Fast pass planning and what to do with DHS

[Srobin159]

Ok so I woke up bright and early before 4am to get my fast passes. I think got a decent plan just need little advice since DHS now more rides tier 1. How’s my plan look and advice or words of wisdom. I’ve gone balls to the walls at Disneyland but I’m not sure odds of getting additional fast passes at Disneyworld Sept 21-28 onsite contemporary Sat to Thur and animal king Thur to sat
The plan we have hoppers
Sat Epcot FP 930 Test Track 1030 mission space 1130 Spaceship earth what to do now?
Sun Magic Kingdom FP 915 Space Mtn 1030 Peter Pan 1250 7DMT what to do hop? Can we get Animal kingdom fast passes for safari and Everest or will all be gone?
Monday Epcot frozen 905 livin with land 1020 anything else FP worthy in Epcot or leave and hop? Lunch San Angel inn 1250
Tues DHS galaxy edge earliest can get my wife up lol 1130 Star Tours 1245 Sci Fi Dinner
155 Slinky any other FP worth it or should get burner or hop
Wends Rock N Rolla FP 920 here is my quandary is there anything else FP worthy? Ride star tours again? Might try getting here early to do TSL hop? Got 615 dinner Ohana
Thurs MK 915 7DMT FP 1030 FP splash 1130 FP pirates 1pm Be our guest also have 600 be our guest is dinner or lunch better should I stay in MK and try for more FP till dinner or Hop?
Fri Animal Kingdom FP 835 Epid Everest 955 FOP and 1105 Safari should I hop where’s best for more FP?
Sat flight leave 4pm got a 915 am FOP and 1020 Dino do I got enough time get back to hotel AK for the magic express?
All tips and critiques greatly appreciates

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Ok so I woke up bright and early before 4am to get my fast passes. I think got a decent plan just need little advice since DHS now more rides tier 1. How’s my plan look and advice or words of wisdom. I’ve gone balls to the walls at Disneyland but I’m not sure odds of getting additional fast passes at Disneyworld Sept 21-28 onsite contemporary Sat to Thur and animal king Thur to sat
The plan we have hoppers
Sat Epcot FP 930 Test Track 1030 mission space 1130 Spaceship earth what to do now?
It will be food and Wine, you could hang around and enjoy the festivities. I would go for Frozen and be done with this park. What about Soarin?
Sun Magic Kingdom FP 915 Space Mtn 1030 Peter Pan 1250 7DMT what to do hop? Can we get Animal kingdom fast passes for safari and Everest or will all be gone?
Safari may be gone but Expedition is a single rider so you don't have to wait if you don't want to. I think if you don't get there too late you should be able to score a few fps. Remember, it's a party night at MK.
Monday Epcot frozen 905 livin with land 1020 anything else FP worthy in Epcot or leave and hop? Lunch San Angel inn 1250
Unless you want to do the countries the only thing left to do is cruise and check out (as I previously mentioned) Food and Wine; there is the aquarium also. You can single rider Test Track also. Eat to the Beat schedule

• STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
  September 20 through 22
  
  
• Postmodern Jukebox
  September 23 through 24
  
  
• Blue October
• September 25 through 26

Tues DHS galaxy edge earliest can get my wife up lol 1130 Star Tours 1245 Sci Fi Dinner
155 Slinky any other FP worth it or should get burner or hop
Wends Rock N Rolla FP 920 here is my quandary is there anything else FP worthy? Ride star tours again? Might try getting here early to do TSL hop? Got 615 dinner Ohana
For my DHS day I hope to get there by 6 am, head to SWGE, TSL, fp ToT, do RnRC (single rider), Star Tours. Take a break - back for Sci Fi dinner and Fantasmic. I like doing other things but I fear it will be so crowded I will need to leave around lunch time to regroup. Until we see what SWGE brings, it's kind of hard to plan. The alternate is to head over to TSL and then be at SWGE no later than 6:45. I will probably burn my fp on ToT so it doesn't really matter if I get on early or not.
Thurs MK 915 7DMT FP 1030 FP splash 1130 FP pirates 1pm Be our guest also have 600 be our guest is dinner or lunch better should I stay in MK and try for more FP till dinner or Hop?
I would do dinner at BOG as that's the only time you see the Beast. I would stay at MK and catch the fireworks. Actually what I would probably do (if I didn't have kids with me) is break around 12:30 and come back around 4:00, 4:30.
Fri Animal Kingdom FP 835 Epid Everest 955 FOP and 1105 Safari should I hop where’s best for more FP?
I would hang out at AK (I plan to do the Animation Experience). Maybe go over to the resorts and do dinner at Sanaa or Boma.
Sat flight leave 4pm got a 915 am FOP and 1020 Dino do I got enough time get back to hotel AK for the magic express?
Sorry, can't help you there. Rule of thumb is get Magical Express 3 hours prior to departure. It should be doable as long as you don't waste any time after Dino. I would try to do Dino the day before and just do FOP for a sendoff.
My 2 cents.
All tips and critiques greatly appreciates

 

[Delirium]

First off, I'll say, the new structure at Hollywood Studios is ridiculous. Very customer unfriendly.

