Watch as the Dreams Unlimited Podcast team talks MyMagic+

[*NikkiBell*]

I was not looking forward to my first FP+ experience. While I have always been a diligent planner, I do not try to plan specific activities, just opportunities (this is true wherever I vacation). I used to prepare my color coded chart showing the daily times for parades, fireworks and other shows I was interested in seeing (and not seeing). So the problem i had with FP+ was a concern that FP+ would not only lock me into a specific attraction at a specific time but also tie me to a specific park. To me that would detract from the planned spontaneity I look forward to in a Disney theme park.

My initial experience booking attractions wasn't favorable. The choices were awful. But more opportunities arose closer to the time we arrived. We didn't arrive in Florida until 4:30 pm but thanks to FP+, we did TSM, Star Tours and Tower of Terror and had time to enjoy Osbourne.

Our trip was relatively short (3 nights) trip. I do wonder how I would feel about FP+ with a longer trip. I don't think I would even try to book any attractions beyond the first few days.

I don't follow your reasoning. How would not spending a lot of time in the parks influence their opinion of FP+. I would think it would be the opposite.

I think that those who have used it have a leg up in terms of understanding how it works and its ins and outs. We all remember the countless amount of people on the boards a few years back that never used it, decided that they hated it, and then came back after actually using it to sing its praises. This is similar in my opinion.

 

[msteddom]

Has anybody heard about this system going to other Disney resorts lately? I know Disneyland was getting it at one point. Has this changed?

Everything I have heard indicates that while Magic Bands probably won't be introduced at Disneyland Resort, Fastpass Plus almost certainly will. The system will undoubtably look very different at DL because of our different demographics, but it is coming.

There were reports of an RFID scanner being tested at Space Mountain last week.

 

[disneyseniors]

I would love a nice, relaxing, spontaneous experience at WDW.

We could arrive at the park when we feel like it, wander around, taking in details, and experience any attraction that looked appealing, with little to no wait. Whenever we got hungry, we could walk right into to a restaurant that served whatever food that we were in the mood for at that very minute.
That's what I want.

Unfortunately, that is impossible.
Therefore, I think any other park touring system requires compromise.

The old system, pre-FP, required lots of waiting. I came to the MK with my High School group in the 80's and I remember crowds and waiting in line. I had fun with my friends, but certainly was not impressed by WDW. Yes, it was spontaneous- there was certainly no plan- but we were able to only do a few things all day.


The Original FP system allowed us to ride whatever we wanted without waiting in long lines, including some repeat rides. We really used it to our advantage. But it did require tons of strategy and day-of planning. It also required an early start and lots of running around to coordinate FP and stand-by combinations. I would definitely not call it relaxing or spontaneous. Luckily DH is a marathon runner, so he was usually the designated FP collector.

The FP+ system requires advanced planning and a little tech savvy to ride a few of the really high-demand attractions. However, I can usually get FP+ for Space Mtn, Splash, TOT, EE, etc., the day before. When we combine rope-drop standby and later-in-the-day FP+, we usually get to experience several of our favorites with low wait times. While it does require more advanced planning, I find it makes the actual touring day less stressful for us. You arrive at the park, not necessarily at rope drop, and you know you have 3 rides already scheduled. That frees you from worrying if FP's are gone for the day or if lines will be so long everywhere that you will not get to experience anything. On the other hand, I don't try to help friends plan their trips as much if they have never experienced FP+ before. I have no idea how to explain it all to them quickly or simply. I can only refer them to planning resources and tell them to read. If we wanted to take a trip with extended family, like the grandparents, I would have to plan everything for them at the same time I planned for us.

Regarding same-day restaurant ADR's-How would this work? I am trying to picture what would happen at 8:00 am at the MK. Would cm's let in anyone who said they wanted an early breakfast? Would there then be a mad stampede to BOG, CRT, and CP? I would think there would be a mad rush at rope drop as people run to the most popular restaurants. We often have a hard time getting an early breakfast ADR at CP even months ahead. I just don't see how making everyone wait until that day- so we are all racing to get in at the same time- will make it calmer and more pleasant.

