Help a former Legacy FP "TGM Style" FP Collector Mentally Adjust to FP+

[jimchief]

As kids were growing up, we did WDW about seven times and became so proficient with gathering FP's that we ALWAYS rode our favorite big attractions three or four times. Taking DD and college friends on a Spring Break trip 3/14-18, and I can't get my head around the new reality. All the touring plans contemplate just doing everything ONE time. I guess I just have to adjust my thinking.

So here's the question on FP+ reservation times for this "once again a rookie": We are Rope Drop people. In AK, for example, my initial thought is to head to Everest and then have FP+ booked to do it again later in the day with other FP+ for Safari and a show. BUT, I know we can't get 4th or 5th until we use all 3 FP+ so then I think: "Stack all the FP+ in the morning so you can be eligible for 4th and 5th as soon as possible"...BUT then I think: "No, that's stupid because we probably won't NEED FP+ for those other items in the morning, and there's a good chance the availability of other FP for other attractions will be limited by the time we use our pre-booked three FP+'s." Same issue with other parks.

So, is the new reality that we're only going to be able to do the "big rides" one time...with the exception of the one we hit at RD? And if so, do we just accept it and get FP+'s for other rides later in the day--even though that delays are ability to get a 4th or 5th FP?

One thing I always loved about WDW on Tour Guide Mike back in the day was, even on crowded days, we could do Space Mountain (and Splash and BTMR) three or four times with no wait. I guess I just need to accept that those days are over?

 

[Mikie]

The plan to book early FPs in hopes of getting 4th, 5th, etc is most effective in MK and possibly not at all in other parks. The number of rides (plus tiering) in other parks is so much smaller that the scenario you describe is likely: "wasting" a FP on a line that didn't really need it, only to discover that available FPs you can now get are not for headliners or not at desirable times.

AK doesn't suffer this problem as badly - if you get there early, you can get several rides on EE with short waits, ride the safari and still have FPs for those and other attractions later. You'll often find additional FPs available for EE and Dinosaur.

I am not a FP accumulator, so hopefully others will come along with details for you on that - but MK is definitely the park where you'll find it possible. I do know that 7 dwarfs is still not one you can reliably plan to find additional FPs for; and that it can be helpful to get "whatever" FP you can find at a kiosk, then use the app to look for options for a more desirable FP. people report finding different options that way and/or find the searching easier on the app vs kiosk.

 

[Robo]

We are Rope Drop people. In AK, for example, my initial thought is to

1. head to Everest and then have FP+ booked to do it again later in the day with other FP+ for Safari and a show.
BUT, I know we can't get 4th or 5th until we use all 3 FP+ so then I think:
2. "Stack all the FP+ in the morning so you can be eligible for 4th and 5th as soon as possible"...BUT then I think: "No, that's stupid because we probably won't NEED FP+ for those other items in the morning, and there's a good chance the availability of other FP for other attractions will be limited by the time we use our pre-booked three FP+'s." Same issue with other parks.

3. So, is the new reality that we're only going to be able to do the "big rides" one time...with the exception of the one we hit at RD? And if so, do we just accept it and get FP+'s for other rides later in the day--even though that delays are ability to get a 4th or 5th FP?

4. One thing I always loved about WDW on Tour Guide Mike back in the day was, even on crowded days, we could do Space Mountain (and Splash and BTMR) three or four times with no wait. I guess I just need to accept that those days are over?

1. That'll work.
2. That will not guarantee getting a Same-day FP+ for a popular attraction at most parks.
3. Ride at rope drop. FP later for a second ride. Only works for certain rides and situations.
4. On crowded days, that time has passed. It all depends on which rides, and your particular timing.

 

[Alesia]

You can still ride your favorite rides multiple times. We manage to do it every trip. For example, if you go to AK and head right to Expedition Everest, you can easily ride it 3 or 4 times with no wait before heading off to the next thing. You just need a decent plan.

As far as what time to schedule your fastpasses, I generally make them for 10:00 to 11:00, 11:00 to 12:00, and 12:00 to 1:00.

At MK, we can easily get at least 10 additional fastpasses after we've used our first 3.

 

[southernbelle20]

This is also my problem. Fastpass date is coming up soon and trying to figure out how to "work" it.

 

[ArielSRL]

We are also FP+ rookies and we have small children so we will be taking mid-day breaks. After doing much research here and a few other sites, I determined that we will do rope drop almost every day, ride as much as we can, late breakfast/early lunch ADR, break, then have our FP scheduled for the afternoon when we return.

One, I've heard that it *may* be possibly to move up the 2nd and 3rd FP+ times after using the first by modifying on the app (based on availability of course). Two, there should still be time to get more after the first 3. Three, we can always ride during parades and such, or later in the evening and probably hit shorter wait times.

Good luck with your decisions. I am totally stressing about ours....

 

[bcrook]

IN October I went to MK first thing and used my three FP right away for Mine Train, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain. We actually needed them for those rides because the monorail was down and we were a little late. At about 11:00 am, we tried the kiosk for a same day FP, and nothing was appealing.

We hopped to Epcot. Just before noon, the only same day fastpass available was Nemo, the Land and Figment. We ate lunch at the Coral Reef and headed to Animal Kingdom. At 2:00 the only FP available was Tough to be a Bug. We played here for awhile, and headed to DHS.

At about 6:45 we lucked into a RnRC same day pass. After that ride we lucked into a TSMM. We also picked up a Star Tours and Great Movie Ride. I sure wouldn't count on that happening. Overall, we found the same day FP not worth the effort on the trip. But it is a great story about the gold mine we hit at DHS.