For those that DO like FP+...

[Mrs. Max Goof]

....give me your tips, tricks, and strategies!

This is our first trip since FP+. I loved the old FP system and felt that it was the key for traveling in the busy summer months. We will be at DHS on 6/30 and MK on 7/2, staying off-site. We have never traveled to WDW so close to July 4th due to crowd levels, but we didn't really have a choice this year. Typically, we would travel in late July and early August, when the crowd level is at an 8. We are not sure what to anticipate for a day that is supposedly at a 9 (or if there's really that much of a difference between an 8 & 9). Since we are two adults, we get to the parks for rope drop and stay until park closing, never leaving for a break. We have used the Unofficial Guide's selective touring plan in our past trips.

How do I make this system work for me? How can I see everything I want when the parks are so busy? Will I get a chance to ride my favorite attractions, like Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror, more than once? What's the best strategy for getting on 7DMT? What do YOU recommend going to at rope drop vs. using FP+? If I want to get a fourth FP, do I have to wait at a kiosk to see the choices, or is there a way to see what's available without wasting time in line?

ANY help or tips you may have would be so appreciated! I've done a lot of research, but it seems like most posts are people complaining, rather than giving practical advice or working with the system. I understand the facts and how it works, but do not have the experiences to give me real strategy for using FP+.

Thank you thank you thank you!

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Stay onsite.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm not a big fan of FP+, but to have 4 trips with FP+ under my belt, and a 5th coming up.

To be most satisfied with FP+, you have to have one expectation: that your 3 prebooked FP+s will be all you get. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

Based on my experience, RD is more essential now than in the past IF you want to re-ride your favorites. On our last trip, we managed to do BTMRR 4 times and Splash twice in the first hour or so of operation one day. Generally, doing RD, focusing on doing rides SB in the first two hours of operation, and then saving your FP+s for either afternoon or early evening is a good strategy. Using your FP+s ASAP and then hoping for a 4th is not a good strategy during busy times, unless you're happy with the 4th being in the late evening OR for only secondary attractions.

With you being an offsite guest, the kiosks are the only option right now for seeing what's available for the 4th FP+.

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Doing so gives you a 30 day head start on booking what you want to do during the busiest time of the year. By the time your 30 day window opens up for the week of the 4th, there may very well be no availability for the things you want to do, let alone do them twice. It will also allow you to take advantage of morning extra magic hours which can help during the busy seasons. The only advise I can give for people offsite is the same as everyone else: avoid the parks with emh, book FP+ as soon as you can, and get to the parks at rope drop.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

As for riding more than once, you have a couple of options:

Ride 1X using a fastpass and then use the standby line.

Arrive at rope drop, ride 1X in standby or as many times as you can until the wait gets too long for you, and another time using FP+

Ride 1X using a fastpass and then after your fastpasses are gone select that attraction as your fourth FP (depending on whether or not it is available. Popular attractions may not be available. If you are looking close to park closing, very few attractions may be available.)

You are probably not going to be able to escape waiting in line on occasion.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I think it's going to be very hard for you to get a FP for 7DMT. All those people staying on site are going to have 30 days advance over you. And, as you pointed out, this is one of the busiest times of year. so crowds are going to be huge. Your best bet will probably be to make a beeline at rope drop, but even then you'll be competing with everyone who had early morning ADRs and are already in the park.

For us, I was dreading FP+ and really missing the old system, but was very pleasantly surprised when we went last August. Of course, we stayed on site so had the 60-day window and the crowds were a LOT less at the end of August.

Our general strategy was to be there at rope drop and get in a few rides really quick, before the lines back up. We would then make our first FP for about 10:00 am, when the crowds started to build. I've heard stories of long lines at the kiosks--and maybe that's the case when it's busy--but we didn't find that at all. We waited no more than 5 minutes for a kiosk to open up. We would just book whatever we could get quickly and then move things around on the MDE app. We also moved things up earlier when we could. In other words, use a FP near the beginning of the window and then move the next one up earlier than it was originally scheduled.

On our full MK day, we used about 8 FPs total, plus we used extras on other days in Epcot and AK as well.

Again, this was at a quieter time of year. I can't imagine what it will be like 4th of July week, especially if you're staying off-site. Adjust your expectations. Go in expecting that you won't get to do multiple rides on your favorites. If you get to, it's a bonus!

