Who else is glad they do NOT have a trip planned right now?

[rteetz]

Unless some sort of miracle happens and Disney reverses their "test", we already know we won't have FP-. That ship has sailed for us, as we have a vacation package so no separate ticket to pull with. After the KTTW cards were announced as going, didn't really matter to us whether or not a park went FP+ only. It would be nice if we had a chance to experience rumoured changes that happen once all parks go FP+ only, but it appears we're right in that sweet spot where FP- is gone but there won't be enough time to implement any changes. If Disney had been clear about what they were doing, we would never have booked a February trip.

I don't think disney was clear and they still aren't because they aren't even sure what the final product is yet thats why they do the testing to find where the problems are and see what needs to be changed and what doesn't.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

It really is that simple, isn't it?

It is in "annieland"....where my brain is most of the time. =)

 

[morethananyonex]

I don't think disney was clear and they still aren't because they aren't even sure what the final product is yet thats why they do the testing to find where the problems are and see what needs to be changed and what doesn't.

Do you have a source that confirms that they aren't sure where this is headed, or is that just your opinion on this? It's hard to believe Disney doesn't know where this is headed. I can't believe they would jump into this without knowing where they want it to be.

Even if that is true, I was also referring to how secretive they've been in the different testing steps as well. There was tons of confusion when Pop first went MB only, because even when people called to inquire it was rare they even talked to someone who confirmed that it was in fact true. They have not been open with guests, the same guests who are giving them thousands of dollars to be a part of this test.

 

[Victoria3]

I let my AP expire because of FP+ and lack of new attractions. I'm much more interested in visiting Disneyland.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Do you have a source that confirms that they aren't sure where this is headed, or is that just your opinion on this? It's hard to believe Disney doesn't know where this is headed. I can't believe they would jump into this without knowing where they want it to be.

Even if that is true, I was also referring to how secretive they've been in the different testing steps as well. There was tons of confusion when Pop first went MB only, because even when people called to inquire it was rare they even talked to someone who confirmed that it was in fact true. They have not been open with guests, the same guests who are giving them thousands of dollars to be a part of this test.

The secrecy and CMs giving out different information probably botherse the most too.

 

[rteetz]

Do you have a source that confirms that they aren't sure where this is headed, or is that just your opinion on this? It's hard to believe Disney doesn't know where this is headed. I can't believe they would jump into this without knowing where they want it to be. Even if that is true, I was also referring to how secretive they've been in the different testing steps as well. There was tons of confusion when Pop first went MB only, because even when people called to inquire it was rare they even talked to someone who confirmed that it was in fact true. They have not been open with guests, the same guests who are giving them thousands of dollars to be a part of this test.

they had an original plan but just like adding a ride or park expansion plans change. With things that didn't work with testing they changed it they had an original goal. Disney is putting to much money into this to just put it all out there. Yes it is weird they have been secretive but I also don't think they are going to have a press conference every time something changes. That's why they let the disney fan websites post articles and blogs and such. A lot of that confusion is because people don't do research they don't do a lot of pre planning. When they first started testing there was no such thing as tiers. The dis podcast team was also in a meeting with disney which was a meeting for people who run travel agencies. In this meeting they said disney was going to allow park hopping with FP+ but we haven't seen that yet. That's the whole idea of this test they don't know how well it would work. Disney had an original goal and now it's just tweaked. With a billion dollars they aren't going to go into it without knowing what they are doing.

 

[rteetz]

The secrecy and CMs giving out different information probably botherse the most too.

yes I agree here CM are very uninformed I think thats why it's made this test so bad because so many CMs don't know exactly what is going on. So much changes from month to month with this system that could be why disney hasn't many public talking on this.

 

[Lucky4me]

the testing will be done this year two parks have already gotten rid of legacy FP rumor is the other two will be that way by the end of the month. The testing as of late has been going very well. Your vacation should not be ruined by fastpass there was a time 15 years ago when FP wasn't a thing. Also when FP was first announced people didn't think it would work look it did. Now disney is trying to improve the system make it simpler for guests and everyone flips out because of change. It's like when disney gets rid of a ride some people get mad some people are happy. All disney resort guests are on the system and have been for a few months. Off site guests are just getting to using FP+. From the testing that is going on now in AK and MK it's been going very well minimal problems. Biggest problem is getting the people who don't do any research or planning to understand the system. Disney is doing this test in the best way possible. If you don't like a band you don't have to get it ask for a KTTW card instead of wearing a band. Legacy FP is going away and your going to have to get used to it at some point.

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

 

[rteetz]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize- 15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day. There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem: DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

disney did build another park 15 years ago that was AK. Another park is only going to drive more people to WDW. I don't think another park is the answer. 15 years ago there also weren't 7 billion people on this planet. Estimated numbers 17 million in MK 10.5 million in Epcot just over 7 in AK and DHS, those were the numbers from 2012. AK is expanding now MK is just finishing an expansion. I'd love another park but right now I don't see that happening.

 

[Shaden]

You gotta do, what ya gotta do. And I agree with all you stated. I really truly believe that it all boils down to your expectations....and it should. If you're fine soaking up the atmosphere and riding a few rides great. But if you expect to be able to ride your favorites a lot and not rope drop and not stand in long lines, ya better wait. That doesn't mean one way is right and one is wrong.....folks just have different opinions.

