FP+ Advice for Group Travel

[subtchr]

Hi, All,

I have been trying to sort through the FP+ threads, but haven't really seen what I am looking for.

I am a group tour director, and I will be with a high school band (about 100 kids) in Orlando later this week. We have the green cards for admission, and we will be at DHS pretty much all day Friday, 1/31, and at AK Saturday, 2/1, only from about 3:00 to 8:00.

I have been to WDW many times with groups, but this is my first visit since full implentation of FP+. My understanding is that when we arrive in those two parks, the kids can take their cards to a FP+ kiosk and make up to three FP+ for the day, is that correct?

What advice should I give them? They will be touring in small groups. Are certain kiosks less busy than others? Any thoughts about what will be left for them at AK since we are arriving so late? (They perform at DTD that morning and early afternoon.)

By the way, at DHS they have a private dinner booked at Fantasmic!, so no need to get there early or to use a FP+ for it.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi, All,

I have been trying to sort through the FP+ threads, but haven't really seen what I am looking for.

I am a group tour director, and I will be with a high school band (about 100 kids) in Orlando later this week. We have the green cards for admission, and we will be at DHS pretty much all day Friday, 1/31, and at AK Saturday, 2/1, only from about 3:00 to 8:00.

I have been to WDW many times with groups, but this is my first visit since full implentation of FP+. My understanding is that when we arrive in those two parks, the kids can take their cards to a FP+ kiosk and make up to three FP+ for the day, is that correct?

What advice should I give them? They will be touring in small groups. Are certain kiosks less busy than others? Any thoughts about what will be left for them at AK since we are arriving so late? (They perform at DTD that morning and early afternoon.)

By the way, at DHS they have a private dinner booked at Fantasmic!, so no need to get there early or to use a FP+ for it.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Yes. The three links in my signature give further general info like this. I wish you good luck with such a large group!

 

[subtchr]

Yes. The three links in my signature give further general info like this. I wish you good luck with such a large group!

Thanks, mesaboy, I was hoping you would chime in! Sorry, I tried to look through the linked threads, but most of the info seemed to be for onsite guests with MB. Will check them again.

I'm used to it -- this is actually a relatively small group for me! But other than meeting up at the end of the day, or when they have a performance, these groups tend to split up pretty well, typically 4-6 kids touring around at a time.

I used to give my FP spiel to them before traveling, but now it's new territory for me, so I thought I'd come on the boards to try to get the scoop as well as I can before actually experiencing it. I have 3 more trips with groups this spring, so hopefully after this one I'll have the "voice of experience".

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks, mesaboy, I was hoping you would chime in! Sorry, I tried to look through the linked threads. Will check them again.

I'm used to it -- this is actually a relatively small group for me! But other than meeting up at the end of the day, or when they have a performance, these groups tend to split up pretty well, typically 4-6 kids touring around at a time.

I used to give my FP spiel to them before traveling, but now it's new territory for me, so I thought I'd come on the boards to try to get the scoop as well as I can before actually experiencing it. I have 3 more trips with groups this spring, so hopefully after this one I'll have the "voice of experience".

I just updated the original post in my thread (the green link in my sig) a couple of days ago with a dozen or so points on what you can and can't do with FP+. First section of first post.

The priority list will help give a general idea of which FP choices are good ones. (Hint: good call on no FP for Fantasmic. )

 

[subtchr]

Thought I would report back.

I have to say, FP+ worked great for our group, at least at this relatively slower time of year.

We arrived at DHS about 9:30 yesterday, and I was able to get the following fast passes, soon after entering the park:

9:45 TOT (not really needed)
10:45 star tours (not really needed)
12:20 TSMM - definitely needed!

Today we did not get to AK until 3:00, and I still got FP:

3:10 safari
4:30 EE
5:40 Finding Nemo (for 6:00 show). I ended up going to the 5:00 show, now waiting to be seated at yak and yeti as a walkin

So FP+ as it exists right now is pretty good for day guests!