Is my MGM FP plan crazy?

[indykaren]

We are driving to WDW, and we plan to spend our 1/2 day arrival day at MGM. We have reservations for the Fantasmic Hollywood & Vine package (6:30 pm). The only other attractions at MGM that we are really interested in are ToT and RR. I'm estimating that we will arrive in the Orlando area around 1 pm. So, here's my crazy FP plan:

Instead of driving directly to the BC, DH drops me off at MGM's front gate. The rest of the family goes on to the BC to check in (I know the room probably won't be ready yet), see the resort, and park. Meanwhile, I check to see if our old hopper passes have any admission left on them, and purchase the additional admission we'll need for our trip. Then, I go into MGM with everyone's admission passes, and get FPs for either ToT or RR. When this is done, I'll call DH on our cells to see when they think they'll be coming to MGM. We'll meet at MGM front gate, back at the BC, or somewhere in between. We'll all go into the park together and start our tour of MGM.

I'm hoping that this plan will help us see both of the major attractions before dinner. Please let me know if you think this if feasible. Also, will DH be able to drop me off near the entrance to MGM, or will that be impossible before we check in?

I'm driving my family crazy trying to plan our Disney vaction for our maximum enjoyment. They don't know how to answer my questions, but I'm sure someone here will. My family thinks this plan is nuts. Should I try it?

 

[MassMom94]

It's my understanding that you can't get FP using passes that haven't been scanned for entrance that day. So even if all of your old hoppers still have admissions on them, you will only be able to get an FP for yourself, not for everyone else. Sorry. P.S. All ticket media now require finger scans on first use, too, so they can't be transferred.

 

[Shells9]

I don't think it will work. I don't believe you can get FPs in a park where the admission media has not cleared the front gate. Meaning you would be able to get yours, but not the rest of the family's since they did not enter the park.

I think you will have plenty of time to do those two things before dinner, provided your room is ready.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Everyone is correct. You won't be able to enter the park with all the tickets, only yours. If you do enter the park with all the tickets, then none of the family will be able to enter the park on their own tickets because your finger will be on all of them.

Even if you arrive at 1PM at Disney Studios, I'd bet the your FPs won't be good until 4 or 5 at the soonest (if there are any left) and you wouldn't be able to get FPs for the other ride until at least 3PM or later and they might not be good until late evening.

It works out a lot easier if you arrive when the park opens in the morning (especially for EMH) and get FP for one while you ride the other. Then go back and get another set of FP for whichever you want to ride again as soon as your time hits on the FP.

By the way, when are you going to WDW? That could be key as well.

 

[rrobin3051]

like everyone else said about the fast passes and entering. But we were there over the 4th of july and tot was not that long of a wait in the afternoon. I would say I only waited about 15 mins max. I did have fast pass for rr., but the wait didnt look that bad either, agian in the afternoon. Good luck

 

[PolyAddict]

I really don't have any advice.

I just wanted to give a shout out to my adopted family-all of Indianapolis!!

We evacuated during Katrina and ended up in your city because DH had family there.

We received the warmest wlecome and literally had people on our doorstep daily bringing us food, gift cards, clothes. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

INDI ROCKS!!!!

 

[indykaren]

Thanks to everyone for all your advice. It makes sense that I wouldn't be able to get FPs until the tickets have been used for admission - I just hadn't thought of that. We'll be there in two weeks. I guess we'll just have to get to MGM as soon as we can, and hope that the we can get on both rides before dinner.

PolyAddict - I'm glad everyone you met in Indy made you feel so welcomed after Katrina. I'm proud you consider the city your adopted family.

 

[Joel110]

Your family could take 15 minutes and go in with you just to scan their respective tickets? Once they do that, they give you their tickets and they can leave to go to your hotel. You could then do the FP shuffle.