our fast passes. She and I booked morning/early afternoon passes for her favorite rides. Then I booked the coasters for dh and our 16 yr old, with the same time slots. My reasoning was we could all meet up for lunch, and all get together later in the day.

We arrived at rope drop, and I realized my mistake. We were able to ride everything in the first hour with no fast pass needed. I should have slid the fast passes to early and mid afternoon or evening, when it was much more crowded.

Also, we love HM, and typically have never gotten a FP for it. However it rained around 2 that day, Pirates broke down, and the line for HM was unbelievable, like 70 minutes. So things like ride breakdowns/weather can create a need for FP where you may have never needed one before.

 

[bjscheel]

I liked it. Our experience was similar to ajwolfe. I did FP+ for late morning to early afternoon, then we got 4th FP when we could. We never did get a 5th, but that was because we wanted to take afternoon breaks. If we stayed a whole day we could have done better. I also tried to schedule the 3 so that they were efficient walking-wise. I.E. Space Mountain late morning, 7DMT noon, and BTMRR early afternoon. Start in Tomorrowland at rope drop, and gradually work across the park. We didn't make a lot of changes while there.

In MK I maybe could have started the FP earlier- at least 10 instead of 11. There are more options for extra FP in MK. At AK, it really didn't matter. If I already have Kali, Safari, and EE, there isn't much need for a 4th. EE was always available for a 4th even late afternoon, and Kali was always gone early, so there was no way to get it for a 4th. In the other parks, we were able to get Soarin' and RnRC.

The thing that also helped us was single rider. We did multiple rides on the 3 rides that offer it and it was a blast. That helped feel not so limited on rides. We all thought it was fun afterwards to talk about who we got to ride with- whether they talked to us, whether they were scared, etc. If your kids are old enough, consider single rider!

 

[bjscheel]

PS for our last day I had planned on Epcot. We had so much fun at AK we decided the night before to switch to AK. I went to the concierge desk to check out FP availability, and switch if we could get good ones (maybe I could have done this myself but CBR wifi in the room was awful). I was able to get Safari, Kali, and EE at a variety of choices of times the night before.