Skipping WDW parks for Universal because of FP+

[jodifla]

I just hope that everyone who is skipping WDW is at least providing feedback to them with specifics on why. Hopefully that feedback will lead to future improvements.

I have to admit though, we were there in October and had absolutely no issues. Definitely more of a fan of the FP- system but in terms of execution of the plan, from the Magic Bands to the FP+ usage at the rides, we had no problems. I do agree with an earlier poster that the MDE system is awful. Whoever programmed that does not understand efficiency. It is not intuitive at all.[/QUOTE]

And that's the thing. It's too much work to do all this planning. Whereas I can just go to Universal instead.

 

[disneynutz]

I e-mailed it to: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com on Jan 3rd.

I was called back on Sat Jan 11, but I didn't get to the phone on time. The CM had left me a call back number and an e-mail address. I e-mailed her and asked for her to call me yesterday, which she did

I was careful in my wording...I didn't threaten never to come back, because that's obviously not true, and I made several suggestions on improvements.

Just to add, I suggested that DVC and AP could perhaps get more FP+ entitlements, as we're obviously repeat customers and are the ones who perceive the greatest loss. She hadn't heard this before, and thought it was a great idea and would bring it up with the executives.

Perhaps reinforcing the suggestion would be helpful in any letters you might also be writing?

Over the years every contact that I have made to WDW or DVC, "they never heard that before" and "they will bring it up with the executives", I get the feeling that it goes no where.

Disney has guests packing the place, if they loose some do to a policy change, my guess is that they view it as an acceptable loss.

Bill

 

[spob15]

What is this fear?

I went in December

MM+ fine
Magic bands no issues used with ap too. Kids loved them

It seems like an irrational fear to me

 

[jillgunter]

We had Magic Bands in October and never had a problem. Booked FP+ and changed them from our phones. it was great. I wouldnt not go because of Magic Bands. Loved having hands full and being able to open my room door!

 

[Lizard Valley]

What is this fear?

I went in December

MM+ fine
Magic bands no issues used with ap too. Kids loved them

It seems like an irrational fear to me

We had Magic Bands in October and never had a problem. Booked FP+ and changed them from our phones. it was great. I wouldnt not go because of Magic Bands. Loved having hands full and being able to open my room door!

I don't think anyone here has changed their plans because of magic bands.

 

[k3chantal]

We were debating between WDW and Universal for an upcoming trip, and frankly, with the hassle of the new fast passes and magic bands, we've just decided to go to Universal and some waterparks instead.

I can get a 2 day ticket with one free day for the fraction of the cost of a WDW ticket, and then also add express pass. So much easier.

We'll also skip most of Disney dining as well, maybe hitting two spots, because I think the credit card reservation they require is CRAP and I hate it.

On our upcoming cruise, we decided to stay at the Hard Rock hotel instead of Disney. Their Express pass system really can't be beat. Obviously we love Disney since we are DVC members but are finding ourselves enticed by Universal's system.

 

[tidefan]

Put us in the camp of FP+ converts. We had a split stay at VWL and VGF over New Year's and quite honestly, I was expecting the whole FP+ thing to be a disaster. I was more than pleasantly surprised. My biggest concern was having to pre-plan everything, but for the last few days of our trip, it seemed like we changed all the FP+ reservations the night before or even the day of the trip and had no issues getting attractions we wanted. i was quite surprised by that. Also, one thing that I liked was our time for Everest came and the ride was down due to weather. We got an e-mail indicating that we could use that FP+ at Everest later, or use it for any other ride in the park. I thought that was nice. It definitely helps to have a cell phone though and I found that the 3G worked better than the park wifi.

As to the other part of the thread, maybe I'm jaded and shouldn't be, but we have never been to Universal Orlando, mainly b/c in years past our now 10 year old would not have been tall enough for most of the rides. So anyway, this past summer we went to a Conference in California and got the CityPass that gives you a 3-day hopper at DL, a day at Sea World, and a day at Universal. To say the least, Universal was a huge disappointment. I really hope Orlando is better than the Hollywood version. It was dirty, crowded, and quite honestly, had horrible service. We were looking forward to the Transformers and Simpsons ride, especially. Well, both rides really gave all of us motion sickness. The concept of the Transformers ride is OK, but all of us that were there agreed that it was too much. Jurassic Park and the Mummy were "meh". Simpsons was worse. I will not ride that again. We were disappointed in the Studio tour, but had read beforehand not to expect too much. We did enjoy the Waterworld stunt show.

Also, I liked the Harry Potter books and movies, but DH and DD are not into them. It is not a huge draw for us.

 

[SuperRob]

Do you get express pass? Where do you get universal tickets? It's all new to me. I agree with wide passes. Annual passes for the family would be two thousand five hundred dollars.