As far as my advice to you, don't try to tie everything you do into a Fastpass. We went Thanksgiving week last year, far busier time than when you are going, and we did absolutely everything over the course of 8 days, only getting extra fastpasses 2 or 3 times over the course of the week. Careful early morning in all the parks, and late evening planning at MK and Epcot and you should be fine even if extra fastpasses are hard to come by.

One other piece of advice. Hopping is great if it is in context with a well thought out overall plan. However, you should NOT hop to fish for extra fastpasses. You will be disappointed.

 

[Srobin159]

First off, I'll say, the new structure at Hollywood Studios is ridiculous. Very customer unfriendly.

As far as my advice to you, don't try to tie everything you do into a Fastpass. We went Thanksgiving week last year, far busier time than when you are going, and we did absolutely everything over the course of 8 days, only getting extra fastpasses 2 or 3 times over the course of the week. Careful early morning in all the parks, and late evening planning at MK and Epcot and you should be fine even if extra fastpasses are hard to come by.

One other piece of advice. Hopping is great if it is in context with a well thought out overall plan. However, you should NOT hop to fish for extra fastpasses. You will be disappointed.

So basically do not count on anymore fast passes once your first ones gone. This sux cause I hate waiting hrs in line. I’m thinking just spending all of tues at DHS and maybe getting fast passes for AK on Wends instead

 

[SaintsManiac]

So basically do not count on anymore fast passes once your first ones gone. This sux cause I hate waiting hrs in line. I’m thinking just spending all of tues at DHS and maybe getting fast passes for AK on Wends instead

You can absolutely get more FPs even during busy times. On the day you want to hop simply pull up MDE and see what's available.

 

[TravelandLeisure]

We went during busy Thanksgiving week in 2017 and had absolutely no problem getting multiple fast passes for top tier rides. The only ones I never managed to pull extra for were FOP and SDMT. Just keep refreshing.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Also if you change your mind check for next day fastpasses. I changed my plans last minute and got 7DMT, Peter Pan and either splash or big thunder mountain for the next day. It was an early park closure day so we were able to walk on or get more FPS also. In my opinion if you get to the parks early, take a mid day break and then head over in the evening and close the park down you will get everything done. We like to hop and after you finish your 3 FPS look around for what’s available at other parks.

 

[Srobin159]

You can absolutely get more FPs even during busy times. On the day you want to hop simply pull up MDE and see what's available.

Thanks glad to know more fast passes is a possibility

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks glad to know more fast passes is a possibility

From the Availability post in the FP FAQ:

- Success at getting FPs depends primarily on two factors: the size of the group and how often one is willing to “refresh” the available FP list for that attraction. Constant refreshing, patience, and persistence can result in getting even the most difficult FPs as late as day-of.

 

[WRLeGrand]

The fact that there is even this discussion with all of the rides in Tier 1 FP+ for HS is beyond laughable...

 

[Srobin159]

The fact that there is even this discussion with all of the rides in Tier 1 FP+ for HS is beyond laughable...

I’m sorry you find the post laughable I realize there is no answer since who knows what crowd levels willl be I was just curious what people’s strategy would be and if they recommend one day in DHS or if it’s worth burning another tier 1 on another when I could get 3 fp in another park

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I’m sorry you find the post laughable I realize there is no answer since who knows what crowd levels willl be I was just curious what people’s strategy would be and if they recommend one day in DHS or if it’s worth burning another tier 1 on another when I could get 3 fp in another park

If you go to the SWGE sub forum (sticky at the top) there is a whole thread ( or 2) devoted to strategy for touring DHS. Of course, at this point it's all speculation but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. How many are in your party? Smaller parties are easier to get fps. Also, you can check out any of the sites which whow fp availability (Touring Plans, the Dibb, to name 2) to get an idea as to what may or may not happen. At this point, it's hard to predict what's going to happen, what the crowds are going to be in September. I will be there at the same time as you and I'm hoping for the best. My FP day is Thursday, and the only FP I feel I need to get at 60+ days out is FOP. For positioning of the additional FPs, earlier is better. As someone said, I would not hop based on trying to get FPs but just to either get a change of scene or to get in an attraction you had not previously had time to get to.

