Fourth of July & FP+

[Joltin Joe IV]

Hi Friends,

I come seeking your expertise.

After several weeks of back and forth at work, it looks like I will be able to take off for a few days around the Fourth of July. So, my wife and I (both in our mid-20s) will be able to go to the World for the first time without any supervision!

We were last in the World over Fourth of July of 2011, so we are prepared for the heat and the crowds and hopefully rope-drop to close. But I have not been since the advent of FastPass+. I have been reading that on-site guests can start picking up to 60 days out and off-site guests can start picking up to 30 days out (correct me if I am wrong). What percentage of guests are that savvy? Does that mean that I am going to be out of luck if I start to look for FP+ only 2+ weeks out? (We will probably be staying on-site, likely POR -- never stayed on site either! but that is a whole 'nother barrel of monkeys).

I appreciate any and all advice!

Best,

Joe

 

[amcnj]

It is a busy time, but all you can do is try. There are some late park hours then too. Hope you find success!

 

[Jennytoon]

Actually, based on my recent experience with accidentally picking FP+ for the next four days instead of the time of our actual vacation, I suspect you will be in great shape especially since you plan to be there RD to close.

It's true that I wasn't trying to pick for July 4, so you may find differently, but I found a decent range of times for almost everything (SDMT was the only one I didn't see on the days I was booking for the MK). The only thing was the times were kind of random, like FP- times used to be. So if you've got a touring plan that you're trying to follow and you're trying to make the FP times line up exactly with times that are in your plan, it might be tricky. But if you'll be there all day and what you want is the simpler goal to get three FP+ for three good rides that will save you a lot of time in line, starting mid-morning and ending early afternoon (so that you can try for additionals), then I believe you will be all set.

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

@amcnj -- thanks for your hope!

and @Jennytoon -- Wow, that is very encouraging. Thanks very much for your input.

And, to your point, our touring plan will be much the latter. Hoping to be there all day (without parents getting a little older and less-interested siblings), hoping to get FP+ for three good rides (particularly 7DMT, maybe we'll have to do standby...).

I guess this is a supremely personal question (different strokes for different folks), but is it better to have your three FP+ expire by early afternoon so that you can get the 4th? or is the alternative (whatever that may be?) better -- to pick your most wanted rides whenever they may fall in the day and standby the rest...?

 

[Jennytoon]

I guess this is a supremely personal question (different strokes for different folks), but is it better to have your three FP+ expire by early afternoon so that you can get the 4th? or is the alternative (whatever that may be?) better -- to pick your most wanted rides whenever they may fall in the day and standby the rest...?

I don't have any personal experience to give input on this one. However, most of the time when I see people suggest anything other than getting mid-morning through early afternoon so as to improve the chances of extras by finishing early, it is because they have another agenda such as hopping to a different park in the evening and making FP there. In your situation, it doesn't seem to me that there is any advantage to not finishing early so as to improve your chances of extras. Of course, many people may undoubtedly chime in and tell you that on such a super-busy day there will be lines at the kiosks and nothing good left anyway, but I always prefer to leave doors open until they need to be closed.

One key tip is to remember that whatever you get at the kiosk (should you choose) can be changed on the app on your phone. There are a number of reports that the best plan if nothing obviously awesome pops up on the kiosk right away is that you should take the FP for Ariel's Grotto and then check on the app because usually more options will show up. Even if nothing pops right away, you can keep checking (assuming you are not doing it to the detriment of your experience) to see when something good might become available to convert that 4th FP to. The short version is: if you have gone to a kiosk, don't leave without a FP just because you don't see something you like. You can only get that FP at the kiosk, but once you have it you can manipulate it just as you could any of your original three.

ETA: Remember that the changing around bit applies to your original three too -- when you book in advance, you may not be thrilled with any of the four options shown. But you can change individual times etc. after you've selected one of them to get something more to your liking.

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

Wow. Okay! Thanks for the information!

 

[AThrillingChase]

Hi Friends,

I come seeking your expertise.

After several weeks of back and forth at work, it looks like I will be able to take off for a few days around the Fourth of July. So, my wife and I (both in our mid-20s) will be able to go to the World for the first time without any supervision!

