Anyone stay offsite since FP+ started?

[MinnieForMe]

Hi,
We're heading to Disney in February. I know FP+ is not available to those of us who are off site. Do we still go to each ride to get a traditional fastpass or are kiosks located in a central location now?

Thanks so much!

 

[eangel12]

There are no kiosk at AK or MK...well the traditional kiosk that used to exist. They are gone or going by the end of this month. There is now FP+ at MK and AK. I think Epcot and HS still have the old kiosk. Edited to add that the new FP+ machines are on maps. Just do a search!!

I'm curious if anyone stayed off property during the "busy time" and how it worked out!

 

[ksopal23]

I was wondering the same thing??? We will be going in July and staying off site. What are our options for fast pass?

 

[haPevraftr]

We were offsite over Thanksgiving, but could still pull FP-. We saw some differences in terms of lines and FP- running out earlier, but getting there before rope drop each day allowed us to avoid the crowds and get FPs for headliners. We did not use FP+ at all b/c it wasn't available to offsite guests at that time.

 

[katallo]

Is there a link that explains how fast pass will work for offsite guests? We assumed we just would not be able to use FP.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi,
Thank you. So, in Epcot, I'll be able to go to each ride to get a traditional fastpass? It should be an interesting trip as it'll be our first with the new disability policy also!

Test track's line was wheelchair enabled the last time we were there but I can't wait to see how the accessibility has changed for the other rides!

At least, the day we are going has a predicted crowd level of 3! Fingers crossed!

 

[dougsmom98]

Hi,
We're heading to Disney in February. I know FP+ is not available to those of us who are off site. Do we still go to each ride to get a traditional fastpass or are kiosks located in a central location now?

Thanks so much!

From what I understand, FP+ is available to us, just not in advance. We have to go to various kiosks throughout the park and make our reservations. I would love to hear from anyone who has been there and used the kiosks to reserve their FP+ as to how long it took and whether or not any headliners still had FP+ reservations left.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi,
I'm hoping they have moved the FP kiosk outside of the Soarin building. The hill into that building gives me a full workout as a wheelchair user.

Thanks to all who have responded!

 

[spiceycat]

staying offsite it is only one day - so the day you arrive is when you can do the fast pass (think it is called something else???)

when onsite you get 60 days before hand - if you have your tickets and are willing to tell WDW internet the ID number of the tickets.

think this will be a computer terminal - so think it helps if you have signed up with Disney before.

 

[mamabear0222]

There are no kiosk at AK or MK...well the traditional kiosk that used to exist. They are gone or going by the end of this month. There is now FP+ at MK and AK. I think Epcot and HS still have the old kiosk. Edited to add that the new FP+ machines are on maps. Just do a search!!

I'm curious if anyone stayed off property during the "busy time" and how it worked out!

I just pulled up maps and I don't see them added?
Can you link them please or anyone?
thanks

 

[dougsmom98]

I copied and pasted the following into a document a few days ago. Sorry I don't know the original source of this information, but it was posted on the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forum:

Here is the full lineup of FastPass+ kiosk locations.

Magic Kingdom
Guest Relations at City Hall
Town Square Theater
Near The Diamond Horseshoe
Mickeys PhilharMagic
Storybook Circus FASTPASS distribution
Town Square Theater FASTPASS distribution
Mickey's PhilharMagic FASTPASS distribution
Splash Mountain FASTPASS distribution


Epcot
Guest Relations in Future World
Tip Board
International Gateway
FutureWorld West breezeway
Mission: SPACE FASTPASS distribution
Soarin' FASTPASS distribution

 

[eangel12]

Here is a blog for the FastPass+ machines in Animal Kingdom:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/12/18/fastpass-test-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[Jaime4004]

Yikes, this is getting me depressed. We're planning on going over Christmas. Been there at that time before, totally doable with the old FP system. But now, since most of the guests will stay onsite and have access to FP+ in advance, we would be stuck with the leftover times (if any available at all same day at xmas). Hopefully Disney will figure out that offsite guests still spend quite a bit of money in the parks and give us the same advantage. I'll be watching all year, but if it doesn't change by Dec, we'll probably opt for universal/seaworld/busch gardens, etc instead.

