FP+ and Last Minute Trips

[Suvadoo]

In the past few days I’ve seen a couple of posts on the boards asking for help on last minute surprise trips and what kind of experience the person could expect. In one example the woman was going to WDW starting on 12/28/14. Most of the responses were not very encouraging about her chances of obtaining FP+ for even the mid range attractions and many posters said she would be standing in a lot of long lines.
I realize that Christmas is an extremely busy time of year, but how can people say that you can be spontaneous with FP+ if you’re going at a busy time of year? With legacy FP, people could arrive at the parks at RD on Christmas day and be able to obtain Fast passes for the most popular rides: TSMM, Soarin’, EE, or SM. Now with FP+, maybe you could get Captain EO for Christmas day. Also, prior to FP+, guests could ride SB with little or no wait at RD. Now, the FP+ line starts at park opening so there is very little advantage for SB guests at RD at busy times of year.
Between ADR’s and FP+, spontaneous trips are a thing of the past during peak seasons, unless you want to spend your time standing in long lines and shopping.

 

[mom2rtk]

My husband just suggested maybe heading down to the MK for a day to celebrate our anniversary right after New Year's Day. In the past I might have been all over it. But at this point I know my odds of getting FP on 7DMT are pretty slim, and I honestly just don't like the idea of walking in the gates with so much capacity already spoken for. In the past when you could walk in the gates every morning with a clean slate, I might have taken him up on it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You can only book 3 FPs in advance anyway.

At the highest peak days, IF you showed up at park opening, you might have been able to manage a couple of legacy FPs and possibly for popular attractions. If you showed up any later, fugeddaboutit. And you would have still been standing in long lines.

maybe I look at it differently, but after NY is a slower time, and the previous poster is deciding not to go for a celebration at the MK just because they don't like the odds of getting a 7DMT fastpass. That's up to them, but they should be able to get advance FPs for just about anything else except maybe Anna & Elsa and the Festival of Fantasy. According to that FP availability site everything else looks like it's probably open, even TSM (although that's not in MK).

 

[Suvadoo]

You can only book 3 FPs in advance anyway.

At the highest peak days, IF you showed up at park opening, you might have been able to manage a couple of legacy FPs and possibly for popular attractions. If you showed up any later, fugeddaboutit. And you would have still been standing in long lines.

maybe I look at it differently, but after NY is a slower time, and the previous poster is deciding not to go for a celebration at the MK just because they don't like the odds of getting a 7DMT fastpass. That's up to them, but they should be able to get advance FPs for just about anything else except maybe Anna & Elsa and the Festival of Fantasy. According to that FP availability site everything else looks like it's probably open, even TSM (although that's not in MK).

On the highest peak days, you could still get legacy FP's at RD and you could do SB with shorter waits. So, if you decided to go to WDW spur of the moment you still had the ability to get Fast Passes. Nowadays, don't surprise anyone with a spontaneuous trip during a busy time of year unless they don't care about any headliners.

Mom2rtk was talking about visiting during MLK. But changed her mind because there weren't any 7DMT FP's available. I think it's still true that for 7DMT, E & A, FP+ reservations are booked out at 60 days.

I realize FP+ is only for 3 rides, but if you go to the parks during really busy times, you are shut out of all FP+ 's for popular rides. With Legacy FP every day was a clean slate you always had a chance at getting at least 1 FP for a popular attraction.

 

[Mikie]

Were it not for me poking around the boards lately, I'd have been surprised to be told that very many people take surprise or spontaneous trips to Disney at the very busiest time of year, but judging by the number of posts about just that, it must happen quite a bit! I'm a planner for any vacation and can't relate very well to the spur-of-the-moment trip. But we'll have to just wait and see what these folks say about their experiences this Christmas. . .

I'm not sure how accurate or thorough a review could be, though. I'm thinking someone who goes to WDW at Christmas without a plan is not likely a Disney veteran and therefore would have little frame of reference. And that someone with more experience is unlikely to tackle the world at any time of year with NO plan, especially at Christmas. So it seems we'll likely hear either "I was at Disney at Christmas! It was so magical!" When they may have missed out on many things that advance planning could have helped with, OR "I was at Disney at Christmas and it was a crowded disaster!" which may be indicative of nothing more than being at Disney on a level 10 day.

