FastPass+ Basic Info, Suggested Priorities, And Strategies--Part II

[Carrie Gruber]

The server is down for me (my FP+ booking day is tomorrow) and it was last night as well. I called Disney and they said it was on their end. But that doesn't matter for people who are trying to book FP+ and it's very upsetting. I am praying this is fixed by the time I have to do mine at 1 AM.

The message I get is this: Sorry, the Email or Member Name and/or Password do not match any in our system. Please try again or create a new account.
If you feel this message is in error, call (407) 939-4357 for assistance.

Believe me, I know that my member name/email and password are correct. Ridiculous.

Edited to add a question:

Assuming everything works tonight/tomorrow and I can book my FP+ over the next six days, I have a question that I'm not 100% sure about. Can I change a FP experience on the app, while in the parks (say if I don't need to use one) even if I'm NOT staying on property? I read somewhere that if you're not staying on property you need to go to a kiosk to make changes.

Thanks.

I agree, it's ridiculous and their reply is not what you want to hear. They really need to work on their system so this kind of thing doesn't happen. For those guests who are being impacted by not being able to make their FP+, it's a nightmare. (This would be me ----> ) You spend so much time planning your trip and then everything is thrown off because Disney can't get their act together...I have a knot in my stomach just reading your post, hoping that they get it fixed in time for you to get the FP+ you want.

 

[sweetnjmom]

You can make changes to your original 3 anytime via the app.

Whew! I wasn't sure... I know I made on the fly changes last time and wanted to be sure I could do that again. Thanks!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Hi MesaBoy, I have read this thread multiple times - thank you for this! I will start my 30- days out booking tomorrow. I am confused about 2 things regarding booking strategies...

1. Why is it advantageous to pick a time further than from what you want, and then update the time later to the time you do want? (Per the Micah post)

2. I read about advantage in choosing things you don't really want, and then changing it to something you do want later...is this a good idea?

Is the strategy to accept the "package" MDE spits out so you get your top choice with 2 undesired ones, and the switch those later?

Thank you for your help!!!!!

 

[BrerNashville]

Does Disney make more FP+s available at the 30 day window? I've got an afternoon FP for TSM, but need to go in the morning. There are no morning times available now. Right now, it's more than 30 days out (onsite). When that day becomes 30 days out, does Disney typically release more FP+ into the system so that am times may be there, or will it be strictly limited to cancellations from here on out?

 

[mesaboy2]

Does Disney make more FP+s available at the 30 day window? I've got an afternoon FP for TSM, but need to go in the morning. There are no morning times available now. Right now, it's more than 30 days out (onsite). When that day becomes 30 days out, does Disney typically release more FP+ into the system so that am times may be there, or will it be strictly limited to cancellations from here on out?

There are no verifiable indications of this.

 

[capegirl]

Does Disney make more FP+s available at the 30 day window? I've got an afternoon FP for TSM, but need to go in the morning. There are no morning times available now. Right now, it's more than 30 days out (onsite). When that day becomes 30 days out, does Disney typically release more FP+ into the system so that am times may be there, or will it be strictly limited to cancellations from here on out?

I have been trying for an earlier TSM FP for at least four weeks; no go, only later times available. Right now we're stuck with 6pm. I was hoping that they may release more times on the morning of, when the park opens.

 

[Tatertot75]

Hi MesaBoy, I have read this thread multiple times - thank you for this! I will start my 30- days out booking tomorrow. I am confused about 2 things regarding booking strategies...

1. Why is it advantageous to pick a time further than from what you want, and then update the time later to the time you do want? (Per the Micah post)

2. I read about advantage in choosing things you don't really want, and then changing it to something you do want later...is this a good idea?

Is the strategy to accept the "package" MDE spits out so you get your top choice with 2 undesired ones, and the switch those later?

Thank you for your help!!!!!

1. FP+ times aren't allowed to overlap, so you won't be given an option that overlaps with one you already have booked even if it's available. For example, say you want to eat lunch at 11, then have FPs at noon, 1:00, and 2:00. If you pick an option that has one at 12:10, one at 1:30, and one at 4, you won't be able to pick times that overlap with any of the suggested slots. However, if you pick an option with all the pre-selected slots after dinner, you can pick your ideal times (provided that they're still available) without worry because there won't be any overlap.

2. It depends on what you want. If you want an early-ish time for Anna and Elsa, it could be advantageous to click A&E and then two random ones just to click "confirm" a few seconds sooner than you would if you had read through the whole list. Otherwise, it's fine to scroll through the list and pick out the attractions you want.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Thank you tatertot! And Mesa too!

 

[stevea20]

I am going early next month and I'm not even going to attempt reading all 117 pages of this thread, so this may have already been asked.
Using the MagicBands with DDP, do both of us have to scan in the restaurants or will just one scan cover us both?

 

[bigcrit]

Greetings and thank you for such a great thread. Is there anyway to do a test run with the system? I am a few months away from an offsite visit. It has been 5 years since my last trip and I am absolutely lost with this system.

In the past we would arrive at rope drop and fast pass much of our rides. It appears the system is more restrictive for someone who likes to tour like that. Can someone who tours like that still make the most of their day as in the past?

How do you you fast pass the Be Our Guest restaurant? Very interested in taking my daughters there for lunch. Is it hard to get in there?

I apologize if this has already been asked but I could not find it.

Best regards,

 

[spacemountain]

Our hotel reservations are split into two at the same hotel in order to take advantage of the discount. Since it's two reservations, will we have to do 2 separate FP+ booking times, or because we have the 7 day park hoppers, we can still do it all at once?

