FP+ - What would you have done?

[pooch]

I was able to get my FP+ for Epcot prior to the tiering system. So I have Soarin', TT and Mission Space. At the time, Illuminations was not an option for my date (12/5).

NOW, Illuminations is an option but I have to give up Soarin' and TT to get it. Illuminations is my favorite night time show at WDW. Makes me cry everytime I see it but....

DD says we can get a perfectly fine viewing spot without FP+, always have in the past. We don't do rope drop so Soarin' & TT might be hard to ride without a wait.

So I left what we had already. Agree? Disagree? Is the FP+ viewing area that special?

 

[Momtomouselover]

If it was me I would keep the Soarin and TT FP and then try and find a spot for Illuminations kind of early. If you get a snack and a drink to enjoy while you wait it really is a nice break. We do sit on the ground while waiting.

 

[Autumnslight]

We're in the exact same situation. I've read so many people say that FP+ for Illuminations isn't worth it, so I'm leaving things as they are, and will just try to get a spot for Illuminations early.

If you really wanted a reserved viewing area, and also want to see the Candlelight Processional, you could always try to get a Candlelight Processional dinner package.

 

[pooch]

we have 8:10 ressies at Biergarten and Illuminations is at 9:30. We have really no interest in the CP. My plan is to try to get to Canada, only all the way round!!!

 

[matthewhavens]

I was able to get my FP+ for Epcot prior to the tiering system. So I have Soarin', TT and Mission Space. At the time, Illuminations was not an option for my date (12/5).

NOW, Illuminations is an option but I have to give up Soarin' and TT to get it. Illuminations is my favorite night time show at WDW. Makes me cry everytime I see it but....

DD says we can get a perfectly fine viewing spot without FP+, always have in the past. We don't do rope drop so Soarin' & TT might be hard to ride without a wait.

So I left what we had already. Agree? Disagree? Is the FP+ viewing area that special?

Two answers:

1. If you are not RD'ers then don't give up TT and Soarin'. If Illuminations made you cry before then just watch it from wherever you watched it from before.

2. How bad do you want all three? If you were in the system before the tiering was put in place you are grandfathered in. You just need to work the system. Are you ready?

Two options:

1. Take the third FP+ that you are going to drop and move it/change it to something that lines-up timewise with Illuminations and change it out. The problem here is that most of the Parades/Fireworks don't line up with the return windows for the other attractions, so this might not work.

2.You can copy FP+ from one person in your party to another. Take one person in your party and erase all their FP+ as a test (you can always copy what you have for everyone else back to them if this doesn't work for you in the end). Set up their FP+ with Illuminations and 2 that you don't want. Try to then swap out the two you don't want with TT and Soarin'. Again, your whole family may be in the pre-tiering system. If this doesn't work, try calling IT and tell them you want to copy a FP+. Ask to copy either the existing TT or Soarin' from someone in your party to the new person with Illuminations. If you get one copied over say Thank You and hang up. Don't push it. Call back again and get a new IT person and get the second one copied over. Hopefully, they don't call you on the Tiering Rule. If they balk, say you are grand-fathered. If they balk again, hang up and get another CM. Someone will do it. Once you get one person in your party with the 3 FP+ you want you can either do the Copy yourself or just call back IT and have that person's FP+ copied to everyone in your party.

Good luck.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I would have done exactly as you did and left Test Track and Soarin' in tact.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I would have done exactly as you did and left Test Track and Soarin' in tact.

I second this. Illuminations can be seen from many excellent locations. You are currently saving yourself at least 2 hours of lines. I wouldn't give that up.

 

[pooch]

Two answers:

1. If you are not RD'ers then don't give up TT and Soarin'. If Illuminations made you cry before then just watch it from wherever you watched it from before.

2. How bad do you want all three? If you were in the system before the tiering was put in place you are grandfathered in. You just need to work the system. Are you ready? YES!

