3 FPs not enough for MK

[FLchick415]

When I took my solo trip this past April, I pulled more FPs than I normally would. When I go with family, though, we really hardly ever pull them. We don't particularly PREFER to stand in long lines, but we don't mind if it can't be helped. We talk among ourselves and it passes the time. Every situation is different though. Since MK is so large and has so many different rides, I think upping the FP+ allotment wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[redsbe]

I don't remember how long MK was open, but I know we left not long after Wishes. I think Wishes was at 10? We went to the dessert party that night, so we were only grabbing FPs from about 9am-9pm.

I had 3 FPs at one time w/i 10 mins of entering the park. 1 for Mickey (disconnected), 1 for Dumbo (a bonus FP given when I got the Mickey FP), 1 for the Princess M&G in TST that was only an hour out. I know we got at least 1 set of FPs for Space, and at least 2 sets of FPs for Buzz Lightyear, possibly 3 (my younger nephew's favorite ride). We had some SB waits in there for Buzz too. I want to say we had at least one other FP in there somewhere too, but I can't remember what..maybe LM.

Buzz rarely runs out of FP early. The SB wait was low, FP return times weren't overly far out, and we spent a good amount of time in tomorrowland..no need to waste time criss crossing the park.

Yes if you are pulling FP for rides other then the three "mountains" in MK, then FPs will still be available longer through the day even when busy, such an approach will not work for SM, Splash, and BTMR in MK or TSMM in DS or TT/Soarin in Epcot during high crowd volume days.

Right now, people are lucky if FPs for those rides are lasting for 30 mins after park opening.

Yes, but only when parks are busy and also because of FP+, plus FP- and use of other park cards to draw multiple FPs at same time, all current available approaches- issues and loopholes I would expect to be closed as testing ends and system becomes operational.

 

[redsbe]

Yes if you are pulling FP for rides other then the three "mountains" in MK, then FPs will still be available longer through the day even when busy, such an approach will not work for SM, Splash, and BTMR in MK or TSMM in DS or TT/Soarin in Epcot during high crowd volume days.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, but only when parks are busy

Since when is October considered as busy or busier than spring break?

issues and loopholes I would expect to be closed as testing ends and system becomes operational.

And I hope you are right. But we have no idea when that will be, and right now people have to plan based on what is happening right now. We just don't have any other info at this point.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes if you are pulling FP for rides other then the three "mountains" in MK, then FPs will still be available longer through the day even when busy, such an approach will not work for SM, Splash, and BTMR in MK or TSMM in DS or TT/Soarin in Epcot during high crowd volume days.

Space, splash and thunder didn't have availability issues while we were there in October. Fps were certainly available into the evening. At 4 or 5, fp return times were only an hour away. Soarin, tt, tsmm were in another realm entirely.

 

[diskev]

Just finishing my final ADRs/FPs for our upcoming November trip. Everything seems fine so far. Ok, totally glitchy, but I'll ignore that for now

But it became so obvious to me that 3 FPs a day is no where near enough for MK. 5 minimum would be great, but even 4 would be better. Especially once you start adding in parades and fireworks. I think that putting tiers in would be fine too, if it means that you could get more in general (in other words, some way that people wouldn't book the Mountains 5x, etc).

The other parks seemed fine with 3 pre-reserved.

Three is fine for the test. Use them for your top three things, and pull FP- for the rest. Stand By times are good at MK today, along with FP- availability.

 

[PrincessPaisley]

I think the limit of 3 FP+ is so the majority can have access to the most popular rides. I booked my FP+ the evening before going to the park and had no trouble getting FP+ for the headliner rides. Had everyone been permitted to select 4 or 5 FP+, a late planner such as myself might have been limited to picking FP+'s for the less popular rides, or rides that typically don't have long wait times because FP+ for the popular rides were all reserved. I think Disney is trying to accommodate and provide somewhat equal access to all its guests.

 

[Missyrose]

Yes, but only when parks are busy and also because of FP+, plus FP- and use of other park cards to draw multiple FPs at same time, all current available approaches- issues and loopholes I would expect to be closed as testing ends and system becomes operational.

