Crossover stays with another family group - FP strategy

[shifteru]

Perhaps it may be eventually closed but this info has been on TPAS for the last few years. CMs also give out this advice when guests call in - so it is a known function of the system.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm very glad you told me about it and I'll absolutely be taking advantage of it for my November trip, as obviously I'd be using it in the spirit of how it's intended with half my family arriving a few days after us, but I can definitely see how someone could work the system with this (as MickeyMinnieMom pointed out earlier). Seeing how Disney has shut these kinds of things down in the past, I'm amazed it's possible still.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think the key to Hiro's explanation is that the 2nd arriving party has to have standalone tickets, not a package. (Which I do).

I don't see it as an exploit -- I agree with Hiro . it's a way to get groups (who could easily have different arrival times) to be able to plan together without "frustration".

Really the only way to solve this issue is get rid of the "length of stay" FP bonus altogether and just have everyone make their reservations 60 days in advance period. Logging in for X consecutive days to make your FP reservations. (but that would be "frustrating" as well)

My next two trips are with out-of-state family and we will have similar times at the resort, but not exactly. Knowing we can still plan together without waiting to see if the late arrivers can get the same times is great.

 

[HopperFan]

This is the first time I’m hearing this and has never worked this way for us.

Do you have annual passes, Hiro?

Are you on their actual room reservation?

Again, this is new if true and I hope you’re right.

We have done this many times (for years) for friends who are not even staying onsite (so no 60 day for them). Some live in Orlando.

We are linked via Friends and Family.

We are able to book FP+ for them at 60 days if we are staying onsite ... even though they are not.

 

[shifteru]

I think the key to Hiro's explanation is that the 2nd arriving party has to have standalone tickets, not a package. (Which I do).

I don't see it as an exploit -- I agree with Hiro . it's a way to get groups (who could easily have different arrival times) to be able to plan together without "frustration".

Really the only way to solve this issue is get rid of the "length of stay" FP bonus altogether and just have everyone make their reservations 60 days in advance period. Logging in for X consecutive days to make your FP reservations. (but that would be "frustrating" as well)

My next two trips are with out-of-state family and we will have similar times at the resort, but not exactly. Knowing we can still plan together without waiting to see if the late arrivers can get the same times is great.

You may be right, but the way I understood it, I don't think it matters if the tickets are stand-alone or part of package, just as long as they have valid tickets. I guess we'll both find out on the 11th!

If this is all true though, it can definitely be used as a work around. Imagine I book a 3 night stay at the cheapest hotel I possibly can find onsite with just me on the room. Then the rest of the party (say 9 of them) books a 7 day stay offsite starting 3 days after my trip and buys tickets through a 3rd party which are all linked to my account. With this "trick," it seems I'd be able to book FastPass+ for all 10 people 60+10 days out from the room that I booked ONLY for myself, not only giving the 60 day perk to folks offsite, but also giving them to all of us 3 days earlier than we should have even if we stayed onsite. That's definitely an exploit and I don't see anything in Hiro's explanation that would prevent that.

 

[hiroMYhero]

just as long as they have valid tickets.

It only applies to separately linked tickets for Party#2.

Packaged tickets are not valid tickets until check-in day. The MDX system opens the window for package guests based on the ‘package,’ not the tickets.

 

[shifteru]

It only applies to separately linked tickets for Party#2.

Packaged tickets are not valid tickets until check-in day. The MDX system opens the window for package guests based on the ‘package,’ not the tickets.

Right on, this makes a little more sense. Not sure if the tickets we have are considered a package since we didn't book directly through Disney this time, so I'll try either way.

Still though, seems this could be used for a workaround based on my previous hypothetical scenario.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think the key to Hiro's explanation is that the 2nd arriving party has to have standalone tickets, not a package. (Which I do).

I don't see it as an exploit -- I agree with Hiro . it's a way to get groups (who could easily have different arrival times) to be able to plan together without "frustration".

Really the only way to solve this issue is get rid of the "length of stay" FP bonus altogether and just have everyone make their reservations 60 days in advance period. Logging in for X consecutive days to make your FP reservations. (but that would be "frustrating" as well)

My next two trips are with out-of-state family and we will have similar times at the resort, but not exactly. Knowing we can still plan together without waiting to see if the late arrivers can get the same times is great.

