WOW, FP+ is worse than I even imagined

[JimmyV]

Hi all! As a new member planning my first trip to Disney, it has been interesting to hear everyone's ideas of the new and old system. Since I have never been before, I have the "ignorance is bliss" attitude, since I have no idea what the old FP system was like.

But, in the old system, you could not schedule ahead of time, before you got in the parks, right? Not 60 or 30 days ahead? So, if you wanted a FP, you needed to get there nice and early, and then run to your chosen attraction, get the pass, and then go someplace else for awhile and then come back to your first choice?

That is the myth that revisionist history hath wrought. There was only one attraction in all of WDW that people ran to early in the day to ensure themselves of a FP, and that was TSMM. Did people rush to get FPs at other attractions? Sure. But did they need to? No. In all of my trips to WDW under the old system, never, ever, EVER, EVER did I get shut out of obtaining a FP for an attraction that I wanted. Never. With the new system, there are a couple of attractions, (and granted, it is only a couple) where one could get shut out even if they do everything "right". No matter how much of a FP+ hater you are, or how much of a FP+ lover you are, there is one inescapable truth which is not subject to varying opinion, and that is that people who arrived at the parks when they opened had a 100% chance of getting FPs for the rides that they wanted and with the exception of one ride, the supply of FPs was never exhausted by noon. Except for TSMM, you could walk into any park at 10:00 a.m. and get any FP that you wanted. It would not be for a time of your choosing, but you could see clear as day what the return time was going to be before you got your pass, so the choice to get one or not was yours. Under the new system, certain attractions can exhaust by 12:15 a.m., 60 days in advance.

Of course, under the new system, one does not have to get up with the roosters to be guaranteed a FP by getting to the park for a morning visit. And one can largely pick the time that best suits them. And those are truly benefits. But they come at the cost of hanging out with the owls at midnight in hopes of getting what you want. Pick your poison. Hang with the roosters or hang with the owls. Some preferred to hang with the roosters and achieve 100% success. Some prefer to hang with the owls and achieve lesser results for the most popular rides. No one is right or wrong.

 

[Donald - my hero]

And the cancelling the FP thing is crazy. When I did mine, the third one in the choices was Buzz Lightyear which I didn't want. Any reasonable person would assume they could cancel that one, making it available for someone else to use, and then book the one they want. NOPE. So I have sitting in my account 6 Buzz Lightyear FPs that I know I won't use, but just in case we decide we want a third fastpass that day, I wont cancel them.

I dealt with this easy, very easily. I booked us FP+ that i know we won't use for when the park opens! By the time we've actually got to the end of our 2nd ride (actually our THIRD FP+ according to Disney) i can book more if we want. If you don't already have anything booked for the 1st hour, give that a try

 

[crystal1273]

Hi all! As a new member planning my first trip to Disney, it has been interesting to hear everyone's ideas of the new and old system. Since I have never been before, I have the "ignorance is bliss" attitude, since I have no idea what the old FP system was like.

But, in the old system, you could not schedule ahead of time, before you got in the parks, right? Not 60 or 30 days ahead? So, if you wanted a FP, you needed to get there nice and early, and then run to your chosen attraction, get the pass, and then go someplace else for awhile and then come back to your first choice? That seems like lots of walking (and times to get lost!) for a new person like me. But, at least you could be doing some else instead of just standing in line, so I guess I see the perk to that.

Going for the first time with my DH, MIL, and DS who will be 5, I would NEVER tell someone in my party to please head to X on the map, without us, while we linger and take pictures, so that you can secure passes for all of us. It is a family vacation and we are happy to be together. I also would not have us all walk to attraction A just to get a ticket, then walk across the park to B, and then back to A an hour later. I guess for my newbie trip, I think it is nice that I could schedule at least three big things that I want to enjoy as a family.

I can see how some commando people might not like it though.

The thing I have to keep reminding myself as a new person: if I miss out on a FP that does not mean I am banned from the ride. I can still ride it if I want to. It's not like I am not priveleged enough or too stupid to have snatched that great FP. I can enjoy the ride sitting next to someone who has a FP. I have to wait in a line, just like other parks. We recently went to Cedar Point and I think we waited 20 minutes for the baby roller coaster in the heat. It is what it is.

