Why not do what Universal does?

[French Quarter]

Simpsons. Despicable Me. Transformers. The Mummy. Men In Black. Hogwarts Express. There's six right there.

And let me get this straight. You can argue that the FP+ system is better, but I can't argue that the express pass system is better? Okay, gotcha.

So you started this thread because you wanted to argue that Express Pass is better than FP? I thought you were asking the question of why Disney didn't change over to the Uni system. That was the question I was weighing in on. I have no interest in arguing.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Not sure what suite you're staying in, but we paid around $160 a night for 3 nights at RPR from September 11th-14th. That's less than what you will pay per night at a Disney moderate. Universal offers unlimited Express Pass with the stay. Disney allows 3 scheduled FP's + however many more you can squeeze in after that. I'm not a math major but the "value" definitely sways in favor of Universal. Honestly. we are in LOVE with Universal's setup, but we also know that with the amount of on-site guests and the logistics of it, it would be almost impossible at Disney.

That is exactly the estimate I was going for.. 2 to 3 days is between 320 and 400 dollars. And AGAIN you're not spending too much time in the hotel room. At least I wouldn't. Because what is the fun in that? So again... 400 dollars for an express pass and a bed. Like I said before.

And.. AGAAAIINNNN... It is still cheaper to stay off site, walking distance.

 

[JusticeDisney]

So you started this thread because you wanted to argue that Express Pass is better than FP? I thought you were asking the question of why Disney didn't change over to the Uni system. That was the question I was weighing in on. I have no interest in arguing.

Wow, you really don't get it. I asked the question to invoke a fun debate. And that means that people state their positions and, God forbid, even argue in support of them. If that bothers you so much, here's an idea, stay out of this thread. I guess I can't say for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that nobody placed a gun to your head and forced you to open this thread.

Oh, and nice going on completely ignoring the fact that you have argued in this very thread in support of FP+, yet at the very same time attempt to criticize me for arguing on behalf of express pass. Hypocrite - look it up.

 

[Luxe]

Wow, you really don't get it. I asked the question to invoke a fun debate. And that means that people state their positions and, God forbid, even argue in support of them. If that bothers you so much, here's an idea, stay out of this thread. I guess I can't say for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that nobody placed a gun to your head and forced you to open this thread.

Oh, and nice going on completely ignoring the fact that you have argued in this very thread in support of FP+, yet at the very same time attempt to criticize me for arguing on behalf of express pass. Hypocrite - look it up.

Your fun debate thread seems more like a bad version of an anti-FP+ political ad

 

[JusticeDisney]

Your fun debate thread seems more like a bad version of an anti-FP+ political ad

I disagree. I have read many thoughtful and well-reasoned posts in support of both FP+ and express pass. And I have also learned somethings that I did not previously know about both systems.

 

[POLY LOVER]

I like the new FP system, I like being able to set my schedule from home or on the go. You can argue the old and new systems they both have pros's and con's. I used to hate getting to the park running to the popular ride kiosk and find they are gone for the day. You also had to have your tickets in hand and chance losing them.

The new way I know in advance and check the next day and maybe alter my park visits accordingly. I like the magic bands. I didn't like it at first but my last few trips I have grown to appreciate it. I do see others points that they are squeezed out due to the convinience of the new system allowing more fast passes to be taken quicker.

 

[thomas998]

Express Pass is VIP treatment of some guests.

At Disney, all kids are equal and everybody is a VIP.

Not quite... If you want to pay the hourly rate at Disney you get the real VIP treatment which means you go to the front of the lines whenever you like... Though they price that perk so high that it not used to the point of lots of people being aware of it and for whatever reason I seem to notice more people paying for the real VIP at DL than I do at WDW.

 

[thomas998]

I just looked to change some fast passes which this time around I made the first day I could. The Tea Cups have no fast passes? Seriously? I will wait for the Tea Cups for a little bit but if FP's have driven the Tea Cups to an hour wait that is out. 7MDT that ride is booked up. Many rides are totally FP'ed 45 days out from when I'm going to WDW. So what I'll wait in line. No I won't if they are 60 minutes a piece. I'm going in the beginning of Nov. which shouldn't be that busy. The way FP's are set up if you don't have one you are in for along wait which I know you have been trained to think 70-90 minutes of staring into space for a 2 minute ride is great, I don't think so. I'm using up my last non expiring tickets (which don't exist any more) and I won't be back to WDW till the next recession. That should clear some people out. Maybe not even then. DHS needs more and it's coming but that's not for 5-7 years. Epcot needs more which doesn't seem to be coming and AK does have more coming soon enough, might be back when that all happens if the economy crashes. There's a point with me where I say "it's just stupid ride and not worth an hour to get on it." I'm 45 days out now and the popular rides can't be fast passed any more.