Of course, that's a lot of assumptions, and we know what that means

 

[Suvadoo]

I agree that most people make advanced plans for WDW, but some of the posts I've seen are from people who were given a trip to WDW as a gift. But in previous years, you could still have access to FP's for major attractions. This year, nada without the FP+ reservation. I still think there are a lot of visitors who show up with no plans. According to the Disney Suits, half of the guests are using FP+, so Christmas will be interesting.
I am really curious to see what people say. I'm reading "just back" reports from last week that don't sound too good. SB lines for FP+ attractions were very long and there were no 4th FP's available for a lot of attractions. All of the posters sounded satisfied with their vacations, except for MVMCP which was too crowded. My question is: Would you visit WDW again at these same crowd levels? I think these people were planning on visiting at a slower times of year. But is there a slower time? Is there a time when you can go to the parks with no FP+ reservations? Can you be spontaneous?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you won't go because you can't make a FP+ reservation for the most popular attractions then you won't go. For example if all you want is Mine Train, you refuse to wait for it, you can't show up at the park a half hour before rope drop and you can't get it on the FP+, then you won't go.

But I think it's exaggerating to say "you won't be able to ride ANY headliners no matter when or what day you arrive."

Would you be able to ride every single headliner in the park without spending much time waiting in line, no you won't but you couldn't under legacy FP on the busiest days either.

I think these people were planning on visiting at a slower times of year. But is there a slower time? Is there a time when you can go to the parks with no FP+ reservations? Can you be spontaneous?

Lowest crowds appear to be the week after Labor Day. Had friends there who were walking onto Soarin with no wait. maybe not at midday, but it was possible. Highest are the week between Christmas and New Years. Anyone who goes during that time should be expecting large crowds and long lines.

That site where they check the FPs is showing 7DMT availability for December 24. they only do searches for 4 so maybe not for parties larger than that.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the folks saying you can still be spontaneous even during busy times are saying that under the assumptions that you are staying onsite and can prebook FP+ at 60 days.

Anyway, I think the difference is in what one considers a "last-minute" trip. On here, it seems that it's something booked within a few months rather than 6+ months prior.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I agree with most everyone else here. I just made FP+ for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and at Sudios I got TSMM and TOT so I am good. We got the mountains minus 7DMT but thats ok with me. There are so many choices at MK you can't really go wrong. We love last minute trips and we view FP+ as our way to at least ride 3 things so we just roll with it and what we can get. Its better than it was before when we got there at whatever time and rode what we could that the wait was not too long or ended up riding nothing. When I say last minute I mean I decided to go for christmas on 12/22 and booked FP+ 2 days in advance...short notice and still good choices. I also got an AoA little mermaid room no problem and dining reservations at Epcot and inside Studios.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I just checked tomorrow at MK (Christmas Eve) for two persons and they had availability for Big Thunder, Space, Splash, Peter Pan (not a major headliner but it gets long lines), MSEP (parades can be hard to get), and even 7DMT. Extended hours help, and there's no guarantee that these were available for times any specific person might want, but they were available.

 

[wisblue]

I agree with most everyone else here. I just made FP+ for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and at Sudios I got TSMM and TOT so I am good. We got the mountains minus 7DMT but thats ok with me. There are so many choices at MK you can't really go wrong. We love last minute trips and we view FP+ as our way to at least ride 3 things so we just roll with it and what we can get. Its better than it was before when we got there at whatever time and rode what we could that the wait was not too long or ended up riding nothing. When I say last minute I mean I decided to go for christmas on 12/22 and booked FP+ 2 days in advance...short notice and still good choices. I also got an AoA little mermaid room no problem and dining reservations at Epcot and inside Studios.

Thank you for the report.

I would be interested in hearing more accounts of what kinds of FPs people have been able to get as their first 3 FPs for Christmas week, both by booking in the few days leading up to the visit and when arriving at the park without FPs.

From my perspective, just being unable to get FPs for 7DMT or Anna and Elsa does not translate into "nothing good is available". I consider the mountains, Peter Pan, HM, POC to be popular rides for which FPs are very valuable.