We go in the slow season, so we haven't used Express Pass. We get the tickets (and transfers from our hotel) through DreamsUnlimited.

As to the other part of the thread, maybe I'm jaded and shouldn't be, but we have never been to Universal Orlando, mainly b/c in years past our now 10 year old would not have been tall enough for most of the rides. So anyway, this past summer we went to a Conference in California and got the CityPass that gives you a 3-day hopper at DL, a day at Sea World, and a day at Universal. To say the least, Universal was a huge disappointment. I really hope Orlando is better than the Hollywood version. It was dirty, crowded, and quite honestly, had horrible service.

This was our assessment as well. We're not huge thrill ride people, and we enjoy Disney's level of service and theming, so Universal was a let down in that department. But we're huge HP fans, and I've told just about everyone that has asked me that WWoHP is a fantastically themed park, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the best ride in Florida, bar none. I have very high hopes for what they'll do with the Diagon Alley expansion. We just know to keep our expectations low, service-wise.

 

[Chuck S]

I think a lot of hoopla over FP+ and MagicBands is simply growing pains and learning curves. My MagicBand performed just fine during my last trip, giving me basically the same functions as the room key. FP+, well, here is where the learning curve comes in, I made a lot of my FP+ reservations for morning hours, as I like to get up and out of the room early. It really wasn't necessary to have FP+ times early, everything was pretty much a walk on. In the future, I'll make FP+ times for attractions later in the day.

One thing I didn't care for was the additional planning involved, I was never much of a planner...only doing a few "must do" TS reservations over the course of a 7 or 8 night trip. Now, I felt I had to better plan my days and park visits. And being limited to 3, only 3, and it must be 3 or nothing, FP+ per day was odd, I found myself using FP+ for rides that really didn't need them, just so I could book all three to get the one FP+ I really wanted.

In the future, I'll probably go back to planning less, and just using FP+ for one day in each park. But then, I remember as a child, one hour wait times for things like Mr. Toad and PoC at Disneyland, so WDW by comparison, was always more manageable queue-wise.

That said, I do want to see the Harry Potter section of Universal...but there really isn't enough in the Universal parks to hold my interest for 3 days.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

We have AP's to Universal (that we are letting lapse this year because we won't be back until 2015) and my whole family prefers IOA and US to Disney. We go in off times so we have never needed the express pass. But if you stay on property at Universal in one of their hotels you get unlimited express pass for free.

I am more concerned about this whole situation where off site guests have to schedule their 3 FP+ THE DAY OF after you get to the park. So what now at rope drop ppl will be stampeding to the FP+ kiosks and you will have to wait in a long line to do that? And if you are scheduling for a 5 member family, I can't imagine how long you might have to wait in a line for that.

We have done Disney AND Universal on every trip... but if this whole FP+ thing turns out to be a bad situation for off site guests we will definitely skip Disney and do all the other parks in the area.

 

[Chuck S]

So what now at rope drop ppl will be stampeding to the FP+ kiosks and you will have to wait in a long line to do that?

Much like the old days when guests stampeded to the interactive kiosks to speak with a reservation rep for dining times.

 

[jodifla]

Much like the old days when guests stampeded to the interactive kiosks to speak with a reservation rep for dining times.

I'd forgotten about those days! Those didn't really last long. But I remember the technology was so innovative -- basically Skype years before Skype.

For me, the planning is a turnoff for this trip, especially with the cumbersome MDE and all the snafus.

 

[Mazz519]

Our past two trips to WDW we have not gone to the parks, we opted to spend our Park days at Universal instead…We have been DVC Members since 97 and we know that things change all the time. We used to plan a annual trip to WDW but now use our pts for other things. The cost of the parks is absolutely ridiculous now and we feel that Universal gives us better deals and enjoyment these days….Its rather sad..

 

[twinsouvenirs]

As a parent of young kids, I am SO excited about FP+--I used to be a commando tourer, but I think that FP+ will allow a park experience that is not about running from attraction to attraction but instead to linger over theming and enjoy scenery on the way.

As for magic bands, they feel pretty special to me... we have been 'practicing' wearing them at home the toddlers LOVE them. I love the idea of not having to take a room key to the pool.

All this said, we haven't gotten to experience this yet, but I know it's not going to change where we vacation. The FP+s are still for the same or even additional attractions, and we usually use ADRs responsibly anyway (we only make a few and we keep them) so the cc guarantee helps us, because the fewer uncertain people who make ADRs, the more serious people can. AND... there just may be more room for walk ins too (those who are nervous about committing anyway)

I also agree that legacy Fast Pass was never an entitlement; it was a great system but I think this may be better. Often we'd get to an attraction and find that the FP line was comparable to standby. Now, we can log on and switch to another FP+ if that is the case, changing our plans on the fly and allowing us not to 'waste' a FP on the original ride that it wasn't needed for.