I feel your pain. We had the same thing happen to us last October when we decided to go with only 45 days advance notice... And like you the prime fastpass items were gone.

 

[thomas998]

You do NOT need to book months in advanced. That's the problem I have with people that complain about the FP+ system. You can wake up every morning and book whatever the heck you want for that day. Yeah so sometime you might not get the crazy busy attractions(TSMM) but who cares? If you really want to ride it then just wait in the queue. Just because the ability for you to book FP+ in advanced does NOT mean that you have to.

The whole point of the system is to be able to plan your vacation however you like. Some people prefer booking FP before their trip because they have already decided which park they will be at each day(which can be changed any time if they change their minds). Other people show up to the park, head to the kiosk and book whatever is available when they get there. And then there's also people who don't even use the FP system(crazy right?). The point being, it's a system that allows people to plan(or not) their vacation exactly how they like. Just because some people would prefer to throw money at Disney to ride whatever they want whenever doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Not sure I even understand what you are saying... the bottom line is that if you aren't planning way in advance you will never get a fastpass to the most popular rides... That is a problem for people that don't have the ability to plan out things months in advance. Maybe if I lived in Europe where I knew every year what month I would be off work I could make plans like that, but I live in the real world where you don't the luxury of knowing 6 months in advance if projects have slacked off enough that you can get off for vacation the next month... If I'm lucky I can figure out maybe 6 weeks in advance that I'm going to be able to get a week or 2 off... but 6 months in advance? not possible and I'm betting its the same for other people.

 

[Kamikaze]

Not sure I even understand what you are saying... the bottom line is that if you aren't planning way in advance you will never get a fastpass to the most popular rides... That is a problem for people that don't have the ability to plan out things months in advance. Maybe if I lived in Europe where I knew every year what month I would be off work I could make plans like that, but I live in the real world where you don't the luxury of knowing 6 months in advance if projects have slacked off enough that you can get off for vacation the next month... If I'm lucky I can figure out maybe 6 weeks in advance that I'm going to be able to get a week or 2 off... but 6 months in advance? not possible and I'm betting its the same for other people.

1) Calling Europe not the 'real world' isn't fair. Just because they do things differently doesn't make it not real.
2) You can only book FP+ 60 days (plus length of stay) out, not 180. 180 is for dining.

I hate the FP+ system myself, but spreading falsehoods about it doesn't benefit anyone.

 

[thomas998]

1) Calling Europe not the 'real world' isn't fair. Just because they do things differently doesn't make it not real.
2) You can only book FP+ 60 days (plus length of stay) out, not 180. 180 is for dining.

I hate the FP+ system myself, but spreading falsehoods about it doesn't benefit anyone.

You didn't seem to read what I wrote very carefully. I never said the FP+ allowed you to do anything 60 days in advance.... I simply said that lots of people that living in places like Europe don't have the ability to know whether they will be able to take a vacation 6 months in advance... In fact I know some people that are lucky if they have a month's notice of when they can or can't take a vacation... with me I get about 6 weeks lead time... And whether its 6 weeks or 1 month it isn't enough time to use the fast pass + for the good rides because they will be gone in 60 seconds, well in advance.

I haven't tried, but have been told that you could book your fast pass in advance of the 60 day period if you based on when your hotel reservation started so if it started Jan 1 then 60 days before Jan 1 you could do fastpass for Jan 1 thru the end of your hotel stay which would probably mean that most prime rides are gone 65 or 67 days in advance.

 

[MichWolv]

I'm sure this has been discussed on here before, but I'm relatively new to this forum. Anyway, like myself, it seems as though many people don't really like the fastpass+ system. So my question is, why not do what Universal does with its express passes and allow guests to purchase tickets like that? I mean, if Universal can make it work, no doubt Disney can as well, and it would take all the headaches out of the constant way-in-advance planning that a trip to WDW requires.

Haven't read the thread, so this has probably been covered...but...

I have used Uni's express pass by staying in their hotels. It was great. And I hate it. I would prefer that people not be able to jump in front of others in line by paying more money. I can afford to do it and sometimes do it when it's offerred, but I'd prefer that everybody have the same opportunities in the parks. So I like Disney's way of doing things better.

