Staying off site now that rope drop is gone?

[mshanson3121]

We are planning our trip for next June. With the change coming to EMH, the rope drop advantage is now going to be shot for people staying off-site, but how big of a disadvantage do we think it will be?

Also, if FP+ doesn't come back or requires to be paid for (which I'm not sure we'll be able to afford)...Would you even consider staying off site?

Our daughter will be 12, and has ASD and health issues, and just can't do long lines. An afternoon break will be a necessity, so we don't have a lot of time to work with each day, either.

In the past we've always combined rope drop, FP+ and DAS to make Disney doable. Now I have no idea what to think.

 

[cellomom]

really there is no easy answer, it all comes down to what will give you family a successful Disney vacation . Will my family be staying offsite, no we will not. In our group there are two granddaughters age 2 and 4mos, then there is my youngest son (DS2) a special needs adult. So staying on site is best for us. We just returned from a trip where we did not have EMH. On our MK day, we did our best to rope drop but probably still arrived 30 minutes after opening. 1st part of our party headed to Adventure Land and used DAS on JC for return time, then got in line for PoC. 2nd party ( DS1, DIL, GD1 & GD2) went to Peter Pan, Dumbo, then head over to meet us at JC, rode Flying Carpets while they waited on us. I wont bore you with a play by play but by the time we had lunch, 1st party with DS2 had been to PoC, JC, CBJ, BTMR, MSDMT. Now to accomplish this, I did miss a few rides by going ahead of the group to get a return time for the next ride and We made use of the MDE app for checking wait times. 2nd party w/ the grand kids returned to the room before lunch, rested and then went to the pool. 1st party with DS2 stayed a little longer but then we also went back to the room and chilled.
even though it was early May, temperatures were in the 90s. Going back to the room and taking a break was so important for our group.
I don’t know if this has changed because of Covid, but on a previous visit we had to take advantage of the first aid room. A cast member explained to me that you could go and lie down for a while in that room if it was medically necessary. You will have to verify if this is still possible. I don’t know if I was of any help, just want you to know that it is possible to accomplish some rides without FPs.

 

[mamabunny]

We are planning our trip for next June. With the change coming to EMH, the rope drop advantage is now going to be shot for people staying off-site, but how big of a disadvantage do we think it will be?

Also, if FP+ doesn't come back or requires to be paid for (which I'm not sure we'll be able to afford)...Would you even consider staying off site?

Our daughter will be 12, and has ASD and health issues, and just can't do long lines. An afternoon break will be a necessity, so we don't have a lot of time to work with each day, either.

In the past we've always combined rope drop, FP+ and DAS to make Disney doable. Now I have no idea what to think.

Like @cellomom said, you may just have to do Disney... differently right now.

Historically, some of my family members were *hardcore* FP+ users; they could not imagine WDW without it. On our January 2020 trip, we decided to NOT use any FP+, and we just relied on the MDE app. Admittedly we didn't "get as much done" as we might have, but we were also *SO* much more relaxed throughout our stay!

I'm always an advocate for staying on-site if you can. Primarily because (for our family) it is almost always easier; we leave the driving to Disney, and just enjoy the scenery! We also love the ease of going back to our room for an afternoon nap, or a going Resort-hopping (a year-round "sport" for my family; we love visiting all of the Resorts - we are just weird like that LOL) and of course, Disney Springs is an easy bus ride too.

As the years have passed, our family no longer feels the need to do "commando-style" touring, where you have to hit every.single.ride in the park, or it's a "fail". Now we take our time, and often entire trips are either themed (one BIG family favorite was the "all boats, all the time" trip where we rode every boat-themed ride at least once, and tried to do all of our transportation by boat wherever possible) or are just focused on favorites: rides, dining locations, shows, attractions, and the most controversial pick for our family - the favorite Resort!

Have you talked with your daughter at all about how things might be different? Sometimes, managing expectations early (and often) can help make the reality you will encounter much easier once you arrive at WDW.

I understand how you feel - the first time I had to consider doing Disney using an ECV I was not at all mentally or emotionally prepared; it was overwhelming. I conquered that trip by taking (everything) one step at a time, and just doing the next right thing as the trip progressed. You can too - don't focus on what you can't have or use (the FP+ or DAS) and instead think of ways to use what you do have access to (Park open/rope drop and staying onsite) to have the very best possible trip you can.

