There isn't any Disney Magic in this process!!

[Sharpdisney]

Planning a vacation to Mexico is much easier. Just sayin'.

I wouldn't suggest that here.. I've mentioned all inclusives and the like in other posts. Not too popular around here.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

Copied this from a post of mine in a previous thread about the same topic.....

This thread has given me some thoughts. I'm not calling anyone out, just offering another option.....

What does it matter SO MUCH that a particular experience MUST be done? Are people seriously spending thousands of dollars and multiple days/weeks at a destination just for one approximately 5 minute experience? Has anyone thought of not staying up all hours waiting for the window and then seeing what there is when you wake up? Then if whatever is not available you either tell the person that wanted it, "I'm sorry but there were no FPs left for that, so your options are we can spend an entire park day waiting in line for that ONE thing OR we can spend the rest of the day checking out other fun things to do." Or if it is a child that didn't know to begin with, you don't tell them anything and then if they see at a park, you explain what happened.

If you want to tell me that this event is "ALL" your party wanted to do or "were really really looking forward to" and you can't do without, then perhaps you are creating people that are spoiled to having all of their expectations met. Call me crazy, but not everyone gets EXACTLY what they want EXACTLY when they want it and EXACTLY how they want it to happen.

For some people, WDW is a once in a lifetime vacation. I do think it's unrealistic to expect to do every single thing in WDW in one vacation, but allowing guests to reserve a few must-do attractions isn't spoiling anyone.

I MISSED fast pass+, my magic band, and DDP while we were in Disneyland last year. Disneyland was more expensive (much more) for us due to location and flight costs, so we may never go back again.

 

[IrishNYC]

What does it matter SO MUCH that a particular experience MUST be done? Are people seriously spending thousands of dollars and multiple days/weeks at a destination just for one approximately 5 minute experience?

It matters SO MUCH to ME because this is likely the only Disney trip we will ever take - at the very least it will be at least 5 or 6 years before we even consider another trip to WDW. DD is 5, and like many 5 y/o girls is a Frozen freak. So it matters SO MUCH to ME because I want her to have the most amazing experience ever on a trip that we are going way out of our normal vacation "type" for, spending a ridiculous amount for, and pulling her out of school for (something I swore I would never do). I'm sure people have other reasons for it mattering SO MUCH to them that they get exactly what they want, and it should matter. Disney doesn't come cheap, and for many, like me, it's a ONCE in a lifetime trip. I know many here can't possibly wrap their heads around only going to disney once, but I want to show my child that there is more to vacationing than Disney, and there's a whole world out there to explore.

 

[SabbyR]

Copied this from a post of mine in a previous thread about the same topic.....

This thread has given me some thoughts. I'm not calling anyone out, just offering another option.....

What does it matter SO MUCH that a particular experience MUST be done? Are people seriously spending thousands of dollars and multiple days/weeks at a destination just for one approximately 5 minute experience? Has anyone thought of not staying up all hours waiting for the window and then seeing what there is when you wake up? Then if whatever is not available you either tell the person that wanted it, "I'm sorry but there were no FPs left for that, so your options are we can spend an entire park day waiting in line for that ONE thing OR we can spend the rest of the day checking out other fun things to do." Or if it is a child that didn't know to begin with, you don't tell them anything and then if they see at a park, you explain what happened.

If you want to tell me that this event is "ALL" your party wanted to do or "were really really looking forward to" and you can't do without, then perhaps you are creating people that are spoiled to having all of their expectations met. Call me crazy, but not everyone gets EXACTLY what they want EXACTLY when they want it and EXACTLY how they want it to happen.

There are how many people staying on disney property and in the parks on any one day? Hundreds? thousands? Millions? Do the math....people have different FP opening days than you. Not everyone with reservations/tickets is going to get to ride/meet "exhibit a" on May 1, 2015. They might not even get to do it during their time there from May 1-May 5. That's when you have an alternate plan.

I may be thinking crazy, but I am betting there are other things to do at Disney. I dare say there is even more than one park to find things to do! And resorts too!

My family goes to Disney and enjoys doing certain things. We spend thousands and thousands of dollars to go and if we weren't able to do those things we would not go. For my family Im (well actually DH haha) not spending all that money to go watch Disney Junior live on stage or go to IASW we are paying the money to go on what we want. When we vacation elsewhere I pay for attractions we use. For example if I want to tour a volcano I pay for a volcano tour, if I don't want it I don't pay. I understand rides on what we want may be limited and we have to jump through hoops to get them (book fastpasses) but I want the chance to ride those rides. That's what I PAID for. If Im laying out that kind of money I want EXACTLY what I paid for.

