I'm guilty of using the "Bad Fastpass strategy" according to Mousehacking

[SaintsManiac]

One of the tips discussed in the Mouse Hacking article was if you don't see your desired FP on your 4th+ selection, choose an open later than desired time anyway. This makes it more likely that you'll be able to get the desired slot because it's now at the top of your screen when you try to modify it (think of Seven Dwarfs being at the bottom of the search), so it's quicker for your to look. The other reason to select the desired FP is that MDE algo's are designed in such a fashion that results in easier access to that desired slot, once it's already selected (for a later time). Even if you don't see anything remotely interesting for avail. FPs at the moment, the tip is to pick one anyway and modify because the odds of winning a desired one are easier if you have one selected.

We typically do this anyhow, but I never thought I was taking advantage of some strategic method. There were also times that if I knew that I wasn't going to be able to use a premium FP later, I'd release it early so that someone could grab it, instead of letting it lapse.

I always grab the first time I see for what I want. So much easier to modify after.

 

[JETSDAD]

With a lot of shows for Mermaid, and smaller demand for Disney Junior, were these the easiest to move up and burn at HS or where there a couple of other tier 2s you considered?

These were the easiest to grab and were nearby each other.