I totally get Kevin's point that there is too much stress and planning. I think I understand what he wants. I just don't see how it can exist at this point, with modern Disney tourists. If they know something they want is available, they will learn how to get it, and strategize how to get it first. That strategy will be shared until we are all racing to get what we want. The race may be in real life, on foot, or it may be through the MDE app, but everyone will race to get there first.

Yes, you can arrive when you want to, wander around, then go to an attraction, eat where you want! It is possible! I found this nirvana at universal studios last trip. It was wonderful to just visit the parks, do what you wanted, when and where you wanted. No fp's, adr's. No watching a phone the entire time and trying to make the fp+'s. It was like I remember Disney being a while back. So, our trips are going to include more of Universal each trip.
I enjoyed Heather's take on this subject, but felt she was attacked every time she voiced her opinion, which did not give her much time or opportunity for rebuttal. Everytime she spoke, Tracey (the travel agent) spoke up forcefully with her opinion. I was really wanting to listen to Heather's viewpoint more. I tend to agree with Heather, but felt she needed more time to get her point across. Also Kevin had some valid points which I think were "brushed" aside as not relevant. Hello!!! There are people out there who do not have technology! They can't "just check your phone app in the am and changed things". Nor do they want to carry their phones with them and be on them constantly.
Personally, I leave my flip phone in the hotel when I go to a park. I want to enjoy my time. I write only the relevant one fp down on paper and stick it in my pocket to check. If I miss some secondary attraction forced on me with the 3 fp system, I don't care. I think the podcast team needs to explore this theme further without a travel agent's viewpoint this time. She may have made some valid points, but I really wanted to hear Heather, who was billed as the main event. Just ranting and giving a different viewpoint!

 

[disneysteve]

Yes, you can arrive when you want to, wander around, then go to an attraction, eat where you want! It is possible!

I enjoyed Heather's take on this subject, but felt she was attacked every time she voiced her opinion, which did not give her much time or opportunity for rebuttal.
Also Kevin had some valid points which I think were "brushed" aside as not relevant.

I agree with you. I thought the show was very one-sided in favor of the new system.

As for being spontaneous, you can still do that absolutely. We pretty much wing it when we go. The most we may do is book 3 FPs the night before for the next day. That's it. Nothing booked in advance. No ADRs. No reservations made at 180 days or 60 days or 30 days. Any pre-planning happens less than 24 hours in advance. Other than that, we just show up and enjoy ourselves. And we don't even always use all of the 3 FPs we make the night before. A couple of days last trip the times just didn't work out for one reason or another. And we never booked a 4th FP (although if I could do that on the app I might have).

 

[dkrauss]

....... I think the podcast team needs to explore this theme further without a travel agent's viewpoint this time. She may have made some valid points, but I really wanted to hear Heather, who was billed as the main event. Just ranting and giving a different viewpoint!

You make a valid point. I enjoyed Heather's point of view...........while I don't necessarily agree with it. I agree more with how Tracey and Pete feel about FP+. However I completely disagree with them regarding ADR's going to same day.

The subject is controversial no doubt.............Hey, I'd be happy to give my point of view but it would be quite similar to Tracey & Pete...........and I'm no travel agent!

Doug

 

[scjo68]

Yes, you can arrive when you want to, wander around, then go to an attraction, eat where you want! It is possible! I found this nirvana at universal studios last trip. It was wonderful to just visit the parks, do what you wanted, when and where you wanted. No fp's, adr's. No watching a phone the entire time and trying to make the fp+'s. It was like I remember Disney being a while back. So, our trips are going to include more of Universal each trip.
I enjoyed Heather's take on this subject, but felt she was attacked every time she voiced her opinion, which did not give her much time or opportunity for rebuttal. Everytime she spoke, Tracey (the travel agent) spoke up forcefully with her opinion. I was really wanting to listen to Heather's viewpoint more. I tend to agree with Heather, but felt she needed more time to get her point across. Also Kevin had some valid points which I think were "brushed" aside as not relevant. Hello!!! There are people out there who do not have technology! They can't "just check your phone app in the am and changed things". Nor do they want to carry their phones with them and be on them constantly.
Personally, I leave my flip phone in the hotel when I go to a park. I want to enjoy my time. I write only the relevant one fp down on paper and stick it in my pocket to check. If I miss some secondary attraction forced on me with the 3 fp system, I don't care. I think the podcast team needs to explore this theme further without a travel agent's viewpoint this time. She may have made some valid points, but I really wanted to hear Heather, who was billed as the main event. Just ranting and giving a different viewpoint!

