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

[dancin Disney style]

I'm hoping someone here can help me out with this. I've got old non expire tickets, with several days remaining, that I have not yet linked to MDE. We are using my DH's account for our Dec trip as I have another trip in a few months(on my MDE acct) and I want to keep everything separate to avoid confusion. DH will not be on the second trip. After I link my ticket to his MDE account how can I access it later on? I have the password for DH's account and I'm sort of thinking that I should just be looking at this as a second account...not his or hers.

We will be at WDW the beginning of Dec for 3 days, mainly to see the Osborne lights, but will also be attending a MVMCP. So one day at DHS(might hop to/from Ep) and one night at MK.
I am booking my FP+ tonight and think that my possible scenarios are as follows....
1)link my non expire tickets and proceed as normal booking FP+ for the 2 days that we are in a parks.
2)purchase a MVMCP ticket now and use that to book FP+ just on party night but not have FP+ for other day.....I was considering purchasing the ticket the day before the party
3)do nothing....not link the tickets and just go with the flow after we are in the park.

Suggestions????

 

[vinotinto]

1. The MDX FP+ system allows a grace period of 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the return window, but guests are advised against relying on the grace period. Castmembers (CMs) have the ability to override the system and deny entry during the grace period depending on the situation.

Is it usually the case that there is a 15 min grace period? What if you make the first FP+ Scanner within the grace period, but not the second scanner?

 

[doconeill]

1. The MDX FP+ system allows a grace period of 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the return window, but guests are advised against relying on the grace period. Castmembers (CMs) have the ability to override the system and deny entry during the grace period depending on the situation.

Is it usually the case that there is a 15 grace period? What if you make the first FP+ within the grace period! but not the second one?

You cannot rely on it - they can ignore the grace period if needed. But it does seem more often than not it is allowed.
Grace periods do not block out another FP+ time slot, so you can book two back-to-back.

 

[vinotinto]

You cannot rely on it - they can ignore the grace period if needed. But it does seem more often than not it is allowed.
Grace periods do not block out another FP+ time slot, so you can book two back-to-back.

thanks! I edited my post. I would like to know what happens if you pass through the first scanner within the grace period, but reach the second scanner after the 1 hour and 15 minutes are done. I realize you cannot rely on this, but just curious what is the typical experience.

 

[mesaboy2]

thanks! I edited my post. I would like to know what happens if you pass through the first scanner within the grace period, but reach the second scanner after the 1 hour and 15 minutes are done. I realize you cannot rely on this, but just curious what is the typical experience.

My understanding is that only the time at the first scan point matters.

 

[doconeill]

My understanding is that only the time at the first scan point matters.

My understanding as well. The second is just to verify that you didn't jump from the standby to FP line.

 

[vinotinto]

My understanding is that only the time at the first scan point matters.

My understanding as well. The second is just to verify that you didn't jump from the standby to FP line.

I knew you guys would know, thanks!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Great info in this thread!

I will comment on one thing that is mentioned in the original thread: It says that FP+ is not technically transferable, but that in practice it can be done.

Here was my experience with that:

My group got our 5th FP of the day for Barnstormer (4 total FPs). There was a line, so FP did save some (but not much) time. The first time, my older daughter rode with her dad. But our three year old fell asleep in her stroller and we did not want to wake her up to ride, so I told my older daughter to go ahead and use my Magic Band and she could ride again while I sat with the little one. I was going to let her use my little one's Magic Band, also, since she was asleep and could not use it. DD went to the line and the CM told her that she remembered her from before and she was not allowed to use someone else's Magic Band, but she would allow her to go just one more time (so no one ever used our 4th Barnstormer FP).

So at least some CMs will try to prevent people from using other people's bands to use FPs. I did not feel that we were trying to cheat. We legitimately had 4 FPs for Barnstormer and I voluntarily gave up my ride for my daughter to have an extra one. It would not have made a big difference to other people either way.

I am not sure how CMs are trained to handle this, but I now know that some CMs don't like it.

 

[mesaboy2]

Great info in this thread!

