Advanced Fastpass+ reservations - which park on split days?

[JoelD]

On days that we split between two parks - rope drop at one, rest at resort mid-day, and then afternoon/evening (+sometimes evening EMH) at a different park... thoughts/opinions on making our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservations for the morning park or the afternoon/evening park?

It's been my experience that the very first 1-2 hours of the day are the lightest crowds of the day, so I'm wondering if it would be a reasonable/good strategy on split days to make our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservations for the afternoon/evening park (when crowds are normally heavier), instead of the morning park.

Of course that limits us to using Fastpasses ONLY at the afternoon/evening park. Whereas if we made and used our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservation at the morning park, we would then be able to make and use "day-of" Fastpass+ reservations for the afternoon park (assuming there are any available by then, of course).

Oh... and our trip is Nov 18-27, so we've got the added Thanksgiving holiday crowds.

 

[aebeauregard]

I would go with afternoon park for FP+ personally. The rides you really want a FP for probably won't be available as "day-of" FPs once you use up the first three. Like you said I'd rope drop and get as much done in the first park with lower waits and then know that I have FPs to help me deal with the crowds later in the day at the second park.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Here's some tips on hopping and the new FP booking system: you can hold FPs in two parks on a hopping day ~
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fp-and-park-hopping.3514422/

 

[Shanti]

On days that we split between two parks - rope drop at one, rest at resort mid-day, and then afternoon/evening (+sometimes evening EMH) at a different park... thoughts/opinions on making our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservations for the morning park or the afternoon/evening park?

It's been my experience that the very first 1-2 hours of the day are the lightest crowds of the day, so I'm wondering if it would be a reasonable/good strategy on split days to make our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservations for the afternoon/evening park (when crowds are normally heavier), instead of the morning park.

Of course that limits us to using Fastpasses ONLY at the afternoon/evening park. Whereas if we made and used our 3 advanced Fastpass+ reservation at the morning park, we would then be able to make and use "day-of" Fastpass+ reservations for the afternoon park (assuming there are any available by then, of course).

Oh... and our trip is Nov 18-27, so we've got the added Thanksgiving holiday crowds.

HS is good for evening FPs, as you can get FPs for 3 of its top 4 attractions:

1. TSMM or Rockin' Roller Coaster
2. Tower of Terror
3. Star Tours

That will leave you with only one major standby line (either TSMM or RNR), and one minor one (Great Movie Ride).

AK is a good morning park, as you can take care of its major rides relatively easily if you're there for rope drop. There are no mega-popular/trendy WDW attractions here at the moment, which helps.

MK is also a good rope drop park, but it pays to have FP there, too, as there are so many popular rides.

Epcot is a hot mess right now. I recommend rope drop, FP and the ability to wait in line.

 

[JoelD]

Thanks for all the opinions and advice so far!