The Problem Seems to be...

[Jenny Sanders]

I think the big problem here with the MB's and FP+ is that Disney rolled out a system that was much too big, in too short of a time period. Not enough testing was done and the CM's aren't properly informed in some cases. I can see where all the frustration comes from.
I arrive at WDW in 18 days. I'm going to stay opened minded, until I've experienced the new systems for myself. Although, I have to say, I'm a little nervous. I'm glad it's just me and my husband with no kids this time. I can't imagine dragging them through some of the lines I've seen on Twitter...
29 trips to Disney World and counting...next stop POFQ march 2014
18 days to go!!!

 

[cjnettles]

I agree, my husband and I will be there in 25 days and I am keeping an open mind until I have experienced it myself. I personally am happy with the magic bands, I don't like to take anything to the parks as I always sit something down and leave it, the less I have to tote, the better. And I quite enjoyed making the FP+ reservations knowing if I didn't want to get up at the crack of dawn, I don't have too. I think with anything, there will be bugs to work out, we are AP holders and this wont' be our last trip this coming year, so I can't wait to see how the progression goes and what changes might be made. Enjoy your trip and have a Magical Time...

CJ

 

[ashg8r]

But the problem with all the testing was the FP- machines were all still there, and until they removed those they couldn't get a true test, and once they removed them it would be considered a full rollout. So there was almost no way they could truly test it with out rolling it out all the way. Also, people forget what a busy week this is every year, your trip should be much better, as anytime that isn't Presidents' Day week and Easter weeks will be better!
We go at the end of April and I can't wait!

 

[disnut8]

Have I missed Disney announcing everything is final?

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Have a great time! I did!!! Love fp+. Got to see toy story without having to be there at rope drop. Loved it!!!

 

[sonofanarchy]

Have a great time! I did!!! Love fp+. Got to see toy story without having to be there at rope drop. Loved it!!!

I really don't get this. is this what made FP+ great? Because you got to ride 1 attraction without having to be there at rope drop?

Did you ride anything else, or only those that you could get FP+ for?

I'm sorry. I simply don't understand how anyone can think getting less of something than they could have gotten before is better.

 

[FLchick415]

I'm perfectly fine with FP+ and I hardly ever used FP- before, so...

Not everyone tours the same way you do. If it works for them, it works for them. It's not a bad thing.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I'm perfectly fine with FP+ and I hardly ever used FP- before, so...

And there's the rub. For those that used it, it sucks. For those that didn't but still want to see everything, it sucks. You're right, not everybody is the same, but it's clear that the only people that FP+ really is built for are those that don't care about seeing everything. That's a small percentage.

 

[SuperRob]

The problem is largely 1) Expectations, and 2) Perception.

Expectation: Savvy travellers are used to getting 5 or more FastPasses at each park in a reasonable amount of time. Three (even if booked in advance and for specific times) feels limiting despite additional freedoms, and they don't like it. Change is hard, particularly if the change is perceived as negative.

Perception: FastPass+ looks like a failure to people because the FastPass lines look long, so they assume they are long. What they don't see is inside the queue, you're going straight to the front. People are bottlenecked at the scanner, and then have few people in front of them once they get past it. People who are waiting in that line would even tell you it was longer, but unless they timed it, they don't know, and the data suggests it's not.

You can pretty easily tell by following this board if people are glass half empty or glass half full people by how they're reacting to this.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm perfectly fine with FP+ and I hardly ever used FP- before, so...

Not everyone tours the same way you do. If it works for them, it works for them. It's not a bad thing.

I think a primary reason that you are perfectly fine with FP+ is because you hardly ever used FP- before. (Which is fine of course, but I've noticed this as a major dividing line between the "camps".)

 

[FLchick415]

I completely understand why it sucks for those that used FP- to it's full potential. I'm not arguing that at all. For me PERSONALLY, I'm local, so it's just not as big of a deal to me. But if some people are pleased with how the system works for them and how they tour the parks, then I don't see the big deal

 

[FLchick415]

I think a primary reason that you are perfectly fine with FP+ is because you hardly ever used FP- before. (Which is fine of course, but I've noticed this as a major dividing line between the "camps".)

You're exactly right. And I own that fact. I'm lucky enough that I'm able to go when the crowds are lowest. I know not everyone has the luxury, and I understand the frustration.

 

[sonofanarchy]

The problem is largely 1) Expectations, and 2) Perception.

Expectation: Savvy travellers are used to getting 5 or more FastPasses at each park in a reasonable amount of time. Three (even if booked in advance and for specific times) feels limiting despite additional freedoms, and they don't like it. Change is hard, particularly if the change is perceived as negative.