And remember that any day when you get to be at Disney World with your family is going to be a Magical day!

 

[mshanson3121]

Not really, yet, no. For us we prefer off site, as it's more enjoyable, more space, we love having the private pool etc... and, a matter of finances. We just can't afford onsite AND to be able to do the things we want to. So, if we stay onsite, well be doing less Disney.

We have never been go go go, commando. We stop and smell the roses. We've always done afternoon breaks, and probably only averaged 6-8 rides/shows/things etc.... a day, even with rope drop, FP+ and DAS.... hence why I'm worried lol. So, if anything, we may have to change our style more to go go go.

And maybe FP+ will come back as a free thing, in which case it probably won't be so bad. I guess I'm just worried it's going to be a paid service, that we won't be able to afford, so we'll be "stuck" with just DAS.

 

[lanejudy]

On-site is kind of a toss-up right now, with very little benefit other than transportation. Right now many people are opting to drive to the parks anyway rather than deal with limited bus seating, but then find the lack of trams to be challenging in the parking lots. I really think AP has the only real advantage with onsite, which allows length-of-stay park reservations for AP.

I expect we'll be seeing a lot of changes back closer to "normal" in the next few months and by next June it should feel very normal. There may be a few changes that possibly were bound to happen anyway, such as the new Early-Entry for onsite and possibly a a change in FP+. If we stop to look back over the course of the past 10-15-20 years, pretty much all such offerings have been modified several times and while it's frustrating to do something differently, folks ends up rolling with the changes and finding a new way that works for them. I suggest continuing to watch reports of what's happening and get some ideas of what others find works.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Not really, yet, no. For us we prefer off site, as it's more enjoyable, more space, we love having the private pool etc... and, a matter of finances. We just can't afford onsite AND to be able to do the things we want to. So, if we stay onsite, well be doing less Disney.

We have never been go go go, commando. We stop and smell the roses. We've always done afternoon breaks, and probably only averaged 6-8 rides/shows/things etc.... a day, even with rope drop, FP+ and DAS.... hence why I'm worried lol. So, if anything, we may have to change our style more to go go go.

And maybe FP+ will come back as a free thing, in which case it probably won't be so bad. I guess I'm just worried it's going to be a paid service, that we won't be able to afford, so we'll be "stuck" with just DAS.

Which will still put you in a better position than those who can’t afford to pay for FP and don’t have a DAS.

 

[Selket]

I like to stay on-site because of the ECV rental I use and I think it wouldn't work well for me to be off-site and trying to haul an portable one. Also our family splits up and we don't all leave or go back to the room at the same time so that would be a lot of cars to bring or a lot of Ubers! Otherwise off-site has a lot of advantages with getting a big house, pool, being able to cook and it's cheaper.

If FP doesn't come back the way it was I may have to look at a DAS for my non-mobility issues that I've developed the last few years. I generally used the FP to get 3 major attractions and then I would get additional FP's continuously so I could ride whatever was available or looked interesting, etc. (there was a name for doing this - I'd just keep checking the app for better times to open up). I generally had very little wait and an hour of flexibility to get on the ride in my FP window. If it gets to a system like Universal/IOA I'm not sure what I'll do since staying on site there is super expensive as is paying for the express pass. I wonder if Disney has thought about how many folks like me are out there that mange well with fast passes but would struggle without them.

 

[disneyseniors]

I like to stay on-site because of the ECV rental I use and I think it wouldn't work well for me to be off-site and trying to haul an portable one. Also our family splits up and we don't all leave or go back to the room at the same time so that would be a lot of cars to bring or a lot of Ubers! Otherwise off-site has a lot of advantages with getting a big house, pool, being able to cook and it's cheaper.

If FP doesn't come back the way it was I may have to look at a DAS for my non-mobility issues that I've developed the last few years. I generally used the FP to get 3 major attractions and then I would get additional FP's continuously so I could ride whatever was available or looked interesting, etc. (there was a name for doing this - I'd just keep checking the app for better times to open up). I generally had very little wait and an hour of flexibility to get on the ride in my FP window. If it gets to a system like Universal/IOA I'm not sure what I'll do since staying on site there is super expensive as is paying for the express pass. I wonder if Disney has thought about how many folks like me are out there that mange well with fast passes but would struggle without them.

