Here's my strategy to maximize FP+, what's yours?

[TinkerBelle_325]

We are returning to WDW in just 11 days and my strategy for FP+ has changed as I have read about the improvements made to the system.

Our stay spans May 19th - 25th and we will visit each of the four parks at some point. We aren't commando people, in fact we are very much "stop and smell the roses" people. We like to maximize our mornings, take afternoon time to nap or lay by the pool and then spend most evenings at Epcot or at signature restaurants.

So here is my plan for my first MK day:

May 19th - Magic Kingdom for Rope Drop
FP #1 Splash Mountain 9:00 to 10:00
- after checking the soft open status of the Mine Train, we will use this pass
- figure it will be used by 9:20 if no soft open, or 9:40 if soft open
- assuming 9:20 use, I will use the MDE app to change FP #2
FP #2 Haunted Mansion 10:05 to 11:05 (changed to 9:30 to 10:30)
- ride HM by 9:40, use MDE app to change FP #3
FP#3 Pirates 11:05 to 12:05 (changed to 9:50 to 10:50)
- ride Pirates by 10:00, this means by 4th FP is available within 1 hour in the park (I am aware that this is a VERY optimistic schedule, but I am really curious to see how well it works)
FP #4 obtained at Adventureland Breezeway for Under the Sea 10:20 - 11:20
- use FP #4 at 10:20 and go get FP #5
FP #5 obtained at Storybook Circus for Space Mountain 10:40 - 11:40
- use FP #5 at 10:40 and go get FP #6
FP #6 obtained at Liberty Square for Big Thunder Mountain 11:00 to 12:00
- use FP# 6 at 11:00 and go get FP #7
FP #7 obtained at Splash Mountain Old FP for Jungle Cruise 12:00 to 1:00
LUNCH at Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30am
- use FP #7 at 12:50pm
EXIT PARK by 1:30pm

7 rides using FP+ (including all three headliners), possible other rides via standby and a table service lunch in just over 4 hours? That's pretty amazing *IF IT WORKS*. I'm really intrigued to try it out.

So, what are your strategies?

 

[SplashMo]

I think I would ride without FP+ the mountains until 10:30 or 11 before using the first FP+. Just a thought...

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I think I would ride without FP+ the mountains until 10:30 or 11 before using the first FP+. Just a thought...

That doesn't really work if I plan to leave the park at 1:30. I want to use my three "pre-booked" FP as soon as possible so I can access the additional FP.

 

[jenninaustin]

MK - my son wants to do SoTMK so we'll be dividing and conquering to a certain extent and I was able to get 7D FP+ woot!. I do plan to try to move up my Splash and BTMRR FP+s after using 7D, etc.
9:00 - Mom/K to Space Mountain; Dad/Dennis to Barnstormer
Mine Train FP+ at 9:30
Peter Pan
Haunted Mansion
David/Dennis pick up SOTMK cards across from Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square and get started
Mom/K Pooh or any other FL that is short until 10:30
BTMRR FP+ at 10:30 then see if I can move up Splash FP+ on phone
If Dennis is still doing SOTMK, more time with that, otherwise join the K group
Tiki or Treehouse might be slow (can also check Pirates)
Splash FP+ at 11:35 then see if I can get ETWB, JC, Pirates FP+ on phone
go in front of castle to Tomorrowland - Monsters and Buzz if short
Under Sea
BOG FP at 11:55
Mermaid ride
Break to AKL from 3-8
Return at night - during fireworks ride: Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Magic Carpets (or Dumbo if MC long), BTMRR, Mine Train, Monsters, Buzz

 

[wareagle57]

I'm not sure what crowds are like before Memorial Day (I would assume not full out summer mode yet, around a 7 maybe?), but if I was going, I would expect to be able to do all of that by 1:30 WITHOUT any fastpasses. Most standby lines will be under 15 minutes for the first 2 hours, and the first 1-2 should be almost a walkon, so I think 7 rides is very doable in the first 2 hours without any fast passes.

For the same 7 rides, I'd try something like this.

Big Thunder at Rope Drop - Done by 9:10

Splash Mountain - Done by 9:30

Haunted Mansion - Done by 10:00

FP 1 - Jungle Cruise 9:30-10:30 (I think you'd finish HM before 10, so this lets you go ahead and ride it, but if you get behind still gives you until 10:45.

Pirates Standby

FP 2 - Little Mermaide 10:30-11:30

FP 3 - Space Mountain 11:30-12:30

Done by 11:30 with the potential to get a 4th FP.

 

[Daddy Mack]

We are returning to WDW in just 11 days and my strategy for FP+ has changed as I have read about the improvements made to the system.

Our stay spans May 19th - 25th and we will visit each of the four parks at some point. We aren't commando people, in fact we are very much "stop and smell the roses" people. We like to maximize our mornings, take afternoon time to nap or lay by the pool and then spend most evenings at Epcot or at signature restaurants.

So here is my plan for my first MK day:

May 19th - Magic Kingdom for Rope Drop
FP #1 Splash Mountain 9:00 to 10:00
- after checking the soft open status of the Mine Train, we will use this pass
- figure it will be used by 9:20 if no soft open, or 9:40 if soft open
- assuming 9:20 use, I will use the MDE app to change FP #2
FP #2 Haunted Mansion 10:05 to 11:05 (changed to 9:30 to 10:30)
- ride HM by 9:40, use MDE app to change FP #3
FP#3 Pirates 11:05 to 12:05 (changed to 9:50 to 10:50)
- ride Pirates by 10:00, this means by 4th FP is available within 1 hour in the park (I am aware that this is a VERY optimistic schedule, but I am really curious to see how well it works)
FP #4 obtained at Adventureland Breezeway for Under the Sea 10:20 - 11:20
- use FP #4 at 10:20 and go get FP #5
FP #5 obtained at Storybook Circus for Space Mountain 10:40 - 11:40
- use FP #5 at 10:40 and go get FP #6
FP #6 obtained at Liberty Square for Big Thunder Mountain 11:00 to 12:00
- use FP# 6 at 11:00 and go get FP #7
FP #7 obtained at Splash Mountain Old FP for Jungle Cruise 12:00 to 1:00
LUNCH at Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30am
- use FP #7 at 12:50pm
EXIT PARK by 1:30pm

7 rides using FP+ (including all three headliners), possible other rides via standby and a table service lunch in just over 4 hours? That's pretty amazing *IF IT WORKS*. I'm really intrigued to try it out.

So, what are your strategies?

You're overthinking it. Your first three FPs are essentially valueless because you could walk on the rides you want to use them for before 10 am. So you should walk on those rides, use your first three FPs for what you now plan have listed as FP #s 4-6 and then proceed from there.

I'm the person who posted about using 10 FPs on Monday and while I am a big fan of using the extras, remember that your most valuable FPs are the first three because they are the ones who can schedule beforehand. That certainty is highly valuable.

 

[mom2rtk]

remember that your most valuable FPs are the first three because they are the ones who can schedule beforehand. That certainty is highly valuable.

Agreed. They are the "bird in the hand". I'm not sure I'd schedule for the first hour of park time even in the busiest of seasons.