My FP+ success story ..

[nighttowll]

I then used the “copy a set of FP+’s to other party members” on the MDX App and was able to get 2 more onto 7D from my party.

Can you explain this? Is it only on the app because I haven’t noticed it on the computer, but I wasn’t looking for it, so I may have missed it.

In some ways it’s the same as people who say RD is awesome because it allows them to skip the lines for "X" ride. But who show up 45 mins or an hour early for park opening. Well, you just waited in line for 45 or 60 mins, so be sure to add that to the time you didn't spend waiting in line.

The difference is you are waiting one time for 45 minutes, not multiple times for 45 minutes. Say you arrive at rope drop and are able to do 10 rides back to back before the crowds start to build. Your 45 minute wait averages out to about 5 minutes waiting per ride. Whereas, you arrive mid-morning or afternoon, and the waits are 45 minutes per ride then that becomes 7.5 hours of waiting to do those same 10 rides. So yes, I see an advantage to standby lines at rope drop verses later in the day, even if you add in the before park waiting time. It is a waiting once verses waiting many times thing.

The same goes for the above scenario. An hour spent sitting at home booking 3 rides, could save you as much as 6 hours or more of standing in the park later if those attractions have long lines when you go to do them.

I also agree with others who see this as a success because it does mean that with a little patience, you don’t have to give up, but can probably get what you need even at the last minute. Would FP- be an easier option, probably. But we don’t have that choice anymore, and as others have stated, it is valid for us to learn the new normal and what is possible now.

 

[Shaden]

Can you explain this? Is it only on the app because I haven’t noticed it on the computer, but I wasn’t looking for it, so I may have missed it.



The difference is you are waiting one time for 45 minutes, not multiple times for 45 minutes. Say you arrive at rope drop and are able to do 10 rides back to back before the crowds start to build. Your 45 minute wait averages out to about 5 minutes waiting per ride. Whereas, you arrive mid-morning or afternoon, and the waits are 45 minutes per ride then that becomes 7.5 hours of waiting to do those same 10 rides. So yes, I see an advantage to standby lines at rope drop verses later in the day, even if you add in the before park waiting time. It is a waiting once verses waiting many times thing.

The same goes for the above scenario. An hour spent sitting at home booking 3 rides, could save you as much as 6 hours or more of standing in the park later if those attractions have long lines when you go to do them.

I also agree with others who see this as a success because it does mean that with a little patience, you don’t have to give up, but can probably get what you need even at the last minute. Would FP- be an easier option, probably. But we don’t have that choice anymore, and as others have stated, it is valid for us to learn the new normal and what is possible now.

I think you are missing the point, and don't really understand the advantage of showing up 45 or 60 early for RD.

When people tell you to show up for RD, and show up early like 45 or 60 mins early, this does not benefit you for multiple rides, it benefits you for ONE ride. Park opens at 9, you show up at 8, wait and rush to the ride at RD. Someone else shows up at 9:10, you are exiting your first ride just as they are entering the park, you are now on equal footing for ride 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc so while you might not have to wait for that one ride, and maybe you saved yourself some time on that, you showed up and waited for RD, which means you really didn't save any time.

And like I said, its not an issue about sitting down for an hour and banging out your FPs. That's not a big issue to me. But this isn't the first story we have seen of people over a period of days, again, not just sitting down at one time and popping through the options, searching periodically for days in this case 3 days, to try and wrangle one FP. That to me is not a success. I bet for some people that is fun, and good for them, but to me that just doesn't sound like something you should have to do to wrangle the ride you want while you are paying thousands of dollars to ride it.

 

[nighttowll]

I see your point. In general, I was looking more at arriving at opening vs arriving an hour to two later which I have noticed makes a difference. We try for 30 to 45 minutes before opening to factor in running late, slow buses, bag check, and early opening. By planning this way, I hope to meet my real goal of 15 till which is about when they usually open up. However, as long as I get to the gate by close to opening, I am happy.

The only problem I have found with arriving right at opening or right after is when they open the park 30 minutes earlier than the official time. I’ve had this happen to me, and it did make a huge difference arriving at 9:10 that day as the park had already been open 40 minutes by that point, closer to an hour before we made it through security, in the gates, and to our first attraction. You would know the one day I am running late, they open the parks 30 minutes early.

