FastPass+ Basic Info, Attraction List, and Suggested Priorities--Part I

[Cluelyss]

This is a great thread, thanks to all who are keeping it going! I haven't been to disney in two years, this fastpass thing is leaving me a bit unnerved. I have what I hope is a simple question - what are the chances that availability will come up for A&E and 7DMT? Why would someone cancel their selections? Is it worth my time to keep checking for availability? I booked my trip 40 days out, well past the 60 day mark, so there has been zero availability for me... My trip is in 22 days, is it worth it for me to keep trying or am I wasting my time? Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes, definitely keep checking. People may schedule A&E for multiple days, then later cancel some as they finalize their plans. I've also heard rumors that they open up additional spots at the 30-day mark for those with day tickets. Not sure if that's true, but I'd definitely check on that day. Good luck!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

OK, so just to clarify.

If I plan to do Magic Kingdom in the morning and go to EPCOT for the afternoon, I can book 3 FP+ for MK and change the times so they are all in the morning? And then book three more at EPCOT and move those times as well, correct?

When I played with the system earlier I saw that it basically gave me times, an A, B and C option. I pick one and then I can alter the times (based on availability, obviously) Right?

 

[Cluelyss]

Ah right...didn't mean to confuse with your A, B and C priority. By priority, I meant during the FP selection...as in dreamit's response when describing "There are arrows to the left asking you to prioritize the three". For the above example, Toy Story Mania is real priory (as in if we could only get one FP we'd want this one), but in the order of scheduling them, it's would be in the afternoon, with other two in the morning. So I guess in the end...just select anything order, and then go back in and select the times that you want? But I imagine this won't always be easy moving one FP if there are conflicts with the other 2 FP Thank you all for the responses. This site is so helpful.

I think that prioritizing your selections only means MDX will try to find you a slot for TSMM, for example, even if it's not close in time to the other 2 (I've noticed it does usually try to line the selections up for you...at 10, 11 and 12 for example). Also, I've heard that if none of the options they present are ideal times, select the option that works for you LEAST so that when you go in to change the times you are not overlapping existing FP+ times that you may actually want.

 

[Cluelyss]

Thank you for the explanation dreamit. Normally I love the planning process of a WDW trip, but this whole FP+ stuff is driving me nuts!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

OK, so just to clarify.

If I plan to do Magic Kingdom in the morning and go to EPCOT for the afternoon, I can book 3 FP+ for MK and change the times so they are all in the morning? And then book three more at EPCOT and move those times as well, correct?

When I played with the system earlier I saw that it basically gave me times, an A, B and C option. I pick one and then I can alter the times (based on availability, obviously) Right?

Yes and no. You do initially select random times and then you go back in and edit them. It doesn't allow you to choose (or type in) your new time. It will give you the choice of all open windows. For example, you might have planned that you wanted to do Space Mtn between 9:30-10;30, but it might only give you the option of 9:50-10:50. Just be prepared to have to fudge things a little in your plans.

The no part comes in your selecting 3 from MK and Epcot. You can only choose one park each day. The only way to get them at the second park is to physically go to the park and check the kiosks to see what (if anything) is still available. I can tell you...we were there last week and by noon pretty much everything at Epcot was gone ( except random things like Captain EO.) There are so many fewer things to ride there as compared to the MK so getting additional FPs is tough.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Also, I've heard that if none of the options they present are ideal times, select the option that works for you LEAST so that when you go in to change the times you are not overlapping existing FP+ times that you may actually want.

Yes!!! That's always one of my tips!! It makes it so much easier and it makes it go much faster!!

 

[dreamit]

Thank you for the explanation dreamit. Normally I love the planning process of a WDW trip, but this whole FP+ stuff is driving me nuts!!!

I couldn't agree more! I really enjoy the planning and even looked at the 180-day mark for ADRs as a challenge, but I was dreading the FP+ selections.

Yes and no. You do initially select random times and then you go back in and edit them. It doesn't allow you to choose (or type in) your new time. It will give you the choice of all open windows. For example, you might have planned that you wanted to do Space Mtn between 9:30-10;30, but it might only give you the option of 9:50-10:50. Just be prepared to have to fudge things a little in your plans.

I did notice that it doesn't necessarily give you all open windows when you go in to edit times, but I think it gives you a range that covers most open times for the day. I had a few for which it gave me a close to desired time, but not exact. After selecting this time, if I went back in to edit AGAIN, I found the exact times that I wanted. I think it may be that some attractions have a lot of open windows, so they don't list all in the drop-down.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Yes and no. You do initially select random times and then you go back in and edit them. It doesn't allow you to choose (or type in) your new time. It will give you the choice of all open windows. For example, you might have planned that you wanted to do Space Mtn between 9:30-10;30, but it might only give you the option of 9:50-10:50. Just be prepared to have to fudge things a little in your plans.

