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

[rdw]

I'm not sure where you saw that. In any event, Illuminations is in my opinion not a good FP for the reason Cluelyss mentioned--it's not hard at all to get a decent spot for it.

Me either - I must have confused it with Wishes Thanks.

One more question - on our first night, I think we are going to try and hit MK. I have FP+ for meet Ariel in her grotto - but how long is the wait for that usually? Wondering if Buzz Lightyear's ride would have a longer standby wait? (I believe they both have the same value of difficulty).

Thanks,

 

[mesaboy2]

Me either - I must have confused it with Wishes Thanks.

One more question - on our first night, I think we are going to try and hit MK. I have FP+ for meet Ariel in her grotto - but how long is the wait for that usually? Wondering if Buzz Lightyear's ride would have a longer standby wait? (I believe they both have the same value of difficulty).

Thanks,

Yeah, hard to tell I think--probably why I have them rated the same. On an average night, I would think neither would be more than 20-30 minutes?

 

[Cluelyss]

Yeah, hard to tell I think--probably why I have them rated the same. On an average night, I would think neither would be more than 20-30 minutes?

I will add that we had trouble finding an available FP to meet Ariel in October, so I'd give the edge to Ariel for popularity (and therefore perhaps harder to get). But would agree the SB wait would be close to the same.

 

[shpooey]

Is there a post on here about 4th FP+ and onward availability? Like for example, 4th+ FP+ for headliners such as 7DMT or TSM would be nigh impossible to get. What are some good options for each park, but particularly MK because it has so many options, for 4th+ FP+?

My trip is from 6/23-6/26 so it'll be really crowded, probably 8 or 9...

Sorry if this is already an answered question. There are a LOT of pages in this thread. ^^;;

I don't know of a post related specifically to 4th FP+ availability, but you can take a look at the touring plans FP+ availability pages to see a snapshot of what availability might look like on any given day. For example, right now it's 4PM at WDW and the following FP+ are out at MK: parades, A&E, SDMT, Space Mountain, Wishes. All others available. Note that this search is done based on one person only, so if you're looking for more, availability will be more limited. (Link to today's availability: http://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/fastpass-availability/date/2015-03-24)

Today's a 7 at MK (per TP), but tomorrow is 9 and Thurs is 10, so might be worth checking back on days that have crowds similar to your dates to see what's available.

 

[Yumi696]

I don't know of a post related specifically to 4th FP+ availability, but you can take a look at the touring plans FP+ availability pages to see a snapshot of what availability might look like on any given day. For example, right now it's 4PM at WDW and the following FP+ are out at MK: parades, A&E, SDMT, Space Mountain, Wishes. All others available. Note that this search is done based on one person only, so if you're looking for more, availability will be more limited. (Link to today's availability: http://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/fastpass-availability/date/2015-03-24)

Today's a 7 at MK (per TP), but tomorrow is 9 and Thurs is 10, so might be worth checking back on days that have crowds similar to your dates to see what's available.

Thanks so much!!

 

[volfan1978]

Ok I'm sure this has been answered in the 113 pages of this thread, but I haven't found it so here goes...

At midnight when we're ready to pounce on the FP+ system, how far into "the system" should we go in the minutes before then? Can we go ahead and go through the part where we choose our party and get to the available date calendar (and then just refresh until the clock strikes 12 and our 60 day window becomes available) or do we need to wait and start from the beginning at midnight?

 

[rdw]

I started a few minutes before midnight last night and refreshed at midnight. My computer clock was 2 minutes fast which was really frustrating

Question - I'm trying to book a FP for FoF parade, and it's not showing up as available at all (not even as sold out). Anyone know why?

ETA -and the Dibb is showing it as still available too.

 

[shpooey]

I started a few minutes before midnight last night and refreshed at midnight. My computer clock was 2 minutes fast which was really frustrating

Question - I'm trying to book a FP for FoF parade, and it's not showing up as available at all (not even as sold out). Anyone know why?

ETA -and the Dibb is showing it as still available too.

Do you maybe have another FP+ scheduled for that same time?

 

[rdw]

Do you maybe have another FP+ scheduled for that same time?

I'm trying to cancel a FP in favor of FoF so it shouldn't be an issue? But I will double check my times. I think even when I cancelled and started fresh it didn't come up for me.

 

[shpooey]

I'm trying to cancel a FP in favor of FoF so it shouldn't be an issue? But I will double check my times. I think even when I cancelled and started fresh it didn't come up for me.