OK, so if you do this- how does it work? Do you just wait in very long lines? Or restrict your attractions to the ones that are not popular?
Our family loves Space mountain, Soarin, Toy Story, etc., and we do not generally wait more than 20 minutes. How would that be accomplished without a good plan and/or some kind of FP?

I am not saying the arguments against FP are not relevant. I just am not sure what the exact argument is- what do those against FP+ want? The return of old FP? I would have no problem with that- it worked for us. But it required coordination, planning, and running around- which is what I thought they did not like.

 

[disneysteve]

OK, so if you do this- how does it work? Do you just wait in very long lines? Or restrict your attractions to the ones that are not popular?
Our family loves Space mountain, Soarin, Toy Story, etc., and we do not generally wait more than 20 minutes. How would that be accomplished without a good plan and/or some kind of FP?

what do those against FP+ want? The return of old FP? I would have no problem with that- it worked for us. But it required coordination, planning, and running around- which is what I thought they did not like.

Let me answer the 2nd part first. Yes, I would prefer the return of the legacy FP system. The major advantage of the old system was that it was fair. It treated all guests equally. I had just as much chance to get a Soarin' FP whether I was staying at the EconoLodge on 192 or staying concierge at Grand Floridian. Park guests weren't divided up into classes. All I needed to do was come in early and head over to the attraction to swipe all of our tickets while my family waited for me at another attraction. Now, it we want a ride like Soarin' (once it reopens), we really don't have a chance of getting a FP since we don't stay onsite. We've effectively been shut out of that ride unless we want to spend half our day standing in line. The other option, which does work, is to head straight there at rope drop. We've been in the Mine Train rope drop mob and it worked but it isn't something we enjoy doing.

So how does the "wing it" plan work? We enjoy the parks. We enjoy our surroundings. We check out different shops and displays and street performers. We use our 3 FPs booked the night before and beyond that we hit whatever attractions we are able to get on without a long wait. If that means we don't get on Toy Story, so be it. I love that ride but not enough to stand in line for an hour or more. As for Space Mountain, that's not hard to get on. We rode it 2 or 3 times on our last trip. FPs are readily available the day before or even day of (as it should be).

 

[OKW Lover]

So how does the "wing it" plan work? We enjoy the parks. We enjoy our surroundings. We check out different shops and displays and street performers. We use our 3 FPs booked the night before and beyond that we hit whatever attractions we are able to get on without a long wait. If that means we don't get on Toy Story, so be it. I love that ride but not enough to stand in line for an hour or more.

Exactly!

Having been to WDW way to many times to count and now living just minutes away, the only time we bother with FP is if we have company coming. Sometimes if we decide to head to the park for the day I may pull up the Ap to see what FP's are available but we don't stress about it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yes, you can arrive when you want to, wander around, then go to an attraction, eat where you want! It is possible! I found this nirvana at universal studios last trip. It was wonderful to just visit the parks, do what you wanted, when and where you wanted. No fp's, adr's. No watching a phone the entire time and trying to make the fp+'s. It was like I remember Disney being a while back. So, our trips are going to include more of Universal each trip.
I enjoyed Heather's take on this subject, but felt she was attacked every time she voiced her opinion, which did not give her much time or opportunity for rebuttal. Everytime she spoke, Tracey (the travel agent) spoke up forcefully with her opinion. I was really wanting to listen to Heather's viewpoint more. I tend to agree with Heather, but felt she needed more time to get her point across. Also Kevin had some valid points which I think were "brushed" aside as not relevant. Hello!!! There are people out there who do not have technology! They can't "just check your phone app in the am and changed things". Nor do they want to carry their phones with them and be on them constantly.
Personally, I leave my flip phone in the hotel when I go to a park. I want to enjoy my time. I write only the relevant one fp down on paper and stick it in my pocket to check. If I miss some secondary attraction forced on me with the 3 fp system, I don't care. I think the podcast team needs to explore this theme further without a travel agent's viewpoint this time. She may have made some valid points, but I really wanted to hear Heather, who was billed as the main event. Just ranting and giving a different viewpoint!

