The Incredible message for my trip :)

[Planogirl]

Let's see... Preschedule dining and rides and shows and tours. Yep, that's certainly spontaneous.

I agree that FP+ has its advantages though. However being spontaneous is not one of them.

 

[cakebaker]

I actually don't care if I can wake up one morning and head to a park and let the day take me where it may. We never had that before and we don't want it now.

We made lots of changes to what we had pre-planned. Our Friday morning that was going to be a resort day became a trip to the MK for a few hours. Our Saturday morning that was scheduled for the MK became a resort day.

We added going to an emh evening our last night while we were watching illuminations.

So called it spontaneous or plan changes or whatever you want, we don't find a significant difference to our trips in that regard.

It was however much more relaxing not having to wonder what the lines were going to be like at headliners-would we be able to get a FP, would we have time to stand in line before an adr- these were not issues and that was a relief.

We had the most incredible, magical experience at Epcot that may well be one of the best we've ever had on our last night- pure and absolutely spontaneous moment.

So please don't tell me what my trips are or are not. I was the one there- I'm the one who knows and just because it was stiff and structured for you doesn't mean it was for me.

 

[bigcrit]

Now that is funny. Probably because I can really relate.

 

[itchin2go]

Well one way to look at is that yes you pick three fastpasses but you can change them as your schedule changes. Now I understand you will not be able to get top tier attractions when you change the day of especially during busy times but it does allow for a form of spontaneous environment.

Do you honestly believe that makes your trips more spontaneous than they used to be? I don't. I'm just curious if anyone really does. Mom2rtk nailed it below:

Look, I get that some people like FP+.

Like it because you can sleep in.

Like it because you can park hop and know there are FPs waiting for you.

Like it because you love planning your rides 60 days out.

Like it because you can ride the Mine Train in the evening without a long wait.

Just don't insult my intelligence by telling me you like it because it increases spontaneity in the parks.

Likewise, I'm insulted that they are floating this idea. FP+ is a lot of things, some bad, some definitely good. But increasing spontaneity?

 

[itchin2go]

So called it spontaneous or plan changes or whatever you want, we don't find a significant difference to our trips in that regard.

You crystallized the issue exactly. Sounds like you're saying your spontaneity neither went up nor down.

 

[CdnKayDee]

I do not see how any one can not be spontaneous at WDW with or without FP+. You can wait in line for any ride or yes even restaurant at WDW. They will not stop you. So yes show up to MK no FP+ needed and go to any ride you want Disney will not stop you. You can be totally 100% spontaneous but do not get that confused with instant access. And of course if you want to be truly spontaneous you would have to wake up and say hey I am going to AK then get there and say I am going to go to Everest and after that say hey I am going to Epcot etc... Spontaneity allows for no no no advance planning everything is spur of the moment.
So does FP+ help with spontaneity of course it does but it is up to you to follow your wants. Plenty of times with the help of FP+ and the app of course, DW and I were able to switch up and change plans in order to follow or spontaneity of course if we really wanted to follow or spontaneous impulses we could have no matter what. Sure maybe we would pay 10 dollars per peron for missing a resy or wait in line at a ride but we can always do what we want and FP+ really helps us. And yes I used SPONTANEOUS over and over on purpose.

 

[larryz]

I mix plan and spontaneity. I have disability and use my return Time with no wait attraction and fast pass. And now i know that i have to plan restaurants in the park you are that day!

"OK, kids, we have 15 minutes to be spontaneous, and then we have to get in the pre-line for our FP+ window at PP."

 

[larryz]

... or we want Disney to bend to our wants.

Actually, I just want my money's worth.

Back when I paid $40 for a one-day admission, I was able to hit all the majors and most of the minors, and didn't need FP anything to do it.

Now I'm paying $105 for one day and my best expectation is to get most of the majors and some of the minors.

That doesn't sound like value to me any more.

 

[Planogirl]

I actually don't care if I can wake up one morning and head to a park and let the day take me where it may. We never had that before and we don't want it now.

We made lots of changes to what we had pre-planned. Our Friday morning that was going to be a resort day became a trip to the MK for a few hours. Our Saturday morning that was scheduled for the MK became a resort day.

We added going to an emh evening our last night while we were watching illuminations.

So called it spontaneous or plan changes or whatever you want, we don't find a significant difference to our trips in that regard.

It was however much more relaxing not having to wonder what the lines were going to be like at headliners-would we be able to get a FP, would we have time to stand in line before an adr- these were not issues and that was a relief.

We had the most incredible, magical experience at Epcot that may well be one of the best we've ever had on our last night- pure and absolutely spontaneous moment.

So please don't tell me what my trips are or are not. I was the one there- I'm the one who knows and just because it was stiff and structured for you doesn't mean it was for me.

