Here now fourth FP+ is a mirage

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

It's really no different than what would happen with the paper FP. All the FPs for the day for an attraction would be given out by noon so no paper FP would be available. Same thing for FP+, when they're all given out for the day for an attraction there are no more for that day.

What you did with paper FP was move on to another attraction that did have availability and pick up one for that attraction. Again same thing wth FP+.

Personally I disagree. At least you could GET them early. This system locks you out until you have used your 3 reserved. I just personally think you are over simplifying it. Tiers make it even more difficult compared to FP-. This is strictly my opinion. We didn't have a perfect experience with FP+ (not NEARLY compared to FP-) although for the 3 we could use it on, it was good. But everything else was horrible for SB and this was before school was even out in May.

 

[Redmic]

We were there a week ago and never used a 4th fp. The good rides were either gone altogether or were only available several hours later.

The kiosks themselves are hard to find. I was talking to a cast member at AKL and she described them as "hidden", which I think is pretty accurate.

I also hate the fact that you can't search by times. It really slows things down. Having to look at one attraction at a time, only to find that the only available openings are after you plan to leave the park, is a pain. I hope the powers that be can fix the app so you can do it by time and by your phone!

 

[Praying Colonel]

At 1:30:

AK: Same as @ 12:15 (everything available except Safaris)

DHS: MORE options than @ 12:15. TSM now available--wasn't available @ 12:15.

EP: Same as @ 12:15 (no Tier 1 attraction available except LWTL, all Tier 2 available except M:S)

MK: Same as @ 12:15, except now Ariel's Grotto unavailable

 

[LadyRayado]

Has anyone tried to book 4th FPs for character meets - EPCOT character spot, Cinderella/Rapunzel, etc? (excluding A&E of course). Some of my family members are really insistent on meeting characters in October, and just wondering what their availability might be

Edit: it looks like they're available at least at mid-day based on the above reports. Thanks for posting!

 

[wiscbugs]

I expected it also for the 4th one but I wasn't expecting Splash to be gone BEFORE the park opened.

RD for 7DMT is 60 days out quite a bit longer than Noon day of.

During the summer, Splash is probably the most popular ride (besides maybe 7DMT now). Last week when we were there, Splash typically had wait times of 90 mins which was longer than 7DMT many times.

There are plenty of 4th, 5th, 6th fastpasses available (not for Splash or 7DMT but for BMTT, Space and basically everything else).

 

[isabellea]

My only hope for early August is that I will be able to get a 4th FP+ after FoF for either Jungle Cruise et Speedway early evening. Any additional FP+ will be a bonus for us.

 

[LoverDisney]

It's really no different than what would happen with the paper FP. All the FPs for the day for an attraction would be given out by noon so no paper FP would be available. Same thing for FP+, when they're all given out for the day for an attraction there are no more for that day.

What you did with paper FP was move on to another attraction that did have availability and pick up one for that attraction. Again same thing wth FP+.

Good point.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

At 1:30:

AK: Same as @ 12:15 (everything available except Safaris)

DHS: MORE options than @ 12:15. TSM now available--wasn't available @ 12:15.

EP: Same as @ 12:15 (no Tier 1 attraction available except LWTL, all Tier 2 available except M:S)

MK: Same as @ 12:15, except now Ariel's Grotto unavailable

Just curious, how many people are you checking for? I think one's party size would make a big difference in what is available.

 

[mggeary]

Having a good sense of 4th FP+ availability (particularly in MK) will make a big difference in how we choose initial 3 FP+.

If I expect plentiful, immediate extra afternoon FP+, I will choose SDMT, PPF, A&E, ETwB in early morning and hope to start getting extra FP+ shortly before or after lunch.

If I think there may be trouble in getting immediate (not later evening times) extra FPs for things like BTMR, HM, PoC, etc...then I'll schedule my initial three FPs for late morning and early afternooon.

These reports are very helpful. Wish touring plans lines app would incorporate a self report function of "available, limited availability in evening only, or gone" for each ride FP+ so we could all follow along on a similar crowd level week prior to our trip to get a better sense of this. Better yet disney could actually provide this data real time on MDE.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I did get a fourth today after a wait at the poorly organized kiosks by the Jungle Cruise. They need to rope off a que. We got Buzz. I knew a fourth FP would be easier there as there are more options. It was the earliest available at 1-1/2 later.