 

[mom2rtk]

It matters SO MUCH to ME because this is likely the only Disney trip we will ever take - at the very least it will be at least 5 or 6 years before we even consider another trip to WDW. DD is 5, and like many 5 y/o girls is a Frozen freak. So it matters SO MUCH to ME because I want her to have the most amazing experience ever on a trip that we are going way out of our normal vacation "type" for, spending a ridiculous amount for, and pulling her out of school for (something I swore I would never do). I'm sure people have other reasons for it mattering SO MUCH to them that they get exactly what they want, and it should matter. Disney doesn't come cheap, and for many, like me, it's a ONCE in a lifetime trip. I know many here can't possibly wrap their heads around only going to disney once, but I want to show my child that there is more to vacationing than Disney, and there's a whole world out there to explore.

I hope you get everything you want and have a magical trip!

 

[SmithSmith]

You specifically mentioned the use of phones in the park and that was what I was talking about. It would've been nice if Disney had found a way to implement whatever system without increasing guest iphone use while they were in the parks. I know guests don't have to use their phones in the parks just like they don't have to use FP+. Yes, I know every company is increasing their reliance on technology, but that doesn't mean it's beneficial.

I used FP+. I did not look at my phone once while in the parks. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[MrInfinity]

It matters SO MUCH to ME because this is likely the only Disney trip we will ever take - at the very least it will be at least 5 or 6 years before we even consider another trip to WDW. DD is 5, and like many 5 y/o girls is a Frozen freak. So it matters SO MUCH to ME because I want her to have the most amazing experience ever on a trip that we are going way out of our normal vacation "type" for, spending a ridiculous amount for, and pulling her out of school for (something I swore I would never do). I'm sure people have other reasons for it mattering SO MUCH to them that they get exactly what they want, and it should matter. Disney doesn't come cheap, and for many, like me, it's a ONCE in a lifetime trip.

So, I think your DD will have an incredibly unbelievable totally amazing trip. Without even knowing if she will or will not see A&E. Really. Parents put themselves up to having to do it all. The kids don't. I remember when I was young and got to go to WDW. There was no having to do this or that. We were at Disney World. Some of my memories were not hard to do things at all. I remember the slides at River Country. I remember waiting over an hour for Space Mountain, while we'd watch the comet thingys on the screens... which... in recent years, we completely skip over cuz we have not waited more than 20 min for SM. I remember the electric water pageant. When we went back in 2010, that was one of the most amazing things from that trip, hearing that tune and how familiar it was, and having to research if it was the same little parade. It was. To a 5-year-old, the specifics are less important. Seeing this or that princess will not affect your trip. Even if it's once in a lifetime. These are all just things you experience at WDW. Will A&E be their most remembered thing about this trip? Probly not. It will most likely be something you don't even know is going to happen.

 

[SmithSmith]

My family goes to Disney and enjoys doing certain things. We spend thousands and thousands of dollars to go and if we weren't able to do those things we would not go. For my family Im (well actually DH haha) not spending all that money to go watch Disney Junior live on stage or go to IASW we are paying the money to go on what we want. When we vacation elsewhere I pay for attractions we use. For example if I want to tour a volcano I pay for a volcano tour, if I don't want it I don't pay. I understand rides on what we want may be limited and we have to jump through hoops to get them (book fastpasses) but I want the chance to ride those rides. That's what I PAID for. If Im laying out that kind of money I want EXACTLY what I paid for.

No one is denying you access to popular attractions. There is always the standby line.

 

[JimmyV]

There is no opening time that wouldn't offend someone.

I would suggest you cannot find one time to open up FP+ selections that is going to be convenient for everyone or even the majority.

It's fallacious reasoning to suggest that since there cannot be a "best" time, then a "worst" time will do. There are lots of threads, and lots of posts in threads complaining about the midnight, 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. Virtual Rope Drop. I promise you that while complaints would still exist, if the VRD time were moved to 7:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; noon; 7:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., there would be fewer. Guaranteed.

For a really popular cruise, exotic resort destination, etc. where very specific and popular accommodations are desired, you have to be one of the first in line to get it.

I better get there early and beat the competition.

People are confusing the idea of "putting in effort to get the best result" with "staying up until midnight to get the best result." Very few are complaining about the notion that "being early is better", or that "people who go the extra mile should be rewarded." But where is it written in stone that going the extra mile has to be done at midnight? People who go the extra mile to get ADRs at BoG or CRT don't do so at midnight. But they are diligent, and rewarded. Let's not equate "extra effort" with "midnight. They are not the same thing.

Yep, and for me staying up until 11 AM or midnight to reserve 24 attractions that I know will have long lines at the time we will be there doesn't "suck".

I don't think anyone would complain about getting on line at 11:00 a.m. If only.

Think about other hot ticket items. Concert tickets. Have you tried to get a hot concert ticket? The instant the window opens, they're sold out.

Think about getting a playoff ticket to any sports event.

