What gets me most is the hypocrites on this board

[Postal68]

Just be prepared to wait in the stand by queues. They should be shorter since in your reasoning everyone else has FPs.

WOW

 

[BayouMickey]

I started doing a spreadsheet with our reservation info a couple of years ago and it helps me keep things straight on which days we will be where.

Park hours get released, then I can figure out what parks I want to avoid on what days, then after I know where we will be, I know our choices for dinner/lunch. Once I know that, it's not that hard for me to figure out the attractions we want to FP+ for on what afternoon:

you just made my eyes cross.. and i haven't had a beer yet..

 

[diskev]

I'm confused. People keep saying that during low attendance, FP- is running out in record time. As a result, Stand By wait times are long. It's a fact that each ride can only accommodate a specific number of guests each day. So how then, does the change to FP distribution (regardless of + or -) affect the wait time? It shouldn't. If Epcot has X number of visitors on average that day and Y% will ride Soarin then the only thing that should change is WHO is waiting in which line rather than how long. The how long will be impacted by a change in X and thus Y along with outside factors such as ride issues. Sure, Y could also change due to interest, but if the Stand By wait times are unacceptable that wouldn't sustain over the course of the day.

Everybody keeps saying that FP+ is leading to less FP- (which may or may not be true) but you can easily argue that the total FP (+ and -) likely hasn't changed (since i'm sure it represents a percentage of total potential riders on a given day) so the manner of distribution of FP shouldn't dramatically affect the wait time. And if that's true (and it should be) then what is affecting the wait times?

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm confused. People keep saying that during low attendance, FP- is running out in record time. As a result, Stand By wait times are long. It's a fact that each ride can only accommodate a specific number of guests each day. So how then, does the change to FP distribution (regardless of + or -) affect the wait time? It shouldn't. If Epcot has X number of visitors on average that day and Y% will ride Soarin then the only thing that should change is WHO is waiting in which line rather than how long. The how long will be impacted by a change in X and thus Y along with outside factors such as ride issues. Sure, Y could also change due to interest, but if the Stand By wait times are unacceptable that wouldn't sustain over the course of the day.

Everybody keeps saying that FP+ is leading to less FP- (which may or may not be true) but you can easily argue that the total FP (+ and -) likely hasn't changed (since i'm sure it represents a percentage of total potential riders on a given day) so the manner of distribution of FP shouldn't dramatically affect the wait time. And if that's true (and it should be) then what is affecting the wait times?

Only real effect is that they can't ride same ride 15 times.

 

[saskdw]

I wish I owned stock in Universal. Because I think they will be the big winners

How so? The lines at Universal are regularily 90+ at their headliners during busy times. A select few stay onsite or buy Express Pass the large majority wait in those lines. No advantage to Universal there.

 

[Postal68]

~LOL. I just read the first post but this really needs to be said, just go somewhere else. Seriously.

~A hypocrite is someone who repeatedly creates a "postal" type thread every single week ranting on a message board about their disdain for Disney and "announcing" to everyone how their "done with Disney." But yet, they continue to return. Ugh.... Just go.....

~People who love Disney World and who express excitement about their vacations are *not* hypocrites -- they're smart people because they're investing their time, money and resources into something that makes them happy and an experience they find value in! We're the winners! Yay!

~The people who continue to visit Disney after they discover the experiences are no longer of value to them are not very smart -- they need to move on. They're the losers. Awww. If I don't like some place, I don't go. Simple. So apologist, that.

~Also, I have never heard of packed parks in October, somewhat busy yes. Disney is busier than ever, which is kind of ironic. With all of the "I'm cancelling my Disney trip" comments for the past couple of years, the parks should be empty! Right?

1- people have the right to complain about Disney as much as you have the right to praise everything they do

2- I didn't say I no longer like what Disney has to offer, but I don't like how they are now offering it

3- I'm glad you have never heard of packed Parks in October, you know more than everyone, especially the people like myself that were actually IN THE PARKS over the past 2 weeks

 

[WDSearcher]

I wish I owned stock in Universal. Because I think they will be the big winners

I don't understand this train of thought at all. It's not as though a day at Universal means freedom from lines. Sure, you can get their "Universal Express" option if you're staying onsite, but if I'm staying off site and I don't want to drop an additional $20-36 (on top of my ticket price) to buy their express pass, then I'm standing in long lines for the most popular rides at Universal just like I would be at Disney.