 

[ksinniger]

I liked it because it allowed us to plan our day with more certainty than with the old FP system, where you were having to criss-cross the park. My strategy: start with a list of the attractions I wanted to hit, and play around with the order to minimize criss crossing and maximize rides. So, for our DHS day, we picked the 3 FP+ rides as TSMM, TOT, and ST, knowing that we'd rope drop RNRC, do TOT right after, then head to the animation building for the drawing class and meet & greets. We put TSMM in the late morning, then went to lunch before hitting Muppets and the ST FP+. But this was when we had a second day at DHS, where we also used FP+ for the Frozen sing-a-long, Lights Motor Action show, and RNRC (the only ride there that all my kids demand riding twice). If I didn't have second day, I might have swapped out ST for Frozen, since the wait at ST would have still been low when we finished with TOT, and we just would have pushed the animation building to a mid-day activity.

Rope dropping popular attractions still works, and except for 7DMT at MK, you can usually get 2 or 3 rides on one attraction in a row if you want to do that. At DHS it is a little harder to do that, manly because there are so few attractions.

So yes, you can ride things more than once if you use FP+ plus rope drop, but you may not be able to do everything. There are web sites where you can monitor what's available for 4th FP before going to a kiosk, but the kiosks are pretty easy to use, too.

 

[wisblue]

I'll try to provide some of my observations and suggestions when I get home from our current trip.

We'll be returning home tomorrow after a great week.

Still have an evening at DHS tonight with FPs for RNRC, TOT, and Star Tours lined up before we hit Fantasmic at 8:30.

 

[Alesia]

We like FP+. Coming up with a good plan is the most important step, here's what you do:

1. Use the crowd calendar at easywdw.com to chose your park days.

2. Make a touring plan. The easiest and best way is to start with the cheat sheets at easywdw.com and just take out the tings that don't interest you.

3. Use mesaboy2's fastpass thread to help figure out the most efficient use for you.

That's it. FP+ is way easier than many disboards posts would lead you to believe.

 

[nilla]

I'm not a big fan of FP+, but to have 4 trips with FP+ under my belt, and a 5th coming up.

To be most satisfied with FP+, you have to have one expectation: that your 3 prebooked FP+s will be all you get. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

Based on my experience, RD is more essential now than in the past IF you want to re-ride your favorites. On our last trip, we managed to do BTMRR 4 times and Splash twice in the first hour or so of operation one day. Generally, doing RD, focusing on doing rides SB in the first two hours of operation, and then saving your FP+s for either afternoon or early evening is a good strategy. Using your FP+s ASAP and then hoping for a 4th is not a good strategy during busy times, unless you're happy with the 4th being in the late evening OR for only secondary attractions.

With you being an offsite guest, the kiosks are the only option right now for seeing what's available for the 4th FP+.

This goes against our strategy, which admittedly has not been tried by us during peak times, but wouldn't booking the third FP for later in the day just ensure you only end up getting 3 FPs for the entire day? If we can't expect to find anything good after using our 3rd FP at 12:30pm, what hope would we have getting another one after using our 3rd FP several hours later?

e.g., currently:

9:30-10:30 Splash
10:30-11:30 Space
11:30-12:30 Mine Cart

We can still hit rides like crazy using the SB lines for the first 90 minutes after rope drop, then avoid the SB line at Splash Mountain just before 10:30, when it SHOULD be starting to get long. After using our Mine Cart FP, we plan on going back to the resort for a while. Before leaving MK, we book the best FP we can get for later in the afternoon (or evening, whatever is available).

Other possibility:

10:30-11:30 Space
11:30-12:30 Mine Cart
4:00-5:00 Splash

The SB for Splash will probably be a lot longer at 4:00 than at 10:25, so we'd benefit there. However, if the SB for Splash at 10:25 is long, we miss out on it in the morning. Then, we're trying to add our 4th FP after using our 3rd at 4:00 pm, when there will be even fewer options than there would've been around noon.

I guess my question is how long we can expect to basically walk on the rides at MK in the morning in June. Last year, we, like you, rode BTMRR four times, then Splash twice, the second with a 9:30-10:30 FP. The FP was not necessary for our first ride on Splash, but definitely was nice for the second ride. This was in mid-May, so it wasn't exactly peak time, but the SB lines still seemed to already be picking up before 11:00am.

I have our FPs booked now, but am wondering how much we'd gain by moving all of our FPs that start between 9:00 and 10:00.

Thanks!

 

[skier_pete]

I like FP+ OK, there are things that are better than the old system (no more FP running around the park, being able to change your selections even at the last minute) and negatives (limits on FPs, the tier system) as well as one change that would seen as an improvement by some and a loss by others (the elimination of the late-use FP).

As others have pointed out, staying off site means you have to wait until 30 days out. I don't think that necessarily means you aren't going to be able to get what you want though (except 7DMT - you won't get that). Also, the new system does make it very difficult to ride the same (popular) attraction multiple times. The best you can do is do rope drop AND a FP+, this might get you on it 2-3 times.

