Why is everyone so upset?

[disneygal55]

What happened is a massive increase in attendance (11-12 million per year in the Magic Kingdom in the early 1990s, 17 million plus per year in the last few years). It's a lot easier to happily wait in line when the lines were half as long as they are now! The negativity comes from Disney deciding to fix a problem (the fast pass system) that wasn't broken, and doing so by beta testing a system on people spending enormous sums of money expecting a predictable vacation experience. Now, you may remember the halcyon days of small children waiting happily in line for an hour or more, but I have a three year old, and I haven't ever met one myself who is delighted to just absorb the disney magic atmosphere as she stands in a que for an hour. Obviously no line is a requirement-- every guest has the choice to just not wait. But the previous fast pass system, with unenforced return times, let our family ride our favorite rides only waiting 10-15 minutes tops. The new system requires young kids to spend far far more time in line if they want to ride their favorite attractions. I'm not going to change it, but I don't have to love it.

Note, this is my first post. I have been learning and lurking, but this "why can't you all just be happy-- what is WRONG with you?!" attitude drove me to write.

I agree with you completely! We have the right to feel the way we do about Disney changing the FP system if we think that it is a big mistake. I did send an email to Disney regarding my negative opinion about the FP changes. I'm not naive enough to think that it would make a difference but I felt like I had to tell them how I felt. Welcome to the disboards!

 

[surferdave]

Now, you may remember the halcyon days of small children waiting happily in line for an hour or more, but I have a three year old, and I haven't ever met one myself who is delighted to just absorb the disney magic atmosphere as she stands in a que for an hour.

I was a 9 year old child when WDW was new, and my younger brothers were probably about 5 and 3. I remember them being quite intolerant in the hot twisting queues (no doubt I was myself) and my parents becoming pretty impatient and agitated. We were not the exception by any stretch of the imagination.

I think that the biggest difference in the halcyon days was that no one batted an eye when you beat your children into waiting happily.

 

[MABEE]

So I love all the changes. I think some are just over-reacting because of "change". Sometimes change is good - just accept it.

Well, to be fair, you loved it during one of the least crowded weeks of the entire year. Many of the people who are "over reacting" are concerned because they are travelling during much more crowded times (like during the holiday breaks) and these new changes are representing a step down for them in terms of fast pass availability during those high volume periods. I think it is perfectly fair for people to have a negative response to that, and to come to a venue like disboards to strategize about how best to work within this new system. I personally don't understand the negative reaction to people just expressing a natural frustration with these changes, and looking for solutions to their touring dilemmas. It's as if no one belongs here unless they love everything about Disney all of the time.

 

[MABEE]

i think that the biggest difference in the halcyon days was that no one batted an eye when you beat your children into waiting happily.

"You ARE HAVING A $#*(&#@* MAGICAL EXPERIENCE!!!"

 

[disneygal55]

I don't get it either.

I just got back and did everything without waiting in any lines more than about 10 mins. Yes, I did time it. I didn't do anything much different than I always did in the past - arrived at a park at rope drop, did the super headliners right away, hopped to another park in the afternoon and did things there without a wait.

The only thing I really did differently was I made my FP+ arrangements - and it was awesome! Sometimes I made them the night before. Sometimes the day of. And I was able to change the times the day of when I wanted to.

I was able to see Wishes twice from an uncrowded spot in the park, when I had never seen it from inside the MK before because I didn't want to deal with the crowds. I was able to see the Main Street Electrical Parade from an uncrowded spot in the hub right in front of the castle. Again, I would never stay for it before because I didn't want to deal with the crowds and someone bringing their kid up at the last minute and trying to force them in front of me or literally between my legs! Yes, that happened once to me at Illuminations!

So I love all the changes. I think some are just over-reacting because of "change". Sometimes change is good - just accept it.

We just got back and the FP+ system worked well but this was with limited resort involvement. Wait until this opens up to everyone! I'm afraid that with the pre- booking of rides at 60 days out, the head liner FP+rides will be very difficult to get....just like the most desired restaurant reservations.

 

[Minniesgal]

I was a 9 year old child when WDW was new, and my younger brothers were probably about 5 and 3. I remember them being quite intolerant in the hot twisting queues (no doubt I was myself) and my parents becoming pretty impatient and agitated. We were not the exception by any stretch of the imagination. I think that the biggest difference in the halcyon days was that no one batted an eye when you beat your children into waiting happily.

Thank goodness those days have gone!

 

[Colleen27]

I see nothing wrong with a bit of waiting and just being together but I'm not going to do it over and over again for 60 minute+ stretches of time. If you don't mind that I'm happy for you but I do.

Life is short. Vacation time is even shorter. I'm happy if I can get one solid week away with my whole family each year, and I'm not interested in spending any large amount of those days waiting in lines.