I don't think people actually are looking at the "double dippers" for what they are: a very, very small percentage of each day's park guests. Lots of people keep saying that once Disney ends the evil double dipping, FP- will magically start lasting significantly longer than they currently do. I simply don't see that happening. Disney spent a lot of money on this new system and eventually wants everyone on it. The only way to successfully transition away from FP- is to make them scarce enough that the system doesn't work for people like it used to, so when they get the new system, it feels like a gift.

 

[redsbe]

Since when is October considered as busy or busier than spring break?

As has been discussed on other posts several factors including increased number of schools taking fall breaks, improving economy, WDW special discounts, and testing of MB and FP+ drove higher then normal October crowds and issues with FP running out at TSMM, TT and Soarin early in the mornings.

 

[redsbe]

"But we have no idea when that will be, and right now people have to plan based on what is happening right now"

Well if you are planning a WDW trip over Thanksgiving or the Christmas holiday break use FP+ if you have access to it, if not plan on getting to park at RD for TSMM, TT and Soarin (and mountains in MK) to grab early FP, do not expect during those peak crowd days to be able to secure FP later in the day as it may not be possible. And if your enjoyment of WDW depends on those few rides and getting on them multiple times in a day, be prepared to be disappointed or better still adjust your expectations.

 

[DawnM]

I am here now and except for Soarin' and TSM, we have been able to do everything multiple times.

We do NOT have FP+ as we are off-site, but the crowd level has been fine.

However, all our kids are over age 7, so we utilize single rider as much as possible. Kids went on EE 9 times in a row the other day. I only lasted 2 as I got a headache (age stinks!) At Epcot Monday we did TT 3 times. Once walk on as it was at the beginning of the day. One FP, and one single rider.

Lines have been low for the most part. Yesterday at MK we did SM 3 times in a row without FP, and got on within 10 min. each time. Splash Mt. was 15 min. wait (said 25 but was only 15) on stand by.

I use my stopwatch app for almost every ride when we get in line.....

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think people actually are looking at the "double dippers" for what they are: a very, very small percentage of each day's park guests. Lots of people keep saying that once Disney ends the evil double dipping, FP- will magically start lasting significantly longer than they currently do. I simply don't see that happening. Disney spent a lot of money on this new system and eventually wants everyone on it. The only way to successfully transition away from FP- is to make them scarce enough that the system doesn't work for people like it used to, so when they get the new system, it feels like a gift.

Yeah, I don't think so either. What we have seen happening with dwindling supplies of same day FPs is what I assumed all along is just a natural consequence of implementing the new system.

If I said it once, I've said it a hundred times. When you remove a barrier to something, you get more of it. Disney removed the barrier of needing to be IN the park and willing to hoof it over to the FP machine for the specific ride you want.

Of course people are using more slots. Just wait until same day and APs all come online.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Yeah, I don't think so either. What we have seen happening with dwindling supplies of same FPs is what I assumed all along is just a natural consequence of implementing the new system

If I said it once, I've said it a hundred times. When you remove a barrier to something, you get more of it. Disney removed the barrier of needing to be IN the park and willing to hoof it over to the FP machine for the specific ride you want.

Of course people are using more slots. Just wait until same day and APs all come online.

You made a great point...I hadn't really thought that through. You are right...when it was just FP- and at a busy time, many people would see the 60+ min standby wait for a particular ride, and just say "that line's too long, I'm not going to ride it." Once everyone will be able to make a reservation for the E-ticket rides, without having to get there at RD or physically walk over to get a FP, it will be jam packed all day long.

 

[MJ6987]

Remember ,the 3 is only in the test period. It will probably be more once it goes live. This is why testers are allowed to supplement the 3 (which may or may not work - its a test!) with regular fastpass.

 

[Planogirl]

I am here now and except for Soarin' and TSM, we have been able to do everything multiple times.

We do NOT have FP+ as we are off-site, but the crowd level has been fine.

However, all our kids are over age 7, so we utilize single rider as much as possible. Kids went on EE 9 times in a row the other day. I only lasted 2 as I got a headache (age stinks!) At Epcot Monday we did TT 3 times. Once walk on as it was at the beginning of the day. One FP, and one single rider.

Lines have been low for the most part. Yesterday at MK we did SM 3 times in a row without FP, and got on within 10 min. each time. Splash Mt. was 15 min. wait (said 25 but was only 15) on stand by.

I use my stopwatch app for almost every ride when we get in line.....

I hope that it's this quiet when we go! I can do without TSMM and Soarin' if I have to.