Am I going to regret not reserving any FP+?

[1025cruise]

We are heading down the fourth week of September, so our FP+ window has just opened.

Last time we were there, 5 years ago in mid-October, it seemed that the standby lines were hardly existent, and quicker to get on the rides than if we had pulled a paper FP.

I just don't want to have to plan my vacation down to the minute. Hoping that since it shouldn't be a busy time of year, that if we decide to just wait in line, we won't have any major issues.

 

[Jennasis]

I will be there 9/22-28. I made some FP+ reservations...because I could (and because even at that time of year, some rides will still have big lines like 7DMT and Soarin). I fully expect I might not need some of my other FP+ reservations or will wind up switching many of them around...assuming the system works when I'm there (it hasn't been so great to deal with from home thus far).

 

[Luvchefmic]

Things have changed a lot in five years. I still don't agree when I see there is a slow time at WDW . If I were you, I would grab some FP+ and if you don't use them then you don't use them. I think it would be better to have them rather than have nothing when you get here and maybe find that the SB lines are ridiculously long.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Things have changed a lot in five years. I still don't agree when I see there is a slow time at WDW . If I were you, I would grab some FP+ and if you don't use them then you don't use them. I think it would be better to have them rather than have nothing when you get here and maybe find that the SB lines are ridiculously long.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Next June will be our first visit since FP+ was implemented. I agree that I don't want to plan every day and ride out 6 months in advance but we will still make fastpasses for stuff like SDMT which we KNOW will have long lines.

 

[isaboo]

I would at least book a FP for 7DMT.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

You can't base anything on what it was like 5 years ago. When I was making my FP reservations, my kids kept saying, "Why are you making it for that? There's never a line for that ride." And I kept saying "But that was before current system! We don't know what it will be like now."

I'd make them just in case. If you don't use them, no worries. But you wouldn't want to get there and find you really needed them and there's slim pickins left to choose from!

 

[Raenstoirm]

The biggies you need FP+ for and some of the no line rides too (Pirates has a nastily line lately for example). We go the last week of sept every year and the lines have gotten steadily worse.

 

[LaurenT]

Book them. All of them.
Would you rather get there and realize you don't need 90% of them and that you wasted 20 minutes booking FP's?
Or would you rather get there, wanting to ride 7DMT or BTMRR or RnRC or TSMM - and curse yourself because every time you check it's at least a 45 min wait and you could have gotten a FP but didn't want to be bothered?

 

[soccer mom]

Book them. We went the first week in February and couldn't believe it was a "slow time." All of the stand by lines were longer than we have ever experienced during a slow time. We had to wait 35 minutes at Spaceship Earth....what was that about?! We definitely did not get to do everything we usually do because we just didn't want to stand in the lines that we feel the new FP+ has created.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I just don't understand this mindset.... wouldn't you rather have them and be happily surprised that you don't need them??

It sure beats not having any and being un-happily surprised at it being crowded. I know September is "slow" season... but honestly... FP+s are free, why not take advantage??

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I leave in 4 weeks for my 5th trip to WDW during the FP+ era. I have not booked a single FP+ for my upcoming trip, nor did I book them more than a week in advance for any of my other trips. Most time we book the night before or the morning of entering a park because we do not plan our park days in advance. We get up in the morning and go where we feel like going - booking the FP+ while driving over or just before leaving the room. Never had a problem getting any ride at any time.

This includes one short trip with crowds between 7-9 during spring break this year. Family of 4.

 

[Kat913]

I agree with others -you should book those attractions with traditionally long lines all the time (like soarin, tt & toy story mania). Also a good idea to book the mine train and any of your families' must dos then worst thing that could happen is you need none of them ( that would be great. . )
Another consideration is how busy it will be that time of year due to free dining.

 

[Hisgirl]

We are heading down the fourth week of September, so our FP+ window has just opened.

Last time we were there, 5 years ago in mid-October, it seemed that the standby lines were hardly existent, and quicker to get on the rides than if we had pulled a paper FP.

I just don't want to have to plan my vacation down to the minute. Hoping that since it shouldn't be a busy time of year, that if we decide to just wait in line, we won't have any major issues.

I actually thought this was satire at first. WDW is completely and utterly 100% a different animal than it was 5 years ago. Don't even consider thinking you won't see crowds. Yes, there can be slower days, but compared to what you saw five years ago, these 'slow' days will seem crowded to you.

Over the past year, I went four different times to try and catch a 'slow time'. I poured over touring plans and easy wdw, strategized with calendars and color coded plans. With all the South American tourists, lord help mercy, there were times I would go hours and not hear english being spoken. I was literally shoulder to shoulder and this was mid-week!

All that being said...YES! Get your fastpasses! Make a list of your favorite rides, get there at rope drop and let your first ride be a freebie due to fast walking and getting there early, then use FP+ for your others. Yes, Sept. will be slower than say, July or holidays, but expect to still have a 45+ minute wait at Peter Pan and the same at Thunder Mountain. It's just the reality now.