I wish I could feel the same about the ingnorance is bliss. But this FP+ thing has driven me insane. I don't mind changes plans around if necessary, but after booking much wanted ADR's 180 days out and the MNNSHP, then to be up at midnight 60 days out and try to make FP+ work into the park plans I have already choose was insane. We also like to park hop and that seems to be out the window with this trip. At least with the old system the one or two attractions that I really wanted I new I could get at rope drop. We never really criss-crossed the parks but would work our fp's within a certain area. Furthermore we could schedule a FP for later in the day after the one we had expired usually within an hour if not less. Now all three FP+ must be exhausted in order to get a fourth one.
I also did not have to spend hours on the computer before my vacation trying to figure out what and where to be or searching for a FP+ that is not available without worrying if the other FP+'s were going to magically disappear.
I realize that it works for some especially if you like to sleep in.
Also for the record we don't mind waiting in line for an attraction.
Anyway I hope every one has a great vacation and that they ultimately enjoy the FP+ experience

 

[OtherScott]

So, you spent 40 minutes, waiting in line for Dwarf Hill already. Isn't it a great system?

-J

Family of 6 standing in line waiting for 40 minutes = Mom at computer for 40 minutes 60 days out

I remember with FP legacy, there was never any time spent on mapping out touring routes/plans, studying at crowd calendars, scheduling ADRs and moving between FP kiosks in the parks...

Little slips of paper with optimal return times magically fell from the sky, all day every day, as we strolled aimlessly about, while CMs fruitlessly begged guests to populate lines of lesser appreciated attractions...

I was taller and more handsome, too...

Old: If you want to maximize the Disney experience, RD with a plan, every day

New: I have to get up early once, 60 days before my visit?

 

[OtherScott]

That is the myth that revisionist history hath wrought. There was only one attraction in all of WDW that people ran to early in the day to ensure themselves of a FP, and that was TSMM. Did people rush to get FPs at other attractions? Sure. But did they need to? No. In all of my trips to WDW under the old system, never, ever, EVER, EVER did I get shut out of obtaining a FP for an attraction that I wanted. Never. With the new system, there are a couple of attractions, (and granted, it is only a couple) where one could get shut out even if they do everything "right". No matter how much of a FP+ hater you are, or how much of a FP+ lover you are, there is one inescapable truth which is not subject to varying opinion, and that is that people who arrived at the parks when they opened had a 100% chance of getting FPs for the rides that they wanted and with the exception of one ride, the supply of FPs was never exhausted by noon. Except for TSMM, you could walk into any park at 10:00 a.m. and get any FP that you wanted. It would not be for a time of your choosing, but you could see clear as day what the return time was going to be before you got your pass, so the choice to get one or not was yours. Under the new system, certain attractions can exhaust by 12:15 a.m., 60 days in advance.

Of course, under the new system, one does not have to get up with the roosters to be guaranteed a FP by getting to the park for a morning visit. And one can largely pick the time that best suits them. And those are truly benefits. But they come at the cost of hanging out with the owls at midnight in hopes of getting what you want. Pick your poison. Hang with the roosters or hang with the owls. Some preferred to hang with the roosters and achieve 100% success. Some prefer to hang with the owls and achieve lesser results for the most popular rides. No one is right or wrong.

Yes, you could get any one you wanted - and just one - until you used it or the window opened.

Now you walk in with 3.

A&E and 7DMT would = TSMM without FP+...Mad rush at RD followed by exhausted supply before lunch. Disappointment just comes earlier now - bad news is bad news. For me, I want to receive bad news before it's too late to adjust.

 

[JimmyV]

I remember with FP legacy, there was never any time spent on mapping out touring routes/plans, ...we strolled aimlessly about...

Now see? There's your problem. You wouldn't have had to stroll around aimlessly if you had done any advance planning!

The trade-off you suggest (wait at the attraction vs. time spent on the computer) is the right analysis. But remember that more than 50% of Disney's guests stay off site or are locals and cannot book FPs 60 days in advance. It may seem like a no-brainer to want to spend 40 minutes once, 60 days out. But that assumes that you get 98% of what you are looking for. Off site people are not. So while there is a lot to be said for the new system, this new system has begot a whole host of: "I tried to book my FPs in advance and couldn't get what I wanted" threads, whereas the old system generated no: "I arrived at the park at 9:30 a.m. and got shut out of my FPs" threads. For Disney Resort guests, the advantages are obvious. For the person who is trying to make FP plans 15 days in advance and can only find spotty availability that does not mesh with their ADRs or other park schedules, this can be a mess causing one to pine for the good old days.

