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

[jade1]

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.

Thanks, I will let them know it's not worth trying those parks after 11AM and nothing in the evenings.

 

[LBIJim]

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.



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

Well, on Friday 5/9, there was plenty of availability at AK for everything when I reserved my 3 FPs at a kiosk about 10:15am. Even in the afternoon there seemed to be decent availability for additional FPs. Granted, it was a slow day at AK.

Yes, I'm pretty sure than many people are unaware of the 4th and up FPs. When I reserved the first 3 FPs, the CM made no mention of additional ones being available. And the kiosk lines in the afternoon were minimal.

Jim

 

[Shaden]

Hey jade, yes I am around, sorry I have only been able to pop on the internet for a couple minutes each night and haven't had time to really update. I have been documenting things for a full report when I get back ....


Was there something in particular you were interested in ?

I will say this, your earlier comments about people using a mix of RD and non-RD has very much been true for us.

I wouldn't say we benefit from FP+ on RD days, in fact, on balance I'd say we have gotten less done, with more stress and more work. Which is odd since it conflicts with Josh's assessment, but then, maybe I expect more out of our trips than Josh does on his schedules, particularly for the headliners with a lot less interest in the secondary rides, and my commando days don't end around noon.

On Days we haven't RD'd FP+ has been pretty good, though we have also run into some pretty big issues with it, particularly this week when the other 2 parties in the family arrived and another group of friends did as well. Things got glitchy and messy. But there have been a couple days where we planned to RD, and I have rolled over to the alarm, opened up the App and moved our FPs to later in the day, that is beauty.

Like I said, full report to come.

 

[Littlelulu01]

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

We are here now and have not been able to do this. Last night at hs no FP avail for fantasmic and it was standing room only so we missed show. It was also very hard to gage when to use FP. Example 5:30 FP window open for tot. No line at all but used our FP in hopes of getting a fourth. Immediately after exiting line wait was 45 min and a huge crowd present. Checked at kiosk for a fourth FP and only rr avail. Crowds went from nonexistent to huge lines instantaneously. Touring plans said it was a level 2 day however lines were longer and crowds seemed greater than when we visited jan 6 on crowd level 7. Also waited 45 mins to be seated for brown derby reservation.

I will say that mk we were allowed to make a fourth FP for Peter Pan on our phones vs at kiosk on the 12th. No such luck at other parks

 

[practicallyperfect77]

We are here now and have not been able to do this. Last night at hs no FP avail for fantasmic and it was standing room only so we missed show. It was also very hard to gage when to use FP. Example 5:30 FP window open for tot. No line at all but used our FP in hopes of getting a fourth. Immediately after exiting line wait was 45 min and a huge crowd present. Checked at kiosk for a fourth FP and only rr avail. Crowds went from nonexistent to huge lines instantaneously. Touring plans said it was a level 2 day however lines were longer and crowds seemed greater than when we visited jan 6 on crowd level 7. Also waited 45 mins to be seated for brown derby reservation.

I will say that mk we were allowed to make a fourth FP for Peter Pan on our phones vs at kiosk on the 12th. No such luck at other parks

What time did you try heading into the Fantasmic theater? I've always heard if you're there an hour ahead of time you usually get in. Concerns me that you didn't on what was supposed to be a lower crowd day.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We are here now and have not been able to do this. Last night at hs no FP avail for fantasmic and it was standing room only so we missed show. It was also very hard to gage when to use FP. Example 5:30 FP window open for tot. No line at all but used our FP in hopes of getting a fourth. Immediately after exiting line wait was 45 min and a huge crowd present. Checked at kiosk for a fourth FP and only rr avail. Crowds went from nonexistent to huge lines instantaneously. Touring plans said it was a level 2 day however lines were longer and crowds seemed greater than when we visited jan 6 on crowd level 7. Also waited 45 mins to be seated for brown derby reservation.

I will say that mk we were allowed to make a fourth FP for Peter Pan on our phones vs at kiosk on the 12th. No such luck at other parks

Yikes. And yesterday was a low-crowd day. From your experience, it sounds like the 4th FP is going to be more of the luck of the draw than something you can plan on.

 

[Littlelulu01]

What time did you try heading into the Fantasmic theater? I've always heard if you're there an hour ahead of time you usually get in. Concerns me that you didn't on what was supposed to be a lower crowd day.

At around 8pm it was standing room only per an announcement so we did not try. We were just going to do the 10:30 show but then it started raining pretty good. The lines for tot and rnr were too long a wait for us so we did not stick around. Left park around 10pm. The rain stopped so not sure if the 10:30 show went on.

