Fast Pass Newbie... Help!

[celina14]

Hi, our upcoming trip will be our first one with the FP+ system in place. I still have a while before my 60 days but just trying to get a rough idea of our days since my ADR window is about to open up. But I have a couple of FP+ questions.

1- Can I book only 1 FP ahead of time for a certain day if that's all we want. I'm thinking about 1 of our Epcot Days. I'm going to try and get a PPO for Akershus, then wait in line for A&E M&G and then FP for FEA. To be honest, there's nothing else I'd really want to FP for that day because we will probably just hang around WS for the morning and then go back to our hotel after lunch and probably a different park in the evening. There's nothing else in WS to use a FP for correct? My thoughts are that this way, once my FEA FP is used I could try and pick up a FP for a different park later that day rather than having 2 FPs still sitting there for stuff we probably wouldn't use and having to wait for those to expire before booking a FP at a different park.

2- I'm nervous about making my FPs because I've never seen the system before. Is there any way to practice before hand just so I know how to navigate through it? I don't want to get in there and have to start fumbling around and miss the ones I really want.

3- How exactly does the FP+ w/ rider swap work? It will be me, DH, DD5 and DS2. So I know my son doesn't need a FP because he's under 3. But say myself, DH and I all want to ride 7DMT, my son won't be tall enough. So do I just make FP for all 3 of us to ride and one of us ride with my DD and then the other rides alone? Or could my DD ride both times? Or I see some people saying that you could just make FP for say myself and DD for 7DMT and then make a separate FP for my DH for something else that my son can ride so they have something to do while we ride and then I get a rider swap for my DH to ride 7DMT. Does that work or does he have to have a FP too in order to do rider swap? I hope that makes sense because I'm really confused about it!

Any other tips are appreciated. I've tried to read the FAQ thread but these are some questions I still had. Please forgive me if I've missed this information somewhere in there. Thanks!!

 

[Puffin]

1. Nowadays you're not obliged anymore to book 3 FP+ at once. So you can just book 1.

2. Don't be nervous, you can always cancel or modify your FP+ reservations. There will be plenty of FP+ available on the first day when the window opens.

 

[cmsb]

Hi, our upcoming trip will be our first one with the FP+ system in place. I still have a while before my 60 days but just trying to get a rough idea of our days since my ADR window is about to open up. But I have a couple of FP+ questions.

1- Can I book only 1 FP ahead of time for a certain day if that's all we want. I'm thinking about 1 of our Epcot Days. I'm going to try and get a PPO for Akershus, then wait in line for A&E M&G and then FP for FEA. To be honest, there's nothing else I'd really want to FP for that day because we will probably just hang around WS for the morning and then go back to our hotel after lunch and probably a different park in the evening. There's nothing else in WS to use a FP for correct? My thoughts are that this way, once my FEA FP is used I could try and pick up a FP for a different park later that day rather than having 2 FPs still sitting there for stuff we probably wouldn't use and having to wait for those to expire before booking a FP at a different park.

2- I'm nervous about making my FPs because I've never seen the system before. Is there any way to practice before hand just so I know how to navigate through it? I don't want to get in there and have to start fumbling around and miss the ones I really want.

3- How exactly does the FP+ w/ rider swap work? It will be me, DH, DD5 and DS2. So I know my son doesn't need a FP because he's under 3. But say myself, DH and I all want to ride 7DMT, my son won't be tall enough. So do I just make FP for all 3 of us to ride and one of us ride with my DD and then the other rides alone? Or could my DD ride both times? Or I see some people saying that you could just make FP for say myself and DD for 7DMT and then make a separate FP for my DH for something else that my son can ride so they have something to do while we ride and then I get a rider swap for my DH to ride 7DMT. Does that work or does he have to have a FP too in order to do rider swap? I hope that makes sense because I'm really confused about it!

Any other tips are appreciated. I've tried to read the FAQ thread but these are some questions I still had. Please forgive me if I've missed this information somewhere in there. Thanks!!

1 - You have to use 3 fastpasses in the same park before you can book a 4th fastpass in a different park (on the same day). So, you'll either need to visit future world to use 2 fastpasses or schedule them and wait for them to expire. Some things you could do with your DS2 are Spaceship Earth, the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, Disney/Pixar 3D movies, or Figment.

2 - The fastpass system is really simple. Just select everyone in your party, pick the park, pick the ride, and pick the time. As pp said, you can modify fastpasses at any time.

