Rider Switch changing (Started June 16th)

[DGsAtBLT]

Honestly, I think WDW should just get rid of the 3 FP prebooked and go back to one at a time while in the park like DL. I feel like it would eliminate SO much of the stress they are inflicting on guests that causes them to feel like they have to find ways to cheat the system. Level the playing field. Get a FP, ride, get another FP. I do not understand the necessity of booking them 2 months in advance at all.

This is really the crux of the issue, isn’t it?

Disney has created the need/desire to micromanage nearly every aspect of our day. They ruined previously manageable stand by lines by adding FP+ to nearly everything and upping the number of FP. They educated the masses on FP, because they now were even more invested in the greatest number of people using it.

We live in a (Disney) world where where a FP is useful if not downright necessary for Living with the Land. I mean if that doesn’t showcase the need for as many FP as possible, I don’t know what does.

 

[HopperFan]

Honestly, I think WDW should just get rid of the 3 FP prebooked and go back to one at a time while in the park like DL. I feel like it would eliminate SO much of the stress they are inflicting on guests that causes them to feel like they have to find ways to cheat the system. Level the playing field. Get a FP, ride, get another FP. I do not understand the necessity of booking them 2 months in advance at all.

I loved the ability to book 3 advance FP+ when it came out. I was part of the test run for that and MB. For a long time I made sure I made them on opening day. Then as time went I was less worried about it and when I got to it I got to it and probably rarely booked pre-30 days. DS2 convinced me last few trips to not worry about them. We went Easter Week, very crowded, 3 of us. We would book that morning and roll the 4th all day long. We skipped AK, but we worked that 4th one at a time at the other three parks and we could get everything!! Just knowing how well we did during a busy time, it made staying onsite much less an issue. After being one who stood up at the beginning about how great it was ..... I would be perfectly okay if we went back to the one at a time upon arrival in the park. I never thought I would say that ....

This is really the crux of the issue, isn’t it?

Disney has created the need/desire to micromanage nearly every aspect of our day. They ruined previously manageable stand by lines by adding FP+ to nearly everything and upping the number of FP. They educated the masses on FP, because they now were even more invested in the greatest number of people using it.

We live in a (Disney) world where where a FP is useful if not downright necessary for Living with the Land. I mean if that doesn’t showcase the need for as many FP as possible, I don’t know what does.

THIS^

The 3 pre-booked FP+ system, the ADR cancellation policy system, the 60 day FP+ & EMH to Disney Springs hotels, Magical Express ... all moves to keep guests committed to Disney all day long ..... but the FP+ system especially keeps them and their money in the parks.

To your Living with the Land ... we had a FP+ for it and we were in line not only the entire FP+ queue which I've never seen full but wrapped around through the dining room and down a hallway to no where's land.

 

[CT Disney]

I mentioned to a friend that RS was changing. She said she was bummed and then proceeded to explain to me how they would use the RS system. Her family consists of her, DH, DS (9), DD (7), and a baby. She used BTM as an example:

1. Dad and 9-year old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. They show the baby and get a RS
2. Mom and 7-year-old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. The show THE SAME BABY and get another RS!
3. Later in the vacation, Dad and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.
4. Later in the vacation, Mom and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.

Count them up...they turned 4 fast passes into 10 rides...with no wait!

She also mentioned that they would save the RS passes for when the lines were really long. Those RS passes were so flexible it gave them carte blanche to use them at the most opportune times.

I'm betting there are a lot of families who have learned to work the system. What are the chances that I know the one and only family who was doing it this way??

And this is why I'm glad they are tightening up this system.

And, for the record, this mom really didn't think they were doing anything wrong. "Disney lets us do it, so it must be OK with them."

Seriously...I wish you could have seen my face as she described this to me.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I mentioned to a friend that RS was changing. She said she was bummed and then proceeded to explain to me how they would use the RS system. Her family consists of her, DH, DS (9), DD (7), and a baby. She used BTM as an example:

1. Dad and 9-year old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. They show the baby and get a RS
2. Mom and 7-year-old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. The show THE SAME BABY and get another RS!
3. Later in the vacation, Dad and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.
4. Later in the vacation, Mom and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.

