Torn about upcoming trip

[sonofanarchy]

First off, the "u" on my keyboard seems to be broken, so apologies in advance.

I'm just gonna say it. I don't want to go to WDW this summer. I mean, I want to. I love the place. It's my favorite place in the world. But I can't put the facts out of my mind. I know there are some people who FP+ works for, and for them, great. But for the way I tour with my family, it's an utter and complete disaster. Yes, we like to ride our favorites multiple times. Yes, we do whatever we can to avoid standing in long lines (because we have to). My trips to WDW over the years have been the greatest times of my life, and maybe I don't want to tarnish those memories. We always spend the first week of our trip at Universal, and that part is wonderful. Staying on site with Express makes the trip perfect. Disney is now the only major theme park chain not to offer some sort of program where you can pay to get around the lines, an experience that some of us simply can't do, or a program that allows you to enjoy your favorite attractions multiple times. The problem is, we rented points and the person we rented from does not offer money back. Hey, that's the risk you take. I can't get around staying at a DVC Villa at this point, but I'm thinking about returning the Disney tickets we bought and just renting a car and going to Sea World, Bush Gardens, Legoland, and other Central Florida attractions. Being a Disney fanatic, I just don't know if I could stay on property and not go to the parks.

This isn't meant to be a "poor me" post. I consider myself damn fortunate to be in this situation. However, I'd be lying if I was to say I'm not heartbroken by the path Disney has chosen. I really feel that in all the years I've been going there (30 years), this is the first time they have chosen to do something that was in their own odd way programmed to make them more money, but seriously take away our enjoyment of the parks. And please, nobody try explaining to me how 3 Fastpasses a day at the Magic Kingdom in the dead of July is enough.

Rant over. Apologies. I just had to put to screen what I've been feeling for some time now.

 

[downtownbrown]

Hey Sons,

I get it, I'm often that guy who needs to get a rant off his chest. I guess the only bit of advice I might give is this, instead of focusing on what's wrong about the new FP+ system, think about some of the other positive things that WDW offers. I've often been that typical WDW fan that gets bent out of shape anytime disney changes any aspect of any ride that I have a lot of great memories of. (Changing the artists' that sing O'Canada for example) I get past it by remembering the little things, like the feeling I get when I walk through the entrance to EPCOT and hear that music, or when my DW and I go to Chef Mickey's to watch the little ones reactions to the characters. I know this stuff is pretty mushy, but maybe it might help you get past some of the negatives if you think about some of those little positives that keep all of us coming back year after year.

 

[Disneylover99]

I get it. I totally get it.

But just go, one more time and see. I mean, as you say, how can you stay on Disney property and not go to a park? I would regret that. Maybe you would too.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think you should go one more time. And yes, go to the Disney parks as well and stick with your original plan. You're staying at BW! How can you not, so close. And then if FP+ has really ruined WDW for you, well, then you know for sure, and you can move on. You can't get the DVC money back anyway. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ShannonMB]

I think you should go one more time. And yes, go to the Disney parks as well and stick with your original plan. You're staying at BW! How can you not, so close. And then if FP+ has really ruined WDW for you, well, then you know for sure, and you can move on. You can't get the DVC money back anyway. Just my 2 cents.

Right on! I have a hunch that what you love about Disney isn't all wrapped up in how many times you ride "X, Y, and Z" in a trip. I get that you have some hard feelings right now, too. But I bet you still love it at the end of the day. Only one way to find out!

 

[MsMagical]

I get it too. It sucks to feel so frustrated about something that has been such an awesome part of your life. We work to vacation around here so that time is precious. For our family, having little kids changed our touring to pretty much three rides per park anyway - between naps, meltdowns and eating 45 times a day (exaggerating that a little...). But, I think I would have been really disappointed too to have my park process changed so drastically by this.

I also think you should still go. But, why not hold on to your tickets and your current plans until around February or March and see how this all shakes out? Start to get reports back from what a more final MM+ will look like. That still gives you time to rent a car and buy tickets to those other places if you decide what you are seeing and hearing just won't work for your family.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Can you return your tickets? Disney wouldn't issue a credit to me for a one day park ticket that I didn't need just last week. I'm about to sell it on ebay.