Conclusion - Need to Book FP+ as soon as possible

It sounds like a great success for you, but it also sounds like you go to the parks quite often.

What about everyone else? Maybe it's their first time or they only get to go every few years after they've sacrificed and saved in order to afford it. A single 45 minute interval out of an entire day, while satisfying to you, may only be considered a start for them. What would they do outside of those 45 minutes? And in the aggregate, would they also consider their day to be a success?

I would suggest that they pick a top three must do's for dinning and rides for each person in their party.

Try to go in off season, when its cheaper and less crowded.

Just let everything else happen.

ei dd love tot last trip oct 2013 the beginning stages of testing fp+ craziness we showed up to HS recommend day around 10 and she rode tot 4-5 times in a row.
We had fp+ for tot for around 10 am the line was short so we hopped in line got off and used fp+, then she repeated the process for like 2-3 after wards I think the time was around noon because we had fp+ for tsm around 1230/1.
 
Your kidding right?

Not at all. You've shown how you've been able to walk into a park and get the FP's you've wanted at a kiosk. Would you recommend doing that or reserving them in advance?
 
Liking the discussion. :thumbsup2

Yes we did get TSM for that evening to go with Fantasmic, day of-in the park, Easter week for 4.

But again-my whole point was to debunk some of the myths thrown out over the years about what would happen with FP+.

It was never to say others should not reserve asap-just that "WE" won't be/haven't.

1) Nothing would be available if not reserved at midnight 60 days.
A) Not even mentioning the time of year
B) We did this Easter week and XMAS week (XMAS eve for XMAS day) many inside the park.
C) And even more the first week of Mar and Thanksgiving
D) Some selections we made those weeks, TSM/TOT/RNR/EE/Safari/FOTLK/Soarin/TT/SE/7DMT/BTMRR/Space/Splash/Pan/Pirates/A&E

Debunked- Not for us, I've been trying to simply change a fp+ time for 7dmmt since the 62 day for the beginning of May and have been unable to do so. We are therefore left with either not doing an adr that I had been trying for and got, or not doing 7dmt. Also we've tried to slightly vary some times for other fp's and cant get times we want now, 3 weeks prior.


2) And certainly scraps at best at 30 days for the offsiters

Debunked- if one isn't picky about times or attractions maybe you'd be right

3) FP+ will fill the ques minute one so the headliners will not be done quickly at RD.
A) Not even mentioning the time of year
B) Did RNR/TSM/TOT in 45 minutes Easter week

Debunked- dont know...we were never rope droppers because before fp+ we could stroll into the park later, still get fp's and not have ridiculous sb lines for secondaries and have far more fun

4) With FP+ you can't start each day with a clean slate.
A) You can reserve FP+ for the evening, and start every day with a clean slate, RD a park, sleep, fish, golf etc.
B) We had no FP+ reserved (Clean slate) and did TSM/RNR/TOT in 45 minutes and reserved ST/Frozen and TSM to go with Fantasmic Easter week inside the park.

Debunked- there would be 0 chance of getting headliners for us if we showed up now at the same time as we used to prior to fp+ In the past sometimes we could, and if we couldn't there was still a lot to do without 45 minute lines

5) With FP+ you can't do last minute trips, except with FP+ scraps

Debunked-wrong again. WE cant do last minute trips with fp+ WE WOULDNT. since I've now seen twice that WE would not have any luck with it. Heck I wouldn't now book without 60 days since I want flexibility, so its onsite or throwaways for us when and if.

6) You can't get FP+ if you don't have a computer/internet.
A) We used the kiosk Easter week and got all headliners except A&E
B) Got everything the first week of Mar including A&E

Debunked-I guess we could use someone else's but I would never ever ever ever ever ever go to any Disney park without fp's lined up in advance now. Im not big on 45 minute lines for potc, and iasm

7) You can't use FP+ without an internet phone.
A) We used the kiosk Easter week and got all headliners except A&E
B) Got everything the first week of Mar including A&E

Debunked-on this we agree. For us there was never anything worthwhile for a 4th or more fp+ to book at the kiosk, and we could never change our 3 booked fp's to anything worthwhile so yes we didnt need one because it was sadly, useless for us.

8) If you can get a good FP+ in the park it will be for one guest.
A) Ours were for 4, many for 7.