Also not sure when FPs were gone but know they were gone @ 6:30.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yikes. And yesterday was a low-crowd day. From your experience, it sounds like the 4th FP is going to be more of the luck of the draw than something you can plan on.

Sounds like it, just as I feared with this new system. That might work great for a local, or an AP holder who gets down there a few times a year. But for the occasional visitor, this is really not good.

 

[Littlelulu01]

On 5/11 we used fp in MK at 9:30am for a&e. only three of out party of four made it to MK in th am and we only used one of our fps in mk and then left park for epcot. I scheduled our missing person's fp for epcot in the afternoon. So we had three FPs scheduled for one person in epcot and the other three persons had used one of their three FPs in MK. Tried to copy everyone to epcot FPs with no success. When we got to epcot went to kiosk. Was able to overlap one ride however had to have cm cancel .... And in the end we spent 1/2 hr at kiosk and ended up with one fp for all of us at under the sea. Waste of time at kiosk. We ended up getting on tt within 10 min standby single rider at 7pm.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

At around 8pm it was standing room only per an announcement so we did not try. We were just going to do the 10:30 show but then it started raining pretty good. The lines for tot and rnr were too long a wait for us so we did not stick around. Left park around 10pm. The rain stopped so not sure if the 10:30 show went on.

Also not sure when FPs were gone but know they were gone @ 6:30.

Thanks much for the report back. I do see yesterday was late night EMH for HS so wonder if that is what caused the craziness. Not really planning on anything too useful in HS or Epcot in regards to 4th FP but sounds like there is hope form MK. AK I think I'd be fine with the 3 they give me.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sounds like it, just as I feared with this new system. That might work great for a local, or an AP holder who gets down there a few times a year. But for the occasional visitor, this is really not good.

Yeah, definitely not something one would want to build into their touring plans...best to think of them as a bonus. I still think if Disney had a reliable amount left each day, they would have sold them or used them as incentives for onsite.

 

[jade1]

Hey jade, yes I am around, sorry I have only been able to pop on the internet for a couple minutes each night and haven't had time to really update. I have been documenting things for a full report when I get back ....


Was there something in particular you were interested in ?

I will say this, your earlier comments about people using a mix of RD and non-RD has very much been true for us.

I wouldn't say we benefit from FP+ on RD days, in fact, on balance I'd say we have gotten less done, with more stress and more work. Which is odd since it conflicts with Josh's assessment, but then, maybe I expect more out of our trips than Josh does on his schedules, particularly for the headliners with a lot less interest in the secondary rides, and my commando days don't end around noon.

On Days we haven't RD'd FP+ has been pretty good, though we have also run into some pretty big issues with it, particularly this week when the other 2 parties in the family arrived and another group of friends did as well. Things got glitchy and messy. But there have been a couple days where we planned to RD, and I have rolled over to the alarm, opened up the App and moved our FPs to later in the day, that is beauty.

Like I said, full report to come.

Just glad you didn't fall in a sink hole.

I guess the biggest help would be your recommendation on a 5 day hopper, for 10 newbies staying offsite. They plan to do RD (but I never believe folks will make it on time, esp that many and offsite) then an afternoon break at the house pool/rest etc, then back for the evening.

I purposely set them up with 3 late afternoon/evening FP+'s so they are "forced" to return for the evening. I know with the heat they will really enjoy those nights and night shows-and too many times folks just skip it from being too tired.

Likewise I did 2 mornings to "force" them to get going, and then they can try for late afternoon evening 4th FP+ when they get back to a park.

With the evolving situation this seemed to be the best plan, but they are over a week away yet and will keep getting busier.

They also know the app and might make some changes like you did-just hoping they don't blow it with some strange changes.

1) do you think this plan is reasonable?

2) if they just can't get going some mornings-which days would you change on the app? The days you had am reserved (just move them to later), or the days you have pm reserved-and just aim for a 4th FP+ after the evening?

Thanks Shaden, if you do not have time no worries-they will have fun and are expecting hot, draining conditions.

Oh one other thing-if they do a morning at DHS with FP+, then head to the house. Can a smaller group, say 5- go to MK and take all 10 bands or passes and reserve a 4th FP+ for everyone, or even share all of the 10 amongst the 5?

 

[jade1]

We are here now and have not been able to do this. Last night at hs no FP avail for fantasmic and it was standing room only so we missed show. It was also very hard to gage when to use FP. Example 5:30 FP window open for tot. No line at all but used our FP in hopes of getting a fourth. Immediately after exiting line wait was 45 min and a huge crowd present. Checked at kiosk for a fourth FP and only rr avail. Crowds went from nonexistent to huge lines instantaneously. Touring plans said it was a level 2 day however lines were longer and crowds seemed greater than when we visited jan 6 on crowd level 7. Also waited 45 mins to be seated for brown derby reservation.

