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

[rfc0001]

1. I'm pretty sure it's not against policy, since, like you said, people do it all the time and CMs don't say anything.

2. The only way that would work is to buy tickets for the imaginary guests, which seems like a pretty expensive way to get more FPs.

But to answer your question, although with legacy FP, ticket media had to be used to enter a park in order to get FPs, I'm positive I've read that it isn't necessary for a Magic Band to be used for park entry for the FPs linked to them to be used.

Regarding 2, I wasn't aware of that requirement -- I knew you could book FP+ @ 60 days with Disney resort ressie -- so, you are saying you have to have a unused ticket linked to that same MB to create FP+. That makes sense -- they are checking it at the time you book it in MDE, not at the time you use it. Still a way to get around it -- you could use a 1-day pass to book FP+ 7 days. Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

1. Regarding 2, I wasn't aware of that requirement -- I knew you could book FP+ @ 60 days with Disney resort ressie -- so, you are saying you have to have a unused ticket linked to that same MB to create FP+.

2. Still a way to get around it -- you could use a 1-day pass to book FP+ 7 days. Thanks!

1. It doesn't have to be an unused ticket, it just have to have days left on it. (So for instance a non-expiration ticket that's been partially used or an AP that's already in effect can be used.)

2. Nope, you can only book FP+ for the number of days on the ticket. If you only have a 1-day ticket, you can only book 1 day's worth of FPs.

 

[doconeill]

Regarding 2, I wasn't aware of that requirement -- I knew you could book FP+ @ 60 days with Disney resort ressie -- so, you are saying you have to have a unused ticket linked to that same MB to create FP+. That makes sense -- they are checking it at the time you book it in MDE, not at the time you use it. Still a way to get around it -- you could use a 1-day pass to book FP+ 7 days. Thanks!

I'm not sure I follow that logic. You can't book more FP+ days that you have days on a ticket, regardless of the length of a reservation. If you want to book an extra 7 days worth of FP+ via phantom guest in advance, you'd need a 7-day ticket specifically associated with that phantom guest. They'd also have to appear on that reservation to get the 60-day window - which depending on your room type and how many real people you have, could have additional costs or require you to book a villa/suite, or have to do a "throwaway" booking (another thread, will not discuss further here - find that thread) which would result in more charges, etc...

And all that gets you is 3 more advanced FP+ selections per day, at different attractions...all at $300+ per phantom.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Regarding 2, I wasn't aware of that requirement -- I knew you could book FP+ @ 60 days with Disney resort ressie -- so, you are saying you have to have a unused ticket linked to that same MB to create FP+. That makes sense -- they are checking it at the time you book it in MDE, not at the time you use it. Still a way to get around it -- you could use a 1-day pass to book FP+ 7 days. Thanks!

Correct, MDE checks for tickets and that triggers the FP booking window to open.

FP Kiosks and FP tapstiles only check the FP database. If you had a new MagicBand unlinked to any MDE accounts or a MagicBand linked to a second MDE account with or without tickets, the Kiosk allows FPs to be selected. It doesn't check MDE at all because of all the Guests who purchase tickets at the gate, enter, and then go directly to a Kiosk. They don't have MDE and MDE is not required to book FPs when in the park.

 

[doconeill]

Correct, MDE checks for tickets and that triggers the FP booking window to open.

FP Kiosks and FP tapstiles only check the FP database. If you had a new MagicBand unlinked to any MDE accounts or a MagicBand linked to a second MDE account with or without tickets, the Kiosk allows FPs to be selected. It doesn't check MDE at all because of all the Guests who purchase tickets at the gate, enter, and then go directly to a Kiosk. They don't have MDE and MDE is not required to book FPs when in the park.

Yes, currently the system is allowing ANY "ticket media" (bands, cards, etc.) to use the kiosks to book _same day_ FP+. The key is that they can't be linked to the same profile - that is, if I have three magicbands linked to me, they are for all intents and purposes the _same_. But if I had a second profile, with a magicband linked to that profile, it will allow me to book a FP+ independently of my active profile.

Doesn't work for anything in advance though, unless there is also a valid ticket associated with the profile, and only at 30 days unless that profile is also named on a reservation, then you get the 60 days.

 

[rfc0001]

I'm not sure I follow that logic. You can't book more FP+ days that you have days on a ticket, regardless of the length of a reservation.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess the exception would be APs.

Correct, MDE checks for tickets and that triggers the FP booking window to open.

FP Kiosks and FP tapstiles only check the FP database. If you had a new MagicBand unlinked to any MDE accounts or a MagicBand linked to a second MDE account with or without tickets, the Kiosk allows FPs to be selected. It doesn't check MDE at all because of all the Guests who purchase tickets at the gate, enter, and then go directly to a Kiosk. They don't have MDE and MDE is not required to book FPs when in the park.

Thanks for confirming!

 

[doconeill]

Thanks for the clarification. I guess the exception would be APs.Thanks for confirming!