You can make changes if you need to alter the times and you can certainly add a FP once you use the others. But goodness, have your ride reservations and your dinner reservations too.

Disney is all about planning your trip down to the minute detail now and I'm not happy about it...it is what it is. Yes, it's more work but you'll actually get to ride the rides you like. Enjoy your trip!

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I just don't understand this mindset.... wouldn't you rather have them and be happily surprised that you don't need them??

It sure beats not having any and being un-happily surprised at it being crowded. I know September is "slow" season... but honestly... FP+s are free, why not take advantage??

This.

I agree with others -you should book those attractions with traditionally long lines all the time (like soarin, tt & toy story mania). Also a good idea to book the mine train and any of your families' must dos then worst thing that could happen is you need none of them ( that would be great. . )
Another consideration is how busy it will be that time of year due to free dining.

Yeah, this.

I actually thought this was satire at first. WDW is completely and utterly 100% a different animal than it was 5 years ago. Don't even consider thinking you won't see crowds. Yes, there can be slower days, but compared to what you saw five years ago, these 'slow' days will seem crowded to you.

Over the past year, I went four different times to try and catch a 'slow time'. I poured over touring plans and easy wdw, strategized with calendars and color coded plans. With all the South American tourists, lord help mercy, there were times I would go hours and not hear english being spoken. I was literally shoulder to shoulder and this was mid-week!

All that being said...YES! Get your fastpasses! Make a list of your favorite rides, get there at rope drop and let your first ride be a freebie due to fast walking and getting there early, then use FP+ for your others. Yes, Sept. will be slower than say, July or holidays, but expect to still have a 45+ minute wait at Peter Pan and the same at Thunder Mountain. It's just the reality now.

You can make changes if you need to alter the times and you can certainly add a FP once you use the others. But goodness, have your ride reservations and your dinner reservations too.

Disney is all about planning your trip down to the minute detail now and I'm not happy about it...it is what it is. Yes, it's more work but you'll actually get to ride the rides you like. Enjoy your trip!

And REALLY this. Above all, this.

 

[1025cruise]

I just hate having to plan my vacation down to the minute. I don't know what time I'll be waking up, how long it will take to get breakfast, and head to a park that we need to decide on.

Its just two of us. We don't do any of the thrill rides (which are mostly the big ticket items).

Why can't Disney make this easy for those of us that just want to have a nice relaxing time?

 

[FINFAN]

I just hate having to plan my vacation down to the minute. I don't know what time I'll be waking up, how long it will take to get breakfast, and head to a park that we need to decide on.

Its just two of us. We don't do any of the thrill rides (which are mostly the big ticket items).

Why can't Disney make this easy for those of us that just want to have a nice relaxing time?

it appears to be heading in the direction of "if you PAY enough, you can choose any type trip you want"~ I think as the others said, if you have an idea of any must do rides, go ahead and throw a dart at a day and get a FP+ for them. You can cancel them at any time if you change your mind or just plain don't feel like going. Maybe shoot for later in the day so you don't have to worry about getting up.

 

[MouseClubMama]

I am not a huge planner, but taking advantage of FP+ to avoid possible disappointment will now be part of our Disney 'survival strategy" for any attractions on our must do list. I agree with PP's who talked about the parks being busy even during low seasons; so much has changed. I recall back in the day when October was quiet....we'll the F&W @ Epcot has changed that forever! Not sure what low seasons are left other than a couple of weeks in September, and maybe after New Years in January.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I am not trying to be sarcastic, but you do realize you are asking this question on a Disney forum right? This is a group that trends toward uber planners. And the WDW obsessed.

But I too, dislike the loss of freedom.

I suppose you have to shift your paradigm a bit. A trip can still be relaxing, it's just a different kind of relaxing.

One option, would be to make your FP selections on a day by day basis, maybe while riding the bus - if you have a smart phone. They do have in park kiosks too.

Do you buy your park tickets before you arrive? FP+ is a little like buying tickets before you go.

That said, I will never like the no show ADR fee policy. I miss the days when we could walk into almost any dining with no ADR.

 

[rwdavis2]

I just hate having to plan my vacation down to the minute. I don't know what time I'll be waking up, how long it will take to get breakfast, and head to a park that we need to decide on.

Its just two of us. We don't do any of the thrill rides (which are mostly the big ticket items).

Why can't Disney make this easy for those of us that just want to have a nice relaxing time?

IMHO, if you knoe what parks you will do each day then book FPs for the afternoon. That way you do not have to do rope drop and are free in the morning.

But there's no reason not to book them even if you don't use them.

 

[CutlerP]

It's "the two of us" for me, too, in mid-September. I'm hoping for low crowds/no lines but I booked FP's for us, every day. I don't want uber-scheduling either...I've booked them for mid-morning at the park I've planned on each morning...if we don't use them, great. Didn't book them for the park I've planned for the PM because I want to be able to be flexible (ish) with the rest of our day. Hope it works out.....