Fastpass Strategy

[MightyGitis]

You are going at the end of June, beginning of July. Your past experiences under FP+ won't be repeated. And the "statistics" are indeed showing longer lines especially at secondary attractions. Just look at the TP Lines reports. Unless all the people reporting in their wait times to TP are lying, there are changes taking place.

Directly from TouringPlans.com: " FastPass+ is having a minimal effect on standby lines at Walt Disney World. That’s according to our initial analysis of 330,000 standby wait times collected at Walt Disney World since FastPass+ went into effect in January, 2014. We compared those to 3.9 million standby wait times collected across Walt Disney World since 2009.

The challenge in doing that analysis was in attributing an observed change in wait time to a particular change in circumstances. If standby times go up, was it due to FastPass+? Maybe it was due to a general increase in attendance. So we must work some statistical magic to find the partial dependence of the new FastPass+ system as it relates to standby waits. That is, holding all other factors constant, what was the change in standby waits due only to FastPass+?

The results indicate FastPass+ is not causing significant changes to standby wait times: Wait times are increasing less than 1 minute, on average, across all attractions at all parks Super-headliner attractions have seen a small drop (under 1 minute) in standby waits This could indicate something about the new system. Here are a couple of theories as to why headliner standby waits are lower"

Contrary to what you seem to believe about me I have done some research. Also have gone in Heavy crowds before FP+ and seen 45 minute wait on Pirates before.

Comparing the line waits to their own historical data TP has made that above statement. So thanks for putting the quotes around statistics as then touting TP. Made me feel better about being lectured by two strangers who think they know all about FP+

 

[LSUfan4444]

That quote is from February.

here is the link dated February 19

http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/02/19/fastpass-affecting-your-wait-in-line-disney-world/




There have been alot of changes since then and I am not lecturing you, just pointing out where your info might be off-base.

The info I posted is from April. As I said earlier and will say again, visits and information prior to all guests having the ability to pre-book FP+ should be taken very lightly as the information then and now is alot different.

 

[mom2rtk]

That quote is from February.

here is the link dated February 19

http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/02/19/fastpass-affecting-your-wait-in-line-disney-world/




There have been alot of changes since then and I am not lecturing you, just pointing out where your info might be off-base.

The info I posted is from April. As I said earlier and will say again, visits and information prior to all guests having the ability to pre-book FP+ should be taken very lightly as the information then and now is alot different.

I have to think that over time the ability to book the 4th and subsequent FPs (which just started and many people don't even know about yet) will also have a decent impact on those 2nd tier rides. I think top level rides were already pretty maxed out with FP+ limited to 3. The impact of the 4th FP on is still unknown and certainly will only hurt standby waits for those rides.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Here is something written just a month later, and notice how different it sounds in just a month:


Magic Kingdom is perhaps the most interesting, where median and peak waits have actually gone down significantly at the headliners and up considerably at several of the secondary attractions, most notably it’s a small world, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s hard to say how much of an effect FP+ has had at Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise in particular. It might seem obvious that FP+ is directly responsible for the uptick, but those two attractions had oddly increasing wait times over the months leading up to the initial implementation of FP+. Nonetheless, expect to wait a lot longer at both in the afternoon.

Overall, FP+ is causing wait times to increase at most secondary attractions, while having a less substantial impact at the most popular attractions with the longest wait times.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/how-fastpass-is-affecting-wait-times-at-disney-world-attractions/

 

[MightyGitis]

That quote is from February. There have been alot of changes since then and I am not lecturing you, just pointing out where your info might be off-base. The info I posted is from April. As I said earlier and will say again, visits and information prior to all guests having the ability to pre-book FP+ should be taken very lightly as the information then and now is alot different.

I've been watching wait time and also looking at available FP+ at later times of day for ideas on what will be available for booking at the second park when we arrive. I'm really not that worried about it. I have seen slots available for decent rides still available at 3 - 5 PM at all parks.

I have two mine train FPs the rest I've seen a million times.

And it's hard to read tone on the internet. But it felt extremely close to a lecture. "silly girl you think you know but here's the truth. Enjoy your wait in line"

Whatever.

