Spontaneous trip and Fastpass-it's not working out!

[mouseketeer mom]

So DH gets "last minute" invite to do a training close to WDW. We all decide to accompany him, so three weeks out, we are planning a WDW visit. I'm an old hat at this, but with this new system, UGH! No option for Mine Train, they are all gone, and can't get earlier times for some of our faves like TSM. Pulling my hair out. Was excited to plan, now see most of our options are limited, some are gone altogether. Just venting, but boy, this trip is costing $$$ as you all know, and no chance for getting these fastpasses we desire. Ugh.

[SBETigg]

Yeah, that's not ideal. They do need to work out a few things with the new system, I think. But, you've been around enough to still find plenty to do that you love and not be all that bothered, maybe? I hope? Good luck!

[Figment50]

I think your making a bigger deal out this then it should be. You can allways use the stand by line to ride the rides you don't have a fast pass for. Go first thing in the morning and get on line before the rush or go last thing in the day most ride quite down around then. Worse case you wait on line for 30 min or an hour or maybe longer but as long as you have fun what the deal. I remeber the days before fast pass when eveyone stood on one line.
Have a good trip.

[VWL Mom]

Lisa, try to go in to change my fp and see if you can find better times for TSM. I've been able to make my schedule more to what I want that way. The selections they give are oft times just trying to direct the crowds where they want them.

[AgentC]

Lisa, try to go in to change my fp and see if you can find better times for TSM. I've been able to make my schedule more to what I want that way. The selections they give are oft times just trying to direct the crowds where they want them.

Lisa, Definitely do what Lynn suggests. If you only go with what they suggest, the time often doesn't work. Unless it is a holiday weekend there might be more TSMM times out there but you have to go into the change time to find them.

I do mine at the last minute a lot since I'm local and usually don't have more than 30 days. I pick what is close to what I want, then I go in and change them and move times.

The Mine Train unfortunately is just tough. It usually gone at around 30 days but if you check back or break up your group into smaller groups, it sometimes comes up but it is definitely a hard one to get.

It's hard to get used to but I try to remind myself when I get frustrated that under the old FP system I had no control over the times at all.

[Cass&KenziesMom]

Keep checking back as you get closer. I tried forever to get Mine Train and a little over a week before we left to go one popped up!

[BigRedDad]

The new FP system is designed for making plans 60+ days out. It is the first salvo in forcing people to stay on property. The next big change will be Deluxe Resort guests can reserve 60 days out, Moderate 50 days out, Value 40 days out, then AP holders 30 days out. Everyone else the day of. After that change comes into effect, they will alter it more where Deluxe get 5 FPs per day, Moderates 4, Values and AP 3, and everyone else 1 on the day of.

This is all planned. Once they make the final changes, the rates for Deluxe and Moderate resorts will go even higher. They have no lack of people visiting and they will find the easiest ways to get the money from them.

[joonyer]

The new FP system is designed for making plans 60+ days out. It is the first salvo in forcing people to stay on property. The next big change will be Deluxe Resort guests can reserve 60 days out, Moderate 50 days out, Value 40 days out, then AP holders 30 days out. Everyone else the day of. After that change comes into effect, they will alter it more where Deluxe get 5 FPs per day, Moderates 4, Values and AP 3, and everyone else 1 on the day of.

This is all planned. Once they make the final changes, the rates for Deluxe and Moderate resorts will go even higher. They have no lack of people visiting and they will find the easiest ways to get the money from them.

This is a good analysis, kinda like the income tax and payroll withholding: people never would have stood for it if they got the money first and then had to send it to the government. FP at Disney will likely always be "free". It's the hotel rooms that come with the "free" FP and other benefits that will go up in price.

[yankeesfan123]

The new FP system is designed for making plans 60+ days out. It is the first salvo in forcing people to stay on property. The next big change will be Deluxe Resort guests can reserve 60 days out, Moderate 50 days out, Value 40 days out, then AP holders 30 days out. Everyone else the day of. After that change comes into effect, they will alter it more where Deluxe get 5 FPs per day, Moderates 4, Values and AP 3, and everyone else 1 on the day of.

This is all planned. Once they make the final changes, the rates for Deluxe and Moderate resorts will go even higher. They have no lack of people visiting and they will find the easiest ways to get the money from them.

Any sources for this "plan" involving the resorts?

Hearing it from message board rumors (not just here) isn't the same as seeing it legitimately reported.

[NJGIRL]

This is why a lot of people hate the new system....Not for last minute vacations.....not for people staying off site....not for locals who want to go for day trips.

For this vacation try Universal.....you will love the easy of the vacation and not having to take any transporation to get to the parks.

[princessgirls]

I'm not a fan of the new system...at all.

Had a late time for TSM... and absolutely could not change it.

We rode on less this past trip too....

However, if you get up and get out, you should get on your favorites!

Have a great magical trip!
Julie

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I think your making a bigger deal out this then it should be. You can allways use the stand by line to ride the rides you don't have a fast pass for. Go first thing in the morning and get on line before the rush or go last thing in the day most ride quite down around then. Worse case you wait on line for 30 min or an hour or maybe longer but as long as you have fun what the deal. I remeber the days before fast pass when eveyone stood on one line.
Have a good trip.

