I'll take My Magic FP+ anyday...

[KrazyKat]

Alright, just got back from a first time trip to Disneyland resort in Anaheim, CA. Had a really great time there and it was very surreal to see it all in person after seeing so many pics and vids over the years. We plan on going back in a couple years. I consider WDW my "home park" since I've been there over 30 times since 1988. While Disneyland had some things that were better (attraction wise), WDW has some thing that are better there as well (including some attractions). One thing I personally did not care for was running around the park getting fast passes. What a drag it was, especially if it was for an attraction on the other side of the park. Then once you got to the FP machines, there was either a long line to get them or they were done giving them out for the day. I know a lot of people here complain about the way WDW does it but I really don't understand why. It's so much easier to change or pick your choices on your smartphone then it is to run around. The recent updates make it even better. Many times I was disappointed to find out the FP at Disneyland was for late into the evening at 10:00 AM but we had a dining reservation at the same time.

Anyway, I'll be posting some pics and a trip report soon.

 

[DfromATX]

That's good to know. Our trip in July will be our first time to use the new FP system and I get to start reserving our rides in May. The "running around" method you described is the only way that I have done it so far.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Alright, just got back from a first time trip to Disneyland resort in Anaheim, CA. Had a really great time there and it was very surreal to see it all in person after seeing so many pics and vids over the years. We plan on going back in a couple years. I consider WDW my "home park" since I've been there over 30 times since 1988. While Disneyland had some things that were better (attraction wise), WDW has some thing that are better there as well (including some attractions). One thing I personally did not care for was running around the park getting fast passes. What a drag it was, especially if it was for an attraction on the other side of the park. Then once you got to the FP machines, there was either a long line to get them or they were done giving them out for the day. I know a lot of people here complain about the way WDW does it but I really don't understand why. It's so much easier to change or pick your choices on your smartphone then it is to run around. The recent updates make it even better. Many times I was disappointed to find out the FP at Disneyland was for late into the evening at 10:00 AM but we had a dining reservation at the same time.

Anyway, I'll be posting some pics and a trip report soon.

The Disneyland app lists current FastPass return times and whether or not they're available. It's very handy to keep you from running from around the park unnecessarily.

In addition, digital FastPass is coming to DLR, as soon as July. While it will be different than WDW's FP+ system, it will alleviate the need to actually visit a FastPass machine if you're using a smartphone.

 

[AndyS2992]

Like most people, I was totally against MM+ when it was announced and felt it would ruin everything, but nope, it is great, if you plan effectively with it that is.

Don't do a me and reserve rides that are on the opposite side of the park straight after each other, your feet will not like you for it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Don't do a me and reserve rides that are on the opposite side of the park straight after each other, your feet will not like you for it.

The custom touring plan tool from the people that do the Unofficial Guide is a great tool to help plan around things like that. If you plan out your day without any Fastpasses, you can see roughly where you'll physically be in the park at certain times of day. Thus, if your plan has you arriving in Tomorrowland around 4:00 in the afternoon, you can make your Fastpass for Space Mountain right around that time. It eliminates special trips to tick off your Fastpass list and integrates them more seamlessly into your day.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Thanks for sharing. I like having FassPass+ reservations on my Magic Band.

 

[MadMax11]

I tend to agree with you...my parents, who are DVC members (literally, the 2nd family to ever buy in on opening day of DVC) in their mid to late 70's would disagree with you entirely. They don't live with smartphones and aren't exactly internet capable. Going alone at this point, for them, is pretty much done if they want to get fastpasses. So to them, it's like they lost a feature (fastpasses) that they were used to having for so long. They were pretty disgusted with it on the last trip, and my guess is they've taken their last trip to WDW already.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I tend to agree with you...my parents, who are DVC members (literally, the 2nd family to ever buy in on opening day of DVC) in their mid to late 70's would disagree with you entirely. They don't live with smartphones and aren't exactly internet capable. Going alone at this point, for them, is pretty much done if they want to get fastpasses. So to them, it's like they lost a feature (fastpasses) that they were used to having for so long. They were pretty disgusted with it on the last trip, and my guess is they've taken their last trip to WDW already.

I'm not trying to be a smart Alec, but maybe they would enjoy Disneyland if they still want a Disney fix. If they. Are still DVC members they could use points at the grand Californian. It is beautiful. I love both parks but sometimes I think Disneyland is my favorite (and then the next day I love WDW more, I actually flip flop a lot, anyway....).

 

[glvsav37]

My only problem with the current system is exactly what happened to us on our last trip. It all but eliminates the opportunity to be spontaneous and change plans when you are there.

