My FP+ success story ..

[g8torphan]

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!

 

[goherdibg]

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!

So....you spent how much time getting FP's for one ride? Not sure I would call that a success story.

I enjoy planning as much as the next person (as is evident by my www.distripplanner.com site) but it drives me nuts being forced to make plans on what attractions to ride at predetermined times?

I am in no way flaming you on this, I am simply upset at the FP+ idea. Can you estimate how much time you spent searching for your FP's for 7D - from beginning until you had all 4 booked?

 

[g8torphan]

I'd say around an hour total.

I was planning our days out, so I was already at tje computer.

I found early AM (like 6-7) was the bedt time to make changes. Not sure why....

Also remember I'm going in 2 weeks....if I had been 30/60 days out it would have beem easier.

 

[Hokie2000]

I have a success story from about 10 minutes ago. I was checking the weather for our trip next week and they're calling for rain every day. Curses!

We had originally planned to try Typhoon Lagoon on Thursday, but it looks like the temps will get lower towards the end of the week. So I decided to plan on Tuesday instead, necessitating later FP times for DHS that day. For the five of us I had no problem changing TSMM, TOT, and Star Tours to the later times I wanted. It took 5 minutes.

 

[Shaden]

I have a success story from about 10 minutes ago. I was checking the weather for our trip next week and they're calling for rain every day. Curses!

We had originally planned to try Typhoon Lagoon on Thursday, but it looks like the temps will get lower towards the end of the week. So I decided to plan on Tuesday instead, necessitating later FP times for DHS that day. For the five of us I had no problem changing TSMM, TOT, and Star Tours to the later times I wanted. It took 5 minutes.

Ok this is fair and true and that's all good. But again I wouldn't call this an FP+ success story any more than I would call someone who went to DHS that day and rode a bunch of stuff that day on legacy FP an FP success story.

I'd call that a crowd level 1 ... literally one of the emptiest days of the year success story You shouldn't even need FPs.

 

[Shaden]

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.

 

[g8torphan]

Call it what you like.

I'm just saying there are options well after the 30/60 day mark.

I really dont consider hitting a few buttons on an APP work, but maybe I have a different perspective.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I took it that the OP was pointing out that it is indeed possible to get FP+ for the very popular rides on fairly short notice, if one is willing to put in a little effort, which the OP obviously was. For the OP, that constituted a "success story," and I agree. The OP's story is encouraging to hear because so many people are told that, if you don't get the popular FP+ at the 60 day mark, there's no point in trying. The OP was willing to be persistent and check back often, and it paid off. If you don't like FP+, then you don't like it, and that's fine. But it is obviously here to stay, and there are those who are willing to accept the reality of the system and make the effort use it to their advantage. I commend the OP for sharing the story.

 

[SuperTink]

It's actually level 4/5 depending on the crowd calendar you follow.

I'm happy to hear it because I am also going next week, and I like the idea of maybe scoring a 4th FP to something "worthy" while we are there.

I haven't used FP+ yet and am rather skeptical, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes for us.

Now if there was only a ByPass+ to get rid of the rain.

 

[Virtucomp]

The big positive I find with FP+ is that on the first day you get to the park you can get fast passes for high volume attractions. We usually fly in and get to the park in the afternoon. With the old system I would not be able to get much for fast passes since most of the machines were covered by then. With the new system I can get a FP+ for 4PM for any ride I want. I realize that only works for trips planned in advance.

As the OP pointed out, its a little more work when you only have two weeks. If I planned a trip in two weeks I would be more concerned about the cost of my airfare than the chance of getting good fast passes.

thanks for the info.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Call it what you like.

I'm just saying there are options well after the 30/60 day mark.

I really dont consider hitting a few buttons on an APP work, but maybe I have a different perspective.

Don't let those who seemingly purpose to invalidate positive FP+ stories when the opportunity strikes rain on your parade.

Last week, we were able to get FP+ for RNR for 6 people the night before. We showed up at 3:30 on Saturday to a 110 minute standby wait. So clearly it was a success for us despite anyone's opinion on what they would rate our experience. (2 of us did not ride, but I just kept all of them the same anyway. We came specifically for the lights and to do one or two attractions.)

Thank you for sharing your success especially since it is widely publicized (I.e. Posted on this board) that what you were able to eventually get isn't possible outside of 1am (or whatever time) 60 days prior.

 

[minnie mum]

Congrats OP on getting the FPs that you wanted. However I completely understand the viewpoint of some of the PPs. It's about the time and effort that you have to spend. Day after day. You spend an hour repeatedly searching the site in order to get a FP for a 2 minute ride. Or (as in a previous example) wait in line at RD for nearly that long to avoid standing in line at an attraction. Some of us don't think it should have to be this hard. Yes, this is the new reality. Doesn't mean we have to like it. And some of us are still trying to decide if it's worth it anymore.

 

[Hokie2000]

Congrats OP on getting the FPs that you wanted. However I completely understand the viewpoint of some of the PPs. It's about the time and effort that you have to spend. Day after day. You spend an hour repeatedly searching the site in order to get a FP for a 2 minute ride. Or (as in a previous example) wait in line at RD for nearly that long to avoid standing in line at an attraction. Some of us don't think it should have to be this hard. Yes, this is the new reality. Doesn't mean we have to like it. And some of us are still trying to decide if it's worth it anymore.

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.

 

[goherdibg]

Congrats OP on getting the FPs that you wanted. However I completely understand the viewpoint of some of the PPs. It's about the time and effort that you have to spend. Day after day. You spend an hour repeatedly searching the site in order to get a FP for a 2 minute ride. Or (as in a previous example) wait in line at RD for nearly that long to avoid standing in line at an attraction. Some of us don't think it should have to be this hard. Yes, this is the new reality. Doesn't mean we have to like it. And some of us are still trying to decide if it's worth it anymore.

