FP+ and a one day last minute trip

[larryhog]

I have been going to WDW and Universal every year since the mid 90's. I got really good at using the legacy fast pass system with a commando style. I have not been back to Disney on my trips since the fp+ system came out as I do not like the way you have to schedule your days so far in advance and it seems like they eliminated the commandos. I will be doing a several day trip again this year to Universal starting April 16th and staying on site at Universal. My question is if I decide to go to Epcot ( my wife wants to go) for one day while I am there will there be any fast passes available at rope drop if we just pick a random day while we are there? Or if any are available will they all be late in the day?

I do not want to schedule any fast passes in advanced. But if I decide to do it do you have to have tickets in hand and hotel reservations in hand before you can schedule them.

 

[Marthasor]

You have to have tickets in hand in order to make FP+. If you buy the ticket in advance and link it to your My Disney Experience account, you have the option of booking FP+ up to 30 days in advance (if you are staying offsite) or 60 days in advance (if staying at a WDW resort or Swan/Dolphin). If you decide to wing it and just go to EP and buy your tickets day-of, there will be FP+ available, but FP+ availability of Soarin' or Test Track may be very slim if there is anything at all. If you do this, your best bet is to get there early, buy your tickets, get through the entrance at rope drop and head straight to a FP+ kiosk to see what's available. If you want to ride Soarin' or Test Track and nothing's available, I would suggest making a bee line to Soarin' first and then riding TT in the single rider line. You shouldn't have much trouble getting FP+ for any of the other attractions.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

I have been going to WDW and Universal every year since the mid 90's. I got really good at using the legacy fast pass system with a commando style. I have not been back to Disney on my trips since the fp+ system came out as I do not like the way you have to schedule your days so far in advance and it seems like they eliminated the commandos. I will be doing a several day trip again this year to Universal starting April 16th and staying on site at Universal. My question is if I decide to go to Epcot ( my wife wants to go) for one day while I am there will there be any fast passes available at rope drop if we just pick a random day while we are there? Or if any are available will they all be late in the day?

Rope drop will have little effect on fast pass booking, since most people do it before they arrive at the park. The only advantage rope drop has now is running for standby for the rides you can't get FP+s for, which would be either Soarin or Test Track. If you buy your tickets at the gate I would probably advise rope drop then straight to one of those rides, then to a kiosk to plan out the rest of your day. But honestly, since you *can* book your FPs in advance and it isn't reliant on being in the park, I would advise you just buy them online the second you decide to go and check from there.

 

[larryhog]

Thanks for the help. It is what I figured. With fp+ it has killed how I did the parks. And with needing to make reservations for fp before you even get to the parks and the increase in the lines on the smaller rides is why I have not been back to WDW since the fp+ was put in place. Going forward I will be spending my time at Universal and the other attractions. Disney has lost a long time customer with this fp+ system as it just does not work for me.

 

[prudence64]

I got a test track fast pass one day before as we decided to change parks from my original plan as we decided we had had enough of MK. Not sure if it would have been there day of or not.

 

[BradChristian]

FP+ will make it easier if you just adjust... Rather than running all over the park to pick up your paper passes... This allows you to do that from your phone. Heck - even for last minute people... You can buy the tickets on your phone on your way over and pick your FPs.

I think this allows for a much more relaxed plan... rather than making a mad dash to the FP machines.

My concern this morning is how universal charges for the 'quick' pass. Seems like they are charging you a lot for two parks if you do that and quick pass.

I appreciate Disney not overcharging those of us who must stay off site.

 

[coolbrook]

How can you know that "FP+ has killed how I do the parks" if you haven't tried it yet?

 

[Robo]

Happy day!

 

[Robo]

Oh, happy day!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, happy day!

.......
When he washed,