Is 60 day out FP critical

[Tink_83]

The title sort of says it all. I've been going annually for the past few years and have held that we need to stay on-site in order to get the 60 FP booking so we can get the rides we want. Well, last year cramming 4 adults and 2 children (one age 1 at the time) into Port Orleans with the pull down fifth sleeper was just too much. We needed more space and were thankful it was a very short trip. This year we are planning on 4 park days (as opposed to 1) and 6 nights, plus we have more people tagging along - so a party of 7. For the cost we have decided as a group that we need to just stay off-site at a house and deal with not being on-site. And looking at the price differential I really can't justify staying on-site, but I'm still worried about trying to book FP at only 30 days out. Especially for rides like SDD, FoP, and 7DMT. Should I just lower my expectations and assume we won't be able to go on those rides or is it not as important as I think it is. Anyone recently had both experiences? For reference I'm going the essentially over memorial day weekend (Th, F, S, and Su of that weekend). TIA

 

[Krystal659]

Last year, my father decided about 30 days out that we would go to WDW as a three generation family (6 people total). I got several fast passes, but had to make them in parties of 4/2 or 3/3. It took a lot of patience on my part. I found that when I tried for the whole group at once I got VERY few of the rides I wanted.

***Then of course the day of refresh, refresh, refresh the MDE app.

 

[Krystal659]

Last year, my father decided about 30 days out that we would go to WDW as a three generation family (6 people total). I got several fast passes, but had to make them in parties of 4/2 or 3/3. It took a lot of patience on my part. I found that when I tried for the whole group at once I got VERY few of the rides I wanted.

***Then of course the day of refresh, refresh, refresh the MDE app.

I realized I did not say I could get the FP for the same time frame but may be 10-15 minutes off. So, we were all able to ride together throughout the whole trip.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are persistent, you may find FP+ availability for the more popular rides. I've gotten FoP and all of the EP tier 1 day-of on various trips. That being said, there is zero guarantee and, as PP noted, you can try breaking up your group and trying to find times that overlap. If all else fails, go in with a good RD or end-of-night strategy to ride more popular rides and keep checking even on the day you are in the parks.

 

[Tink_83]

Thanks for the reassurance. I already was planning on breaking our group into two groups of 3 but maybe 3 groups of 2 for overlapping FP would be better. I think I'll go with the strategy of booking what I can in advance, and will look into the end of day strategies for rides like FoP (we are not RD people, no matter how much I try it never happens, ever). Same day refresh worked perfectly last time so I'm hoping for a repeat this time around. I think FoP is the one I haven't done that is top priority for me, I'll just have to check with my group. I know my brother mentioned Star Wars and so now I need to research that (I was originally planning on avoiding HS like the plague). I also know he is not going to wake up at 4 am to ride a ride, nor am I. I'll experience in 10 to 15 years when the hype has calmed down...

 

[vinotinto]

Honestly, we haven’t had much luck getting FPs at 60 days for SDD and FoP for short (2 and 3 night) onsite stays. *But,* we always continue checking the app, and at some point, we have been able to get them. Sometimes Disney extends hours (usually around 3-4 weeks in advance) and we are able to grab FPs either for an early opening or a late extension. Sometimes, we just luck out, someone cancels their plans. I wouldn’t let the FP situation for a couple of rides dictate your entire vacation.