I am used to FASTPASS; can I use FASTPASS+ like old FASTPASS?

[seema]

The last time I was at WDW, they were still using Fastpass.

This coming Christmas Day, we arrive from Canada around 1 PM at the airport. We are staying at a hotel at Universal Studios for 3 nights. We may wish to go to WDW that day - I understand that at least the Magic Kingdom closes at 1 AM.

I have read that one can pre-reserve rides/attractions through the Fastpass option (a few years ago, we bought a 10 day no expiration ticket - so I guess we could book online our fastpass+ attractions ?

But can we go straight to the park - are there the old fast pass type ticket machines that one can use at park? Of course, it might be said that if we arrive at any WDW theme part around 5 PM - there will be not much left with any popular fast pass attractions to reserve?

PS_- if we were to book fastpass+ reservations for Dec 25, but we did not go to the theme park, would our WDW ticket be docked for that 1 day (as if we had actually gone to the theme park that day?).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Old machines do not exist. FP+ machines exist--but you will have to book 3 attractions at once.

Reserving FP and not using them has no penalty that I am aware of at this time.

 

[seema]

Old machines do not exist. FP+ machines exist--but you will have to book 3 attractions at once.

Reserving FP and not using them has no penalty that I am aware of at this time.

So can one book 3 attraction at once on site, or can one only book fastpass+ in advance and on-line?

 

[mesaboy2]

I suggest you read the first post in the thread linked to in my signature below.

 

[Suvadoo]

Agree with PP, but people have been booking FP+ from as early as 10/25 for Christmas day, so I doubt that you will be able to book anything either ahead of time or in the parks.
Also, FP+ encompasses a lot more attractions than the original FP, so rides like HM,POC and IASW have FP+ lines. I would suggest you look at MesaBoy's post.

 

[seema]

I suggest you read the first post in the thread linked to in my signature below.

I believe the answer, as indicated in the thread that you started, is yes.

 

[mesaboy2]

I believe the answer, as indicated in the thread that you started, is yes.

To which of your questions?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I believe the answer, as indicated in the thread that you started, is yes.

His post would indicate there are no old versions of the machines. Booking 3 insight is possible. (Not sure if it is probable.)

 

[DebbieB]

There are kiosks where you can book onsite. But book your 3 in advance and then after using those you can go to the kiosk to see if anything is left.

Problem you will have on Christmas Day is the park could close for capacity.

 

[SillyInventor]

Arriving at 1pm, through customs at 2.30-ish. Will you go to your hotel first? If not, where will you leave your luggage? You will be at the MK gate at 3-ish. Be prepared that the MK parking lot will be filled to capacity and you may have to park elsewhere and use Disney transport to the MK. As noted in a pp chances are that by that time the MK will be closed for reaching capacity. The chances of getting a fp at that time are absolutely zero, the park will be packed and stand-by lines will be hours and hours. It's by far the busiest week of the year at WDW.

In my honest opinion it would be a waste of time and money (assuming you pay for a one-day, one-park ticket and don't use ap) to have just over half a day in a fully packed park. Assuming you stay on-site I would head straight to Universal, enjoy the resort and Citywalk there, go to bed early and take advantage of the early entry to Harry Potter for on-site resort guests the next morning.

 

[minnie mum]

I have to agree with SillyInventor. This does not sound like a nice way to start a vacation. Getting a FP+ at a kiosk in late afternoon on one of the most crowded days of the year is probably next to impossible. And stanby lines for everything will be very, very long. Even getting into the park (if you're staying off site) would be iffy.

PS: if you're flying out of Toronto that day, I would probably count on delays that morning, given the current forecast.

 

[seema]

Two of us will fly from Toronto on Air Canada, I will fly from Ottawa on AC.
Both AM flights.

We are booked on a 3 night package at Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios - we will depart Orlando on Dec 28 AM.

We will go to Universal Studios on Dec 27; go do some shopping on Dec 26 (looking for post Xmas-Day sales at main malls and factory clearance shopping malls).

We have a 10 day no expiration park hopper ticket, bought years ago - wit several days left. I was thinking of arriving at WDW around 4 to 5 PM - but from what you are saying, going to WDW is a waste of time, and probably no parking will be possible.

Could one go to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs) on the evening of Dec 25 - will I find parking (probably I will, at least on the West Side?).

 

[minnie mum]

Oh, dear. You probably don't know about the massive construction going on at DTD, as they turn it into Disney Springs. Several of the parking lots are closed, but they have opened a new parking garage. Traffic is also snarled on the roads around DTD as the roads are being widened. Inside DTD, you will find a lot of construction walls up, although the Marketplace area is OK. If you are planning to drive there, be prepared for delays and bring your patience.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

If you truly want something Christmassy to do, you could go to Hollywood studios and see the Osborne lights. They are amaaazing. But it will be crowded, and MK will be best avoided.