How does Universal come out ahead here?

 

[FLchick415]

How so? The lines at Universal are regularily 90+ at their headliners during busy times. A select few stay onsite or buy Express Pass the large majority wait in those lines. No advantage to Universal there.

Not to mention, Universal's only on-site hotels aren't exactly cheap. I love Uni, but I can't afford to stay on-site. With Disney, I can. (And I LOVE Universal...really would love to plan another trip there soon...I'm just pointing out a fact)

 

[Praying Colonel]

Wow--lots of name-calling on the forum today--hypocrites, paranoid, clueless, etc.

Deep breaths, folks....

 

[BayouMickey]

Wow--lots of name-calling on the forum today--hypocrites, paranoid, clueless, etc.

Deep breaths, folks....

you forgot pollyannish

 

[saskdw]

How do you see that? The new system encourages people to book more things in advance. We rarely get ADR because frankly we don't think most of the places aren't worth it. But occasionally we'll do the Hoop-De-do, Luau, or Chef Mickey's if it's available the day of or day before. With the new system I really doubt that will ever be a possibility unless we happen to call right after someone cancels.

The FP+ system doesn't open up until the 60 day mark so how can you book 6 months in advance? There has been some talk of them making this a 30 day window as well. With the new Credit Card ADR policy you won't see ADR's filling up month's in advance. I'm 50 days out from my mid Dec trip and I can book almost any TS I want right now. I will bet at 2 weeks out there will still be 95% availibilty. The new policy is already greatly affecting availibility of ADR's for the better.

 

[JanaDee]

I just got back to my room from spending the day at Epcot. I am so glad that I decided to do the magic bands, otherwise I would have been screwed. I was walking to Soarin at 10:15 this morning, and there was a sign that all fast passes had already been distributed for the day! I feel really bad for anyone who us staying in a non-participating resort or off-site. Essentially you are out if luck if you want to do any if the headliner attractions unless you do standby. I almost didn't do the magic bands and FP+ because I don't like my vacation to be that structured. However, if I hadn't done it, then I would have been waiting in some really long standby lines. I have to think that guest services is getting an earful from disgruntled guests, particularly the ones staying on-site in non-participating resorts.

So far the bands are working OK for us. The only hitch was getting into Epcot this morning. We were in line a few minutes before 9, and it took almost 25 minutes to get to the scanner. The scanners on the side we were on just didn't seem to want to scan the bands. It was really frustrating.

Did you notice how long the line was at Guest Services when you left? I'm curious as to how many people are complaining about this.

 

[Postal68]

Your post was a little judgmental. I don't make graphs or charts, but I do make ADRs when I can, because it takes TWO MINUTES and I like to eat at Be Our Guest. It's not a big deal. Also, we rented a car once, last summer, and it was a huge waste of money. Disney transportation is second to none. The car was like an albatross.

Anyway, it's no skin off my nose if you don't want to plan. More good stuff for me.

Disney transportation SUCKS since the World has become so big with so many resort hotels. You have to wait in a line for 2 or 3 buses then you get to cram on a bus where people don't know when full capacity stops. I'll take my car and be back to my room in half the time the people using Disney's uncomfortable and slow transportation.

Years ago I would always tell people it was great to stay on property and use their transportation, now I tell people the complete opposite.

 

[saskdw]

Keep believing that.

It's already proving true already. The system is 100% live for December. I booked FP+ for all 10 days of tickets 60 days out and now at 51 days I can still modify and change for any ride I want.

 

[DPickering]

Also, we rented a car once, last summer, and it was a huge waste of money. Disney transportation is second to none. The car was like an albatross.

Just a side note about having a car. IMHO it all depends on where you stay and where you are going. Mainly whether you are taking a bus or not. At SS I started timing how long it took from our door to turnstile (yes, I am a little crazy that way). Bus vs car. Over a week on average car took just over half the time it would take by bus.