it's interesting that you felt that way but maybe perhaps it is the point of view that each agrees with. I think I agree more with Tracey so perhaps that is why I didn't get the sense she was attacking Heather like you did. I felt it was more that the first half was a lot from Heather and then the 2nd half was more Pete and Tracey providing a counter to that (though Heather is definitely more soft spoken and didn't get much re-countering in)

While some of Kevin's points I get but also feel like it is a different world than what it was when he first came and something had to be done in response to the crowds, I do agree with you that his point about technology and how not everyone wants to use it was not addressed as much as it should have been

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

I have to say I loved this conversation. It is pretty clear from the show how I feel about the system and the ways it has improved our experience. I was truly fascinated to hear the other side, because it is vastly different than my opinion, and thought it was a lively interesting discussion. Heather and I are friends, I can assure you I was in no way attacking her. Anyone that knows Heather personally knows what a unique, brilliant, interesting, independent, fascinating woman she is. I can tell you we all left the table that day with a feeling of "Wow, that was a great debate". It is a good thing when people with opposing views can discuss them in an open and respectful way.

 

[KingLlama]

I have to say I loved this conversation. It is pretty clear from the show how I feel about the system and the ways it has improved our experience. I was truly fascinated to hear the other side, because it is vastly different than my opinion, and thought it was a lively interesting discussion. Heather and I are friends, I can assure you I was in no way attacking her. Anyone that knows Heather personally knows what a unique, brilliant, interesting, independent, fascinating woman she is. I can tell you we all left the table that day with a feeling of "Wow, that was a great debate". It is a good thing when people with opposing views can discuss them in an open and respectful way.

SHUT UP TRACEY YOU'RE WRONG*






*I'm completely joking, Mods. Please do not ban.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I have to say I loved this conversation. It is pretty clear from the show how I feel about the system and the ways it has improved our experience. I was truly fascinated to hear the other side, because it is vastly different than my opinion, and thought it was a lively interesting discussion. Heather and I are friends, I can assure you I was in no way attacking her. Anyone that knows Heather personally knows what a unique, brilliant, interesting, independent, fascinating woman she is. I can tell you we all left the table that day with a feeling of "Wow, that was a great debate". It is a good thing when people with opposing views can discuss them in an open and respectful way.

Glad to know you all felt that way after the podcast - that was definitely my initial reaction after (I was worried it would be a "bash FP+ fest" but definitely felt like both sides were heard and seemed a productive discussion)

Do you think there is a way Disney can make both sides happy? We've discussed with ADRs perhaps keep ADRs but keep a portion of the tables free for day-of or walk ups so that locals or anyone really can still have a shot at eating places if they are willing to wait without an ADR. I guess the one thing I would like to see if to remove rides that weren't designed with queues for FP from the system (like Pirates) so there are more things with less walk-on wait times

 

[disneysteve]

Do you think there is a way Disney can make both sides happy?

They need to not give out every available FP at 12:01am 60 days out. They need to have a batch that goes out at 60 days, a batch that opens at 30 days for offsite guests, and a batch that opens at rope drop each day.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

They need to not give out every available FP at 12:01am 60 days out. They need to have a batch that goes out at 60 days, a batch that opens at 30 days for offsite guests, and a batch that opens at rope drop each day.

I was thinking about that but how do you give out the "rope drop" ones? still using technology or would you have like paper ones as well for day of / people who don't like or want to use technology?

 

[samsteele]

Do you think there is a way Disney can make both sides happy?