 

[DfromATX]

We went to Universal for the first time a couple of years ago. I would not pay extra for fast passes and it didn't seem to be necessary anyway. While we were there, it never got near as crowded as Disney does. I have yet to use the new Disney system, so I admit I might be a little nervous about it, but we'll see. We really liked Universal/IOA (especially Harry Potter, wow that was awesome), but what annoyed me was the fact that they make you use those lockers before going on the rides.

 

[thomas998]

We went to Universal for the first time a couple of years ago. I would not pay extra for fast passes and it didn't seem to be necessary anyway. While we were there, it never got near as crowded as Disney does. I have yet to use the new Disney system, so I admit I might be a little nervous about it, but we'll see. We really liked Universal/IOA (especially Harry Potter, wow that was awesome), but what annoyed me was the fact that they make you use those lockers before going on the rides.

What do you mean made you use those lockers? We are going to be going there for the first time in about a month, so any info on lockers for rides would be useful.

 

[DfromATX]

What do you mean made you use those lockers? We are going to be going there for the first time in about a month, so any info on lockers for rides would be useful.

It's been a few years, but they had lockers (free) we were required to put our stuff in before going on a ride. I don't remember if it was all rides or not, I just remember it was kind of an inconvenience. Aside from the locker thing (ha ha), you will really enjoy it! We had a great time! I've heard they've added a lot since we were there.

 

[Kamikaze]

You didn't seem to read what I wrote very carefully. I never said the FP+ allowed you to do anything 60 days in advance.... I simply said that lots of people that living in places like Europe don't have the ability to know whether they will be able to take a vacation 6 months in advance... In fact I know some people that are lucky if they have a month's notice of when they can or can't take a vacation... with me I get about 6 weeks lead time... And whether its 6 weeks or 1 month it isn't enough time to use the fast pass + for the good rides because they will be gone in 60 seconds, well in advance.

I haven't tried, but have been told that you could book your fast pass in advance of the 60 day period if you based on when your hotel reservation started so if it started Jan 1 then 60 days before Jan 1 you could do fastpass for Jan 1 thru the end of your hotel stay which would probably mean that most prime rides are gone 65 or 67 days in advance.

Then why mention six months? You CLEARLY thought you could book FP six months in advance.
And I said 60 days plus length of stay. Which is exactly what you said.

 

[PrincessJenn5795]

What do you mean made you use those lockers? We are going to be going there for the first time in about a month, so any info on lockers for rides would be useful.

Universal has some rides (mostly the bigger ones) that they don't allow you to take bags or belongings that could fall off on. They have lockers near those rides that you can use for free. They are on a computerized system that uses the locker number and a fingerprint to access the lockers so you don't have to carry a key.

 

[Luxe]

Not sure I even understand what you are saying... the bottom line is that if you aren't planning way in advance you will never get a fastpass to the most popular rides... That is a problem for people that don't have the ability to plan out things months in advance. Maybe if I lived in Europe where I knew every year what month I would be off work I could make plans like that, but I live in the real world where you don't the luxury of knowing 6 months in advance if projects have slacked off enough that you can get off for vacation the next month... If I'm lucky I can figure out maybe 6 weeks in advance that I'm going to be able to get a week or 2 off... but 6 months in advance? not possible and I'm betting its the same for other people.

From my experience, I haven't had a problem booking 3 FP's on the day of. Of course certain days and times of year will be extra busy but I've only really seen a couple of the rides unavailable for booking(TSMM, 7DMT). My point is you can go to the parks without booking FP and still ride everything and have a good time... FP+ is a free service that Disney offers which is in no way mandatory.

 

[POLY LOVER]

It's been a few years, but they had lockers (free) we were required to put our stuff in before going on a ride. I don't remember if it was all rides or not, I just remember it was kind of an inconvenience. Aside from the locker thing (ha ha), you will really enjoy it! We had a great time! I've heard they've added a lot since we were there.

when I went and rode the HP ride you had to put your stuff in a locker and they charged you , I did not like that forced use of a locker for a fee.

 

[PrincessJenn5795]

when I went and rode the HP ride you had to put your stuff in a locker and they charged you , I did not like that forced use of a locker for a fee.

That's weird. I have gone a few times, including the summer HP opened, and have never been charged for the lockers by any ride when they make you use them. There was a water ride that we decided to use lockers for, but they weren't required, so we did have to pay then.