Count them up...they turned 4 fast passes into 10 rides...with no wait!

She also mentioned that they would save the RS passes for when the lines were really long. Those RS passes were so flexible it gave them carte blanche to use them at the most opportune times.

I'm betting there are a lot of families who have learned to work the system. What are the chances that I know the one and only family who was doing it this way??

And this is why I'm glad they are tightening up this system.

And, for the record, this mom really didn't think they were doing anything wrong. "Disney lets us do it, so it must be OK with them."

Seriously...I wish you could have seen my face as she described this to me.

Good. Gravy. Now who’s going to tell me THIS is not abusing the system?! These parents have to know it is wrong to use the same baby to get 2 RS!

 

[Wubar]

I mentioned to a friend that RS was changing. She said she was bummed and then proceeded to explain to me how they would use the RS system. Her family consists of her, DH, DS (9), DD (7), and a baby. She used BTM as an example:

1. Dad and 9-year old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. They show the baby and get a RS
2. Mom and 7-year-old ride BTM with their pre-booked FP+. The show THE SAME BABY and get another RS!
3. Later in the vacation, Dad and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.
4. Later in the vacation, Mom and both older kids ride BTM with the RS.

Count them up...they turned 4 fast passes into 10 rides...with no wait!

She also mentioned that they would save the RS passes for when the lines were really long. Those RS passes were so flexible it gave them carte blanche to use them at the most opportune times.

I'm betting there are a lot of families who have learned to work the system. What are the chances that I know the one and only family who was doing it this way??

And this is why I'm glad they are tightening up this system.

And, for the record, this mom really didn't think they were doing anything wrong. "Disney lets us do it, so it must be OK with them."

Seriously...I wish you could have seen my face as she described this to me.

Tighten up the loophole and enforce the 1 hour rule. Let all those with kids too short to ride certain rides rebel against this new change and take their dollars elsewhere. Or at least until their children grow tall enough to not need RS, then they'll be back. Lol.

 

[CT Disney]

Good. Gravy. Now who’s going to tell me THIS is not abusing the system?! These parents have to know it is wrong to use the same baby to get 2 RS!

Come to think of it...this situation isn't that much different than the family that splits fast passes between two tier 1 rides. The family I know just happened to get 2 RS passes for the same ride. The family that splits tier 1 fast passes also gets 2 rider switches...but for two different rides. Overall...it's just wrong.

 

[OSUZorba]

This is why I can see both arguments. Split FPs should be used to do something with shorty, but some people use them to get extra E-Ticket FPs.

The thing about using them for extra E-Ticket rides, is you'd end up spending a ton of your time split, which I am sure doesn't bother some families. But IMHO if you are fine being split all day and having a bored toddler, just so you can ride glorified children's coasters, why not go to a park like CP or Six Flags and at least ride real coasters?

Basically, I think it is self regulating for a lot of families. However, of course there will be people that take advantage of it. Especially in MK where there are more rides with quicker cycle times. But who brings a their family to WDW just to be split up and half the group sitting around half the time?

On the disadvantage side of RS, that I haven't seen anyone mention. I realized I've spent about 4 weeks at WDW, and I have never ridden any height restricted ride outside of EPCOT* with anyone. I've never experienced ToT, BMTR, Splash, etc with anyone I know. I don't have a single ride photo from a RS ride with anyone I know (although DW and I have photos of us riding next to the same guy on RNR that was riding through the single rider line). I also ALWAYS get the worst seat in Soarin' because I am always solo. Of course I am glad to get to ride the ride, but I'd much rather not have the "advantages/loopholes" of RS and be able to ride with my family.

*My wife and I spent a day at EPCOT before DD, all other trips DW was either pregnant or we had DD.

 

[JerseyJanice]

All I’m going to say is that I think it takes a mean and petty heart to resent young families for getting a few extra rides out of the current system.

In the scheme of things, it doesn’t affect anybody else substantially. Moreover, babies don’t stay little forever. They grow up and their families lose rider swap.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

All I’m going to say is that I think it takes a mean and petty heart to resent young families for getting a few extra rides out of the current system.