3 - Never done rider swap, so can't help with that one, sorry!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Hi - I know I can practice but we have annual passes. For us just click on to the My Disney Experience and go to Fastpass+. Then click Add a Fastpass+ it will prompt you to make a fastpass. Try it and see if it works.

 

[hiroMYhero]

1 - You have to use 3 fastpasses in the same park before you can book a 4th fastpass in a different park (on the same day). So, you'll either need to visit future world to use 2 fastpasses or schedule them and wait for them to expire. Some things you could do with your DS2 are Spaceship Earth, the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, Disney/Pixar 3D movies, or Figment.

2 - The fastpass system is really simple. Just select everyone in your party, pick the park, pick the ride, and pick the time. As pp said, you can modify fastpasses at any time.

3 - Never done rider swap, so can't help with that one, sorry!

Your #1 is incorrect. The NEW FP system allows for 1, 2, or 3 pre-booked FPs. As soon as whatever is pre-booked is used, the guest can schedule for another park and then hop over.

The FP system now benefits hoppers. Book only 1 in the 1st park and then use the app to book 2 in the next park.

 

[megster1123]

1 - You have to use 3 fastpasses in the same park before you can book a 4th fastpass in a different park (on the same day). So, you'll either need to visit future world to use 2 fastpasses or schedule them and wait for them to expire.

Are you sure about this? This is the understanding I had as well, but was given the advice in a different thread here today that you could book at another park right after you used your first (and only) fast past. Which one is true? I'm really hoping for being able to use and book immediately at another park!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Are you sure about this? This is the understanding I had as well, but was given the advice in a different thread here today that you could book at another park right after you used your first (and only) fast past. Which one is true? I'm really hoping for being able to use and book immediately at another park!!

1 and hop is true. Updates in the FP Superthread and posts by @marciemi confirms it. Many posters keep posting about the original FP system and aren't aware of the changes to the system that make it user and hopper friendly.

 

[megster1123]

1 and hop is true. Updates in the FP Superthread and posts by @marciemi confirms it. Many posters keep posting about the original FP system and aren't aware of the changes to the system that make it user and hopper friendly.

This is great news, thank you. Just got rid of a bunch of planning related stress for our EP/AK split day thank you!!

 

[cmsb]

Sorry about the misinformation! I wasn't aware it had changed. Have a great trip!

 

[celina14]

Thanks so much everyone! Does anyone know how it works with rider swap then?

Hi - I know I can practice but we have annual passes. For us just click on to the My Disney Experience and go to Fastpass+. Then click Add a Fastpass+ it will prompt you to make a fastpass. Try it and see if it works.

When I go into MDE my FP+ option is locked. I think since my tickets are linked to my package it won't open until my 60 day window. I just want to be able to get a feel for how it looks and works before I go in to actually do it. Maybe there's a YouTube video or something?

Your #1 is incorrect. The NEW FP system allows for 1, 2, or 3 pre-booked FPs. As soon as whatever is pre-booked is used, the guest can schedule for another park and then hop over.

The FP system now benefits hoppers. Book only 1 in the 1st park and then use the app to book 2 in the next park.

This is good to know, thanks so much! Can I ask you a follow up to this? Say I book FEA as my only FP+ for the day. I go to Epcot, use it and then check to see what's available. If say Soarin' or TT is available (I know it's not likely) can I then book one of those in Epcot? Just curious, we probably wouldn't try and do that because I think we'll just do a morning at Epcot plus another full day to be able to FP more of the Tier 1 things but just wondering if it would work?

 

[HelgaH]

Hi, I'm new to the boards here. Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Anyway, I miss the old system, it seemed to work fine and I was able to get a lot of fastpasses in by getting to the park early, grabbing a fastpass, going by standby line and using the fastpass later. Oh well. Last time I went they had the fastpass+ system in and we were never able to get that 4th FP. We also made the mistake of booking FB times earlier in the day, which meant we weren't able to get any in the afternoon at all. Has this changed? Is it easier to get that 4th FP?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Say I book FEA as my only FP+ for the day. I go to Epcot, use it and then check to see what's available. If say Soarin' or TT is available (I know it's not likely) can I then book one of those in Epcot?

Unfortunately, you are limited to 1 Tier 1 in one park in your initial 3 picks, even after you arrive at the park. The system "knows" which FPs you have selected and used and allows you your limit of 3 initial FPs.

If you were hopping, you can use the app for a Tier 1 in the 2nd park as you haven't reached the Tier 1 limit in the 2nd park.

 

[celina14]

Unfortunately, you are limited to 1 Tier 1 in one park in your initial 3 picks, even after you arrive at the park. The system "knows" which FPs you have selected and used and allows you your limit of 3 initial FPs.

