WOW, FP+ is worse than I even imagined

[darrengs]

We used FP+ for the first time during our stay last week. I must say I wa pleasantly surprised that I actually liked it. I had made my choices before we arrived, and was tweaking and changing them right up to the day we left. Then at night I would look at our FP for the next day and modify them as needed. Once our 3 were used up we often would get one or two more from a kiosk in the park.

All in all I did like the system, but it did in a way discourage park hopping and we may not even get park hoppers next year.

 

[rastuso]

I was also at WDW early August and haven't waited more than 20 minutes for anything. On August 5th at MK we did everything we wanted (sometimes twice) and our longest wait was Jungle Cruise FP+ line. Okay we didn't do the big mountains but we pretty much did everything else! The key that day was rope drop. We had a pre-opening ADR at CRT and when the crowd went to 7DMT and A&E we went to Peter Pan. Before 10:30am we had done PP, Pooh, M&G with Ariel, Under the Sea, Barnstormer twice and Dumbo. No FP+ for any of those. Total we used 5FP+ that day: A&E, Belle, Jungle Cruise, Speedway and Buzz. I personally like FP+ and I hope they don't start to charge for them. I would change the system slightly to allow additional FP+ by phone because the kiosk do suck.

This explains a lot. Mostly kiddie rides, and the reason you got 5 FP+ is because some were for rides that always lose their lines later in the day, and rides that people would never choose for their first 3 FP+.

-J

 

[kmb584]

This explains a lot. Mostly kiddie rides, and the reason you got 5 FP+ is because some were for rides that always lose their lines later in the day, and rides that people would never choose for their first 3 FP+.

-J

In May we were able to use 8 FP+ in one day, and three of those were for the Mountains and scheduled in the park after we used our initial 3. BTMRR was our 4th, Splash our 6th, and Space our 7th.

 

[ethanwa]

I love FP+ and never have issues with it. I seriously don't understand all of the complaints. I think it's WAY better than the paper fast pass morning-rope-drop crap that I had to do before.

 

[OtherScott]

Thread synopsis for those pressed for time:

Person (OP) convinced since before testing started that FP+ would suck (and would argue with and dismiss anyone who thought otherwise) surprisingly concludes that it sucks.

EDIT: Beat me to it. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52219453&postcount=139

 

[JimmyV]

I was also at WDW early August and haven't waited more than 20 minutes for anything. ...Okay we didn't do the big mountains ...

In May we were able to use 8 FP+ in one day, and three of those were for the Mountains ...

Origianlly posted by rastuso
This explains a lot. Mostly kiddie rides, and the reason you got 5 FP+ is because some were for rides that always lose their lines later in the day, and rides that people would never choose for their first 3 FP+.

Comparisons of individual results is pretty pointless. There are 365 days in a year, each with its own crowd levels. And there are an infinite combination of rides that people want to ride, all the way from "we only ride the Carousel and Peter Pan" to "we only want to ride the Mountains and want to do each 5 times." Citing your own personal experience on any given day with your own ride combinations is simply not predictive of what other people are going to experience on their day. And criticizing a person's individual experience because they chose FPs for rides that you won't proves nothing.

So again, let's be mindful that people should not chide one another and tell each other that their expectations and FP experiences for late October are all wrong because they were able to get all the FPs they wanted for the Tea Cups in May. And let's not tell the people who got FPs for the Tea Cups in May that somehow their results were atypical or irrelevant. They were real and relevant to the person who went on the ride, right? As the first two posts above highlight, (and I quoted them not because I thought they were in any way inappropriate, quite the opposite), everyone's wants, needs and experiences are going to vary to the point where trying to use them as examples of anything else is rather difficult. If you want a more thorough statistical analysis of what your day will be like, get a subscription to Touring Plans, or take a look at the data on easywdw. They digest far more data than simply reporting on one person's randon experience.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Thread synopsis for those pressed for time:

Person (OP) convinced since before testing started that FP+ would suck (and would argue with and dismiss anyone who thought otherwise) surprisingly concludes that it sucks.

EDIT: Beat me to it. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52219453&postcount=139

 

[Mickey28]

So, essentially, unless you are staying on Disney property, FP+ is fairly worthless.