The two parks you mention have slightly different strategies in my view, as DHS has much fewer rides available and the tiering system, but here's my advice:

For both parks, book your FP such that you are using them NOT in the first 90-120 minutes of the day, but schedule them shortly after that. (Schedule one for 10:30, one for 11:30 and one for 12:30 for example).

At DHS, pick your tier 1 between TSMM, RnRC or GMR, while picking your tier 2s as ToT and Star Tours, unless you don't want to ride those. Whatever rides you DON'T get FP for, take advantage of rope drop, OR use that to ride multiple times. (Do RnRC and Tot @ Rope Drop and then again with FP+) As soon as you use that third FP+, immediately go to one of the kiosks and see if you can get a 4th one. You might be able to get something, but don't expect a prime one.

MK has a lot more attractions. If you are dead set on riding a ride multiple times, you should probably get both a FP and ride it in the first 2 hours. If you want to ride 7DMT - either ride it FIRST thing in the morning (understanding that you will be with the maddening crowd for this) or LAST thing before the park closes (if you stay that late). Again here, pick FP+ so that you use them up fairly early, but don't "waste" them in the first 2 hours. Again, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 is good timing, using the last one by shortly after 12:30. You can probably get at least 1 if not 2 more. In the end, you probably will still either have to not repeat rides, or

One thing about FP+ at MK is it has evened out the ride lines a little. I find that the attractions that USED to have the superlong lines with FP have gotten shorter, while rides that DIDN"T have FP+ (PotC & HM particularly) have gotten longer.

You are going to have massive, massive crowds going when you are going. Choose your FP+ wisely, and realize that you will probably not get to do everything that you want to. Pick and choose your must dos, and get those in at rope drop, or with your FP+.

That's the best I can advise.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This goes against our strategy, which admittedly has not been tried by us during peak times, but wouldn't booking the third FP for later in the day just ensure you only end up getting 3 FPs for the entire day? If we can't expect to find anything good after using our 3rd FP at 12:30pm, what hope would we have getting another one after using our 3rd FP several hours later?

e.g., currently:

9:30-10:30 Splash
10:30-11:30 Space
11:30-12:30 Mine Cart

We can still hit rides like crazy using the SB lines for the first 90 minutes after rope drop, then avoid the SB line at Splash Mountain just before 10:30, when it SHOULD be starting to get long. After using our Mine Cart FP, we plan on going back to the resort for a while. Before leaving MK, we book the best FP we can get for later in the afternoon (or evening, whatever is available).

Other possibility:

10:30-11:30 Space
11:30-12:30 Mine Cart
4:00-5:00 Splash

The SB for Splash will probably be a lot longer at 4:00 than at 10:25, so we'd benefit there. However, if the SB for Splash at 10:25 is long, we miss out on it in the morning. Then, we're trying to add our 4th FP after using our 3rd at 4:00 pm, when there will be even fewer options than there would've been around noon.

I guess my question is how long we can expect to basically walk on the rides at MK in the morning in June. Last year, we, like you, rode BTMRR four times, then Splash twice, the second with a 9:30-10:30 FP. The FP was not necessary for our first ride on Splash, but definitely was nice for the second ride. This was in mid-May, so it wasn't exactly peak time, but the SB lines still seemed to already be picking up before 11:00am.

I have our FPs booked now, but am wondering how much we'd gain by moving all of our FPs that start between 9:00 and 10:00.

Thanks!

Our issue in mid-December was that by the time we used our 3rd, there was nothing "good" left for the 4th option. Anything that was available was really, really far in the future (like at the end of the night) or wasn't worth using a FP+ for because the lines for it were short anyway. We also went at the end of August, and we did have lots of luck with the 4th FP+ then, but crowds were much, much lower than in December. So my logic is: I can either prebook 3 FP+s for the afternoon/evening and KNOW I'm getting to ride 3 rides in the afternoon/evening, OR I can prebook 3 FP+ for earlier in the day and hope for one for later in the day. By utilizing RD and moving around the park in such a way that keeps us away from the crowds, we can pretty much fill up a morning with just smart touring and not having to use FP+. By the end of the morning there are some waits, but not nearly the waits you see later in the afternoon. I think using prebooked FP+s during the afternoon, when waits are the longest, is the smartest use of FP+ because you know, no matter the crowd level, you're going to be able to avoid significant waits on three rides. I'd rather have the sure thing than bet on being able to get a 4th and beyond. Especially since the 4th and beyond never really materialized for us in December.

 

[Mrs. Max Goof]

Lots of wonderful advice here! THANK YOU!

