What gets me most is the hypocrites on this board

[3Gsandme]

From what I understand there have been FP glitches the past week or so which, coupled with higher expected crowds, have made using FP difficult. I really think what is causing people to be shocked is FP+return slots being deducted from the general pool. It's not that there are less overall, just less available traditionally which makes sense.

I'm from Cedar Point land where waits of 60-120 minutes for a major headliner isn't unheard of, so I don't get the gnashing of teeth over waiting that long for a major headliner ride at Disney. I guess I'd expect that?

Lastly, I like the idea of FP+. I have my color code notecards and spread sheets at the ready. . Actually, since I had to make ADRs at 180 days out, picking 3 events in the park I have my reservations at isn't an issue. I don't see it as a hinderance and expect it to be less stressful. On our first park day, we have ADRs at EPCOR and plan to spend our day there. I'm find with knowing that we'll be on Mission: Space at 10:30 or Soarin' at 2. We can just block in around it. It's fine and there is no FP race at rope drop.

 

[Disneylover99]

I was there last week

I was there last week as well. I didn't find that FP ran out any earlier then usual. One day we hopped over to HS at about 5 and saw there was still FP available for most of the headliners.

I did find it pretty busy last week, but you can't blame the crowds on FP+.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Don't worry about the people who are ranting about "double dipping" as they've termed it, they don't understand beta testing and their opinion never mattered anyway. Just let them scream at the walls and chew on their leather straps.

Thanks.. I just get so frustrated when people decide on their own what is right and wrong and quote it as if it Disney policy. LOL!

 

[LSUfan4444]

I was there last week as well. I didn't find that FP ran out any earlier then usual. One day we hopped over to HS at about 5 and saw there was still FP available for most of the headliners.

There were adjustments made to the FP- availability as more because available for FP+. This has created rides like Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, Toy Story (of course) to completely run out of fastpasses by 11 am

 

[Jennasis]

I don't understand the 60 day thing. Why not just make the FP selections available that morning?

 

[saskdw]

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)

Yeah, that's the point. You either pay for Deluxe accomodations, you buy expensive Express Pass that runs about $200 a day for a family of 4 or you wait in the 90 min line.

 

[FLchick415]

Yeah, that's the point. You either pay for Deluxe accomodations, you buy expensive Express Pass that runs about $200 a day for a family of 4 or you wait in the 90 min line.

 

[Disneylover99]

There were adjustments made to the FP- availability as more because available for FP+. This has created rides like Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, Toy Story (of course) to completely run out of fastpasses by 11 am

I heard there was a day or two last week when this was happening, but I thought they had fixed the problem.

 

[ktlm]

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.

Well, on a postive side note, we had fantastic bus service two weeks ago when we were at WDW. That was something I didn't expect in staying at the Beach Club for the first time. I thought we were in for long waits and packed busses. That wasn't our experiece at all. The only time the bus was so full it could fit no one else on it and people were waiting- another empty bus pulled up behind it before it even left. That was also the only time we ever had a long wait for a bus (which is probably why there were so many people waiting). Other than that, I think there was only one time we had to wait more than 5 minutes.

 

[magicbob]

Surferdave, maybe you can answer this.. Everyone is assuming FP- is going away, has this been officially stated?

Um... Disney has said repeatedly all along that legacy FP is going away. So your bold statements on the greatness of FP+ were made without even realizing that FP- is going away? Is it too late to take you up on that wager?

But that's true under the "old" (or "current", depending on how you want to look at it) system too. If I don't get up at 7am and get myself to DHS for opening and be among the first to get to TSM, then I'm not going to get a FP for 11am. And if the only time I want to go is 11am, then I'm an unhappy guest standing in that 2 hour standby line.

I certainly have at least the same -- if not more of a -- fighting chance to get the ride I want at the time I want if I go the FP+ route as I do if I go the current route, don't I? I don't see how it's such a huge difference. Either way, I'm hoping I can get the FP at a time I want it, while at the same time knowing that there's not a limitless supply.

But your example assumes that the individual will only be happy with an 11am FP time. In reality, it's not just getting a preferred time that people are worried about, but the prospect of not being able to get ANY time and THAT'S why we'll be stuck in the long standby line.

Also, I'm only talking about wanting to ride once, not 15 times.

you forgot pollyannish

If the glass slipper fits...

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

In reality, it's not just getting a preferred time that people are worried about, but the prospect of not being able to get ANY time and THAT'S why we'll be stuck in the long standby line.

Also, I'm only talking about wanting to ride once, not 15 times.

but why would you have less of a chance of getting a FP just because they are moving from a paper distribution the day of, to an electronic distribution system 60 days prior?

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Well, yes. But with regular FP you're also stuck with whatever time you're given and can't change it. Frankly, FP+ is a huge improvement over regular FP for that ride. Not sure what people were expecting. At least now you have a shot to ride without a 2-hour wait even if you don't show up at the machines in the first 15 minutes after park opening.

