Frustration with Lack of Spontaneity

I keep lobbying for more fast passes. After each trip, I write to Guest Relations with that suggestion. I want the ability to book 5 fast passes in the Magic Kingdom - then I'll be content.

Epcot & DHS are jokes - only 2 attractions really need FP. Maybe more could be used at AK - but really MK needs more.

I have not been successful in gaining the extra fast pass after the 3rd one is over. There are virtually none available for the E ticket attraction.

On my last trip - on the last day, I found it amusing to use FPs for the Electric Parade & Fireworks. They were readily available that day, around noon.

1DisneyNut;2475120 wrote: I think you missed the point I was trying to make. One of the groups that I would think love FP+ would be slackers/late to the party type people. It puts them on an even playing field as far as FP goes. It takes the old saying of "the early bird gets the worm" and throws it out the window.

They still won't get as much done because they miss so much park time but those type people are the ones that always complained because all the good paper FP's were gone by the time they got to the park at 2 in the afternoon. That is the reason I think that group probably loves FP+.

My argument is all the planning and adjusting is stressful. I can't comprehend how not getting to "sleep in" could be stressful although I guess for some people maybe it is but for me it is right the opposite; if I am not up and getting after it in the morning, my stress level goes through the roof.

Ah. Yes, I got that reasoning backwards didn't I? Sorry about that. I can see what you're saying now.

As far as sleeping in goes, it depends on where we are. I get stressed if we sleep too late on a WDW trip too! Although as we get towards the end of our trips we tend to have later nights and aren't getting up as early. I would go nuts if we didn't get to a park until 2pm! So would DH.

On other trips I definitely enjoy sleeping in a little. It depends on where we are and what there is to do.

Too many people in the parks...

If it's ever going to return to 'normal' they are going to have to build another theme park...
or raise the prices so much that only the financially well off can go.

[QUOTE=Bass T-bone

or raise the prices so much that only the financially well off can go.

What the heck.....they did that a long time ago! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

The one thing I miss the most and the one thing that has been overlooked in this entire post was the flexibility and freedom of physically having a FP ticket in your hand. There were times we decided that we were not going to venture over to a ride for the FP time on our tickets and instead would walk up to someone and hand them our FP tickets. The smile it brought made it worth while. THAT's spontaneity! And on the flip side, I recall standing in line for ToT with my daughter, waiting 90 minutes and finally enjoying the ride. We were walking through the gift shop to meet up with my wife and son when she said she wished she could ride it again but because the standby line was so long I told her that we would try later. Then a woman walked up to us and asked if we wanted her FP for the ride because their plans had changed and they were leaving the park. The time stamp was within the next 10 minutes. My daughter was so excited that we were able to get right back on. We have not been to WDW since the FP+ launch but we plan on going in another year or so. This post was insightful but I must admit that it is disappointing to know that our vacation may be more of a chore rather than a time to enjoy the magic.

One trip I was able to ride RNR 7 times. I guess those days are gone.

i'm grumpy;2475393 wrote: One trip I was able to ride RNR 7 times. I guess those days are gone.

They aren't! Our girls did it on our last trip (Aug. 2015). They were able to just keep getting back in line for RNR one afternoon. They were in heaven!

IMADisneyFreak;2475363 wrote: This post was insightful but I must admit that it is disappointing to know that our vacation may be more of a chore rather than a time to enjoy the magic.

Good point about the ability to transfer the old FPs to others. Now, you would need their magic band!

However, do not be too disappointed - it is still Disney World. For those of us that had an aggressive strategy of getting to the parks early and maximizing the use of the Fast Passes throughout the day, hopping from park to park, etc.., the new system is really a big disappointment. For others, who only need to ride a ride once per day (not 2-3 times or more), have adequate advance time to plan, and are less likely to deviate from their plans, this system works, as it gives you 3 guaranteed rides at specific time slots of your choosing.

For first time visitors, they will not know what it used to be. For those of us who remember and used the system well, it is disappointing. The old system really rewarded the active (in terms of arriving early and ability/desire to pound the pavement) people who enjoyed maximizing the number of rides in a given day. The new system is really a dagger in that type of touring plan, in my opinion. And, as discussed, forces you to a more rigid and less adaptable schedule.

You will still have fun, but it will not be as fun as it used to be if you fit into the more aggressive touring style described above. I don't think we have had time to get a full grasp of the numbers yet, but I am willing to bet that due to the work, cost, and somewhat more limited offerings (it sounds like at least this part is changing), repeat visitors that go somewhat frequently will be down, especially with the competition from Universal.

