To be or not to be a Fastpass+ guinea pig...

[corinascot]

While ds and I have were at WDW in 2010 and 2012, we haven't gone as a family since 2007. We're scheduled to go in late March. It's a big expense for us, and not to be taken lightly. We stay on site and we are in Ohio, so it's a far distance.

I'm usually good with change, and I love my technology, but I have a bad gut feeling about FP+. So limiting! I bet by the end of the year they raise the 3 FP limit, and I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated the tiers. Does anyone else think so?

I would hate to go in March and everything is still in cluster**** stage. But ds is in college now. Might be our last chance to go as a family for awhile.

Anyone else thinking of postponing or canceling? Sigh.

 

[Magpie]

While ds and I have were at WDW in 2010 and 2012, we haven't gone as a family since 2007. We're scheduled to go in late March. It's a big expense for us, and not to be taken lightly. We stay on site and we are in Ohio, so it's a far distance.

I'm usually good with change, and I love my technology, but I have a bad gut feeling about FP+. So limiting! I bet by the end of the year they raise the 3 FP limit, and I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated the tiers. Does anyone else think so?

I would hate to go in March and everything is still in cluster**** stage. But ds is in college now. Might be our last chance to go as a family for awhile.

Anyone else thinking of postponing or canceling? Sigh.

I was there at Pop in December and loved it. For us, FP+ was freeing, not limiting (as it meant we got to ride headliners in the afternoon/evening, when the passes would normally all be distributed). We're happily going back in April.

There's no right answer. If I was in your shoes, I'd definitely go, especially since it might be your last trip with your son. But if it's causing you severe anxiety, then book it for another time.

If you do go, be sure to use Josh's tips on easywdw.com to make the most of your time!

Speaking of technologically enhanced guinea pigs...

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think that, in general, it's better to go one more time and see for yourself. Then if you really hate it, well, you can be done with WDW and move on. If this is your last chance to go as a family, then you should do that. Especially since the trip is already planned.

I would make sure that you adjust your expectations (and the rest of your family's) if you were all used to pulling more than 3 FPs a day.

Good luck deciding whatever you do!

 

[btk2333]

While ds and I have were at WDW in 2010 and 2012, we haven't gone as a family since 2007. We're scheduled to go in late March. It's a big expense for us, and not to be taken lightly. We stay on site and we are in Ohio, so it's a far distance.

I'm usually good with change, and I love my technology, but I have a bad gut feeling about FP+. So limiting! I bet by the end of the year they raise the 3 FP limit, and I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated the tiers. Does anyone else think so?

I would hate to go in March and everything is still in cluster**** stage. But ds is in college now. Might be our last chance to go as a family for awhile.

Anyone else thinking of postponing or canceling? Sigh.

I would just like to say that I don't agree that things are in a "cluster****" stage.

I would take advantage of the opportunity to do a family trip- speaking as someone who went on several family vacations to WDW while in college and graduate school, they are some of my favorite trips to WDW. I don't remember if I rode TSM 8 times or 4 times but I do remember the time spent with my family. If you don't know if you'll be able to go as a family for awhile, then I recommend taking advantage of the opportunity.

 

[CurtisB]

While ds and I have were at WDW in 2010 and 2012, we haven't gone as a family since 2007. We're scheduled to go in late March. It's a big expense for us, and not to be taken lightly. We stay on site and we are in Ohio, so it's a far distance.

I'm usually good with change, and I love my technology, but I have a bad gut feeling about FP+. So limiting! I bet by the end of the year they raise the 3 FP limit, and I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated the tiers. Does anyone else think so?

I would hate to go in March and everything is still in cluster**** stage. But ds is in college now. Might be our last chance to go as a family for awhile.

Anyone else thinking of postponing or canceling? Sigh.

We did the first week of January and loved FP+. We had no issues and had a large group of experienced and Disney newbies. We were able to get everything done we wanted to and never felt rushed.
It seems to me that the people most negative about FP+ are those who have never tried it.

 

[nugov2]

I wouldn't go right now. I know the kind of money we just spent there and I would be disappointed knowing the major problems people have been having in addition to the limitations even when it is working how it is supposed to. I don't like going somewhere and losing value while spending the same or more. For me the new system as it is is losing value(hopefully in the next year or so that will change). I have had 2 close friends who went and had nothing but problems so that alone is a huge red flag and then add in the reports here and it makes me want to wait until the dust settles. We will go back again, but the question will be how much time/money do we spend there compared to trips in the past.