I will comment on one thing that is mentioned in the original thread: It says that FP+ is not technically transferable, but that in practice it can be done.

Here was my experience with that:

My group got our 5th FP of the day for Barnstormer (4 total FPs). There was a line, so FP did save some (but not much) time. The first time, my older daughter rode with her dad. But our three year old fell asleep in her stroller and we did not want to wake her up to ride, so I told my older daughter to go ahead and use my Magic Band and she could ride again while I sat with the little one. I was going to let her use my little one's Magic Band, also, since she was asleep and could not use it. DD went to the line and the CM told her that she remembered her from before and she was not allowed to use someone else's Magic Band, but she would allow her to go just one more time (so no one ever used our 4th Barnstormer FP).

So at least some CMs will try to prevent people from using other people's bands to use FPs. I did not feel that we were trying to cheat. We legitimately had 4 FPs for Barnstormer and I voluntarily gave up my ride for my daughter to have an extra one. It would not have made a big difference to other people either way.

I am not sure how CMs are trained to handle this, but I now know that some CMs don't like it.

I've read a lot of FP reports. I can say with confidence your experience is highly unusual.

 

[wsegars]

Yes. That works.

That's great. Would the tickets from each day need to be assigned to different people for that to work?

Just wanted to double check on this. Right now I have the tickets for both days assigned to the same group of 4 people. I didn't know if I should assign the second party date to another group of 4. If I do need to transfer the second date to another set of people, will the advance FP+ reservations transfer with the tickets. I don't want to mess those up. Thanks for all the help!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Just wanted to double check on this. Right now I have the tickets for both days assigned to the same group of 4 people. I didn't know if I should assign the second party date to another group of 4. If I do need to transfer the second date to another set of people, will the advance FP+ reservations transfer with the tickets. I don't want to mess those up. Thanks for all the help!

Because you already assigned them, you'll need to read ScrapYap's thread:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/us...alloween-and-christmas-party-tickets.3448844/

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Great info in this thread!

I will comment on one thing that is mentioned in the original thread: It says that FP+ is not technically transferable, but that in practice it can be done.

Here was my experience with that:

My group got our 5th FP of the day for Barnstormer (4 total FPs). There was a line, so FP did save some (but not much) time. The first time, my older daughter rode with her dad. But our three year old fell asleep in her stroller and we did not want to wake her up to ride, so I told my older daughter to go ahead and use my Magic Band and she could ride again while I sat with the little one. I was going to let her use my little one's Magic Band, also, since she was asleep and could not use it. DD went to the line and the CM told her that she remembered her from before and she was not allowed to use someone else's Magic Band, but she would allow her to go just one more time (so no one ever used our 4th Barnstormer FP).

So at least some CMs will try to prevent people from using other people's bands to use FPs. I did not feel that we were trying to cheat. We legitimately had 4 FPs for Barnstormer and I voluntarily gave up my ride for my daughter to have an extra one. It would not have made a big difference to other people either way.

I am not sure how CMs are trained to handle this, but I now know that some CMs don't like it.

Yes, that is odd. When we were there we ended up with an extra fp for 7DMT (DGD didn't grow enough), so my son overheard a guy tell his family he wouldn't ride so they wouldn't have to wait. He took my DGD's magic band and went up to the CM and the CM said he could use it but there was a 2nd scan further up. The CM allowed my son to walk in with the guy so he could use the scan on the magic band for the 2nd checkpoint, and we wouldn't have to rely on a stranger to return our band.