In the scheme of things, it doesn’t affect anybody else substantially. Moreover, babies don’t stay little forever. They grow up and their families lose rider swap.

Just because it "doesn't affect anybody else substantially" doesn't make it the right thing to do. I have no issue with the RS program in general, but I do have an issue with people intentionally exploiting a loophole and/or bending the rules for their own personal gain. And I don't believe that makes me mean or petty.

 

[mom2rtk]

But who brings a their family to WDW just to be split up and half the group sitting around half the time?

Someone with a small child who still wants to ride things the small child can't?

 

[mikebb]

Just because it "doesn't affect anybody else substantially" doesn't make it the right thing to do. I have no issue with the RS program in general, but I do have an issue with people intentionally exploiting a loophole and/or bending the rules for their own personal gain. And I don't believe that makes me mean or petty.

Exactly, and for every family that takes advantage of this, there is one or more that loses, "substantially" or not. Look at the post above from @CT Disney and tell me if a majority of folks with young children gamed the system like her friend that there wouldn't be tangible impacts to the everyone else in the parks, especially during busier times.

 

[DizneyMommy]

All I’m going to say is that I think it takes a mean and petty heart to resent young families for getting a few extra rides out of the current system.

In the scheme of things, it doesn’t affect anybody else substantially. Moreover, babies don’t stay little forever. They grow up and their families lose rider swap.

I don’t resent them at all. But I am also a young family and I will say that what they are doing is wrong and they need to be stopped before those of us who actually follow the rules lose our privilege to use RS. My baby won’t stay little forever, the older 2 sure didn’t. But I have never felt the need to cheat the rules or bend them or even find a loophole. It will substantially afffect us if Disney pulls the plug because people can’t behave themselves.

ETA system is going bonkers!

 

[paisleys]

I don’t resent them at all. I think that what they are doing is wrong and while one family won’t subst


I don’t resent them at all. But what they are doing is wrong and they need to be stopped before those of us who actually follow the rules lose our privilege to use RS. My baby won’t stay little forever e

Exactly. Especially with the thousands and thousands of people who visit daily, RS would become like GAC (or completely eliminated). A few years back, our next door neighbor handed us a fistful of RS tickets for our trip they hadn't used on theirs (I tossed them). I had no idea people milked the system like that till then. When our twins were little I think we used RS a handful of times. Never once considered grabbing them every chance we got for another time or to give out.

 

[OSUZorba]

Someone with a small child who still wants to ride things the small child can't?

I was talking about people that just RS all day long, I'm sure there are people that do it, but most families come to Disney to spend time together not apart. Of course everyone will do a few RSes a day, but the post I was responding to was talking about doubling up on FPs and RSes, which would result in the majority of your day being split up if you actually did this all day.

To each their own, so if there is someone that likes to be split up most of the day, then they probably will see an advantage to gaming the system. But like I said, I don't understand why if you don't mind spending the whole day split so you can ride "thrill" rides why not go to a park like CP?

BTW, I use RS all the time, but its probably twice a day on average, the PP was talking about a scheme where it could be 6+ times a day.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I loved the ability to book 3 advance FP+ when it came out. I was part of the test run for that and MB. For a long time I made sure I made them on opening day. Then as time went I was less worried about it and when I got to it I got to it and probably rarely booked pre-30 days. DS2 convinced me last few trips to not worry about them. We went Easter Week, very crowded, 3 of us. We would book that morning and roll the 4th all day long. We skipped AK, but we worked that 4th one at a time at the other three parks and we could get everything!! Just knowing how well we did during a busy time, it made staying onsite much less an issue. After being one who stood up at the beginning about how great it was ..... I would be perfectly okay if we went back to the one at a time upon arrival in the park. I never thought I would say that ....



THIS^

The 3 pre-booked FP+ system, the ADR cancellation policy system, the 60 day FP+ & EMH to Disney Springs hotels, Magical Express ... all moves to keep guests committed to Disney all day long ..... but the FP+ system especially keeps them and their money in the parks.