The no part comes in your selecting 3 from MK and Epcot. You can only choose one park each day. The only way to get them at the second park is to physically go to the park and check the kiosks to see what (if anything) is still available. I can tell you...we were there last week and by noon pretty much everything at Epcot was gone ( except random things like Captain EO.) There are so many fewer things to ride there as compared to the MK so getting additional FPs is tough.

Wow….so then what is the point of Park Hoppers anymore.

I just feel trapped…..I don't want to cancel my Garden Grille reservation at EPCOT but it's for Sunday, the same day as MNSSHP. Maybe I should only make EPCOT FP for that day and then get to MK early? See, I thought MK would be the first park the kids would want to see. So I was going to do MK in the morning, then take a rest and head to EPCOT in the afternoon, have dinner there and head back for MNSSHP.

Part of the problem here is it's the ONLY character dining I am set up with and with a party of 8, I can't count on any cancellations for anywhere else.

 

[Cluelyss]

Wow….so then what is the point of Park Hoppers anymore. I just feel trapped…..I don't want to cancel my Garden Grille reservation at EPCOT but it's for Sunday, the same day as MNSSHP. Maybe I should only make EPCOT FP for that day and then get to MK early? See, I thought MK would be the first park the kids would want to see. So I was going to do MK in the morning, then take a rest and head to EPCOT in the afternoon, have dinner there and head back for MNSSHP. Part of the problem here is it's the ONLY character dining I am set up with and with a party of 8, I can't count on any cancellations for anywhere else.

You won't need (and can't schedule) FP+ during MNSSHP, so will be fine just making your selections at EPCOT that day. And if you plan to head to MK before EPCOT, you shouldn't need FP+ in the morning, so should still be fine. But I agree, this new plan almost discourages park hopping.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

You won't need (and can't schedule) FP+ during MNSSHP, so will be fine just making your selections at EPCOT that day. And if you plan to head to MK before EPCOT, you shouldn't need FP+ in the morning, so should still be fine. But I agree, this new plan almost discourages park hopping.

We were just having this same discussion! I agree with you, I think the EPCOT rides should probably be booked but I don't know. You're right, if we get to MK early enough we can get in a few headliners without a fast pass, so it does make sense.

My head hurts trying to put this together. I don't want to lose Garden Grill because it's a tradition to eat there on our vacations.

 

[dreamit]

Wow….so then what is the point of Park Hoppers anymore.

I just feel trapped…..I don't want to cancel my Garden Grille reservation at EPCOT but it's for Sunday, the same day as MNSSHP. Maybe I should only make EPCOT FP for that day and then get to MK early? See, I thought MK would be the first park the kids would want to see. So I was going to do MK in the morning, then take a rest and head to EPCOT in the afternoon, have dinner there and head back for MNSSHP.

Part of the problem here is it's the ONLY character dining I am set up with and with a party of 8, I can't count on any cancellations for anywhere else.

I know this is getting somewhat off-topic for this thread, but...

this sounds like an awfully long and crammed day. As I don't know your trip plans or travel members, it's hard to critique or offer suggestions (of course, I know you didn't ask for any . On the restaurant reservations thread, I've read that quite a few posters have had luck with splitting up their party in order to get ADRs. If, for example, they came across an ADR for a party of 4 at 5:00, they would reserve it, and just diligently look for another ADR near 5:00. People have said that when they check in at the restaurant, they've had great luck with explaining they had, say, one 4-person ADR at 5 and another at 5:10, but would like to be seated together. It sounds like the restaurants do their best to accommodate.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I know this is getting somewhat off-topic for this thread, but...

this sounds like an awfully long and crammed day. As I don't know your trip plans or travel members, it's hard to critique or offer suggestions (of course, I know you didn't ask for any . On the restaurant reservations thread, I've read that quite a few posters have had luck with splitting up their party in order to get ADRs. If, for example, they came across an ADR for a party of 4 at 5:00, they would reserve it, and just diligently look for another ADR near 5:00. People have said that when they check in at the restaurant, they've had great luck with explaining they had, say, one 4-person ADR at 5 and another at 5:10, but would like to be seated together. It sounds like the restaurants do their best to accommodate.

I know, it is crammed, isn't it. Maybe I should have gotten the Thursday MNSSHP but the party just sounded like more fun at the beginning of the trip then when it is winding down. I have been searching for 4 person ADRs and there is nothing (I should say no character dining). It's like the same twenty restaurants have availability and they probably would have availability any time. When I booked GG I had no idea about MNSSHP or the whole FP+ dilemma. Sigh.

So I think we will probably end up getting FP+ for Magic Kingdom. Then back to the resort (Bay Lake) to eat and rest. Then go to EPCOT and maybe do something small like look around Living Seas before dinner. Then come back for MNSSHP.

 

[leebee]

I don't think I can do this...

 

[RJstanis]

Why did the light just come on earlier today about splitting up your FP between family members!?!??!