Last trip it poured for 4 days straight. One of those days completely washed out our water park day which is pretty high on the list for my kids. Once the weather cleared, we couldn't make it to the water park b/c we had some very hard to get FPs (7DMT, Frozen Meet & Greet —back when it was a 5 hour standby line, and a few others). There was no tossing them back and hoping to get them on another day.

While it may seem minor, you feel locked to those plans you made 2 months before. Otherwise, i like the convenience of the bands and whatnot, but I see the same happening on this next trip with Frozen and Soarin in Epcot, and Rivers in AK, those FP+s will be like gold.

 

[MadMax11]

I'm not trying to be a smart Alec, but maybe they would enjoy Disneyland if they still want a Disney fix. If they. Are still DVC members they could use points at the grand Californian. It is beautiful. I love both parks but sometimes I think Disneyland is my favorite (and then the next day I love WDW more, I actually flip flop a lot, anyway....).

I have actually told them that recently!

 

[KrazyKat]

Yeah, that is one of the few negatives with FP+. Our last trip to WDW we had all the big attractions at DHS booked 2 months before but that morning the weather was really bad and a couple of us in our family weren't feeling too well. We decided to go the day after and all the good FPs were gone.

 

[DfromATX]

Going alone at this point, for them, is pretty much done if they want to get fastpasses. So to them, it's like they lost a feature (fastpasses) that they were used to having for so long. They were pretty disgusted with it on the last trip, and my guess is they've taken their last trip to WDW already.

That makes me a little sad for them.

I never knew, until these boards, that there were people out there, some life long fans, that have gone to WDW since it opened. You were probably a very lucky kid to have parents who loved it so much!

 

[MadMax11]

That makes me a little sad for them.

I never knew, until these boards, that there were people out there, some life long fans, that have gone to WDW since it opened. You were probably a very lucky kid to have parents who loved it so much!

I was and still am. Thank you!

 

[danyoung56]

You were probably a very lucky kid to have parents who loved it so much!

Or like me, old enough to have done it and still be above ground! (For the record, I went to the MK for the first time ever in 1979, so that's almost back at the beginning!)

 

[DfromATX]

Or like me, old enough to have done it and still be above ground! (For the record, I went to the MK for the first time ever in 1979, so that's almost back at the beginning!)

That's awesome. The best I can say is I went to Disneyland in 1984, but I don't really remember it. (I just remember a really long drive with my parents and brother and stopping at the Grand Canyon. We probably looked like the Griswolds lol.) It wasn't until 2006 when I went to Disney World for the first time.

 

[the-reason14]

I disagree. While I am getting sort of used to the new fastpass + at WDW and realize it's still a "new" system with flaws, I much prefer the old way when it relates to Disneyland. I understand how it works better at WDW as it has more space to wonder around, however the current system works at Disneyland just because everything is within walking distance. Add the app that tells you how long wait times are and what time the fastpasses are good for, then you really can't complain. My biggest issue with WDW's system is you no longer have the freedom to hold fastpasses for the rides you truly want. I miss the days when I could get to the park in the am and decide if I wanted to ride space mt. a few more times and then keep fastpasses splash mt to ride later. This was way back in the day when the passes wouldn't expire, but I miss that whole system. I don't like being forced to have a fastpasses for star tours or beauty and the beast. I want another one for Tower or Toy Story. Sure it's easy and convenient to have before you leave home and not have to use the machines when you get to the park, but the flexibility is ruined. It's just one of the reasons why I like Disneyland better then WDW now.

 

[doctornick]

I actually had a similar response as the OP when I went to DL recently (March). I can understand the dislike of "planning ahead" for FP+ -- I don't mind it myself, but it's not for everyone -- but having the Fastpasses be electronic and being able to pick a particular time that worked was much more convenient for us than the paper FP system. Part of the issue is that we are a family with young kids, so it's tough go around the park to collect paper FP (I'm the runner, but still leaves my spouse having to manage 3 kids).

Back when paper FP didn't enforce the return times, it was awesome, as we would just collect them quickly and use them whenever it fit. The shift to enforced windows -- an understandable and reasonable change -- dramatically changed the utility of them.

As an aside, I know one of the complaints about FP+ is having to wait in line to set FP+ at the kiosks, but I found that to be a common issue at DLR as well. Besides RSR FP distribution always having a line (until they run out), a number of other rides had lines to get FP -- Space Mtn, Star Tours (and Buzz as a result since they are at the same spot), BTMRR had a wait when I got them midday, etc. Granted we were there at a busy time of year, but it's not like paper FP avoids the issue. At least at WDW, you can go to a different Kiosk if there is a less busy one.