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

[geaux_half]

Thank you!! I went back and read Mesa's post again and my answers were there. I feel like a sponge that is getting full. LOL! I will be looking at You Tube a few days before in my prep BOOT CAMP!

In addition to YouTube, if you follow the link in Mesa's OP there is a post with screen shots booking FP+.

 

[momof1princess]

Okay, guys, I need a little help. I'm sure this is probably answered somewhere; but, I'm at work, and can't read through 34 pages to find it.

I need FP+ for 7DMT for one day, and there are none available for the 3 of us; however, I'd like to try to do them one at a time. The problem is, when I go in to edit one person, it wants to cancel everything for that day, and I don't want to do that. So, my question is: can I modify ONE FP+ for ONE person, while leaving the 3 original ones intact; or, do I have to cancel all 3 for that person for that day, then try to get new ones?

 

[lilbuddy88]

I know my 2 year old son is going to see all of us using our magic band to make Mickey turn green and he is going to follow suit (you know how little ones are...Anything you can do I can do better ) Anyway will Mickey at least turn Red for him so he can feel included or will the CM not allow him to try or if he tries will nothing happen at all?

 

[Cluelyss]

Okay, guys, I need a little help. I'm sure this is probably answered somewhere; but, I'm at work, and can't read through 34 pages to find it. I need FP+ for 7DMT for one day, and there are none available for the 3 of us; however, I'd like to try to do them one at a time. The problem is, when I go in to edit one person, it wants to cancel everything for that day, and I don't want to do that. So, my question is: can I modify ONE FP+ for ONE person, while leaving the 3 original ones intact; or, do I have to cancel all 3 for that person for that day, then try to get new ones?

You will need to do this on the app, not the website. Select the option to modify existing fast pass, then select the attraction to modify (the one you are least attached to for that day!). On the next screen, you will have the option to select some or all of the party that currently shares this FP. Select one member of your party at a time, then you can search from all available attractions that day. (Note that even though the app will say that it's only searching from available attractions in your existing return window, it's actually searching the entire day.) The app will put you into a return window that is close to your existing time, if possible, otherwise you will get whatever is available. Repeat for all members of your party. Once you've secured the new FP+ for everyone, you will use the modify option again to search for return times that overlap. When I was using this method to search for A&E, I would first select all 4 of us; if nothing popped up for 4, I'd search for 3. Then 2, then 1, in the hopes of at least getting 2 or 3 that had the same return time. The process may take a few days, so be patient and persistent! There are also cancellation threads out there as well, where folks will post FP+ they are looking to trade or drop. Just search for your month of travel plus 7DMT and you should find it. The one for October is for both A&E and 7DMT - not sure if November is the same. Good luck

 

[jeters_boy]

Is the Fastpass+ system actually working to reduce wait times?

I read on touringplans.com the following:

"In the old FastPass+ system, a Cast Member usually took only a few seconds to glance at the paper FASTPASS return time before sending you on to the FASTPASS line. And the Cast Member usually only looked at one FASTPASS for an entire family, on the assumption that everyone’s FASTPASSes said the same thing.
The new computer system is taking around 15 to 30 seconds per person, to read the band, look up the reservation, and do the validation. And every member of a family goes through the validation. This isn’t an issue when guests returns are spread somewhat evenly throughout the day, but it stops the line dead when a group of people arrive at once. The result has been occasional waits of up to 30 minutes to redeem a FastPass+ reservation, sometimes longer than the standby wait for the same ride.
Disney is putting a lot of effort into reducing this validation process, and we expect it to be smoothed out by the end of 2014."

We aren't to the end of 2014 yet, but how is this coming along?

 

[mesaboy2]

Is the Fastpass+ system actually working to reduce wait times?

