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

[troyseyfert]

Hey @mesaboy2 , I was wondering why the Epcot Character spot is graded a C for FP+? Didn't know if there was a reason for it.

I know from our experience that we were SO glad we got this FP because the lines was a 20-25 minute wait and we were able to get in front of several people. From our experience, I wouldn't class it in the same grade as Finding Nemo and Figment (there's hardly EVER a line for these). So, didn't know if you had different reasoning.

I know that even during slow season, the line can be a 30-35 minute wait and if you have a FP, you can get in front of a lot of people. Plus, you get 3 of the Fab 5 which is a huge draw!

Anyways, just curious as to why it's graded a C. Thanks!

 

[Jen1010]

I'm pretty sure this is somewhere in this thread- but I'm being lazy and not reading all 146 pages. We have magic bands from a previous trip in November 2013. We are ordering new magic bands because the kids would like new colors and it's included with our room. We are staying onsite for one night, off for 7 and have park hopper passes. We have had the same MDX account for years.

I've heard some people use their old magic bands to get additional FP's at kiosks or online. Does this still work? If so are my old magic bands still attached to my account- if they are is there a way to get them off the account?

Thanks so much!

 

[funforfive]

I'm sure this has been asked, and probably a simple answer. If my Husband and I decide to go to EPCOT and our Teen boys want to go to MK, can I select different fastpasses in each park for the split group? I assume I select the kids and choose their fastpasses and then pick ours.....

 

[4leobeans]

I have learned a ton in this thread...thanks!

I'm a bit nervous with our upcoming vacation, because my hubby is already grumbly at me for trying to plan our meals this far out.....I can't wait to tell him we need to decide on rides too!

We're travelling with a 1,4 and 7 year old, and I don't even know if we will leave in the afternoon for naps, or just leave early in the evening. I see most people book FP+ for early afternoon. Is it a waste of time to book early morning FP?

 

[doconeill]

I've heard some people use their old magic bands to get additional FP's at kiosks or online. Does this still work? If so are my old magic bands still attached to my account- if they are is there a way to get them off the account?

Thanks so much!

Once they are attached to an account, they generally cannot be transferred to another account, at least by no means that you can use. I'm sure Disney has a way to do it, but of course they aren't going to do it so you can get extra FPs...

I don't know if the loophole still works.

I'm sure this has been asked, and probably a simple answer. If my Husband and I decide to go to EPCOT and our Teen boys want to go to MK, can I select different fastpasses in each park for the split group? I assume I select the kids and choose their fastpasses and then pick ours.....

Yes.

I have learned a ton in this thread...thanks!

I'm a bit nervous with our upcoming vacation, because my hubby is already grumbly at me for trying to plan our meals this far out.....I can't wait to tell him we need to decide on rides too!

We're travelling with a 1,4 and 7 year old, and I don't even know if we will leave in the afternoon for naps, or just leave early in the evening. I see most people book FP+ for early afternoon. Is it a waste of time to book early morning FP?

I wouldn't say it is a _waste_, but early morning is generally when you can get the most rides in _without_ FP+. FP+ is more valuable when the parks are more crowded later in the day.

 

[jcarwash]

We have magic bands from a previous trip in November 2013. We are ordering new magic bands because the kids would like new colors and it's included with our room. We are staying onsite for one night, off for 7 and have park hopper passes. We have had the same MDX account for years.

I've heard some people use their old magic bands to get additional FP's at kiosks or online. Does this still work? If so are my old magic bands still attached to my account- if they are is there a way to get them off the account?

You can use the Magic Bands and Cards section of My Disney Experience (MDX) to see if your old Magic Bands are listed, and deactivate them if you want.

 

[Ruthie5671]

Wow, what a thread to read. Disclaimer - I didn't read all 146 pages. I did read the first several main posts and then skipped to about page 130. My mind is swimming. And we're not even going until sometime next year (dates aren't even set yet). I'm just trying to get the knowledge in my head.

I'm particularly confused about the tickets vs. package time to get your reservations for FP+. I'm not sure what type of tickets we'll have because it depends on whether or not my brother comes with us, and he'll have military passes. But lets assume he doesn't come with us. We'll have two rooms - DH and I in one room and my mom in another room. She may have a travel buddy, but that's yet to be determined. If we do a package that includes room, tickets and dining plan (staying on-site of course) then we can do the 60 day FP reservations - correct? If we do a room only booking and purchase the tickets from UT, what is the booking window look like?

