FP gone so fast??

[Mom2Stitch]

Yup and now if that "opportunity" arises on a day and time you planned on being somewhere else you now have the "opportunity" to try and change the rest of your plans to accommodate this blessing bestowed on you.

You are so right! Plus when you add in the pleasure of ADRs it can be a great big mess. I've been going through this lately for my September trip-I've switched stuff around so much I'm exhausted and haven't even got there yet. I do love planning, but it is crazy!

 

[JimmyV]

but I don't read any significance into the fact that they aren't just rolling it out all at once on every ride in the parks.

Reasonable minds can differ. I read a lot into the fact that a multi-billion dollar initiative is left in the drawer and not applied to parks such as Magic Kingdom-styled parks in Paris, Anaheim and Tokyo when those parks are far more similar to the MK in Florida than they are different. Could mean nothing. But then again...

 

[cakebaker]

Magicbands are not coming to DL. That has been stated by Disney execs in news articles. That's not thr same as fp+ not coming. However, for something they are supposed to be testing in August, there have been.no visible signs of the infrastructure changes (WiFi being available in the parks, for ex) that would be necessary for fp+ regardless of MBs.

That's what I had read a few weeks ago as well. Who knows what they'll do, my only point was it's not a foregone conclusion fp+ is not headed west. As usual, time will tell.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There are some rumors that I give more credence than others...rumors that start coming from various sources - rumors like, for ex, that an announcement about the DHS overhaul is coming at the D23 convention. That's no more than rumor at this point, but given the closures seen at DHS and the number of various places reporting that this announcement is going to happen, the rumor is a bit more credible IMO.

The rumor about FP+ testing has only been reported by one source, and not followed up anywhere, nor has there been any changes in the park noted to substantiate the rumor. That's not what I personally consider a very credible rumor at the moment.

 

[cakebaker]

That's not what I personally consider a very credible rumor at the moment.

My point wasn't whether or not the report was true, but was in reference to a claim that it was not coming to DL.

I'm certainly not making the claim that DL will ever see FP+, but neither can anyone credibly make the claim that it won't.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I know she doesn't really have final say but hasn't the President of DL operations publicly stated she doesn't want MM+ in DL?

 

[KELLY]

Multiple guests who have a WDW resort reservation that begins 5 to 10 days before yours can have already chosen them, days ago.

Is it a good system?
No. It's FastPass+.

I agree my trip is 17 days so I had everything available to me with no problems.

 

[itchin2go]

I think the point is that if the paper FP system were in place for A&E you would have a stampede at rope drop, and a huge line at the FP machines for tickets that would run out in 30 minutes or less given the nature and limited capacity of the attraction. Plus you would have a massive standby line immediately. With no FPs at all you would just have the massive standby line.

I think most people would prefer knowing ahead of time if they have a FP for something than having no choice but to participate in a rush at park opening that would not guarantee anything.

I know I'm missing something.

There is a standby line immediately, right? Like every morning for real - not in a hypothetical.

Also, yes, it is nice to know you have it ahead of time ... for the people who have it ahead of time. I don't get how this is good for the OP.

OP - I started booking 60 days out for my last trip, and was never offered A&E. If I were in your shoes, I would certainly keep checking, but failing finding the FP you're looking for, I would plan to rope drop one day and make a beeline for A&E. I waited in an hour long line once for my daughter to meet Tinkerbell and friends. The waiting certainly wasn't the highlight of the trip, but daughter really loved meeting them and the pictures are priceless. She's 13 now and not interested in meeting characters much anymore. I'm so glad I made some of those things priorities when she was little.

As another poster suggested, you could also try for an 8:05 reservation for BOG. Plow through breakfast and be ready to queue up before the masses hit the back of the park.

 

[mom2rtk]

Also, yes, it is nice to know you have it ahead of time ... for the people who have it ahead of time.

Yeah. That.

 

[JimmyV]

Also, yes, it is nice to know you have it ahead of time ... for the people who have it ahead of time. I don't get how this is good for the OP.

Silly Ol' Bear. We know the benefit to the OP. The benefit is that they now get to spend more days pre-planning their trip, reconfiguring park days, ADRs, and every other event that they have planned, re-working and re-jiggering, all in the hopes of finding the A&E needle in the haystack. And as Rasulo told us...All that pre-planning makes guests more invested in their vacation and ensures that they stay for longer periods of time at WDW. Of course, we saw what happened to him, didn't we.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I don't think that A&E is any different than any other fp+ except for it's crazy popularity. Until the craze dies down, or they get a venue at Epcot finished, I'd expect the shortage to continue. I can only imagine the mess this would be without fp+.

A&E is different due to it's small capacity.

However hard it is to get, it sure beats having to rush to the park and fight the masses in person for a coveted fp.