 

[eangel12]

Yikes, this is getting me depressed. We're planning on going over Christmas. Been there at that time before, totally doable with the old FP system. But now, since most of the guests will stay onsite and have access to FP+ in advance, we would be stuck with the leftover times (if any available at all same day at xmas). Hopefully Disney will figure out that offsite guests still spend quite a bit of money in the parks and give us the same advantage. I'll be watching all year, but if it doesn't change by Dec, we'll probably opt for universal/seaworld/busch gardens, etc instead.

I would not attempt Disney off property at Christmas time with the new system! We are closely watching what is happening because my dream is a trip to Disney to see the Osbourne light show!!

 

[The Grays]

We were there over New Years and it was very crowded. Staying off site we felt we missed out. AT AK the lines for the kiosk for fast pass was to long for us to wait. When we got to the fast pass the times were 8 to 10 hours from when we got them.

Don't know what we will do in the future.

DD13 wants us to stay on property one day to get the use of the magic bands.

 

[dougsmom98]

We were there over New Years and it was very crowded. Staying off site we felt we missed out. AT AK the lines for the kiosk for fast pass was to long for us to wait. When we got to the fast pass the times were 8 to 10 hours from when we got them.

Don't know what we will do in the future.

DD13 wants us to stay on property one day to get the use of the magic bands.

This is disappointing to hear. We are going over President's Week, which is very busy (but not as busy as New Years), and I am so worried. If we didn't have days left on our non-expiring tickets, we would probably go elsewhere. After we use up our days, we probably won't go back. We can't afford on site for my family of 6.
I have heard of people staying on property one day to get the magic bands. I worry that they will close that loophole in time too and only allow people to book FP+ in advance for the days that they are staying on property. UGGH.

 

[hjgaus]

We just did a split stay from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 - 5 days on property then 3 OFF property and back 3 more days on property. On the 3 days off site we were able to use our magic bands AND fast pass + !! We are premium annual pass holders so I think that is why we were still able to use the system. I made FP+ reservations for rides almost 1 month before our stay BUT were still able to make changes (if available) at least hours BEFORE our scheduled times from our cell phones. Although we never attempted to pull regular fast passes at other parks we did not feel the need to. The bands are definitely different BUT awesome when the lines are sooo long!! Yes we had some slight glitches but nothing that ruined our trip!! This morning I just made reservations for next DEC. and looking forward to using magic bands once again!!

 

[eangel12]

We just did a split stay from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 - 5 days on property then 3 OFF property and back 3 more days on property. On the 3 days off site we were able to use our magic bands AND fast pass + !! We are premium annual pass holders so I think that is why we were still able to use the system. I made FP+ reservations for rides almost 1 month before our stay BUT were still able to make changes (if available) at least hours BEFORE our scheduled times from our cell phones. Although we never attempted to pull regular fast passes at other parks we did not feel the need to. The bands are definitely different BUT awesome when the lines are sooo long!! Yes we had some slight glitches but nothing that ruined our trip!! This morning I just made reservations for next DEC. and looking forward to using magic bands once again!!

I am hoping this stays true and annual passholders can book the 60 days. I have read that the annual pass members won't be allowed to do that but I find it hard to believe that Disney will restrict passholders. Seems like a very silly thing to do. Although, this seemed silly too so you never know!!

 

[ready2vacation]

I worry that they will close that loophole in time too and only allow people to book FP+ in advance for the days that they are staying on property. UGGH.

Me, too! We are doing an on/off split stay for the first time due to FP+ in September.

 

[spiceycat]

But now, since most of the guests will stay onsite and have access to FP+ in advance, we would be stuck with the leftover times (if any available at all same day at xmas).

the offsite still wins in where most Disney lovers stay.

would be staying offsite or at Pop for most of my stays if not for DVC (which I happen to love)

disney is only allowing anyone to kept 3 fast passes per day all at one park.

so really think you will still be fine. kept in mind some people staying had the system down and could easily get 10 fast passes per day at any or all of the parks.

this really cuts them down.