I hope that when all the uncertainty about FP+ settles down it is a system that still allows for a decent parks experience. But the math supports just the opposite - that a tiered system similar to what is currently being tested for Epcot and "sell out" situations similar to BoG ADRs are likely because there is such a huge mismatch between headliner ride capacity and current guest demand.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

For most of my life (including many days at Disney) I've been a live and let live person. If you want the latest whiz bang technological thing that's going around, good for you. If I don't want to use that or have to use that, then I should have that choice.
We always tried to keep Disney simple, with or without the boys. We rarely used fast pass when it did come into existence. We do not now nor did we then make dining reservations.
If someone wants Magic Bands and Fast Pass plus technology, fine and dandy. But I don't like that it cramps other people's style. In other words by the time I'd get to Soarin' and ride it and try to get ONE fast pass for later, they'd be all gone. Because of people "scheduling" their FP before they ever arrived at the park.
Thanks but no thanks. I think it was poorly planned. Not everyone fits the dynamic that Disney is pitching this updated system to. We'll see. I hope they get all the glitches and wrinkles and problems ironed out before I have to deal with it. I love Disney and enjoy what we do -- and we don't do it all and don't want to. We don't plan months and months ahead what attractions we'd like to do, rides we'd like to ride.
Would love having uncrowded spaces for a parade or Wishes now and then. Likewise Illuminations. Guess that won't happen.
To each his own. You tour commando and I tour early and do what we like best. You plan your FP attractions months ahead. I won't.
Cheers.

 

[scanmom]

lives an hour from WDW. I'm sure it's a little easier for their family to wait in lines than others that have the added expense of traveling and have to arrange a week or more of time off from work to make a one time trip to the parks. The ability to go for the day on normal days off work affects the attitude about all this, in my opinion.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Hmmm... I guess the point was missed. I see so many threads about how people are stressed out just making plans, etc. Yes, it ain't cheap, but if all the changes make you stressed out (and your kids feed off your stress) why bother....go to the beach or a zoo. I don't consider being stressed out a vacation....more like a chore you don't like doing....just my IMO.

I thought my post was positive. I feel positive going to WDW regardless of the changes....it's better than sitting at home worrying about whether I can get a fastpass or not..or not being able to double dip, ride everything in a day, more than once, etc.

Nope it wasn't cheaper during the "E" ticket days. It's all relative to the times. Took us a year to save up to go then.

Yep...Go 'Noles!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

We just got back and the FP+ system worked well but this was with limited resort involvement. Wait until this opens up to everyone! I'm afraid that with the pre- booking of rides at 60 days out, the head liner FP+rides will be very difficult to get....just like the most desired restaurant reservations.

What my CM friend told me is the only release some FP+ at 60 days. Others are held back to the week of, then the day before, then the day of. They really could only advertise you can change your FP+ the day of if they held some back.

On two separate occasions I tried to book FP+ the evening before. Once was for TSMM the other for Wishes. Both times they were unavailable. Then the morning of, voila! They were available. I really don't think it was because all these people cancelled between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.

I don't think I've heard really that many true horror stories. So far, the people who seem to be the most freaked out are speculating about what might be. Maybe give it a chance?

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

lives an hour from WDW. I'm sure it's a little easier for their family to wait in lines than others that have the added expense of traveling and have to arrange a week or more of time off from work to make a one time trip to the parks. The ability to go for the day on normal days off work affects the attitude about all this, in my opinion.

We didn't always live an hour away. I'm from Pensacola and DH was a Marine so we were stationed away from FL. We have always stayed onsite regardless of where we lived....even now. Just got back from 2 days at the Poly. It's home away from home.

 

[gina2000]

I have absolutely no desire to pay more for less. My time is valuable and my vacations are supposed to be enjoyable. I would be extremely frustrated if I had been to WDW and experienced some of the frustrations others have. Am I spoiled or just wise if I choose to discuss my concerns?

I'm a go with the flow WDW vacationer but my family is not. If my vacation is negatively impacted, I guarantee you I'll have plenty to say. It's my right and I would exercise that opportunity to express my concern and frustration.

Don't deny people the right to share and speak. WDW works to improve its profitability. I work to obtain the best possible vacation experience. When those two aims appear to be diametrically opposed, I will speak out and I appreciate others who also do so. I rely on message boards to hear everything.....not just the positive.

A message board exists to share experiences, not just positive ones. My roses may be different than your, but they are just as sweet. And they have a place alongside yours.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I have absolutely no desire to pay more for less. My time is valuable and my vacations are supposed to be enjoyable. I would be extremely frustrated if I had been to WDW and experienced some of the frustrations others have. Am I spoiled or just wise if I choose to discuss my concerns?