I sympathize with your feelings on fp, but have to ask. Have you ever been to disney when they didn't have fp? We have and it was equal for everyone. The lines moved all the time (no stopping to wait for fp people). Kind of like they are moving along quickly now. If you have to stop and wait and wait for all the fp people to go through first, of course you will have to wait. People get frustrated watching all the people go by with fp, get angry too at times. I just think the flow of ALL rides is much better if they all don't have fp - then it's equal for everyone.
We used our 3 fp's annd found that there wasn't much left that we were interested in by the time we used our 3. So most of the time it was 3 and done. I don't want to stare at a phone all day trying to find fp's.
Anyway, I hope it works out for you.

 

[DisneyOma]

We are planning our trip for next June. With the change coming to EMH, the rope drop advantage is now going to be shot for people staying off-site, but how big of a disadvantage do we think it will be?

Also, if FP+ doesn't come back or requires to be paid for (which I'm not sure we'll be able to afford)...Would you even consider staying off site?

Our daughter will be 12, and has ASD and health issues, and just can't do long lines. An afternoon break will be a necessity, so we don't have a lot of time to work with each day, either.

In the past we've always combined rope drop, FP+ and DAS to make Disney doable. Now I have no idea what to think.

If FP does not return then the queues will be moving much more quickly, IMO. We've done WDW before FP, and the queues were much more manageable. The only ones that were hard were the most popular attractions in each park, but if you have DAS access, that wouldn't be an issue. The issue I'm worried about is that it sounds like boarding groups and some kind of stand by virtual queue are going to be the new queue systems Disney will enact for more attractions.

 

[Evita_W]

If FP does not return then the queues will be moving much more quickly, IMO. We've done WDW before FP, and the queues were much more manageable. The only ones that were hard were the most popular attractions in each park, but if you have DAS access, that wouldn't be an issue. The issue I'm worried about is that it sounds like boarding groups and some kind of stand by virtual queue are going to be the new queue systems Disney will enact for more attractions.

I think what you will see happening is virtual queues getting used where space is an issue. Disneyland has this issue more than Disney World. There are a few places at Disneyland where the ends of lines would meet, even before social distancing. I think Disney likely sees the writing on the wall that people will no longer accept being packed in like sardines and will want at least some (probably around 2 to 3 feet) of personal space between parties permanently, so they are planning accordingly. I think you will see this being something that you can get any time of the day when in use and they will say come back in 30 minutes to an hour or what have you. Basically a new name for the pre FP+ version of FP with no standby queue.

Boarding groups will likely be used on new attractions when they first open and be distributed on the twice a day schedule.

And I think there will be a distinction between the two and you will be allowed to hold one of each at any given time.

But with both systems, I would imagine when most guests return they will go through what the Standby Queue would have been and those with a DAS will be directed straight through the FP or accessible queue as applicable.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm dreading boarding groups for Star Wars. This is our last trip, we have one day only for HS, and if we can't get a boarding group for the RotR... it WILL ruin our daughter's day. I hate the system. Would have been so much easier to be able to just book a FP+, or walk up to the ride and ask for a return time via DAS, instead of having to do the BG crud.

 

[Weedy]

I'm dreading boarding groups for Star Wars. This is our last trip, we have one day only for HS, and if we can't get a boarding group for the RotR... it WILL ruin our daughter's day. I hate the system. Would have been so much easier to be able to just book a FP+, or walk up to the ride and ask for a return time via DAS, instead of having to do the BG crud.

You can open the app from home and practice going though the steps to get a BG.
When you get to the last step it won’t let you book because it knows you don’t have a ticket.
Everyone in your group should be included on the app. Everyone with a phone can try at the same time.
You need to have the app opened about 3 minutes before the booking times (7am from anywhere or 1pm in The Studios the day you want to ride) have another device available and watch the clock ones the clock strikes 7am/1pm you need to click on the Join button. You will need to click it 3 different times. Just click don’t pause, don’t read, don’t wait.
Practice practice practice from home so you know what to expect.
My son and new daughter in law where there 2 weeks ago and went to the Studios 3 days and were able to get a BG all 3 mornings.