 

[Srobin159]

Thanks some great tips I just decieded to cancel RNR for Wends and get another FOP at 115 and do AK instead with a later start for some rest since tues just do everything can at DHS. It’s gonna be a crazy time

 

[MarkinNM]

What a mess DHS is now with the SWGE and everything but the bathroom pass being a tier1..........Booked our WDW trip this past Feb and set everything up then WDW decided to open SWGE on a Thursday in late August.....................really.................planned our DHS on of all days, Aug 29th..................really................now I was able to use my 1 and only FP+ for SDD and now just waiting to see how the opening is going to be scheduled, as of now it looks like EEMH is it, certianly they have to have something else in mind......

 

[WRLeGrand]

I’m sorry you find the post laughable I realize there is no answer since who knows what crowd levels willl be I was just curious what people’s strategy would be and if they recommend one day in DHS or if it’s worth burning another tier 1 on another when I could get 3 fp in another park

I think you TOTALLY misunderstood what I was saying in my post. I am supporting your position and admonishing Disney for putting the new system in place that requires all of the decent rides to be FP+ Tier 1. I find it ridiculous and makes the park one that I am frankly dreading for the forseeable future. Incredibly short-sighted in my opinion.

Not aiming any ill will towards you. I think your difficulty is one that many of us feel toward HS.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Thanks some great tips I just decieded to cancel RNR for Wends and get another FOP at 115 and do AK instead with a later start for some rest since tues just do everything can at DHS. It’s gonna be a crazy time

Also you have hoppers so anything you miss you can pick up another day. Hopefully. Not sure if it will be busy or not but I have DHS dining reservations just in case. You can get a reservation for the Commissary now. Won’t guarantee us to get back in but it’s worth a try. We really won’t know anything until the first week of the opening is over and see if the dust settles some. I’m hoping the week we are there is slower due to the fact that free dining that just became available isn’t offered for our week. Main plan is to be ready to walk in whatever time they open the floodgates be it 5:45 or 6:00 am. I know you have your FPS set but of all the non MK parks I would go to DHS on a non party day. People want to go to MK for the fireworks and they don’t want to pay as much as it costs now for a day in which the park closes early. Just a thought. Read the FP FAQs on how refresh works also. (If you don’t already know)

 

[tnolan]

It’s gonna be a crazy time

Also don't forget that Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opens Aug 29, to make it even crazier! Good luck.

 

[Srobin159]

I think you TOTALLY misunderstood what I was saying in my post. I am supporting your position and admonishing Disney for putting the new system in place that requires all of the decent rides to be FP+ Tier 1. I find it ridiculous and makes the park one that I am frankly dreading for the forseeable future. Incredibly short-sighted in my opinion.

Not aiming any ill will towards you. I think your difficulty is one that many of us feel toward HS.

My apologies your right I took wrong way. This my first and prob only trip for long time so SWGE has made it bit of a dread. I think if crowds crazy I’ll just do it all one day

 

[Delirium]

So basically do not count on anymore fast passes once your first ones gone. This sux cause I hate waiting hrs in line. I’m thinking just spending all of tues at DHS and maybe getting fast passes for AK on Wends instead

A key point I was trying to make is that you don't have to spend hours in line if you have a good touring plan, even if you only use 3-4 FPs a day. The new structure at HS is not something I've experienced, so I have no proven method for attacking it, but when we went for 8 days last Thanksgiving, we scheduled FPs in advance for two days in each of the 4 parks. We did not duplicate (i,e, ride a headliner multiple times).

That approach allowed us to knock out 6 attractions in each of the 4 parks with no wait. Other than Epcot, where the tier system prevented us from scheduling all 3 headliners, we were able to use FP on everything that would have a 'long' wait. We resolved our Epcot issue by riding Test Track in standby at the very end of the night. Waited maybe 20 minutes, most of it after the park had officially closed.

For MK, the FPs allowed us to knock out 6 of the major waits in advance. We did pick up a 4th fast pass on a couple of different days, but were able to avoid long lines at the medium priority attractions by doing them at rope drop or in the last 90 minutes at the end of the night. Take Pooh for example. You can wait 45 minutes for Pooh at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, or you can wait 2 minutes for Pooh at 10:30 at night. It really is your choice. Same with Dumbo. Mid-day is best used to see shows, shop, etc., not wait in line. And, keep in mind this was a very busy holiday week.

Now, admittedly we had the benefit of RNR and TOT being tier 2 attractions at HS. We used our tier 1 for TSM one day and Slinky the other. Since we don't have a trip planned this year, I have not studied in detail how to fit all 4 of those into a 2 day plan when they all are tier one, and deal with Galaxy's Edge as well. I'm hoping before we go back again, they revise the tiering structure there again.

Animal Kingdom was super easy with 6 FPs over two days. Rope dropped Dino-land one day, used 3 FPs, and watched some shows. The other AK day, we arrived mid-day, used our 3 FPs, met some characters, took some photo-pass pictures, and took in the nighttime ambiance.