I'm a go with the flow WDW vacationer but my family is not. If my vacation is negatively impacted, I guarantee you I'll have plenty to say. It's my right and I would exercise that opportunity to express my concern and frustration.

Don't deny people the right to share and speak. WDW works to improve its profitability. I work to obtain the best possible vacation experience. When those two aims appear to be diametrically opposed, I will speak out and I appreciate others who also do so. I rely on message boards to hear everything.....not just the positive.

A message board exists to share experiences, not just positive ones. My roses may be different than your, but they are just as sweet. And they have a place alongside yours.

Again...I think you missed my point. I have no problem with shared experiences...I shared mine. I also don't care how others post. I was wondering why so many people were posting about being upset/stressed about the new system before they even go to WDW. Anywhoo....

 

[mgrayar]

I pay more for less all day everyday. My gas is twice what it was a decade ago and it is only 90% gas. My groceries have the same theme. It should be no surprise that vacations (anywhere) cost more now and you get less. Everybody looks at things from the lens of their own perspective. I just don't see how these changes would cause me to think twice about my trip or negatively impact my experience. However, I'm sure others will have different experiences. Some of it, maybe most of it, is about how we deal with it internally.

 

[Dreamseeker]

I haven't been here in a while, so I was surprised to see all the "drama" concerning the changes. I have been completely out of the Disney loop, it seems like I'd be back to being a complete newbie, if I went to WDW now. And I used to be a cast member.

Personally, I don't feel like any of these changes would affect me. I really don't go for the rides. I could spend my entire day in a rocking chair at Tom Sawyer Island and be perfectly content. Or wandering through World Showcase, Margarita in one hand, pretzel in the other, just taking it all in, waiting for Illuminations to start.

There are a couple of rides and attractions that I just HAVE to do, when I'm at the world: Soarin', Turtle Talk, Philharmagic, Splash, Universe of Energy. And I absolutely HAVE to see Illuminations, Festival of the lion kind and Fantasmic.

Anything else, to me, is simply an added bonus.

That said, though, I realize, that not everyone is like that. People spend an insane amount of money to spend their vacation at Disney. I completely understand wanting to get your money's worth. I have never had to buy a park ticket. So, I can't really complain. I understand why people are upset, though. I am sure, that they'll work out the kinks eventually. It just sucks for the people who get caught in the middle of that process.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Again...I think you missed my point. I have no problem with shared experiences...I shared mine. I also don't care how others post. I was wondering why so many people were posting about being upset/stressed about the new system before they even go to WDW. Anywhoo....

Exactly! I just see so many people freaking out over what they think might happen or what could happen.

If you are truly so freaked out over the possibility that you can't get multiple FPs for TSMM or Soarin' or whatever, and it will totally ruin your or your family's vacation, then perhaps you should postpone your trip until more real information is available, not just speculation.

But having experienced both FP+, as well as the magic band (which worked flawlessly for me), I wouldn't change my plans one bit based on all the speculation on here.

 

[Planogirl]

Exactly! I just see so many people freaking out over what they think might happen or what could happen.

If you are truly so freaked out over the possibility that you can't get multiple FPs for TSMM or Soarin' or whatever, and it will totally ruin your or your family's vacation, then perhaps you should postpone your trip until more real information is available, not just speculation.

But having experienced both FP+, as well as the magic band (which worked flawlessly for me), I wouldn't change my plans one bit based on all the speculation on here.

I'd settle for just once.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I don't get the people who say Disney is messing with a system that wasn't broken. That is entirely subjective. For some it may have worked fine but I personally thought it was a giant pain in the rear to have to walk all the way to an attraction, pull the FP, then double back when it was time to ride.

I also refuse to join the TSMM stampede at HS or any other stampede for the popular ride du jour.

FP+ worked great for us during a very busy week (Columbus Day). Not only did we ride all the E tickets with minimal waits, we also had more pool and resort time with FP+.

I'm glad they are updating the technology and really think the doom and gloom here is out of control.

 

[gina2000]

I pay more for less all day everyday. My gas is twice what it was a decade ago and it is only 90% gas. My groceries have the same theme. It should be no surprise that vacations (anywhere) cost more now and you get less. Everybody looks at things from the lens of their own perspective. I just don't see how these changes would cause me to think twice about my trip or negatively impact my experience. However, I'm sure others will have different experiences. Some of it, maybe most of it, is about how we deal with it internally.

We all are paying more for less. Vacations are choices, however, whereas gas and food are not.

I currently have friends at WDW who declined magic bands because they don't care if they ride headliners or not. I'm interested in hearing their perspective.

I do not have any firm plans to visit at the moment and am maintaining a wait and see attitude. I'm just happy I didn't go in October. And I'm not complaining about the changes but I do support others' rights to discuss, worry, and speculate especially if they have a trip pending.