You can call your trip whatever you wish in my opinion. If it's spontaneous to you then it's spontaneous to you, no question about it. However if spontaneity is the topic then likely others will also mention what they consider the definition to be. I personally think that FP+ is the exact opposite of being spontaneous. YMMV.

 

[Planogirl]

I do not see how any one can not be spontaneous at WDW with or without FP+. You can wait in line for any ride or yes even restaurant at WDW. They will not stop you. So yes show up to MK no FP+ needed and go to any ride you want Disney will not stop you. You can be totally 100% spontaneous but do not get that confused with instant access. And of course if you want to be truly spontaneous you would have to wake up and say hey I am going to AK then get there and say I am going to go to Everest and after that say hey I am going to Epcot etc... Spontaneity allows for no no no advance planning everything is spur of the moment.
So does FP+ help with spontaneity of course it does but it is up to you to follow your wants. Plenty of times with the help of FP+ and the app of course, DW and I were able to switch up and change plans in order to follow or spontaneity of course if we really wanted to follow or spontaneous impulses we could have no matter what. Sure maybe we would pay 10 dollars per peron for missing a resy or wait in line at a ride but we can always do what we want and FP+ really helps us. And yes I used SPONTANEOUS over and over on purpose.

Just another definition I think. To me spontaneity was waking up in the morning and deciding where to go while drinking my tea. We stood a good chance of getting fastpasses for whatever we wished as long as we arrived early enough. Now we have to decide well in advance if we want to ride the same rides. I see that as a detriment but of course there are others that don't which is fair enough.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I just listened to the video when I logged into disneyworld.com/incredible. I had to laugh when, after explaining things, she said this will allow you even more time to be spontaneous on your vacation. It made me chuckle! Do you think it's true? I was thinking just the opposite, but I haven't been into the theme parks since FP+ started.

We were there in November. We did feel that FP+ made us feel, while in the parks, more scheduled than we ever have before. Generally we just picked a land and then went through the neighboring lands around in the circle. No timelines, no appointments. We definitely felt the "need" (and I put that in quotes b/c I realize it's not an actual need) to make our FP+ appointments, so we kept an eye on the clock more than we have before, to make sure we got to whatever land the FP+ was in at the right time (as opposed to before when we'd be in the land when we pulled it, and tour the secondary attractions in that land waiting for the return time)

That said, we did have a great vacation overall. I just don't know that I'd consider it spontaneous.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I do not see how any one can not be spontaneous at WDW with or without FP+. You can wait in line for any ride or yes even restaurant at WDW. They will not stop you. So yes show up to MK no FP+ needed and go to any ride you want Disney will not stop you. You can be totally 100% spontaneous but do not get that confused with instant access. And of course if you want to be truly spontaneous you would have to wake up and say hey I am going to AK then get there and say I am going to go to Everest and after that say hey I am going to Epcot etc... Spontaneity allows for no no no advance planning everything is spur of the moment.
So does FP+ help with spontaneity of course it does but it is up to you to follow your wants. Plenty of times with the help of FP+ and the app of course, DW and I were able to switch up and change plans in order to follow or spontaneity of course if we really wanted to follow or spontaneous impulses we could have no matter what. Sure maybe we would pay 10 dollars per peron for missing a resy or wait in line at a ride but we can always do what we want and FP+ really helps us. And yes I used SPONTANEOUS over and over on purpose.

The truth is that with legacy FP, someone could get to the bus stop at 8 am, get on the first bus that came (or the next one,) and get fast passes for any ride they want. You can't do that now.

 

[PirateD]

Hmmm...yes, maybe that message is for all of us who are facing FP+ anxiety! But I'm not buying it.

We are planning our first trip with FP+ and we are struggling with trying to figure out where to place our FP+ for each day to allow for the most flexibility. It's also our first time staying on property with all 10 of us which impacts our approach as well. We think we want to rope drop every day...Do we want to use EMH?...Will we want to leave for a midday break?...Stay late a couple of nights?...Will there be a morning or two that we want to sleep later? I feel like we have to make all of these decisions now so we know where to plan our FP+ (which we really want to use), but it's hard to project how we will feel on our trip since so much is new for us. It's hard to imagine anything being totally spontaneous, but I would love any tips on how to build a little flexibility into touring when using FP+. Would scheduling FP+ around 11-2 make the most sense? I'm thinking that would work with a rope drop strategy and still allow time to either go back to the resort or to try to grab a 4th FP+ if we decide to stay all day. We have a few ADRs but are mostly sticking with QS for a little more flexibility and a spontaneous decision or two!

 

[itchin2go]

Hmmm...yes, maybe that message is for all of us who are facing FP+ anxiety! But I'm not buying it.