Done every one of those things. Many, many, many times. And I have never secured my tickets at midnight. Not one single ticket to any of the Springsteen or U2 concerts that I have been to went on sale at midnight. Yes, they sell out the moment the purchasing window opens. But that has always been 10:00 a.m. give or take. Never, ever in the middle of the night.

 

[Oodalally13]

For some people, WDW is a once in a lifetime vacation. I do think it's unrealistic to expect to do every single thing in WDW in one vacation, but allowing guests to reserve a few must-do attractions isn't spoiling anyone.

I MISSED fast pass+, my magic band, and DDP while we were in Disneyland last year. Disneyland was more expensive (much more) for us due to location and flight costs, so we may never go back again.

It matters SO MUCH to ME because this is likely the only Disney trip we will ever take - at the very least it will be at least 5 or 6 years before we even consider another trip to WDW. DD is 5, and like many 5 y/o girls is a Frozen freak. So it matters SO MUCH to ME because I want her to have the most amazing experience ever on a trip that we are going way out of our normal vacation "type" for, spending a ridiculous amount for, and pulling her out of school for (something I swore I would never do). I'm sure people have other reasons for it mattering SO MUCH to them that they get exactly what they want, and it should matter. Disney doesn't come cheap, and for many, like me, it's a ONCE in a lifetime trip. I know many here can't possibly wrap their heads around only going to disney once, but I want to show my child that there is more to vacationing than Disney, and there's a whole world out there to explore.

My family goes to Disney and enjoys doing certain things. We spend thousands and thousands of dollars to go and if we weren't able to do those things we would not go. For my family Im (well actually DH haha) not spending all that money to go watch Disney Junior live on stage or go to IASW we are paying the money to go on what we want. When we vacation elsewhere I pay for attractions we use. For example if I want to tour a volcano I pay for a volcano tour, if I don't want it I don't pay. I understand rides on what we want may be limited and we have to jump through hoops to get them (book fastpasses) but I want the chance to ride those rides. That's what I PAID for. If Im laying out that kind of money I want EXACTLY what I paid for.

I'm just saying if that's what you want then don't complain about the hoops.

 

[mom2rtk]

No one is denying you access to popular attractions. There is always the standby line.

Just as there was with legacy FP. Yet that never seemed to be an acceptable answer then.

 

[JimmyV]

For years, complaints on these forums used to stem from not being able to get an FP for a particular attraction within hours or even minutes of arriving at the park.

Now, complaints are about not being able to get an FP for a particular attraction within 60 days of arriving at the park.

I'm still trying to get my head around how that's an improvement.

The psychology of this astonishes me. Stripping away the hyperbole, in the past, the only FP you could not get if you arrived in any park by 10:00 a.m. was TSMM. If you arrived by 10:00, you stood in a horribly lengthy line that move rather quickly, and got your FP. It would have been for a time after 6:00 p.m.. But you got it. Every time. And if you arrived after 10:00 and got shut out, you got mad, but could wait in a 75-90 minute SB line. But your anger only lasted a day. And you had no one to blame but yourself. It was within your power to change the circumstances that caused you to miss out, (i.e., get to the park a bit earlier). Now, the only FP that you can get shut out of is A&E. And you can get shut out even if you do everything "right". There is nothing you can do to better your chances. Logging on at 11:55 doesn't help. And if you do get shut out, you get angry and that anger festers for 60 days instead of one. It would seem to be counterintuitive to proceed with a system that lets so many people down, and causes them to be angry for 60 days. I know that supply can never meet demand until popularity wanes, but what percentage of people who want FPs for A&E are not getting them? It's got to be a high percentage, right? That's a lot of people to make angry for 60 days.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I realize that not everyone sees these opportunities as an improvement. But anyone who can't see how FP+ can be an improvement for a lot of guests is simply choosing not to look.

I completely agree that entering a park midday and having FP+ for the very popular attractions is a definite benefit. It really helped our arrival day and the day after the marathon a LOT. We really appreciated it on those days. It's a great benefit, and I'm sure a huge improvement for those who regularly tour that way.

There are also downsides to the system for us. Not enough to "hate" the system, but enough to not love it. They may not be downsides to someone else, and that's fine. No system is perfect - legacy wasn't perfect either. FP+ solves some of legacy's problems, but for *some* it creates others. That should be equally understandable. (Again, this is not directed at you, wis, as I do think you acknowledge and understand that).

 

[SabbyR]

No one is denying you access to popular attractions. There is always the standby line.

My bladder could not take a standby line for 4 hours!

 

[Laketravis]

I'll stand by my original comment that I believe everyone likes the ability to make theme park ride reservations in advance but it's the lack of availability that they have an issue with.