**

also, I do believe they will do tiered FP+'s (i.e. DVC/AP/Disney resorts get 3 FP+s) after the full rollout.

 

[Pootle]

This thread really pulled me in because I've just done my FP selections for my upcoming trip and am absolutely delighted with it so far. Maybe I'll email to let them know

I also think the cc charge on bookings is quite reasonable too - and yes I have made some ADRs in the past have occasionally cancelled on the morning of the ADR, which I will no longer be able to do without penalty. No biggie.

If it does impact on Disney's bottom line, then they'll change it. I don't expect a few emails from 'squeaky wheels' - or even satisfied guests, will make a lot of difference.

 

[nd43]

Our kids are no longer morning people. Being able to secure 3 afternoon fast passes each day before we arrived was great. Prior to FP+ several of the popular attractions (like Sorin) were out of FP before we ever arrived at the park.

So, the new system was great for us. I imagine families that like to be at the parks at rope drop did not see the same value.

 

[jade1]

US/IOA will for sure remain a "day trip" for us just because of FP+.

We hop in a cab and open IOA for HP-but after the ride it was over an hour wait and climbing the rest of the day. Not our fave anyway-but very cool. Anyway, then knocked out D Challeng, Hul and Spdy. Ripped through the water rides and it wasn't even lunch time.

Head back to WDW-all FP's have always been gone by then.

But now we will have all 3 mountains (or whatever) just waiting for us followed by Wishes.

The other days will be am golf, am fishing, am brunch, as much pool side lounging as we want-all followed by hassle free FP+'s.

 

[quandrea]

US/IOA will for sure remain a "day trip" for us just because of FP+.

We hop in a cab and open IOA for HP-but after the ride it was over an hour wait and climbing the rest of the day. Not our fave anyway-but very cool. Anyway, then knocked out D Challeng, Hul and Spdy. Ripped through the water rides and it wasn't even lunch time.

Head back to WDW-all FP's have always been gone by then.

But now we will have all 3 mountains (or whatever) just waiting for us followed by Wishes.

The other days will be am golf, am fishing, am brunch, as much pool side lounging as we want-all followed by hassle free FP+'s.

This sounds wonderful. Do you find you are able to book the fastpasses the day of or the night before. My big gripe with fastpass+ is the booking from home well in advance. We have come to enjoy brunches, morning swims, laying around the villa etc.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Our kids are no longer morning people. Being able to secure 3 afternoon fast passes each day before we arrived was great. Prior to FP+ several of the popular attractions (like Sorin) were out of FP before we ever arrived at the park.

So, the new system was great for us. I imagine families that like to be at the parks at rope drop did not see the same value.

I think the concern about rope drop is overblown because I see this being great for park hopping... you do rope drop at one park and get on the headliners, and you have FPs for the afternoon at your other park.

I think in time, the legacy FP masters will have mastered FP+ just as soundly. Touring Plans is definitely rolling with it and it's easy to configure plans to take advantage of FP+.

 

[jade1]

This sounds wonderful. Do you find you are able to book the fastpasses the day of or the night before. My big gripe with fastpass+ is the booking from home well in advance. We have come to enjoy brunches, morning swims, laying around the villa etc.

The thing is, everybody is at a different point in life regarding the subject.

Picture this-we close Mk at 3AM. We get up at BCV say 11AM-walk out and grab a chair at SAB or the beach. Grab lunch HH and an umbrella drink.

Now somebody walks by and asked if we want QTY 10 5PM FP's for......._________ (fill in any headliner you want) seriously if it's a headliner we will be overjoyed to take it.

TSM heck yea, TOT/RNR/EE/Soarin/TT/SM/SM/BTMRR-IT DOESN'T MATTER-that's where we will go. Now tell me you have 3 in succession in the same park? Are you kidding me? 100% yes and guess where we are going tonight? That park.

There will be no "gee kinda wanted to go to EPCOT tonight" in the old days and wait 100 minutes for everything. "Now I'm stuck with DHS and no waits, bummer".

What I'm saying is, give me 5 minutes and I will plan 10 days of FP+, and everyone will gladly conform on arrival. Throw in the fact that you can make changes the week/day/hour before if you want-who really cares?

We have been down maybe 30 times, the kids are 21 and older and are more night owls except for golf and fishing-they do get up for that.

We also escape winter, therefore we enjoy swimming/sun/beach/SAB stuff.

Headliners are still great, but waiting is not desired, and skipping them has become the norm.

Trips are better than ever though, wonderful family time, dining, drinks, night shows-closing parks in a great Disney atmosphere.

Now all of sudden, the only missing link has now been connected. Headliners are back on the table-just click reserve on a phone or pc? No more going the the park first, walking to the ride and "maybe" coming back 9 hours later for the ride, if available at all.