Still doesn't change the fact that using this "feature", someone can book the cheapest room onsite for one person, then book FPs for 12 "friends" staying offsite as long as they have tickets. That can't be what Disney intended when they bill the 60-day window as a benefit for onsite guests.

More power to anyone who can use this to coordinate with family -- I totally get that! I just wouldn't be surprised if it disappears as an option if it's exploited further for more examples like the one I just gave.

There would be no need at all to get rid of the length of stay FP booking -- just to make it impossible to book at 60 days unless ALL people in the party are associated with a valid onsite stay. Easy.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I have a trip planed for Nov. 10 - 16. After I had planned those dates, I found out my cousin and his family (including my Aunt and Uncle) have a trip planned Nov. 6 - 13.

Can they make FPs for me and my family (we are friends right now in MDE) for the few days we have crossed over? That seems like it would be helpful as it would give me a jump on securing those hard to get fast passes .. as they could make them 4 days before I could.

Then, when my FP window opens up, can I just modify the ones they made myself .. or are they in "control" of them?

I don't know what their park plans are for the crossover days (Nov. 11 and 12) , but basically, I am looking at doing AK on Nov. 12 (an morning EMH day (and a holiday)) and hoping they could help secure me that elusive FOP since that would be 60+6 for them, but only 60+2 for me.

Can they do that, since I am on their Friends/Family list .. even if they aren't going to AK that day? I guess I need to make sure they have all my wife, kids and parents in their list as well.

I think they have a travel agent doing their trip, so not sure if they will be making their FPs or if the travel agent would be.

Their FP Window is coming up in 11 days! Exciting!

I didn't get to read the whole thread but I just did this for friends and I was able to book our friends FPs with ours even though they were coming 2 days after us. Also if they can't handle it - maybe you can login as them and book everything yourself.

 

[tlmadden73]

Still doesn't change the fact that using this "feature", someone can book the cheapest room onsite for one person, then book FPs for 12 "friends" staying offsite as long as they have tickets. That can't be what Disney intended when they bill the 60-day window as a benefit for onsite guests.

More power to anyone who can use this to coordinate with family -- I totally get that! I just wouldn't be surprised if it disappears as an option if it's exploited further for more examples like the one I just gave.

There would be no need at all to get rid of the length of stay FP booking -- just to make it impossible to book at 60 days unless ALL people in the party are associated with a valid onsite stay. Easy.

I see your point -
Disney probably doesn't care because SOMEONE still needs a valid resort reservation (making them money).

I mean .. sure .. there are probably groups of people that could "work together" to do this .. just how complete strangers can share Memory Maker simply by become friends in MDE.

This is the same argument as a throwaway room. I utilized that to get Fast Passes for 4 families at (20 people) at 60 days out despite all of us staying offsite. Is that wrong?

It definitely may just be an oversight technically in the system - that could eventually get fixed to simply not allow a Fast Pass to be reserved unless you have a valid resort reservation within 60 - 31 days from check-in. Just how the system (previously) didn't care if a specific account was used for park entry -- thus allowing people to stack up 6,9 or more Fast Passes per day by just creating a new MDE account each trip and still using the old ones for extra passes.

There is a fine line to walk between closing a perceived "loophole" that a small group of users know about (and stretch its intention) and the happiness of guests who are simply trying to coordinate their vacation with their friends or family on a slightly different schedule.

I know I would be frustrated if I couldn't get the grandparents fast passes done at the same time simply because they were arriving a day later.

The fact remains the Friends/Family system in MDE could use some VAST improvements.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

This is the same argument as a throwaway room.

Good analogy. Aren't we not even allowed to discuss this on DIS anymore because it's against the spirit of Disney rules, or the like? I could be wrong about that. I never followed those threads.

As I said, I don't begrudge you or anyone doing anything that Disney's system allows -- AT ALL. I hope you guys go and have a FANTASTIC vacation!! I just don't think the system should allow it, and I wouldn't be surprised if that changes at some point for this "feature".