It really is that simple, isn't it?

It really is that simple. I think this is where half of the ******* between FP+ enthusiasts and FP+ skeptics came from.

To a certain extent, they just wanted different things, they had different expectations and levels of tolerance for value for money.

For many of the FP+ supporters, they would say things like: its going to be great to get my FP+ reservations in the afternoon without having to go to the park in the morning. And they were genuinely happy about this ... cool.

Other people would argue that this wont impede their touring style, they would still get to ride like crazy at Rope drop, and then use their FPs when crowds were heavier ... or as a lot of people noted when they went at low crowds there would be little difference. Ok Fair.

FP+ Skeptics would point out that they are going to be absolutely limited to 3FPs a day, and that is just not enough for them. And they are genuinely unhappy about this ...

They would point out that even at Rope drop FPs are useful, and that they could get in MORE rides at RD with FP- and still pull FPs for the afternoon with FP- ... also fair ... but these people are probably also talking about touring in mid to low season as well, where you CAN pull FP- for headliners throughout the day. So its pretty easy to see why someone touring in peak season might not agree with this....

I think perhaps the BEST example of this was the person who, for a time, was advocating FP+ because, while they recognized this would limit the number of rides they would ride, they said they were looking forward to standing in lines with their family for ... literally ... a couple hours at a time, because it would be great to "spend time with their family" ... to which I jokingly (but seriously) offered to rent out my house for $2000/week, they wouldn't have to ride ANY rides and could just "spend time with their family" all day every day

But really, that's what this person wants to do for a couple grand a week, great, some people are honestly ok with whatever the do at Disney, so long as they are at Disney, and nothing is going to make them think differently. Many of us aren't ok with that, we want to ride rides, that's totally ok too, and there are some people who have pointed out how FP+ will actually allow them to ride more, because of their touring style. (this then gets people all riled up about the "fairness" of RD vs FP+ prebooking and whether RD with unlimited FP is better than non-RD but with guaranteed FPs) all of this is perfectly ok.



For the record I think the other half of the division is in the IMPACT and final product of FP+ vs FP- ... this complicates things. Those who point to RD get countered by those who worry that FP+ will diminish the RD advantage, or those who talk about how great it will be to book their afternoon FP+ get countered by those who argue afternoon/evening FPs will be gone, potentially, at Day 60 .... I am sure there are some in these debates who are negative about any type of change, the known is better than the unknown, but there are just as many (perhaps more, since this is after all a Disney fan site) people who just refuse to admit that anything Disney does might turn out poorly...


And then there are people in both camps who argue, even if this will be ok or not .... DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD MORE .... and this probably would have improved the guest experience much more than spending all this $$$ on FP+ ...

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

Amen! Or even new rides at existing parks.

 

[DebbieB]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

I don't think that's correct. I found figures back 5 years, attendance at MK is only up about 3% from 2008 to 2012. 17,063,000 in 2008; 17,536,000 in 2012.

Epcot 10,935,000 to 11,063,000 +1%
DHS 9,608,000 to 9,912,000 +3%
AK 9,540,000 to 9,998,000 +5%

Hardly enough to build another park. They have expanded Fantasyland at MK and are expanding AK.

I was there in November and loved FP+. Can't wait for May!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

HAHAHAHAHA worst response ever.

Oh that's the same car as last year, its just smaller and has different features. Or, Hey you are still getting chicken in that dish, now there is just less of it and its coated in a completely different sauce. Or hey Windows 8 is the same as Windows vista, I mean, its still an operating system, its just a different interface and has a few different features, same thing though.

LOL

Honestly, it's no skin off my nose if people don't go to the parks. They will be replaced with other people.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

Amen! Or even new rides at existing parks.

 

[rteetz]

Amen! Or even new rides at existing parks.

avatar is coming and hopefully Star Wars soon

 

[btk2333]

I never thought I would say this, but I really am glad I don't have an upcoming trip planned. I feel bad for those who get to be the guinea pigs for the FP+ mess.
We haven't been since 2011 and I'm really wanting to go again, but I'm definitely waiting until the testing is done and things have stabilized.
Actually, I'm thinking maybe a Universal/Sea World trip later this year and hold off on Disney until 2015. Yes, I know Universal doesn't have free Express, but at least I already know how everything works there and how to make it work for us.

I am very happy that I've done two trips this year with FP+ (one to celebrate graduating graduate school and one to run the Wine and Dine half marathon) and am very excited to have our babymoon in two weeks- we've had a great experience with FP+ and have not had to reduce our touring at all and not experienced any technical glitches.

In our opinion a day at WDW without any fast pass at all is much better than a day pretty much anywhere else in the United States.

 

[btk2333]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

oh dear lord I hope Disney doesn't build another park

There's way to much work to be done at DHS and in Future World before they should even consider building another park.

 

[mummabear]

We booked DL instead this year to stay away from the FP+ mess. Will see what 2015 brings...

 

[Victoria3]

Not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but if they did, I apologize-
15 years ago there may not have been fastpasses, but there was also about HALF the number of people in the parks on any given day.

There is only one reasonable answer to this huge problem:

DISNEY NEEDS TO BUILD ANOTHER PARK>

Disney World needs to fix their existing parks before building a new one.

 

[ekendall2]

CANT WAIT TO GO IN ABOUT 5 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!