Fast passes .... :(

[bladiator]

So I logged in to set up my Epcot day 30 days from now, and this is the first year that I've been depressed by WDW trip planning. FEA is gone (as always) and Soarin' and Test Track are both gone up until past noon. Almost every tier 2 FP is gone up until noon as well (everyone knows about getting rid of the FPs these days). It's sad that it seems that getting a throw away room is the only (il)legitimate way to get any kind of normal fast passes these days.

/super mild rant over

 

[Disnsyncey]

But the good thing is that you can grab those ones for afternoon when the lines are longer.....so you can RD the rides, then start exploring Epcot, and then go on your Fastpasses! Perfect plan!

And this past trip, we had no days where we had FP+ in Epcot, and we managed to get 4th+ FP same day for Soarin, TT, Mickey & Friends, and FEA by checking as soon as our FP+ were scanned into....

no worries!

 

[jaysmom4285]

Don't despair. Just because there isn't a FP+ available now doesn't mean that there won't ever be one. Go ahead and get a Soarin' or Test Track FP+, even if it isn't for the time you want. Then keep trying to modify it, and see what times come up . It's amazing what you can get if you're just willing to keep refreshing the screen. And keep trying for FEA. Again, other FP+ times often show up, but you have to be persistent about continually refreshing the screen. I've often been able to get a FP+ for a Tier 1 on the day I'm in the park, just by refreshing the screen until a time popped up.

 

[bladiator]

Thanks guys! I needed the pep talk. I think my major concern is that we're taking my parents-in-law for their first trip in 20+ years, and I just want to make sure they get to see all the things that I love the most. If it were me and my wife, we would just wing it and I would have no doubt we'd get 4th FPs late in the day. It's just that when you have people along for the "one big trip" you get a lot more nutso.

 

[Klayfish]

Don't despair. Just because there isn't a FP+ available now doesn't mean that there won't ever be one. Go ahead and get a Soarin' or Test Track FP+, even if it isn't for the time you want. Then keep trying to modify it, and see what times come up . It's amazing what you can get if you're just willing to keep refreshing the screen. And keep trying for FEA. Again, other FP+ times often show up, but you have to be persistent about continually refreshing the screen. I've often been able to get a FP+ for a Tier 1 on the day I'm in the park, just by refreshing the screen until a time popped up.

Yep, this. Sorry to hear about your dilemma, OP. We're heading down in just a few weeks, and we always stay off site. We were able to get FP+ for Soarin' and TT in the morning at our 30 day window (I was on at 7am sharp). We didn't even try for FEA, because it's very easy to ride standby before about 10:30am...the wait is minimal.

The above post is spot on. Keep working on it, refresh early and often. We wing it a TON and wind up changing FP+ plans literally minutes before we're supposed to get on a ride. No guarantees of anything, but we have very good luck doing this. Right now, you may not get much because not many people are altering their plans for 30 days from now. But 24 hours out, action really starts to pick up. People drop, modify a lot...it becomes very fluid.

 

[CAS239]

If you have a big party then split up the FP's. I just looked and frozen, 7dmt, and Pandora are gone. Soarin at noon, TT at 11:30, Toy Story at 2pm.. Other than that basically everything else is free range of times starting at or near park opening.

You don't need a throw away on site room or even to book right at 30 days to be able to get good FP's and times. I never stay on site and I usually book about 2 weeks out.

Break up your party with overlapping FP times or just keep checking

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

So I logged in to set up my Epcot day 30 days from now, and this is the first year that I've been depressed by WDW trip planning. FEA is gone (as always) and Soarin' and Test Track are both gone up until past noon. Almost every tier 2 FP is gone up until noon as well (everyone knows about getting rid of the FPs these days). It's sad that it seems that getting a throw away room is the only (il)legitimate way to get any kind of normal fast passes these days.

/super mild rant over

I've heard many stories of people being able to get some of the premium attractions the day of at the FP kiosks inside the park. I've also heard stories about the kiosks being better than the MDE app. I just seen a vlog video of this guy literally going into AK in the afternoon and grabbing 3 FP's for FOP which was sold out for me and I had a 60 day FP window. I think it just all depends on what time of year you're going as well as getting a little bit lucky as well. Good luck to you and hope you get what you're looking for! Positive vibes your way!

 

[dlavender]

Yep, this. Sorry to hear about your dilemma, OP. We're heading down in just a few weeks, and we always stay off site. We were able to get FP+ for Soarin' and TT in the morning at our 30 day window (I was on at 7am sharp). We didn't even try for FEA, because it's very easy to ride standby before about 10:30am...the wait is minimal.

