Spontaneity at WDW Gone

[Suvadoo]

Almost everything in life does. But we are discussing generalities here. And in GENERAL (and by general I mean for a significant majority), the old system required less planning. That's what you don't seem to get despite the fact that multiple posters have already corrected fallacies in your logic.

This is what I don't understand. If you like FP+ that's great, but why are people compelled to defend it with absolute falsehoods? If FP+ is fantastic, why not defend it with accurate information? By saying the FP+ does not require any more pre planning than Legacy, the credibility of the pp becomes questionable.

 

[JimmyV]

This is what I don't understand. If you like FP+ that's great, but why are people compelled to defend it with absolute falsehoods? If FP+ is fantastic, why not defend it with accurate information? By saying the FP+ does not require any more pre planning than Legacy, the credibility of the pp becomes questionable.

. What is so hard about saying: "FP+ is great. We love it. It does require a bit more planning. But that planning pays off in spades!" It is hard to read all the threads about "My 60 day FP date is approaching...HELP!" and not conclude that the level of pre-trip planning has increased. Ignoring that does erode credibility.

 

[Angel Ariel]

. What is so hard about saying: "FP+ is great. We love it. It does require a bit more planning. But that planning pays off in spades!" It is hard to read all the threads about "My 60 day FP date is approaching...HELP!" and not conclude that the level of pre-trip planning has increased. Ignoring that does erode credibility.

Seriously. I mean ddnt Disney pretty much come right out and say their goal was to get people to do more pre-planning, in the hopes that the pre-planning would lock them in to their trip? If Disney is saying more preplanning was intended, why in the world is it controversial or argumentative to acknowledge that they accomplished exactly that for our trip?

 

[MrKnight]

I fully agree with the OP. As a former WDW cast member that used to frequent the parks on almost a weekly basis I will miss the days of being able to attend a Disney park without having to plan everything a year in advance, even ADRs are starting to get out of hand, it is virtually impossible to walk in to any WDW restaurant anymore without ADRs.. I can see how this is a smart business move by Disney but for some who is so fond of WDW it is sad to see..

 

[BJC15]

Describe the circumstances under which you had to leave your family? If you indeed did this, it was self-inflicted. There was only one...ONE attraction where you had to secure a FP by 10:30 and that was TSMM. Not one single other ride required a rush to get a FP. And even for TSMM we did not have to go separate ways. Most days, my wife an daughter would ride SB as I got FPs. We met up at the ride exit and headed for RnR or ToT. That is the ONLY circumstance that resulted in separation and indeed it was self-inflicted. At no other park at no other time did we ever use a runner. To suggest that a runner was essential is absurd. In over 200 park days using FP did we ever fail to secure the passes we wanted. Now, there are daily threads on strategies needed to get the ones you want. Again, other than TSMM, there was never a need to strategize over how to get a FP. You walked up and got them. As long as you were in the park by early afternoon, the success rate was 100%. Try to get good FP+s now on the same day at 2:00pm and see how you'll fare. You'll get passes to rides that don't require them and you'll get shut out of the ones you want.....hence the need for more advanced planning. This is irrefutable.

Runners were no more required under the old system than logging in at midnight at day 60 is with the current system. I chose to grab an early fastpass at every park to maximize my families experiences. Prior to enforced return times, collecting early and often was the best method to do that. With the current system the best I can do is log in and setup up 3 attraction per day. Now that I have made two trips this way I realize it works better for my overall enjoyment in the parks. Did not think I would feel this way until I actually experienced it.

 

[BJC15]

Because nothing worthwhile is generally available that late in the game. If things are available while we are there and IF the worthless app is working, maybe we will. I just hated MDE and any of the midnight pre-planning. Luckily 7DMT wasn't oh-so-awesome enough that I NEED to go on it...we'll do it last thing at night before the park closes if at all...and no kids so no need or interest in A&E (plus I didn't care for Frozen). Plus we tend to go in Sept/Oct lower crowd times.

I just didn't find any particular use to it.

That is fine, respect your opinion. I do disagree with nothing worthwhile being available late in the game. I helped a friend last night grab Peter Pan, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. Took us less than 10 minutes, and based on the posted wait times during the fastpass windows today I do consider these worthwhile.