The problem here is that most people on this board (who are not the typical Disney visitor) know how to manage their day to squeeze every minute out of it. FP+ evens the playing field a bit for your average visitor.

Once the FP inventory is in one system instead of two and everyone is on it - it'll be more normal is my guess.

~I totally agree. We're Disney commandos, so we open & close the parks! I love Magic Bands and FP+ because we can tour the parks much more efficiently.

~The legacy FP was far from perfect. People collected FP's during the day to use later at night, well past the return time window. Before FP+, posters argued about this day and night on these boards, it wasn't all roses like some here try to claim. You can't erase history. The legacy fastpass was a very controversial and hot button issue on these boards.

~If regular Fastpass was so great, guests would have never found it necessary to run around the entire morning hoarding fast passes, to use much later in the evening -- completely ignoring the return times. The regular fastpass was dysfunctional, which is why no one used it in the way Disney intended for it to be used.

~When I found out that we could use all FP's late and completely disregard the return window -- I couldn't believe it. It was a dream come true, like we had free reign of the place and we did. It was a lot fun, but I also knew this was too good to last and it would only be a matter of time before it ends. I can't believe people expected this to last forever, lol. Seriously.

~Also, Disney's systems have always had issues. I've experienced issues with online check in and dining credits, etc. It wasn't the end of the world then and it's not the end of the world now.

 

[ShayBells]

The Stand By lines are unbearable when all FPs are gone for the day. For the people that don't like to plan, that means you show up to the Park for the day, there is ZERO chance of getting a FP for the main attraction because their gone. The Stand By lines for all of these are 90+ minutes so you get to do about 4 or 5 attractions in an entire day because of the waits in Stand By created by FP+. No thanks, riding 5 attractions isn't worth 90 bucks a day X family of 4

My point was that you still can ride them. It was that simple. And if you want a ride bad enough the wait doesn't matter. I refuse to get a fastpass for soarin because I refuse to go up than down than back up and out just for a fastpass. I'm outta shape. That's my own fault so I wait. I wait the hour and I don't complain mostly cause those games rock. I love most lines and FP takes you away from them. So yeah to me waiting isn't bad. I'd use a FP if I have one but I hate taking the time to get them unless I am passing one and will be back in time if not I hand them off. To me not having FP is not the end of the world. My statement was pure logical fact. This post is pure opinion. As is yours.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ShayBells]

Don't stop... Beliiieeevin!

Thanks I Believe I will be singing that for the rest of the night

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[Q-man]

Even with "early" on a Wednesday in October the big rides were out at "New Years Day line" levels according to the folks at Touring Plans (who make a living doing nothing but studying lines) Even they seem to be saying "you are going to be screwed even using our touring plans if you don't have a FP+ for the biggies!

They do a lousy job of it these days. They had MK as a most recommended park this past Saturday when there were MNSSHPs the two nights before and the night after. The only weekend night at MK without having to pay for the party and wish the night entertainment and they recommended it! Talk about sending people into holiday level crowds.

 

[magicbob]

but why would you have less of a chance of getting a FP just because they are moving from a paper distribution the day of, to an electronic distribution system 60 days prior?

Apples and oranges... availability of FP+ on the "day of" is being touted as a sure-fire certainty. I was disputing that. Of course, it's possible to book 60 days out, but even that may become difficult as demand for pre-booked FP+ increases.

Even if you DO book 60 days out, what happens when you need to make a last minute change in your plans? Under the legacy system, there would be little impact. With FP+, you stand a good chance of just having to forfeit your pre-booked FPs and use standby. Under this (pretty common) scenario, even a FP+ savvy planner will be left out in the cold and have a lot longer waits.

The ability to get a FP+ on the day of will be a lot less optimistic than some folks are willing to admit.

 

[magicbob]

My point was that you still can ride them. It was that simple. And if you want a ride bad enough the wait doesn't matter. I refuse to get a fastpass for soarin because I refuse to go up than down than back up and out just for a fastpass. I'm outta shape. That's my own fault so I wait. I wait the hour and I don't complain mostly cause those games rock. I love most lines and FP takes you away from them. So yeah to me waiting isn't bad. I'd use a FP if I have one but I hate taking the time to get them unless I am passing one and will be back in time if not I hand them off. To me not having FP is not the end of the world. My statement was pure logical fact. This post is pure opinion. As is yours.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

So you prefer to wait in long lines? You are the exception and not the rule.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Wow, the OP is not a happy camper! He/she is entitled to their opinion. And yes, maybe they shouldn't go.

 

[ShayBells]

So you prefer to wait in long lines? You are the exception and not the rule.

I might be the exception haha

I was making it a point though. It's not the end of the world and waiting isn't death as people presume haha.

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[daytondisney]

FP+ story:

Staying offsite, got to Epcot at rope drop, was one of first 100 or so to get to Test Track - FP time was 6:15 pm. I was one of first to get paper FP and it was for 9 hours later.

Same story for Toy Story at DHS on Saturday.