Its good to have an opinion from someone who has not been in a while. Unfortunately, that seems to be the overriding theme from a majority of people who recently went back after not going for a while. For those of us who still go frequently, we certainly understand and see the same things you did. But, we also have learned to work around certain things and/or have different priorities when we go. We dont rush to ride anything and if we do, we have a pretty solid plan. Yes it sucks to get up early, but, if you get to AK about an hour before opening ( especially if you are on property and its an EMH), you deal with a huge crowd, but, you are on and off FoP within 30 minutes after the gate opens. We will do that, Safari, EE, Dinosaur, stop at Nomad and have a drink and Apps, and then leave and go back to the resort, maybe take a nap or hang at the pool, and then have a late afternoon/evening plan.
FoP is worth the wait and the best attraction at any of the parks right now, maybe the best one in Orlando period. I wont ride 7DMT unless I have a FP. It is a nice calm ride, but, not worth a 45 minute wait. Soarin has gotten to where if you watch the wait times, there are gaps where you can wait less than 20 minutes without a FP. Its not as good as it was, but, it isnt horrible and I always ask for center front and will wait an extra 5 minutes for it. Frozen is a pretty ride, but again, Im not waiting in crazy lines for it. We probably do it once every other trip or so.
So I certainly understand your frustration. But, the parks are busy due to lack of attractions and more people coming. Until they fix the capacity issue, that is how it is for now.