 

[tpettie]

Introduction


Booking Windows and Scheduling

1. The prebooking window currently opens at 12:00a (midnight) Eastern Time on all days, irrespective of park hours. (This has not always been the case--more information and a dedicated thread to this subject can be found here: FastPass+ Expected 1:00a Booking Openings.)
2. Onsite guests (which includes those staying at the Swan and Dolphin but not at Shades of Green nor any Downtown Disney-area hotels) can prebook attractions up to 60 days in advance of the beginning of an on-site stay and for their entire trip. In other words, at 60 days before a check-in date one can make FP+ selections for the entire trip--up to 14 days. This can be done via the MDE/MDX website or app. FP+ can be prebooked for the number of days equal to the guest’s linked ticket.
3. For onsite guests with a room/ticket package, the 60-day prebooking window will not appear until the 60-day mark. Before this point, it is common for various members and/or their tickets to not appear on the MDX account. The entire traveling party and their tickets will appear at the 60-day mark in almost all cases. It is generally not possible to practice booking FP+s beforehand in this situation.
4. For onsite guests without a package (room-only), the 60-day prebooking window will not appear until the 60-day mark, assuming valid tickets are attached to the account. Before this point only a 30-day window (beginning at the current day) will be active, again assuming valid tickets are attached to the account. It is possible to practice booking FP+s using this 30-day window.
5. If the number of onsite resort days booked exceeds the number of ticket days in an MDX account, the prebooked FP+s can be scheduled on nonconsecutive days.
6. Annual Pass (AP) holders can prebook attractions up to 60 days in advance of the beginning of an onsite stay, for a maximum of 7 days or the length of the onsite stay--whichever is greater. As with above, FP+ selections can be made for the entire length of stay.
7. AP holders without an onsite reservation can book up to 30 days in advance, for a maximum of 7 days. Once one of those 7 days passes or is used, an additional day of FP+ can be prebooked, ad infinitum. This can be done via the MDX website or app, and can be done with AP vouchers as well.
8. All other guests can prebook FP+ attractions no more than 30 days in advance, for the number of days on their linked ticket in MDX, and can use either the MDX website or app to do so. Unlike onsite guests, it is not possible to book beyond the 30-day mark. The only exception to this is if an offsite guest is linked to or listed on an onsite guest's MDX reservation--then that guest is also eligible for the 60-day window (booked by the onsite guest).
9. There is no evidence that different pools of FP+s are maintained for different types of guests and their various booking windows. In other words, the full slate of FP+s available for any particular attraction are released at the same time, some 70+ days in advance, and none are saved for offsite guests or those who wait until they arrive in the park.
   
10. 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.
11. It is highly recommended to not cancel 1 or 2 FPs on any particular day. If you change your mind after cancelling, you will need to cancel all FPs for that day (and risk losing them) or contact Disney IT to get the cancelled FP slots back.
12. All guests may use FP+ kiosks located in each park. The kiosks can be used to schedule FP+ only for attractions in that same park and on that same day. Return windows can be noted by taking a picture of the selections on the kiosk's screen or making pen-and-ink notes.

.

I'm need some help working all this out...
We have a room only Dec 11 -15 (with the hope of picking tickets up early)
Then we have our Free Dinning package Dec 15-21

So I'm confused as to if I can start booking my FPs for Oct 12th? when my room only is open or can't I because the tickets are attached to the package and I have to wait till Oct 16th to book.... If I have to wait does that mean then the earlier dates I can't book them it the 30 day mark?

 

[SaintsManiac]

Just booked for trip! Got A&E (1) and Mine Train (2)! Thanks so much for this thread!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm need some help working all this out...
We have a room only Dec 11 -15 (with the hope of picking tickets up early)
Then we have our Free Dinning package Dec 15-21

So I'm confused as to if I can start booking my FPs for Oct 12th? when my room only is open or can't I because the tickets are attached to the package and I have to wait till Oct 16th to book.... If I have to wait does that mean then the earlier dates I can't book them it the 30 day mark?

Your window opens 60 days before December 11th, BUT, you'll only be able to book for park days beginning December 15th because of your package.

You will only be able to book FPs for December 11-14 after you activate your tickets when you arrive at WDW. You cannot pre-book for December 11-14 because of your packaged tickets.

 

[Planogirl]

This thread is invaluable! Thanks as always for putting it together.

I was wondering whether people thought that the parade or fireworks fastpasses were worth it. Also, what in the world are people choosing at DHS? Wow, what a short list.

