My brain hurts

[Annchristine65]

I haven't been to the World since 2007, this new FP+ is just too much thinking! I'm overwhelmed with trying to get the FP's in the same area at the same time so I'm not running from one end of the park to the other and then back again and then trying to have them early enough that maybe I can get a 4th and trying to fit some ressies in between! UGH! I'm getting very frustrated.

 

[Robo]

Agreed.

 

[LoriLovesMickey]

The only time I have been to WDW was 2006 and before the FP+. Is that the only way to get a FP? I'm used to the DL method and it seems to be easier.

 

[lily2521]

Ditto to what Robo said. My FP window opens next week and I can't believe how much planning I'm having to do 2 months before we even travel simply because of FP's.

 

[Mad Hattered]

And that is exactly why we have yet to step foot back in WDW since the introduction of FP+. Once again we will just head West to enjoy the beauty of regular FP.

 

[JimmyV]

Is that the only way to get a FP?

Yes and no. FP+ is the only system available to get FPs now. But you don't have to do anything in advance if you don't want to. You can arrive at a park without any pre-planned FPs and head to a kiosk to book them then. Unlike the old system where each ride dispensed FPs for that ride and that ride only, the new kiosks can book FPs for any ride in that park. So you can go to a kiosk in Tomorrowland and book Peter Pan, Splash and Pirates. But BEWARE. If you wait until you are physically in the park, your ride choices and available times may be severely limited. It depends on what the crowd level is for that day. For example, you are not going to get a FP for TSMM by walking in to the park that day if the crowd level is a 7. In all likelihood, those FPs will be "sold out" to people who planned in advance. The new system is sort of a "get on the technology train before it leaves the station" approach.

 

[LoriLovesMickey]

Got it, thanks!

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

I haven't been to the World since 2007, this new FP+ is just too much thinking! I'm overwhelmed with trying to get the FP's in the same area at the same time so I'm not running from one end of the park to the other and then back again and then trying to have them early enough that maybe I can get a 4th and trying to fit some ressies in between! UGH! I'm getting very frustrated.

I'm with you! My FP window is this week and I feel like I'm trying to put a puzzle together without having all the pieces yet. I don't know in advance what the conditions on the ground will be two months from now, and what sort of variables will come into play while we're there. It is frustrating!

 

[bumbershoot]

I haven't been to the World since 2007, this new FP+ is just too much thinking! I'm overwhelmed with trying to get the FP's in the same area at the same time so I'm not running from one end of the park to the other and then back again and then trying to have them early enough that maybe I can get a 4th and trying to fit some ressies in between! UGH! I'm getting very frustrated.

You don't have to do them all at once. You can intersperse them through the day. So you always like to start with one section of the park; what's the ride you'd like to FP there? At lunch you will be at a certain restaurant; is there a ride before or after that you'd like to FP? Do that. And a bit later, do another. You do not have to run from one FP+ to another.

And remember, no one will have to be a FP runner, crossing the park a few times to get the paper FPs. That is the one thing FP+ has done, to eliminate THAT bit of running around.

 

[Belle61513]

Here's what I do to make it easier, although I know not everyone loves this level of planning, but I enjoy it...take it for what it's worth:

Well in advance of the ADR and/or FP+ selection window, I create a calendar of our day to day schedule (I use excel) to show which parks I plan to attend on what days. I break it down by breakfast, am park, lunch, pm park, dinner, emh and late night. I use the crowd calendar info from UT to help determine my method. Obviously not all of these blocks are filled in with activities (although some say "sleep in" or "pool time" to build in breaks).

When ADR's are avail, I book them based on my park schedule and input on my calendar.

When FP+'s are avail, I book them based on my park and ADR schedule--this isn't as hard as you may think, and it's way easier if you print your calendar to have in front of you while you book your FP's.

You can TOTALLY switch things around and maneuver to make them work for your plan/ADR schedule. That said, on first pass, you may need to just accept what the system is giving you, but then you can go back in and change the times to better suit your schedule.

 

[JimmyV]

Here's what I do to make it easier, although I know not everyone loves this level of planning, but I enjoy it...take it for what it's worth:

Well in advance of the ADR and/or FP+ selection window, I create a calendar of our day to day schedule (I use excel) to show which parks I plan to attend on what days. I break it down by breakfast, am park, lunch, pm park, dinner, emh and late night. I use the crowd calendar info from UT to help determine my method. Obviously not all of these blocks are filled in with activities (although some say "sleep in" or "pool time" to build in breaks).

When ADR's are avail, I book them based on my park schedule and input on my calendar.

When FP+'s are avail, I book them based on my park and ADR schedule--this isn't as hard as you may think, and it's way easier if you print your calendar to have in front of you while you book your FP's.

You are the "Anti-Staggs"

“It lets people’s vacations unfold naturally,” Staggs says. “The ability to plan and personalize has given way to spontaneity.”

 

[capegirl]

I hear you OP because my brain is pretty much fried. We were last there in 2013, pre FP+, and all I had to worry about were ADR's. FP+ takes planning to a whole new level. This will be our first trip with extended family, from infants, to grandparents, and the planning has been quite a challenge compounded by the fact that we are staying at SOG and our FP + window is 30 days prior. It used to be easy to switch parks at the last minute, now if it rains on your water park day you have to stand in line at a park kiosk and take the 'leftovers '. We all love Disney, and this is a once in a lifetime family vacation so I refuse to lower my expectations; we will just do RD, and soldier on!