Last night was my first opportunity to get my FP for my vacation in Sept and was not able to get any A&E (they were all gone anyway, even the single ones), and only one day out of 3 MK days for 7DMT (the last day of our trip). I got lucky right before I logged off to check one more time and got ones for our 2nd day too, right in the window of 4p and before the Halloween Party (score!). Then today I was able to secure at least 2 out of our 3 FP for 7DMT our first night at MK too! By splitting it up, I have 2 different time slots but they overlap by 30 min so DS will be able to ride it and at least have one of us with him! (Worst comes to worst, the left out person with FP can take my other younger DS on a ride he can ride on while the others are riding 7DMT).

Split all of your FP up if you can to give you the most options, they can be individual while still having the exact same time slot instead of being lumped into a group!!!!!!! Thank you for this thread, if only my brain was smarter before today!

 

[ougrad86]

I know, it is crammed, isn't it. Maybe I should have gotten the Thursday MNSSHP but the party just sounded like more fun at the beginning of the trip then when it is winding down. I have been searching for 4 person ADRs and there is nothing (I should say no character dining). It's like the same twenty restaurants have availability and they probably would have availability any time. When I booked GG I had no idea about MNSSHP or the whole FP+ dilemma. Sigh.

So I think we will probably end up getting FP+ for Magic Kingdom. Then back to the resort (Bay Lake) to eat and rest. Then go to EPCOT and maybe do something small like look around Living Seas before dinner. Then come back for MNSSHP.

Just my 2 cents. When we attended MNSSHP both times, we attempted to do it after a full day and absolutely crashed. The second time we went to MK for the day, and took a long time at a late lunch. We couldn't make it to the end of the night. If we do it again, it will be a resort day: sleep in, get up late, leisurely breakfast and relaxing, and then heading for MK around 4:00. I think you could probably wander over to Epcot to eat at GG and like you mentioned visit living Seas and maybe ride SS Earth or FP+ Soarin' or TT. Then head over to MK. For this party, you can enjoy it so much more if you take it easy in the morning - it sounds like you will be putting in a lot of travel back and forth.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Just my 2 cents. When we attended MNSSHP both times, we attempted to do it after a full day and absolutely crashed. The second time we went to MK for the day, and took a long time at a late lunch. We couldn't make it to the end of the night. If we do it again, it will be a resort day: sleep in, get up late, leisurely breakfast and relaxing, and then heading for MK around 4:00. I think you could probably wander over to Epcot to eat at GG and like you mentioned visit living Seas and maybe ride SS Earth or FP+ Soarin' or TT. Then head over to MK. For this party, you can enjoy it so much more if you take it easy in the morning - it sounds like you will be putting in a lot of travel back and forth.

I was also thinking about this….

My sister's daughter is totally princess obsessed (mine likes E and A but is not too concerned with the others) and I thought about asking if she wanted to go to a Perfectly Princess Tea Party which is at 10:30am of that day. So if my sister goes for it and takes her daughter, the rest of us can hang around and grab some lunch and then head over to EPCOT in the early afternoon. Then we night do a few EPCOT things, have the dinner and come back for the party. I Wonder if that'll work? I had just assumed everyone would want to head to MK the first "real" day of vacation.

The other option is to see if I can cancel the Sunday tickets and book for the Thursday party?

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this. My sister's family is traveling from Seattle, so they will probably be a night-owlish at first.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Why did the light just come on earlier today about splitting up your FP between family members!?!??!

Last night was my first opportunity to get my FP for my vacation in Sept and was not able to get any A&E (they were all gone anyway, even the single ones), and only one day out of 3 MK days for 7DMT (the last day of our trip). I got lucky right before I logged off to check one more time and got ones for our 2nd day too, right in the window of 4p and before the Halloween Party (score!). Then today I was able to secure at least 2 out of our 3 FP for 7DMT our first night at MK too! By splitting it up, I have 2 different time slots but they overlap by 30 min so DS will be able to ride it and at least have one of us with him! (Worst comes to worst, the left out person with FP can take my other younger DS on a ride he can ride on while the others are riding 7DMT).

Split all of your FP up if you can to give you the most options, they can be individual while still having the exact same time slot instead of being lumped into a group!!!!!!! Thank you for this thread, if only my brain was smarter before today!

YAY!!! i JUST SAW THIS POST THAT YOU GOT YOUR A&E FP!

 

[RJstanis]

YAY!!! i JUST SAW THIS POST THAT YOU GOT YOUR A&E FP!

I appreciate the enthusiasm but I didn't get it yet but remaining optimistic! I was able to get additional 7DMT so happy about that. All of my FP are lined up perfectly right now so I'm really excited! So much so I think A&E will prob mess it up lol!

 

[wdwrule]

Will the Fp+ system allow you to schedule a Fp that might overlap with an already made dining reservation?

 

[g3pak]

FWIW- for those booking tonight, I just checked for A&E for Tuesday, Sept. 30 for a group of 4. Still many options in the midafternoon on. I cannot check after that Tuesday. Good luck!