As far as the FP+ thing, I think it just depends on the person. I sit at a computer all day at work everyday, and it is no big deal for me to open a page in the morning and then check a couple of times a day. I get lots of down time in between projects and emails at work when I am just sitting around waiting on someone else, so taking the less than a minute it takes to check if the page is already up is no big deal to me, and doesn’t really eat up any of my time, as I’d just be sitting here anyway. If however, you are taking time out of a busy day to make a special trip to get on the computer, then I can see your point. But in our computer age, most people are connected 24/7, so it isn't such an issue.

 

[g8torphan]

I agree....someone is missing the point.


I find it more relaxing to know when I'll be riding my top choices rather than running to a machine multiple times a day not knowing if I will get a FP until I get there and not knowing the time.
Then once I know the time trying to fill the space until then in a reasonable non criss-cross the park way.


With FP+ I know what and when...so I just plan around those times and locations.

Much less work to check an APP for a few days then to run around a crowded park hoping to get what I want at some randomly assigned time.


But maybe thats just me.....


And to whoever asked....YES the copy feature is only on the APP.

 

[Shaden]

I see your point. In general, I was looking more at arriving at opening vs arriving an hour to two later which I have noticed makes a difference. We try for 30 to 45 minutes before opening to factor in running late, slow buses, bag check, and early opening. By planning this way, I hope to meet my real goal of 15 till which is about when they usually open up. However, as long as I get to the gate by close to opening, I am happy.

The only problem I have found with arriving right at opening or right after is when they open the park 30 minutes earlier than the official time. I’ve had this happen to me, and it did make a huge difference arriving at 9:10 that day as the park had already been open 40 minutes by that point, closer to an hour before we made it through security, in the gates, and to our first attraction. You would know the one day I am running late, they open the parks 30 minutes early.

As far as the FP+ thing, I think it just depends on the person. I sit at a computer all day at work everyday, and it is no big deal for me to open a page in the morning and then check a couple of times a day. I get lots of down time in between projects and emails at work when I am just sitting around waiting on someone else, so taking the less than a minute it takes to check if the page is already up is no big deal to me, and doesn’t really eat up any of my time, as I’d just be sitting here anyway. If however, you are taking time out of a busy day to make a special trip to get on the computer, then I can see your point. But in our computer age, most people are connected 24/7, so it isn't such an issue.

Fair points all around. And yes I was referring to the folks who literally are at RD 45 - 60 mins early.

As for the later, as I said that is a fair point. For me it is something I have to take time away from other things for, even though I am at a computer. And I think there is just a certain level of stress and uncertainty involved as well with it, trying to juggle things around and hoping to snatch that one FP spot. Splitting up your group into singles and trying to secure each an individual FP but where somehow all of them over lap so you have a 5 or 10 or 20 min window when they are all active (harder depending on the size of the party) which we have seen people here advocate. Now sure, people will say its only as stressful as you make it, or you don't have to use FP, etc etc. But when you are putting a lot of money on the line, especially for those who have to stretch to make trips happen, not getting the value out of it, including the rides/attractions you want, is important. And not using FP, with the increase in SB wait times due to FP+, now puts you at a significant disadvantage.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Of course it's hard to avoid lines. How many books, blogs, planning sites, forums are devoted to avoiding lines at Disney? If it was so easy before why would they exist? There have always been strategies, and now some don't like that the strategies have changed.

In truth, the strategies really haven't changed much since the 1970's. The main change has been the number of folks willing to make $ off of selling those ideas.

I coulda' been rich! If I'd been willing to sell out.

I love when the strategies change, for the better.

In no way shape of form is the current system better than my beloved E-ride nights. Those were simply magical.

I also loved being a member of the Magic Kingdom Club and all the special perks it bestowed.

The current system is more akin to being bamboozled, at least as it is currently operating. I hope one day it will be the experience that was initially advertised.

Because THAT system would actually change park touring in a significant and positive way.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We recently decided to hit the Mouse House after originally thinking we would skip this year (benefit of living 2hrs away!).


So, the day the FL 3 Day tix went on sale I bought our family’s tickets.

I knew FP+’s would be an issue as we wanted to go in just over 2 weeks, so clearly 7D was out as potentially was TSM.


So, I bought the tix and booked some FP’s; Jungle Cruise, PP, HM for MK & StarTours, Frozen Sing-a-Long and lucky me TSM (for around 8pm) at HS.