 

[Suvadoo]

That is fine, respect your opinion. I do disagree with nothing worthwhile being available late in the game. I helped a friend last night grab Peter Pan, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. Took us less than 10 minutes, and based on the posted wait times during the fastpass windows today I do consider these worthwhile.

Yes, these are worthwhile FP's but they are generally still available same day. Personally, I wish Disney hadn't added FP's to HM and POC, but oh well

 

[Jennasis]

Worthwhile is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Hokie2000]

Describe the circumstances under which you had to leave your family? If you indeed did this, it was self-inflicted. There was only one...ONE attraction where you had to secure a FP by 10:30 and that was TSMM. Not one single other ride required a rush to get a FP. And even for TSMM we did not have to go separate ways. Most days, my wife an daughter would ride SB as I got FPs. We met up at the ride exit and headed for RnR or ToT. That is the ONLY circumstance that resulted in separation and indeed it was self-inflicted. At no other park at no other time did we ever use a runner. To suggest that a runner was essential is absurd. In over 200 park days using FP did we ever fail to secure the passes we wanted. Now, there are daily threads on strategies needed to get the ones you want. Again, other than TSMM, there was never a need to strategize over how to get a FP. You walked up and got them. As long as you were in the park by early afternoon, the success rate was 100%. Try to get good FP+s now on the same day at 2:00pm and see how you'll fare. You'll get passes to rides that don't require them and you'll get shut out of the ones you want.....hence the need for more advanced planning. This is irrefutable.

So now FP running is going to be disputed. Like that term hasn't been used about 5 bazillion times on this board?

I was the FP runner in my family, yes I CHOSE to go get FPs by myself because I knew the parks best and it was most efficient. Now I CHOOSE to use FP+, which I have found works well for my family and removes the self-inflicted burden of being the FP runner. Now that I'm not FP running anymore I realize that it kinda sucked.

I didn't complain about being the FP runner w/ legacy FP. I just did what I thought was best at the time; I considered FP to be a perk. I still consider it to be a perk, now with the bonus of not having to pull fastpasses from machines located at the individual rides.

With that being said - I don't think I'll like using the kiosks for 4th FP and I'm not sure if I'll bother w/ them. And I agree that the extra pre-planning is a real thing. I personally like all the planning but I can understand that some people don't. Just like FP running, it's not a requirement, but since the option exists a lot of people might feel compelled to do it even though they think it kinda sucks.

 

[Money82]

Runners were no more required under the old system than logging in at midnight at day 60 is with the current system.

If you want a FP for 7D or A&E, it is absolutely mandatory to log in at midnight on Day 60+.

Runners were NEVER required under the old system. I think some folks just like having the self appointed title of Runner.

 

[JimmyV]

yes I CHOSE to go get FPs by myself....

That's all I'm sayin'. You chose to do it. The PP said that they HAD to do it. Big difference.

 

[Hokie2000]

If you want a FP for 7D or A&E, it is absolutely mandatory to log in at midnight on Day 60+. Runners were NEVER required under the old system. I think some folks just like having the self appointed title of Runner.

It isn't absolutely mandatory. I booked mine when I got my reminder email from Disney, so around 10 AM on day 60. There were 7dMT and A&E at lots of times, I had my pick. For 5 people.

 

[Hokie2000]

That's all I'm sayin'. You chose to do it. The PP said that they HAD to do it. Big difference.

Well no one HAS to do anything re: WDW. From deciding to go in the first place to riding 7DMT, they're all choices. Mandatory, have to, necessary, locked in - these phrases get thrown around a lot, especially when posters are describing the many evils of FP+.

 

[Jennasis]

True that. We don't HAVE to use FP+. We'll just ride the typical long waiters either at rope drop or right before park close. Or not. Maybe we'll just hang in the pool. Or go to the new Disney Springs to hang out (not planning on buying stuff but we enjoy the atmosphere...or at least I think we will when it's done) or go to the beach, or Universal or Sea World (using our DVC as a base).

