First visit with FP+

[myers2170]

OK, we have made several trips to Disney and had it all figured out....Our first trip was in 2007 and we knew how to get there early and collect your fast passes as soon as the window opened in order to maximize them, etc. Never had to wait for hardly anything. We are now about to make our first trip with FP+ and I really have no clue how to go about it. Can you all give me your thoughts on the following:

1. When the fast passes were not mandated to return during your hour long window, I would collect fast passes in the morning and hold onto them for the evening. Having to use them during the window really messed up my planning but we made it work. For what time of us do you recommend getting the Fast Passes and why?

2. How far in advance do you recommend securing your fast pass in order to get close on the times you want??

3. We are going as part of a Disney Sports Travel package this time. We will be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Will this allow us to book further in advance?? My only concern is I have no idea when we will be able to get our tickets?? Is there a number on your tickets for when you go online to reserve a fast pass ahead of time and then, where do you pick up the FP?

4. How do you like this system?? As much as I liked the competitiveness of the old system, I am anxious to see how others like or dislike this system and how to make it work to fit our family's goals for the trip.

Thanks!!

 

[Alesia]

1. I usually start around 10:00 or 11:00.

2. As soon as possible.

3. You can't book fastpasses until you have your tickets. You don't "pick up" fastpasses - they're linked to your MDE account.

4. I like it.

 

[larryz]

Key question: when are you going? The requirement for using FP+ diminishes in the lower crowd periods, and with scrupulous application of rope drop rope drop.

 

[myers2170]

We will be arriving July 2 and checking out July 9. We do not know what days we play yet or which days we will be able to visit the parks. We may not know our schedule til the week before arrival. If we can't schedule our FPs until last minute how much will that take away??

 

[dfb]

I would advise searching the disboards for "Mesaboy2" thread on Basics of FP+. If you were familiar with the old FP- then things have changed quite a bit. There are about three years worth of heated post on the good, bad & ugly of FP+. Avoid the pain and agony of reading these post and find Mesaboy2 thread for general FP+ info to get familiar.

You have to create an MDE account and then link your resort reservation and tickets to the MDE. Staying onsite with tickets/res linked you can reserve FP+ 60 days in advance. Some headliners will be gone at the 60 day mark. Most will be gone at the 30 day mark for that time of year. If you do not know what day you will travel to parks until a week prior you may have difficulty getting headliner rides. The days of deciding which parks you'll go to the night before and going early and getting your FPs are over. This is a big problem with FP+. you have to plan ahead too much with little to no flexibility! I dislike FP+.

 

[Robo]

I would advise searching the disboards for "Mesaboy2" thread on Basics of FP+

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

 

[hiroMYhero]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

mesaboy's thread is now permanently sitting at the top of the Everything FastPass+ sub forum!

Thanks, @lovethattink!! It's much easier to find now!

 

[myers2170]

Thank you all so much for the information!!! We are getting our tickets as part of a sports travel package and I am not sure how soon we will be able to get those tix. If we cant get them until we arrive at the resort, we will be behind the 8 ball big time!!! And I am being told those tix can't be upgraded at the park. Not feeling the love and magic of Disney at this point!!!