FastPass+ Disappearing on Some Attractions?

[plawren2]

It's interesting, I used to pray at the church of Fast Pass+ because I liked not having to stand in line and am a planner by nature, however after having been at WDW 3 times in the past 10 months (July, Oct/Nov, and last week), I have to say I'm not missing it. My wife and I are commenting that our trips are much more relaxed and we feel we can go at a pace we want. There have not been any rides that we wanted to do that we didn't get on, and yes we had to wait 80 minutes in line for Slinky, but it was actually nice spending that time with my family talking about things and people watching. It really won't bother me if FP+ doesn't come back.

worth noting those trips were with parks at 35% or less capacity, would situation be the same when parks are back to more typical 85%+

 

[plawren2]

Personally I am fan of FP+, we like to maximize our time in park, get there at rope drop and stay until close, and look to avoid long waits. So for advance planning I like to be able to book our allocated FP+ so we are assured of getting into those rides/attractions. For example, ride Space Mountain at rope drop while also having 2p FP+ for second ride.

 

[Shouldigo12]

Ok, so if you are just visiting the park for a few hours, then I assume you are a local Annual Pass Holder and have been on every attraction dozens of times.

Most WDW Guests are traveling from afar and spending thousands of dollars on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

So although it’s great that you get to ride Test Track with little wait for the 50th time because you know how to maximize FP+, these once-in-a-lifetime Guests are stuck in the 70-minute Standby line because they had no idea how important it was to make their FP+ selections as soon as they became available.

At that point, I would say that's on them for not doing any research on their trip, because making your FP selections ASAP is on every "must do" list.

And yes, I know there's a ton of people on team "I shouldn't have to do research for my vacation". And you don't! But the fact is 10/10 times doing research on what needs to be done ASAP, what needs an advance reservation (or in this case, FP) and what tools you'll need to use to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible will put you at an advantage.

If you choose not to, that's fine. But it's your choice not to take advantage of a wealth of resources available to you, and you can't blame someone who does for getting to stand in a shorter line than you.

 

[Chi84]

Ok, so if you are just visiting the park for a few hours, then I assume you are a local Annual Pass Holder and have been on every attraction dozens of times.

Most WDW Guests are traveling from afar and spending thousands of dollars on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

So although it’s great that you get to ride Test Track with little wait for the 50th time because you know how to maximize FP+, these once-in-a-lifetime Guests are stuck in the 70-minute Standby line because they had no idea how important it was to make their FP+ selections as soon as they became available.

The fact is that WDW is an immensely popular and expensive vacation venue. Disney wants everyone to be able to enjoy it - from the AP/DVC people who visit frequently to the guests traveling from afar and spending thousands of dollars on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

It's a mistake to believe that people visiting for the first time have no idea of what to do. I know a few first time visitors, and they have either gone through a travel agent or followed the instructions sent to them by Disney on when to make dining reservations, Fastpasses, etc.

One family decided to plan a visit because their son had a taste of WDW during a band trip. When the mom started planning, she asked me for help because the information she was sent about her vacation made it clear that planning was involved. People who don't like Fastpass because it limits the way they like to vacation seem to have a unique concern for those first-time visitors, but the truth is that anyone visiting WDW for the first time is going to miss some things simply due to inexperience.

WDW vacations are expensive for everyone, so Disney gives people the ability to get as much out of it as they can. There are people who don't take advantage of this, but it's likely by choice or indifference, not ignorance.

 

[JusticeDisney]

Ok, so if you are just visiting the park for a few hours, then I assume you are a local Annual Pass Holder and have been on every attraction dozens of times.

Most WDW Guests are traveling from afar and spending thousands of dollars on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

So although it’s great that you get to ride Test Track with little wait for the 50th time because you know how to maximize FP+, these once-in-a-lifetime Guests are stuck in the 70-minute Standby line because they had no idea how important it was to make their FP+ selections as soon as they became available.

First off, your assumption is dead wrong.

And secondly, maybe if someone is spending a ton of money on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation they ought to make themselves aware of how things work and what perks are available to them. Just a thought. Anyway, it doesn’t make me entitled because they fail to do that.

 

[JusticeDisney]

Perhaps then a DVC member who goes every year?

Nope. Just a family who likes to visit at least once a year.

 

[Chi84]

Perhaps then a DVC member who goes every year?

Just for perspective, how often do you go to WDW? How many times have you been there? Apologies if you think this is intrusive - you can just ignore the questions if you think it is.

 

[Goofyernmost]

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a company offering incentives based upon different factors, such as staying onsite. It is smart business and it happens everyday with just about every company in some form or another. That’s life. Just be happy that WDW hasn’t put into play a “pay” FP system, ala Universal’s express pass. Yet.