 

[catra121]

If you won't go because you can't make a FP+ reservation for the most popular attractions then you won't go. For example if all you want is Mine Train, you refuse to wait for it, you can't show up at the park a half hour before rope drop and you can't get it on the FP+, then you won't go.

But I think it's exaggerating to say "you won't be able to ride ANY headliners no matter when or what day you arrive."

Would you be able to ride every single headliner in the park without spending much time waiting in line, no you won't but you couldn't under legacy FP on the busiest days either.



Lowest crowds appear to be the week after Labor Day. Had friends there who were walking onto Soarin with no wait. maybe not at midday, but it was possible. Highest are the week between Christmas and New Years. Anyone who goes during that time should be expecting large crowds and long lines.

That site where they check the FPs is showing 7DMT availability for December 24. they only do searches for 4 so maybe not for parties larger than that.

I was there September 6-14...at Epcot 2 of those days...and you COULD walk on to Soarin' mid day (between 1-3) with no wait except for the next ride. I couldn't believe it...blew my mind...but I actually felt like I wasted my FP+ on Soarin because we walked right on with the people who just walked through the SB line. Sorry...off topic...but just wanted to share that experience.

And FWIW...I don't think spontaneous trips are things of the past...they're just different than they used to be. I don't think you can go in with the same mind set you used to and tour the parks the same way...but you can still go, ride what you want, and have a great time. FP+ definitely affects the way you tour the parks...but it doesn't make these last minute trips a thing of the past.

My parents were just there the second week of December. Not nearly as busy as peak...but when my dad called me and asked if I could switch their FP+ the next day to Illuminations at Epcot I sort of laughed...thought no way...but said I would try. Went online and...no problem...easy switch. Same thing happened with FoF parade at MK on another day. Now...neither of those are things that I personally would want to use a FP on...but they have a reputation for being hard to get and a day or two before I was able to book them. And BTW...at Epcot that meant that a day before...2 slots opened up for prime afternoon FP+ on Soarn because I moved my parents over to Illuminations.

So these last minute trips are possible...getting good FP+ are possible last minute and even day of...and many people (not all...but many) who plan last minute trips tend to be spontaneous and go with the flow type people who aren't worried about getting that "perfect" time for their FP+. At peak times...ANY FP+ you get will save you time in line because just about EVERYTHING has a line...so there is more value in even the non-headliner FP+ during peak time than if you went during the slowest times of the year.

 

[BearFamily]

We booked a trip on 11/23 for 12/31-1/5. (It will be our second trip.) Onsite, but obviously booked long after the 60 day time period would have started.

At this point I have FP+ for TSMM, MSEP, Soarin', Buzz Lightyear, BOG lunch, and A&E, although the A&E passes are not all at overlapping times yet...still holding out hope I can swap them around to where we want them. I had 7DMT passes for a while but cancelled them because it turns out DD is not interested in riding. At various points I could have picked up other headliners that we didn't care about (EE, etc.) We even managed to snag Fantasmic! dining package lunch reservations at Mama Melrose. And we are not night owls, so none of the times are crazy late at night!

Now, we are a group of 3 except for one day when we will be a group of 5, so, easier to find FP+ than if we were a larger group. But I have also not been stalking the constantly, I swear!

 

[Suvadoo]

I think FP+ availability depends on the number of guest in your party and the attractions chosen. I wonder about availability for a party of 4 for SM, BMTRR, or 7DMT.

 

[JimmyV]

I think FP+ availability depends on the number of guest in your party and the attractions chosen.

Of course it does. But the two posts quoted below would seem to undermine your entire premise. While it may be true that 4th or 5th FP+s for meaningful attractions will be scarce, the notion that nothing good is available for last minute planners would seem to be disabused. I think that people who go during Christmas appreciate that they will have to deal with large crowds and long lines. But they will still get the opportunity to use FPs for some rides and will have the choice to wait in 90 minute lines for others.

I just made FP+ for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and at Sudios I got TSMM and TOT so I am good. We got the mountains minus 7DMT but thats ok with me. There are so many choices at MK you can't really go wrong... When I say last minute I mean I decided to go for christmas on 12/22 and booked FP+ 2 days in advance...short notice and still good choices. I also got an AoA little mermaid room no problem and dining reservations at Epcot and inside Studios.