 

[NYHeel]

So I'm going to Magic Kingdom on 10/26 with my wife using an unexpired day on old tickets from summer 2001 when tickets didn't expire. Because I can't add the tickets to my MDE account the phone rep kindly added 3 fast passes for me for that day.

She also told me I can swap my old tickets for new ones at any guest relations including downtown Disney the night before. I plan to do this. Once I have my tickets in hand the night before I assume I can add them to my account so that I can use my magic bands as my tickets. Also, will I be able to then add 3 more fast passes of my own at that time on top of the 3 already added for me.

I would assume no except that the 3 fast passes I currently have don't look like regular fast passes and don't show up in my regular fast pass page. They show up on my main page but can't be modified at all.

 

[SaintsManiac]

This thread is invaluable! Thanks as always for putting it together.

I was wondering whether people thought that the parade or fireworks fastpasses were worth it. Also, what in the world are people choosing at DHS? Wow, what a short list.

We chose TSMM, ToT and Frozen Sing A Long to make everyone happy

 

[lea25]

This thread has been a wealth of information!

Looking for recommendations...
1. this is our first trip with FP+ and we have a large party with 3 separate reservations that are linked. So from what I can tell by browsing some of the 188 pages, as long as they're linked and I can see them on MDE, when I log on at midnight to do FP+ I should be able to link all of the FP requests...correct?

2. While we have 4 kids going (10, 11, 12, 17), they are not interested in the coveted Meet the Frozen girls and most likely will not be interested in Tales witih Belle. So what should we spend our FP+ on instead?

I've been looking at 2 day MK touring plans for months and have decided to mainly go with one I found online, but need to modify them to take Anna and Elsa, Belle, Splash Mtn

Day 1:
Space Mountain, Buzz, (and then other Tomorrowland options of Astro/Speedway, etc)
7DMT (fp)
lunch
Little Mermaid (fp)
Barnstormer, Dumbo, WP, Teacups, Carousel
Dinner
Parades/fireworks

Day 2:
BTMM, jungle cruise (fp?)
aladdin, Pirates(fp?)
lunch
Peter Pan (fp)
Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion (fp)
Small world
dinner

So what would be a good recommendation on which rides/events to use them on? We're going to be there during the busiest week of the year (Dec. 20th - 25th), which I'm completely dreading. :/ Of the 12 people in our party, 5 have never been and 1 hasn't been in almost 20 years. So I'm banking on the fact that they're just going to be excited to be there and won't know exactly what they're missing if we don't get to it.

 

[siskaren]

This thread has been a wealth of information!

Looking for recommendations...
1. this is our first trip with FP+ and we have a large party with 3 separate reservations that are linked. So from what I can tell by browsing some of the 188 pages, as long as they're linked and I can see them on MDE, when I log on at midnight to do FP+ I should be able to link all of the FP requests...correct?

2. While we have 4 kids going (10, 11, 12, 17), they are not interested in the coveted Meet the Frozen girls and most likely will not be interested in Tales witih Belle. So what should we spend our FP+ on instead?

I've been looking at 2 day MK touring plans for months and have decided to mainly go with one I found online, but need to modify them to take Anna and Elsa, Belle, Splash Mtn

Day 1:
Space Mountain, Buzz, (and then other Tomorrowland options of Astro/Speedway, etc)
7DMT (fp)
lunch
Little Mermaid (fp)
Barnstormer, Dumbo, WP, Teacups, Carousel
Dinner
Parades/fireworks

Day 2:
BTMM, jungle cruise (fp?)
aladdin, Pirates(fp?)
lunch
Peter Pan (fp)
Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion (fp)
Small world
dinner

So what would be a good recommendation on which rides/events to use them on? We're going to be there during the busiest week of the year (Dec. 20th - 25th), which I'm completely dreading. :/ Of the 12 people in our party, 5 have never been and 1 hasn't been in almost 20 years. So I'm banking on the fact that they're just going to be excited to be there and won't know exactly what they're missing if we don't get to it.

The recommendations for what to use FP for are in the second post of this thread.