Availability
The vast majority of the 61 FP attractions at WDW have FPs available as late as day-of. The most likely exceptions, along with a brief discussion, are:
Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall (Magic Kingdom). By far the most difficult FP to get, often gone even at the 60-day booking window due to the ability of onsite guests to book FPs for their entire length of stay. Onsite guests with longer stays have the best chance of acquiring them, but can still be shut out by onsite guests arriving days earlier. For those onsite guests who want them, the best chance of getting them is by booking them as soon as your window opens at 12:00a ET and starting your FP selections immediately for the days at the end of your trip, working backwards. They can disappear very quickly. All other guests are advised to check as soon as possible (at the 30-day mark) and as often as possible, and consider splitting your group into smaller parties to maximize chances of finding an available FP. Day-of FPs are extremely unlikely.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom). Often gone more than 30 days in advance. Booking at 12:00a ET is recommended for all guests if FP for this attraction is desired, and highly recommended for offsite guests waiting for the 30-day window. Day-of FPs are unlikely.
Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom). Often gone more than 30 days in advance. Booking at 12:00a ET is highly recommended for offsite guests waiting for the 30-day window. Day-of FPs are unlikely.
The FP reserved viewing area is at the Main Street Flagpole in the center of Town Square, but MSEP can be enjoyed without FP at many locations along the route.
Wishes (Magic Kingdom). Historically gone more than 30 days in advance, but recent expansion in the MK's Hub has improved availability. Booking at 12:00a ET is recommended for offsite guests waiting for the 30-day window. Day-of FPs are unlikely.
The FP reserved viewing areas are at the Main Street Plaza Gardens near the Hub, but Wishes can be enjoyed without FP at various locations around the Hub and the park at large.
FP for this attraction after April 20 is not being offered, no confirmed reason known.
Festival Of Fantasy Parade (Magic Kingdom). Often gone more than 30 days in advance. Booking at 12:00a ET is highly recommended for offsite guests waiting for the 30-day window. Day-of FPs are unlikely.
The FP reserved viewing area is at the Main Street Flagpole in the center of Town Square, but FOF can be enjoyed without FP at many locations along the route.
Toy Story Mania (Hollywood Studios). Often gone more than a day or two in advance. Day-of FPs are unlikely, and highly unlikely as a 4th (or later) FP.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios). Often gone more than a day or two in advance. Day-of FPs are unlikely, and highly unlikely as a 4th (or later) FP.
Soarin' (Epcot). Often gone more than a day or two in advance. Day-of FPs are unlikely, and highly unlikely as a 4th (or later) FP.
This attraction is currently closed for refurbishment until Summer 2016.
Test Track (Epcot). Often gone more than a day or two in advance. Day-of FPs are unlikely, and highly unlikely as a 4th (or later) FP.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Epcot). Often gone more than a day or two in advance. Day-of FPs are unlikely, and highly unlikely as a 4th (or later) FP.
The FP reserved viewing area is at World Showcase Plaza, but IllumiNations can be enjoyed without FP at many locations around the World Showcase Lagoon.
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One of the most useful resources to check availability for FPs can be found here, at a website called The Dibb. It shows attraction availability, based on party sizes of 2 or 4, for the next 4 months for some of the most in-demand attractions at WDW. This information is updated every 30 minutes.
- The MDX system can be used to check availability at any park, even if FPs are selected for a different park that day. However,
guests are advised to be careful not to confirm any selections offered, or existing FPs will be affected.
- In general,
day-of FP availability for most headliners--particularly outside of Magic Kingdom—is typically low and approaches nonexistent as choices for 4th FPs since several hours must pass until guests are eligible for 4th FPs.
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There is no evidence that different “pools” of FPs are maintained for different booking windows. In other words, the full slate of FPs available for any particular attraction is released at one time, some 70+ days in advance, and none are saved for offsite guests or those who wait until they arrive in the park.
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If maximum choice and times of FPs is desired, then reserving them at the earliest opportunity is highly recommended.