Now, if it is your last chance to go as a family that does change it a bit. If it was me I would go to Uni/IOA and then head over to WDW for 2-3 days for your favorite parks. This way you can go someplace without all the problems and that(IMO) is just as amazing as WDW and then can also get a taste of WDW. If WDW is a nightmare you spend more time Uni/IOA and less time at WDW. Just book one night on site at a value on WDW property to get the FP+ perks for your days in the park and remember staying at Universal you will get their express pass for your park days.

 

[Merrill29]

We did the first week of January and loved FP+. We had no issues and had a large group of experienced and Disney newbies. We were able to get everything done we wanted to and never felt rushed.
It seems to me that the people most negative about FP+ are those who have never tried it.

Agreed. We leave in 13 days and can't wait to us FP+. Embrace the change and leverage it to your advantage. I think the biggest complainers are the ones who abused the system. This levels the playing field.

We are coming from Maine and it is nice to know that we won't get "shut out" of things just because we are not the first ones there each day, or we don't run around the park to snatch up all the legacy FP like a fiend.

 

[tiggermurr]

We were there in October using FP +. We had a wonderful experience. Sure I would have been frustrated with the new tiering in Epcot, but it's Disney and your with your family. In the big picture in my book those two things are all the matter. You make your trip what it is. I learned that after our first Disney trip. I say go, enjoy your family and just be ok with what you get to do.

 

[Merrill29]

We were there in October using FP +. We had a wonderful experience. Sure I would have been frustrated with the new tiering in Epcot, but it's Disney and your with your family. In the big picture in my book those two things are all the matter. You make your trip what it is. I learned that after our first Disney trip. I say go, enjoy your family and just be ok with what you get to do.

Here Here. Agreed. Bravo.

 

[nugov2]

The other thing I would keep in mind is that people are now just getting the full effect, the earlier trips were with legacy FP still in place. That was a totally different ballgame. Read the MK thread about what it is like now that the machines are gone everywhere. It sounds like if it is really slow it might be OK, but if it is busy it sounds like a nightmare. The other thing is WDW isn't transparent at all and they could change things for the better but also for the worse at any time during this "test". I think that is what bothers me most about this roll out. The CS has been awful and that is usually their strong suit

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3222804&page=3

 

[corinascot]

The other thing I would keep in mind is that people are now just getting the full effect, the earlier trips were with legacy FP still in place. That was a totally different ballgame. Read the MK thread about what it is like now that the machines are gone everywhere. It sounds like if it is really slow it might be OK, but if it is busy it sounds like a nightmare. The other thing is WDW isn't transparent at all and they could change things for the better but also for the worse at any time during this "test". I think that is what bothers me most about this roll out. The CS has been awful and that is usually their strong suit

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3222804&page=3

Agree with this. I have been on chat with a Castmember at the WDW website for 40 minutes. I ask her for a list of the FP+ attractions and tiers. She can't find it. She sent me the old FP list. She keeps looking on the website and can't find it. Know why? BECAUSE IT'S NOT THERE!!

I really think WDW will up the number of FP+ allowed in the near future. I think that's why their website is so vague and not informative. I just hope that happens soon.

Thank you all for warming my heart about my family vacation. I am so happy our boy still wants to go to WDW with us.

 

[morethananyonex]

Agreed. We leave in 13 days and can't wait to us FP+. Embrace the change and leverage it to your advantage. I think the biggest complainers are the ones who abused the system. This levels the playing field.

We are coming from Maine and it is nice to know that we won't get "shut out" of things just because we are not the first ones there each day, or we don't run around the park to snatch up all the legacy FP like a fiend.

Use does not equal abuse.

Sticking a valid park ticket or KTTW card (which is all the machines allowed up until the roll out) in a Disney installed FP- machine to receive a FP, getting another FP when the window opens up, and riding the rides at the times Disney allowed is NOT abuse. That is using the system to the fullest. That is using it in the way Disney designed it to be used. Calling that abuse is like saying people who book their FP+ in the busiest times on the day is abuse of the system because it takes full advantage of it.

The only system abuse that could have existed at that point were counterfeit FP, or handing a CM a stack of fake ones without them checking them. Now, are you trying to say that every person who does not like the new system did one of those two things?

On the other hand, if all the complainers are abusers, does that mean all the fans of the system were people too lazy to take advantage of the system Disney provided?