I start planning out our day on TouringPlans, figuring we’d need to hit 7D first thing in the AM.


While working out the plan, I got a call from my SIL who has an AP and decided she is going to go with us.


I can control her FP+’s, so I try to book what we already had but noticed that 7D pulled up for her for 525pm.

Immediately I book it.

I then used the “copy a set of FP+’s to other party members” on the MDX App and was able to get 2 more onto 7D from my party. Doing them 1 at a time. That left just me with no 7D FP+ as I kept getting kicked into Big Thunder, rather than 7D (guess it was full).

I continued to check back periodically and then ixie dust: another 7D opens at the wrong time 1230ish.

I booked it anyway.

Over the next 2 days I continued to try to find a similar time as the others for 7D…and early yesterday I was able to switch my 1230 for a 530pm.

I was also able to get my TSM from around 8pm (conflicting with Fantasmic) to 530pm.



So, for those who fear the lack of availability of FP+’s just keep at it.

I was able to book 4 7D FP+’s for essentially the same time less than 2 weeks from the date of arrival in the park (MLK weekend).



Happy Hunting!

Yes, congratulations! It's a great story but would not have worked for us either as we had ADRs (which could not be switched for other times) and 2 little ones. Sure, I could have gotten Rapunzel for 9:30 PM, but the little ones would be asleep by then. I'm not a naysayer, just real. I had ADRs for CRT, BOG, Diamond Horseshoe, Akershus, (CP w/Neil Patrick Harris at 5:00), Sci Fy, Crystal Palace in the 4:45 to 5:45 range because of a 2 and 4 year old. Nap time at 2 to 4 (in the stroller), bedtime 9:00 pm at the latest. We just couldn't be flexible like that.
That said, glad you had good luck! And for those out there with no schedules to work around, it's a good report!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think you are missing the point, and don't really understand the advantage of showing up 45 or 60 early for RD.

When people tell you to show up for RD, and show up early like 45 or 60 mins early, this does not benefit you for multiple rides, it benefits you for ONE ride. Park opens at 9, you show up at 8, wait and rush to the ride at RD. Someone else shows up at 9:10, you are exiting your first ride just as they are entering the park, you are now on equal footing for ride 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc so while you might not have to wait for that one ride, and maybe you saved yourself some time on that, you showed up and waited for RD, which means you really didn't save any time.

And like I said, its not an issue about sitting down for an hour and banging out your FPs. That's not a big issue to me. But this isn't the first story we have seen of people over a period of days, again, not just sitting down at one time and popping through the options, searching periodically for days in this case 3 days, to try and wrangle one FP. That to me is not a success. I bet for some people that is fun, and good for them, but to me that just doesn't sound like something you should have to do to wrangle the ride you want while you are paying thousands of dollars to ride it.

I agree! Lots of DISers talk about arriving well before the gate opens.

I also find it absurd to wait in a kiosk line for 20+ minutes to get a FP for a late-in-the-day-tier-two attraction that probably won't have a long standby wait at 8pm and beyond.

Mind, things are changing. But last year our experience was this: In April, we wanted to change one of our FP. Admittedly, I only spent 10min in the line. It didn't move. I estimated that line to be at least half an hour long. It wasn't worth the wait. We were only looking to change a Pooh FP, I don't recall what one we wanted (maybe LMermaid?) but it ended up that standing in the kiosk line would have cost us far more than using the standby line (for LM) AND using the FP to ride Pooh.

August. The afternoon kiosk lines meant half an hour baking in the hot sun! I mean it was real-feel temps over 100. After dark, the standby line for many attractions - any we would have gotten at 4pm: PotC, HM, Jungle Cruise- to name a few we rode that night - were all under ten minutes. Glad we didn't bake in the sun, y'know? Nothing zaps DH's energy quite like standing in the hot sun.

****
Except I should add, under old FP, at least when they weren't enforcing window end-times, there was some advantage for those who could start collecting FP right at nine a.m. The earlier one started collecting old FP, the more one could collect/the sooner one could collect FP for all the FP attractions, before the return window was 2+ hours out. Since you could use them outside the time window, there was no worry you'd miss your window due to along line/slow bus/ride stoppage, thunderstorm, etc. the CM's didn't yell if you were 15min outside your window like they do now. now it is much more stressful thinking use/lose/or deal with rebooking. (far from glitch-free last year and an exercise in frustration)

 

[mirak]

And as a PP noted, I wouldn't call this a success story either, in fact I would say it demonstrates the increased level of effort, potential stress, etc that is caused by FP+.