We are going into the parks with the understanding that the crowds will be crazy; we just want to have the best time possible within our means.

I know that there is little to no possibility of getting a FP for 7DMT. Our plan, if we cannot get a FP, is to go there at rope drop. What kind of wait should we be anticipating at rope drop?

Also, should we have any issue getting FPs for at least 1 of the major attractions at MK or DHS? It would be a major disappointment if we were out of luck getting any useful FP reservations 30 days out.

 

[Alesia]

Lots of wonderful advice here! THANK YOU!

We are going into the parks with the understanding that the crowds will be crazy; we just want to have the best time possible within our means.

1. I know that there is little to no possibility of getting a FP for 7DMT. Our plan, if we cannot get a FP, is to go there at rope drop. What kind of wait should we be anticipating at rope drop?

2. Also, should we have any issue getting FPs for at least 1 of the major attractions at MK or DHS? It would be a major disappointment if we were out of luck getting any useful FP reservations 30 days out.

1. Anywhere between 0 and 60 minutes. It depends on whether you're at the front of the pack or the back.

2. Pretty much everything will be available. Don't worry.

 

[skuttle]

We are driving hime today after 8 days during spring break. We stayed onsite. So we were able to take advantage of earky EMH which made a huge difference in our fp+ strategy.

I wouldn't count on a 4th FP. We booked most of our FP for early evening. We rode as much as we could in the morning, the. When crowds picked up after lunch we left and went swimming. Then returned for our FP in the evening.

We left MK around midnight last night and the wait for mine train was still over an hour!

We went for the 4th of july a couple of years ago and found it manageable as long as you get their early.

 

[skuttle]

Forgot to add. We were at MK for 7am EMH. We were at the front when gates opened. We walked towards fantasyland, stopped for a pic in front of the castle and mine train was a 45 min wait when we got there! And that's just emh crowds.

 

[smitch425]

We LOVE FP+. We schedule our 3 between 10am and 2pm. This allows us to either hit rope drop and ride a few rides OR sleep in when needed. Also allows for plenty of time in the day to get extra FPs. The biggest tip I can give you is after you use your first 3 and go to the kiosk for your 4th, take the soonest ride/attraction you are happy with and then immediately check the app for anything else you might be more interested in doing. We booked extras at the kiosk approx. 35 times on our last trip, and we found better availability on the app about 75% of the time. For rides you want to repeat, ride immediately at rope drop and then have a FP booked when possible. Also, get in line for headliners right before closing time. We go in October during the peak of Fall Break season. Our crowd levels saw 8s last year. Still used 8 FPs at MK in a single day. Many more than we used under the old system.

 

[prudence64]

When you go to get your 4th, take what's available even if it's not a good time or not the attraction you're after. Once it's on your system, you can adjust it on your phone to something better. We did this at animal kingdom. Got a 4 th FP for EE that was 4 hours away, but after a minut playing on my phone after I booked it, got it within 30 minutes.

 

[Hootch]

As noted by several above, Seven Dwarves will be hard to get 30 days out. I played with the system before our 60 day window came and it was booked solid some days and had limited times on others. If you want to save some time for a little money, you could book an early Be Our Guest breakfast ressie if available. The meal can be short and it puts you in the right part of the park. Here is a review with times:

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...g-touring-over-spring-break-32715/#more-15405

In all of the times I looked at DHS, there were available slots for the most popular attractions every time. If you want to get a feel for availability, look at this site:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/fastpass_plus_availability.php

This can also be used to see what FP+s are still available though I haven't tested it.

 

[nilla]

Our issue in mid-December was that by the time we used our 3rd, there was nothing "good" left for the 4th option. Anything that was available was really, really far in the future (like at the end of the night) or wasn't worth using a FP+ for because the lines for it were short anyway. We also went at the end of August, and we did have lots of luck with the 4th FP+ then, but crowds were much, much lower than in December. So my logic is: I can either prebook 3 FP+s for the afternoon/evening and KNOW I'm getting to ride 3 rides in the afternoon/evening, OR I can prebook 3 FP+ for earlier in the day and hope for one for later in the day. By utilizing RD and moving around the park in such a way that keeps us away from the crowds, we can pretty much fill up a morning with just smart touring and not having to use FP+. By the end of the morning there are some waits, but not nearly the waits you see later in the afternoon. I think using prebooked FP+s during the afternoon, when waits are the longest, is the smartest use of FP+ because you know, no matter the crowd level, you're going to be able to avoid significant waits on three rides. I'd rather have the sure thing than bet on being able to get a 4th and beyond. Especially since the 4th and beyond never really materialized for us in December.

Definitely considering changing it now. But not sure yet

Thanks!