Is Spontaneity at WDW in Danger of Extinction?

[Theme Parkitect]

Seeing as I have heard that some Disney people are actually told to view sites like this, I hope that someone will read this thread. Advance Fastpasses would make things sooooo ! How about going to a Park and just simply enjoying the day not. "Ok hurry up, lunch is in 15 minutes and then we have 45 minutes to eat before Pirates of the Carribean at 2:30!" I mean, REALLY?!?!

 

[unkadug]

It's evolution, things change over time.

Don't be an apologist.

 

[BigRedDad]

Yes, spontaneity is gone for a lot of things. I am in the middle of it with my trip in Sept. Because of free dining, I have to plan my dining around my days. I have tried to make it the way I want. What I have done now is make multiple reservations for the same day at different times. I know this may be considered wrong, but I should not have my day dictated around dining. An example is Chef Mickeys for dinner at 4:10PM (really!?!?!?) and 6PM at 50's Prime Time Cafe. If I am leaving the MK and really hungry at 4PM, I will go to the CR. If not, I will be a DHS at 6PM for dinner.

Advanced FPs are a joke. Resort guests should be able to get FPs at their resort ahead of time. It should be limited based on the level of resort.

 

[mrsdanalind]

With the Dining Plan pretty much eliminating the chance for day of, walk up reservations, and now talk of advance Fastpasses, is spontaneity almost a thing of the past at WDW? Back in 2006, we booked our 12 day WDW trip with the DDP. 90 days out, we booked all our reservations and got everything we wanted. When our trip rolled around, we found that while we loved all the food we ate, we hated the fact that our dining was so regimented, dictating what seemed like every move we made. Some times we ended up in a park on a rainy day that we never would have gone to, due to our dining reservation. With Disney doing surveys about advance Fastpasses, I feel that a Disney trip in the future is just going to be like one big scheduled day at work. While some advance planning can be fun, I don't want to have to decide whether or not I want to go on Killamenjaro Safari in November for a day in February. It's hard enough deciding what to do the morning of any given day. All these reservations are just s__________g any spontaneity, still remaining, out of the Disney experience. What do ya'll think?

Longing for the WDW of the mid-seventies.....

The only thing we do book is our big meal, whether it's Breakfast Lunch or a Dinner, then we know that we have to be at a certian spot at a certian time. Otherwise we eat quick serve and go. It gives a definative break but that is all the organization we allow... :ROFLOL: it's too much fun just going with the flow..

 

[Graham9]

Our first trip to the Kingdom was in 1998 and it was only on our very last day did I realise that there was a restaurant in Cinderellas castle. The next time we came back was in 2000 when I intended to have a meal there and propose to my girlfriend. In them days, it was simply a case of going up to the reservation desk, booking a table for that lunchtime and telling them what I intended to do.

Thats now something I could never do. Is this progress?

 

[acishere]

While advanced reservations for dining I understand, advanced Fastpasses is just overdoing it. When your trip is a step by step block scheduled plan, the fun is sucked out of the vacation for me. Even for dining my advanced planning mainly revolves around simply making a list of places to eat that according to sites like this, a guidebook I read in Borders so I didn't have to pay for it (Yeah its my fault they went out business :lookaroun), Yelp, and Tripadvisor have actual good food. Then if one is 5 star and needs a reservation I'll book it. Otherwise I'll wait till I'm there.

I already have to somehow set a date for a Disney trip that syncs with the schedules of myself, my mom, my retired aunt, my aunt who is on a surgical transplant team and her banker husband, my cousin who works odd demanding hours, my cousin the partying Manhattanite, my cousin with 2 young children, his wife's parents and brother, and even though she never met any of my family yet possibly also my girlfriend. All who want to stay at 4 or 5 different places on and off site. Then once this is settled I'm supposed to start planning where I want to eat with all these people before the 6 month mark since it will be needed to accommodate such a big party. I have to see when we will eat together and if everyone is doing the dining plan. The thought of having to take part in planning the above alone is making want to reach for the Jack Daniels in my liquor cabinet. To have to then join in on a "what specific time do we have to do each and every ride and also what time should we schedule bathroom breaks" conversation and it goes from a vacation to being the most experience I've had since my horrible boss moved to another firm. Its fine to have an idea of what the best time frame is ride what in each park and I always have a basic plan around those lines (Space Mountain 1st thing the park opens etc). However my goal this trip is to split away from the OCD planning nuts in my family (*cough* Mom *cough*) and spend time with the ones who are more looking to take a moment and just enjoying being there. Assign me specific times to do everything and I'll never truly be able to avoid those people for half of the day.

