FP+ with Park Hoppers

[TygerHawks]

My FP+ window opens on Wednesday, which will be the first time I use this system. In reading up, it occurs to me that we will be utilizing our park hoppers. For example, first day will be at MK in the morning for castle pics, then heading over to World Showcase for lunch and to get that area out early in the week. So, in that case, do you rope drop the MK attractions and book afternoon FP+ at Epcot? Or is it better to book morning FP+ in MK and hope to get a 4th at Epcot? Curious what your strategy is.

 

[Klayfish]

Personally, our strategy is typically morning FP+ at MK and then do a 4th at Epcot, in your example scenario. With limited exception (FEA and 7DMT), it's not hard to get 4th FP+.

 

[kmv]

When we plan to Hop we always RD the rides we really want to go on at the first park, eat lunch, check lines, etc. We plan on FP for our second park of the day and usually plan them for late afternoon or right after dinner.

 

[ErinsMommy]

if we rope dropped, we would RD the first park and schedule FP for the 2nd park.

 

[BrianL]

I tend to maximize my rope drop time and plan FPs for the park I will be in in the early afternoon. I usually plan FPs for noon and later. I don't tend to chase extra FPS, but take them if I can get them.

 

[CAS239]

We park hop everyday and always set up FP's for the second park. There's really no need for FP's before around 11am..so burning 3 FP's early in the day is a waste imo. So for Epcot if you're going there and hoping to get a 4th FP, by the time you pick one it'll either be for like TT at 8pm, or Figment at 2pm. Much better off with 3 FP's already ready to go

 

[LSUfan4444]

My FP+ window opens on Wednesday, which will be the first time I use this system. In reading up, it occurs to me that we will be utilizing our park hoppers. For example, first day will be at MK in the morning for castle pics, then heading over to World Showcase for lunch and to get that area out early in the week. So, in that case, do you rope drop the MK attractions and book afternoon FP+ at Epcot? Or is it better to book morning FP+ in MK and hope to get a 4th at Epcot? Curious what your strategy is.

Unless you're talking about MK do not count on anything of value with your FP+. You can get the, but they are sparse. Focos on quality not quantity at Epcot and HS. AK is better than HS and Epcot but not as good as MK. Book your FP+ in those parks when the standby lines will be long (after 11 am).

If you're starting at say Epcot, then heading to MK then I would say its a good idea to book your first 3 at epcot then additional at MK, but not if you start at MK and hop to Epcot.

 

[gatorlisa]

We ride standby at the first park of the day, usually arriving for rope drop. FP+ are normally for the second park of the day. If we do a third park, we then operate on our 4+ FPs as we can get them. Works well for us.

 

[rwdavis2]

if we rope dropped, we would RD the first park and schedule FP for the 2nd park.

This. Rope drop eliminates the need for most FPs in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[TygerHawks]

Thanks everyone That makes sense, surprised I only thought about it today.

 

[pooh4evr]

Yep, rope drop the first park and fastpass the afternoon. We did it that way and it worked perfectly. Enjoy the early morning in MK or wherever, do 4-5 rides, then lunch and hop to the other park, use your fastpasses and enjoy!

 

[Gehrig1B]

Are you aware of the Express bus transportation option? Makes park hopping very easy. Less than 20 minutes from one park to another and no security screening after first park. We rope dropped first park, FP+ second park, FP+4 and dinner/fireworks third park... very easy and the short VIP bus ride between parks is a nice, relaxing 15 minutes. I believe it is $29/person for 7 consecutive days to add to your hopper.

 

[higdonk]

We are going in August (7/31-8/8) and we will have Park Hoppers. We will definitely rope drop. My plan was then to either return to the same or a different park in the evening. I will have to wait for evening entertainment to get sorted out. I would think the benefit of FP+ for the second park would be essentially if you RD, break, then hop to park with FP+, you will actually get to ride a higher number of popular attractions in a given day.

My reservation is that if I book all my FP+ for the second or "evening" park, Disney will change the evening "show" schedule and mess me up. Basically we want to do F!, Illuminations (every night I know), maybe Star Wars Light Show, the new MK show. We have never seen F! or Illuminations. This is only our third trip, but we missed both on our last trips. So the risk of booking evening FP+ is that we will miss evening entertainment. Advice? Thoughts?