I'm curious why those who have nothing but praise for FP+ can't seem to acknowledge that others do see good things about it but also do see and experience some disadvantages to it. Is that not okay for some reason? Are these boards for positive experiences only? Social media is the present day Customer Service Toll Free Line, negative experiences are bound to spill over onto these boards, boards that many have acknowledged Disney reads, why wouldn't it be okay for them to see some of the reasons why people might be upset with the way they do something so they can improve it?

But apparently if you don't think it's 100% wonderful then you are labeled a "hater" who prefers the old paper system and live to undermine the entire Disney enterprise. Even more interesting is how the same ones who quickly jump to Disney's defense only do so in regards to FP+ and only seem to post primarily in non-flattering FP+ threads and only when someone points out that their FP+ experience wasn't satisfactory. Look at any "I didn't like............." about FP+ and it's like somebody pressed the "Defend Disney" alarm button. It's the same fire fighting crew responding all the time. That's gotta get tiring.





.

 

[jade1]

The A/E thing is apparently super popular, it's perplexing why they don't just add more A/E characters to handle this initial surge-even if it never stops. There are 15 yellow dresses mixing rice krispie bars in the candy store on main, can it be that hard to find similar enough look a likes for this thing?

So the whole system gets its biggest black eye from one M&G that never even existed a year ago, that could easily be remedied, it's not like adding a second RNR track or anything.

That said-maybe there should be a thread dedicated to making A/E a "more magical" reserving/success experience-obviously no FP line didn't work with the whole 6 hour wait thing, FP- would be gone in the first hour IMO, meaning some little kids would get a FP return for 12 hours from then, and some will just never make it on their 1 or 2 MK days anyway. Although I think SB is still available?

Rewarding longer onsite stays seems to be where it's currently at, but every option imaginable would be vastly improved by just adding more A/E, or simply selling a package that will pay for the newly hired A/E's.

The rest is really pretty available, we even booked 3 days of 7DMT the week before our XMAS stay, but all parks could use more capacity additions.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I'm just saying if that's what you want then don't complain about the hoops.

This is a sentiment I have never understood, not far removed from, "if you don't like what your government is doing, then move." It is perfectly reasonable to want to experience high-demand attractions and still vent about the amount of effort it takes to accomplish them.

 

[wisblue]

I don't think anyone would complain about getting on line at 11:00 a.m. If only.

Thank you for pointing out an obvious typo. I meant to say 11 PM because that is the relevant time for people in the Central Time Zone.

 

[JimmyV]

Apparently if you don't think it's 100% wonderful then you are labeled a "hater" who prefers the old paper system and live to undermine the entire Disney enterprise.

This makes participation here very frustrating. People who question and challenge random features of FP+ and who offer constructive criticism are labelled "haters" because they do not embrace every aspect of the new system. Face it. The 60 day window is not scientifically necessary. Just as ADRs used to be 30 days out. Then 45. Then 60 Then 90. Then 180. The system didn't crash under any of these scenarios. The decisions to extend the dates further out into the future were not done out of systemic necessity. They were done because Disney thought that it would be beneficial to it to lock people in sooner. There were never any threads on Version 1.0 of these Boards pleading with Disney to pleeeeaaaaase double the ADR window from 90 to 180 days. This was never the result of customer dissatisfaction. Likewise, there were never any threads here beseeching Disney to pleeeeaaaaaase make the FP window 60 days. That is not a Magic number. It could be 30. Or 21. Or 7. Or 90. Or 180. Or whatever Disney unilaterally decrees. So please don't think that people who dislike the numbers 60 (as in days) or 12:00 a.m. (as in window opening time) or 3 (as in number of FPs per day) are "haters". Maybe the people who dislike these numbers and are suggesting some changes are really on to something that could actually benefit the guests. Just because they are suggesting something that Disney either didn't choose, or didn't even think of, doesn't mean that they hate Disney or FP+. Maybe they are actually thinking of putting the guest first instead of the accountant. It might be tilting at windmills to think this way. But they are entitled to do so without being chastised.

 

[jade1]

I'll stand by my original comment that I believe everyone likes the ability to make theme park ride reservations in advance but it's the lack of availability that they have an issue with.

I'm curious why those who have nothing but praise for FP+ can't seem to acknowledge that others do see good things about it but also do see and experience some disadvantages to it. Is that not okay for some reason? Are these boards for positive experiences only? Apparently if you don't think it's 100% wonderful then you are labeled a "hater" who prefers the old paper system and live to undermine the entire Disney enterprise. Even more interesting is how the same ones who quickly jump to Disney's defense only do so in regards to FP+ and only seem to post primarily in non-flattering FP+ threads and only when someone points out that their FP+ experience wasn't satisfactory. Look at any "I didn't like............." about FP+ and it's like somebody pressed the "Defend Disney" alarm button.

I agree-FP+ can only improve with additional capacity (that and much higher ticket prices) so hoping they keep adding, that's why I like the current position its in-all upside.