Wish I still had the numbers. Even had a spreadsheet. Staying offsite at Silver Lake next time which is supposed to be a 6 to 8 min drive from AK. Would have been interesting to compare.

 

[izzy]

Did you notice how long the line was at Guest Services when you left? I'm curious as to how many people are complaining about this.

I didn't walk out on that side, but now I wish I had. LOL!

My friend's daughter works here on the college program, and she has laughingly said that she is going to try to get a full time job in guest services because she thinks they're going up have to hire a lot of people to deal with all of the complaints she has been hearing about MDE, FP+, and MB.

 

[WDSearcher]

Sensible except there comes a point where the amount of research or advanced planning needed to enjoy the park becomes ridiculous or onerous. You mention getting stuck at the airport. Great example. If it's something simple and reasonable like you forgot your ticket, it's your fault. If it's because customs has a messed up, overly complicated set of requirements then it's customs fault and the system needs to be streamlined.

Some people find fp+ to be easy, convenient and helpful. Others find it to be an onerous, restrictive pain in the butt. If in the future more people fall in the latter camp the problem likely will not be resolved by Disney telling them 'Well it's your fault it's not working out. You need to do more research and planning to have fun at our parks.'

No, it won't. But since some people DO find fp+ to be easy, convenient and helpful, then there's also just as much of a chance that more people would fall into THAT camp. Which means that two or three years from now, when someone comes onto the DIS to complain that "all these people had FPs to the ride we wanted and we had to wait in line forever ... it's not fair!", all the DIS vets will say, "Well ... what did you expect? You need to do more research and planning if getting on that ride is so important to you."

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wish I owned stock in Universal. Because I think they will be the big winners

Universal could definitely be a winner here.
I think Disney's hotels will also be a winner.
The losers will be the offsite hotels etc around WDW.
JMO

 

[diskev]

This thread is moving too fast. I need time to collect my thoughts!

When I first heard about FP+ I was skeptical. When I heard about the limit of three I was disappointed. I can easily pull twice that on any given day. My family does Disney hardcore. The idea of not getting all I want done when I want it done is disheartening. That said, when FP- first started my wife and I were upset. We had a whole method on doing Disney. It was incredibly efficient and FP- really mucked it up. It took about half a day at MK, but we worked through our issues and got in a groove. In the years since then, I feel like we've really become masters of FP. FP+ represents a new set of challenges. I feel confident we can and will adjust, but after the test the limitation of three FP will become a major factor in decisions regarding future vacations. I can't say how yet, but I'll know more after our upcoming trip.

As for the planning, I too was concerned with it. This is where I feel the limitation of three FP+ is a positive. Each day I've picked the must-do things. Everything else will fall into place through FP- or on-the-fly adjustments. The major benefit is I have the opportunity to do things I haven't done in a long time. Without FP+ it would be yet another year without Fantasmic. I haven't seen the show in 11 years. I am very much looking forward to it this trip. But the limited planning of three FP+ is no different than obsessive task of obtaining the must have ADRs. Many keep saying that without booking at the first possible moment you won't get what you want. I NEVER book 180 days out. I just can't plan that far in advance. Yet every trip, year after year, I succeed in getting my must have ADRs. This year that includes BOG dinner, which I easily obtained through persistence at around the 80 day mark (which was only about two weeks after I booked the vacation).

As a superfan, I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in the hype and hysteria. I haven't experienced FP+ yet so I can't say that those who have are wrong. I just think, based on the information we have thus far, those people are focused on the wrong thing. Time will tell, and I look forward to learning more first hand.

 

[DPickering]

No, it won't. But since some people DO find fp+ to be easy, convenient and helpful, then there's also just as much of a chance that more people would fall into THAT camp. Which means that two or three years from now, when someone comes onto the DIS to complain that "all these people had FPs to the ride we wanted and we had to wait in line forever ... it's not fair!", all the DIS vets will say, "Well ... what did you expect? You need to do more research and planning if getting on that ride is so important to you."

heh Unfortunately yeah.