I read on touringplans.com the following:

"In the old FastPass+ system, a Cast Member usually took only a few seconds to glance at the paper FASTPASS return time before sending you on to the FASTPASS line. And the Cast Member usually only looked at one FASTPASS for an entire family, on the assumption that everyone’s FASTPASSes said the same thing.
The new computer system is taking around 15 to 30 seconds per person, to read the band, look up the reservation, and do the validation. And every member of a family goes through the validation. This isn’t an issue when guests returns are spread somewhat evenly throughout the day, but it stops the line dead when a group of people arrive at once. The result has been occasional waits of up to 30 minutes to redeem a FastPass+ reservation, sometimes longer than the standby wait for the same ride.
Disney is putting a lot of effort into reducing this validation process, and we expect it to be smoothed out by the end of 2014."

We aren't to the end of 2014 yet, but how is this coming along?

If it was ever that long, it isn't anymore. Five seconds in my experience is the norm, if not less. It is rare I read a report of more than 15-20 minutes for any FP wait, current A&E testing not withstanding.

 

[jeters_boy]

Great. Thanks for the lightning-quick reply.

Any idea if overall wait times are down? We're going Thanksgiving week and I'm trying to get a handle on what to expect after our 3 pre-booked FP+'s are used up each day.

 

[nogreenworld]

If it was ever that long, it isn't anymore. Five seconds in my experience is the norm, if not less. It is rare I read a report of more than 15-20 minutes for any FP wait, current A&E testing not withstanding.

not in my FP+ scheduling window yet, but how does this new A&E return time pseudo-fastpass system work with the current FP+?

if you have your three FP+, are you eligible to try and get an FP+ time once the line is cut off, or are you out of luck because of your three for the day?

 

[momof1princess]

You will need to do this on the app, not the website. Select the option to modify existing fast pass, then select the attraction to modify (the one you are least attached to for that day!). On the next screen, you will have the option to select some or all of the party that currently shares this FP. Select one member of your party at a time, then you can search from all available attractions that day. (Note that even though the app will say that it's only searching from available attractions in your existing return window, it's actually searching the entire day.) The app will put you into a return window that is close to your existing time, if possible, otherwise you will get whatever is available. Repeat for all members of your party. Once you've secured the new FP+ for everyone, you will use the modify option again to search for return times that overlap. When I was using this method to search for A&E, I would first select all 4 of us; if nothing popped up for 4, I'd search for 3. Then 2, then 1, in the hopes of at least getting 2 or 3 that had the same return time. The process may take a few days, so be patient and persistent! There are also cancellation threads out there as well, where folks will post FP+ they are looking to trade or drop. Just search for your month of travel plus 7DMT and you should find it. The one for October is for both A&E and 7DMT - not sure if November is the same. Good luck

Thank you! I tried the app, but it's experiencing technical difficulties right now. I'll try again later.

 

[Cluelyss]

not in my FP+ scheduling window yet, but how does this new A&E return time pseudo-fastpass system work with the current FP+? if you have your three FP+, are you eligible to try and get an FP+ time once the line is cut off, or are you out of luck because of your three for the day?

I believe they are only running that test for the next 3 days, so wouldn't worry about it at this point! Though it was my understanding after reading the article that it was in addition to what you already had scheduled that day, similar to the paper return times they tested previously. The only difference here is that you can select your return window.

 

[FutureMrsF]

Hi

We are off to disney world next May for the first time in 14 years and the first time with our kids.

I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes time to book by fast pass slots.

How do I know what is a single for booking and when I want it?

Is there a beginners guide anywhere or does anybody have any advice so I can get it planned out ready, I literally have no idea where to start.

If it makes any difference we will be staying offsite.

Thank you in advance

Andrea

 

[jad215]

I highly recommend reading the first post on this thread and then posting in it if you have questions that aren't addressed by the first post. People are really helpful there!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

 

[FutureMrsF]

Thank you I'm sorry I hadn't seen that thread.

 

[jad215]

It's normally near the top of the first page, but was towards the bottom when I went looking for it! Good luck with your planning : )

 

[g-dad66]

I think I know the answer to this question, but wanted to double check...