Perception: FastPass+ looks like a failure to people because the FastPass lines look long, so they assume they are long. What they don't see is inside the queue, you're going straight to the front. People are bottlenecked at the scanner, and then have few people in front of them once they get past it. People who are waiting in that line would even tell you it was longer, but unless they timed it, they don't know, and the data suggests it's not.

You can pretty easily tell by following this board if people are glass half empty or glass half full people by how they're reacting to this.

The lines aren't why I think it's a failure. I thought it was going to be a failure from the time it was announced. I don't consider myself to be a "half glass empty" type of person. I just consider myself to be knowledgeable enough about WDW and of the way I like to tour the parks to know that it was a lousy system (for me.)

-Tiering.
-Only 3 FP per day.
-FP at only 1 park per day.

Those are the reasons I think the system is lousy.

What "additional freedoms" are you referring to exactly?

 

[smitch425]

And there's the rub. For those that used it, it sucks. For those that didn't but still want to see everything, it sucks. You're right, not everybody is the same, but it's clear that the only people that FP+ really is built for are those that don't care about seeing everything. That's a small percentage.

We used the heck out of FP-, but we still loved FP+. We may have done a few less rides each day (or maybe not- we've never kept track), but we still spent several full days making great memories as a family. Being able to select your times instead of being stuck with whatever you got was a far better experience for us. I do hope they allow for more passes per day when all is said and done, but I will happily enjoy what they currently allow. The system will undergo many more changes. I can't wait to see what it will be when we go in October.

 

[AmyB2006]

I think a primary reason that you are perfectly fine with FP+ is because you hardly ever used FP- before. (Which is fine of course, but I've noticed this as a major dividing line between the "camps".)

Absolutely! That is the dividing line, IMO. I've talked to several friends IRL that hate FP+ and I've talked to several that love it. I have talked to more to people that hate it, though. People that I've talked to in person, either love it or hate it. LOL But I've "polled" everyone I talk to, just to try to gather my own info, and the common theme amongst people that don't like it, is that they were FP "superusers" or whatever is the accepted term today. Pulling 6, 8, or more FPs in a day, arriving at RD, etc.

The ones that like it, either didn't use or rarely used FP- and don't care if they don't get to ride Soarin' (or insert whatever other headliner you like) that trip. Spend a substantial amount of time at their resort in the pool etc.

But I think most would agree that that is the dividing line between liking it vs disliking it.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

We used the heck out of FP-, but we still loved FP+. We may have done a few less rides each day (or maybe not- we've never kept track), but we still spent several full days making great memories as a family. Being able to select your times instead of being stuck with whatever you got was a far better experience for us. I do hope they allow for more passes per day when all is said and done, but I will happily enjoy what they currently allow. The system will undergo many more changes. I can't wait to see what it will be when we go in October.

I just hope they DO make changes...like adding more FP per day and getting rid of the tiers. People keep saying, don't worry it's still in testing and there with likely be changes...and that has been the case, only the changes have been to the negative (IMHO) ie: tiers.

We don't have any major trips planned to WDW until March 2015, LOTS of time for there to be changes.

 

[GotLabradors]

We had to push our trip for this year back a year. After reading some of the latest posts, I'm glad we did. I'm hoping this is all sorted out by the time we go in 2015.

 

[tazadd0420]

In reading multiple posts in multiple threads I have seen more people that like FP+ that have actually gone to disney and more negatives that have not used the new system.
I am a rd, commando type touring person. Read in another thread person made rd, hit headliners, then had FP+ for headliner again.
I think we all need to help each other figure out ways to get the most out of this new system. I have already learned from others ideas on how to work this system to increase # of rides. I hope to keep hearing from the people that have actually used the system and advice on how to make it work.
Looking forward to upcoming trip. If I listened and postponed every time there were neg comments on dis board I would never go. .
Great to have first world problems.

 

[ChrisFL]

Have I missed Disney announcing everything is final?

No, you didn't miss anything, but EVERYONE is a guinea pig right now for their "test" that everyone has to use because there's no alternatives.

 

[Shaden]

Have a great time! I did!!! Love fp+. Got to see toy story without having to be there at rope drop. Loved it!!!

I really don't get this. is this what made FP+ great? Because you got to ride 1 attraction without having to be there at rope drop?

Did you ride anything else, or only those that you could get FP+ for?

I'm sorry. I simply don't understand how anyone can think getting less of something than they could have gotten before is better.

The reality is simple, about 70% of the year, TSM is the only ride that FP+ is a net positive for for anyone.

36% of the year are 8+ days.

The rest of the year 7- you would be able to pull FPs for just about any ride throughout the day, especially if you were smart enough to go to the suggested park that day.

So yes, TSMM is the only thing the pro-FP+ can cling to, because its the only attraction that is truly advantaged by FP+. Every other attraction is not.