We were last in the World over Fourth of July of 2011, so we are prepared for the heat and the crowds and hopefully rope-drop to close. But I have not been since the advent of FastPass+. I have been reading that on-site guests can start picking up to 60 days out and off-site guests can start picking up to 30 days out (correct me if I am wrong). What percentage of guests are that savvy? Does that mean that I am going to be out of luck if I start to look for FP+ only 2+ weeks out? (We will probably be staying on-site, likely POR -- never stayed on site either! but that is a whole 'nother barrel of monkeys).

I appreciate any and all advice!

Best,

Joe

I did this exact same thing. We are doing MK on the 3rd for fireworks and about a week ago I got space, splash, and SDMT at good times. Have fun!

 

[AThrillingChase]

I will add there are also only 2 of us - so maybe that is why!

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

@AThrillingChase, thanks for the additional vote of confidence!

Only two of us as well! If I can 2 of those 3, I would be ecstatic. You also have fun! Can't wait!

 

[lroger01]

Keep in mind what park your in, and the attraction when reserving your first 3 FP+. At MK the chances of getting something worth while are good, so go earlier there. Try to start with SDMT as that one gets a long line early where Space, Splash and BTMRR are doable standby until 11am or so.

For the other parks, it might be better to ride like crazy standby in the morning and save your FP+ for after lunch. There isn't as many rides to choose from for the 4th+ FP so schedule those for when it's either most needed or most convenient. For example, at Epcot, ride Soar'n or Test Track standby and FP the other - but time it so you'll be in that area anyway. Personally, with just 2 of you, I'd just do TT in the single rider line. A long wait isn't worth it to me just to ride next to someone I know.

 

[madge]

we are there that weekend as well ... did not try for anything on July 4, but had no trouble getting times for Anna & Elsa and SDMT for July 2 about 2 weeks ago. Haven't been able to change the Anna & Elsa FP+ time, but that's ok. We'll deal with it. LOL

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

@lroger01, thanks for that insight and interesting perspective!

& @madge, maybe I won't be so out of luck as I had feared!

 

[DisneyBelle27]

For the heck of it I just took a look at what rides still have fp+ availability in the MK on the actual 4th of July. I didn't check times, just rides that still have passes available. All of the following are still available:

splash, space, peter pan, jungle cruise, haunted mansion, dumbo, buzz, BTMRR, enchanted tales w/belle, It's a Small World, Tea Party, all characters except for A&E, Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, Barnstormer, magic carpets, Pooh, the Speedway, and Under the Sea.

So, I think you'll be ok!

ETA: 7 Dwarfs is still available for the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th

 

[Mama Steph]

Last year we made a last minute trip for the week of July 4th (I think we arrived on the 6th). I was able to get a dining ressie for BOG and FP for Anna and Elsa and SDMT 2 days prior. Just keep checking.

 

[ZoZo]

I guess this is a supremely personal question (different strokes for different folks), but is it better to have your three FP+ expire by early afternoon so that you can get the 4th? or is the alternative (whatever that may be?) better -- to pick your most wanted rides whenever they may fall in the day and standby the rest...?

I think the "save your FPs for later" strategy works best when you plan to rope drop one park, then hop over to another park later in the day. You would be "saving" your FPs for your second park, while taking advantage of shorter lines at rope drop at your first park. Are you planning to park hop?

Are you planning to rope drop? I would totally recommend that, especially during such a busy week. Here's what I would do: Rope drop, ride as many things as you can for the first 2 to 3 hours, then have your FPs start around 10:00 or 11:00. That way, you'll hopefully be able to get additional FPs after you use the first three. BTW, it seems like the best chance to get that 4th, 5th, etc. FP is at MK. At the other parks, there simply aren't enough interesting rides to easily get additional FPs, since the headliners "sell out" early. You might be offered additional FPs at AK, DHS, and EP, but they're sometimes not very interesting rides.

And remember that you can move your FP times around! You don't have to take what they give you; once you have your FPs, you can move them to different times, if available. We fiddled with ours constantly! This also applies to your 4th FP and beyond; you can get a FP that they "issue" you at the kiosk, then change the time on your smartphone.