 

[OtherScott]

Now see? There's your problem. You wouldn't have had to stroll around aimlessly if you had done any advance planning!

The trade-off you suggest (wait at the attraction vs. time spent on the computer) is the right analysis. But remember that more than 50% of Disney's guests stay off site or are locals and cannot book FPs 60 days in advance. It may seem like a no-brainer to want to spend 40 minutes once, 60 days out. But that assumes that you get 98% of what you are looking for. Off site people are not. So while there is a lot to be said for the new system, this new system has begot a whole host of: "I tried to book my FPs in advance and couldn't get what I wanted" threads, whereas the old system generated no: "I arrived at the park at 9:30 a.m. and got shut out of my FPs" threads. For Disney Resort guests, the advantages are obvious. For the person who is trying to make FP plans 15 days in advance and can only find spotty availability that does not mesh with their ADRs or other park schedules, this can be a mess causing one to pine for the good old days.

You make great points, but isn't this about hyperbole and absolutes?

 

[JimmyV]

A&E and 7DMT would = TSMM without FP+...Mad rush at RD followed by exhausted supply before lunch. Disappointment just comes earlier now - bad news is bad news. For me, I want to receive bad news before it's too late to adjust.

Here we differ. I prefer disappointment that comes in the form where I am in control of overcoming it. There is nothing I can do about the A&E lottery. But under the prior system, if getting to the park at 7:45 on Day 1 resulted in me getting shut out, then on Day 2 I would react and show up at 7:15. I prefer a system where I can adjust the outcome whereas you prefer a system where you can adjust to your disappointment.

 

[JimmyV]

You make great points, but isn't this about hyperbole and absolutes?

It always is. Or if it isn't, it devolves into that.

 

[mom2rtk]

So while there is a lot to be said for the new system, this new system has begot a whole host of: "I tried to book my FPs in advance and couldn't get what I wanted" threads, whereas the old system generated no: "I arrived at the park at 9:30 a.m. and got shut out of my FPs" threads.

Yep. That.

I knew that if I was there at rope drop, I could get a FP for any ride in the park that day. With 100% certainty. Plenty complained about needing to be there at rope drop, but the fact remains that it worked. And now those of us not happy with the limits the new system imposes (tiers, hard to get a headliner after your first 3, no repeats unless you get lucky on a 4th FP) are told rope drop is the answer. Well, duh.

 

[crystal1273]

Now see? There's your problem. You wouldn't have had to stroll around aimlessly if you had done any advance planning!

For Disney Resort guests, the advantages are obvious. For the person who is trying to make FP plans 15 days in advance and can only find spotty availability that does not mesh with their ADRs or other park schedules, this can be a mess causing one to pine for the good old days.

Yes for DR guests it may be obvious but there are still many staying on site who have been locked out of much conventant FP+. especially if you have a less the 7 day trip planned whereas under the old system that FP+ was always available or at least when you got to the park if you choose to wait at the attraction the wait time was reasonable as FP times did not start at least 45 mins+ after park opening

 

[JimmyV]

Yes for DR guests it may be obvious but there are still many staying on site who have been locked out of much conventant FP+. especially if you have a less the 7 day trip planned whereas under the old system that FP+ was always available or at least when you got to the park if you choose to wait at the attraction the wait time was reasonable as FP times did not start at least 45 mins+ after park opening

But this is where the hyperbole and absolutes come in. While OtherScott and I agree on 92.7% of all of this, there are some differences. But he and I both agree that the inability of on site guests getting what they want is really limited to A&E if we are being honest about it. And the crowds at that meet and greet are unprecedented.

 

[FLchick415]

Yes for DR guests it may be obvious but there are still many staying on site who have been locked out of much conventant FP+. especially if you have a less the 7 day trip planned whereas under the old system that FP+ was always available or at least when you got to the park if you choose to wait at the attraction the wait time was reasonable as FP times did not start at least 45 mins+ after park opening

Not always the case. If there's a FP you really want bad enough (and in this case, it's really mostly SDMT or A&E) with a little bit of determination (and maybe a little luck) you CAN get these. Just yesterday and today, I was able to find FPs for SDMT, and my trip is only for 3 days next month.

 

[crystal1273]

But this is where the hyperbole and absolutes come in. While OtherScott and I agree on 92.7% of all of this, there are some differences. But he and I both agree that the inability of on site guests getting what they want is really limited to A&E if we are being honest about it. And the crowds at that meet and greet are unprecedented.

