Fast Pass + questions

[pepperderr]

We have not been to Diseny World since 2011 for my son's birthday. Of course then we used the old FP system and TGM. When I read about the changes and them using bands, I thought wow, this is really going to change how we tour Disney! I figured I might as well forget it for a while. But, we will have our credit cards paid off in a few months and have cash on hand to be able to go to Disney if I decide to surprise my kids again.

I guess my biggest question is, do the magic bands completely change our old stratagies or is it still going to be pretty close to the same with no need to run for FP tickets?

Would TGM still be useful? Has he updated his site at all?

I have not read much at all about the FP+ and I don't have time right now to try to figure it all out but am I correct in the fact that each person can only FP 3 rides a day? Is it still only in Magic Kingdom or all of the parks now? If it is not in all of the parks, are the old FP still available in the other parks?

We have been to Disney twice now and never head to wait in line more than 10 or 15 minutes for anything because of FP and this group info. Does the new system make lines any shorter? If so, by how much? Are we going to get there and feel like we are standing in line forever now?

Thanks! I am getting the urge to go back to Diseny again but am afraid we won't find it as enjoyable if we have long lines to wait in in the Florida heat.

pepperderr

 

[mesaboy2]

We have not been to Diseny World since 2011 for my son's birthday. Of course then we used the old FP system and TGM. When I read about the changes and them using bands, I thought wow, this is really going to change how we tour Disney! I figured I might as well forget it for a while. But, we will have our credit cards paid off in a few months and have cash on hand to be able to go to Disney if I decide to surprise my kids again.

I guess my biggest question is, do the magic bands completely change our old stratagies or is it still going to be pretty close to the same with no need to run for FP tickets?

Would TGM still be useful? Has he updated his site at all?

I have not read much at all about the FP+ and I don't have time right now to try to figure it all out but am I correct in the fact that each person can only FP 3 rides a day? Is it still only in Magic Kingdom or all of the parks now? If it is not in all of the parks, are the old FP still available in the other parks?

We have been to Disney twice now and never head to wait in line more than 10 or 15 minutes for anything because of FP and this group info. Does the new system make lines any shorter? If so, by how much? Are we going to get there and feel like we are standing in line forever now?

Thanks! I am getting the urge to go back to Diseny again but am afraid we won't find it as enjoyable if we have long lines to wait in in the Florida heat.

pepperderr

See the green link in my signature for current info.

And TGM hasn't been useful in years now.

 

[pepperderr]

Thanks for the info. I just heard that Disney raised their rates again. We can get military discounts but with that plus getting rid of the old fastpasses, it doesn't sound like it will be nearly as fun as it used to be. It sounds like everything will cost a lot more and we will be standing in line a lot longer so we will get to ride less. I guess it is time for me to find a new favorite park for my family . I am glad we got to go there a few times anyway!

pepperderr

 

[shyjade]

There is no more "running for tickets", as FP machines have been/are being removed from the parks. It's reserve your FP+ in advance online or at a kiosk in the parks (same-day) for now.

I think things have changed dramatically...some ways better, some ways not so much. We used to be rope drop, run for the FP's kind of people. Last time (October) we booked our FP+ for afternoons and enjoyed sleeping in/staying up late.

In the past, we never stayed till park close because we were up at the crack of dawn for rope drops. I have to admit, we really enjoyed Disney "after dark" instead of "waking up while it's still dark". So in that way, we like the FP+. But the fact that we can't grab a FP for a big ride (Soarin', TT, TSMM) at RD, ride something twice and then a third time with the paper FP is a bit of a bummer.

 

[pepperderr]

There is no more "running for tickets", as FP machines have been/are being removed from the parks. It's reserve your FP+ in advance online or at a kiosk in the parks (same-day) for now.

I think things have changed dramatically...some ways better, some ways not so much. We used to be rope drop, run for the FP's kind of people. Last time (October) we booked our FP+ for afternoons and enjoyed sleeping in/staying up late.

In the past, we never stayed till park close because we were up at the crack of dawn for rope drops. I have to admit, we really enjoyed Disney "after dark" instead of "waking up while it's still dark". So in that way, we like the FP+. But the fact that we can't grab a FP for a big ride (Soarin', TT, TSMM) at RD, ride something twice and then a third time with the paper FP is a bit of a bummer.

Since you can't use more than 3 FP's, are all the ride lines 20+ minutes?

 

[ZoZo]

I just finished Day Four of my trip with the new FP+ system. I used a be a "use the legacy FP system to its utmost" person. Got FPs as often as the new window opened up, so usually at leastfive to six per day, if not more. I'm what I call a "ride repeater" ; I like to ride my favorites (Soarin', TSM) multiple times in the same day. I also park hop nearly day.

My experience with FP+ and Magic Bands is somewhat mixed. I really like the magic bands; they're super convenient. Not having to pull my wallet out multiple times a day to access my park tickets and money/credit card is wonderful.

I made a decision to keep an open mind about FP+ until I experienced it for myself. Here's my feedback:

* The limitations of the program definitely don't work for me. I don't like the limitation of three FPs per day; I don't like the tiering; I don't like the fact that you can't get more than one FP for the same ride on the same day; and I don't like the fact that you can't get FPs at two different parks on the same day. My grade on this aspect of FP+ is an "F."

* I have tried to make the best of the new FP system as much as I can. By park-hopping, I can ride some of my favorite rides more than once. I do like not having to criss-cross the parks to pick up a FP (with the old system); it is definitely convenient to just walk up, tap your magic band, and go in without having to walk back and forth all day. And it's nice to be able to change your FPs if your plans change. My grade on this part of the FFP+ experience is a "C".

* One thing that I found, though, is that it's very inconvenient to manage your FPs if you don't have a smart phone. I only have a "regular" cell phone, and would have been in major trouble if the friend I'm traveling with didn't have an iPhone to make FP changes. I would have had to hunt down a FP kiosk in the parks every time I wanted to make a change, which was often! And this grade is a "D."

I know they're still testing/tweaking the FP+ system, and it may not always be the way it is now. I'm hoping it will change to encompass the benefits of both the new and old systems.

 

[shyjade]

Since you can't use more than 3 FP's, are all the ride lines 20+ minutes?

I haven't been back since the end of October (and have no plans to return this year) so I can't answer this. At that time, old FP machines were still in place and still being used along with FP+ and I didn't see much of a difference with lines, but that was also a quieter time of year. I've read reports that lines are terrible lately, but I can't confirm or deny that myself.

 

[bruhl1j]

Our family loves the FP+. Yes, it may change old tactics. You can use a computer, smart phone, or kiosk to add/change choices to your MB. Right now, it is only 3 per day and only one park. Hopefully, that will change as the system gets tested, modified, etc.

If you arrive early, go to your favorite ride and stand in line. Later use a FP+ to ride it again. After that, the wait may be too long for some folks. There are other options for FP+ so check it out.

For us, FP+ let us ride things like TSMM without waiting 2 hrs or staying in the park all day just to get to the window of the fp ticket.

Have fun.