I will say that mk we were allowed to make a fourth FP for Peter Pan on our phones vs at kiosk on the 12th. No such luck at other parks

Wait, so you were able to get TOT at 5:30 as a 3rd? And then after you got a RNR after that as a 4th?

Both sound encouraging-but not sure why they were a 3rd and 4th, and not a 4th and 5th. Thanks.

 

[jade1]

At around 8pm it was standing room only per an announcement so we did not try. We were just going to do the 10:30 show but then it started raining pretty good. The lines for tot and rnr were too long a wait for us so we did not stick around. Left park around 10pm. The rain stopped so not sure if the 10:30 show went on.

Also not sure when FPs were gone but know they were gone @ 6:30.

Yea too bad-2nd shows are great options.

 

[Shaden]

Just glad you didn't fall in a sink hole.

I guess the biggest help would be your recommendation on a 5 day hopper, for 10 newbies staying offsite. They plan to do RD (but I never believe folks will make it on time, esp that many and offsite) then an afternoon break at the house pool/rest etc, then back for the evening.

I purposely set them up with 3 late afternoon/evening FP+'s so they are "forced" to return for the evening. I know with the heat they will really enjoy those nights and night shows-and too many times folks just skip it from being too tired.

Likewise I did 2 mornings to "force" them to get going, and then they can try for late afternoon evening 4th FP+ when they get back to a park.

With the evolving situation this seemed to be the best plan, but they are over a week away yet and will keep getting busier.

They also know the app and might make some changes like you did-just hoping they don't blow it with some strange changes.

1) do you think this plan is reasonable?

2) if they just can't get going some mornings-which days would you change on the app? The days you had am reserved (just move them to later), or the days you have pm reserved-and just aim for a 4th FP+ after the evening?

Thanks Shaden, if you do not have time no worries-they will have fun and are expecting hot, draining conditions.

Oh one other thing-if they do a morning at DHS with FP+, then head to the house. Can a smaller group, say 5- go to MK and take all 10 bands or passes and reserve a 4th FP+ for everyone, or even share all of the 10 amongst the 5?

Reasonable plan, I'd think so.

Its really tough to gage the availability of FP+s for anything beyond the 3 ... we have had a pretty darn good run of it most days, but then other days everything is gone in parks where you don't think it should be ... like by 1pm on a 5 day in the most recommended park. Toy Story was completely gone by 9:38am the other day, but then last week we were able to get TS FP+ at like 2pm for like an hour later (though that might have been crap luck, there were others available later in the evening as well)

Other than the TS day (when it was gone at 9:38) we haven't really had any issues moving things around from bed when the alarm goes for us to get up for RD. Just pop open the app, hit plans, click on the FP selection, Modify and then select new time.... Of course, this is still pretty slow, and I am rockin the fastest smart phone on the planet in the Galaxy S5 overclocked.

Personally for our time of year, these crowd levels, I think we have had the most success booking FPs for 9:30 or 10 - 10:30/11 ... 11-12, 12-1 ...

We most things SB ... and plan to be at the first FP as it expires ... so like 10:40 or 11:10 ... and yes, we really used the 15 minute overtime frequently and on purpose. Ride those 2 FP back to back, and then head to the Third (or head toward it and ride something else SB on the way) burn the third and head for a FP+ Kiosk. Lines at this time at the kiosks have been pretty good, especially since I go to the kiosks that I know are least used. In under 2 mins you can have an FP for an attraction often starting 5 mins out from you booking it ... head that way, if there is something with a low SB on the way, do it, if not, head to the attraction you want and SB that up. Or Double your pleasure if its like a 20min SB, wait once and then SB it right after ... then on to the next kiosk. If you get something right away, awesome, if not, take lunch, then hit that FP, and then hit the kiosk, if you can get something right away, great, if not, book something for the evening, head out, come back for the night shows and know you have an FP in your pocket.

As for the last question, you wont even need to take all the bands to the Kiosk to book your FPs, as long as they are all linked, they only need one band and can book FPs for everyone. We have on a few occasions shared bands for people to use other's FPs. That being said, those people scanned into the park and were present, they just didn't want to do that ride ... don't know if this will work with people not actually in the park ... but its worth a shot.

Hope that helps !!!