For us, with Soaring and most of HS currently down, the hassle involved with FP+, and the ever increasing costs, we decided not to go on our annual trip this January. We are DVC members and will definitely be back, but probably not with the frequency that we once traveled.

I miss the days of spontaneity, good street entertainment and Magical moments.

Both DH and I are people watchers and we noticed on this last trip how you didn't see a lot of folks, in groups or otherwise, appearing to have fun. Not a lot of laughing or happy wandering people looking at the sights as we have seen in the past. There seemed to be a general air of desperation and rush everywhere and the lines had a lot of groaning, crabby folks that were stressing about their next FP or ADR. It sure seemed that the Magic was not often in the air. It was sad. If this had been my first time at WDW, I don't think I'd be going back.

Well done, Disney. (sarcasm not withstanding)

The FPs and ADRs work well in many cases and it's great for Disney as they can control crowds to parks and restaurants. One week stays must be hell for many people as listed here. Thankfully we are retired and spend weeks in Disney and the Orlando area.
Our planning comes the morning when we decide what and where to go. We have a vehicle so it is easier to get around the parks and resorts. We seldom eat at the parks as we would rather the use the resorts or outside restaurants. The dining plan does not work for us and we feel it not only limited the menu, but also over-inflated the price.
The FPs are done the morning of the visit which cannot be done by short stay visitors. If we can't get one we just enjoy walking through the parks and getting on attractions when not too long of a wait.
We now avoid weekend visits to Parks, as stated they are very busy.
It is sad that many cannot relax and enjoy the park due to scheduling. It costs a lot of money for these trips and may get to the point that some people will finely just not return or less frequently!

EeyoresBestFriend;2475467 wrote: I miss the days of spontaneity, good street entertainment and Magical moments.

Both DH and I are people watchers and we noticed on this last trip how you didn't see a lot of folks, in groups or otherwise, appearing to have fun. Not a lot of laughing or happy wandering people looking at the sights as we have seen in the past. There seemed to be a general air of desperation and rush everywhere and the lines had a lot of groaning, crabby folks that were stressing about their next FP or ADR. It sure seemed that the Magic was not often in the air. It was sad. If this had been my first time at WDW, I don't think I'd be going back.

Well done, Disney. (sarcasm not withstanding)

We noticed the same thing. People seemed stressed out and didn't seem to be enjoying themselves as much. Another thing we noticed is there seemed to be a far higher percentage of first time visitors vs. experienced visitors. You can always spot the ones that are new. If people are returning less frequently for return visits but currently more first time visitors are coming how is that sustainable? Every single person I know that has taken their first ever trip in the past year and a half or so have said they would never ever go back. It makes me wonder how it is going to play out over say the next 5 years.

1DisneyNut;2475507 wrote: We noticed the same thing. People seemed stressed out and didn't seem to be enjoying themselves as much. Another thing we noticed is there seemed to be a far higher percentage of first time visitors vs. experienced visitors. You can always spot the ones that are new. If people are returning less frequently for return visits but currently more first time visitors are coming how is that sustainable? Every single person I know that has taken their first ever trip in the past year and a half or so have said they would never ever go back. It makes me wonder how it is going to play out over say the next 5 years.

Yes I agree however, I think Disney wants the first timers as they spend more money on their initial visits. Yearly returnees don't buy many souvineers and do less spending due to knowing the deals and getting the biggest bang for their money!
We like most multi visitors, "know the ropes" so to speak. Most of us don't do the no expense spared vacations and we are not what puts Disney over the top in profits, we just maintain their base.
With the Magic Bands they can keep tabs on not only where we've been but also how much we spend! We only use cash when visiting which would skew their tabulations!

1DisneyNut;2475507 wrote: We noticed the same thing. People seemed stressed out and didn't seem to be enjoying themselves as much. Another thing we noticed is there seemed to be a far higher percentage of first time visitors vs. experienced visitors. You can always spot the ones that are new. If people are returning less frequently for return visits but currently more first time visitors are coming how is that sustainable? Every single person I know that has taken their first ever trip in the past year and a half or so have said they would never ever go back. It makes me wonder how it is going to play out over say the next 5 years.

I've heard the same thing from folks that we spoke to down there. They mentioned that Disney wasn't as good as they had hoped it would be. One family said that they were upset that they had wasted their time and money on this vacation.

Such a difference from our first experience 15 years ago.

RunDMV;2474921 wrote: Y'all obviously don't know what you are talking about. Tom Staggs HIMSELF said the FP+ creates more spontaneity. {sarcasm off}

.....yup ....as spontaneous ....and fun ...as a scheduled root canal.

Not a fan either ... but to play Devil's Advocate to myself (a funny concept I'll admit lol) the parks are jammed more and more every year, so they must be doing something right.