Before FP+ all I really had to know was where I was going to be around dinner time for my ADR. I could be in another park earlier and then hop to the ADR park (or hotel) for dinner. Now it "feels like" I need to know where I am going to be at all times because of my FP+ reservations. In short, I am definitely happy you were able to get the FP+ times you wanted; however, our definition of success has changed and that is based on what Disney has forced us to endure/plan.

Old gen FP worked for me, but I definitely didn't like the people who saved up their FP's and used them all at the end - sometimes making the evening FP lines long. We all have our ideas of why FP+ was implemented and I am sure we are all partially right.

What I don't like is sensing a lowering of our expectations so that simply getting a FP+ time is considered success (no jab at the OP intended) - or failure if we do not get the FP+ we want.

I do apologize if my original reply came off as flip - it was not intended to be that way.

I was wanting to go back to WDW sometime over the summer of 2015. I have a Disney VISA and have quite a bit of rewards dollars saved up. However, I feel as though I may not "get my money's worth" during a possible 8-9 day trip. What am I doing instead? Planning a trip to Hawaii and using my Disney rewards to pay for airfare and a few nights in Aulani and spending my other nights in a non-Disney resort. I guess my next trip to WDW will have to wait a few more years until I decide if it will be worth my money.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I took it that the OP was pointing out that it is indeed possible to get FP+ for the very popular rides on fairly short notice, if one is willing to put in a little effort, which the OP obviously was. For the OP, that constituted a "success story," and I agree. The OP's story is encouraging to hear because so many people are told that, if you don't get the popular FP+ at the 60 day mark, there's no point in trying. The OP was willing to be persistent and check back often, and it paid off. If you don't like FP+, then you don't like it, and that's fine. But it is obviously here to stay, and there are those who are willing to accept the reality of the system and make the effort use it to their advantage. I commend the OP for sharing the story.

I agree. The OP may have spent some time getting the FP's but the time was spent at home and not standing in line. The legacy FP's are a thing of the past and there is no longer anything gained comparing the two systems. Instead we need to learn how to make the new system work the best we can. Thank you OP for sharing the information. This information is now available to help others.

 

[Hokie2000]

To everyone who says that the examples in this thread are not success stories - I would agree with you if not for the number of posts that claim that these experiences are impossible. If someone tells you that you can't do something, but you do it, wouldn't you claim success?

Yes the OP had to spend some time (about an hour, iirc), but they were able to get FPs for 7dmt two weeks from their vacation. People said it couldn't be done. It has been done. Success!

 

[Suvadoo]

To everyone who says that the examples in this thread are not success stories - I would agree with you if not for the number of posts that claim that these experiences are impossible. If someone tells you that you can't do something, but you do it, wouldn't you claim success?

Yes the OP had to spend some time (about an hour, iirc), but they were able to get FPs for 7dmt two weeks from their vacation. People said it couldn't be done. It has been done. Success!

It's great they got the FP+ they wanted.

 

[mggeary]

The big positive I find with FP+ is that on the first day you get to the park you can get fast passes for high volume attractions. We usually fly in and get to the park in the afternoon. With the old system I would not be able to get much for fast passes since most of the machines were covered by then. With the new system I can get a FP+ for 4PM for any ride I want. I realize that only works for trips planned in advance.

As the OP pointed out, its a little more work when you only have two weeks. If I planned a trip in two weeks I would be more concerned about the cost of my airfare than the chance of getting good fast passes.

thanks for the info.

Bingo. This is the most substantial advantage of FP+. Particularly for those staying at a monorail resort whose flight gets in mid day and can now pop over to MK for three major rides and then back for dinner and early to bed.

 

[ncdj2013]

I agree. The OP may have spent some time getting the FP's but the time was spent at home and not standing in line. The legacy FP's are a thing of the past and there is no longer anything gained comparing the two systems. Instead we need to learn how to make the new system work the best we can. Thank you OP for sharing the information. This information is now available to help others.

Yes. I don't get all the distress over having to plan a little bit. I've spent maybe a couple hours total and I have 7 days completely planned with all ADR's made and FP's done...I had no trouble getting anything. It is well worth it to me to do a little planning in the comfort of my home to insure a trip I am spending thousands on goes smoothly. Sure the new system has some downside but the pluses make it worth it for me. I will do anything to save my feet and ankles and standing in line does me in.

 

[Shaden]

Yes. I don't get all the distress over having to plan a little bit. I've spent maybe a couple hours total and I have 7 days completely planned with all ADR's made and FP's done...I had no trouble getting anything. It is well worth it to me to do a little planning in the comfort of my home to insure a trip I am spending thousands on goes smoothly. Sure the new system has some downside but the pluses make it worth it for me. I will do anything to save my feet and ankles and standing in line does me in.

And that is a fair perspective to have.

Though I would be inclined to argue something you are spending thousands on shouldn't require you to do hours of additional planning, but that's just my perspective.

For me the description by the OP, repeatedly switching things around and then checking repeatedly "over the next couple days" to get that last FP+. That isn't just plunking down at the computer for an hour and working stuff out, that's days of checking, and rechecking. To me, while they may have succeeded at getting the FP they wanted, that is the failure of the system.

And the last point for people who get locked out, just keep at it, unfortunately this is a fallacy. For some, they will be successful, and that's great, but for the many, they wont be. There just isn't the capacity to accommodate everyone. The more people that follow this advice, and more that use FP+, they hard the more these stories will be out numbered by the people who don't get the FPs they want.

So sure, they were successful at getting the FP, I can see where hookie and the OP are coming from on that. But spending 3 days working on it ... to me, that's a failure.