FP+ Report: Insights, 4th FP availability, and more !!!

[jenninaustin]

Last Nov/Dec on a 16 night/17 day visit we had Park Hoppers with Water Parks & More but stayed out of the parks for Thanksgiving by using the water park and Disney Quest options on 4 of the 14 days. The other 10 days were in the parks, mostly at RD, then lunch, then switch to another park, then dinner, then back to a park or switch to a third park.

This year we plan on upgrading the 10 day Park Hoppers to AP's and use them every day, with RD on most days unless we have extended MH's the night before - that's when late in the day FP's came in useful.

We'll then be back over Spring Break 2015 as well as a couple more trips between Spring Break and the 2015 Christmas holidays.

I'm semi-retiring at the end of this month so we are looking to both increase and optimize our WDW visits.

Sounds so awesome! I live in Austin myself, so if you ever need someone to carry your suitcase...let me know!!

 

[xie]

Too bad on the rain-spring has always been so nice when we visit.

Curious what the BTMRR SB wait was when you got the 1:50 FP+ at 1:10.

Also what time did you get TOT for 1:50 and what was it's wait?

They let you on early? Hmm.

Thanks for the reporting so far.

The FP+ system "unlocks" you at 5 minutes prior to the start of the FP window. So if your FP window officially starts at 1:50, the unlock occurs at 1:45. You can scan your MB at the turnstile beginning at 1:45 for a green signal.

We did this on our trip last month so I can confirm this is how it currently works.

I'm sure it's this way to allow CMs to avoid getting into time arguments with people. "My phone gets network time from the Naval Observatory and it's 1 minute faster than your ride clock LET ME IN NOW whine."

 

[lenshanem]

Hey guys! Life has thrown me a curveball so I'm not as up to speed on things like before. I could use some help!
Fastpass+ is only giving me three options? This is for early June, Monday. How do you get four?
Also, I do not see Snow White Mine Train as an option?
Last, would we be better off with Ariel or Peter Pan Fastpasses? We've yet to see the new Ariel ride. How's the lines on that?
We have BTMR and SM. Debating on Ariel, Pan or Jungle Cruise.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[Aloop]

Hey guys! Life has thrown me a curveball so I'm not as up to speed on things like before. I could use some help! Fastpass+ is only giving me three options? This is for early June, Monday. How do you get four? Also, I do not see Snow White Mine Train as an option? Last, would we be better off with Ariel or Peter Pan Fastpasses? We've yet to see the new Ariel ride. How's the lines on that? We have BTMR and SM. Debating on Ariel, Pan or Jungle Cruise. Any thoughts? Thanks!

A 4th FP+ is only available once you use your first 3, or once they expire.
SDMT only shows up as an option on the website, not the mobile app.
FP Peter Pan. Little Mermaid waits are not to bad, far less than PPF. If Little mermaid is a priority, I'd suggest riding early in the morning, like within the first 2 hours of park opening. Jungle Cruise you could probably get as your 4th FP+, or you could ride it early morning/ late evening.
Hope I helped!

 

[Reddog1134]

You bite your tongue right now, reddog! Dole Whips are FAR superior.

I will bite my tongue...and then soothe it with a refreshing Citrus Swirl.

 

[FLchick415]

Thanks so much for the report, Shaden! Looking forward to hearing how the rest of your trip goes.

 

[donnsuz]

Good for you on retiring even somewhat.

See I think it's pretty short sighted for someone to think the new changes will be a complaint for late arrival guests-basically guests that were happy with the reserving 3 FP+.

Yea maybe some here and there. But I would think most guests (at least those that stay a week or more anyway) will do a combination of some RD and some other AM activities (yes it includes a sleep in here or there God forbid apparently) on other days. I also bet many wanted to-but just forced themselves and the kids through it-crabbiness and all. Now that don't have to, and the system actually somewhat rewards that decision.

They will benefit on both days IMO.

Example-won't you reserve later day or even evening FP+ for late night EMH? I can't see how that is a bad thing?

Then the next AM you most likely wont be in a park super early-let's call it a "crossover day", where you reserve 11AM, 12PM and 1PM. There is a good chance you will still have an OK selection for a 4th and 5th FP+. I can't see how that is a bad thing?

The next day you do EMH AM and burn through what you can, followed by 9AM, 10AM and 11AM FP+-then the best odds even many more decent FP+. I can't see how that is a bad thing?

Situations change, families change-what happens when you are a late arrival family for years and years-then grandkids come along, and they are up early and want to get going to MK. Prettys sure you would not be happier with the old way.

And what about the family that the kids get older and become night owls? They will be glad to get 3, but maybe on occasion get going early-plus arrival day is better.

Not sure why anyone would want a limit one way or another (FP-, or original FP+)-compared to where FP+ is now and likely headed.

We're headed to the parks in a couple days with 3 generations together and hope that this is the advantage to FP+. In the past - if you had days that you didn't plan to be in the parks until later in the day you probably weren't going to get the premium FP's opportunities. Now you can. Yes, we'll only get 3 (probably) on those days but it's better than none.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Nice update, Shaden. I was gone camping all weekend but I knew I'd come back to a thread by you.

Thanks for taking the time out of your trip to keep us all in the loop and looking forward to more. Maybe after some wine, huh?