 

[FiggieFan]

Well, I think we are well beyond guinea pig stage. Next week the rest of the paper fast passes will be removed (EPCOT and HS). I was not into the idea until I booked my FP+ reservations on-line for February. Still not that excited about change, but then I never am. One person from work came back and said it was a more relaxed trip with FP+, she felt she could wear flip flops and take her time more instead of wearing sneakers and running all over.
Another co-worker who has an AP, said she won't bother and will wait in line.
Good thing: can book Toy Story without having to race walk over at rope drop to get a paper fast pass which is usually gone by 10am.
Bad: yes, it is still new. Isn't great for park hopping. Website not too flexible with giving you times you want, so far but that can be fixed in the future. Didn't like the fact that I couldn't book a FP+ for 2 hours after my dinner ADR when I never take more than 1 hour to eat, especially when a park closes at 7pm.

We will see Feb 4 - 15 but I am getting more into the Magic Bands since I have received mine for our upcoming trip - they are like my own Wonder Woman bracelets with magical powers!

 

[kaybird]

I would surely go. We have already had 3 wonderful experiences, made getting through the parks much easier, park hopping was great. Your point that there may eventually be more than 3 a day is a good one, have never read anything that says that might not happen. Our experience is we spent much less time traversing the parks to pull FP-, and never worried that once we got there the return time would interfere. We have already booked again for Feb. and Love Love Love it!

 

[Merrill29]

Use does not equal abuse.

Sticking a valid park ticket or KTTW card (which is all the machines allowed up until the roll out) in a Disney installed FP- machine to receive a FP, getting another FP when the window opens up, and riding the rides at the times Disney allowed is NOT abuse. That is using the system to the fullest. That is using it in the way Disney designed it to be used. Calling that abuse is like saying people who book their FP+ in the busiest times on the day is abuse of the system because it takes full advantage of it.

The only system abuse that could have existed at that point were counterfeit FP, or handing a CM a stack of fake ones without them checking them. Now, are you trying to say that every person who does not like the new system did one of those two things?

On the other hand, if all the complainers are abusers, does that mean all the fans of the system were people too lazy to take advantage of the system Disney provided?

I find the way you described using the Legacy FP system as absolutely valid and is it was intended. That is not abuse. Nor did I day that ALL complainers were abusers. But there is a population out there that had found a loophole in the system not described in your example.

There are few absolutes in life.

 

[morethananyonex]

I find the way you described using the Legacy FP system as absolutely valid and is it was intended. That is not abuse. Nor did I day that ALL complainers were abusers. But there is a population out there that had found a loophole in the system not described in your example.

There are few absolutes in life.

In your post you described people running all over "snatching" up FP in the parks. There was no snatching involved, it was simply getting FP that were there for the taking. There was no way to abuse the system and get FP you were not allowed to get.

How would you describe FP- abuse?

 

[Merrill29]

In your post you described people running all over "snatching" up FP in the parks. There was no snatching involved, it was simply getting FP that were there for the taking. There was no way to abuse the system and get FP you were not allowed to get.

How would you describe FP- abuse?

Taking KTTW cards from previous trips that would still work in the machines to get a FP are the stories I have heard.

 

[jimandami]

Taking KTTW cards from previous trips that would still work in the machines to get a FP are the stories I have heard.

That was only for the short time that both FP+ and legacy FP were available in all the parks. And yes, there was a loophole that allowed people to double, triple, and quadruple dip. However, that is not the old system people are referring to...they are simply referring to the legacy FP system, which did not allow old KTTW cards to be used.

To the OP, I would definitely go....as you said, you won't have many more family trips with your DS. We had a really great trip in December and actually enjoyed FP+. Does it have negatives...certainly, but not enough to make me not want to go!

 

[morethananyonex]

Taking KTTW cards from previous trips that would still work in the machines to get a FP are the stories I have heard.

They did not work until Disney modified the machines when FP+ was being rolled out. The abuse you're talking about didn't exist until the new system started that you're claiming curbs the abuse.

That was only for the short time that both FP+ and legacy FP were available in all the parks. And yes, there was a loophole that allowed people to double, triple, and quadruple dip. However, that is not the old system people are referring to...they are simply referring to the legacy FP system, which did not allow old KTTW cards to be used.

To the OP, I would definitely go....as you said, you won't have many more family trips with your DS. We had a really great trip in December and actually enjoyed FP+. Does it have negatives...certainly, but not enough to make me not want to go!

 

[btk2333]

Taking KTTW cards from previous trips that would still work in the machines to get a FP are the stories I have heard.

that only started working recently- it did not work until FP+ was being rolled out