FP - 60 days Technique advice

[Chrizwald]

Hello. I saw this asked a few times on the FP FAQ, but couldn't find that anyone actually answered it. It seems like the best method for FP acquisition at 7am Eastern is on a computer over the mobile app.

However, i'm wanting to know some specifics: should you be logged in when time rolls over? and how far into your plans on MDE can you be without going too far? Will you need to refresh the page?

I watched several youtube videos to see the process, but everyone that makes FP videos are doing them at a leisurely pace and clearly not at the 7am rush.

 

[WRLeGrand]

Hello. I saw this asked a few times on the FP FAQ, but couldn't find that anyone actually answered it. It seems like the best method for FP acquisition at 7am Eastern is on a computer over the mobile app.

However, i'm wanting to know some specifics: should you be logged in when time rolls over? and how far into your plans on MDE can you be without going too far? Will you need to refresh the page?

I watched several youtube videos to see the process, but everyone that makes FP videos are doing them at a leisurely pace and clearly not at the 7am rush.

How long is your trip? I think the answer to that question determines how stressful or not the FP+ morning can be.

Typically, I log in and then refresh right at 7:00 am and it typically does not do any sort of lag. I have used both the app and laptop. I think which is "better" is probably a day-to-day proposition. There have been times were one has worked better than the other. If you can have both at your disposal I would recommend that...

 

[Chrizwald]

How long is your trip? I think the answer to that question determines how stressful or not the FP+ morning can be.

Typically, I log in and then refresh right at 7:00 am and it typically does not do any sort of lag. I have used both the app and laptop. I think which is "better" is probably a day-to-day proposition. There have been times were one has worked better than the other. If you can have both at your disposal I would recommend that...

It's going to be 4 days, one at each park. in order, the parks are HS, EP, MK, AK. I'm hoping that having MK and AK farther down will help with the tough ones.

 

[DeterminedOne]

I was logged in 10 minutes before seven with two browsers open. 7:00 rolled around and for six straight minutes their system spit back an error it wasn’t time for me to make FP reservations yet. Needless to say, I couldn’t get FOP, 7DMT, SDD or TOT. So yes - definitely log in from a computer, and open in at least two browsers unless you run into a problem such as you mentioned above. Other than that - good luck because the system of booking 60 days in advance no longer seems to be an advantage. At least not for me.

 

[Brewerfan101]

Hello. I saw this asked a few times on the FP FAQ, but couldn't find that anyone actually answered it. It seems like the best method for FP acquisition at 7am Eastern is on a computer over the mobile app.

However, i'm wanting to know some specifics: should you be logged in when time rolls over? and how far into your plans on MDE can you be without going too far? Will you need to refresh the page?

I watched several youtube videos to see the process, but everyone that makes FP videos are doing them at a leisurely pace and clearly not at the 7am rush.

Just did our FP+ on Monday, 6:00 a.m. CDT, and used Laptops to log in to MDE at literally moments after 6:00 a.m. However, we did run into an issue of having access to the FP system for a minute or two. I "hit" the Browser (Chrome) refresh, and then everything was fine.

Once I was in the FP portion of MDE, the process was pretty simple. We attacked the "hardest" to get first; SDD (60+4), FOP (60+1 & 60+6), 7DMT (60+2 & 60+5) in that order. I worked on one set, my wife on another (used 2 Computers). The only one we didn't get was FOP at 60+1 which by all accounts, is typically not available at +1. All were available in the a.m. except SDD, 1:25 p.m., and that was the first one I tried to get.

I never had to "refresh" the page once we were in. Just selected Date, Park, Experience, and Time. Then selected another Day, and repeated. Once the hard ones were filled, just came back to each Day, and filled in.

 

[EightLions]

I usually have my computer logged in before 6am CDT and then pop my phone on right after. I try to do all my booking on the computer but will pop over to my phone if there are issues. We are getting ready to go on our 5th trip and so far we have always gotten everything we tried for, including FOP (usually AK is our 60+2). The only ride we have never tried for was 7DMT so I can't speak to that one.

I would say definitely use both a computer and phone so you have options if there are issues. Good luck!

 

[kniquy]

should you be logged in when time rolls over? and how far into your plans on MDE can you be without going too far? Will you need to refresh the page?