 

[MightyGitis]

And you are CONTINUING TO LECTURE. Good gracious.

The page I read it on has no date and is the splash page for planning. Go tell them to change it and leave me outta it.

 

[cavepig]

We were there April 29-May 7 and we had a mixture of times. We did have a couple days where we had MK fastpasses in the morning and got extra which was nice.

But our last day we had Studios fastpasses for evening so did MK without any in the morning and it was so nice going to ST later with a Toy Story Fastpass.

For May 1 the 25th anniversary of Studios we stayed there all day and had FPs for midday and when we tried to get a rockin one at like 2 the only time was for about park closing but we didn't get it cause we wanted to see the fireworks. So we got Star Tours instead, that we didn't really need.

We never used a single AK fp and we went there one morning and one afternoon and never waited for anything (as well as Everest race night which didn't do fp)

Getting the extra is nice but a lot were selling out midday for popular rides and you have to go to a kiosk to get them at the park. One day we hopped to EP in the midafternoon and went to the kiosks to get an extra (after using them at MK earlier) and the system was down so we couldn't. That kind of sucked but I guess it happens.

Oh and we do rope drop so got a lot done at opening before our FPs started.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I have to think that over time the ability to book the 4th and subsequent FPs (which just started and many people don't even know about yet) will also have a decent impact on those 2nd tier rides. I think top level rides were already pretty maxed out with FP+ limited to 3. The impact of the 4th FP on is still unknown and certainly will only hurt standby waits for those rides.

I agree. The addition of FP+ I think only means longer and longer standby waits for the secondary attractions. How much longer, we still don't know.

On one side it may make people want a FP+ for those secondary attractions and in fear, book their FP+ earlier in the day, but I still believe hitting attractions (whether headliner or secondary) attractions at rope drop will be the best bet for now.

It may change the priority at RD though...what used to be a rush to Enchanted Tales now may be a rush to Pirates or haunted Mansion and the mountains depending on the family and plans that day.

I think thats why it is important people remember their plans do not have to compare to someone elses to make sense and be beneficial.

 

[JimmyV]

Directly from TouringPlans.com: ...

I'm fairly certain that this is stale data. But I'll look into it. My recollection is that TP concluded in March/April that secondary attractions were seeing increased wait times.

 

[LSUfan4444]

And you are CONTINUING TO LECTURE. Good gracious.

The page I read it on has no date and is the splash page for planning. Go tell them to change it and leave me outta it.

In your first post you said you were agonizing about it and as soon as anyone disagreed with the information you posted or pointed out possible flaws due to when it was written (or opinions based from previous visits) you have accused them of lecturing you.

I hope your plans work out, I really do. I hope that you are not agonizing over it, because it really shouldn't be agony. Planning, for those who like to plan is actually quite fun.

 

[JimmyV]

I have to think that over time the ability to book the 4th and subsequent FPs (which just started and many people don't even know about yet) will also have a decent impact on those 2nd tier rides. I think top level rides were already pretty maxed out with FP+ limited to 3. The impact of the 4th FP on is still unknown and certainly will only hurt standby waits for those rides.

BINGO!! Let's face it. 90% of everyones' "first 3" FP+ at the MK are going to be used on the same 6 or 7 attractions plus some meet and greets. Once those 3 are used up and re-booking those attractions is impossible, the 4th-7th FPs are going to be used on HM, JC, Buzz, and certain other non-E Ticket attractions. That has to impact the SB lines. It just has to.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

BINGO!! Let's face it. 90% of everyones' "first 3" FP+ at the MK are going to be used on the same 6 or 7 attractions plus some meet and greets. Once those 3 are used up and re-booking those attractions is impossible, the 4th-7th FPs are going to be used on HM, JC, Buzz, and certain other non-E Ticket attractions. That has to impact the SB lines. It just has to.

That's my plan. FP+ for PP, 3 mountains, Mine Train, A&E, and ETWB. #4-10 will be all the other attractions. I can't imagine the other non E attractions not increasing wait times either. I checked a little bit ago and was rather shocked to see jungle cruise & HM with a longer wait than space and BTMRR. Or is that normal and I just haven't noticed it before.