We are planning our first trip with FP+ and we are struggling with trying to figure out where to place our FP+ for each day to allow for the most flexibility. It's also our first time staying on property with all 10 of us which impacts our approach as well. We think we want to rope drop every day...Do we want to use EMH?...Will we want to leave for a midday break?...Stay late a couple of nights?...Will there be a morning or two that we want to sleep later? I feel like we have to make all of these decisions now so we know where to plan our FP+ (which we really want to use), but it's hard to project how we will feel on our trip since so much is new for us. It's hard to imagine anything being totally spontaneous, but I would love any tips on how to build a little flexibility into touring when using FP+. Would scheduling FP+ around 11-2 make the most sense? I'm thinking that would work with a rope drop strategy and still allow time to either go back to the resort or to try to grab a 4th FP+ if we decide to stay all day. We have a few ADRs but are mostly sticking with QS for a little more flexibility and a spontaneous decision or two!

I think FPs from 11-2 is a good strategy.

Also, I find that all I can do is make the best plans I can. They will change once things are underway. That's not THAT important, because we will choose what is best for us at the time.

What advance planning does, really, is just give us more options.

 

[SmithSmith]

I think these comparisons of spontaneity under FP- & FP+ are unwarranted. All the video said was "more time for spontaneity". That's it. It did not say "more time for spontaneity than paper FP". I think this distinction is important because we have to remember only a minority of guests used FP-. I think it's safe to assume Disney did not create this video to "sell" FP- users on FP+. It seems to me this is just an informational video targeting the majority of guests. The majority that did not use or did not know about FP-, and therefore, wouldn't draw comparisons between the two.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I think these comparisons of spontaneity under FP- & FP+ are unwarranted. All the video said was "more time for spontaneity". That's it. It did not say "more time for spontaneity than paper FP". I think this distinction is important because we have to remember only a minority of guests used FP-. I think it's safe to assume Disney did not create this video to "sell" FP- users on FP+. It seems to me this is just an informational video targeting the majority of guests. The majority that did not use or did not know about FP-, and therefore, wouldn't draw comparisons between the two.

But there is a reason that Disney chose to promote it as spontaneous. To me, it suggests that there must be some pushback about all the planning involved. Even those of us who don't like FP+ admit that it has some advantages, but they didn't choose to focus on any of those. And let's not forget their previous "Lock it in" campaign.

 

[ArwenMarie]

But there is a reason that Disney chose to promote it as spontaneous. To me, it suggests that there must be some pushback about all the planning involved. Even those of us who don't like FP+ admit that it has some advantages, but they didn't choose to focus on any of those. And let's not forget their previous "Lock it in" campaign.

Such a good point. What a contrast to their "Lock It In" campaign.

 

[NMAmy]

A classic case of "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

I hate FP+ with a passion.

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

Hmmm...yes, maybe that message is for all of us who are facing FP+ anxiety! But I'm not buying it.

We are planning our first trip with FP+ and we are struggling with trying to figure out where to place our FP+ for each day to allow for the most flexibility. It's also our first time staying on property with all 10 of us which impacts our approach as well. We think we want to rope drop every day...Do we want to use EMH?...Will we want to leave for a midday break?...Stay late a couple of nights?...Will there be a morning or two that we want to sleep later? I feel like we have to make all of these decisions now so we know where to plan our FP+ (which we really want to use), but it's hard to project how we will feel on our trip since so much is new for us. It's hard to imagine anything being totally spontaneous, but I would love any tips on how to build a little flexibility into touring when using FP+. Would scheduling FP+ around 11-2 make the most sense? I'm thinking that would work with a rope drop strategy and still allow time to either go back to the resort or to try to grab a 4th FP+ if we decide to stay all day. We have a few ADRs but are mostly sticking with QS for a little more flexibility and a spontaneous decision or two!

This is exactly how I'm also feeling. I used to be the type of person who decided the morning before whether we would go to disney or universal and decide the morning of which park we were heading to.
This is my first time staying on site and with all the fp+ planning, i'm finding myself in over my head. im getting to a point where im tempted to not even bother booking any fp because I don't want to feel tied to a reservation.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I guess the Spontaneity is not there .. but since WDW is so popular .. what would you rather do? Have no reservations and wait in long lines (even for meals) .. or pre-plan a few activities of the day? You can still have spontaneity .. no one is forcing you to use FP+.

Personally, I'd prefer the windows to be shorter. 180 days for dining? Yeah I do it, but I don't like it. We're currently planning a DLR trip, and their 60 day dining reservation window is much more reasonable, IMO (and there it isn't like you're going to be shut out of Blue Bayou or Carthay Circle if you don't book at exactly 6am, but I digress ). 60 days for rides, though, is too far in advance IMO. 30 days for onsite, 15 for offsite...just throwing out numbers. I know it'll never happen, because that defeats the "locking it in" purpose of FP+, and who knows if Disney systems could even handle it, but if I'm dreaming about what I would rather have happen, that would be on the list.