 

[tlmadden73]

Good analogy. Aren't we not even allowed to discuss this on DIS anymore because it's against the spirit of Disney rules, or the like? I could be wrong about that. I never followed those threads.

As I said, I don't begrudge you or anyone doing anything that Disney's system allows -- AT ALL. I hope you guys go and have a FANTASTIC vacation!! I just don't think the system should allow it, and I wouldn't be surprised if that changes at some point for this "feature".

I think there is still a throwaway room thread - as there is no circumventing Disney rules -- you are simply paying for something . .and not using it. (A debate whether that is right or wrong for sure).

This discussion falls into the same thing. It is a FP "strategy" and useful for those wanting to plan together despite separate check-in times.

That being said, I agree with you, but there always will be people who push the limits of a system in order "game" it .. for better or for worse. Disney just needs to figure out how to program it to make it not too restrictive, but restrictive enough. Not hard, but probably just not high on their priority list.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think there is still a throwaway room thread - as there is no circumventing Disney rules -- you are simply paying for something . .and not using it. (A debate whether that is right or wrong for sure).

This discussion falls into the same thing. It is a FP "strategy" and useful for those wanting to plan together despite separate check-in times.

That being said, I agree with you, but there always will be people who push the limits of a system in order "game" it .. for better or for worse. Disney just needs to figure out how to program it to make it not too restrictive, but restrictive enough. Not hard, but probably just not high on their priority list.

Gotcha’. In the meantime, we all use what we can to maximize our vacation — nothing wrong with it in my book as long as the system allows it.

I’m sending you *goodvibes* for a great overlapped vacation with your cousin! We have had mixed results doing this sort of thing, and are very... selecting when doing it now. Hope you guys have a blast!

 

[tlmadden73]

Gotcha’. In the meantime, we all use what we can to maximize our vacation — nothing wrong with it in my book as long as the system allows it.

I’m sending you *goodvibes* for a great overlapped vacation with your cousin! We have had mixed results doing this sort of thing, and are very... selecting when doing it now. Hope you guys have a blast!

Thanks

We definitely aren't trying to plan "together" .. we are trying to plan a few dinners together at the end of their trip (we have on large reservation at Ohana - so we can just leave whatever parks we are at and meet there) .. and maybe another evening at Disney Springs. I doubt we will even have park days planned together. Trying to plan two separate groups like this to tour together would be a nightmare

 

[tlmadden73]

A person in Party2 only needs valid ticket media that is not packaged.

The step is to always include an onsite person, and in tl’s case, his cousin will book for him after he completes his own booking.

Cousin Selects himself and tl.

Cousin Selects Date and Park.

Warning appears and Cousin removes himself.

Window stays open for tl to book FP.

I'd like to share here the success of the strategy Hiro said would work (for those who may not know it).

I was able to book my Fast Passes for three of my park days Nov. 11-13 (4 days early) by having my cousin's family book them for me with their account.
1) My cousin's family's FP window opened up today as they are going from Nov. 6-13.
2) My entire party is in their friends/family list
3) I have standalone tickets (not a package) for my entire party.

I was able to select one of their party (my cousin), plus all of my party to book a FP.
The system would say that my cousin already has the maximum Fast Passes for that day and I could remove them. I remove my cousin .. and I am able to hit "NEXT" and continue booking Fast Passes for my party for any days we cross over .. despite us checking in 4 days later than they are.

When my FP+ window opens on Tuesday, I will be able to book the final park days of my trip (11/15 and 11/16).

This strategy secured me a 9:30 AM FOP FP for my Animal Kingdom day because I am making it 60+6 days in advance as opposed to 60+2 days in advance.

A great strategy to help families plan together that may be arriving at different times, though it doesn't work if party #2 has a package with tickets.

Yes, you could argue it is a bug in the system, but I wanted to share the success. I may cross-post this in the general FP+ strategy thread.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'd like to share here the success of the strategy Hiro said would work (for those who may not know it).

I was able to book my Fast Passes for three of my park days Nov. 11-13 (4 days early) by having my cousin's family book them for me with their account.
1) My cousin's family's FP window opened up today as they are going from Nov. 6-13.
2) My entire party is in their friends/family list
3) I have standalone tickets (not a package) for my entire party.