Unless you didn't get one and now you are rushing to be at the front of the standby line. Most people don't have time to stalk FP on MDE. I am glad that we met A&E last year and no one feels the need to do it again. Makes everything much easier.

I think the point is that if the paper FP system were in place for A&E you would have a stampede at rope drop, and a huge line at the FP machines for tickets that would run out in 30 minutes or less given the nature and limited capacity of the attraction. Plus you would have a massive standby line immediately. With no FPs at all you would just have the massive standby line.

I think most people would prefer knowing ahead of time if they have a FP for something than having no choice but to participate in a rush at park opening that would not guarantee anything.

Now you just have the stampede at rope drop and a massive standby line.

if the Halloween party is going on at that time, shorten days because of that explains it. I had issues last October getting SDMT, because of the 9-7 hours cause of the party. I must have luck with the A&E fast pass, it comes up for me each time.

Availability seems so much more limited in the Fall/early Winter. We never had the kind of flexibility to change FP that other people reported. It really makes me wonder if we should start going at a different time of year.

 

[mom2rtk]

Now you just have the stampede at rope drop and a massive standby line.

The other difference is that the rope drop crowd is now fighting over a much smaller percentage of the day's attraction capacity since so much of it is gone in advance now.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

But all this planning is FUN, right? And enhancing your vacation experience, no?

That sure is what they want to spoon-feed us.

 

[JimmyBean42]

People who have on-site stays can book for their entire trip, up to 14 days, so 60 + 14 (hey wait a minute that's only 74). Maybe LaurenT was rounding off?

Anyway her point is valid.

Question for @LetsTalkWDW and @LaurenT : Is this only for people with an AP and staying on-site? So people with AP's and on=site can start booking at 74 days out (if trip is 14 day. 73 if 13 and so on). But those staying on-site without an AP can only start at 60. So I'm staying 9 days on-site in Nov. I don't have an AP so I start at 60 days but if I had an AP I could start at 69? Is that correct?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Question for @LetsTalkWDW and @LaurenT : Is this only for people with an AP and staying on-site? So people with AP's and on=site can start booking at 74 days out (if trip is 14 day. 73 if 13 and so on). But those staying on-site without an AP can only start at 60. So I'm staying 9 days on-site in Nov. I don't have an AP so I start at 60 days but if I had an AP I could start at 69? Is that correct?

On site stays get plus 10. Not just AP holders. Just have to already have the tickets purchased and linked to take advantage. If you don't, then you can't even at 60.

 

[DoingDisney]

Just got on at 11pm central on the dot to make fp and no meet anna and Elsa and no electrical parade viewing all week. I know I know I know they are popular but all gone in 3 Seconds for September?? Am I missing something?

Multiple guests who have a WDW resort reservation that begins 5 to 10 days before yours can have already chosen them, days ago.

Is it a good system?
No. It's FastPass+.

Funny we were just having a discussion the other day about Legacy FP giving people an equal opportunity for FPs - every day at Rope drop every FP was available, vs FP+ which gives people up to a 10 day head start on FPs ... but there were a few people assuring everyone that FP+ gives everyone an equal opportunity. Sure doesn't seem that way.

Of course, none of them could answer a simple question ... how can I book a trip where someone doesn't have a 10 day head start on booking FPs during my vacation ?

 

[DoingDisney]

I don't think that A&E is any different than any other fp+ except for it's crazy popularity. Until the craze dies down, or they get a venue at Epcot finished, I'd expect the shortage to continue. I can only imagine the mess this would be without fp+. However hard it is to get, it sure beats having to rush to the park and fight the masses in person for a coveted fp.

How is NOT getting one better than having to "rush the park" to get one ?

The OP tried to book, but people had a 10 day head start, at Rope drop, no one would have had a head start. How is FP+ better exactly ?

 

[tlmadden73]

Question:

What's the best way to "check" for Fast Pass availability of certain things?

I know you can "change experience" of one of your existing fast passes, but does that show if you anything is available ANY time that day or just near the same time frame as the FP you are replacing?

I definitely don't like the ability to book your fast passes for the length of the stay. I am sure there are plenty of people who are as shocked as you (I know I was when I looked for A&E at midnight on my 60 day window)

 

[JimmyBean42]

On site stays get plus 10. Not just AP holders. Just have to already have the tickets purchased and linked to take advantage. If you don't, then you can't even at 60.

Great, thanks for the update I appreciate it!

 

[cakebaker]

How is NOT getting one better than having to "rush the park" to get one ?

There are no fewer people getting FP+ now than there would be under FP. It has limited availability. There are going to be a lot of people who don't get one, no matter what the system. With FP+, the "fight" to get them is in the comfort of your own home- not at the park with people pushing and shoving and as one poster described- throwing elbows- to get to the front.

I find that preferable. You may not.