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

[NYHeel]

So I'm going to Disney with only my wife for one day at the end of October. I'm using an unexpired day from tickets from summer 2001 and therefore had to have a phone rep book fast passes for me. She had an issue booking the 7 dwarves mine train so she gave me a full day fast pass for any ride at MK. Now after looking at this thread and the calendar at the Dibb I see that she couldn't get it because it was all used. I guess I got lucky.

Anyway, I'm also coming back with the whole family of 5 during the end of January. 2 questions. One, looking at the calendar it looks like I won't be able to get FP for the Anna and Elsa even 60 days before. Seems like you need about 65 days beforehand to get that fastpass. I doubt that will work with our schedule. Honestly, I don't think my daughter will care that much, but is there any other way around this? I'm sure this has been discussed but it's a really long thread.

Second, on Saturday, we won't be going to the parks (Sabbath observer) except for heading to one of them Saturday night for the fireworks. The cost of adding on days is so cheap that I don't mind paying for an extra day on the tickets at about $10 a day per ticket, just to go see the fireworks. We'll probably see Illuminations at Epcot, as that's what we did when we last went in 2012. Given the above, is it worthwhile to get a fastpass for Illuminations (or any other similar show at the other parks)? I figure there's nothing to lose unless the viewing spots are better/easier to deal with in other locations.

 

[SJDisneyFanatic]

They have tested this on several attractions in the recent past, but nothing has become permanent. All of the tests were basically a nightmare.

The do this with Anna and Elsa at Disney California Adventure...at least they did when we were there in May. They did not even let you get in line unless you had a fast pass and we just happened upon a pop up kiosk and grabbed ours...pure dumb luck because you can't fast pass in advance at Disneyland or DCA. Had I known what a big deal it was for so many little ones, I probably would have given them to some little girl dressed up like Elsa! did not figure out what mania there is around all this until I started planning our WDW trip!

 

[Cluelyss]

So I'm going to Disney with only my wife for one day at the end of October. I'm using an unexpired day from tickets from summer 2001 and therefore had to have a phone rep book fast passes for me. She had an issue booking the 7 dwarves mine train so she gave me a full day fast pass for any ride at MK. Now after looking at this thread and the calendar at the Dibb I see that she couldn't get it because it was all used. I guess I got lucky.

Anyway, I'm also coming back with the whole family of 5 during the end of January. 2 questions. One, looking at the calendar it looks like I won't be able to get FP for the Anna and Elsa even 60 days before. Seems like you need about 65 days beforehand to get that fastpass. I doubt that will work with our schedule. Honestly, I don't think my daughter will care that much, but is there any other way around this? I'm sure this has been discussed but it's a really long thread.

Second, on Saturday, we won't be going to the parks (Sabbath observer) except for heading to one of them Saturday night for the fireworks. The cost of adding on days is so cheap that I don't mind paying for an extra day on the tickets at about $10 a day per ticket, just to go see the fireworks. We'll probably see Illuminations at Epcot, as that's what we did when we last went in 2012. Given the above, is it worthwhile to get a fastpass for Illuminations (or any other similar show at the other parks)? I figure there's nothing to lose unless the viewing spots are better/easier to deal with in other locations.

Regarding A&E, you can try splitting your party into smaller groups and search for return times that overlap. Otherwise you will just need to keep checking back. Like dining reservations, often they open up as you get closer to your trip.

 

[TXStormtrooper]

Great thread!

 

[momof2n2]

This question may be impossible to answer. Since this thread is over a year in the making, aside from reading the first two posts, can anyone recommend where I jump in down the line in an effort to educate myself? I expect that some things discussed in the first ???20???50??? pages may no longer be the most accurate.

Thanks.

 

[SusanneF]

I can book my fastpasses tonight. I am brand new and have read through the tutorials, but have one question. When I click on the new fast pass link in MDE, it takes me to the screen where it says, 'First, select your FastPass party.' I can't do a try run because I booked a package. I only see my name with a shaded out check. The rest of my family isn't there.
My family is all in MDE, but only my name is on this initial screen. Should I see everyones name on there? Or does it not show up till I can go live at midnight?

 

[jani3]

I can book my fastpasses tonight. I am brand new and have read through the tutorials, but have one question. When I click on the new fast pass link in MDE, it takes me to the screen where it says, 'First, select your FastPass party.' I can't do a try run because I booked a package. I only see my name with a shaded out check. The rest of my family isn't there.
My family is all in MDE, but only my name is on this initial screen. Should I see everyones name on there? Or does it not show up till I can go live at midnight?

The entire family with tickets will be selectable once your FP window opens.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

This question may be impossible to answer. Since this thread is over a year in the making, aside from reading the first two posts, can anyone recommend where I jump in down the line in an effort to educate myself? I expect that some things discussed in the first ???20???50??? pages may no longer be the most accurate.

Thanks.

I think @mesaboy2 has done a great job in keeping the information in the first two posts up-to-date and accurate. He has added and edited as needed but only as topics and situations are confirmed. If you just read those two posts you are way ahead of many people in your understanding of FP+

That said, there is no way possible to capture every single individual situation that has be presented in this thread. As someone who has read through the entire thread over time, I can honestly say that I don't remember 90% of what has been posted. So unless you are looking for an afternoon of entertaining reading (i.e. reading through the whole thread) there's no need to read it all.

So I guess your question IS impossible to answer

I would say read those first two posts, then stay current by "following" this thread and ask questions!

 

[SusanneF]

Thank you! I'm starting to panic since I don't really know what I'm doing and have had such a horrible time with dining...trying to be as prepared as possible.

