Just back, my FP+ feedback

mggeary

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
598
Just back from a trip 11/9 - 11/17 at WL.

Mostly very positive experience. Some tips that may help others.

1). Many front desk CMs still misinformed. At check-in, we were told our KTTW cards wouldn't work at Epcot or DHS for legacy FP. ?? Wrong. Current KTTW cards, all old trip KTTW cards, UT paper tickets, even old park tickets all pulled paper FPs.

2). If you have kids under 3, their KTTW cards will now pull paper FPs, even though they don't have tickets, major bonus for our group.

3). Child swap passes are like gold. We basically just used FP+ and child swap, and found very little need to even use legacy FP, with the exception of Dumbo/Barnstormer which are almost always only 30 min out, unconnected, and convenient to use given proximity.

4). Try to finalize your times for TSMM, Soarin, and Test Track by the night before. Day of it is very difficult to change. Even worse, you can't change these to other attractions easily once into the FP+ window, because you must first pick a new time before changing the attraction, which isn't possible for these three.

5). Other attractions were easy to change day of.

6) wiFi worked great for us in park, bring a small portable phone recharger in case battery runs low.

7) Recommend scheduling FP+ for early to mid afternoon after a scheduled lunch. If you make them for late AM or later evening you may find you don't need them due to low standby lines or being in another section of the park when plans change. This particularly applies to larger groups.

8). Skip FP+ for F!. Believe it or not, they forced us far left to worse seats then those entering later by general admission. Middle 3 sections reserved for dining package.

9). Illuminations FP+ also mostly a waste. If you do it, enter on the right of the reserved section at tower gift shop, which is not advertised. The left entrance builds a long line and strangely was let in later. Almost all on that side did not get front row spot or we're put behind the rose bushes.

10) Easy to swap bands and let others use them.

11) Easy to change missed FP+ to other attractions for less popular rides (ie missed 1pm Mission space, no problem, change to 4pm Mission Space, then change to other attraction)

12). Out of luck if miss FP+ time for TSMM, Soarin (no later times to switch into, couldn't get app to switch directly to another ride at another time )

13). MB makes you spend more on snacks, drinks, gifts, etc...just that much easier than digging out a credit card. FYI $1500 charging limit over your stay.

16). Great for ease of opening room door, going to pool without room card/wallet.

Overall great experience, but we were lucky enough to be able to use child swap. Totally get what a bummer it is for off site guests with paper FP running out much quicker.
 
I'm sure this has been hashed to death but some of the MB threads are so long I haven't been able to read through them all...if you miss your FP+ time you have missed your opportunity for that ride? as in you can't return any time afterwards like you could with the paper FPs?? I've somehow missed this detail so some clarification would be great! Thanks for all your tips! Excited about our February (and only a little apprehensive ;))
 
Sounds like a great trip . Glad to see the "sky didn't fall "on you . Thanks for some of the tips also !!
 

Thanks for sharing!

When you say you missed a FP+ time so then moved it to a later FP time and then another attraction can you further clarify? I mean were you still within your FP+ window or do you mean if you miss it entirely you can still change for something later?
 
if you miss your FP+ time you have missed your opportunity for that ride? as in you can't return any time afterwards like you could with the paper FPs??

If you miss your FP+, you may be able to reschedule if there is availability. But for rides like Soarin or TSM, you're pretty much out of luck. You might be able to select a less popular attraction though.

The paper FP return windows have been enforced for over a year and a half now. So if you have a paper FP for Soarin, and you are late returning, you are out of luck as well.
 
No the sky didn't fall on OP, she was able to get as many fp's as she wanted (seemed like she double and triple dipped;)) . She also was able to change a fp+ even if she missed a ride. We went in Sept, and if we missed a fp+ we were not able to reschedule. OP was also not at the parks at a particularly busy time. I don't think you can compare her experience with most people who are going to have to use fp+ in the future.
 
Just a question about the $1500 limit for charging. Did they change something? Used to be that they would not charge your charge card until you hit the $1500 mark. Once at the $1500 mark they charged your credit card then you start over again. Just charging your card every $1500. I can not imagine as long as your credit card clears that they would limit you to $1500 for your stay. Most people if they have a larger family and charge all the meals to the room they would definitely hit that limit.
 
I was able to salvage a totally missed FP+. For example, ToT FP+ 1-2pm missed, it is now 3:15pm. I could change it to ToT 5-6pm, and then if I wanted to another attraction. But if I missed RNRC FP+, I was stuck, because there were no more later RNRC FP+ to change into and I couldn't switch directly to another ride. I bet a CM at a FP + kiosk could have done this manually, but just guessing here.
 
Just a question about the $1500 limit for charging. Did they change something? Used to be that they would not charge your charge card until you hit the $1500 mark. Once at the $1500 mark they charged your credit card then you start over again. Just charging your card every $1500. I can not imagine as long as your credit card clears that they would limit you to $1500 for your stay. Most people if they have a larger family and charge all the meals to the room they would definitely hit that limit.

