Spontaneity at WDW Gone

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Fine, but your arguments will continue to be flawed then.



Pls don't quote stats unless you link to the stat. This is probly an old one, cuz they have recently said numbers MUCH higher.



The most popular thread on a board that only represents less than 1% of actual Disney guests. And of course it will be the most popular thread, FP+ is the newest thing to come to Disney World. That does not mean it's difficult to use, rather, it is the most significant current event in place at any park anywhere. It is revolutionizing theme parks - it will be the hottest topic for a long time to come. While most other guests will use it just fine, those who want to come talk about it will do so.



Oh. Like you do. At least I'm not wrong. I realize I'm a little different from the norm. By definition, we who use to get the most out of FP- were the few who used it. Otherwise it would not have been so beneficial!



So you like the rides. More than most people even. Great.

Of course you can get a better room. That's why those rooms fill. That's why people go to London, Italy, and everywhere.

They ARE paying it for the vacation. Yes the theme parks and rides help, but clearly I do not spend $5000 to take a vacation to Gurnee, IL and go to Six Flags. It's different, and you know it. Disney World is more than the sum of its rides.

Responding only to your request for link regarding the 50% number. But it was included with recent financial reports and I think maybe magic band usage. I don't remember.

Could have sworn you had posted that report or at least commented a bunch on a thread where that report was posted and the 50% number pulled from that report.

Here it is:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3357273

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Your stats are out of date, that's from August. It's much higher now. Pull up my past posts on Disney's Dec announcements and you'll see.

I just posted the thread link where you pulled a quote that explicitly stated MB usage was at 50% which this person clarified as what he/she referenced. You are once again claiming it as an old number.

Do you not recall what you posted? I provided the link above to refresh your memory.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I just miss the clean slate every morning while actually there on vacation. Being able to easily switch your plans once you were there, as long as you were willing to get up early enough. Things happen...weather, illness, bad sleep, or just wanting to go to a different park than you thought 60/180 days prior.

So, yes, in that sense, day to day, for our family, a large piece of the spontaneity for us has been taken away unless we are willing to stand in long lines for headliners.

 

[HulkBuster]

^^^^ yes exactly to me that is spontanaty

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Fair enough.



I did read that response. I also read the one following that where you claimed that my experience could not be "successfully attributed to FP+.". That was very much directed specifically at me, and not a generality.



Our mileage does vary. I never said that runDisney events *in general* don't require special pre-planning. Just that they did not *for us*. In our exchange, that did not seem to be acceptable to you, as you continually want to dismiss *our* experience as due to the run.

Yes, DH actually did show up and run 13.1 miles without pre-planning. Personally, I think he's nuts. I read what other people do to train for those distances, and he doesn't do that. Really, not at all. Like I said - he's nuts, and I try to convince him to really train. But it is what it is.



There was more to it than a properly times FP for TSMM, and honestly your complete dismissal of what I have said (because, yes, I have actually said quite a lot about it), just indicates to me that you aren't interested in truly listening to what our experience was.



I never said anything negative about you taking less time to plan. I never dismissed your experience with planning with FP+ as you did mine when you said it could not be "successfully attributed" to FP+. I have not doubted or questioned one thing you've said about your experience, as you have continually done about mine. One instance of recognizing that it was "my experience" doesn't negate all the other dismissals.

I asked you specifically much time it took. I was not dismissing what you said, I just found it odd and did finally ask about the time For some reason you missed it. And I find it extremely difficult to envision this "more" time you speak of. When one levies the responsibility of extra effort on a program, I think others have a right to get to the bottom of why it was the program's "fault" for laid of a better word. No, you don't "owe" any explanation--but inquiring does not equal dismissing. And it does sound like your trip was not that of a typical marathon participant. And that is fine.

But when I see posts, I will discuss them. Your failure to notice what I had stated also shows that you have been dismissive.
And if you would have commented on my experiences, I would have had no issues discussing it with you. Discussing people's experiences is what is nice about discussion boards, even if folks don't agree.

On marathons:
My husband joined me for a half marathon once. Then my sister did the following year. Due to their own schedules, they really had no training. I just cannot imagine. Ended up my sister was sick (but didn't tell me) and developed pneumonia. She had a cold in her chest but made no mention of it and I would have directed her to not participate as you shouldn't do any cardio with a chest cold. So she had a double whammy of a tough time.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I guess I'm too used to going to DL, and am planning on visiting WDW in Jan/17. I'm finding that there's alot more planning involved than DL. I'm not used to having to book Fastpasses 60 days out. For my family we like to decide what park to visit from day to day and not plan it 2 months in advance. I also have to take into consideration that in reality our flights to Orlando will be very late arriving which also complicates things when deciding which park the day after we arrive, or simply have it as a relaxing day before hitting the parks hard. At least I'm finding out now how much more planning is involved with planning a trip to WDW so I'm ready when I do book.

 

[maxiesmom]

^^^^ yes exactly to me that is spontanaty

But a lot of that was already gone, if you chose to book ADRs. By doing that you already knew what park you were going to be in when, adding FP+ to that is not a huge jump.