 

[siskaren]

I can book my fastpasses tonight. I am brand new and have read through the tutorials, but have one question. When I click on the new fast pass link in MDE, it takes me to the screen where it says, 'First, select your FastPass party.' I can't do a try run because I booked a package. I only see my name with a shaded out check. The rest of my family isn't there.
My family is all in MDE, but only my name is on this initial screen. Should I see everyones name on there? Or does it not show up till I can go live at midnight?

This is addressed in bullet point #3 under Booking Windows and Scheduling in the first post of this thread.

 

[momof2n2]

I think @mesaboy2 has done a great job in keeping the information in the first two posts up-to-date and accurate. He has added and edited as needed but only as topics and situations are confirmed. If you just read those two posts you are way ahead of many people in your understanding of FP+

That said, there is no way possible to capture every single individual situation that has be presented in this thread. As someone who has read through the entire thread over time, I can honestly say that I don't remember 90% of what has been posted. So unless you are looking for an afternoon of entertaining reading (i.e. reading through the whole thread) there's no need to read it all.

So I guess your question IS impossible to answer

I would say read those first two posts, then stay current by "following" this thread and ask questions!

Thank you.
I guess I will just jump in now and follow from here on out then. Our trip is not until May, so I have many months ahead to glean information.

We are a group of 10 (all staying together and having the same dates, thankfully) so I am very interested in navigating with a large group. Like most/many, I'm eager to grab A&E, but will have to know how to un-FP+ the boys in our group should I successfully nab those next March.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Thank you.
I guess I will just jump in now and follow from here on out then. Our trip is not until May, so I have many months ahead to glean information.

We are a group of 10 (all staying together and having the same dates, thankfully) so I am very interested in navigating with a large group. Like most/many, I'm eager to grab A&E, but will have to know how to un-FP+ the boys in our group should I successfully nab those next March.

You wouldn't have to un-FP+ the boys, so much as modify their FP+.

Check out "post 2" under New Examples Of Booking And Modifying FP+
BTW, this link is in @mesaboy2 's second post, in case you lose my post before May

 

[momof2n2]

You wouldn't have to un-FP+ the boys, so much as modify their FP+.

Check out "post 2" under New Examples Of Booking And Modifying FP+
BTW, this link is in @mesaboy2 's second post, in case you lose my post before May

THANK YOU. I put the link in my favorites. Thank you.
I read Mesaboy2's second post but clearly glanced over that link. I appreciate your help. We will mostly do attractions together, but there are a few that are not going to fly for the whole pack of us.

 

[Dfdisneymomma]

Question - and sorry if already covered. We are planning our trips - 4 of us and then 2 others coming who have their own MDE account but have linked to ours as well. Does that mean each of the FP will apply to all 6 people? Can each person get a different FP?

 

[mesaboy2]

This question may be impossible to answer. Since this thread is over a year in the making, aside from reading the first two posts, can anyone recommend where I jump in down the line in an effort to educate myself? I expect that some things discussed in the first ???20???50??? pages may no longer be the most accurate.

Thanks.

I keep them up-to-date. Look for the "Last Edited" filed near the bottom of each post--you'll see they are both recent.

I would also add that should this thread reach 250 pages also, I'll have a new-and-improved Part III thread to start. Most of it is already done, but due to character limits I can't put the new version in this thread.

 

[momof2n2]

I keep them up-to-date. Look for the "Last Edited" filed near the bottom of each post--you'll see they are both recent.

Oh! I expected that the first two are up-to-date. I'm just wondering about the running commentary and issues people are experiencing as the go along.

 

[mesaboy2]

Question - and sorry if already covered. We are planning our trips - 4 of us and then 2 others coming who have their own MDE account but have linked to ours as well. Does that mean each of the FP will apply to all 6 people? Can each person get a different FP?

Initial selections are done to a group, though I'm not sure how that works with linked accounts. No matter though, after initial selections are made you can choose different attractions and times for individuals in the group.

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh! I expected that the first two are up-to-date. I'm just wondering about the running commentary and issues people are experiencing as the go along.

So then yes, that kind of information is impossible to keep in a couple of posts. There are far too many ways to use the system to maintain a running list of commentary and issues, that's where the follow-up posts are handy and really the only way to keep up with them.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Question - and sorry if already covered. We are planning our trips - 4 of us and then 2 others coming who have their own MDE account but have linked to ours as well. Does that mean each of the FP will apply to all 6 people? Can each person get a different FP?

There are many ways to do this but here are two ways you can handle this situation. I am assuming that all 6 are listed as Friends & Family.

1) Go through and only check the people you want for a specific group of initial FP+ selections. Repeat until all FP+ are selected.
2) Book everybody's FP+ the same (check off everybody as you select) and then go back in and modify the individual FP+selections you want to change.

If everybody wants mostly different FP+ selections, the I think #1 is the way to go. If everybody wants "mostly" the same FP+ but a few different then #2 is probably easier.

Actually, there is also #3 - tell them to make their own damn FP+ selections

Also definitely read the section on FastPass+ Availability in the second post of this thread.

 

[ExExPirateShopGirl]

Visiting this week for the first time since FP+, Magic Bands, pre-sliced bread. Besides having to scramble for ADRs because I booked the trip at 90 days out, I was not particularly keen to the need to book AT 60 days for FP+. I've managed to scrape a few together... but if I choose just 2 FP+s for a day... can I make an in-park FP+ reservation at a kiosk as soon as I enter? TIA