 

[mesaboy2]

Hey guys! Life has thrown me a curveball so I'm not as up to speed on things like before. I could use some help!
Fastpass+ is only giving me three options? This is for early June, Monday. How do you get four?
Also, I do not see Snow White Mine Train as an option?
Last, would we be better off with Ariel or Peter Pan Fastpasses? We've yet to see the new Ariel ride. How's the lines on that?
We have BTMR and SM. Debating on Ariel, Pan or Jungle Cruise.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

See the green link in my signature.

 

[JimmyV]

The dynamic certainly will change. Before FP+ 1/2 of guest didn't use it.

We may never get an answer to this, but I wonder if the percentage of people who will grab FP+(4) and so forth will be higher, lower, or equal to the percentage of people who used FP-. In other words, if we assume that people who used FP- are the ones most likely to try for additional FPs, will the people who didn't use it before (or only used one or two a day) stop at three? If half of the guests never used FP-, and half of the remaining half only used one or two a day, perhaps the percentage of people trying to do what Shaden is doing will be rather small.

With greater use, greater expectation will follow. More praise, yes. But, more critique, more criticism too.

The more people in the pool, the more complaints you will hear about the temperature of it.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I just read somewhere else that you might be able to cancel the last two and start the rolling 4th right away, esp helpful in parks with tiers

 

[2Tiggies]

We may never get an answer to this, but I wonder if the percentage of people who will grab FP+(4) and so forth will be higher, lower, or equal to the percentage of people who used FP-. In other words, if we assume that people who used FP- are the ones most likely to try for additional FPs, will the people who didn't use it before (or only used one or two a day) stop at three? If half of the guests never used FP-, and half of the remaining half only used one or two a day, perhaps the percentage of people trying to do what Shaden is doing will be rather small.

Very interesting. I wonder if it's fair to assume that those who research and study the system and keep abreast of modifications are more likely to have some sort of strategy. The die-hard commandos within that group are the ones most likely to apply, test and tweak that strategy. The flip side is that with people being made aware of the new system, more people are researching prior to their trips. I think the telling factor is going to be how committed they are to making it work. Intention doesn't produce results. Effort does. I am not leaning one way or another on this at the moment because it's early days and there are probably still more changes to take place. But your post got me thinking, as your posts often do.

 

[mavadell]

I am here now and I can tell you that people that did not use FP- will probably not try for the 4th FP. No one seems to know that a 4th FP is available and at least in Epcot, the kiosks are very hard to find. It's almost like they are trying to hide them. I looked at the map and knew where all 4 (only 4!) kiosks were located, but still had to ask where they were to find them.

 

[WillAustin]

I just read somewhere else that you might be able to cancel the last two and start the rolling 4th right away, esp helpful in parks with tiers

That would be nice. Hopefully we get some confirmation of that soon. I'd try it when we are there next month.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That would be nice. Hopefully we get some confirmation of that soon. I'd try it when we are there next month.

That would be nice...it would potentially change our arrival day itinerary in November...

 

[lugnut33]

I am here now and I can tell you that people that did not use FP- will probably not try for the 4th FP. No one seems to know that a 4th FP is available and at least in Epcot, the kiosks are very hard to find. It's almost like they are trying to hide them. I looked at the map and knew where all 4 (only 4!) kiosks were located, but still had to ask where they were to find them.

Can you use the CMs that are walking around with i-Pads or must you use a Kiosk terminal only?

 

[lenshanem]

See the green link in my signature.

Thanks. I think I got it. BTMR before lunch, BOG lunch, parade, SM, then SDMT. We'll shoot for Pan, Pooh and Ariel ride in that order I think when park opens.

I'm outta the loop for a couple years and the world has COMPLETELY changed!

 

[ArwenMarie]

That would be nice. Hopefully we get some confirmation of that soon. I'd try it when we are there next month.

Let us know! I think you have to use the website to do the cancellation (so even if you are on your phone, use the web browser not the app). And I'm not sure when...if you cancel them before you use your first (presumably your tier 1) or after. I would think before. Anyway, let us know if you try it!

 

[jade1]

Shaden every report back? Was hoping to give my coworker some new feedback/strategies before they leave.

 

[margaret07013]

I just came back from 6 days trip with 2 toddlers (2.5 and 4.5) and will say that you have to take into account many factors when considering 4th FP+:

- which park are we talking about : MK? Epcot? HS? AK?
- time of the year you are travelling? lower season or more crowded?
- are you willing to go against the grain ( Josh's recommendations ) and take advantage of early morning extra hours?
- if we are talking about MK - is the electrical parade good spot a must?
- who is in your part?
- are you willing to sped part time glued to your phone or kiosk?

In general during my trip the availability of any FP+ in AK, HS, Epcot was limited by 10am-11am. Could you find something at 6 or 7 or 8pm for major attractions? yes, if you keep on checking every minute and you get lucky.

so my suggestion - RD, know what you want to do in the morning, know which rides load faster, plan ahead - for example - if you Electrical parade is a must - get FP+ and use the time before the parade to get on 2-3 rides with no time and still have a perfect spot for the parade rather than waste 1-2 hrs to have good viewing spot.

Yes - people are not aware of 4th FP+ and kiosk lines are short at the present time.