I wonder too how many people value being able to sleep in over the ability to be spontaneous.

The nice thing is, you still don't have to book ADRs ahead, or FP+ times, unless you choose to. If someone wants to get up early, and hit whatever park they wish, they will still be able to get on a bunch of rides before the hoards arrive. That hasn't changed at all, in my experience.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have not been to WDW since FP+ was installed. When my family and I did go, it was usually during the summer months. When we saw SB wait times of 60-90 minutes for any major attraction, we felt that was an easy wait and hopped in the line. We would take advantage of as many EE and EMHs we could, and leave during the busiest times of the day. For us, anything over 2 hours would rule out the ride at that time. We would reschedule it for an EE or EMH. Is it just me, or is there a different perception today of what "too long" a line is? Am I under the wrong assumptions about incredibly long lines for all rides at all times?

Different perceptions and possibly just "newer" guests who *maybe* did not begin coming to Disney until after the introduction of Fast pass.

Because these long lines folks are discussing seem short to me.

My old rule was <90 minutes (typically--exceptions often made). New rule is <45 minutes striving for <30 with occasional exceptions for >45 minutes. But the lines are much better than the pre-FP with more folks attending the parks.

We do intentionally avoid busy times which is often most of summer and always spring break weeks and A week before and after Christmas. So our "new" rule is most often what we use.

 

[HulkBuster]

But a lot of that was already gone, if you chose to book ADRs. By doing that you already knew what park you were going to be in when, adding FP+ to that is not a huge jump. I wonder too how many people value being able to sleep in over the ability to be spontaneous. The nice thing is, you still don't have to book ADRs ahead, or FP+ times, unless you choose to. If someone wants to get up early, and hit whatever park they wish, they will still be able to get on a bunch of rides before the hoards arrive. That hasn't changed at all, in my experience.

hardly booked any ressies and no more clean slate so youre experience is different I can't get passes for some rides on the day of like before

 

[maxiesmom]

hardly booked any ressies and no more clean slate so youre experience is different I can't get passes for some rides on the day of like before

You can get passes for some rides day of. For most rides. If you wish you can get up early and hit the rides you cannot make FP+ for. If you want to tour without FP+ at all you can still do so.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess I'm too used to going to DL, and am planning on visiting WDW in Jan/17. I'm finding that there's alot more planning involved than DL. I'm not used to having to book Fastpasses 60 days out. For my family we like to decide what park to visit from day to day and not plan it 2 months in advance. I also have to take into consideration that in reality our flights to Orlando will be very late arriving which also complicates things when deciding which park the day after we arrive, or simply have it as a relaxing day before hitting the parks hard. At least I'm finding out now how much more planning is involved with planning a trip to WDW so I'm ready when I do book.

I went to DL once in 1991. The lack of experience automatically means that I would have to spend more time planning than I do for a theme parking I have been to often.

Not to be accused of being dismissive if your observation...
But I feel that I know nothing of DL which has acquired a new gate, new hotel and DTD since I has last been there. And the idea that staying off site is just as good as on site a so foreign to me that researching off site hotel options sounds actually fun. So by nature of me not knowing very much at all--there will be much more pre-planning required.

I just saw Guy's Disney Christmas or whatever the title was and saw the Main Street bakery . If anything--I must stop there.
P
Sad to report that our bakery on the east coast just isn't the same. So if you aren't into Starbucks, there is better food elsewhere, but probably not as good as DL.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I asked you specifically much time it took.

And I answered you. Back in post #105.

Overall, between the conversations had including with my out of state friend, the posts researching information here, reading mesaboy's thread and EasyWDW to figure out how to make the FP+ interface best work and trying it out before my booking window (the whole book 1 person at a time and try to get overlapping times thing didn't make sense to me til I actually walked through doing it before our booking window opened), and then the actual time spent in MDE on booking night (which was 1 hr in and of itself) - it was a few hours of planning at home that we had not done on previous trips. Not arduous (though not fun either), but still more than in the past.[

To further elaborate, I'd say it was probably somewhere between 2-3 hrs of planning *at home*, and that is including the 1 hr I spent on MDE booking.

No, you don't "owe" any explanation--but inquiring does not equal dismissing. And it does sound like your trip was not that of a typical marathon participant. And that is fine.

No, inquiring doesn't. But, as I said, I've answered the questions you've asked. You may have missed the answers somewhere along the line, but I did answer them. Since I had no way of knowing you hadn't seen them and you just thought I hadn't answered, the repeated inquiring came across as dismissive as it felt like my answers weren't acceptable answers.

I hope that this particular misunderstanding is cleared up at this point.

On marathons:
My husband joined me for a half marathon once. Then my sister did the following year. Due to their own schedules, they really had no training. I just cannot imagine. Ended up my sister was sick (but didn't tell me) and developed pneumonia. She had a cold in her chest but made no mention of it and I would have directed her to not participate as you shouldn't do any cardio with a chest cold. So she had a double whammy of a tough time.