-Jason

This is the key. Disney wants you in their hotels. It's no worse than Universal requiring you to stay in their hotels to pass the lines. At least with Disney you have the ability to use their system even if you are not staying on property. I think if I stay on Disney property I should have more privileges than someone who doesn't. Seems fair to me since I have decided to give them more of my money.
Sorry, to hear you have had such a tough time with the system. We used it for the second time this past July 4th week and it was really a lot easier the second time around. I had used for the first time in January. We really had no problems changing times and attractions and then getting our 4th FP+ later in the day. The system does have it's drawbacks, but it also has some advantages. The biggest benefit I saw was not having to zigzag back and forth across the parks to get a FP- then go somewhere else only to have to come back when the time arrived. This way you know where you need to be when and can tour accordingly. The system is far from perfect but it does have it's merits.

 

[MuddyTires]

Remember. . .

It appears some spend more time debating FP+ than waiting in standby lines.

 

[Bugdozer]

I feel the new fastpass+ can be hard to compare person to person as we each have different touring plans and things that are important to us. My friend and I used the system when we were there in May for Star Wars weekends. The hardest part is really making sure you know how the system works to get the most out of it. Here is how one of the days went for us at MK. Let me start by saying we are 2- 50 yo women with no kids this trip and did what we wanted to do. Also this was right around the time when everyone was stalking the Mine Train waiting for soft openings. Also we do not do the 3 big mountains in MK so what worked for me might not for you.

The biggest thing that needs to be known is the fact that once you do your first FP- when your band scans the SECOND turnstile you can check and see if your next FP has availability earlier and if so move it up. I did this most of the time while waiting in the queue.

Monday May 19th:

Arrived 9:15am
Pan FP 9:45am (posted wait 50 min)
Mansion- FP 10 am (posted wait 10 min)
Mermaid FP 10:20am (posted wait 20 min)
Pooh FP 10:30am (posted wait 20 min)
Philharmagic 10:50am walk on
Smallworld FP 11:10 am (posted wait 20 min)
Mansion FP 11:50 am (posted wait 25 min)
Lunch and rest 12:30pm
Hall of Presidents 1:50 pm
Parade 2:15-3:30pm. We picked spot at 2:15pm
Country Bears 3:35pm walk on
Pirates FP 4:10 pm (posted wait 35 min)
Ice cream Main Street 4:45pm
TTA 5:00 pm no wait
TTA 5:15 pm did not get off from first ride
Shopping 5:30pm
Mermaid FP 5:52 pm (posted wait 30 Min)
Pooh 6:00pm waited 20 min in reg line out by 6:20
Philharmagic 6:30 pm walk on
Mansion FP 6:55pm (posted wait 30 min)
Pecos Bill Dinner 7:30 pm
Pirates FP 8:20pm (posted wait 15 min)
Stalked 7 Dwarfs mine train 8:45-10pm. was fun and people watched
Wishes 10pm
Pooh FP 10:20pm forgot to write down posted wait
Stalked mine train again at 10:25 pm
Mermaid 10:45 pm walk on
Shopping 10:50pm
Left park at 11:10pm

As you can see we had a 14 hour day at the park and used 11 FP! I never felt rushed and we could have done more attractions if we did not stalk the Mine train but that was actually fun and gave us a chance to rest. It was hot out and I have had 2 surgeries on my knee so standing long periods of time is not easy for me. When hot we like to do some attractions over like mansion to cool off and rest and I love it.

When we talked to the guy at the kiosk he was impressed we had done 11 FP but said it was not the most he saw in a day. He said the highest he personally saw was 16 FP in 1 day! He said the secret is when you start to see if you can move the second one up then the third so on. After the first 3 we would just go to a kiosk and book the next. I also found sometimes when i booked at a kiosk if it did not give me a close time i took it anyway and walked a way and a few min later i checked app and was able to move the time up. Slots open during the day if people cancel or change their time.

So for us it worked. Will be interesting next week as my friend and I are taking my 4 1/2 yo granddaughter and will see how FP+ works for us with a kid with us.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Next time explore a FP+ thread which has lots of tips and tricks so what happened to you doesn't happen to you.

I think this is an absolutely unacceptable answer. The way the system works should be something that is communicated to everyone by Disney, and the fact that it is so complicated you need to watch a youtube video to explain it is not reasonable at all.

I think I might ultimately like FP+ since we sleep in and hate running around to pull fastpasses, but signing up for the FP+ as it exists right now is nuts. I have a party of 6 people. The only thing I was concerned about was 7DMT. I was prepared--has read illustrated tutorials on how to do it. Still took me 40 minutes just to get 6 FPs that had overlapping times. 40 minutes when I should have been sleeping. And by the time I finished, they were almost all gone for the day.

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.

 

[Spoiledraf]

Are there no other fast passes for other rides available for that day? Thats hard to believe. You do know you can change the rides they pick in the proposed grouping, right?? We just decided to go a month ago for the third week of September and had no trouble getting FPs with the obvious exceptions. And are still moving things around! And by the way. We love Buzz!