In some ways its the same as people who say RD is awesome because it allows them to skip the lines for "X" ride. But who show up 45 mins or an hour early for park opening. Well, you just waited in line for 45 or 60 mins, so be sure to add that to the time you didn't spend waiting in line.

Though it sounds like you actually had to work for it, so maybe that's worse than just showing up early.

My thoughts exactly when I read the OP. This perfectly demonstrates what's so wrong about the new FP+ system. We're planning a trip to an amusement park - not the moon shot or the D Day invasion - it shouldn't take this much effort.

The old system worked great, and it didn't kill the spontaneity. Show up at a ride and if the line's too long, you take a FP and come back later. Simple, easy, stress free. Disney seriously screwed this up.

 

[nighttowll]

Now sure, people will say its only as stressful as you make it, or you don't have to use FP, etc etc. But when you are putting a lot of money on the line, especially for those who have to stretch to make trips happen, not getting the value out of it, including the rides/attractions you want, is important. And not using FP, with the increase in SB wait times due to FP+, now puts you at a significant disadvantage.

This, I definately agree with. Not using FP+ would not be an acceptable alternative to me. I will never feel waiting around and only doing a few stand by rides is worth the thousands of dollars a trip costs me. So the arguement I've heard before that you don't have to make reservations, you have a choice, doesn't really cut it with me. To have an equal experience, I do. Becuase of this, I can see how a person who either can't or is too stressed out by all of the FP stalking could get frustrated easily, and the above OPs scenario would never work out for them. For those people, I would suggest not booking a trip unless they can plan way ahead. Not really fair to them, but it just is what it is. This is the new Disney.

 

[Shaden]

This, I definately agree with. Not using FP+ would not be an acceptable alternative to me. I will never feel waiting around and only doing a few stand by rides is worth the thousands of dollars a trip costs me. So the arguement I've heard before that you don't have to make reservations, you have a choice, doesn't really cut it with me. To have an equal experience, I do. Becuase of this, I can see how a person who either can't or is too stressed out by all of the FP stalking could get frustrated easily, and the above OPs scenario would never work out for them. For those people, I would suggest not booking a trip unless they can plan way ahead. Not really fair to them, but it just is what it is. This is the new Disney.

 

[Laketravis]

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. We stayed on-site over New Years, the busiest time of the year, and DS9 just LOVED being able to bypass the standby lines to ride Spider Man and Transformers and Mummy and Despicable Me and Shrek and Men in Black and Rip Ride Rocket and..........

Ooops. Wrong parks. Sorry.

 

[joelkfla]

I'm a cm, so I only get a 7-day FP+ window. Yet, in the past month, I've been able to get FP+s for parades, fireworks, TSMM, Soarin', and more, on the days I wanted, at times that worked for me (even on some of the busiest days of the year!) I'm not always successful, but probably better than 50%.

My suggestions: take a few minutes to check before bedtime. Then, whenever you have some slack time (waiting in line at the store, waiting for your order at McDonalds, whatever), take out your smart phone and spend a few minutes logging into the app and checking for availability. Try more than once, as availability literally changes from minute to minute.

It's time that would have been wasted anyway, and very little effort -- not what I would call "a lot of work."

 

[Suvadoo]

I agree that this amount of planning for a visit to an amusemnet park is completely ridiculous. I am never going to be convinced that programs like FP+ are the wave of the future. I think it will be shown up as an epic failure, but that takes time.

To me, FP+ has shown me how stale WDW has become. I keep asking myself if a particular headline attraction is worth reserving, and most of the time the answer is no. I also feel the same about the TS restaurants. To me, they are not worth the ADR, both the food and the service are mediocre. If I walk up and a table is available fine, otherwise I move on.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I agree that this amount of planning for a visit to an amusemnet park is completely ridiculous. I am never going to be convinced that programs like FP+ are the wave of the future. I think it will be shown up as an epic failure, but that takes time.