I don't think it matters how quick to the draw you are at 7am, but the bigger factor is planning your days appropriately. This means if you want a headliner ride you are better off putting that park day later in your trip so that you have a slight advantage and hopefully better odds to get a FP if you are 60+3d vs at 60d. Hope that makes sense. Prioritize your FP and get the tougher ones first - don't just go in order of your trip days. So the tough ones now a days are FOP, Slinky dog and mine train and maybe frozen. Most other rides should have pretty good FP availability. If you find a FP for a time that isn't what you planned -snag it and then just keep looking, you can always modify your times if something opens up.

As for which booking method - I will usually have both my phone and computer open. It has happened at least for ADR booking where my phone was working but the computer website wasn't - you just never know. So the more options you have the better.

Even if you do not get what you want exactly at your 60 day mark -- keep checking!! Our last trip was a short 5 day trip - when I booked FP I couldn't get FOP (AK was at 60 days), nor could i get 7DMT. But with booking what i could I went ahead and stalked daily (maybe even multiple times per day). Found FOP around 45 days out and MT did pop up at some point. Once the 30 day mark rolls around that is when everyone can book so odds of finding something might be tougher.

 

[georgina]

Just wanted to add that extra FP are often added when Disney changes park hours. Sometimes it takes a day for them to show up in the system, but if you are unable to get what you want when originally booking, keep an eye on the parks hours.

 

[gharter]

I would start with the most difficult to get FPs. Generally FoP and SDD. Getting them later in the trip is easier.
Then go to MK with Peter Pan and 7DMine Train, followed by whatever else you plan.
If you can't get what you wanted, get what you can and keep checking and trying to modify including the day of. FPs do become available.

 

[Roybrown]

Jumping in here with a question since I see so many people booking 60 days out. Any chance I will get Fast Pass for Peter Pan or Seven Dwarves at the 30 day opening? My day is this Saturday.

 

[mesaboy2]

Jumping in here with a question since I see so many people booking 60 days out. Any chance I will get Fast Pass for Peter Pan or Seven Dwarves at the 30 day opening? My day is this Saturday.

Availability

The vast majority of the 64 FP attractions at WDW have FPs available as late as day-of.

Guests participating in the FP+ Pilot Program, who have access to FPs at 90 days in advance, can assume wide availability for all attractions.

- Attractions listed here are the most difficult to get. Onsite guests can expect limited availability even at 60 days in advance, while offsite guests are unlikely to get much availability (if at all) at 30 days. Acquiring these attractions less than 7 days in advance may require frequent monitoring of FP availability via the MDX app or website. Same-day FPs are most unlikely, but possible with constant monitoring via MDX.

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
• Frozen Ever After (Epcot)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Hollywood Studios)
• Avatar Flight Of Passage (Animal Kingdom)

- Attractions listed here can be difficult to get. Onsite guests can expect good availability at 60 days in advance, while offsite guests can expect limited availability at 30 days. Acquiring these attractions less than 7 days in advance will likely require regular monitoring of FP availability via the MDX app or website. Same-day FPs are possible with constant monitoring via MDX.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
• Peter Pan's Flight (Magic Kingdom)
• Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
• Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Epcot)
• Soarin' (Epcot)
• Test Track (Epcot)
• Toy Story Mania (Hollywood Studios)
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Navi River Journey (Animal Kingdom)
• Rivers of Light (Animal Kingdom)

- All other attractions are relatively easy to get. Onsite guests can expect wide availability at 60 days in advance, while offsite guests can expect good availability at 30 days. Acquiring these attractions less than 7 days is likely, but availability may be limited. Same-day FPs are likely, but may require frequent monitoring via MDX.

- Success at getting FPs depends primarily on two factors: the size of the group and how often one is willing to “refresh” the available FP list for that attraction. Constant refreshing, patience, and persistence can result in getting even the most difficult FPs as late as day-of.

- The MDX system can be used to check availability at any park, even if FPs are selected for a different park that day. However, guests are advised to be careful not to confirm any selections offered, or existing FPs will be affected. See the FP FAQ Addendum for more information.