 

[Cluelyss]

Our hotel reservations are split into two at the same hotel in order to take advantage of the discount. Since it's two reservations, will we have to do 2 separate FP+ booking times, or because we have the 7 day park hoppers, we can still do it all at once?

You will be able to book all 7 days when the window for your first reservation opens up, assuming you are staying onsite.

 

[Cluelyss]

Greetings and thank you for such a great thread. Is there anyway to do a test run with the system? I am a few months away from an offsite visit. It has been 5 years since my last trip and I am absolutely lost with this system.

In the past we would arrive at rope drop and fast pass much of our rides. It appears the system is more restrictive for someone who likes to tour like that. Can someone who tours like that still make the most of their day as in the past?

How do you you fast pass the Be Our Guest restaurant? Very interested in taking my daughters there for lunch. Is it hard to get in there?

I apologize if this has already been asked but I could not find it.

Best regards,

First, BOG is reservation only now for lunch, no more FPs.

Second, we had a similar touring style pre FP+ and what has worked for us in recent trips is to arrive at rope drop, ride standby for the first few hours, then begin our first 3 FPs late morning / early afternoon. At MK you will still find a god deal of availability for 4th, 5th, etc FPs once your first 3 have been used. In other parks, availability will vary.

 

[Rose77]

Greetings and thank you for such a great thread. Is there anyway to do a test run with the system? I am a few months away from an offsite visit. It has been 5 years since my last trip and I am absolutely lost with this system.

In the past we would arrive at rope drop and fast pass much of our rides. It appears the system is more restrictive for someone who likes to tour like that. Can someone who tours like that still make the most of their day as in the past?

I have been able to do a few "test runs" to get used to the system. I am staying offsite as well. You will need to have your tickets linked to your MDE account. Then, just pick a date that is not more than 30 days out to try your test. Just be sure to cancel your selections right away so you're not preventing others from getting FPs that day.

How do you you fast pass the Be Our Guest restaurant? Very interested in taking my daughters there for lunch. Is it hard to get in there?

I apologize if this has already been asked but I could not find it.

Best regards,

As PP said, BOG now takes reservations. You'll need to book it like any other ADR (up to 180 days out)

 

[bigcrit]

This is why I love the disboards. People are always so friendly and provide excellent info. YOU PEOPLE ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, BOG is reservation only now for lunch, no more FPs.

Second, we had a similar touring style pre FP+ and what has worked for us in recent trips is to arrive at rope drop, ride standby for the first few hours, then begin our first 3 FPs late morning / early afternoon. At MK you will still find a god deal of availability for 4th, 5th, etc FPs once your first 3 have been used. In other parks, availability will vary.

So glad to see we can tour like we used to, to some degree anyways. I really appreciate the FP+ advice.

I have been able to do a few "test runs" to get used to the system. I am staying offsite as well. You will need to have your tickets linked to your MDE account. Then, just pick a date that is not more than 30 days out to try your test. Just be sure to cancel your selections right away so you're not preventing others from getting FPs that day.

As PP said, BOG now takes reservations. You'll need to book it like any other ADR (up to 180 days out)

Going to book ASAP. Thank you all so very much

 

[Jetku]

Is there a good comprehensive post surrounding the 4th FP logistics?

If I make MK fps for Monday, I get 4. Tuesday (when I am actually there) is 3...

 

[CaryHaven]

Just checking to see if I understand correctly, since this is the first time we've stayed offsite.
We have APs and are traveling with MIL who has a five day ticket. I'm making FPs for all of us. Our stay is 30 days out starting at midnight tonight, but since we're offsite, does that mean we can't plan for more than one day at a time? In other words, do I have to get on at midnight each night for the next five nights to correspond to each consecutive park day (5 days total)? I know I could wait until next week and do them all at once, but I'd rather try my best each night if that's what I have to do.

 

[Itinkso]

Just checking to see if I understand correctly, since this is the first time we've stayed offsite.
We have APs and are traveling with MIL who has a five day ticket. I'm making FPs for all of us. Our stay is 30 days out starting at midnight tonight, but since we're offsite, does that mean we can't plan for more than one day at a time? In other words, do I have to get on at midnight each night for the next five nights to correspond to each consecutive park day (5 days total)? I know I could wait until next week and do them all at once, but I'd rather try my best each night if that's what I have to do.

Sadly, it's 1:00a for tonight and the rest of your booking nights. Because you are offsite, it is 5 nights of this for you - and 1:00a because MK's regular closing is 1:00a during this Spring Break period.

 

[Cyrano]

Just checking to see if I understand correctly, since this is the first time we've stayed offsite.
We have APs and are traveling with MIL who has a five day ticket. I'm making FPs for all of us. Our stay is 30 days out starting at midnight tonight, but since we're offsite, does that mean we can't plan for more than one day at a time? In other words, do I have to get on at midnight each night for the next five nights to correspond to each consecutive park day (5 days total)? I know I could wait until next week and do them all at once, but I'd rather try my best each night if that's what I have to do.

Yes unfortunately for off-site guests it is the nightly routine getting each 30 day out FP+, or wait the week and try to bag them all.

I think I would try to get them a day at a time. Good luck

 

[Jetku]

I was able to book a 4th fastpass for magic kingdom on Tuesday. Had to select new fastpasses for the day, then was able to get approximately the same times for them, including mine train. It defaulted me to little mermaid, but I then could change it to anything else available. Took buzz light year, as my wife is expecting! Probably not necessary but glad I could get the extra!