Last Minute Booking and 7DMT Strategy?

[WDmommyof4]

Bear with me, I know you all are probably absolutely sick of hearing FP+ questions at this time, but I just have a couple questions. I just booked a 6 night stay the 25-31 of this month. It has been two years since we have been, so the 7DMT is a "must see" for us, at least once. With the old system, I had things down pat, I had been going with my boys yearly, sometimes twice a year their whole lives.

With the new FP+ system, I was upset at first, but I think I have found a way to make it work for us, and even with such limited time before our trip to book them, I am happy with what we were able to get. Except, there are not FP+ times remaining for 7DMT or BOG for lunch. I continue to check several times a day, but nothing so far. I have read it is best to go at rope drop or right before closing for 7DMT. I am going with RD since the park closes fairly early during our stay, and I think a lot of people would stick around. Does anyone have a map that outlines the best route to take at rope drop? I know they now block areas off and walk you down to the area. I am also not a sprinter through the park, just want to get there in an efficient way.

The other question is, what is the likelihood of being able to get a 4th FP for Toy Story Mania if we park hop over from the AK around 3pm? Our FP+ options over there will all be done by 2. We were going to cut HS out completely this trip, but I love One Man's Dream and don't want to miss it if we can squeeze it in. I know the boys would want to do TSM if we hopped over though.

Lastly, is there still no standby option for BOG for lunch? I have been checking for available FP for it, but nothing. Was hoping to go there this trip. I read something about paper tickets being given out when the restaurant first opens with return times, but not sure if that is still applicable?

Thanks so much for any advice and bearing with this long post.

 

[mesaboy2]

Bear with me, I know you all are probably absolutely sick of hearing FP+ questions at this time, but I just have a couple questions. I just booked a 6 night stay the 25-31 of this month. It has been two years since we have been, so the 7DMT is a "must see" for us, at least once. With the old system, I had things down pat, I had been going with my boys yearly, sometimes twice a year their whole lives.

With the new FP+ system, I was upset at first, but I think I have found a way to make it work for us, and even with such limited time before our trip to book them, I am happy with what we were able to get. Except, there are not FP+ times remaining for 7DMT or BOG for lunch. I continue to check several times a day, but nothing so far. I have read it is best to go at rope drop or right before closing for 7DMT. I am going with RD since the park closes fairly early during our stay, and I think a lot of people would stick around.

1. Does anyone have a map that outlines the best route to take at rope drop?

I know they now block areas off and walk you down to the area. I am also not a sprinter through the park, just want to get there in an efficient way.

The other question is,

2. what is the likelihood of being able to get a 4th FP for Toy Story Mania if we park hop over from the AK around 3pm?

Our FP+ options over there will all be done by 2. We were going to cut HS out completely this trip, but I love One Man's Dream and don't want to miss it if we can squeeze it in. I know the boys would want to do TSM if we hopped over though.

Lastly,

3. is there still no standby option for BOG for lunch?

I have been checking for available FP for it, but nothing. Was hoping to go there this trip. I read something about paper tickets being given out when the restaurant first opens with return times, but not sure if that is still applicable?

Thanks so much for any advice and bearing with this long post.

1. I know Robo does, but in his absence I can describe it easily enough. Go through Main Street to the Castle Hub, bear right on the spoke that takes you to Mad Tea Party (not Tomorrowland), then stay left and turn left towards Fantasyland--7DMT will be in front of you and then on your right (across from Pooh) as you approach the 7DMT entrance.

2. Pretty much zero, sorry.

3. I haven't been keeping up with this lately, but I believe standby is still an option thankfully. Best chance to get in I believe is just before lunch closes, maybe around 2:00p I think. Perhaps someone more up-to-date on this can help.

Have a good trip!

 

[greentea]

Re: Be Our Guest, you're checking on https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/ and not the regular FP+ system, right? You probably are, I just wanted to make sure you're looking in the right place!

 

[WDmommyof4]

1. I know Robo does, but in his absence I can describe it easily enough. Go through Main Street to the Castle Hub, bear right on the spoke that takes you to Mad Tea Party (not Tomorrowland), then stay left and turn left towards Fantasyland--7DMT will be in front of you and then on your right (across from Pooh) as you approach the 7DMT entrance.

2. Pretty much zero, sorry.

3. I haven't been keeping up with this lately, but I believe standby is still an option thankfully. Best chance to get in I believe is just before lunch closes, maybe around 2:00p I think. Perhaps someone more up-to-date on this can help.

Have a good trip!

Thanks so much, your description works perfectly.

I figured that would be the case with TSM, but thought I would ask. I guess an alternative would be to skip making FP reservations at AK in the morning and just make all of them for HS for later in the day.

Will look into it more, but that sounds promising about BOG. Thanks!

 

[WDmommyof4]

Re: Be Our Guest, you're checking on https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/ and not the regular FP+ system, right? You probably are, I just wanted to make sure you're looking in the right place!

Yep, that's where I am checking, thanks for making sure. I'll keep looking or try for standby when we are there. We went years ago when it was first open to passholder preview. It would be nice to go back, but it won't make or break a vacation.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks so much, your description works perfectly.

I figured that would be the case with TSM, but thought I would ask. I guess an alternative would be to skip making FP reservations at AK in the morning and just make all of them for HS for later in the day.

Will look into it more, but that sounds promising about BOG. Thanks!

That is a strategy I recommend when hopping, especially if arriving at the first park at rope drop. More information can be found in the green link in my signature.

 

[WDmommyof4]

That is a strategy I recommend when hopping, especially if arriving at the first park at rope drop. More information can be found in the green link in my signature.

Thanks! Actually read that link a few days ago. The old FP system was still in use last time we went at the end of 2012, so I needed to do some research for this trip, and that was one of the first threads I came across.

 

[ctbcleveland]

I am not sure if you tried this, but try to break your group up into two by changing the ride times for two people in your party. This is unfortunately not easy, but I tried for a long time to get 5 of us on the ride and I finally broke us up into a group of three and group of two and was able to first get us booked on the ride, and then subsequently was able to book overlapping times. Our times suck, but I at least know we will be able to ride.

In order to do this, I had to first change an experience, and only change it for two of us, and then change an experience for the other two. DO NOT change them to the exact time or you will be back to a group of four and it will be tough to find a slot for 4.

 

[Chiomaca]

As far as timing for 7DMT - I didn't get to the line until about 20 minutes after RD and had about a 40 minute wait in the Stand-by line. I'm glad I did it then, because while I thought it was a neat ride, IMHO, it doesn't warrant an hour or longer wait in line. (I felt the same way about Radiator Springs Racers - neat ride but only with a Fast Pass or first thing in the morning.)

 

[Eliza'sMom]

I was able to get four Fastpasses for the mine train at around 8:30 Thursday night for 11:30 a.m. Friday, just by checking over and over and reserving them one at a time. Just keep trying. It may work out.

 

[WDmommyof4]

I am not sure if you tried this, but try to break your group up into two by changing the ride times for two people in your party. This is unfortunately not easy, but I tried for a long time to get 5 of us on the ride and I finally broke us up into a group of three and group of two and was able to first get us booked on the ride, and then subsequently was able to book overlapping times. Our times suck, but I at least know we will be able to ride.

In order to do this, I had to first change an experience, and only change it for two of us, and then change an experience for the other two. DO NOT change them to the exact time or you will be back to a group of four and it will be tough to find a slot for 4.

I was able to get four Fastpasses for the mine train at around 8:30 Thursday night for 11:30 a.m. Friday, just by checking over and over and reserving them one at a time. Just keep trying. It may work out.

Thanks for the idea. I will play around and see if I can get them separate and then together. I hate that it is like this. Not everyone is able to book more than 60 days out. Unfortunately, while I see how this caters to those who did not want to get up early previously and go out to get FP's etc., it now penalizes anyone who cannot wake up at midnight 60 days out to get the FP's they need. Like I said, it isn't a big deal for us, we have been a lot in the past, but I sympathize with those who may only be able to go once or who are coming for the first time and trying to experience as much as they can.

 

[funkyspunky871]

I'm actually surprised that you couldn't find any fast passes. I booked my trip for Jan. 21-24 a couple of weeks ago, and last week there were many times left for 7DMT. (And then yesterday, I actually cancelled my fast pass to do something else instead.) Maybe I just got lucky? Anyway, I would recommend doing the mine train at night, especially during the fireworks. The first and only time I've been on 7DMT, the wait time was supposed to be 70 minutes. I think, in reality, it was only 40, and the time went by super fast. The queue is really cool and not as long as you would think.

Plus, I've been on Thunder Mountain twice during the fireworks, and it is literally the most magical thing in the world. The fireworks look like they are right above you! There's more indoor parts to 7DMT, but I'm sure it would be just as magic if you could time it right.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Okay, so far I have been able to find availability for two people in our party for the 7dmt. I will keep trying each day to add people one by one and see if we can somehow work it out to have overlapping times. If not, we will just revert to our original FP plans and do rope drop. Thanks!

 

[WDmommyof4]

I'm actually surprised that you couldn't find any fast passes. I booked my trip for Jan. 21-24 a couple of weeks ago, and last week there were many times left for 7DMT. (And then yesterday, I actually cancelled my fast pass to do something else instead.) Maybe I just got lucky? Anyway, I would recommend doing the mine train at night, especially during the fireworks. The first and only time I've been on 7DMT, the wait time was supposed to be 70 minutes. I think, in reality, it was only 40, and the time went by super fast. The queue is really cool and not as long as you would think.

Plus, I've been on Thunder Mountain twice during the fireworks, and it is literally the most magical thing in the world. The fireworks look like they are right above you! There's more indoor parts to 7DMT, but I'm sure it would be just as magic if you could time it right.

I think the problem is probably out party size of 5. I was just able to get two fastpasses for the 7DMT, so I am holding on to those and seeing what I can work out in the next week. I agree about Thunder Mountain during the fireworks, we have been lucky enough to do that as well, and it is indeed magical.