We are a travel party of 5. On one of our Epcot days our 3rd scheduled FP is for Mission Space. My DH may decide not to ride it (it sometimes makes him sick). So if he doesn't ride and doesn't use his 3rd FP, will that affect our whole group's ability to get a 4th FP? I'm guessing that DH would be able to get a 4th FP just like the rest of us, but he'd probably have to wait until the FP hour window expires... right? Which means we'd all have to wait until the hour windows expires if we want to get our 4th FP all together. I hope I'm explaining that right.

Thanks!

He could go all the way through the line with you, scanning his Magic Band at both scan points, and then decide to take the "chicken" exit.

Voila, as soon as the rest of you finish riding, you are all eligible for your 4th FP+ together.

 

[disneywithfive]

We have a 5 night stay booked with an 8 day ticket linked to MDE. We will be off-site for the last part of our trip. The FP+ system let me book passes for the first 6 days of our trip but will not let me for the last two. I'm assuming that's because we do not have an on-site reservation for the last two nights? We'll have to wait until the 30 day mark to book the last two days?
Thanks!!!

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Does this sound reasonable?

Here are my ideas on your best chance of getting the FastPass+ selections you want (in order of likeliness) (staying on site)

1. 60 days before your trip (at midnight! best chance)
2. 55 - 30 days before your trip (My reasoning is that if people cancel their trip at their 45 day mark, their FastPass+ plus 10 selections will start to become available).
3. 59 days to 56 days before your trip. (chances not horrible but not as good as above)
4. 30 days to 0 days (still possible just not as good as above)

I most interested in responses to #2. Any comments are welcome, especially if you think I am totally off-base

 

[Cluelyss]

We have a 5 night stay booked with an 8 day ticket linked to MDE. We will be off-site for the last part of our trip. The FP+ system let me book passes for the first 6 days of our trip but will not let me for the last two. I'm assuming that's because we do not have an on-site reservation for the last two nights? We'll have to wait until the 30 day mark to book the last two days? Thanks!!!

Thats correct. And you will need to do the final 2 days one day at a time as well (at the 30-day mark for each).

 

[Cluelyss]

Does this sound reasonable? Here are my ideas on your best chance of getting the FastPass+ selections you want (in order of likeliness) (staying on site) 1. 60 days before your trip (at midnight! best chance) 2. 55 - 30 days before your trip (My reasoning is that if people cancel their trip at their 45 day mark, their FastPass+ plus 10 selections will start to become available). 3. 59 days to 56 days before your trip. (chances not horrible but not as good as above) 4. 30 days to 0 days (still possible just not as good as above) I most interested in responses to #2. Any comments are welcome, especially if you think I am totally off-base

I am still tweaking my plans less than 30 days out, and most rides still have plenty of available times. You only really need to be on at midnight on your 60-day mark if you want A&E, 7DMT or parades/fireworks. Everything else will still have availability long into your booking window. Once the 30 day mark hits, I would agree that availability will drop with the addition of off-site guests now being able to schedule, but my sister planned a last minute trip in June and there was still availability for almost every attraction a week out (though times were not always ideal).

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

I am still tweaking my plans less than 30 days out, and most rides still have plenty of available times. You only really need to be on at midnight on your 60-day mark if you want A&E, 7DMT or parades/fireworks. Everything else will still have availability long into your booking window. Once the 30 day mark hits, I would agree that availability will drop with the addition of off-site guests now being able to schedule, but my sister planned a last minute trip in June and there was still availability for almost every attraction a week out (though times were not always ideal).

Thanks!!

I seem to be obsessing over the FastPass+ system. Maybe it won't be as hard as I thought to get the FP times I want. We are going end of May 2015.

We do plan on riding 7DMT but not A&E. Fireworks and parades are not an issue either, we don't really need reserved viewing (been there done that) also we are staying at CR (first time) with theme park view, I have heard the view of the fireworks is great from there.