 

[tink20]

I feel the same way OP. We can make FP selections end of the month. I keep sitting down to try to figure it all out, but I keep giving up, due to frustration, trying to work in WP days (which would be easier when we get there, due to weather) and trying to correspond with my DD&SIL's schedule and with our ADRs. I don't know what I am doing. I hope when I actual make my selections, that the process is easy, because I am technically challenged......also on top of that, I am so disappointed that POTC, is going to be down

Question: Are the FP machines (in the parks) user friendly?

 

[Robo]

Question: Are the FP machines (in the parks) user friendly?

I found them easy to use.
BUT, there are multiple CM's at nearly all of the FP+ kiosks who will handle the operations for you.

 

[MainMom]

I haven't been to the World since 2007, this new FP+ is just too much thinking! I'm overwhelmed with trying to get the FP's in the same area at the same time so I'm not running from one end of the park to the other and then back again and then trying to have them early enough that maybe I can get a 4th and trying to fit some ressies in between! UGH! I'm getting very frustrated.

It took me awhile (and a lot of reading on The Dis) to work my strategy. I am planning for 11 people. Since they are leaving all of the planning to me I made the choice to rope drop (we are going in July) and start FP's around 10-10:30. I'm hoping to get 2 in before lunch (right at the noon hour every day, give or take 10 minutes) and one after. Then we will be taking a break to our hotel for swimming (big deal to all of the kids) and then the evenings are whatever each family chooses. I am shooting for first day MK FP+ in Fantasyland because we will be doing lunch at BOG. It makes sense to schedule them for that area.

I literally had to pull up the maps and go through each ride and section of the park and decide what would be the most beneficial in each area that doesn't have us walking back and forth in the July heat. I have it pretty well mapped out. Now I just need the FP+ Disney gods to cooperate and I will be all set.

 

[MainMom]

I feel the same way OP. We can make FP selections end of the month. I keep sitting down to try to figure it all out, but I keep giving up, due to frustration, trying to work in WP days (which would be easier when we get there, due to weather) and trying to correspond with my DD&SIL's schedule and with our ADRs. I don't know what I am doing. I hope when I actual make my selections, that the process is easy, because I am technical challenged......also on top of that, I am so disappointed that POTC, is going to be down

Question: Are the FP machines (in the parks) user friendly?

We are doing one water park and I scheduled that for the middle of the trip. Since we are staying for 8 days, I figured it would be a nice break from the parks after a few days of go, go, go!

 

[JimmyV]

the planning has been quite a challenge compounded by the fact that we are staying at SOG and our FP + window is 30 days prior.

Off topic but.....I don't know what Disney is thinking. Maybe they think that service men and women can't plan their vacations 60 days in advance. But a 30 day window for SOG is an insult. Especially when they can give Swan and Dolphin 60 days. C'mon Disney! As Steven Tyler says to his manager. ..Make it happen!

 

[Mikie]

It took me awhile (and a lot of reading on The Dis) to work my strategy. I am planning for 11 people. Since they are leaving all of the planning to me I made the choice to rope drop (we are going in July) and start FP's around 10-10:30. I'm hoping to get 2 in before lunch (right at the noon hour every day, give or take 10 minutes) and one after. Then we will be taking a break to our hotel for swimming (big deal to all of the kids) and then the evenings are whatever each family chooses. I am shooting for first day MK FP+ in Fantasyland because we will be doing lunch at BOG. It makes sense to schedule them for that area.

I literally had to pull up the maps and go through each ride and section of the park and decide what would be the most beneficial in each area that doesn't have us walking back and forth in the July heat. I have it pretty well mapped out. Now I just need the FP+ Disney gods to cooperate and I will be all set.

I traveled with 12 people in October and the planning was 99% left to me. I think your plan sounds excellent! I hope your group appreciates your hard work!

 

[pjhootch]

Just wait OP. Because even when you have your plan figured out and know what you want when and where... the good old MDE site will give you some fun. When you choose your FP+ at your 60 day window, you will be given a list of options to choose from. They may or may not be similar to what you had planned. Never fear, you can rearrange most of your FP+ selections in the next few days... but what a pain.

 

[DisneySOS]

Here's what I do to make it easier, although I know not everyone loves this level of planning, but I enjoy it...take it for what it's worth:

Well in advance of the ADR and/or FP+ selection window, I create a calendar of our day to day schedule (I use excel) to show which parks I plan to attend on what days. I break it down by breakfast, am park, lunch, pm park, dinner, emh and late night. I use the crowd calendar info from UT to help determine my method. Obviously not all of these blocks are filled in with activities (although some say "sleep in" or "pool time" to build in breaks).

When ADR's are avail, I book them based on my park schedule and input on my calendar.

When FP+'s are avail, I book them based on my park and ADR schedule--this isn't as hard as you may think, and it's way easier if you print your calendar to have in front of you while you book your FP's.

You can TOTALLY switch things around and maneuver to make them work for your plan/ADR schedule. That said, on first pass, you may need to just accept what the system is giving you, but then you can go back in and change the times to better suit your schedule.

That is what I have done so far. We only have 3 parks in 3 days so it was relatively easy but I think it's also the fear of the unknown - at least for me. I keep hearing how so many things are hard to get. I'm going the end of July when crowds are high. I have visions of having to start this at 1am, the system going crazy (as it did for BOG and took me 3 hrs) and just being totally frazzled. Oh & then I will probably second guess myself and stress out a little more