 

[handicap18]

I've been agonizing over the same thing. Right now we have them scheduled back to back the first three hours parks are open with the intention of picking up additionals once these are thru. But I'm not sure if I'm shooting myself in the foot or not.

I doubt I will be increasing my wait in line as with the touring plans I've been using for two decades I never wait in a line over twenty minutes. This way I just don't have to run across a park for a pass and back again.

Midday is also when we switch parks. So while one of the three FP+ is a burner I need it scheduled early so when we reach the second park we aren't waiting for the time to expire on a pass in another park.

We are trying to use 4,5, and 6 FP+ in a day and to do that you have to get the first three done to do so.

Not a newb.

I've been twice with bands and saw some differences. Not major. The statistics are showing standby length of lines are not affected by the new system. Some lines have gotten on average one minute longer. Some have gotten on average a few minutes shorter. But I'm feeling talked down to right now so I think I will remove myself from the discussion.

Directly from TouringPlans.com: " FastPass+ is having a minimal effect on standby lines at Walt Disney World. That’s according to our initial analysis of 330,000 standby wait times collected at Walt Disney World since FastPass+ went into effect in January, 2014. We compared those to 3.9 million standby wait times collected across Walt Disney World since 2009.

The challenge in doing that analysis was in attributing an observed change in wait time to a particular change in circumstances. If standby times go up, was it due to FastPass+? Maybe it was due to a general increase in attendance. So we must work some statistical magic to find the partial dependence of the new FastPass+ system as it relates to standby waits. That is, holding all other factors constant, what was the change in standby waits due only to FastPass+?

The results indicate FastPass+ is not causing significant changes to standby wait times: Wait times are increasing less than 1 minute, on average, across all attractions at all parks Super-headliner attractions have seen a small drop (under 1 minute) in standby waits This could indicate something about the new system. Here are a couple of theories as to why headliner standby waits are lower"

Contrary to what you seem to believe about me I have done some research. Also have gone in Heavy crowds before FP+ and seen 45 minute wait on Pirates before.

Comparing the line waits to their own historical data TP has made that above statement. So thanks for putting the quotes around statistics as then touting TP. Made me feel better about being lectured by two strangers who think they know all about FP+

I've been watching wait time and also looking at available FP+ at later times of day for ideas on what will be available for booking at the second park when we arrive. I'm really not that worried about it. I have seen slots available for decent rides still available at 3 - 5 PM at all parks.

I have two mine train FPs the rest I've seen a million times.

And it's hard to read tone on the internet. But it felt extremely close to a lecture. "silly girl you think you know but here's the truth. Enjoy your wait in line"

Whatever.

And you are CONTINUING TO LECTURE. Good gracious.

The page I read it on has no date and is the splash page for planning. Go tell them to change it and leave me outta it.

You are correct, it is hard to read tone on the internet, but you seem to be telling your tone pretty clearly. You come across as a know it all more so than anyone else in this thread.

I get the feeling that you are sitting in front of your computer and rolling your eyes and huffing and puffing after every post. You came on pretty quickly telling everyone that you've been doing this for 20 years and your not a newb. Your very defensive in almost all of your posts.

You also said you were removing yourself from this discussion, yet you keep coming back.

 

[MightyGitis]

You are correct, it is hard to read tone on the internet, but you seem to be telling your tone pretty clearly. You come across as a know it all more so than anyone else in this thread. I get the feeling that you are sitting in front of your computer and rolling your eyes and huffing and puffing after every post. You came on pretty quickly telling everyone that you've been doing this for 20 years and your not a newb. Your very defensive in almost all of your posts. You also said you were removing yourself from this discussion, yet you keep coming back.

It's my phone. But you're right. I was being a bit of a rhymes with witch. So I'm just gonna say sorry and roll past it.

 

[handicap18]

It's my phone. But you're right. I was being a bit of a rhymes with witch. So I'm just gonna say sorry and roll past it.

 

[RalphinSC]

With the 4th and beyond fastpass option open now, I'll definitely be hitting them as early as possible at all parks. If need be, I can adjust them to later times on the fly if the standby waits are short, but I don't really like the reports I'm getting on how much quicker the standby waits are building in the mornings now, especially at the Magic Kingdom.