Debunked-we are booking for only 2




KEEP IN MIND-WE COULD HAVE INDEED FOUND NOTHING AVAILABLE-IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

And still recommend folks reserve asap-just not us, after 4 trips we have drawn our own conclusion. We have as well but it isn't the same conclusion.
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Response above in purple in the quoted portion ! Click to expand .
 
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jade1 - you have made a good case that IF you don't book FPs until day before or day of, you can still have a good day. And as I've said before, that's good news for some - mainly those who don't have other options.

You haven't made a good case for why that should be anyone's plan of first resort, or even second ... or third.

You haven't made a good case for why someone would book a stay at a Disney resort, have 60 day advance FP booking privileges, but instead wait until the day before to book them.

You haven't made a case for why it's PREFERABLE or BETTER to book "by the seat of your pants".

You have simply made the case that if you do, all is not lost. Not that you can't have BETTER options by planning in advance.
 
Not at all. You've shown how you've been able to walk into a park and get the FP's you've wanted at a kiosk. Would you recommend doing that or reserving them in advance?

Got ya. :thumbsup2

I was thinking you missed what we selected in the park.

So that basically was our day laid out in front of us Easter Week with a clean slate, no reserved FP+.

As for when-it's up to the individual to gather as much knowledge and feedback they can get and make a decision.

How many guests?

When are they planning a trip? Tomorrow? A local waking up tomorrow? A week out? 30 days out? 60 days out?

When is it? Easter week? XMAS week? Sept?

How often have they been?

What attractions do they mostly care about?

How old are they guests?

Do some like some attractions and others different attractions?

Will they be only coming to DHS one day this trip?

How long are they planning to stay in that park? Noon? All day? For one of the Fantasmics?

Not sure if you have been reading the responses.

Keep in mind-"Book as soon as possible" can be the day before. I'm showing that even that can be (was) highly successful, even "day of" was.

2 last minute trips in a row-advance reserving not needed for us-Fact and Conclusion. :thumbsup2

.

Exactly-actual feedback is required to make decisions, all types should be out there and available.

And still recommend folks reserve asap-just not us, after 4 trips we have drawn our own conclusion.
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You haven't made a good case for why someone would book a stay at a Disney resort, have 60 day advance FP booking privileges, but instead wait until the day before to book them.

You haven't made a case for why it's PREFERABLE or BETTER to book "by the seat of your pants".

You have simply made the case that if you do, all is not lost. Not that you can't have BETTER options by planning in advance.

That's because I have NEVER not tried to make that case, and would not. I have actually posted the opposite.

Make sure you read all the responses.

Keep in mind-"Book as soon as possible" can be the day before. I'm showing that even that can be (was) highly successful, even "day of" was.

2 last minute trips in a row-advance reserving not needed for us-Fact and Conclusion. :thumbsup2

.

Exactly-actual feedback is required to make decisions, all types should be out there and available.

And still recommend folks reserve asap-just not us, after 4 trips we have drawn our own conclusion.
.
 
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That's because I have not tried to make that case, and would not. I have actually posted the opposite.

Make sure you read all the responses.

Ok, you have made a concession here and there, in the midst of an all out effort to prove that you have the BEST days every time you go, ride the headliners multiple times, don't just take those unwanted late night FPs, in peak weaks AND Spring Break, with no planning, no phone, AND with a blurry picture of the queue at TSMM with a time stamp on your phone to prove how awesome of a time you are having ...

AND it feels a bit like you are scoffing at those who DO plan, DO book ahead, DO use their phones because it's all just SO unnecessary because you have the best trips ever and you don't do any of that silly stuff.

If that's not what you're trying to say, then perhaps I'm misreading, but I think that's why people have gotten their backs up.

I am glad you have good days with little planning. I really am. I don't think it's the gold standard way to approach things, and I don't think your results are typical.

We go once every year, maybe year and a half. We drive two days to get to WDW. I would be a moron to leave to chance whether my daughter got to ride her favorite rides or not - IF I were given the opportunity to secure those opportunities for her in advance. I'm glad rolling the dice has worked for you. It's just not ideal for everyone.
 
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Ok, you have made a concession here and there, in the midst of an all out effort to prove that you have the BEST days every time you go, ride the headliners multiple times, don't just take those unwanted late night FPs, in peak weaks AND Spring Break, with no planning, no phone, AND with a blurry picture of the queue at TSMM with a time stamp on your phone to prove how awesome of a time you are having ...

