FP+ with toddlers? Worth It?

[kevin75]

Hello all,

We are taking our first family trip to WDW from Nov. 15-22, and so our FP+ reservation window is quickly approaching. This will be quite a different trip for us as the last time we went was in Jan 2011 and it was just my wife and I. Now it will be I, my wife and our two daughters, ages 3 and 1.

I know about the whole FP+ system, but I'm wondering about whether or not we really need to stress out about it for the following reason. The 3-year old is currently 38" tall so she can ride alot of things, but the big E-ticket rides, (i.e, Mountains, Soarin, TT, ToT, RnRR, etc), she cannot ride due to height restrictions, or the fact that she would be probably too scared. For most of those, my wife and I will have to switch off children and ride by ourselves.

So I'm thinking we should focus our FP+'s on the smaller, more child friendly rides, like Peter Pan, Pooh, Meet Mickey, Toy Story Mania? Luckily, my two daughters have no interest in Anna/Elsa.

 

[MichaelaF]

I would say that unless a ride has single-rider (Everest, RnR, Test Track), it's still worth getting the FP+ if you want to do a Rider Swap, to save having to wait in the standby line while the other person has the kids by themselves. (If you are doing swap DO NOT use a FP+ on a ride that has a single rider option!! I know others will probably disagree, but having done those last year, there's no way I'd spend a FP on them - except maybe TT, but that's just because of the lack of good FP options in Epcot.)

Now, last year (early FP+ testing era), we were able to use one FP+ per ride with rider swap - in other words, the person swapping the second time didn't need a FP+ to get in the FP+ line. So technically we could each have a different FP+ and then both use it (individually, doing the rider swap). But I've heard that Disney may have put the kabosh on that one. So you may have to both have FP+ for the same ride if you want to swap, but it would save that wait time for the first wait.

I would go check out MesaBoy2's thread on FP+ and his rating about what rides FP+ is more necessary for, and compare that with the rides you and your wife want to swap, and the ones that you want to do with the kids. I don't know how many days you're doing at each park, but based on my preferences, I'd probably get FP+s for Peter Pan, SDMT, and BTM, and use the swap on both SDMT and BTM. Do Pooh FIRST thing in the morning to get a shorter line. Mickey has only moderate lines anyway, and you can usually meet him in Epcot or DHS with a shorter wait time. (We saw him at DHS with maybe a 10-15 min wait last year - but you may want to see him at Town Square to see the talking Mickey - I don't know if that has been rolled out elsewhere yet?) At DHS, I'd FP for ToT, TSMM, and Star Tours, and then use Single Rider for RnR. (I just did our FP+ plans for early November, and that's what we did.)

There are a few places around the internet that offer some specific suggestions about using FP+ and rider swap together. Some of it is outdated (JenniLynn wrote one for TouringPlans back in 2011, but since it was legacy FP, some of the info doesn't apply anymore), but a lot of it is still useful.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Hello all,

We are taking our first family trip to WDW from Nov. 15-22, and so our FP+ reservation window is quickly approaching. This will be quite a different trip for us as the last time we went was in Jan 2011 and it was just my wife and I. Now it will be I, my wife and our two daughters, ages 3 and 1.

I know about the whole FP+ system, but I'm wondering about whether or not we really need to stress out about it for the following reason. The 3-year old is currently 38" tall so she can ride alot of things, but the big E-ticket rides, (i.e, Mountains, Soarin, TT, ToT, RnRR, etc), she cannot ride due to height restrictions, or the fact that she would be probably too scared. For most of those, my wife and I will have to switch off children and ride by ourselves.

So I'm thinking we should focus our FP+'s on the smaller, more child friendly rides, like Peter Pan, Pooh, Meet Mickey, Toy Story Mania? Luckily, my two daughters have no interest in Anna/Elsa.

Just wanted to add that I try to book FP+ for the adults/bigger kids in our family for nap time (which could vary, but I try my best). That way nap time is still productive . Our kids nap in their strollers. And I do at least 1 child/family FP+ per day. Remember, you may be able to get extra FP+'s at MK after you use your three for the rides that still have availability.

 

[MaxsDad]

I have some of the same dilemmas so I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your post. I was happy to find it and some of the suggestions already provided. But one of my thoughts is what to do with the extra FP+ my daughter will have if we do rider swap.

For example if I use our 3rd FP+ on Big Thunder she obviously can't ride it, which means she will have one extra, but I am not going to get 1 FP+ for my 3 year old. If I get her one and she doesn't ride because she is too small how will that work for the 4th FP+ if she still has one left? What do people do?
Does that make sense or am I confusing it in my head?

I think we may end up swapping some magic bands around so her FP+ don't go to waste, but I am not sure this will work in every case.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

I have some of the same dilemmas so I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your post. I was happy to find it and some of the suggestions already provided. But one of my thoughts is what to do with the extra FP+ my daughter will have if we do rider swap.

For example if I use our 3rd FP+ on Big Thunder she obviously can't ride it, which means she will have one extra, but I am not going to get 1 FP+ for my 3 year old. If I get her one and she doesn't ride because she is too small how will that work for the 4th FP+ if she still has one left? What do people do?
Does that make sense or am I confusing it in my head?

I think we may end up swapping some magic bands around so her FP+ don't go to waste, but I am not sure this will work in every case.

First, if she doesn't use her 3rd FP+, but the time expires, then you can set up a 4th FP+ for her. Secondly, for BTMR, you can get 1 FP+ for you and use rider swap so that your spouse can get the same FP+ as your dd3. And same with Space Mtn. (for example) - opposite spouse gets that FP+, and you get same FP+ with dd3. So, while 1 person is riding BTMR, the other can go on Aladin's carpet with dd3. Rider swap does not need to be used immediately, but can be used later in the day if necessary.

 

[MaxsDad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxsDad

I have some of the same dilemmas so I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your post. I was happy to find it and some of the suggestions already provided. But one of my thoughts is what to do with the extra FP+ my daughter will have if we do rider swap.

For example if I use our 3rd FP+ on Big Thunder she obviously can't ride it, which means she will have one extra, but I am not going to get 1 FP+ for my 3 year old. If I get her one and she doesn't ride because she is too small how will that work for the 4th FP+ if she still has one left? What do people do?
Does that make sense or am I confusing it in my head?

I think we may end up swapping some magic bands around so her FP+ don't go to waste, but I am not sure this will work in every case.

First, if she doesn't use her 3rd FP+, but the time expires, then you can set up a 4th FP+ for her. Secondly, for BTMR, you can get 1 FP+ for you and use rider swap so that your spouse can get the same FP+ as your dd3. And same with Space Mtn. (for example) - opposite spouse gets that FP+, and you get same FP+ with dd3. So, while 1 person is riding BTMR, the other can go on Aladin's carpet with dd3. Rider swap does not need to be used immediately, but can be used later in the day if necessary.

thanks,I didn't think about the expiration time, that solves my biggest concern.
as far as your second strategy, it sounds like you are suggesting that we won't all need fp+ to use rider swap. I read in another list they were starting to crack down on this loophole? plus I hate planning around something that may or may not work depending on the CM.
I think the time expiration will work well enough for us. thanks!



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[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Just back from a trip with my own 38 inch tot. We did 7DMT and Peter Pan for the whole party every MK day, then for our 3rd FP we did a Mountain for my DW, Dad and I, while we booked one for Buzz and my Mom at the same time. Worked great as my Mom didn't mind sitting out the mountains and liked that private time with her grandson.