I had the Ipad open to watch the time
As soon as the hand hit 1:00 I hit join on my phone

 

[mshanson3121]

You can open the app from home and practice going though the steps to get a BG.
When you get to the last step it won’t let you book because it knows you don’t have a ticket.
Everyone in your group should be included on the app. Everyone with a phone can try at the same time.
You need to have the app open about 3 minutes before the booking times (7am from anywhere or 1pm in The Studios the day you want to ride) have another device available and watch the clock ones the clock strikes 7am/1pm you need to click on the Join button. You will need to click it 3 different times. Just click don’t pause, don’t read, don’t wait.
Practice practice practice from home so you know what to expect.
My son and new daughter in law where there 2 weeks ago and went to the Studios 3 days and were able to get a BG all 3 mornings.

I had the Ipad open to watch the time
As soon as the hand hit 1:00 I hit join on my phone
View attachment 578383View attachment 578384
View attachment 578385

What about doing it on iFi? I keep seeing "don't use WiFi" but that's all we'll have.

 

[cellomom]

We followed this Procedure in December & We managed to get a boarding pass. As Weedy mentioned everyone who had a phone attempted to get a pass. We opened our iPad (iPad was on WiFi) to the time.gov webpage (when seconds count you want an accurate time), the cell phones did not use Disney’s WiFi and was outside on balcony.
Here is the disboard’s ROTR boarding thread, may be of some help:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...poilers-please-please-read-posts-1-3.3794369/

good luck

 

[cellomom]

What about doing it on iFi? I keep seeing "don't use WiFi" but that's all we'll have.

No cell phones?

 

[mshanson3121]

No cell phones?

Yes. But we're Canadian, so we'll have no data.

 

[cellomom]

Yes. But we're Canadian, so we'll have no data.

Ah… my understanding Is when someone says don’t use Wi-Fi, I believe they are referencing don’t use Disney Wi-Fi (Because everybody else is trying to use the Disney Wi-Fi at the same time) For the 7 AM boarding attempt, find a good Wi-Fi location. If you’re at a Disney resort, the lobby area “may” have stronger Wi-Fi than your room. If you’re offsite, that could even be better because you’re not trying to use Disney Wi-Fi. just my thoughts. Good Luck

 

[mshanson3121]

Ah… my understanding Is when someone says don’t use Wi-Fi, I believe they are referencing don’t use Disney Wi-Fi (Because everybody else is trying to use the Disney Wi-Fi at the same time) For the 7 AM boarding attempt, find a good Wi-Fi location. If you’re at a Disney resort, the lobby area “may” have stronger Wi-Fi than your room. If you’re offsite, that could even be better because you’re not trying to use Disney Wi-Fi. just my thoughts. Good Luck

Ooooh that would make sense! We'll be off site in a private home on our HS day so that would probably be better.

 

[cellomom]

We followed this Procedure in December & We managed to get a boarding pass. As Weedy mentioned everyone who had a phone attempted to get a pass. We opened our iPad (iPad was on WiFi) to the World Clock webpage (when seconds count you want an accurate time), the cell phones did not use Disney’s WiFi and was outside on balcony.
Here is the disboard’s ROTR boarding thread, may be of some help:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...poilers-please-please-read-posts-1-3.3794369/

good luck

My apologies, The previous link relates more to Disneyland the link below should be more about Disney World.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...planning-and-information-no-spoilers.3782822/

 

[Evita_W]

You can open the app from home and practice going though the steps to get a BG.
When you get to the last step it won’t let you book because it knows you don’t have a ticket.
Everyone in your group should be included on the app. Everyone with a phone can try at the same time.
You need to have the app open about 3 minutes before the booking times (7am from anywhere or 1pm in The Studios the day you want to ride) have another device available and watch the clock ones the clock strikes 7am/1pm you need to click on the Join button. You will need to click it 3 different times. Just click don’t pause, don’t read, don’t wait.
Practice practice practice from home so you know what to expect.
My son and new daughter in law where there 2 weeks ago and went to the Studios 3 days and were able to get a BG all 3 mornings.

I had the Ipad open to watch the time
As soon as the hand hit 1:00 I hit join on my phone
View attachment 578383View attachment 578384
View attachment 578385

Actually, we were specifically told that only one person in the party should try as if multiple are trying it can mess up and no one in the party will get it. This was from one of the people responsible for setting up the system.

The good news is if you don't get it first thing in the morning, there is a second chance in the afternoon. This is better than DLR soon, as soon they will add the new Spider Man ride to boarding pass and you can't hold a boarding pass for both Rise and Spider Man at the same time. This is causing us some issues for our upcoming visit.