AND it feels a bit like you are scoffing at those who DO plan, DO book ahead, DO use their phones because it's all just SO unnecessary because you have the best trips ever and you don't do any of that silly stuff.

If that's not what you're trying to say, then perhaps I'm misreading, but I think that's why people have gotten their backs up.

I am glad you have good days with little planning. I really am. I don't think it's the gold standard way to plan, and I don't think your results are typical.

I see you are posting on the the other thread. I will post the same summary from earlier today on here for you to read:

Notice the MOST SHOULD/CAN, and the Mostly why wouldn't that be at least kinda good news on here?



See the thing is, all we really did was report back what transpired Easter week (and the 3 trips before that) with either minimal FP+ planning, or none at all.

This is information some may want, some may not, some may like, some may hate. They were all pretty last minute trips anyway.

But hopefully everyone can draw their own "conclusions' on what to do going forward.

Like our conclusion is the trips were far better than ever with FP+ and didn't need to reserve them ahead. Reserving them ahead would not have made them better actually. The times we got were well within windows we wanted. And we did use FP+ every day. Not just a couple days, not just the less busy days, were talking the 3 peak weeks of the year and one spring break week.

If we had had minimal FP+ success-we would not have gone back 3 times after Thanksgiving. Why would we do that? And certainly why would we not report that. Mostly why wouldn't that be at least kinda good news on here?

Its information-nobody has to do it. As other I and others have said-why would you do it if you can schedule ahead? MOST SHOULD/CAN. We had minimal time to schedule, and then purposely didn't the last couple trips-just to see what we could get in the parks.
 
That's because I have not tried to make that case, and would not. I have actually posted the opposite.

Make sure you read all the responses.

jade that's not fair more then likely you don't need park maps, too.

There is a Hugh difference between me and you and people that don't go often, don't have info on which way to go to max their time, for what they want out of a disney trip.

I would love to show up and not plan which day, which park at disney like in the old days before fp + and -, but most of the times the crowd levels now are to high to just call and get ADR for the castle or hop into a afternoon 30/45 min line for a headliner the day of.

I hope fp+ day of planning takes back some of the greed that happened with fp-, but only time will tell.
 
jade that's not fair more then likely you don't need park maps, too.

There is a Hugh difference between me and you and people that don't go often, don't have info on which way to go to max their time, for what they want out of a disney trip.

I would love to show up and not plan which day, which park at disney like in the old days before fp + and -, but most of the times the crowd levels now are to high to just call and get ADR for the castle or hop into a afternoon 30/45 min line for a headliner the day of.

I hope fp+ day of planning takes back some of the greed that happened with fp-, but only time will tell.

Ha sorry-I think that came off as the opposite. I see your point.

I meant I made the case that minimal planning can work, but would make the case that maximum planning and Disney resorts is the best.

My bad.

itchintogo as well-sorry
 
Ha sorry-I think that came off as the opposite. I see your point.

I meant I made the case that minimal planning can work, but would make the case that maximum planning and Disney resorts is the best.

My bad.

I so agree with your other post for long time visitor, FP+ is in the baby stage and us planners need all the info we can get.

You sure are taking a beating for going against the norm of Disboard over planning. Like I said early thank you.

:worship::worship::worship::worship::worship::worship::worship: ty for having the b to do it.
 
jade that's not fair more then likely you don't need park maps, too.

There is a Hugh difference between me and you and people that don't go often, don't have info on which way to go to max their time, for what they want out of a disney trip.

I would love to show up and not plan which day, which park at disney like in the old days before fp + and -, but most of the times the crowd levels now are to high to just call and get ADR for the castle or hop into a afternoon 30/45 min line for a headliner the day of.

I hope fp+ day of planning takes back some of the greed that happened with fp-, but only time will tell.
jade1 - you have made a good case that IF you don't book FPs until day before or day of, you can still have a good day. And as I've said before, that's good news for some - mainly those who don't have other options.

You haven't made a good case for why that should be anyone's plan of first resort, or even second ... or third.

You haven't made a good case for why someone would book a stay at a Disney resort, have 60 day advance FP booking privileges, but instead wait until the day before to book them.

You haven't made a case for why it's PREFERABLE or BETTER to book "by the seat of your pants".