Whatever you end up doing, have fun!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I've been trying to switch my FP for SDMT on the 4th to an earlier time from 4PM for over a week now. Absolutely no other times have been showing. At 2 weeks, you probably won't get one for that, sorry :\. Don't get me wrong, it is always possible you will get lucky and snag a cancellation, but I'd have a well thought out backup plan in order if riding it is a big deal for you.

 

[escapeartist]

I don't have any personal experience to give input on this one. However, most of the time when I see people suggest anything other than getting mid-morning through early afternoon so as to improve the chances of extras by finishing early, it is because they have another agenda such as hopping to a different park in the evening and making FP there. In your situation, it doesn't seem to me that there is any advantage to not finishing early so as to improve your chances of extras. Of course, many people may undoubtedly chime in and tell you that on such a super-busy day there will be lines at the kiosks and nothing good left anyway, but I always prefer to leave doors open until they need to be closed.

One key tip is to remember that whatever you get at the kiosk (should you choose) can be changed on the app on your phone. There are a number of reports that the best plan if nothing obviously awesome pops up on the kiosk right away is that you should take the FP for Ariel's Grotto and then check on the app because usually more options will show up. Even if nothing pops right away, you can keep checking (assuming you are not doing it to the detriment of your experience) to see when something good might become available to convert that 4th FP to. The short version is: if you have gone to a kiosk, don't leave without a FP just because you don't see something you like. You can only get that FP at the kiosk, but once you have it you can manipulate it just as you could any of your original three.

ETA: Remember that the changing around bit applies to your original three too -- when you book in advance, you may not be thrilled with any of the four options shown. But you can change individual times etc. after you've selected one of them to get something more to your liking.

Awesome tip Jennytoon! I did not know that, and it is great advice! I WAS gonna Skip the kiosks, but not now.

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and feedback!

I was able to grab a bunch of good (in my opinion, at least) FP+s for the few days that we will be there:
MK on 7/3 - Splash (8:25-9:25), BTMRR (9:25-10:25), Space (11:25-12:25) [hoping to do standby for 7DMT at opening]
Epcot on 7/4 - Mission Space (9:45-10:45), TT (10:50-11:50), Spaceship Earth (12:20-1:20) [hoping to do standby for Soarin' at opening]
AK on 7/5 - Kali (9:40-10:40), EE (11:05-12:05), Dinosaur (12:40-1:40) [hoping to do standby for Safari at opening]
HS on 7/6 - ToT (10:20-11:20), Star Tours (12:05-1:05), TSMM (1:40-2:40) [hoping to do standby for Rockin Rollercoaster at opening]
MK on 7/7 - tbd?

Any glaring issues with these FP+ times? or general strategy? The first four days are EMH for that park, so I'm hoping for a bunch of very long days!

Thanks again!

 

[AThrillingChase]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and feedback!

I was able to grab a bunch of good (in my opinion, at least) FP+s for the few days that we will be there:
MK on 7/3 - Splash (8:25-9:25), BTMRR (9:25-10:25), Space (11:25-12:25) [hoping to do standby for 7DMT at opening]
Epcot on 7/4 - Mission Space (9:45-10:45), TT (10:50-11:50), Spaceship Earth (12:20-1:20) [hoping to do standby for Soarin' at opening]
AK on 7/5 - Kali (9:40-10:40), EE (11:05-12:05), Dinosaur (12:40-1:40) [hoping to do standby for Safari at opening]
HS on 7/6 - ToT (10:20-11:20), Star Tours (12:05-1:05), TSMM (1:40-2:40) [hoping to do standby for Rockin Rollercoaster at opening]
MK on 7/7 - tbd?

Any glaring issues with these FP+ times? or general strategy? The first four days are EMH for that park, so I'm hoping for a bunch of very long days!

Thanks again!

For both splash and Kali, I might try to move those later for when it is deathly hot. For splash specifically, the line will not be horrible that first hour after opening, so that FP time may not save you much. Glad you got some good ones though!

 

[baseballnut]

This! I generally try to have my FP+ start at two hours after RD so I can ride the "smaller" rides as much as possible.

For both splash and Kali, I might try to move those later for when it is deathly hot. For splash specifically, the line will not be horrible that first hour after opening, so that FP time may not save you much. Glad you got some good ones though!

Looks like you got some good ones though. We will be there at the same time. Have fun!!!