FP booking difficulty when offsite

[Motsy]

My family and I are currently booked to stay in two rooms at Pop in January for 10 nights. We've been staying onsite for the last several years, but we have done Bonnet Creek before and enjoyed it. I'm considering switching to Bonnet Creek in order to save some money, but I'm concerned about having trouble getting the FP selections we want by losing that 30 days. Are there any rides that I can probably assume I won't get a FP for if we stay offsite? Our dates are 1/29 - 2/8. TIA!

 

[BigredNole]

At the 30-day mark, you would need APs. I don't think it is generally open for just anyone at 30 days. You can pretty much put FoP out the window for FPs unless you constantly stalk the site to see if they opened more up. Other than that, you can get FPs for everything else without issue. They just may not be at the times you wanted initially.

Now, if you do have APs AND want to save money, by all means stay offsite. We do and did this past Summer. Although some Disney-goers whine about the strategy, it is perfectly legal and permitted by WDW. Book a 1-night campsite at Fort Wilderness during your stay. That opens up the 60-day booking window and allows you to book 7-days worth of FPs with your APs. Obviously, you "could" even cancel the campsite reservation within 30-days and not effect your FPs on the APs. For me, it wasn't worth the $60 back and the risk. Plus, we save that $60 and well over $1,000 more staying off site.

 

[KristinU]

You don't have to have APs to book at 30 days, just valid theme park admission attached to your MDE account. Actually, you're better off not having APs if you want to book more than 7 days of FPs in a row since there is a 7 day limit for AP holders.

I agree about the FoP FP being the one you won't be able to get. Personally, I prefer the FoP standby queue experience over the FP queue. Arrive at AK an hour or so before the park opens and you'll be able to get on without too much of a wait.

 

[Lewisc]

Seven dwarfs mine train is the other attraction where FP at 30 might be an issue.

 

[Bete]

I think the biggest problem is getting early in the day fastpasses. That seems to be what everyone wants. I've been tweaking my choices and I'm onsite over the last week and morning is very tough. We are a party of three and going late Nov. and part of early Dec.

The next problem is getting your three fastpasses to line up properly for time schedule. We wanted most of ours in a row and that will be difficult at the 30 day mark.

Like the others said certain rides will be tough like FOP and Seven Dwarfs. I got a later FOP for my day and now they are all gone at our 50 day mark.

If you have two rooms booked I'm assuming you have a larger group. I think that makes it even tougher; unless, you have a plan to split up your party for different fastpasses.

I would stay at POP. You're there to enjoy the park and not to be in the room. You pay good money for park tickets and I would want to get the most out of my park time.

Besides, you get early and late extra magic hours staying onsite.

 

[Shanti]

My family and I are currently booked to stay in two rooms at Pop in January for 10 nights. We've been staying onsite for the last several years, but we have done Bonnet Creek before and enjoyed it. I'm considering switching to Bonnet Creek in order to save some money, but I'm concerned about having trouble getting the FP selections we want by losing that 30 days. Are there any rides that I can probably assume I won't get a FP for if we stay offsite? Our dates are 1/29 - 2/8. TIA!

You'll be able to get almost every FP you want, but not necessarily in the morning. We stay onsite, but have booked within 30 days, and have never failed to get what we want if we were flexible about time of day. Book 7DMT first, as that will be the hardest "gettable" FP to book. Don't bother with FOP, as it won't be available unless you're the type who tends to win the lottery.

But seriously, FOP is the only FP that you won't have a good chance at, but even many onsite guests can't get FOP unless they are booked for long trips.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

FOP will not likely be available and FEA and SDMT may be an issue (possible though). Otherwise should be fine.