I'd be ok with a pay FP system. That would level the field. I suppose an argument could be made that it would discriminate against poor people. I don't know where you live but I have never met a "poor" person vacationing in WDW and if they were doing so, they might have a problem setting priorities. I still wouldn't buy into it but at least I would know that I am standing in line longer because I was to cheap to pay for a Fastpass.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I’m only talking about the major attractions for which I actually reserve fast passes. For those attractions, the FP+ absolutely not only saves you time, but it saves you a ton of time. It’s not even debatable.

I think I just debated it, and maintain that although when it is being offered it is necessary for someone like me to use it, but without it, no one would need it and I still maintain that not a second is gained in ones overall time spent waiting and it might even be more time with the resulting fewer attractions seen. I'm afraid that I do not see the virtue in that system for the guest except in the directed imagination of time saved.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Just for perspective, how often do you go to WDW? How many times have you been there? Apologies if you think this is intrusive - you can just ignore the questions if you think it is.

Nope. Just a family who likes to visit at least once a year.

You indicated that you pop into a park for a few hours and leave. We are the same way. We are DVC, APH, and go to WDW multiple times a year. Although we like strolling through the parks, most of our time of late is spent relaxing poolside, dining, and drinking. Our children are grown and only occasionally come with us. Consequently, we enjoy WDW at a slower pace.

I'm not sure of the exact count, but I estimate that I've been on Test Track about 20 times since it opened in 1998.

We used to use FP+ all the time and were very good at maximizing it. We still hated it. All that planning and then the need to be in a certain place at a certain time. It already was a big pain to do this for ADRs (which we have mostly stopped using). We certainly did not enjoy having to plan our day around 5-minute rides.

We've now been to WDW 5 times since they reopened in July. The post FP+ World is so much better.

It's wonderful not having to get up early to make FP+ selections 60 days out.

It's wonderful not to have to plan the day around FP+ selections.

It's wonderful to not have hundreds in the FP+ line walk past us.

It's wonderful to not be stopped at the front of the Standby line and watch the Cast Member count out 20 (or more) from the FP+ line before they let us continue.

It's wonderful to not see all those sad faces as we walk past them when we are in the FP+ line.

It's wonderful to be in a Standby line that actually moves.

I hope they never bring back FP+.

 

[havoc315]

For many there’s no choice.

It's always a choice. But it's simply an easier choice for some than others.
Obviously, if you have plentiful financial resources it is an easier choice than for someone who doesn't.

But if there was 1 thing about Walt Disney.... he despised socialism. So I don't think the idea of "every guest should get equal benefits" is very true to his own vision in actuality. In fact, when the parks first opened -- you paid per ride. So if you were on a tight budget, you couldn't afford as many rides as someone with a bigger budget.

 

[marni1971]

It's always a choice.

Not if you can’t afford to stay on site.

 

[JusticeDisney]

I think I just debated it, and maintain that although when it is being offered it is necessary for someone like me to use it, but without it, no one would need it and I still maintain that not a second is gained in ones overall time spent waiting and it might even be more time with the resulting fewer attractions seen. I'm afraid that I do not see the virtue in that system for the guest except in the directed imagination of time saved.

No offense, but if you are debating that you can get on rides just as quickly in the standby line as you can if you had a FP+ for those rides, then I would love some of what you are smoking.

You’re right though that anyone can debate anything they want. They just can’t always do it reasonably.

 

[Chi84]

You indicated that you pop into a park for a few hours and leave. We are the same way. We are DVC, APH, and go to WDW multiple times a year. Although we like strolling through the parks, most of our time of late is spent relaxing poolside, dining, and drinking. Our children are grown and only occasionally come with us. Consequently, we enjoy WDW at a slower pace.

I'm not sure of the exact count, but I estimate that I've been on Test Track about 20 times since it opened in 1998.

We used to use FP+ all the time and were very good at maximizing it. We still hated it. All that planning and then the need to be in a certain place at a certain time. It already was a big pain to do this for ADRs (which we have mostly stopped using). We certainly did not enjoy having to plan our day around 5-minute rides.

We've now been to WDW 5 times since they reopened in July. The post FP+ World is so much better.

It's wonderful not having to get up early to make FP+ selections 60 days out.

It's wonderful not to have to plan the day around FP+ selections.

It's wonderful to not have hundreds in the FP+ line walk past us.

It's wonderful to not be stopped at the front of the Standby line and watch the Cast Member count out 20 (or more) from the FP+ line before they let us continue.

It's wonderful to not see all those sad faces as we walk past them when we are in the FP+ line.

It's wonderful to be in a Standby line that actually moves.

I hope they never bring back FP+.

I love having the ability to know we can get the entire family on FOP without waiting in line. Same is true of all the other popular rides. I also love the ability of being sure we can get reservations at a specific time for 'Ohana and Cali Grill brunch. When it's just DH and me, I don't care as much - we would be okay just winging it. But when we're traveling with a group of 7, with some who don't get to visit often, we like the certainty of knowing that everyone will be able to do what they enjoy. People are different - what works for one doesn't work for another.