Two options:

1. Take the third FP+ that you are going to drop and move it/change it to something that lines-up timewise with Illuminations and change it out. The problem here is that most of the Parades/Fireworks don't line up with the return windows for the other attractions, so this might not work. Tried this but, as you indicated, won't work as no time lines up with Illuminations

2.You can copy FP+ from one person in your party to another. Take one person in your party and erase all their FP+ as a test (you can always copy what you have for everyone else back to them if this doesn't work for you in the end). Set up their FP+ with Illuminations and 2 that you don't want. Try to then swap out the two you don't want with TT and Soarin'. Again, your whole family may be in the pre-tiering system. If this doesn't work, try calling IT and tell them you want to copy a FP+. Ask to copy either the existing TT or Soarin' from someone in your party to the new person with Illuminations. If you get one copied over say Thank You and hang up. Don't push it. Call back again and get a new IT person and get the second one copied over. Hopefully, they don't call you on the Tiering Rule. If they balk, say you are grand-fathered. If they balk again, hang up and get another CM. Someone will do it. Once you get one person in your party with the 3 FP+ you want you can either do the Copy yourself or just call back IT and have that person's FP+ copied to everyone in your party. Can you give idiot directions for this "copying" stuff?

Good luck.

Beyond that, not sure I want to call IT given its track record with "fixing" things! . Frankly MDE is, IMHO, such a mess to use that I probably should just lay low and go with what I have.

 

[elaine amj]

we have 8:10 ressies at Biergarten and Illuminations is at 9:30. We have really no interest in the CP. My plan is to try to get to Canada, only all the way round!!!

I loved my spot in Canada - but Norway/Mexico (can't remember which I was at LOL) wasn't bad at the last minute either.

BTW, don't do what I did. I watched from Japan and it was awful. Couldn't make out anything on the globe and it really detracted from the whole experience.

 

[pooch]

was actually from the boat on an Illuminations cruise. They stop UNDER a bridge and you couldn't look UP or to either side. No dancing lights on the countries. Can't believe we paid for that view, never again.

 

[Hopefully]

I'm with the majority. I would keep what you have and just find a viewing spot for Illuminations around the lagoon.
Enjoy

 

[DavidNYC]

Big waste of a FP for Illuminations during first week of Dec. Never had a problem getting on the rail 15 minutes before showtime.

 

[mkarizona]

Keep what you have. The FP+ view of Illuminations is very good but we were just as happy with the view from Germany

 

[pooch]

for reaffirming my decision. Its a big lagoon, we'll find a spot I'm sure.

 

[TDC Nala]

Your daughter is correct. You can get a perfectly good viewing spot without FP+.

 

[pooch]

Your daughter is correct. You can get a perfectly good viewing spot without FP+.

that, since she now lives in Central Florida, she has taken over as the family Disney expert and I should check with her for planning tips!!

 

[HopperFan]

I used Illuminations FP+ and it was a total waste. Keep what you have and find your own spot.

 

[SashaFarce]

Losing Soarin' and TT fastpasses would basically clog up a huge part of the day that wouldn't be clogged up before, so yes, I would have done the same.

 

[Missyrose]

I was able to get my FP+ for Epcot prior to the tiering system. So I have Soarin', TT and Mission Space. At the time, Illuminations was not an option for my date (12/5).

NOW, Illuminations is an option but I have to give up Soarin' and TT to get it. Illuminations is my favorite night time show at WDW. Makes me cry everytime I see it but....

DD says we can get a perfectly fine viewing spot without FP+, always have in the past. We don't do rope drop so Soarin' & TT might be hard to ride without a wait.

So I left what we had already. Agree? Disagree? Is the FP+ viewing area that special?

It shouldn't be a spectacularly busy day at Epcot. Keep your FP+ reservations for the attractions, there are plenty of good spots to see Illuminations from in the World Showcase.

 

[Robo]

For all we know, the night of your IllumiNations event, the wind might be blowing in toward the FP+ reserved area making that spot a very poor viewing area.

There are literally dozens of great IllumiNations viewing areas that don't need a FP+.