 

[JayRee]

I just want to make a comment regarding all of these FP+posts. Several years ago me and my husband went to the competition for the day with my brother and sister-in-law. Since it was spring break we decided to get the fast pass. Now there is no set price on the FP at Universal, it depends on the crowd factor. So on a busy day, cha-ching (we also purchased a 2 park pass, double cha-ching).

After waiting 45 minutes to purchase said items, we enter the park heading for the Wizarding World, which is clear across the other side of the park. We then find out we had to wait on another line to get a time to enter the Wizard world. I had just been opened for maybe 10 months and still crowded. Our time was for 11:30AM. Okay, we were able to do one ride prior.

Then we had to find out how to enter the Wizard World. Even the employees didn't know. Finally we got in and decide to have lunch. 45 minute wait at the Three Broomsticks (counter service). My husband and brother tried to sit at a table just to hold it and was shooed away.

Now its going on for 1:00 PM and we only got on 1 ride (Jurassic Park), so we head over to the Castle. 2 HOUR WAIT TIME and NO fast passes accepted!!! Why, because they want you to "experience the castle as you walk through it". Granted, the sorting hat did have words of wisdom, along with the fat lady. But by the time we finished the ride, I felt Avada Kedavra-ed. And I felt schnookered by Universal.

 

[DisUniversal]

I just want to make a comment regarding all of these FP+posts. Several years ago me and my husband went to the competition for the day with my brother and sister-in-law. Since it was spring break we decided to get the fast pass. Now there is no set price on the FP at Universal, it depends on the crowd factor. So on a busy day, cha-ching (we also purchased a 2 park pass, double cha-ching).

After waiting 45 minutes to purchase said items, we enter the park heading for the Wizarding World, which is clear across the other side of the park. We then find out we had to wait on another line to get a time to enter the Wizard world. I had just been opened for maybe 10 months and still crowded. Our time was for 11:30AM. Okay, we were able to do one ride prior.

Then we had to find out how to enter the Wizard World. Even the employees didn't know. Finally we got in and decide to have lunch. 45 minute wait at the Three Broomsticks (counter service). My husband and brother tried to sit at a table just to hold it and was shooed away.

Now its going on for 1:00 PM and we only got on 1 ride (Jurassic Park), so we head over to the Castle. 2 HOUR WAIT TIME and NO fast passes accepted!!! Why, because they want you to "experience the castle as you walk through it". Granted, the sorting hat did have words of wisdom, along with the fat lady. But by the time we finished the ride, I felt Avada Kedavra-ed. And I felt schnookered by Universal.

A couple long waits during spring break that occurred at a different park's newest attraction over three years ago makes FP+ suck less how?

 

[rastuso]

I think this is an absolutely unacceptable answer. The way the system works should be something that is communicated to everyone by Disney, and the fact that it is so complicated you need to watch a youtube video to explain it is not reasonable at all.

I think I might ultimately like FP+ since we sleep in and hate running around to pull fastpasses, but signing up for the FP+ as it exists right now is nuts. I have a party of 6 people. The only thing I was concerned about was 7DMT. I was prepared--has read illustrated tutorials on how to do it. Still took me 40 minutes just to get 6 FPs that had overlapping times. 40 minutes when I should have been sleeping. And by the time I finished, they were almost all gone for the day.

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.

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

-J

 

[FLchick415]

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

-J

For some people, yeah, it is. We get it, YOU don't like it. You're not going to change anyone's mind, and clearly no one is going to change yours. I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience, but you went into it expecting it to suck. Just because it was bad for you, doesn't mean it's the same for everyone else.

 

[Sharpdisney]

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.

 

[Amanda Esmeralda]

FP+ has definitely forced me to change my planning/strategy, but I don't dislike it. I used to be really Type-A about Disney but there are too many rides/experiences/restaurants now that all but require an atomic clock to book the second booking opens. That's a tradeoff I am not willing to make, but it has not adversely impacted my trips! Get there for rope drop and you can see the major attractions (other than A&E) that you don't have FP+ for with little waiting. Or just resign yourself to waiting a little bit. It's still Disney! Waiting is part of the package!

 

[lampshadehead]

Just my opinion, but 3 of us just got back from an 8 day trip with 5 park days included. Found FP+ to be pretty decent. It sure beat having to walk to every ride and hope that there are still some left.

 

[aaarcher86]

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

-J

Looking at the app, 7DMT is one of 2 things that has a 40 minute wait in the entire park. It's brand new.

I really don't see how that would be any different with regular FP