Yes . . . WDW can add new attractions in all of its parks. Epcot has empty buildings. Lets see some new attractions added in Epcot beyond Soarin' and Frozen. And I don't mean easy, cheap fixes like the Pixar shorts film festival currently being offered. Substantial attractions. Meet guest demand with more attractions to eat up guest traffic & ease the lines on the classics.

 

[disneysteve]

I was thinking about that but how do you give out the "rope drop" ones? still using technology or would you have like paper ones as well for day of / people who don't like or want to use technology?

There is already a system for those who don't use technology. You can walk up to guest services or a FP kiosk and a CM will do it for you. But that only helps once you're in the park, or at least at a Disney hotel, which isn't of much value currently since FPs for the really popular attractions are gone by then. You can still get FPs, just as we do the night before, but you won't get the top rides.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yes . . . WDW can add new attractions in all of its parks. Epcot has empty buildings. Lets see some new attractions added in Epcot beyond Soarin' and Frozen. And I don't mean easy, cheap fixes like the Pixar shorts film festival currently being offered. Substantial attractions. Meet guest demand with more attractions to eat up guest traffic & ease the lines on the classics.

Well, yeah, but they did just add New Fantasyland and are adding Pandora and Star Wars and Toy Story Lands. I agree EPCOT (especially Future World) needs help though

Other option I guess would just be lower the number of guests allowed in the parks

I definitely think they need to led the rides that can handle huge capacities (Pirates, HM, etc.) not be in the FP system

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I found it interesting when Heather said she traveled sol and used Fast Pas. When I've traveled solo I used it maybe one or twice a trip. The first time I used it was because I was in line for Splash mountain and it stopped working so I grabbed a fast pass for big thunder to make my self go back to splash as I was thinking of chickening out. I've gotten them for other ones but most of the time I'll just stand in a line. I think people tend to exaggerate the length of the lines. I have never spent half a day in one, but then again I don't get into them if they are over 90 minutes. I'll come back to it later if it's something I want to go on, like for example I would never get in line for spaceship earth in the morning but wait until the after noon when I could walk on to it. That being said I have yet to travel with FP+ but even then I don't see that I would really used it excessively if I have to make 3 booking at a park

 

[dkrauss]

Let me answer the 2nd part first. Yes, I would prefer the return of the legacy FP system. The major advantage of the old system was that it was fair. It treated all guests equally. I had just as much chance to get a Soarin' FP whether I was staying at the EconoLodge on 192 or staying concierge at Grand Floridian................

I don't know if I agree..............the legacy system benefitted those who got to the park the earliest...........didn't it? All I needed to do was get in early.........as you said...........didn't that penalize those who weren't early risers? Now to be up front I only really got to use the legacy system 1 time............I will admit it was easy to use...........but was it any fairer than what we have now? I've never really had a problem getting a FP for 7DMT......during any of our past 4 visits. Yeah I stay up late to make sure........but that's my choice.........and everyone can choose to do that.........but I'm at home doing that.......not running through the MK to get to a FP kiosk.

I guess I'd need more of a history of how the legacy system worked.........didn't it benefit those utilizing EMH......since only those "onsite" benefit from that perk, not an advantage for those off site........ For me the FP+ system allows me to start my day later if I choose by reserving more popular rides for later in the day............from my perspective that's more control..........I don't have to get up early.

It seems to me there are pluses and minuses in both systems.............it most definitely impacts those who've visited for more years than me Change sucks................but it's inevitable.........and I just don't see things going back......do you?

Doug

 

[disneysteve]

I don't know if I agree..............the legacy system benefitted those who got to the park the earliest...........didn't it?

Everybody has the option of going in early.
Not everybody has the option of staying onsite.

The vast majority of guest rooms are offsite. Every guest couldn't possibly stay onsite even if they wanted to.

I'm not sure how FP worked with EMH as I never experienced that. We always make it a point to avoid the EMH park so that had no effect on the availability of FPs in whichever park we went to.

And no, I don't see things going back the way they were. Disney has too much invested in the new system.