It's a "if you can't beat em, join em" mentality on this for me. FP+ is now very much more in line to how FP- worked and the best experiences and most ride value then cam from pulling fastpasses as early and as often as possible.

I know people like Josh from Easywdw still advocates not even bothering with FP+ until 11am, but I'm still wary of that, especially as the popularity of adding extra fastpasses catches on.

And for Epcot, I'm still into booking my three fastpasses as early as possible even though it may not be needed because by 11am I hope to be into the World Showcase and not even need ride fastpasses anymore. I doubt I'll score and illuminations fastpass with my 4th or 5th FP+ but if I don't get it, no harm, no foul.

I guess OP, you'll just have to go with whatever you are most comfortable with. Hopefully, standby waits are generally reasonable but those 45-60 minute waits popping up on Haunted Mansion and POTC in the middle of the afternoon are convincing me to make sure I have fastpasses in hand before I tackle them. At least the Big tHunder Mountain wait time is going down with more fastpass optiona available.

 

[Daddy Mack]

(1) In MK and AK, don't schedule too early when lines are shorter. A pre-booked FB is worth more than getting a FP at the park because of the certainty it provides. Don't spend $2 to get $1. In tiering parks, it may make sense to burn through FPs early to get other tier ones. We need to see how availability shakes out on crowded days to know how viable this is. If Tier 1s remain available early in the day, schedule your Tier 1 FP first, ride the ride, move up the other two, and then start reserving extra FPs.

(2) Standby lines in character greetings when FP is available are very, very slow because of (a) the preference given to FP holders and (b) the fact that character greetings by their nature are slower than ride lines. I would use FP for character greeting whenever possible.

(3) I think Peter Pan should always be ridden with a FP. At MK, PP, A&E, and SDMT provide the most value in terms of time savings.

 

[Jajone]

And you are CONTINUING TO LECTURE. Good gracious. The page I read it on has no date and is the splash page for planning. Go tell them to change it and leave me outta it.

I'm with you on this. We would have never been on POTC in the afternoon anyway because of wait times. I think we tour alike. I will get FP for the rides I always got them for and continue to ride the others as we always have. We have toured over Easter and still had no wait times and were out of the park just after lunch. We just do not do full days where we would have to ride anything in the peak hours.

 

[MightyGitis]

I'm with you on this. We would have never been on POTC in the afternoon anyway because of wait times. I think we tour alike. I will get FP for the rides I always got them for and continue to ride the others as we always have. We have toured over Easter and still had no wait times and were out of the park just after lunch. We just do not do full days where we would have to ride anything in the peak hours.

We do half days with a break and then a different park on the evening. I've checked and we have some nights with MK open till midnight and 1 am. I think it's gonna be fine to use my FP in the morning and if only secondary rides have slots left in the evening I will use them! Or by 11 PM the waits will be shorter.

I just can't imagine a morning in DHS with no FP so I can use them in the second park. I know things are changing and maybe I should get with the times. But we are still leaning towards morning FP selections and booking additional ones after even if it's for secondary attractions. If the secondary attractions are getting longer lines suddenly those FP look a lot more tantalizing.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

We do half days with a break and then a different park on the evening. I've checked and we have some nights with MK open till midnight and 1 am. I think it's gonna be fine to use my FP in the morning and if only secondary rides have slots left in the evening I will use them! Or by 11 PM the waits will be shorter.

I just can't imagine a morning in DHS with no FP so I can use them in the second park. I know things are changing and maybe I should get with the times. But we are still leaning towards morning FP selections and booking additional ones after even if it's for secondary attractions. If the secondary attractions are getting longer lines suddenly those FP look a lot more tantalizing.

Based on recent reports, starting in HS and hopping to MK, you'll probably be able to get some FP+ at your 2nd park. Hopping to Epcot, you probably won't get the tier 1 rides. Starting in MK and then hopping to HS you probably won't get tier 1 either. All yet to be seen of course, but the tier 1 in the afternoon doesn't appear to be happening a lot.