 

[havoc315]

Not if you can’t afford to stay on site.

Still a choice. Unless you are spending your only pennies in the world to buy tickets and off-site accommodations for 1 day at WDW
You could choose to stay at the WDW campgrounds, which go as low as under $100 per night.
So you can "choose" to go weekdays in August and pay $73 per night for on-site campground.
Or you can choose to spend 3 nights in a value on-site resort instead of 7 nights in an off-site accommodation.
You can choose to save money by driving instead of flying to WDW to save money and apply the savings to on-site.
You can choose to put off the trip and save up for a few years, so you can afford on-site.
You can give up other non-necessities, to pay for an on-site accommodation.

It's all a matter of choices. Someone truly destitute can't afford off-site accommodations of WDW tickets either. But if you can afford off-site accommodations and WDW tickets, then there is almost certainly a choice you could make to stay on-site instead.
Again, it's an easier choice for some people than others. Some people would rather spend their tiny budget to stay 5 nights off-site instead of 2 nights on-site, but that's ultimately a choice. Or some would rather spend their small budget staying on a weekend offsite than staying on weeknights onsite. Or eating in restaurants instead of having microwave Ramen noodles for every meal.

 

[marni1971]

Still a choice. Unless you are spending your only pennies in the world to buy tickets and off-site accommodations for 1 day at WDW
You could choose to stay at the WDW campgrounds, which go as low as under $100 per night.
So you can "choose" to go weekdays in August and pay $73 per night for on-site campground.
Or you can choose to spend 3 nights in a value on-site resort instead of 7 nights in an off-site accommodation.
You can choose to save money by driving instead of flying to WDW to save money and apply the savings to on-site.
You can choose to put off the trip and save up for a few years, so you can afford on-site.
You can give up other non-necessities, to pay for an on-site accommodation.

It's all a matter of choices. Someone truly destitute can't afford off-site accommodations of WDW tickets either. But if you can afford off-site accommodations and WDW tickets, then there is almost certainly a choice you could make to stay on-site instead.
Again, it's an easier choice for some people than others. Some people would rather spend their tiny budget to stay 5 nights off-site instead of 2 nights on-site, but that's ultimately a choice. Or some would rather spend their small budget staying on a weekend offsite than staying on weeknights onsite. Or eating in restaurants instead of having microwave Ramen noodles for every meal.

Whatever.

Try flying a family of four from Europe first. Many of my friends can. not. afford. It. On top of flights.

Anyway thankfully the FP+ debacle is looking like a memory now.

 

[ParentsOf4]

I love having the ability to know we can get the entire family on FOP without waiting in line. Same is true of all the other popular rides. I also love the ability of being sure we can get reservations at a specific time for 'Ohana and Cali Grill brunch. When it's just DH and me, I don't care as much - we would be okay just winging it. But when we're traveling with a group of 7, with some who don't get to visit often, we like the certainty of knowing that everyone will be able to do what they enjoy. People are different - what works for one doesn't work for another.

I think what you really would have enjoyed is what my son experienced when he went to WDW in July 2020, less than 2 weeks after the parks reopened.

He did FOP 5 times in about 70 minutes. A couple of times, Cast Members directed them to cut through the FP+ line, that's how empty the parks were! They could have kept going but after 5 consecutive times on FOP, they were ready to move on. EE was even faster. They got off and jumped right back on.

Pretty much every attraction was the same way for their entire trip. The most crowds they saw was for the Magic Kingdom opening at 9 AM. When they arrived at AK for the 8 AM opening, there was almost no one there. Even when they left AK in the afternoon, crowds were almost non-existent.

Obviously, no need to FP+ then!

 

[JusticeDisney]

Whatever.

Try flying a family of four from Europe first. Many of my friends can. not. afford. It. On top of flights.

Anyway thankfully the FP+ debacle is looking like a memory now.

Do you think it’s never coming back? If so, do you think it will be replaced with something else? Maybe a pay system of some sort?

 

[uncle jimmy]

FYI in the main thread about Fast Pass +.... We are discussing the new rumor.

 

[Chi84]

I think what you really would have enjoyed is what my son experienced when he went to WDW in July 2020, less than 2 weeks after the parks reopened.

He did FOP 5 times in about 70 minutes. A couple of times, Cast Members directed them to cut through the FP+ line, that's how empty the parks were! They could have kept going but after 5 consecutive times on FOP, they were ready to move on. EE was even faster. They got off and jumped right back on.

Pretty much every attraction was the same way for their entire trip. The most crowds they saw was for the Magic Kingdom opening at 9 AM. When they arrived at AK for the 8 AM opening, there was almost no one there. Even when they left AK in the afternoon, crowds were almost non-existent.

Obviously, no need to FP+ then!

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Nope. I’ll take the crowds with no COVID/masks.