APs are effectively 7-day tickets for advanced booking outside of a reservation. With a reservation they can book the length of the reservation (although there are some gotchas that can cause issues)

 

[Jersey Jedi]

All the rules in the first post assume I prebook 3 FP+ but what if I only prebook 1 or 2? For example, say Soaring and TT are my priorities at Epcot. They're both tier 1 and I know I can only prebook one of them. But if I'm not interested in FP+ for other rides like Nemo or Spaceship Earth, would I actually need to get FP+ for two additional non-tier 1 rides on the day at the park before I can get a 2nd FP+ for a tier 1 ride?

Or, suppose I only do the FP for one of them and then hop to another park? I assume I'm free to FP+ away at the other park (1 at a time I know) without having done a 2nd or 3rd at the previous park?

Another example, say i want to do TSM more than once? Can't I just pre-book that one and then once it passes I can get a 2nd one (assuming available) without even bothering with other FP+?

I think the answer is yes but the rules on here seem to imply that you need to do 3 different rides before repeating any, doing another tier 1 or getting at other parks. If so, maybe you can clarify the first post?

The second part to this question is don't they save so many FP+ for the actual day of? Or do they allow all FP+ to be booked in advance and not save any room for the day of? If they save some, I'm more likely to get a 2nd at my favorite ride if I don't have to wait for FP #2 and 3 to pass. If they don't save any, it may not matter because it may not be available.

 

[Cluelyss]

All the rules in the first post assume I prebook 3 FP+ but what if I only prebook 1 or 2? For example, say Soaring and TT are my priorities at Epcot. They're both tier 1 and I know I can only prebook one of them. But if I'm not interested in FP+ for other rides like Nemo or Spaceship Earth, would I actually need to get FP+ for two additional non-tier 1 rides on the day at the park before I can get a 2nd FP+ for a tier 1 ride? Or, suppose I only do the FP for one of them and then hop to another park? I assume I'm free to FP+ away at the other park (1 at a time I know) without having done a 2nd or 3rd at the previous park? Another example, say i want to do TSM more than once? Can't I just pre-book that one and then once it passes I can get a 2nd one (assuming available) without even bothering with other FP+? I think the answer is yes but the rules on here seem to imply that you need to do 3 different rides before repeating any, doing another tier 1 or getting at other parks. If so, maybe you can clarify the first post? The second part to this question is don't they save so many FP+ for the actual day of? Or do they allow all FP+ to be booked in advance and not save any room for the day of? If they save some, I'm more likely to get a 2nd at my favorite ride if I don't have to wait for FP #2 and 3 to pass. If they don't save any, it may not matter because it may not be available.

The system requires that you book 3 FPs initially. If you only select 1 or 2, the system will auto-fill the others for you. If you do not want all 3, you are free to cancel the unwanted FPs, but there have been reports of varying success as to the ability to book additional FPs without competing your initial 3. Of those reports, most report success under this scenario when park hopping. Additionally, once cancelled, those FPs cannot be added back to your account without either starting that day's scheduling over or calling Disney IT. Finally, as far as we know, no FPs are held back for day-of scheduling. This is what makes securing some of the most popular attractions difficult, particularly for those with shorter on-site stays of those staying off property (A&E for example).

 

[Jersey Jedi]

Thanks for the quick response. I hadn't tried out the system yet so didn't realize it would auto-fill for you. That's weird. I could see why they would want to limit people from trying to repeat the same ride, but making you reserve rides you don't want while others can't get them doesn't seem efficient. And it does take some of the luster off of park-hopping if I need to FP at least 3 rides before doing one at a 2nd park.

 

[Cluelyss]

Thanks for the quick response. I hadn't tried out the system yet so didn't realize it would auto-fill for you. That's weird. I could see why they would want to limit people from trying to repeat the same ride, but making you reserve rides you don't want while others can't get them doesn't seem efficient. And it does take some of the luster off of park-hopping if I need to FP at least 3 rides before doing one at a 2nd park.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) by scheduling "throwaway" FPs in those parks with tiering, you aren't really "taking" a FP from someone else since the demand for tier 2 rides is so much less than for tier 1....hence the need for tiering.....

 

[soniam]

All the rules in the first post assume I prebook 3 FP+ but what if I only prebook 1 or 2? For example, say Soaring and TT are my priorities at Epcot. They're both tier 1 and I know I can only prebook one of them. But if I'm not interested in FP+ for other rides like Nemo or Spaceship Earth, would I actually need to get FP+ for two additional non-tier 1 rides on the day at the park before I can get a 2nd FP+ for a tier 1 ride?

Or, suppose I only do the FP for one of them and then hop to another park? I assume I'm free to FP+ away at the other park (1 at a time I know) without having done a 2nd or 3rd at the previous park?

Another example, say i want to do TSM more than once? Can't I just pre-book that one and then once it passes I can get a 2nd one (assuming available) without even bothering with other FP+?

I think the answer is yes but the rules on here seem to imply that you need to do 3 different rides before repeating any, doing another tier 1 or getting at other parks. If so, maybe you can clarify the first post?

The second part to this question is don't they save so many FP+ for the actual day of? Or do they allow all FP+ to be booked in advance and not save any room for the day of? If they save some, I'm more likely to get a 2nd at my favorite ride if I don't have to wait for FP #2 and 3 to pass. If they don't save any, it may not matter because it may not be available.

