FP+.....is it going to be as awkward using it as it is planning for it?

[quagmire0]

Our last trip was in 2013 - pre FP+. So, I'm used to the old system and being in a little more control of our own destiny. Get there at rope drop, run to the kiosks for the Fastpasses that we want, and then hit the busiest rides first, using our Fastpasses after that.

With FP+, I'm only a few days into reservations and I'm already dreading using it. The internet is the great equalizer in terms of people having the ability to grab passes seconds before you can get to them. Then there's the 30 day window for off-siters, which essentially wipes out some of the most popular rides, like Toy Story Mania or Test Track.

Just looking for some advice/tips from those that thrive on the Fastpass system of the past and were able to successfully transition to FP+. Am I just overthinking it?

 

[hammie59]

You're not over thinking it, you just need time to adjust. Once you use it a few times you might actually like it. I was really against the new system when it first launched, but now I find myself actually thankful for it. I feel like after we got over the initial "unknown" part and used it, our vacations seem more relaxed. It seems completely crazy planning your rides 60 days in advance, but once you'e actually there you'll still have some wiggle room to make adjustments. I was surprised how often we were able to switch up our schedule on the fly. People are canceling/changing their fast passes all day long so it's very possible to grab a popular one even later in the day. You just have to keep checking.

 

[quagmire0]

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll have to be a bit more dynamic with it and be checking the app. The one thing I wish they did was allow you to browse available Fastpasses even if you've already made your daily limit. Seems like you have to at least cancel one first before you browse (assuming you've got 3 for the day already). What also stinks is that with it all being online, you're more likely to get those later Fastpasses for high demand attractions, which means that you can't get new Fastpasses until you use up that one. I'm hoping for a lot of people canceling.

 

[loves to dive]

You are overthinking. You will find lots of people on the boards that will swear you MUST get your FP at midnight 60 days out or you won't get them period. It's just not so. The only ones that are difficult to get seem to be Anna and Elise and I'm not sure if that's still true. The first time you look at whatever your mark day is, it might look like you can't get what you want. If any time is available for what you want just go ahead and get it, you can switch them around as often as you want. They come available on a daily, if not minute by minute basis so just check back later. You don't have to be glued to your computer hitting refresh and praying to the ride powers that be. People book their FP then change them around constantly, thus they open constantly. We don't book until a week in advance, if then. Most times I don't even book until the day before. Be flexible and know that it's not the end of the world if you have to wait in a line. Now you can book one or two or three at a time, you are not tied down to doing all three at once so you can book that one or two you must have use them and maybe even hop to another park and book another one at that park while one the way. There is no possible way to see and do everything in one trip, I've been going for over 30 years, the past few years twice a year and still have not seen and done everything. Once you realize that and actually slow down you will enjoy it a whole lot more.

 

[quagmire0]

You are overthinking. You will find lots of people on the boards that will swear you MUST get your FP at midnight 60 days out or you won't get them period. It's just not so. The only ones that are difficult to get seem to be Anna and Elise and I'm not sure if that's still true. The first time you look at whatever your mark day is, it might look like you can't get what you want. If any time is available for what you want just go ahead and get it, you can switch them around as often as you want. They come available on a daily, if not minute by minute basis so just check back later. You don't have to be glued to your computer hitting refresh and praying to the ride powers that be. People book their FP then change them around constantly, thus they open constantly. We don't book until a week in advance, if then. Most times I don't even book until the day before. Be flexible and know that it's not the end of the world if you have to wait in a line. Now you can book one or two or three at a time, you are not tied down to doing all three at once so you can book that one or two you must have use them and maybe even hop to another park and book another one at that park while one the way. There is no possible way to see and do everything in one trip, I've been going for over 30 years, the past few years twice a year and still have not seen and done everything. Once you realize that and actually slow down you will enjoy it a whole lot more.

Good advice! I did even notice last night that when I refreshed the availability page that you'd see changes almost second by second. Not sure if that was actually people changing their times, or maybe Disney using some kind of algorithm to stagger availability.

 

[gap2368]

I like the new FP better then the old FP I feel I can do more things and I have to walk a lot less