And I think I saw this, but not everyone has to have the same FP+ reservations at the same time? My dear mom could ride Small World all day long without complaint, and well, not so much for the rest of us. We can be varied with our reservations as long as we're within the same park.

Thanks so much for all the hard work that went into this thread.

 

[doconeill]

I'm particularly confused about the tickets vs. package time to get your reservations for FP+. I'm not sure what type of tickets we'll have because it depends on whether or not my brother comes with us, and he'll have military passes. But lets assume he doesn't come with us. We'll have two rooms - DH and I in one room and my mom in another room. She may have a travel buddy, but that's yet to be determined. If we do a package that includes room, tickets and dining plan (staying on-site of course) then we can do the 60 day FP reservations - correct? If we do a room only booking and purchase the tickets from UT, what is the booking window look like?

It doesn't have to be a package. What enables the 60 days is the reservation at a Disney O/O resort or the Swan/Dolphin. It can be a package room, room only, DVC reservation, etc.
Having that enables the 60 days vs. 30 days.

Having _tickets_ enables the ability to make FP selections at all. As part of a package, your ability to pick FP+ selections will magically be enabled at 60 days from your check-in date.

And I think I saw this, but not everyone has to have the same FP+ reservations at the same time? My dear mom could ride Small World all day long without complaint, and well, not so much for the rest of us. We can be varied with our reservations as long as we're within the same park.

Yes, different people can have different FP+ reservations. The system makes it easy to select them as a group, however.

 

[Jen1010]

You can use the Magic Bands and Cards section of My Disney Experience (MDX) to see if your old Magic Bands are listed, and deactivate them if you want.

So if I deactivate them can I assign them a fake owner, reactivate them and get same day fast passes?

 

[doconeill]

So if I deactivate them can I assign them a fake owner, reactivate them and get same day fast passes?

Deactivating does not remove them from your profile, it simply marks them as "inactive".

 

[Lewdannie]

I did a search, and couldn't see this answered earlier, or I missed it.

When hopping to a second park (when the first three Fastpasses have been used or expired) do all of the party need to enter the second park before the 4th can be booked at a kiosk?

 

[Cluelyss]

I did a search, and couldn't see this answered earlier, or I missed it.

When hopping to a second park (when the first three Fastpasses have been used or expired) do all of the party need to enter the second park before the 4th can be booked at a kiosk?

No, park entrance has nothing to do with your ability to schedule additional, day of FPs. The original 3 just need to be used or expired. I've heard reports of CL concierges doing it for guests before they even leave the resort for their 2nd park.

 

[Circusgirl]

I have an 11 night stay booked at the Grand Floridian. For four of the nights I'll be joined by two girlfriends who are annual passholders who each have their own MDE accounts. I added their names to my reservation so that we could book our FP+s together at the 60 day mark. To keep them on my reservation for 60 day FP reservations, CRO, MDE and IPO have all told me that we will have to pay the extra person fee for all 11 nights instead of the 4 that they will actually be there. If I add their names at check in for the four nights, we will be limited to the thirty day mark for their FP+s. Has anyone else encountered this and a way to make it work better than having to pay for the whole time?

If we decide to keep them on the reservation for the 60 day benefit, can they link the hotel reservation to their own MDEs, or do I need to get their ticket information linked into my account so I can make their reservations? Or will none of that work because we all have different MDE accounts?

Thanks for any light that you can shed on my situation.

 

[doconeill]

I have an 11 night stay booked at the Grand Floridian. For four of the nights I'll be joined by two girlfriends who are annual passholders who each have their own MDE accounts. I added their names to my reservation so that we could book our FP+s together at the 60 day mark. To keep them on my reservation for 60 day FP reservations, CRO, MDE and IPO have all told me that we will have to pay the extra person fee for all 11 nights instead of the 4 that they will actually be there. If I add their names at check in for the four nights, we will be limited to the thirty day mark for their FP+s. Has anyone else encountered this and a way to make it work better than having to pay for the whole time?