 

[Money82]

It isn't absolutely mandatory. I booked mine when I got my reminder email from Disney, so around 10 AM on day 60. There were 7dMT and A&E at lots of times, I had my pick. For 5 people.

Still Day 60

When I logged in at midnight Day 60, I was unable to find 7D for the first day of my trip but I was able to get it for a few days later. So, in my case, it was mandatory.

 

[Bullseye]

Assuming one already has dining reservations, and a lot of folks do, you already know what park you are going to on which days ... it's really not that much of a hassle to get a FP+ for your "must do" choices.

This is exactly us!

Look at the park calendar and book adrs at 180 days out as usual. I know what park I'm going to be at so now I plan rides at 60 days. No big deal. Since we don't hop and rarely ever used more than 3-4 fp anyway fp+ works out perfect for us!

FP was a crapshoot of when your return time was going be. How spontaneous is that? At least now I know ahead of time when I need to be somewhere and anytime in between I can do what I want.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It isn't absolutely mandatory. I booked mine when I got my reminder email from Disney, so around 10 AM on day 60. There were 7dMT and A&E at lots of times, I had my pick. For 5 people.

I'm very happy that was your experience, truly.

For my experience, I was online at midnight at 60 days and there were no A&E available for any of my park days (not even pre-planned MK days - just any of the days at all. I was willing to redo dining if needed). I looked for 1 person, 2 people, and 3 people. I started with the last days of my trip and worked forward. Nothing.

I did finally get 2 A&E FP+ for DH and I (never did get a 3rd for my friend), but that was from a cancellation thread here where I coordinated with another DISer who was cancelling.

I did manage to book 7DMT at midnight at 60 days, but within 5 minutes those were all gone as well as I couldn't modify the times at all.

We were able to get everything else we wanted, yes, and (as I also said at the time) I was pleasantly surprised with how well it all functioned at the time (no glitches or anything). I'm only responding to illustrate that while some may have been able to find A&E/7DMT for their trips decently well after the midnight mark (which I do consider the next morning to be for those things), that not all Disney guests are finding that to be possible.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

If you want a FP for 7D or A&E, it is absolutely mandatory to log in at midnight on Day 60+.

Runners were NEVER required under the old system. I think some folks just like having the self appointed title of Runner.

Neither statement is true.

 

[Hokie2000]

I'm very happy that was your experience, truly. For my experience, I was online at midnight at 60 days and there were no A&E available for any of my park days (not even pre-planned MK days - just any of the days at all. I was willing to redo dining if needed). I looked for 1 person, 2 people, and 3 people. I started with the last days of my trip and worked forward. Nothing. I did finally get 2 A&E FP+ for DH and I (never did get a 3rd for my friend), but that was from a cancellation thread here where I coordinated with another DISer who was cancelling. I did manage to book 7DMT at midnight at 60 days, but within 5 minutes those were all gone as well as I couldn't modify the times at all. We were able to get everything else we wanted, yes, and (as I also said at the time) I was pleasantly surprised with how well it all functioned at the time (no glitches or anything). I'm only responding to illustrate that while some may have been able to find A&E/7DMT for their trips decently well after the midnight mark (which I do consider the next morning to be for those things), that not all Disney guests are finding that to be possible.

And I am sorry that was your experience. I'm not trying to invalidate any personal experiences, I was responding to the poster stating it was "absolutely mandatory" to get FP at midnight at 60 days if you want A&E or 7DMT. If you state that something is "absolutely mandatory" then one example to the contrary disproves it.

I was actually planning on logging on at midnight and I got my days mixed up, so when I got the email I was concerned - due to these reports on the DIS of the NECESSITY of the midnight bookings. Turns out I didn't need to be worried.

 

[JimmyV]

Well no one HAS to do anything re: WDW. From deciding to go in the first place to riding 7DMT, they're all choices. Mandatory, have to, necessary, locked in - these phrases get thrown around a lot, especially when posters are describing the many evils of FP+.

Not sure what existential point you are trying to make. Sure, lots of angst can be avoided by staying home. But how does that add to the discussion? Waiting for Ana & Elsa could become Waiting For Godot. Should we wait? Should we go? We must wait!