I wish they would go back to one line - then it would move just fine and everyone - wdw veterans, rookies, newbies - would have an equal chance to ride. And I'm pretty sure that the lines would move smoothly. Uh . . . at least until the ride broke down . . .

[mouseketeer mom]

Well, logged on this a.m, and got Seven Dwarfs mine train and TSM! Woot woot! Persistence paid off!

[VWL Mom]

Well, logged on this a.m, and got Seven Dwarfs mine train and TSM! Woot woot! Persistence paid off!

Glad it all worked out, have a great trip!

[SBETigg]

Well, logged on this a.m, and got Seven Dwarfs mine train and TSM! Woot woot! Persistence paid off!

Yay! Good news.

[LVT]

I hope not. That is what I dislike about universal. The expensive hotels have the fastpass or you can buy one. The cheap hotel line they started does not get them. The richer folks get more. It's just business.

[SurferStitch]

I hope not. That is what I dislike about universal. The expensive hotels have the fastpass or you can buy one. The cheap hotel line they started does not get them. The richer folks get more. It's just business.

Don't worry... that FP cost is already rolled into the cost of the higher end resort stays. You're either paying for through your room cost, or you can stay in a less expensive resort and buy it. Pretty much the same.

[PopPhan]

Don't worry... that FP cost is already rolled into the cost of the higher end resort stays. You're either paying for through your room cost, or you can stay in a less expensive resort and buy it. Pretty much the same.

Let's take a look at FastPass vs. FP+ in the same vein....

With the original FastPass system, it was first-come, first-served. People who knew the system, whether they were staying on Disney property or not, got what they wanted by arriving early and stockpiling FastPasses (until they actually started enforcing the time windows). People who didn't know the system - first time visitors, for instance - ended up standing in long queues whether they paid the extra money to stay on Disney property or not.

A lot of first-timers or one-timers paid a lot of money to stay on Disney property and enjoy a visit, only to get shut out of some attractions or have to wait while the above mentioned group zips right on through. (I blame this on the 80/20 rule, but that is a whole different soapbox.)

Believe it or not, there are still some people who do not do research before visiting.

So, Disney comes up with this new system to do a number of things:

• Cut down on stockpiling FastPasses (FP)
• Allow more visitors to get FP
• Allow those staying on property access to FP before those staying off property (weekenders and AP holders who know the system well and play it for all it's worth)

You already pay more than standard (for the area) for rooms on-property. To me, that means you are already paying for FP+ and Disney Transportation. Why shouldn't those people get a bit of "preferential treatment" on what they are paying extra for?

I am not a fan of the FP+ system myself, but I just don't get some of the complaints. Next thing you know, people will complain about Single Rider lines because they (can) make the Stand-By line move slower.

There will always be complaints, so let's just make the best of the situation while we can.

OK...off my soapbox now...

[Hammer]

Let's take a look at FastPass vs. FP+ in the same vein....

With the original FastPass system, it was first-come, first-served. People who knew the system, whether they were staying on Disney property or not, got what they wanted by arriving early and stockpiling FastPasses (until they actually started enforcing the time windows). People who didn't know the system - first time visitors, for instance - ended up standing in long queues whether they paid the extra money to stay on Disney property or not.

A lot of first-timers or one-timers paid a lot of money to stay on Disney property and enjoy a visit, only to get shut out of some attractions or have to wait while the above mentioned group zips right on through. (I blame this on the 80/20 rule, but that is a whole different soapbox.)

Believe it or not, there are still some people who do not do research before visiting.

So, Disney comes up with this new system to do a number of things:

• Cut down on stockpiling FastPasses (FP)
• Allow more visitors to get FP
• Allow those staying on property access to FP before those staying off property (weekenders and AP holders who know the system well and play it for all it's worth)

You already pay more than standard (for the area) for rooms on-property. To me, that means you are already paying for FP+ and Disney Transportation. Why shouldn't those people get a bit of "preferential treatment" on what they are paying extra for?

I am not a fan of the FP+ system myself, but I just don't get some of the complaints. Next thing you know, people will complain about Single Rider lines because they (can) make the Stand-By line move slower.

There will always be complaints, so let's just make the best of the situation while we can.

OK...off my soapbox now...

I agree with this 100%!

I sincerely hope they do not do away with Single Rider lines, though I have noticed for the last few years, even before there was such a thing as FP+, they will sometimes close the Single Rider lines for Rockin Rollercoaster and Everest.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I agree with this 100%!

I sincerely hope they do not do away with Single Rider lines, though I have noticed for the last few years, even before there was such a thing as FP+, they will sometimes close the Single Rider lines for Rockin Rollercoaster and Everest.

Interesting that you mention single riders line as I have noticed that this appears to be the latest 'abuse'. I noticed that there were a lot of families in the line that when at the front would then say 'oh (s)he's too small/ afraid to ride by themselves - can they go with me/Daddy?' So then the family would split into groups of 2. Even though they were in the single rider line, I never once saw them denied and there were quite a few of doing that.
It's sad and reinforced bad behavior.