As far as I know that is correct. A reservation is a constant - the number of people, the number of days, the add-ons, etc. They are either on the reservation or they aren't. A general way around it would be to do a split reservation - separate reservations for the segments that are all the same. But doing it after the fact could be problematic if there is an availability problem. If you can do it, they can link the reservations that would generally mean you would avoid changing rooms (but no guarantees). You might also end up with separate 60 day windows.

If we decide to keep them on the reservation for the 60 day benefit, can they link the hotel reservation to their own MDEs, or do I need to get their ticket information linked into my account so I can make their reservations? Or will none of that work because we all have different MDE accounts?

You can link up with their accounts specifically. You should each invite each other to be friends. And then you'll be able to book FP+ for them. If they appear on the reservation, then you should be able to book at 60 days for them as well.

 

[Circusgirl]

As far as I know that is correct. A reservation is a constant - the number of people, the number of days, the add-ons, etc. They are either on the reservation or they aren't. A general way around it would be to do a split reservation - separate reservations for the segments that are all the same. But doing it after the fact could be problematic if there is an availability problem. If you can do it, they can link the reservations that would generally mean you would avoid changing rooms (but no guarantees). You might also end up with separate 60 day windows.

You can link up with their accounts specifically. You should each invite each other to be friends. And then you'll be able to book FP+ for them. If they appear on the reservation, then you should be able to book at 60 days for them as well.

Thanks for the swift reply.

 

[mmmears]

I have a few questions. I've read the first couple of pages of this thread as well as the last two, but not all 146.

1. If I have a split stay (non-consecutive days b/c of a DCL cruise in the middle), when I log on 60 days before the first stay can I book just those days, or the days for the 2nd hotel as well (It's all under 10 days total)?

2. If I book a room-only reservation and buy the tickets separately can I still log on 60-days prior without any problems, or do I have to link them somehow since we won't have a package?

3. Do we get one or two sets of magic bands (since we will have 2 distinct resort reservations)?

 

[doconeill]

I have a few questions. I've read the first couple of pages of this thread as well as the last two, but not all 146.

1. If I have a split stay (non-consecutive days b/c of a DCL cruise in the middle), when I log on 60 days before the first stay can I book just those days, or the days for the 2nd hotel as well (It's all under 10 days total)?

60 days from each reservation.

2. If I book a room-only reservation and buy the tickets separately can I still log on 60-days prior without any problems, or do I have to link them somehow since we won't have a package?

60 days is enabled by the reservation. The ability to select FP+ is enabled by the ticket - so you need both in the system. But there is a page in MDX for adding tickets purchased through other sources.

3. Do we get one or two sets of magic bands (since we will have 2 distinct resort reservations)?

Yes

 

[DizFan13]

I've tried to find an answer in the previous posts, and I feel like there are posts that address the issue but I'm not grasping it. We have added a second room to our stay at the POP because my mom is joining us. I'm trying to uunderstand how FP+ selection will work for us as a group. Three people in one room will have 7-day passes, two people in the other will have 10-day passes. Will there be any way for me to link and select FP+ for all five people at the 60 day window? If so, could somebody please walk me through that process?

 

[csmommy]

Once the group’s initial 3 FP+ attractions are selected for each day, only then can they be edited for each individual in a group to different times and/or attractions.

I have a question regarding this. Does this mean that when you book your FP+ everyone has to have the same ones at the same time? In other words, when I go on tomorrow to make my FP+ for the 1st time ever (very nervous!) I have to book Space Mountain for all even if I do not want to go?

Also - Once in the park, & we have used our 3 FP+, we can then make an FP+ at a kiosk. Is that the limit, or can more FP+ be made in the park, once all original FP+ have been used? Thanks!

 

[doconeill]

Once the group’s initial 3 FP+ attractions are selected for each day, only then can they be edited for each individual in a group to different times and/or attractions.

I have a question regarding this. Does this mean that when you book your FP+ everyone has to have the same ones at the same time? In other words, when I go on tomorrow to make my FP+ for the 1st time ever (very nervous!) I have to book Space Mountain for all even if I do not want to go?

Initially, yes, you have to book the same three for all. After that, you can change them on an individual basis.

Also - Once in the park, & we have used our 3 FP+, we can then make an FP+ at a kiosk. Is that the limit, or can more FP+ be made in the park, once all original FP+ have been used? Thanks!

One you've used all three (or they expire), you can then get one more at a kiosk. One you've used that, you can get another, etc. - just one at a time.