The line for the kiosks by Buzz was huge. We decided to cal it a day.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Just curious, how many people are you checking for? I think one's party size would make a big difference in what is available.

It does - there are many more options for one than for four in our experience. When we couldn't find what we wanted for our family, I would just click on one person and there was much more availability even for 7DMT. I took it for one hoping to copy to others but no luck. Just our experience, though.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just curious, how many people are you checking for? I think one's party size would make a big difference in what is available.

I heard the same thing. I was checking for 4.

Happened with lunch yesterday. Last minute at Epcot after we left AK but it was weird. I could get 2 at Nine Dragon's or 1 at Biergarten. But San Angel came up with 3. Very dry Mahi would have been off at Tangerine Cafe which was my vote.

 

[DoughR]

My trip 3 weeks ago I didn't have a problem getting a 4th but I'm sure crowds now are much worse going into summer. One day I was able to get 8 FP+, 4 at DHS and 4 at MK.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Having a good sense of 4th FP+ availability (particularly in MK) will make a big difference in how we choose initial 3 FP+.

If I expect plentiful, immediate extra afternoon FP+, I will choose SDMT, PPF, A&E, ETwB in early morning and hope to start getting extra FP+ shortly before or after lunch.

If I think there may be trouble in getting immediate (not later evening times) extra FPs for things like BTMR, HM, PoC, etc...then I'll schedule my initial three FPs for late morning and early afternooon.

These reports are very helpful. Wish touring plans lines app would incorporate a self report function of "available, limited availability in evening only, or gone" for each ride FP+ so we could all follow along on a similar crowd level week prior to our trip to get a better sense of this. Better yet disney could actually provide this data real time on MDE.

Thank you.

I had picked POTC because it was indoors. I wanted something indoors in case of rain. Missed aTT FP because of rain last trip.

A fourth FP+ was announced the end of April after my 60 and I tried to move all my days to morning FP's but I couldn't move the 7dMt and I wanted to keep some days open for waterparks.

My other trips will have AM only FP+

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's really no different than what would happen with the paper FP. All the FPs for the day for an attraction would be given out by noon so no paper FP would be available. Same thing for FP+, when they're all given out for the day for an attraction there are no more for that day.

All rides did not run out of FP+ by noon. Some rides did...TSMM/TT/Soarin, but even on higher crowd days over spring break there were headliner FPs available into the evening in MK.

I say this not to advocate going back to FP...I know that's never happening. But to say the situation is exactly the same now as it was with FP- is not entirely true.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Just curious, how many people are you checking for? I think one's party size would make a big difference in what is available.

I was checking for 3. You're right--party size will make a difference.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I was checking for 3. You're right--party size will make a difference.

Thank you. I know some people are only checking for one, but since I have a family of four, their feedback might not be helpful for me. I would think that a solo traveller could do quite well with FP+.

 

[KCSherri]

Thank you. I know some people are only checking for one, but since I have a family of four, their feedback might not be helpful for me. I would think that a solo traveller could do quite well with FP+.

This is true. I am on a solo trip this week. Yesterday, I was in line at one of the Kiosks around 3:00 pm - getting my 5th FP for the day. Up popped an Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet, good for 6:25 pm - 7:25 pm. The CM gasped and said, "Wow! You should take that one!" And so I did - it was magical!

 

[JimmyV]

It's really no different than what would happen with the paper FP. All the FPs for the day for an attraction would be given out by noon so no paper FP would be available. Same thing for FP+, when they're all given out for the day for an attraction there are no more for that day.

What you did with paper FP was move on to another attraction that did have availability and pick up one for that attraction. Again same thing wth FP+.

Actually, it is quite a bit different. With paper FP, you could get a FP for Soarin' at 9:00 and then get a FP for TT as soon as your return time kicked in--9:40 to 10:15 most days. So you were assured of getting a FP for both headliners. Now, your second headliner has to be your 4th FP and by the time you burn through your first three, you may not get one.
Paper FP and Rope Drop = 100% success.
FP+ and Rope Drop = < 100% success.
How much less? Not sure yet. But less is less.

 

[BillyFeat]

It's summertime.......book the three fastpass options you want and enjoy the parks. Don't rely on obtaining that fourth pass with the summertime crowds.