Doing WDW without FastPasses?

[caribbeandream]

Hear me out here! We lived in Florida for 13 years and although we never had APs we went at least once per year. We moved out of Florida and have not been to WDW in the last five years but have been to Disneyland twice since then. We are not Disney newbies. Our party of three (me and sis (40s) and 13 yo son) are going in January - after the marathon and before MLK weekend hits. We are staying at the Grand Floridian. I have been reading about the new bands and they whole idea of having to decide what/when/where this far ahead of our trip is honestly stressing all of us out. I know that Disney vacations are not "relaxing" (although a ton of fun) but this level of planning feels ridiculous. I do my research regarding shows, parades, closures and extended hours then we download the ride app to avoid the long lines and rush to the rides with short ones. Other than that I seriously refuse to do any more micro-planning. Can I just get to WDW and find paper FP or make reservations once we get there? Also, whenever I read about declining the bands all I find is about not getting NEW bands, not just declining altogether. My skin is already itching at the though of having to wear those things all day long. HELP

 

[mesaboy2]

No paper FPs, you can use a standard ticket to access the system and make FPs day-of if you prefer.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

All bands you ever recieved from Disney can be used and or attached to yoru reservation. So in theory noone needs new bands if they've visited since magic bands were first introduced.

Not getting FastPasses would put you ad a disadvantage. You should atleast book them now. Can always change them later. Top Tier rides need the FastPass or you will spend most of your day waiting inline.

You can however get last minute fastpasses for attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates etc. Just not 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, Soarin etc.

 

[NeuroCindy]

Just because you have a FP for something doesn't mean you have to use it. It's a helpful tool, not a mandatory reservation.

 

[tjmw2727]

There are no more paper fast passes, and you can't decline your first set of magic bands because they are also your room keys. You don't have to wear them if you don't want but you would want to carry them with you so you can access your room. In the park you can use either your actual park ticket or your magic band for park entry and access to FP+ if you choose to book them. You can also purchase a "magic keeper" carabineer to use instead of wearing the MB.

I would highly suggest doing at least a loose plan and booking a FP+ for any "must do" attractions ahead of time. Others will be booking them at the 60/30 day window leaving less availability on the day of. There is no penalty for missing a FP+ and you can also change them (based on availability) so why not book what you think you want rather than taking the chance there won't be any FP+ left when you want to ride?

 

[Disneylover99]

Don't overthink it. Make your fp's now and then you're done. You can always change them once you're there.

 

[CarrieR]

Regarding Magic Bands - I cannot and do not wear watches, jewelry, etc (I can manage for a very short period of time if absolutely necessary, but otherwise... no.) I attach my MB to the strap of my crossbody bag and have no problem. I have also clipped it to a belt look.

They also sell "Magickeepers," in which you can remove the small circular electronic part of the MagicBand and screw it into a holder with a lobster claw clip/clasp. That might be better.

As far as FPs... make a guess, take a stab, and adjust as necessary. Or make your FPs at a kiosk when you arrive at the park. Whatever works for you & yours!

 

[caribbeandream]

Thank you for your replies everyone! I am loving the idea of the Magickeepers. Will definitely look into that. As for the FP I will look at the EMH and go from there. I don't know why but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of not using your FastPasses! Seriously, don't they send you to Disney detention for that?! LOL

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Thank you for your replies everyone! I am loving the idea of the Magickeepers. Will definitely look into that. As for the FP I will look at the EMH and go from there. I don't know why but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of not using your FastPasses! Seriously, don't they send you to Disney detention for that?! LOL

Disney Detention : AKA standby line. I avoid it whenever possible.

 

[disneyseniors]

OP, I'm the same as you in regard to wearing watches, etc. I just don't do it. I had to wear a watch every day when I worked, and vowed to never wear one again. Just don't like the feeling of a watch for some reason?
I tried the new bands when they first came out, and we could also use the old tickets too. I absolutely hated them.
But now I put them on and don't have a problem with them. They seem more comfortable to me now,or I am just used to them maybe.
Just give them a try.
I would definitely make fp's so you don't take a chance missing your favorites. that's just the way it is now. You can always cancel or change them, or just don't use them (that's what I do
You are overthinking this, just have fun and it will all come together

 

[Disnsyncey]

Thank you for your replies everyone! I am loving the idea of the Magickeepers. Will definitely look into that. As for the FP I will look at the EMH and go from there. I don't know why but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of not using your FastPasses! Seriously, don't they send you to Disney detention for that?! LOL

I mean, what's the use in having them and not using them? If you don't want to use them for a ride you already have, why not just change them too?

 

[mamamelody2]

Of course you can do no FPs, but why? Just make some FPs based on what you think you want to do. They can be changed or cancelled as needed.

 

[only hope]

If you decide not to use your fp and the window has not started, the polite thing to do is either change it for a later time or cancel them so that someone else can use it.

 

[CAS239]

There's zero reasons for anyone to go to Disney without FP's. You don't have to book FP's 60 days out (you'll want to it you want to ride the new Flight of Passage ride), you can book your FP's a week out if you want.

I'm an AP and we usually plan a trip about 2-3 weeks out. I look at park hours, avoid emh, and then pick a park and make fps.. It probably takes me about 5-10 min to have our trip ready as far as what parks we're doing on which days and what FP's we're doing.

If you don't want to be like some people and sit down with a white board, Venn diagram, hypothesis, maps, print outs, touring plans... Then you don't have to. But there's no reason not to at least book some FP's

There's no paper FP's so if you just try to decide what FP's you want the day of while you're in the parks, it'll be slim pickings.

And as far as the MB's, you can decline them if you don't want the bands and/or already have bands from a previous stay. The bands are lightweight and after a few minutes I forget I'm even wearing one. And if you don't like stuff on your wrists then you can buy accessories to clip onto your shirt or lanyard, etc

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

OP are you making any ADRs? If yes make FP for the same park. If you decide not to use them you can cancel them. I would get the magic band to start and if you decide not to wear it I think you can get an card/key at your resort.

 

[greg9x]

Everyone is free to plan how they want.. some go without fastpasses and have a ok-good time. But I think the time wasted standing in a few lines you don't have to will be more than taking a bit of time before hand and do a basic plan and click out a few fastpasses. It doesn't have to be that involved to still get benefits.
Don't get that it's some kind of virtue to not plan given the amount of money in a Disney vacation... again, yes you can do what you want, but only hurting your party.

 

[caribbeandream]

only hope - I would definitely do the polite thing! The reminder is appreciated though. (;

CAS239 - The image of someone using Venn diagrams to plan their Disney vacation made me lol! I am feeling a little less stressed out now with everyone's suggestions.

NeedMoreMickey - We are only doing ADRs for dinner our arrival day and breakfast on the day we leave - both at the MK monorail hotels.