The FoF FP+ time is from 15 min before the parade start to 5 min after (e.g. for a 3PM parade, the FP+ time is 2:45-3:05PM), so check to make sure your other FP+s don't conflict.

 

[rdw]

The FoF FP+ time is from 15 min before the parade start to 5 min after (e.g. for a 3PM parade, the FP+ time is 2:45-3:05PM), so check to make sure your other FP+s don't conflict.

THANK YOU! That was it! I didn't know that it wouldn't just say it was a conflict. Couldn't do it on the app, but managed to do it on the web. Swapped Cindy / Rapunzel M & G for FoF - I'll have to decide if that's worth it, but at least I have it.

Thanks so much! (and sorry for all of the questions).

 

[shpooey]

THANK YOU! That was it! I didn't know that it wouldn't just say it was a conflict. Couldn't do it on the app, but managed to do it on the web. Swapped Cindy / Rapunzel M & G for FoF - I'll have to decide if that's worth it, but at least I have it.

Thanks so much! (and sorry for all of the questions).

No problem, glad you got what you wanted

 

[rdw]

My kids will go for characters and parades more than rides - so that's my strategy for now. I like the idea of not lining up for the parade an hour beforehand - and (hopefully) having some breathing room. Thanks for the help!

 

[Cluelyss]

Ok I'm sure this has been answered in the 113 pages of this thread, but I haven't found it so here goes...

At midnight when we're ready to pounce on the FP+ system, how far into "the system" should we go in the minutes before then? Can we go ahead and go through the part where we choose our party and get to the available date calendar (and then just refresh until the clock strikes 12 and our 60 day window becomes available) or do we need to wait and start from the beginning at midnight?

You will not be able to access the "book your fast pass" link until exactly midnight at 60 days if you are booked under a package. Up until that moment it will say " you can begin booking fast passes on xxxx date." If you have tickets linked to your account from another source, you will be able to get as far as the calendar prior to midnight. But the window will only be 30 days until midnight 60 days prior.

 

[splashmt]

If my parades and wishes don't come available until after my 60 day mark... I don't understand how to look for them/choose them after i've book 3 FP already, and might want to change one. How would the app/website know to allow me to look/change? thanks!!!

 

[volfan1978]

You will not be able to access the "book your fast pass" link until exactly midnight at 60 days if you are booked under a package. Up until that moment it will say " you can begin booking fast passes on xxxx date." If you have tickets linked to your account from another source, you will be able to get as far as the calendar prior to midnight. But the window will only be 30 days until midnight 60 days prior.

Thanks for the info...but I don't think you quite understood my question. I got the on-site hotel through Orbitz and tickets through UT, so I can get to the calendar as you describe. I know my 60 days won't show up until 12, but my question is will it mess me up if I'm already that far into it when the clock strikes midnight. I was just concerned that if I was sitting on the calendar at 11:59 that it might mess something up with my move from 30 to 60 days.

 

[Itinkso]

If my parades and wishes don't come available until after my 60 day mark... I don't understand how to look for them/choose them after i've book 3 FP already, and might want to change one. How would the app/website know to allow me to look/change? thanks!!!

Parades and Wishes are available at the 60-day window opening. If they aren't available when your window opens, that means others have reserved all available slots.

 

[Cluelyss]

Thanks for the info...but I don't think you quite understood my question. I got the on-site hotel through Orbitz and tickets through UT, so I can get to the calendar as you describe. I know my 60 days won't show up until 12, but my question is will it mess me up if I'm already that far into it when the clock strikes midnight. I was just concerned that if I was sitting on the calendar at 11:59 that it might mess something up with my move from 30 to 60 days.

In that case, you should be fine going that "far" into the process, but may need to keep refreshing on the calendar page until the clock strikes midnight.

 

[Cluelyss]

If my parades and wishes don't come available until after my 60 day mark... I don't understand how to look for them/choose them after i've book 3 FP already, and might want to change one. How would the app/website know to allow me to look/change? thanks!!!

You can modify your existing FPs at any time to search for additional times or attractions. Just make sure you are using the "modify" option and not "cancel" then select the attraction you want to change. Keep in mind that your FP windows cannot overlap, so if you are searching for Wishes, for example, you will need to make sure your current FPs end at least 30 minutes prior to the fireworks time (as the return window will be 20 minutes or so prior to the start time). Same goes for the parades.

 

[dmband]

Can I change the guests on a Tier 1 attraction for 2 of the people without having to cancel everybody?
Right now I have 4 people reserved for TSM but I will be switching out 2 for a SWW tier 1 show.

read closely, the wording on what boxes is checked/unchecked is tricky sometimes