 

[steve2wdw]

While advanced reservations for dining I understand, advanced Fastpasses is just overdoing it. When your trip is a step by step block scheduled plan, the fun is sucked out of the vacation for me. Even for dining my advanced planning mainly revolves around simply making a list of places to eat that according to sites like this, a guidebook I read in Borders so I didn't have to pay for it (Yeah its my fault they went out business :lookaroun), Yelp, and Tripadvisor have actual good food. Then if one is 5 star and needs a reservation I'll book it. Otherwise I'll wait till I'm there.

I already have to somehow set a date for a Disney trip that syncs with the schedules of myself, my mom, my retired aunt, my aunt who is on a surgical transplant team and her banker husband, my cousin who works odd demanding hours, my cousin the partying Manhattanite, my cousin with 2 young children, his wife's parents and brother, and even though she never met any of my family yet possibly also my girlfriend. All who want to stay at 4 or 5 different places on and off site. Then once this is settled I'm supposed to start planning where I want to eat with all these people before the 6 month mark since it will be needed to accommodate such a big party. I have to see when we will eat together and if everyone is doing the dining plan. The thought of having to take part in planning the above alone is making want to reach for the Jack Daniels in my liquor cabinet. To have to then join in on a "what specific time do we have to do each and every ride and also what time should we schedule bathroom breaks" conversation and it goes from a vacation to being the most experience I've had since my horrible boss moved to another firm. Its fine to have an idea of what the best time frame is ride what in each park and I always have a basic plan around those lines (Space Mountain 1st thing the park opens etc). However my goal this trip is to split away from the OCD planning nuts in my family (*cough* Mom *cough*) and spend time with the ones who are more looking to take a moment and just enjoying being there. Assign me specific times to do everything and I'll never truly be able to avoid those people for half of the day.

Exactly....

 

[cowanfamily]

Spontaneity isn't dead. I enjoy it every trip along with thousands of others. Maybe the problem is with the over - obsessed Disney fan that has to plan every moment of every trip. The avg Disney visitor doesn't do this.

I do agree though. Advance FP would be a terrible idea!

 

[steve2wdw]

I guess my biggest fear is that for those that don't want to plan, a trip to WDW in the future might feature very limited dining choices and horrendous standby lines. Of course they'll always be some place to eat and the PeopleMover and CoP are people eaters, but you know what I'm getting at. While I could (and will) potentially put up with this, it would be sad for the family that goes to Disney once in their lifetime and doesn't realize all the pre-planning that they should have done.

 

[stlbobby]

Where to start?

i just hope it does not end up like the vip ticket lines at events like halloween horror nights at universal studios. they charge as much or more for the vip ticket so your initial "ticket" costs double and if you don't buy one you stand in line so long you never see the light of day. i think the current system is about as fair as it could be given the circumstances. i hope they don't make this move. to many people double book dining reservations as it is, imagine what it would be like trying to get on a ride.

I don't think this will happen. Disney is aware of the resentment this has caused at other parks and I believe any new system will be much more egalitarian.

Having to make ADR's never bothered me.

However, this idea of having to "schedule" when I wanted to ride certain attractions 6 months ahead of time...is a little ridiculous.

If I book my vacation for February (about 6 months from now) tomorrow, if this system were in place, does that mean I would have to decide not only what park I would be in, but that I would want to ride Space Mountain at 2:30 PM, followed by Peter Pan's Flight at 3:15? I mean, really. That's taking planning to a whole different extreme.

