Can You Still Even DO WDW Without Planning?

[ronandannette]

I am not well informed about the present state of things over in WDW (fastpass +, magic bands, etc.) because I had no intention of visiting. Unexpectedly I now may be going to Orlando on business next week and will have a hard time not wanting to go if I am already "right there". Is it even still possible to just walk up and buy a 1 day hopper and enjoy the parks? Any advice is appreciated and apologies for bringing up something I'm sure has been discussed to death - I couldn't figure out what search terms to use to find the kind of threads I was looking for.

TIA

 

[mesaboy2]

I am not well informed about the present state of things over in WDW (fastpass +, magic bands, etc.) because I had no intention of visiting. Unexpectedly I now may be going to Orlando on business next week and will have a hard time not wanting to go if I am already "right there". Is it even still possible to just walk up and buy a 1 day hopper and enjoy the parks? Any advise is appreciated and apologies for bringing up something I'm sure has been discussed to death - I couldn't figure out what search terms to use to find the kind of threads I was looking for.

TIA

Of course it is.

 

[sixxmum]

Absolutely. You'll be able to do the same things that any offsite guest can do. Enjoy!

 

[Postal68]

No, you can't thanks to the new FP+ system. Unless you don't mind paying $100 and doing maybe 1 or 2 major attractions all day and waiting at least about 90 minutes for each.


All the FPs will be gone, so if you are a "walk up" visitor. Your options are extremely limited.

 

[ronandannette]

Of course it is.

I just read the links in your signature to try to glean. I see that there is no longer a regular fast pass system in place. Will I be totally relegated to stand-by only?

 

[siskaren]

I just read the links in your signature to try to glean. I see that there is no longer a regular fast pass system in place. Will I be totally relegated to stand-by only?

No, you can book FP+ at the park.

 

[mesaboy2]

I just read the links in your signature to try to glean. I see that there is no longer a regular fast pass system in place. Will I be totally relegated to stand-by only?

Only in AK today, but strongly rumored to be at MK also starting Tuesday. Even so, you can get FP+ via kiosks in the parks.

 

[Postal68]

No, you can book FP+ at the park.

if there are any left by the time you get there

 

[mesaboy2]

if there are any left by the time you get there

That shouldn't be much of a problem this time of year.

 

[sixxmum]

If you are going next week, the idea that you won't be able to do much just isn't accurate. You can still use the FP+ system (at the kiosks) or FP- (where still available) and if you get there at rope drop you'll be able to catch a few rides before it even gets busy. As a single rider, you'll also have that option for some rides depending on which park you are in.

The fast passes available to offsite guests do run out faster than they used to, but it's still not impossible (even for the headliners before noon or 1:00). My family was in the parks last week and we used a total of 4 fast passes for the 5 park days and managed to see everything we wanted with no waits of over 30 minutes.

 

[btk2333]

No, you can't thanks to the new FP+ system. Unless you don't mind paying $100 and doing maybe 1 or 2 major attractions all day and waiting at least about 90 minutes for each.


All the FPs will be gone, so if you are a "walk up" visitor. Your options are extremely limited.

this is not accurate you can still have a great time

 

[TwinkleKS]

Even if you HAD to do everything standby you aren't going to be in every line 90+ minutes. We were there Christmas week and rode some rides stand by with no issues. My son rode expedition Everest in the single rider line twice in about ten minutes total.

 

[smbowtie]

if there are any left by the time you get there

Have you had this happen to you personally? Or just hear say.

 

[ariel326]

No, you can't thanks to the new FP+ system. Unless you don't mind paying $100 and doing maybe 1 or 2 major attractions all day and waiting at least about 90 minutes for each.


All the FPs will be gone, so if you are a "walk up" visitor. Your options are extremely limited.

Wrong

I have been watching the times because we are going to be going out there in a few days. Average time for many rides is under 20-30 minutes. Are they all the headliners? No. But there are many rides that can be done without a huge wait and a FP.

At one point today on my MDE app I counted over 10 rides that had a less then 30 minute wait including Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted House. And when I checked the headliner wait times- they were less then 60 minutes. So, you could do even some of the major attractions.
So yes, while the wait time for thunder mountain may longer there are many rides with shorter wait times that can add to a fun Disney experience.

 

[ronandannette]

Absolutely. You'll be able to do the same things that any offsite guest can do. Enjoy!

Would staying on-site help? There's no restrictions on where I can stay. I haven't looked into hotels yet because I haven't decided to accept the assignment.

No, you can book FP+ at the park.

How does this work? Are there machines at each attraction like the old system? If not, do I need to pull all my FP's at one time from a central location?

 

[btk2333]

Would staying on-site help? There's no restrictions on where I can stay. I haven't looked into hotels yet because I haven't decided to accept the assignment.



How does this work? Are there machines at each attraction like the old system? If not, do I need to pull all my FP's at one time from a central location?

if you stay onsite you can book 3 fp+ prior to arrival