You have simply made the case that if you do, all is not lost. Not that you can't have BETTER options by planning in advance.

That's because I have not tried to make that case, and would not. I have actually posted the opposite.

Make sure you read all the responses.

Gads what a mess.

What I meant was-I "ONLY" made a case for the minimal planning.

That wasn't meant to mean folks shouldn't plan, which is why I posted my quotes as to that effect-that indeed most can/should.

I will follow up a "case" for exactly that.
 
jade1 - you have made a good case that IF you don't book FPs until day before or day of, you can still have a good day. And as I've said before, that's good news for some - mainly those who don't have other options.

You haven't made a good case for why that should be anyone's plan of first resort, or even second ... or third.

You haven't made a good case for why someone would book a stay at a Disney resort, have 60 day advance FP booking privileges, but instead wait until the day before to book them.

You haven't made a case for why it's PREFERABLE or BETTER to book "by the seat of your pants".

You have simply made the case that if you do, all is not lost. Not that you can't have BETTER options by planning in advance.

OK here we go, sorry itchy.

I made a strong case (I think) for the short term planner, no computers, no phone, show up at the door types.

"WE" still had so much success, that we will not be planning much ahead but that's just us.

This was really just information to that effect.

But to make a case for early planning and Disney Resorts etc-yes I can see what you meant now.

We stay at WDW Resorts-really enough said-they are awesome and some locations are amazing, we splits stay with BLT and either BC or BW, that way we can be to 3 parks with minimal wasted time/obstacles. The 60 days can make it even better if you do reserve that far ahead. And yes why not reserve your FP+ ahead-I have said before I can do 10 days in about 10 minutes, and never have to make a change. Our last 4 trips were all under 2 week out decisions but again not typical.

We will not be hesitant to do so again even without FP+ reserved.

When we do reserve FP+ (even day before) it is always for the evening, we are late nighters and enjoy night shows etc. That leaves our mornings and afternoons as clean slates to do whatever we want, from RD a park, golf, fishing, beaches, UNI, sleep, pools whatever.
 
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Gads what a mess.

What I meant was-I "ONLY" made a case for the minimal planning.

That wasn't meant to mean folks shouldn't plan, which is why I posted my quotes as to that effect-that indeed most can/should.

I will follow up a "case" for exactly that.

No biggie. :flower3:

My main concern is for those less experienced folks who might casually read your "conclusion" thread, and feel safe not planning. I understand that some are reluctant to figure out the FP system and book advance FPs. It feels confusing, and like a hassle. I think for the first time visitor, it's well worth figuring out. That's all.

I'm one of those crazy planners who will book early and change often!
 
No biggie. :flower3:

My main concern is for those less experienced folks who might casually read your "conclusion" thread, and feel safe not planning. I understand that some are reluctant to figure out the FP system and book advance FPs. It feels confusing, and like a hassle. I think for the first time visitor, it's well worth figuring out. That's all.

I'm one of those crazy planners who will book early and change often!

And most of all, as much as we like FP+, wether 30 day or 60-it was awesome to find it had minimal effect on RD waits, and that there was a lot of great selections available last minute-MOSTLY WHAT I MEANT.
 
"My main concern is for those less experienced folks who might casually read your "conclusion" thread, and feel safe not planning."

Its not anyone's fault if less experienced folks decide to make them selfs less informed on what is going on. Plus there are tons of people that could careless about fp+ or fp-. new or old.

Seriously the disboard is like heaven for us ocd crazy planners.
 
Its so hilarious how, again, you are clinging to try and describe your day as a "clean Slate" the same way you desperately attempted to establish it was more "spontaneous" somehow after booking appointments.

I am glad you have established that you can choose to change the definitions of words to suit your purposes.

But your days at Disney world for having access to attractions are not clean slates when others have already prebooked.

And a day is by definition less spontaneous every time you schedule something like FPs.

Again, it goes back to the fact you are unwilling to have any word with a negative connotation attached to FP+, you are just that much of a partisan if you will.

Its ok to say, no the days are not clean slates but we still like FP+ more .... that's perfectly acceptable.
Just like its ok to say you enjoy having things booked, thus a less spontaneous day because you like to know you have those attractions on lock. Perfectly acceptable.
 
Its not anyone's fault if less experienced folks decide to make them selfs less informed on what is going on.

That's what was always said about FP- and using them after the printed return time.
 













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