First time Fast Pass+ Questions

[mrsnate]

We haven't been to WDW in 9 years (we go to DLR all the time). We are familiar with how FP's at DL work, but I have questions about WDW FP+! My 60 day window starts tomorrow so I want to be prepared. I have a list of "must see" attractions and which days, but do I need to do anything in advance to save time? I tried to link my magic bands, we have a vacation pkg, to my tickets but it said I was too early. Are they already linked? Do they need to be linked? Or does it link the FP+ to my reservations? Sorry I sound so clueless, but I want to be prepared!

 

[Robo]

We haven't been to WDW in 9 years (we go to DLR all the time). We are familiar with how FP's at DL work, but I have questions about WDW FP+! My 60 day window starts tomorrow so I want to be prepared. I have a list of "must see" attractions and which days, but do I need to do anything in advance to save time? I tried to link my magic bands, we have a vacation pkg, to my tickets but it said I was too early. Are they already linked? Do they need to be linked? Or does it link the FP+ to my reservations? Sorry I sound so clueless, but I want to be prepared!

Don't worry about your MagicBands.
That will all happen automatically and closer to the trip.

Tickets are never directly linked to MagicBands, anyway.
MagicBands are not required for booking or even using FP+.

As long as you have (listed in your MDX account) tickets that will be valid on your check-in date and a resort stay booked at a WDW resort, you can book FP+ on-line at 7AM Eastern Time, 60 days before your check-in date.

 

[DisneyDeb83]

You may already know this, but it has been suggested to start picking on the last day and work backwards. I just made our selections on Monday and by time I got to our first day there was no availability for the top rides (not that I expected there to be. We also like to get our FPs for earlier in the day, so, even if I started exactly at 7am on day one, there wouldn’t have been morning availability anyway). We pretty much have only one must do in every park, so I booked those first for all 7 days, then went back to fill in the other spots. I was able to get most everything we wanted.

Many people suggest to rope drop and start FPs a bit later. We always start them early, and then get extra passes one by one after the first three are done. Though I expect it is going to be very busy, so extra passes may be impossible to get for the most popular rides.

 

[mrsnate]

You may already know this, but it has been suggested to start picking on the last day and work backwards. I just made our selections on Monday and by time I got to our first day there was no availability for the top rides (not that I expected there to be. We also like to get our FPs for earlier in the day, so, even if I started exactly at 7am on day one, there wouldn’t have been morning availability anyway). We pretty much have only one must do in every park, so I booked those first for all 7 days, then went back to fill in the other spots. I was able to get most everything we wanted.

Many people suggest to rope drop and start FPs a bit later. We always start them early, and then get extra passes one by one after the first three are done. Though I expect it is going to be very busy, so extra passes may be impossible to get for the most popular rides.

I did not know about picking on the last day and working backwards! Why is that?

 

[DisneyDeb83]

Because the first few days of your trip will be the last days of many, many others, and those people already booked their passes before your window even opens. Also, i think that the majority of people may start on the first day, which makes the passes go quicker. By starting on your last day you have a much better chance of getting the attractions you want at the times you want.

I suppose if someone else in your party had MDE they could start on day one and you could work backwards.

I am probably not explaining it well, maybe someone else can make it clearer!

 

[mthds]

I did not know about picking on the last day and working backwards! Why is that?

For Example, If you really want a FP for FOP then make AK day late in the trip. You will have a better chance of getting a FP at 60+4 days over 60+1 day.

 

[gharter]

My suggestions:
1. Decide what parks you want to go to each day. Look at previous years for EMHs and decide if you want to be there on an EMH day or not. We choose not to.
2. book as many of your ADRs at the 6 month mark as you know.
3. book all of your FPs at the 60 day mark.

Read up on modifying, refreshing and getting more FPs. This can be a game changer for you in the parks when done well.