Was a hard limit for me. On the very last night, was denied for a Mickey bar. Learned later I was at $1496 just then. Next time the grandparents will have to cover their own meals I guess :)
 
I was able to salvage a totally missed FP+. For example, ToT FP+ 1-2pm missed, it is now 3:15pm. I could change it to ToT 5-6pm, and then if I wanted to another attraction. But if I missed RNRC FP+, I was stuck, because there were no more later RNRC FP+ to change into and I couldn't switch directly to another ride. I bet a CM at a FP + kiosk could have done this manually, but just guessing here.

Thanks! That helped. I'm guessing too that if it really mattered you could probably get a CM to change it at a kiosk but who knows for sure. They might just consider this returning "late".
 
That's how it worked for me two weeks ago: I hit my $1500 limit, they charged my card, then I started over again.

Just a question about the $1500 limit for charging. Did they change something? Used to be that they would not charge your charge card until you hit the $1500 mark. Once at the $1500 mark they charged your credit card then you start over again. Just charging your card every $1500. I can not imagine as long as your credit card clears that they would limit you to $1500 for your stay. Most people if they have a larger family and charge all the meals to the room they would definitely hit that limit.
 
This might have been covered in another post but where is the viewing for Illuminations?
 
Thanks for the info. Quick questions-did you use touring plans? (would it even be necessary?) Did you take mid-day breaks? If so, what worked best for your family?


Last trip we took mid-day breaks staying at VWL, and those breaks seems to eat up a lot time. We also did not stay out late. But, my kids were happy and well rested (then 2 and 7). This upcoming trip in Feb, I'm trying to figure out how to have more park time with well rested kids (now almost 4 and 8 ).

Thanks again for the FP+ info.
 
Thanks for the info. Quick questions-did you use touring plans? (would it even be necessary?) Did you take mid-day breaks? If so, what worked best for your family? Last trip we took mid-day breaks staying at VWL, and those breaks seems to eat up a lot time. We also did not stay out late. But, my kids were happy and well rested (then 2 and 7). This upcoming trip in Feb, I'm trying to figure out how to have more park time with well rested kids (now almost 4 and 8 ). Thanks again for the FP+ info.

We have 3 girls (7,3,2) but have never gone back to the resort for naps. We usually do rope drop. If were lucky, the younger ones will take stroller naps in the afternoon (definitely bring a comfortable stroller). Often we leave together at dinner time. We prefer to eat dinner at resort rather than in the park. We find table service lunches a little before noon to be vital to recharge everyone. Sometimes, the grandparents or mom take the little ones back to the resort at dinner time, if the oldest is staying late or for fireworks. I personally don't get how people leave, take naps, and come back unless it you are at MK and staying at a monorail resort or at Epcot and staying at an Epcot resort.

I think touring plans are really only needed for the morning. Have a plan for the headliners or characters before lunch, then just use common sense in the afternoon, fitting in the low wait attractions and using FP+. I like to use my FP+ 11-12, and 1-4. Always grab a child swap pass at every opportunity. The open ended return window is invaluable. Many CMs are kind enough to give them even if the little ones are not present at the ride.

Above all else, go in a colder weather time. We struggle when it is humid and above 85, but we are Northeners. February should be perfect.
 
Sounds like a great trip. Yay OP.
Although hard to assume trips during busier weeks will be as successful, I'd say things were pretty perfect for mid-Nov.
 
Easy to change missed FP+ to other attractions for less popular rides (ie missed 1pm Mission space, no problem, change to 4pm Mission Space, then change to other attraction)

Thanks for sharing!

When you say you missed a FP+ time so then moved it to a later FP time and then another attraction can you further clarify? I mean were you still within your FP+ window or do you mean if you miss it entirely you can still change for something later?

If you miss your FP+, you may be able to reschedule if there is availability. But for rides like Soarin or TSM, you're pretty much out of luck. You might be able to select a less popular attraction though.

The paper FP return windows have been enforced for over a year and a half now. So if you have a paper FP for Soarin, and you are late returning, you are out of luck as well.

I was able to salvage a totally missed FP+. For example, ToT FP+ 1-2pm missed, it is now 3:15pm. I could change it to ToT 5-6pm, and then if I wanted to another attraction. But if I missed RNRC FP+, I was stuck, because there were no more later RNRC FP+ to change into and I couldn't switch directly to another ride. I bet a CM at a FP + kiosk could have done this manually, but just guessing here.

So, what I'm hearing is that you can re-schedule a FP+ and come back to use it later even though you missed your window (i.e. use a FP+ outside of the return window). Does anyone else see the irony? :stir:
 
Did you try scheduling additional FP+'s during the day? i.e. on top of the three you booked in advance?
 
Did you try scheduling additional FP+'s during the day? i.e. on top of the three you booked in advance?

Just 3/day allowed. When you switch, it occasionally "keeps" you old picks on MDE, looking like you have more than 3, but the old ones are not real.

Also, we were able to change our Epcot picks without being forced into the new tiered system, just don't select all new FP+ at once or I think it will force you into the new tiers. Stick to the change button.
 
J

1). Many front desk CMs still misinformed. At check-in, we were told our KTTW cards wouldn't work at Epcot or DHS for legacy FP. ?? Wrong. Current KTTW cards, all old trip KTTW cards, UT paper tickets, even old park tickets all pulled paper FPs.
....

Totally get what a bummer it is for off site guests with paper FP running out much quicker.

Yeah, sucks to be them
 

New Posts


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom