Just Returned and despise Fastpass +

[kay1864]

...did you go when the parks weren't as crowded though?

We went the 5 days before Thanksgiving 2013, and Spring Break 2014. Both times were pretty crowded, but we do RD and RideMax to avoid long waits. Successful for both visits. Well worth the $3.40 a day to be on a ride instead of standing in line.

During spring break we rode the following between 9am-11am, with wait times less than 10 min:
Jungle Cruise
Aladdin
POTC
SM
BTM
BTM (2nd time, w FP)
SM (2nd time, w FP)
Haunted Mansion

And with no running, just walking from one ride to the next.

Even on crowded days, many popular rides have <10 min wait at RD. After 1030, all bets are off.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I use the website on my Ipad all the time and it does not give me problems about Safari.

 

[Luckybee]

We went the 5 days before Thanksgiving 2013, and Spring Break 2014. Both times were pretty crowded, but we do RD and RideMax to avoid long waits. Successful for both visits. Well worth the $3.40 a day to be on a ride instead of standing in line.

May I ask why Ridemax instead of Touring Plans ? Is there an advantage with one over the other or are they both basically the same ? I ask because I've been using touring plans to create our days for Sept/Oct. but am willing to chg if there is a reason to do so

 

[kay1864]

May I ask why Ridemax instead of Touring Plans ? Is there an advantage with one over the other or are they both basically the same ? I ask because I've been using touring plans to create our days for Sept/Oct. but am willing to chg if there is a reason to do so

I can only tell you that RideMax is spot-on with their return times. One time the plan said to get in line for Indiana Jones before 12:15 for the 12:30 show. I got to the line at 12:20...and the line had just closed. (I learned to follow my schedule ) Their data is the best out there, and they visit the parks often to update and refine it.

I do like that I can put in ADRs and RM will optimize around them. Don't know if TP has that feature. RM's money-back guarantee is also great.

If TP works for you, then sure, use that. I just like that RM has never steered me wrong. On my last trip, we had a FP for Soarin (so no FP available for Test Track since they're both Tier 1). RM had us get on TT first thing (expected wait was 10 min). Posted wait was 0 min, we waited maybe 3-5 minutes before the car design, then about 5 minutes actually in line (so RM was more accurate than the posted wait time).

Rode the car, maybe 15 min total from start to finish. When we exited...posted standby was now 50 minutes.

That's why I like RM

If you want to PM me the rides for a park or two that you've put into TP, I'll be happy to see what RM comes up with, and you can decide.

 

[kimmar067]

I have a question - I purchased 3-day PH passes (tradional paper ones) and, since I booked a vacay w/a dining plan I had to buy the minimum 2-day park passes (not PHs)...is it possible for WDW [when we arrive] to, not only add the 3-day PHs, but take off the 2-day non-PHs, since I don't want those activated?

 

[Itinkso]

I have a question - I purchased 3-day PH passes (tradional paper ones) and, since I booked a vacay w/a dining plan I had to buy the minimum 2-day park passes (not PHs)...is it possible for WDW [when we arrive] to, not only add the 3-day PHs, but take off the 2-day non-PHs, since I don't want those activated?

You can link your 3-day Parkhoppers to your MDE account so you can book your 3 days worth of Fastpasses in advance. Once you get to your resort or Guest Services, they can prioritize your ticket usage so that the 3-day Parkhoppers are used first and the 2-day hoppers remain on your MDE account.

 

[kimmar067]

You can link your 3-day Parkhoppers to your MDE account so you can book your 3 days worth of Fastpasses in advance. Once you get to your resort or Guest Services, they can prioritize your ticket usage so that the 3-day Parkhoppers are used first and the 2-day hoppers remain on your MDE account.

....but I don't want the 2-day passes even attached to the PHs, because once I use that first day, it gets activated and I don't necessarily plan on using all 5 day's worth of passes since, a) we are only gonna be at WDW for 5 days (including the arrival/departure days) and, b) we plan on visiting US/IoA for the new Diagon Alley ride...

 

[mickeyluv'r]

....but I don't want the 2-day passes even attached to the PHs, because once I use that first day, it gets activated and I don't necessarily plan on using all 5 day's worth of passes since, a) we are only gonna be at WDW for 5 days (including the arrival/departure days) and, b) we plan on visiting US/IoA for the new Diagon Alley ride...

If I am understanding your situation correctly, only the ticket that is prioritized (by the system) gets activated, and only when you actually use it, not when you book FP. that's what it means to have one ticket prioritized. Not both tickets. That said, keep reading....

You are correct, to be concerned. If you have two tickets listed under MDE, then you need to be careful about which one is actually activated when you enter the park. I have had trouble with this myself. I had two tickets listed under my name, and though I had prioritized a five-day ticket over my one day ticket on the website, when I used my Magicband, the one-day ticket was activated. Lucky for me, I went to GS that day! Otherwise, I may have run into a nasty surprise when I tried to use the one-day ticket on a future trip.

So no matter what, I'd stop by GS if you have two tickets listed under anyone's name. The new system is still very quirky! Had I not gone to GS, then my one day would have been "used", and the unused day on the five-day ticket would have expired, and I would have lost almost $100.

 

[PEC]

I am nearing the point that unless it is a post that is about a change in FP+ (say being able to book 4th on MDE) I will skip over any post that has FP+ in the name.

 

[kimmar067]

If I am understanding your situation correctly, only the ticket that is prioritized (by the system) gets activated, and only when you actually use it, not when you book FP. that's what it means to have one ticket prioritized. Not both tickets. That said, keep reading....

You are correct, to be concerned. If you have two tickets listed under MDE, then you need to be careful about which one is actually activated when you enter the park. I have had trouble with this myself. I had two tickets listed under my name, and though I had prioritized a five-day ticket over my one day ticket on the website, when I used my Magicband, the one-day ticket was activated. Lucky for me, I went to GS that day! Otherwise, I may have run into a nasty surprise when I tried to use the one-day ticket on a future trip.

So no matter what, I'd stop by GS if you have two tickets listed under anyone's name. The new system is still very quirky! Had I not gone to GS, then my one day would have been "used", and the unused day on the five-day ticket would have expired, and I would have lost almost $100.

....I think that the bands are so time-saving, and just all-around easier to use, since the Dining Plan, hotel key, and park passes are all-in-one. I guess then, that, before I visit any park, I should go directly to GS and make sure that the 2-day passes don't get activated....THANKS!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

....I think that the bands are so time-saving, and just all-around easier to use, since the Dining Plan, hotel key, and park passes are all-in-one. I guess then, that, before I visit any park, I should go directly to GS and make sure that the 2-day passes don't get activated....THANKS!

Yes. They are easy. Make sue to bring them with you when you check -in. Come to think of it, the hotel might be able to confirm that the correct tickets are activated.

when it comes to ticket matters, GS in MK is the best! I've also had good luck at DTD ( though can be along line), so-so luck at AK, and truly horrible experiences at Epcot. I have limited experience at HS, but it was also good.

the best time, I find to hit GS, is NOT first thing in the morning, but later in the day. If you take an afternoon break your first park day, stopping by GS just before you leave is usually prime.

 

[kimmar067]

...personally, I find GS at AKL to be top notch...