How things react with the extra FP 90 day program is less clear / not as well-documented given the much much smaller guest count using the program, and even fewer that report their experiences. It’s also much harder and borderline impossible to test since the booking and cancelling process is laborious.
Generally speaking, there’s no basic reason why it should act
differently than two regular length of stay FP bookings, but you see occasional reports like the PP upthread where DSS ‘had to do something different to book them’, but what that is or why isn’t exactly clear.
So, I would suggest that something like two AP on site stays - one with the program booked, one without - will have regular length of stay FP privileges for both with no issues. If one were to run into trouble, I’d suspect a good DSS CM can escalate it to a level that it gets solved. A single stay with the program would have no issues at all.
Not related to the above and a totally different topic, but a more common AP ‘problem’ with the extra FP/90 day program is when someone is eligible to book the program 90 days from check out but their AP is expiring before the trip and it’s before the eligible period to renew. DSS won’t be able to book the FPs because there is no eligible park admission unless the AP is renewed, and at that point it can’t be renewed since it’s before the renewal window. DSS can add a “FP key” which lets them temporarily override the lack of eligible admission media. We had to do this last summer as DW’s renewal window fell in between booking and renewal eligibility. It took a bit of escalating to get through it though.
Sorry, very wordy but hope that all makes sense.
Thank you! That is very helpful.
Just in case it will be of benefit to someone, here is a 'wordy' account of our experience with CL FP+: (Sorry, I seem to only be able to do wordy posts myself. LOL)
I did the CL FP+ program earlier this month on our most recent visit. At the time of booking, I had an 8 day hopper (that I subsequently changed to an AP while in WDW). It was a seamless experience for us and one that I hope to implement again in DEC, 2019.
We booked as soon as possible at 90 days from our departure date. The CM that I spoke with was very pleasant and helpful. I knew what I wanted and he booked it with no issues. He also booked our regular FP+ for the days that we purchased the CL FP+. I was less prepared for that as I hadn't fully considered what I wanted for the regular FP+ program. However, it didn't matter as I was easily able to modify those later as needed.
I really liked the program as it took a lot of stress out of planning for us. That was the primary benefit for us, I think. If getting certain rides in a short period of time is your goal, there the CL FP+ is perfect fro you. It gives access to rides on the very busiest of days when getting the rides you want at the times you prefer could be problematic. It takes all the stress out of planning and hoping for particular experiences. For the price, it will be worth it for some, but not for everyone. WE like a slower pace than this program optimally provides, however, so I would not book it for every day of our trip. For us, I would think every other day would work well with CL FP+, and every other day would then be a more flexible, restful day.
One thing that I didn't like was the inability to modify the rides booked with the CL FP+. This was. just a minor issue, though, and didn't really impact the overall usefulness of the program. The CL FP+ were the usual one hour each, so more time than necessary was allocated between each ride, IMO. WE had booked all our reg FP+ in the morning, so we were able to "fill in" those wait periods with other same day FP+. The CL FP+ didn't interfere with booking more same day FP+. I didn't try calling DSS to get anything modified by them, so IDK if that is an option or not. I thought that morning reg FP+ with CL FP+ booked in the afternoon or evening worked really well.
We had our 'must do' attractions already booked on our CL FP+ days, so on some other days I didn't feel the need to pre book any FP+. Yet other days, I only pre booked one or two headliners that we thought we would enjoy a second time, or had not booked with the CL program.. On those days, we went to the parks and tried a more spontaneous approach - looking for same day FP+ and booking what we could find. On most days that 'same day' approach actually worked far better than I had expected. Only on one day was I unable to get the rides that I wanted at a time that was in the range that I was looking for. I would not opt to do this at a busy time, however. Once SWGE opens, this strategy may be less useful. Time will tell.
I really enjoyed the days with the CL FP+ rides, but they were busier than days when I didn't. We had a total of 6 FP+ booked on those days. Plus I was able to book several same day FP+ after our reg FP+ were finished in the morning. If you want a day filled with excellent rides, little wait and minimal refreshing to get extra FP+, then the CL FP+ is great.
That said, it is an added expense for something that, admittedly with some effort, you can avoid and get the same results. On most days with only 1 or 2 headliner ride FP+ pre booked, we were able to ride everything we wanted with same day FP+. It seems that the most popular rides are the only ones that are truly difficult to get on those less busy days.
The refresh technique worked differently on some busier days, however. The busier the day the more effort that refreshing took to get FP+. On those busy days it felt like I spent a lot of time looking at my phone trying to select rides and modify times. I am older and not a fan of technology, however, so for most younger people it probably wouldn't be an issue. I used such times as waiting in line or while waiting for food in TS restaurants to work on FP+ selections and modifications.
On our busiest day, I did have difficulty getting reg same day FP+, even in the MK, which normally presented no problems for me. Even rides that are typically available, such as Buzz LightYear in the MK, proved elusive.
For me, refreshing did detract a little from my enjoyment of being in WDW. I prefer to be watching my surroundings and engaged with my family than to worrying about modifying my next FP+ window. But I managed by doing it exclusively during times when I was not doing anything of import.
The bottom line, IMO, on CL FP+:
Pros:
stress free planning - you have the difficult to get FP+ rides secured
great for short visits - you are able to do multiple headliner rides with a FP+ all in one day
many 'good' rides in one day for those who like to ride a lot
reduces time spent refreshing, if you prefer NOT to do this
great for really crowded dates in WDW
great for anyone who can't participate in the EMM or DAH (too early/late or not offered for your dates)
Cons:
an unnecessary added expense
not needed on many dates
can make your day feel busier, less relaxed, as you hustle from one ride to another
cannot be modified by you directly in the App
can reduce spontaneity - at least if you get into the 'must ride more rides' mindset like we did. this could be a pro for some people.
For Anyone staying CL - I would suggest trying CL FP+ for at least the three day minimum.
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