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

[mesaboy2]

I think I have read somewhere that there is a 15 minute grace period for your FP window? Is this true? Has anyone showed up late for their FP+ time on purpose? Here is the situation at Epcot:

Daughter at Dance workshop 9-11:30ish
12:00 ADR at Biergarten
Soarin FP 1:15-2:15
Nemo 2:30-3:30
Spaceship Earth 3:30-4:30

HDDR @6:15

I would like to spend as much time as I can in the WS after lunch. I have been trying to get a FP for Soaring for 1:30-2:30 but I have not had any luck. We'll be there 11/5. I was just wondering if I should push it and show up a few minutes late. Is that unethical?

As mentioned in the OP, the system normally allows a grace period of 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the normal 60-minute return windows. I don't recommend it, but you will likely be fine if you show up during these GPs. There is only a very small chance you will be denied entry during them.

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks Mesaboy! I probably won't try to use the 15-minute GP just bc I'll be too paranoid that I would be denied for some reason. If anything I'll try to show up at exactly the last minute of the window (2:15).

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks Mesaboy! I probably won't try to use the 15-minute GP just bc I'll be too paranoid that I would be denied for some reason. If anything I'll try to show up at exactly the last minute of the window (2:15).

Good plan, but if you happen to not make it by then give the GP a try. I bet you'll be fine.

 

[marinejjh]

At the fairy tale princess are A and E one fastpass and Cinderella and Rumpunzel another or do you get to see all 4 with one fastpass?

 

[Cluelyss]

At the fairy tale princess are A and E one fastpass and Cinderella and Rumpunzel another or do you get to see all 4 with one fastpass?

A&E is one FP, Cindy/Rapunzel is a separate FP.

 

[marinejjh]

A&E is one FP, Cindy/Rapunzel is a separate FP.

When I book my fastpasses will there be 2 separate choices

 

[mesaboy2]

When I book my fastpasses will there be 2 separate choices

All possible FP options are listed in Post #2. If you look closely, you'll see two different M&G options for Princess Fairytale Hall.

 

[DalmationGal29]

I have a couple of questions regarding making a FP+ for Illuminations. I have read all of the 196 pages in this thread and do not believe I saw the answers yet. We are staying off-property so I am just able to make our FP+ reservations this week. So far I have done 1 of our Epcot days and pretty much got everything we wanted. So now for the questions. We will be in Epcot on November 30th, will it be difficult to get my 4th in park FP+ for Illuminations after we use our first 3 FP+? Has anyone used the FP+ area, is it the same as in MK and you need to stand for the show? Does anyone know if strollers are allowed in the area? Should we just stake out another area around the lagoon (suggestions for best viewing would be appreciated)?

 

[mesaboy2]

I have a couple of questions regarding making a FP+ for Illuminations. I have read all of the 196 pages in this thread and do not believe I saw the answers yet. We are staying off-property so I am just able to make our FP+ reservations this week. So far I have done 1 of our Epcot days and pretty much got everything we wanted. So now for the questions. We will be in Epcot on November 30th, will it be difficult to get my 4th in park FP+ for Illuminations after we use our first 3 FP+? Has anyone used the FP+ area, is it the same as in MK and you need to stand for the show? Does anyone know if strollers are allowed in the area? Should we just stake out another area around the lagoon (suggestions for best viewing would be appreciated)?

Getting Illuminations FP on day-of is pretty unlikely. The area is standing-room only.

It is not particularly difficult to secure great viewing at points all around WS.

 

[Im_her_Mickey]

Okay, so a few questions. We're going to be staying off-site December 3-9 and we have our park days lined up, but I had read that on-site guests can book their FP+ for their entire trip at the 60 day mark, but am I correct in understanding that with us being off-site, we can only book our FP+ on the 30 day mark of each park day? Like, we're going to Magic Kingdom on 12/4, so we'd only be able to book those FP+ on 11/4, going to AK on 12/5, so only able to book those FP+ on 11/5 right?

Another question, after looking at the FP+ available options for some of the parks, and given the "anticipated" crowd levels in the parks (we're used to June-level crowds, so I'm assuming they won't be THAT crowded the first week of December.) There are days we don't really see the need to plan three FP+. If we were to get the FP+ we needed, either one or two, and then cancel the other, after our last FP+ is used/expired, we would still be able to select another FP+ if one was available if we wished to do so, correct?

Sorry if it's a bit wordy, just trying to get the little details worked out.