The above post is spot on. Keep working on it, refresh early and often. We wing it a TON and wind up changing FP+ plans literally minutes before we're supposed to get on a ride. No guarantees of anything, but we have very good luck doing this. Right now, you may not get much because not many people are altering their plans for 30 days from now. But 24 hours out, action really starts to pick up. People drop, modify a lot...it becomes very fluid.

I'm going with this advice for FEA, and hope it rings true for us!

We haven't been able to do it in our last two trips do to no FP and we didn't RD Epcot those days.

We are going to RD Epcot the Saturday after Thanks and hope for the best! I had a FP for that evening from 7-8, but it seemed like a waste as we wanted to see the HS holiday stuff that night and I didn't want to wait around EPCOT all day just to get on the ride.

 

[CanuckGirl78]

Keep checking MDE. FPs for FOP on the day we’re going to AK were gone before our 60d mark to book FPs. But every day I searched and ended up finding multiple times to book it. People will change their plans, hours might be extended and they might release more FPs, etc.
If nothing else, RD for FEA, enjoy a cup of coffee after or go to Les Halles for a nice leisurely breakfast, take your time to relish being in Epcot with all the Christmas decorations, and then enjoy your FPs in the afternoon!

 

[bladiator]

Keep checking MDE. FPs for FOP on the day we’re going to AK were gone before our 60d mark to boom FPs. But every day I searched and ended up finding multiple times to book it.

You've given me a new obsession for the next 30 days.

 

[mom22boys]

It's just that when you have people along for the "one big trip" you get a lot more nutso.

I totally get that! I was the planner for a group of 12 last February! It does feel like a lot of responsibility. Looking at the adorable baby in your profile pic, I just wanted to say make sure that you know how to maximize rider switch. This article helped me when I was planning for our group of 12.

http://wdwprepschool.com/how-to-child-swap-rider-switch-at-disney-world/

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

So I logged in to set up my Epcot day 30 days from now, and this is the first year that I've been depressed by WDW trip planning. FEA is gone (as always) and Soarin' and Test Track are both gone up until past noon. Almost every tier 2 FP is gone up until noon as well (everyone knows about getting rid of the FPs these days). It's sad that it seems that getting a throw away room is the only (il)legitimate way to get any kind of normal fast passes these days.

/super mild rant over

Sorry for the bad experience but you are generalizing too much.
I stayed offsite the week leading up to Easter Sunday and was trying to book FP+ for 10 people and I was easily able to get pretty much everything I wanted.
TSMM, 7DMT, TT,....and so on.
I didn't have a throw away room and I don't throw away my tier 2 FP+. I actually enjoy using them.

 

[bladiator]

Update: I was able to snipe a late 7DMT on our MK day for 2 of us, so with the rider swap that will get us all on it!

I'm still not sure I'll ever see an FoP in my lifetime, but this is something!

 

[dlavender]

Update: I was able to snipe a late 7DMT on our MK day for 2 of us, so with the rider swap that will get us all on it!

I'm still not sure I'll ever see an FoP in my lifetime, but this is something!

I hear you on the FOP.

You really only need 1,then do rider swap.

I've been looking everyday since our 30 day window opened, but so far RD is going to be the only way.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I stayed on site and couldn't get a FOP.

Our next trip is 10 days, so I have the best chance. But who knows.

 

[bladiator]

I hear you on the FOP.

You really only need 1,then do rider swap.

I've been looking everyday since our 30 day window opened, but so far RD is going to be the only way.

It's bad news when you think about bringing your Nintendo 3DS to WDW to keep you busy for a couple hours in the queue.

 

[dlavender]

It's bad news when you think about bringing your Nintendo 3DS to WDW to keep you busy for a couple hours in the queue.

From all accounts, if you arrive at RD on a non EMH morning at least an hour before opening, your wait will be below 30 mins, + or - dependent on your elbowing skills.

We are going to brave it in a few weeks. I'm hoping I don't hit too many people with our double jogging stroller

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

From all accounts, if you arrive at RD on a non EMH morning at least an hour before opening, your wait will be below 30 mins, + or - dependent on your elbowing skills.

We are going to brave it in a few weeks. I'm hoping I don't hit too many people with our double jogging stroller

Heck, last time I was there, and wasn't running to FOP, I saw a woman running with her double stroller. I can't tell you how many people she hit, but people were definitely getting out of the way.

The cast members called it "The running of the fools."