There's no way the new system will be like this. They don't even hold people to the time slots listed on the current fastpasses. It is much more likely you will get a certain number to be used throughout the day, or certain attractions anytime of the day.

The truth is no one really knows. I doubt Disney has even made a decision yet.

The ADR's are bad enough. I know that a lot of people can plan what meal they will want on certain days of their vacation six months in advance, but I can't.

What you mean is you won't. I make my reservations months out and occasionally I just don't feel like eating that on the day, but I've never had a problem finding something to eat and enjoy.

How many hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken fingers can you eat in seven to ten days?:slurp:

This is the EXACT problem, especially with the decline of their fast food.

These two statements are confounding. There are so many counter service choices it is ridiculous. Columbia Harbour House, Flame Tree Barbecue, Sunshine Season Food Fair, Backlot Express, and every country in EPCOT are just some of the places in the parks to get great fast food that goes well beyond burgers and fries. There are even more choices when you include the resorts. One of my best and most spontaneous days was taking the time to sample something from a food stand at every country in EPCOT. No reservations, no burgers, just an amazing time.

Seeing as I have heard that some Disney people are actually told to view sites like this, I hope that someone will read this thread. Advance Fastpasses would make things sooooo ! How about going to a Park and just simply enjoying the day not. "Ok hurry up, lunch is in 15 minutes and then we have 45 minutes to eat before Pirates of the Carribean at 2:30!" I mean, REALLY?!?!

It won't be like this. WDW already lets you show-up late for your ADR's and it is policy to let in a fastpass anytime after it is valid even if it has expired. It will be more like a loose outline. You can still fill in the details.

Yes, spontaneity is gone for a lot of things. I am in the middle of it with my trip in Sept. Because of free dining, I have to plan my dining around my days. I have tried to make it the way I want. What I have done now is make multiple reservations for the same day at different times. I know this may be considered wrong, but I should not have my day dictated around dining. An example is Chef Mickeys for dinner at 4:10PM (really!?!?!?) and 6PM at 50's Prime Time Cafe. If I am leaving the MK and really hungry at 4PM, I will go to the CR. If not, I will be a DHS at 6PM for dinner.

This is a big part of the reason people can't get ADR's. But for people like you it is all about you and your vacation and not about other people. You are major part of the problem and here you are one of the first to decry a new system, that you will eventually abuse.

I would also be careful because WDW is doing more ADR sweeps to eliminate people booking two reservation, or more, in the same window. I always call and cancel a reservation if I'm not going to use it and and it always saddens me how surprised the CM's are that I'm actually doing it.

I guess my biggest fear is that for those that don't want to plan, a trip to WDW in the future might feature very limited dining choices and horrendous standby lines. Of course they'll always be some place to eat and the PeopleMover and CoP are people eaters, but you know what I'm getting at. While I could (and will) potentially put up with this, it would be sad for the family that goes to Disney once in their lifetime and doesn't realize all the pre-planning that they should have done.

It will be just like when those people realize they can't walk-up and get tickets for a hit Broadway show on Saturday night. Or they try and drive to the Grand Canyon in July and get a campsite for that night. Or fly to Cleveland and can't get a hotel room near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the induction ceremonies. The fact is if you want to get the most out of a vacation you have to plan. That doesn't mean once you're there you can't spontaneously enjoy a plethora of experiences during your trip.

 

[cheezbat]

I far more enjoy the spontanaety of just going and doing whatever...but things are changing. I personally TRY to adapt, but really hate it. It's not the same. It's not as fun. I CAN still have a good time, but it's just...different. Personally, if it gets bad enough, yeah...I guess other parks elsewhere would be getting more of my time and money. Structure isn't a bad thing, unless you make it where EVERYTHING has to be planned in advance or you're gonna miss out.

 

[coachwnh]

we did two trips this summer. one was well planned months out. the other was a last minute idea 10 pm the night before we left. the second was so much better. we had no reservations, not even a room until 4 pm the next day. when we got to the parks we used our phone to check what dining options were available and if it was something that worked we took it. the amazing thing was there WAS so much open. everything was open. it makes a huge difference without the free dining. but back to your point, being spontaneous is so much fun!!!!