 

[doconeill]

Okay, so a few questions. We're going to be staying off-site December 3-9 and we have our park days lined up, but I had read that on-site guests can book their FP+ for their entire trip at the 60 day mark, but am I correct in understanding that with us being off-site, we can only book our FP+ on the 30 day mark of each park day? Like, we're going to Magic Kingdom on 12/4, so we'd only be able to book those FP+ on 11/4, going to AK on 12/5, so only able to book those FP+ on 11/5 right?

Correct, at least for when you can _first_ book them. If you wait until 11/5, you can book 12/4 and 12/5, etc.

Another question, after looking at the FP+ available options for some of the parks, and given the "anticipated" crowd levels in the parks (we're used to June-level crowds, so I'm assuming they won't be THAT crowded the first week of December.) There are days we don't really see the need to plan three FP+. If we were to get the FP+ we needed, either one or two, and then cancel the other, after our last FP+ is used/expired, we would still be able to select another FP+ if one was available if we wished to do so, correct?

Sorry if it's a bit wordy, just trying to get the little details worked out.

From the first post:

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.

But yes, I believe that to be true currently.

 

[Gina Starr]

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I'm not sure how to find it other than read through the almost 200 pages. Can two people be on different devices booking fp for same trip but different days? Or will that cause problems? Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I'm not sure how to find it other than read through the almost 200 pages. Can two people be on different devices booking fp for same trip but different days? Or will that cause problems? Thanks!

The answer appears to be yes. MDX is buggy enough without confusing it, so I steer clear of this approach. Also, there is only one attraction at WDW where I think this might be necessary. Can you guess which?

 

[Gina Starr]

The answer appears to be yes. MDX is buggy enough without confusing it, so I steer clear of this approach. Also, there is only one attraction at WDW where I think this might be necessary. Can you guess which?

I think I know which one you are talking about! We are going to MK towards the end of our trip and staying on site so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the reply!

 

[marinejjh]

Does anyone know if the Buzz lightyear space ranger spin is going to be closed in january? I see it on some sites but not all, did know if anyone had anything official?

 

[mesaboy2]

I think I know which one you are talking about! We are going to MK towards the end of our trip and staying on site so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the reply!

Good luck!

 

[mesaboy2]

Does anyone know if the Buzz lightyear space ranger spin is going to be closed in january? I see it on some sites but not all, did know if anyone had anything official?

WDWMagic reports it being closed January 18 to February 11. They are usually accurate.

 

[marciemi]

Does anyone have opinions on using a FP for Jingle Cruise in December? Normally I wouldn't consider using one on Jungle Cruise but with the holiday overlay and lights on at night, I have wait times are longer than other times during the year.

JC seems to have one of the longer, more frustrating queues so I generally try to FP it if I want to ride. However, it's usually a very easy one to pick up as a 4th or subsequent FP with a window starting soon in my experience. If you're going Christmas day or a super peak time and really want to ride, I'd FP in in advance but otherwise I'd plan to pick it up later. Especially if you're staying into the evening, we thought the Jingle Cruise was especially fun at night (with Christmas lights on all the boats, etc.).

Thanks Mesaboy! I probably won't try to use the 15-minute GP just bc I'll be too paranoid that I would be denied for some reason. If anything I'll try to show up at exactly the last minute of the window (2:15).

We're local and go all the time and have never not had the Mickey head turn green if in the grace period (5 min prior and 15 after). I've done it many times (even running up to Soarin' at like 8:57 when our FP expired at 8:45pm) and never even had them notice we weren't in the technical window since it just shows green. I suppose this is subject to change at any time but we haven't found it to be even up to the CM - it just shows them it's okay. I have arrived a few minutes early (watch didn't sync to their time) and it flashed blue (at like 6-7 min early instead of 5) and they usually passed me in (although I can remember once at Mine Train being asked to wait). I only remember once going after the 15 min period (only a couple minutes late - got stuck on a monorail!) and it did flash blue, they looked at the time, and passed us in anyway (that was on Peter Pan).

 

[snugglebug]

I just did FP+ selection last night. With Soarin' closing 1/4 it appears that Mission: Space becomes a tier 1 selection. I didn't realize last night as I was choosing, but as I was switching some things around today I was able to switch Test Track and Mission, but not a tier 2 with Mission. The dates I checked are 1/4 and 1/6.

 

[marinejjh]

Well that stinks, mission space is defiantly not worth a teir 1 ride.