The key is that you must cancel the unwanted FP+ before you enter the park or start using any of your FP+ at the park. From what I have been able to gather, you can immediately go to a kiosk and book more FP+. If you only had 1 to begin with, then you can book 2 right there. If 2 prebooked, then only 1 same day. It also seems that the tiering doesn't apply with these new FP+, because they are considered to be same day. Same day FP+ have no tiering.

famy27 has actually done this. He only had Soarin' booked at Epcot; he canceled the others weeks before his trip. I can't remember if he immediately went to a kiosk and got Test Track or if he road Soarin' first, and then got the other FP+. If you search for him, you can find his posts about it.

Also, if you do cancel any prebooked FP+, you can add them back by copying from someone on your MDX account to yours via the app. I don't think you can copy on the website. The copying will only work though if you didn't cancel the FP+ for everyone in your party.

The reason I know about this is because I canceled SM at MK, because I didn't want to ride. DS and DH will ride, while I shop. I was concerned that I might not be able to get 3+ FP+ at the park, because of some possible weirdness in the system. So, I did some research. I have also actually done the copy thing too. This is all based on disboards searching. I have not actually tried this at the park.

 

[tzolkin]

Question about split stays and booking FP+
We are staying June 17-23 at the Dolphin, but will start the trip on the 16th at CBR. When can I book FP+? (I am thinking the 60 days from the 16th will only allow me to book one day. Not sure if it allows you to do the whole trip at once if both reservations are linked to the account)

Park entry does not affect FP usage. The FP tap stiles only link/read FP data and it doesn't care about ticket usage at all.

This trip my kids plan to "do their own thing" most afternoons. Does this mean they could use DH & my FPs if we stay back at the resort or go to a different park?

 

[Cluelyss]

Question - if there are 2 showings of Fantasmic, will FP+ be available for both? I know when there are 2 MSEP scheduled there is FP for both, so would assume "yes" .... but never want to assume....

 

[Itinkso]

Question - if there are 2 showings of Fantasmic, will FP+ be available for both? I know when there are 2 MSEP scheduled there is FP for both, so would assume "yes" .... but never want to assume....

Yes! it is available for both Fants. It isn't necessary for the 2nd showing so if there are still rides available for your 4th or 5th FP, choose the ride.

 

[Candleshoe]

Question about split stays and booking FP+
We are staying June 17-23 at the Dolphin, but will start the trip on the 16th at CBR. When can I book FP+? (I am thinking the 60 days from the 16th will only allow me to book one day. Not sure if it allows you to do the whole trip at once if both reservations are linked to the account)




This trip my kids plan to "do their own thing" most afternoons. Does this mean they could use DH & my FPs if we stay back at the resort or go to a different park?

They couldn't use your FPs if you went to a different park because you'd be taking your MBs(or hard tickets) with you to the other park.
If you went back to the resort you could leave your MBs with them to use your FPs, but, how would you get into your room?

 

[Itinkso]

They couldn't use your FPs if you went to a different park because you'd be taking your MBs(or hard tickets) with you to the other park.
If you went back to the resort you could leave your MBs with them to use your FPs, but, how would you get into your room?

Candleshoe, the FP tapstiles don't check for park entrance. They only check to see if the FP is valid.

The OP and her DH can go to a another park with a hard ticket while the kids use the MagicBands for FPs or vice versa. They probably get a separate door key at the Dolphin because it isn't a Disney resort but they are issued MagicBands for the park.

 

[Cluelyss]

Yes! it is available for both Fants. It isn't necessary for the 2nd showing so if there are still rides available for your 4th or 5th FP, choose the ride.

Thanks! I know the 2nd showing is always less crowded, so wouldn't necessary "need" a FP, but with 2 little ones, wondering if it give us better seating? (As a 4th or 5th choice, obviously!)

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks! I know the 2nd showing is always less crowded, so wouldn't necessary "need" a FP, but with 2 little ones, wondering if it give us better seating? (As a 4th or 5th choice, obviously!)

For the 2nd showing, the two center sections (Dining) are available. Some report FP guests are seated there for the 2nd show. I've been to Fant and saw walk-in/standby fill in that area but that was a year ago.

FP sections are all sections on the left side of the amphitheater and you don't have to arrive very early for the 2nd show. For the 1st show, with a FP, arrive at least 45 minutes early for more centralized seating.

 

[tzolkin]

The OP and her DH can go to a another park with a hard ticket while the kids use the MagicBands for FPs or vice versa. They probably get a separate door key at the Dolphin because it isn't a Disney resort but they are issued MagicBands for the park.

Yes, this is exactly what I was asking. We will actually have two sets of MBs (previous trip), so we could give the kids our extras or give them the tickets to access the rides.

DH and I aren't too concerned with rides this trip, but I'm sure that's going to be the kids' focus when they go off alone. So if we already have the FPs booked, they may as well use them.

Now they will have to learn to negotiate with each other since there are three kids, but only two "extra" FPs.