 

[Littlelulu01]

FP today at mk. Crowds very low and standby waits low as well but FP did help and was super easy to aquire. Arrived at park 2 pm. Rode hm, poc, splash shut down but cm said return any time to redeem FP as soon as rain stopped. Also able to book 4th and so on for space mtn, buzz light year, pp, jungle cruise and another splash mtn. As soon as we exited a ride just scheduled next for time within 10 mins. Granted many wait times were not too long... Longest standby I saw was Peter Pan at 8:30 and it was posted 25 mins. Actual wait was 15. Also asked about sdmt and cm said defin no soft openings tomorrow. Tomorrow is our last day so thought I would check before going to different park.

 

[Littlelulu01]

Wait, so you were able to get TOT at 5:30 as a 3rd? And then after you got a RNR after that as a 4th?

Both sound encouraging-but not sure why they were a 3rd and 4th, and not a 4th and 5th. Thanks.

Tot was our third and booked weeks ago. When we entered que there was no benefit to use it but we used in hopes of burning, riding tot again standby and getting 4th first tier pass. Immediately after exit the ride went from zero wait to 45 min wait for tot. And yes, 4th FP for rr avail but zero tot or fantasmic FP left the rest of night.

 

[jade1]

Tot was our third and booked weeks ago. When we entered que there was no benefit to use it but we used in hopes of burning, riding tot again standby and getting 4th first tier pass. Immediately after exit the ride went from zero wait to 45 min wait for tot. And yes, 4th FP for rr avail but zero tot or fantasmic FP left the rest of night.

Ah gotcha.

 

[jade1]

Reasonable plan, I'd think so.

Its really tough to gage the availability of FP+s for anything beyond the 3 ... we have had a pretty darn good run of it most days, but then other days everything is gone in parks where you don't think it should be ... like by 1pm on a 5 day in the most recommended park. Toy Story was completely gone by 9:38am the other day, but then last week we were able to get TS FP+ at like 2pm for like an hour later (though that might have been crap luck, there were others available later in the evening as well)

Other than the TS day (when it was gone at 9:38) we haven't really had any issues moving things around from bed when the alarm goes for us to get up for RD. Just pop open the app, hit plans, click on the FP selection, Modify and then select new time.... Of course, this is still pretty slow, and I am rockin the fastest smart phone on the planet in the Galaxy S5 overclocked.

Personally for our time of year, these crowd levels, I think we have had the most success booking FPs for 9:30 or 10 - 10:30/11 ... 11-12, 12-1 ...

We most things SB ... and plan to be at the first FP as it expires ... so like 10:40 or 11:10 ... and yes, we really used the 15 minute overtime frequently and on purpose. Ride those 2 FP back to back, and then head to the Third (or head toward it and ride something else SB on the way) burn the third and head for a FP+ Kiosk. Lines at this time at the kiosks have been pretty good, especially since I go to the kiosks that I know are least used. In under 2 mins you can have an FP for an attraction often starting 5 mins out from you booking it ... head that way, if there is something with a low SB on the way, do it, if not, head to the attraction you want and SB that up. Or Double your pleasure if its like a 20min SB, wait once and then SB it right after ... then on to the next kiosk. If you get something right away, awesome, if not, take lunch, then hit that FP, and then hit the kiosk, if you can get something right away, great, if not, book something for the evening, head out, come back for the night shows and know you have an FP in your pocket.

As for the last question, you wont even need to take all the bands to the Kiosk to book your FPs, as long as they are all linked, they only need one band and can book FPs for everyone. We have on a few occasions shared bands for people to use other's FPs. That being said, those people scanned into the park and were present, they just didn't want to do that ride ... don't know if this will work with people not actually in the park ... but its worth a shot.

Hope that helps !!!

Thanks for taking the time to reply Shaden-much appreciated.

Hmm sounds like it worked pretty well slow season so far.

I'm sure it's picking up steam going forward, will be slimmer pickings.

Well, it sounds like at a minimum-one guest (or 5 from one car) could hop over to another park and FP+ a late afternoon or early evening FP+ for all 10, and then plan to meet back at that park for the 4th FP+ etc, which is nice but maybe not necessary.

I'm still thinking someone should take the 4 boys and all 10 bands/cards and continue FP+ attractions at the next park. 2 for 1 on everything they get. If the extra bands are not valid at that point-they still have their own.

Maybe we will get feedback soon if this worked for anyone.

 

[Disney_Fanatic]

We are arriving MCO at 10:30am this Saturday so the earliest I anticipate we will arrive at HS will be 12:30-1pm. We have back to back FP+ scheduled for ST, RnRC and ToT until 2:30pm.

We are still keeping our hopes that we could get a 4th FP+ for TSM/ F! after we used up our last FP+ at ToT around 2:30pm but with SWW it's really anyone's game. Right now all FP+ are gone for TSM and it seems like the park will be crazy busy on Saturday.

Keeping our fingers crossed that everything will go well.