 

[quirkle]

I really think it was much better at 90 days - you are close enough to make the reservations and feel excited about it. Like the OP said I make a list of the places I would like to eat during the vacation and book by when they are available. We have certainly changed our minds and gone to concierge and seen what was available and just rolled with it.

Seriously, since I have 5 & 8 year old girls so we like to get Chef Mickey and Norway with the princesses (it was so much better than CRT at Christmas time since they change the menu at CRT and it is horrible - so yummy cream cheese stuffed french toast :confused)

I really don't see the big deal making reservations and then when we don't want those we can do whatever we want - I never had any issues changing since we were not looking for any fancy ones.

 

[CP_alum08]

I think it depends on how many times you have been before. If it's your first trip, no, there probably isn't much room for spontaneity. If you have been multiple times and go frequently, like my GF and I, spontaneity can still thrive. I have a love/hate relationship with the smartphone phenomenon, but we were able to make same day ADR's on our phones just hours before we wanted to eat and that was in the middle of June at MK.

Being spontaneous means you will probably miss out on certain things, but it can also mean a much more relaxed visit. Not our last trip (the one in June) but the one previously, I planned everything out to a tee and it was disastrous. it was far too regimented for us and we felt like we were always running to try and make some appointment somewhere. The trip in July was on a total whim, nothing planned, and it was the most fun we have had there in years. It has a lot to do with people's personalities too, but I think a healthy balance is good!

 

[cymbaldiva]

I really don't see the big deal making reservations and then when we don't want those we can do whatever we want - I never had any issues changing since we were not looking for any fancy ones.

Actually that is part of the "big deal" - so many folks make ADR's just in case so there is little availability for walk-ups .... the restaurant is holding your spot just in case you decide to show up.

And yes, for the record I am one of those people that truly misses the 90's when you could just walk up to almost any table service restaurant, peruse the menu outside and if it was appealing walk up to the desk and say "Party of 2 please" and be seated immediately.

So to answer the OP's question - IMHO spontaneity isn't in danger of extinction, it's pretty much dead.

 

[britdaw]

However, this idea of having to "schedule" when I wanted to ride certain attractions 6 months ahead of time...is a little ridiculous.

If I book my vacation for February (about 6 months from now) tomorrow, if this system were in place, does that mean I would have to decide not only what park I would be in, but that I would want to ride Space Mountain at 2:30 PM, followed by Peter Pan's Flight at 3:15? I mean, really. That's taking planning to a whole different extreme.

I totally agree. If Disney World ever gets to that point where you have to make reservations to be able to ride certain things I think they will start losing business. Maybe not a lot, and probably not even enough to hurt them, but it will take a lot of the fun out of a place that's supposed to be the- forgive my English here- funnest place on Earth.

 

[Scuttle]

It's evolution, things change over time.

Ya and sometimes things change over time for the worse. I'm not in favor of the advance fastpass. Being a local passholder it kills my chances of going to Epcot for dinner and being able to get a FP for TT or Soarin. The main problem with FP is that it doesn't last all day and this would just make this situation worse. This would also destroy the fun of park hopping.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes, and it is all at the guests request.

 

[captainkidd]

Yes, and it is all at the guests request.

I think if it happens, this will be one of those "be careful what you wish for" type of scenarios.

 

[Master Yoda]

I think if it happens, this will be one of those "be careful what you wish for" type of scenarios.

I would agree but I have no doubt it is coming. People do not want to take chances anymore. Look how many people in the forums are willing to leave nothing to chance. They "must" eat at a particular restaurant, have a picture with a particular character, stay in a specific room at a specific resort or their vacation will be ruined. Planning is just fine and absolutely necessary to a point, but many people take it way to far. We have found that we have much more fun when we plan 2 or 3 things and let the rest just happen. We will set up a few ADR's, maybe plan for a particular attraction or event and that is about it. We rarely make any room requests and some of our best dining experiences have been because X is all that is available.