I was able to select one of their party (my cousin), plus all of my party to book a FP.
The system would say that my cousin already has the maximum Fast Passes for that day and I could remove them. I remove my cousin .. and I am able to hit "NEXT" and continue booking Fast Passes for my party for any days we cross over .. despite us checking in 4 days later than they are.

When my FP+ window opens on Tuesday, I will be able to book the final park days of my trip (11/15 and 11/16).

This strategy secured me a 9:30 AM FOP FP for my Animal Kingdom day because I am making it 60+6 days in advance as opposed to 60+2 days in advance.

A great strategy to help families plan together that may be arriving at different times, though it doesn't work if party #2 has a package with tickets.

Yes, you could argue it is a bug in the system, but I wanted to share the success. I may cross-post this in the general FP+ strategy thread.

Thanks, tl, for confirming all the steps!

 

[shifteru]

I'd like to share here the success of the strategy Hiro said would work (for those who may not know it).

I was able to book my Fast Passes for three of my park days Nov. 11-13 (4 days early) by having my cousin's family book them for me with their account.
1) My cousin's family's FP window opened up today as they are going from Nov. 6-13.
2) My entire party is in their friends/family list
3) I have standalone tickets (not a package) for my entire party.

I was able to select one of their party (my cousin), plus all of my party to book a FP.
The system would say that my cousin already has the maximum Fast Passes for that day and I could remove them. I remove my cousin .. and I am able to hit "NEXT" and continue booking Fast Passes for my party for any days we cross over .. despite us checking in 4 days later than they are.

When my FP+ window opens on Tuesday, I will be able to book the final park days of my trip (11/15 and 11/16).

This strategy secured me a 9:30 AM FOP FP for my Animal Kingdom day because I am making it 60+6 days in advance as opposed to 60+2 days in advance.

A great strategy to help families plan together that may be arriving at different times, though it doesn't work if party #2 has a package with tickets.

Yes, you could argue it is a bug in the system, but I wanted to share the success. I may cross-post this in the general FP+ strategy thread.

Great to know! But you say your FastPass window opens Tuesday for 11/11? Mine opens Tuesday (according to the Disney site) for my trip starting 11/10. Maybe I should call.

 

[subtchr]

Great to know! But you say your FastPass window opens Tuesday for 11/11? Mine opens Tuesday (according to the Disney site) for my trip starting 11/10. Maybe I should call.

That's correct - tl checks in on 11/10, so his window opens 9/11, like you.

 

[shifteru]

That's correct - tl checks in on 11/10, so his window opens 9/11, like you.

Got it. Didn't go back far enough to see the original post, was just going by the previous one where he said Nov 11 - 14

 

[tlmadden73]

Got it. Didn't go back far enough to see the original post, was just going by the previous one where he said Nov 11 - 14

Yep, we arrive (driving) on 11/10 - but probably not until mid-day, and will just be a Disney Springs afternoon (my son needs his Lego Store fix and I gotta go there and spend some time at Guest Relations upgrading to an Annual Pass!).

Maybe we'll see you there shifteru . .heh - unlikely. Funny to find someone on the boards going pretty much the exact time.

Seriously though .. if you are looking for an ADR or something, I may have a few I will be cancelling ... so PM me if there is something you may be looking for.
My park days will be thus:
11/11 - Epcot
11/12 - AK
11/13 - MK
11/15 - DHS

 

[shifteru]

Yep, we arrive (driving) on 11/10 - but probably not until mid-day, and will just be a Disney Springs afternoon (my son needs his Lego Store fix and I gotta go there and spend some time at Guest Relations upgrading to an Annual Pass!).

Maybe we'll see you there shifteru . .heh - unlikely. Funny to find someone on the boards going pretty much the exact time.

Seriously though .. if you are looking for an ADR or something, I may have a few I will be cancelling ... so PM me if there is something you may be looking for.
My park days will be thus:
11/11 - Epcot
11/12 - AK
11/13 - MK
11/15 - DHS

Quite possibly we'll see each other! We're doing the same thing the first day. Maybe a water park on the 10th, but definitely Disney Springs by the evening! We're also doing MK on the 13th.

We're all set for ADRs on our end - thanks for the offer though! Enjoy your trip!