I have to say you are 100% right I found myself trying to figure out how to book an extra day just to make sure we are able to see A&E. I personally always loved staying on site as I love the wilderness lodge but I had to talk my husband out of saving money and staying off site just to get the 60 days out.
Even with that I still haven't been able to secure A+E everything else including SDMT( that took two weeks to get).
I do agree that staying on site does have some advantages but under the new system if you stay is under a week those advantages don't seem to be that great.
I have gotten slack for saying this before but I actually think that if Disney insists on you booking your fp's in advance then everyone needs to be on a level playing field.

 

[crystal1273]

Not always the case. If there's a FP you really want bad enough (and in this case, it's really mostly SDMT or A&E) with a little bit of determination (and maybe a little luck) you CAN get these. Just yesterday and today, I was able to find FPs for SDMT, and my trip is only for 3 days next month.

As you said it takes luck and determination, which under the old system I did not need. I also did not need to spend endless amounts of time in front of a computer cancelling and rebooking fp's to try and get A+E, as I stated after two weeks of constant trying I was able to get SDMT, however I now feel like I'm locked into those days if I want to experience these attractions.

 

[FLchick415]

As you said it takes luck and determination, which under the old system I did not need. I also did not need to spend endless amounts of time in front of a computer cancelling and rebooking fp's to try and get A+E, as I stated after two weeks of constant trying I was able to get SDMT, however I now feel like I'm locked into those days if I want to experience these attractions.

Well, if the old system were in place w/ A&E and SDMT, you probably would need luck. Because there would definitely be a stampede to get to those two things as soon as the park opens. Heck, there basically is now, it's just slow moving. Just look at the way TSMM was before FP+ was implemented.

 

[crystal1273]

Well, if the old system were in place w/ A&E and SDMT, you probably would need luck. Because there would definitely be a stampede to get to those two things as soon as the park opens. Heck, there basically is now, it's just slow moving. Just look at the way TSMM was before FP+ was implemented.

I understand that TSMM was out of hand before FP+ however I was fortunate to never have a problem, we actually prefer BL, nor did we ever understand why such a long wait on a ride which should be consistently moving.
Its hard to say if I would have needed luck for A+E or SDMT because under the old system we were always able to accomplish everything we wanted ( I guess thats luck in a way)
I also stated that under the new system is a bit unfair as under the old system I could always get a FP however and I know we are talking about A+E specially it has been next to impossible to get.
That being said I will keep trying but have already planned out for and early CP ADR and straight to A+E


Good luck with your vacation

 

[FLchick415]

I understand that TSMM was out of hand before FP+ however I was fortunate to never have a problem, we actually prefer BL, nor did we ever understand why such a long wait on a ride which should be consistently moving.
Its hard to say if I would have needed luck for A+E or SDMT because under the old system we were always able to accomplish everything we wanted ( I guess thats luck in a way)
I also stated that under the new system is a bit unfair as under the old system I could always get a FP however and I know we are talking about A+E specially it has been next to impossible to get.
That being said I will keep trying but have already planned out for and early CP ADR and straight to A+E


Good luck with your vacation

That's the way I feel about Peter Pan! lol I love that ride, and I do understand it's a slow-loader, only two people at a time, but holy cow you'd think the line would move a LITTLE bit. That's why I always hit that ride first thing in the morning.

 

[crystal1273]

That's the way I feel about Peter Pan! lol I love that ride, and I do understand it's a slow-loader, only two people at a time, but holy cow you'd think the line would move a LITTLE bit. That's why I always hit that ride first thing in the morning.

That's funny its my daughter now 17 favorite too and she made it quite clear that she wants to ride it a least 5 times we told her good luck with that. We never understood that either, we have even said that these rides that constantly move shouldn't even have any sort of FP the waits would definitely be better. I actually remember these rides before any FP and they always seem to move better. I did secure her one fp+ while her sister and I ride splash

 

[mesaboy2]

Well, if the old system were in place w/ A&E and SDMT, you probably would need luck. Because there would definitely be a stampede to get to those two things as soon as the park opens. Heck, there basically is now, it's just slow moving. Just look at the way TSMM was before FP+ was implemented.

I don't agree. All you need is getting there early enough and not a hint of luck. Even with A&E's limited capacity and definitely with 7DMT, all I would need to do back in the day would be to head for the respective FP kiosk and get in that line. Even on busy days, the previous FP eater--TSM--lasted more than an hour (and usually closer to two) before being exhausted.