If you were hopping, you can use the app for a Tier 1 in the 2nd park as you haven't reached the Tier 1 limit in the 2nd park.

Ok, that makes sense, thanks for clarifying! That's probably what I'll do then. Do a morning at Epcot, FP FEA and then make the FP for a different park later in the day. I'm assuming I can only make 1 at a time for the afternoon park? Even if I only originally pre-scheduled 1 at Epcot?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Ok, that makes sense, thanks for clarifying! That's probably what I'll do then. Do a morning at Epcot, FP FEA and then make the FP for a different park later in the day. I'm assuming I can only make 1 at a time for the afternoon park? Even if I only originally pre-scheduled 1 at Epcot?

You'll be able to book your remaining 2 in the 2nd park.

@marciemi will be researching to see if after using 1 in 1 park, the system still allows your other two to be split between two parks. That was occurring when the new FP system upgrade began so she's checking to see if it's been tweaked or remains as before.

So yes, the system allows you your initial 3 before you go to your 4th and beyond booked one at a time.

 

[celina14]

You'll be able to book your remaining 2 in the 2nd park.

@marciemi will be researching to see if after using 1 in 1 park, the system still allows your other two to be split between two parks. That was occurring when the new FP system upgrade began so she's checking to see if it's been tweaked or remains as before.

So yes, the system allows you you initial 3 before you go to your 4th and beyond booked one at a time.

Good to know! Thank you!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

When I go into MDE my FP+ option is locked. I think since my tickets are linked to my package it won't open until my 60 day window. I just want to be able to get a feel for how it looks and works before I go in to actually do it. Maybe there's a YouTube video or something?

I did the same thing the first time I used it. Here is a current video that I found on Youtube to show you what to do.

I hope it helps!

 

[lisathomps]

3- How exactly does the FP+ w/ rider swap work?

Only the first two riders in the party need the FP+ reservation. Make sure per usual that everyone in the swap party is where the CM can see you. For ex: my husband will have a FP+ scheduled and my daughter will have a FP+ scheduled for Barnstormer. Our son doesn't like the ride therefore he doesn't have one scheduled and neither do I to maximize my FP+ reservations. All four of us go to the entrance of the ride and ask the CM for a rider swap. I take the ticket and wait with my son. My husband and my daughter hit their bands (using their FP+ reservation) and line up in the FP+ line for the ride. When they are done I ride with my daughter via the FP+ line so my daughter rides twice. Hope that helps

 

[megster1123]

Only the first two riders in the party need the FP+ reservation. Make sure per usual that everyone in the swap party is where the CM can see you. For ex: my husband will have a FP+ scheduled and my daughter will have a FP+ scheduled for Barnstormer. Our son doesn't like the ride therefore he doesn't have one scheduled and neither do I to maximize my FP+ reservations. All four of us go to the entrance of the ride and ask the CM for a rider swap. I take the ticket and wait with my son. My husband and my daughter hit their bands (using their FP+ reservation) and line up in the FP+ line for the ride. When they are done I ride with my daughter via the FP+ line so my daughter rides twice. Hope that helps

Just so I'm 100% sure I don't mess this up - my husband and son have FP for a ride. We ask
CM for rider swap. They give me the ticket and I wait with my son. When they finish their ride, I take the ticket and return to ride with a child, but I don't need a FP?

 

[celina14]

Only the first two riders in the party need the FP+ reservation. Make sure per usual that everyone in the swap party is where the CM can see you. For ex: my husband will have a FP+ scheduled and my daughter will have a FP+ scheduled for Barnstormer. Our son doesn't like the ride therefore he doesn't have one scheduled and neither do I to maximize my FP+ reservations. All four of us go to the entrance of the ride and ask the CM for a rider swap. I take the ticket and wait with my son. My husband and my daughter hit their bands (using their FP+ reservation) and line up in the FP+ line for the ride. When they are done I ride with my daughter via the FP+ line so my daughter rides twice. Hope that helps

Ok, thank you! So then I could have a different FP+ for the same time frame and then while they are riding, take my son on something else that he can ride correct?

I did the same thing the first time I used it. Here is a current video that I found on Youtube to show you what to do.

I hope it helps!

Thanks so much! I'll give it a look!

 

[lisathomps]

Just so I'm 100% sure I don't mess this up - my husband and son have FP for a ride. We ask
CM for rider swap. They give me the ticket and I wait with my son. When they finish their ride, I take the ticket and return to ride with a child, but I don't need a FP?

Correct!