YEah...DH's "training" for the TOT 10 miler last year was running 10 miles once on his own at home beforehand. He's an odd one in that respect.

He's in the AF, Reserves so he's required to meet PT standards, so it isn't like running is new to him. He has to run x miles in a certain time limit for his PT tests all the time. But he isn't what I would call a "runner." He doesn't go out and run every day, he doesn't run other races...he just enjoys the RunDisney races.

He wants me to run the W&D 1/2 with himnext year, but I know me, and I would have to train. I really have no desire to run that much. I'll do the 5K with my SIL and nephew, but I prefer to spare my feet (and body!) for enjoying being in the parks

 

[HulkBuster]

You can get passes for some rides day of. For most rides. If you wish you can get up early and hit the rides you cannot make FP+ for. If you want to tour without FP+ at all you can still do so.

not ALL rides like before you miss my point fp+ is worse for me and many others judging from posts here glad you like it and can rasionalize it but doesnt fly with me

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And I answered you. Back in post #105.



To further elaborate, I'd say it was probably somewhere between 2-3 hrs of planning *at home*, and that is including the 1 hr I spent on MDE booking.



No, inquiring doesn't. But, as I said, I've answered the questions you've asked. You may have missed the answers somewhere along the line, but I did answer them. Since I had no way of knowing you hadn't seen them and you just thought I hadn't answered, the repeated inquiring came across as dismissive as it felt like my answers weren't acceptable answers.

I hope that this particular misunderstanding is cleared up at this point.



YEah...DH's "training" for the TOT 10 miler last year was running 10 miles once on his own at home beforehand. He's an odd one in that respect.

He's in the AF, Reserves so he's required to meet PT standards, so it isn't like running is new to him. He has to run x miles in a certain time limit for his PT tests all the time. But he isn't what I would call a "runner." He doesn't go out and run every day, he doesn't run other races...he just enjoys the RunDisney races.

He wants me to run the W&D 1/2 with himnext year, but I know me, and I would have to train. I really have no desire to run that much. I'll do the 5K with my SIL and nephew, but I prefer to spare my feet (and body!) for enjoying being in the parks

I apologize if I missed the post. I tried to come back and view then all. I even missed a post that was directly to me asking of details of our trip.

Mea Culpa if I missed.

Run/walking is an option--I find it a fun experience. I prefer Bingham's training program book called marathoning for mortals if you are ever interested in takin this offer up.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I apologize if I missed the post. I tried to come back and view then all. I even missed a post that was directly to me asking of details of our trip.

Mea Culpa if I missed.

It's all good - just glad we cleared that up

Run/walking is an option--I find it a fun experience. I prefer Bingham's training program book called marathoning for mortals if you are ever interested in takin this offer up.

I may someday...probably not next year, though. I was really looking forward to the spectator party this year...having the whole F&W festival open til 4am, etc! Unfortunately the rain was just awful. My friend and I rode TT about 5 times before they closed it for the night due to the rain, and it was only a little. after 10 at that point (they closed the festival kiosks between 9-10pm, so we went to TT to kill time til it opened back up at 10). At that point, though, we had no desire to be in WS trying to eat food/drink while getting wet, so we went to Soarin and SE. It was kind of a bust of a party because of the rain. Even once we met up with DH, we were all just kind of done with it all. WE walked as far back as France, then DH and I headed back to YC through IG while our friend took a taxi back to CS.

I'd love to go to the party again next year, and pray that it doesn't rain this time so we can really enjoy the party.

 

[maxiesmom]

not ALL rides like before you miss my point fp+ is worse for me and many others judging from posts here glad you like it and can rasionalize it but doesnt fly with me

Wasn't trying to rationalize anything. Simply pointing out it is possible to tour WDW without using FP+, and ride most of the rides you want to ride. If you get to the parks at open, the firs 90-120 minutes are still great for hitting the rides.

 

[HulkBuster]

Wasn't trying to rationalize anything. Simply pointing out it is possible to tour WDW without using FP+, and ride most of the rides you want to ride. If you get to the parks at open, the firs 90-120 minutes are still great for hitting the rides.

and I didn't say impossible simply worse

 

[EPCOTatNight]

False

You made absolute statements. Nothing is absolute. That, and the fact that I made 7DMT FP+ reservations inside of 50 days make your declarations false.

 

[Laketravis]

Now ya'll have me concerned. This caveman is headed to Universal Orlando 12/30-1/5 and we have not planned a single thing.

Nada. Zilch. Nothing. We just made on-site hotel reservations and bought AP's.

We've never been there before. Is there a Universal website or app we should be using right now to plan and reserve our spots? Are we not going to be able to experience the headliners? Are there places we won't be able to eat at? Will we be facing hour long or longer queues for the most popular attractions? Is there anything we should be doing right now for this SPONTANEOUS trip we have planned so that we don't miss out on anything when we get there?

 

[EPCOTatNight]

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

Here is one at 30 days out.