I just checked tomorrow at MK (Christmas Eve) for two persons and they had availability for Big Thunder, Space, Splash, Peter Pan (not a major headliner but it gets long lines), MSEP (parades can be hard to get), and even 7DMT.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

obviously the more people in your party the more fastpasses you need, I ran it with two because the person who wouldn't go because they didn't think they could get any fastpasses or be able to do anything (especially 7DMT) was a party of two. However, I think her aversion is to the system in general, not that she doesn't believe there won't be any passes to be had at all.

Just ran it for a party of five on Christmas Day and there was availability for BTM, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. Plus a number of other things that are likely not considered headliners, like Pirates, HM, Buzz Lightyear, etc.

No 7DMT though or Anna/Elsa, and Meet Mickey Mouse wasn't available, and parades and fireworks were full up for 5.

Of course someone will probably come in here and say, well what about parties of 10.

 

[wisblue]

I was just looking at the wait times at MK at 9AM EST, one hour after park opening and 2 hours after EMH opening.

7DMT had a posted wait of 60 minutes and an actual wait of 37 minutes. Long but not ridiculous for someone who really wants to ride.PP had a posted wait of 40 minutes and an actual wait of 27 and everything else had a posted wait of 20 minutes or less and an actual wait of under 10 minutes.

In other words, everyone who was willing to get to the park by 7AM, or 8 AM if staying offsite, had a golden opportunity to enjoy several of the most popular attractions in the park with minimal wait and no FPs. Then if those guests made their FP+ reservations for later in the day they would have the opportunity to enjoy 3 more major attractions at a time when standby lines are much longer.

People who don't want to get to the parks early, but still made their FP reservations, will still be better off than they would have been arriving later when paper FP was in place.

I would make the argument that FP+ makes visiting MK at the busiest times of the year more enjoyable for a high majority of guests. I am still waiting for someone to report that they tried to make FP reservations for MK the day before their visit, or upon arriving at the park at opening and were not able to get anything good. If the only things not available are 7DMT, A&E, and parades and fireworks (all things that were not around or didn't have FPs before this year) that sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Suvadoo]

I was just looking at the wait times at MK at 9AM EST, one hour after park opening and 2 hours after EMH opening.

7DMT had a posted wait of 60 minutes and an actual wait of 37 minutes. Long but not ridiculous for someone who really wants to ride.PP had a posted wait of 40 minutes and an actual wait of 27 and everything else had a posted wait of 20 minutes or less and an actual wait of under 10 minutes.

In other words, everyone who was willing to get to the park by 7AM, or 8 AM if staying offsite, had a golden opportunity to enjoy several of the most popular attractions in the park with minimal wait and no FPs. Then if those guests made their FP+ reservations for later in the day they would have the opportunity to enjoy 3 more major attractions at a time when standby lines are much longer.

People who don't want to get to the parks early, but still made their FP reservations, will still be better off than they would have been arriving later when paper FP was in place.

I would make the argument that FP+ makes visiting MK at the busiest times of the year more enjoyable for a high majority of guests. I am still waiting for someone to report that they tried to make FP reservations for MK the day before their visit, or upon arriving at the park at opening and were not able to get anything good. If the only things not available are 7DMT, A&E, and parades and fireworks (all things that were not around or didn't have FPs before this year) that sounds pretty good to me.

Great. I hope everyone has access to FP+ during this busy season. It would be nice if my assumptions were wrong.

 

[wisblue]

Great. I hope everyone has access to FP+ during this busy season. It would be nice if my assumptions were wrong.

I am hoping that arriving at the parks early will be as productive at Disneyland when we are there next week as it seems to be at MK this week. We are using one of the hotels right across from the main entrance as our base of operations so we will be able to walk to the parks on our Disneyland days. It is also somewhat centrally located for the other things we intend to see (San Diego, Hollywood, Rose Parade, etc.).

 

[Suvadoo]

I am hoping that arriving at the parks early will be as productive at Disneyland when we are there next week as it seems to be at MK this week. We are using one of the hotels right across from the main entrance as our base of operations so we will be able to walk to the parks on our Disneyland days. It is also somewhat centrally located for the other things we intend to see (San Diego, Hollywood, Rose Parade, etc.).

What hotel are you staying at?