- In general, day-of FP availability for most headliners--particularly outside of Magic Kingdom—is typically low and approaches nonexistent as choices for 4th FPs since several hours must pass until guests are eligible for 4th FPs.

- There is little evidence that different “pools” of FPs are maintained for different booking windows. In other words, the full slate of FPs available for any particular attraction is released at one time, some 70+ days in advance, and none are saved for offsite guests or those who wait until they arrive in the park.

- If maximum choice and times of FPs is desired, then reserving them at the earliest opportunity is highly recommended.

 

[bitty246]

My FP day was last Saturday. The MDE App on my phone was so much faster and more responsive than my laptop. I had both open and planned to double team, but my phone was so fast I didn't need to. Was able to book everything and go back to modify few in 20 minutes or so. Started with the hardest to get, SDD then FOP, then 7DMT.

I booked :
7DMT 60+1, 60+3 & 60+4,
Peter Pan 60+1 &60+4,
SDD 60+5,
FOP 60+6 & 60+7

Just had to remind myself to remain calm and methodical. I have heard both the app and website were having issues this week. Hopefully they will work that out son.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Jumping in here with a question since I see so many people booking 60 days out. Any chance I will get Fast Pass for Peter Pan or Seven Dwarves at the 30 day opening? My day is this Saturday.

Peter Pan is a possibility but SDMT is highly unlikely.

 

[Penmac]

Jumping in here with a question since I see so many people booking 60 days out. Any chance I will get Fast Pass for Peter Pan or Seven Dwarves at the 30 day opening? My day is this Saturday.

Probably not SDMT, but you should be able to get an afternoon time for Peter Pan. We always rope drop SDMT, and have never waited more than 25 minutes.

 

[Penmac]

I am interested in others' strategies, too, but we are offsite so can only book one day at a time. I booked FP's Tuesday for MK (the day the system was down for a considerable time). I did end up having to log out of MDE completely on my lap top, and wondered if I should have just waited until 7am to login to begin with, since the website was not updating my info. It finally worked somewhere between 7:15-7:20am after me cursing at my computer and logging out. My phone took another 15 minutes to catch up to my laptop. For what it's worth, we have Verizon Fios and it's super fast internet. So, that was not a factor. I am booking Epcot tomorrow morning. Really hoping I can get TT before noon, but not feeling optimistic at this point.

 

[Daisy1940]

Jumping in here with a question since I see so many people booking 60 days out. Any chance I will get Fast Pass for Peter Pan or Seven Dwarves at the 30 day opening? My day is this Saturday.

I have gotten both multiple times at 30 days. I have to settle for evening times but it is fine for me.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Jumping back in to say I was finally able to get FOP three or four weeks after the 60, but only because AK extended park hours by an hour. Still no luck with SDD, TOT, or 7DMT and I have tried every day to modify what I did get. I am willing to change my TSM for a SDD, so hoping for same day drops when the time comes. Even though I finally got FOP it's not until 7:40PM, so I'm rope dropping that and doing EMH at MK to get 7DMT. Not as worried about MK FP's, as I will be at the park from 8AM to 12AM thanks to MNSSHP. If I don't get to ride what I want in that amount of time - something is seriously wrong.

 

[Searc]

Hello. I saw this asked a few times on the FP FAQ, but couldn't find that anyone actually answered it. It seems like the best method for FP acquisition at 7am Eastern is on a computer over the mobile app.

However, i'm wanting to know some specifics: should you be logged in when time rolls over? and how far into your plans on MDE can you be without going too far? Will you need to refresh the page?

I watched several youtube videos to see the process, but everyone that makes FP videos are doing them at a leisurely pace and clearly not at the 7am rush.

I just did fastpasses at 40 days and got everything we wanted, including SDMT. FOP was not available and I didn't look at HS, so don't know about any TSL stuff. It was probably the easiest fastpasses I've ever done. LOL

 

[Roybrown]

If anyone is curious, at the 30 day Fast Pass window the only thing that wasn't available this morning was Seven Dwarfs. Peter Pan earliest was 1:50 and Space Mountain was early, like maybe 10:00 or something like that.

 

[nuclearturtle]

Wasn't able to get FOP at 60+1 but was able to get it at 60+5 mid afternoon. Now I just keep going back in to see if anything pops up.