To me, FP+ has shown me how stale WDW has become. I keep asking myself if a particular headline attraction is worth reserving, and most of the time the answer is no. I also feel the same about the TS restaurants. To me, they are not worth the ADR, both the food and the service are mediocre. If I walk up and a table is available fine, otherwise I move on.

Yes, I've long realized there wasn't much to FP in Epcot or HS, but the new pre-planning has really emphasized to us as well just how badly dated most of Epcot has now become.

We used to really enjoy dining in the WS when Illuminations was new. Not because the food was amazing, but because we could walk up and just enjoy the opportunity to sit for bit when our feet got tired, and maybe even snagging a table with a view. I am luck , I suppose, I have access to world cuisine here at home, and it is far less Americanized than we find at WDW. We were truly disappointed the last time we ate in Japan. The a la carte sushi is gone! Almost everything is breaded and fried w/side of FRIED rice- it is the opposite of normal Japanese cuisine! It was crazy.

 

[SmithSmith]

Yes, I've long realized there wasn't much to FP in Epcot or HS, but the new pre-planning has really emphasized to us as well just how badly dated most of Epcot has now become.

We used to really enjoy dining in the WS when Illuminations was new. Not because the food was amazing, but because we could walk up and just enjoy the opportunity to sit for bit when our feet got tired, and maybe even snagging a table with a view. I am luck , I suppose, I have access to world cuisine here at home, and it is far less Americanized than we find at WDW. We were truly disappointed the last time we ate in Japan. The a la carte sushi is gone! Almost everything is breaded and fried w/side of FRIED rice- it is the opposite of normal Japanese cuisine! It was crazy.

I do not blame Disney for this. They're only giving what most of the guests are asking for and most of the guests are asking for rich and fatty food.

Also, they'll substitute steamed rice for fried.

 

[g8torphan]

I think it will be shown up as an epic failure, but that takes time.

The increase in attendance and increased profits last year seem to indicate otherwise.

More profit...more attendance...more direct marketing...more data on guest...more ability to control park flow....


Also, I dont buy the 'so much planning' complaint.
It is less planning than running across a park multiple times day in hopes of getting a TSM (or SM or whatever) FP that doesnt conflict with dinner plans or a show.

I chose to spend extra time as I had a short amount of time untily trip, and you lnow what....it worked.

 

[SmithSmith]

The increase in attendance and increased profits last year seem to indicate otherwise.

More profit...more attendance...more direct marketing...more data on guest...more ability to control park flow....


Also, I dont buy the 'so much planning' complaint.
It is less planning than running across a park multiple times day in hopes of getting a TSM (or SM or whatever) FP that doesnt conflict with dinner plans or a show.

I chose to spend extra time as I had a short amount of time untily trip, and you lnow what....it worked.

I don't have any park tickets associated with my MDE account right now so I can't check to see how long it takes me to check for FP availability, but I can check ADR availability. So I just timed myself to see how long it'd take for me to open the app and to see if an ADR was available and then close the app again. Guess how long it took? A whole 25 seconds! I'm with you, I don't understand how spending 30 seconds to 60 seconds (even repeatedly) in an app equates to "too much planning". Personally, if I'm spending thousands on a vacation then I want as much of it planned as possible.

 

[Suvadoo]

The increase in attendance and increased profits last year seem to indicate otherwise.

More profit...more attendance...more direct marketing...more data on guest...more ability to control park flow....


Also, I dont buy the 'so much planning' complaint.
It is less planning than running across a park multiple times day in hopes of getting a TSM (or SM or whatever) FP that doesnt conflict with dinner plans or a show.

I chose to spend extra time as I had a short amount of time untily trip, and you lnow what....it worked.

I don't think you can give FP+ any credit for the increased attendance. The credit goes to an improved economy. Also, increased profits are mainly attributed to their increased ticket prices and increased prices of vitrually everything throughout the resort.
We will not see the actual effect of FP+ for several years.

 

[Dis703]

Good for you OP! I have zero issues with spending an hour on the computer either as it's not a big deal for me. I'll take it over having to make rope drop to get a decent return time on TSM or missing out on any of the big rides on arrival day when we have a late flight.

Now am I going to enjoy getting up at 1am to do my FP for this next trip? No. And in reality I probably don't really have to, but I'm willing to do it to make sure I get the day and time I want for SDMT. And I still prefer it to the old system of running around the park to grab FP with a return time not of my choosing.