Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[GhostHost1000]

The old way while not perfect was still better. Going to the parks now and planning the day of the morning of is way more stressful than doing it all in advance

 

[James Alucobond]

Thats on them.

It wasn't "on them". That's literally how the old system worked. As soon as you used your first FastPass, you would be using your phone pretty much the same way you are now to continually check for availability, assuming you were a "maximizer" who wanted to FastPass more than a few rides a day.

 

[RSoxNo1]

A friend texted me this morning: "Hey, I'm in Orlando. We're thinking about heading to the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday. What do I need to know?"

You need to know you should have gone two weeks ago and e-mailed me 4 weeks ago.

 

[mikejs78]

A friend texted me this morning: "Hey, I'm in Orlando. We're thinking about heading to the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday. What do I need to know?"

Are you sure you've researched enough about Disney to help them? I hear there are books that have a ton of information. Maybe you could read one of those?

 

[danv3]

The old way while not perfect was still better.

This has always been true.

No FP > OG FP > FP+ > Genie/Genie+/ILL

 

[LittleBuford]

It wasn't "on them". That's literally how the old system worked. As soon as you used your first FastPass, you would be using your phone pretty much the same way you are now to continually check for availability, assuming you were a "maximizer" who wanted to FastPass more than a few rides a day.

You had three prebooked selections to get through before needing (or even being able) to check for further availability. Moreover, many people left it at those three initial selections and didn’t bother with additional day-of FastPasses.

 

[wutisgood]

3 weeks off here Southcentral Indiana. Few people are already out at work for the remainder of the year, only 1 traveling out of state to Tennessee.

Dollywood was very manageable around christmas a few years ago and a better christmas event and value than anything in orlando. Also given the hours of quality entertainment and number of rides it is probably a 2 day affair for people interested in doing everything.

 

[James Alucobond]

You had three prebooked selections to get through before needing (or even being able) to check for further availability. Moreover, many people left it at those three initial selections and didn’t bother with additional day-of FastPasses.

Oh, guh. Typo'd badly and meant to say "third" instead of "first". But pretty much everyone I know, casual or otherwise, refreshed for additional passes unless they were doing a half day.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You had three prebooked selections to get through before needing (or even being able) to check for further availability.

Those selections could be swapped out. It was a very common suggestion to keep checking to try and get more preferable selections.

 

[LittleBuford]

Oh, guh. Typo'd badly and meant to say "third" instead of "first". But pretty much everyone I know, casual or otherwise, refreshed for additional passes unless they were doing a half day.

I was a refresher, so checking my phone has always been part of the experience for me. But knowing I could start my day with three selections already under my belt was a great feeling, as well as a practical benefit. With the new system, I will have to start checking my phone much earlier in the day, all the while stressing about getting my money’s worth. It sounds like an awful downgrade from what we had before, and I for one am not looking forward to it.

 

[LittleBuford]

Those selections could be swapped out. It was a very common suggestion to keep checking to try and get more preferable selections.

Indeed. Thank you for the correction. But it doesn’t change my bigger point.

 

[mikejs78]

Those selections could be swapped out. It was a very common suggestion to keep checking to try and get more preferable selections.

True. Which illustrates another way in which FP+ was superior - The fact that you can update your FP time or even swap for a different attraction without canceling your existing one until the time when you confirm.

With Genie+ You have to cancel before you book another one, and without amount of time you're likely to lose out. What's not even talk about what happens if you have multiple LL's stacked and you cancel the wrong one (i.e. Not the last booked) - you'll end up unable to book another to replace it.

Such a bad system that we are now paying for. FP+ had it's issues but it was far, far better than the dumpster fire of a system we have now.

 

[JoeCamel]

I liked the old older days when you just showed up and enjoyed whatever you felt like doing from all the offerings, no FP,FP+,Maxpass,Genie+,LL or anything more than a paid admission to the park.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I liked the old older days when you just showed up and enjoyed whatever you felt like doing from all the offerings, no FP,FP+,Maxpass,Genie+,LL or anything more than a paid admission to the park.

Those of us who visited between July 2020 and the start of Genie+ got to do just that. It was nice.

 

[JoeCamel]

Those of us who visited between July 2020 and the start of Genie+ got to do just that. It was nice.

When did they start reservations?

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

It wasn't "on them". That's literally how the old system worked. As soon as you used your first FastPass, you would be using your phone pretty much the same way you are now to continually check for availability, assuming you were a "maximizer" who wanted to FastPass more than a few rides a day.

You serious Clark?

Old system you booked 3 in advance and done. Now if you wanted 10 FPs playing the refresh game and wanted to have your face in your phone doing refreshes all day...It's on you.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You serious Clark?

Old system you booked 3 in advance and done. Now if you wanted 10 FPs playing the refresh game and wanted to have your face in your phone doing refreshes all day...It's on you.

The old system wanted you looking at your phone as well, they just couldn’t get enough of it to work. This change isn’t some entirely new shift, it’s the same type of scheme trying to solve the same problem.

 

[flynnibus]

Old system you booked 3 in advance and done. Now if you wanted 10 FPs playing the refresh game and wanted to have your face in your phone doing refreshes all day...It's on you.

Or if you wanted to park hop...

Who is gonna go on record as saying "3 FP+s was all I ever wanted..."

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

The old system wanted you looking at your phone as well, they just couldn’t get enough of it to work. This change isn’t some entirely new shift, it’s the same type of scheme trying to solve the same problem.

My usual FP's would carry me to mid afternoon at least. Sure I might see what else is available but app time was minimal. Personally speaking of course.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Or if you wanted to park hop...

Who is gonna go on record as saying "3 FP+s was all I ever wanted..."

I was "fairly" satisfied with 3. For a 4th Id try to snag Fantasmic or even a Wishes (before they axed it)viewing spot for later that night.