To your Living with the Land ... we had a FP+ for it and we were in line not only the entire FP+ queue which I've never seen full but wrapped around through the dining room and down a hallway to no where's land.

We stupidly waited in stand by for living with the land for about 45 minutes with 2 toddlers. I should have known better, but we were trying to kill time during a Soarin’ rider switch.

I guess all my previous Disney trips led me to believe no matter how bad it looked there was no way that ride could have that bad of a line on a seemingly average day. Wrong!

 

[HopperFan]

Just because it "doesn't affect anybody else substantially" doesn't make it the right thing to do. I have no issue with the RS program in general, but I do have an issue with people intentionally exploiting a loophole and/or bending the rules for their own personal gain. And I don't believe that makes me mean or petty.

And that was the thought process with GAC ... and even with far fewer using that than RS it was determined to be impacting operations. Overuse and abuse absolutely affects others substantially, many others. Folks only look at themselves and think no big deal, but multiply that by the many using the system.

I don’t resent them at all. But I am also a young family and I will say that what they are doing is wrong and they need to be stopped before those of us who actually follow the rules lose our privilege to use RS.

My baby won’t stay little forever, the older 2 sure didn’t. But I have never felt the need to cheat the rules or bend them or even find a loophole. It will substantially affect us if Disney pulls the plug because people can’t behave themselves.

ETA system is going bonkers!

In the famous words of "who knows" ............... And this is why we can't have nice things.

And I guess I am of the thought process since kids don't stay young long and at some point may not even want to vacation with you .... why not use those years (and those FP+) to enjoy the parks WITH your children. Those bigger rides will be there when you come back and they are taller.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We stupidly waited in stand by for living with the land for about 45 minutes with 2 toddlers. I should have known better, but we were trying to kill time during a Soarin’ rider switch.

I guess all my previous Disney trips led me to believe no matter how bad it looked there was no way that ride could have that bad of a line on a seemingly average day. Wrong!

and if the rumor of the Character Spot going to Tier 1 is true, (per Kenny the Pirate) the FP wait at Living with the Land will only get longer as there are not a lot of tier 2 options left

 

[BrookieM2001]

Just wanted to report our FOP experience this morning. They started the digital RS today and we had a FP for two of us and needed a RS for the adult staying with the littles. They never asked him for a FP, they scanned us and then asked who was going back. We told her just him and she said we were entitled to 3 guests. So we scanned our ODD and myself as well. They then said we had a return window of 10:57-11:57. It was 10:20 at the time. So I assume that is an hour plus the time it will take to wait and ride. So the rule about needed a FP for everyone doesn’t seem to be in effect, but there is an hour time window for return. Just wanted to share our experience this morning!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Just wanted to report our FOP experience this morning. They started the digital RS today and we had a FP for two of us and needed a RS for the adult staying with the littles. They never asked him for a FP, they scanned us and then asked who was going back. We told her just him and she said we were entitled to 3 guests. So we scanned our ODD and myself as well. They then said we had a return window of 10:57-11:57. It was 10:20 at the time. So I assume that is an hour plus the time it will take to wait and ride. So the rule about needed a FP for everyone doesn’t seem to be in effect, but there is an hour time window for return. Just wanted to share our experience this morning!

Thanks for sharing and it does make sense - though personally I would prefer that they did want everyone to have the FP but then not do the hour window, but is what it is - we will adapt

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Just wanted to report our FOP experience this morning. They started the digital RS today and we had a FP for two of us and needed a RS for the adult staying with the littles. They never asked him for a FP, they scanned us and then asked who was going back. We told her just him and she said we were entitled to 3 guests. So we scanned our ODD and myself as well. They then said we had a return window of 10:57-11:57. It was 10:20 at the time. So I assume that is an hour plus the time it will take to wait and ride. So the rule about needed a FP for everyone doesn’t seem to be in effect, but there is an hour time window for return. Just wanted to share our experience this morning!

Thanks for sharing. I have to admit I'm disappointed that they aren't enforcing the FP for everyone rule.