For reference: I certainly can't call myself an expert or a commando if I compare myself to people around the boards, but I know more about Disney World than the average bear. I would consider myself having been cautiously hopeful about the new FP+ and MagicBand system before this trip. I never disliked the concept, but I feared encountering the glitches I read about on the forums. I'm 29 and was traveling with my cousin, a first-timer who is 20 years old.
MagicBand: I worried about these being uncomfortable as I never wear anything on my wrists, but I entirely forgot about mine. I did find it difficult to touch it properly to censors sometimes, but I think that was just me. My cousin didn't have a hard time with it.
I had no trouble with charging or with FP+. However, on our first day, my ticket didn't show up at MK gate. I felt panicked! But I was sent over to guest services and they fixed it within five minutes, before the opening show started. Then we got back to the room and I couldn't get our room open.I went to the desk and they reset the band, and I had no trouble thereafter. Those initial glitches certainly made me nervous, though! I know it could have been much worse and I was glad they were resolved quickly.
FP+: I booked FP+ for Anna and Elsa 60 days out and was able to reserve two slots-- one on arrival day and one on departure day-- for my party of two. I also lucked out in securing FP+ for Mine Train on our arrival day. The passes were invaluable for these two attractions. We went to MK very close to rope drop today, our departure day, thinking we'd head back to Mine Train and maybe ride a second time on standby. It was a 105 minute when we reached the ride at 9:06 AM. We waved farewell to it. We certainly enjoyed it, but that wait is far beyond our limits!
FP+ worked very well for our morning parks. I had no glitches at all with any of my FP+. We arrived at rope drop, rode standby until 10:30 or so, then used FP+ for remaining headliners. The problem came with hopping to a different park in the evening. We switched to a different park almost every day of our trip, and by the time we reached it at 5 PM or later, all headliner FP+ were long gone. We enjoyed ourselves at night anyway, and lucked out with reasonable waits here and there, but it would be incredibly beneficial for park hoppers to allow guests to book their 4th FP+ at a different park!
That said, we didn't use the fourth FP+ all that often. I planned this trip extensively and fully intended to utilize the rolling FP+, but when you get to the parks, you discover your limits (and those of your travel partner).
Rope Drop: As I said, we arrived at rope drop, rode standby until 10:30 or so, then used FP+ for remaining headliners. We rode everything we wanted utilizing this method. On our first full day, we arrived at Magic Kingdom to watch the opening ceremony, and we went left to Frontierland as the crowd went to Fantasyland. Before 10:30-11:00, we had ridden BTMRR, Splash, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, and Haunted Mansion with no wait and very thin crowds, going at a very leisurely pace between each ride. It was wonderfully empty on that side of the park.
We headed over to Buzz around 10:45 and had a 10 minute wait, then about a 30-minute wait at Space (we enjoyed the ride, but I went in hoping for a shorter wait than was posted). We used our first FP+ for Enchanted Tales, then had a FP+ for Be Our Guest (We booked this through the website without an invite and had no trouble at all). I planned for us to remain in the park for the 3:00 parade and our FP+ for Anna and Elsa at 3:50.
It became clear to me during lunch that my cousin was absolutely exhausted though. As much as I wanted to see the parade, she needed a break. I gave up the parade (and never managed to see it), decided we'd use our backup Anna and Elsa pass on departure day if we didn't get back in time (we didn't, and I switched it for Peter Pan later that evening and met the girls today instead), and took her back for a nap. To be honest, I was pretty tired myself from our drive and uncomfortable offsite room the day before.
After the break, we went back for our Peter Pan and Mine Train FP+, and then my cousin wanted to go to Hollywood Studios (I had originally planned MK but went along with her request). And that set the pattern for the rest of our trip: rope drop at one park, leave around 12-1, pool and nap time, then a different park around 5-6 for evening fireworks. It worked perfectly, really. It helped us avoid the worst of the heat and crowds, and she LOVED the pool. I've never really taken advantage of the pool before, but I enjoyed myself and we were rested up for our evenings.
One day, we deviated and slept until 9:30 and arrived at Animal Kingdom at 10:30. We did a few things with FP there before hopping to HS for dinner at Sci-Fi at 5:35. With no break, we were miserable after dinner-- even having slept in. We both slept after dinner and I barely convinced her to leave the room around 8 PM and watch Wishes from the Polynesian beach.
So it may not work for everyone, but Rope Drop was almost miraculous for us. If every day had turned out like our late Animal Kingdom morning, I'm afraid she wouldn't have had a good time. She's sour on AK now and I think it's due to how hot and crowded it was by the time we arrived. We both hate waking up early, but we agreed Rope Drop was worth it.
Thanks to everyone who answered my questions as I prepared for the trip! Particularly mesaboy2, as I used his FP+ strategy thread and it served me very well.
P.S. Starting at 10:15 AM on Friday, I waited on the sidewalk in the sun at DHS for the parade with Mark Hamill in it. It started at 11:30, but it was worth it! Seeing Luke Skywalker ride by was amazing. My heart pounded and I screamed my love for him along with everyone around me (little cousin went back to the room and said she'd meet me for lunch, LOL). I saw the Star Wars fireworks the following night. So glad I was able to fit in both of these experiences! They were wild cards on my schedule, but some of the best memories from the trip.
P.P.S.We had incredible weather. It wasn't even too hot the first few days, though the humidity definitely set in toward the end. But we never had rain. A few sprinkles last night, but I never bought a poncho the entire week. I was amazed!
