Need advice about FP+ selections due to ECV

[GenGen22]

So I am confused on what to do. This is my first trip to WDW using a ECV and also the first time having to book FP+. So stressful planning this much in advance. I'm a DL veteran and when on vacation we don't plan like you do at WDW. Anyhow, since there will be F&G at Epcot we have now decided to use the express transportation to hop from Epcot to AK. Originally I wanted to spend the day at AK but have changed my mind due to F&G. We have an ADR at 1900 Park Fare at 10:20am as we are not rope drop people and were thinking to head to Epcot after that to check out the F & G and then hop to AK in the late afternoon/early evening. So, I am not sure because I cannot stand in line as I have a bad knee so,I'm not sure what FP+ selections I need to get for this day. I really want to go on the Kilimanjaro Safari and this was one of the FP selections I was going to make but not sure which to select. We also want Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids but am thinking maybe I don't need my FP for this park and to use them on Soarin or Frozen. Can someone give me some advice? I am so confused and have to reserve these next week. We also have an ADR at the Spirit of Aloha at 8:15pm as well. I'm really hoping for longer hours and maybe I should move my Spirit of Aloha ADR to 5:15pm? This is for Friday 5/12/17. TIA for any and all advise.

 

[gap2368]

I would ask your question on the on this thread https://www.disboards.com/forums/everything-fastpass.197/ as they would know where to book FP better.

 

[Bete]

A couple of suggestions would be to do Epcot last not first. They are open later; so, I would end my day with Epcot. Logistically, it would be easier to go from 1900 Pare Fare to Epcot, as well.

You can make FP+ reservations for both parks in advance and you get 3 of them in advance. So, you can split your choices between the two parks. If you can get done with your 3 FP+ passes early you can then get a fourth FP+ at the park and even a fifth after you get done with the fourth. There are kiosks in every park to do this. Mind you there is no guarantee on availability of the fourth and fifth FP+ and the times available that are left may not work for you.

Also, keep in mind you may be able to use a stand by ride line if available for the ride and not need to use a FP+.

Also, you need to realize it takes time to go from resort to park and to go from park to park. With an ECV it gets a little harder the more trips you take here and there. It just may be better not to park hop and just pick one park. I really feel Epcot is a full day park especially with the Flower and Garden Show. Make sure you get a park hopper ticket if you really stick with going to both parks. The Walt Disney World parks and resorts and not really close to each other.

Another consideration would be to at least drop one of the dining experiences at one of the resorts. You can have late breakfast or early lunch at some park restaurants. There are character dining experiences at the park, too.

Personally, I feel you are trying to cram in too much into one day.

 

[GenGen22]

I would ask your question on the on this thread https://www.disboards.com/forums/everything-fastpass.197/ as they would know where to book FP better.

Ok I'll post there, thanks!

 

[GenGen22]

A couple of suggestions would be to do Epcot last not first. They are open later; so, I would end my day with Epcot. Logistically, it would be easier to go from 1900 Pare Fare to Epcot, as well.

You can make FP+ reservations for both parks in advance and you get 3 of them in advance. So, you can split your choices between the two parks. If you can get done with your 3 FP+ passes early you can then get a fourth FP+ at the park and even a fifth after you get done with the fourth. There are kiosks in every park to do this. Mind you there is no guarantee on availability of the fourth and fifth FP+ and the times available that are left may not work for you.

Also, keep in mind you may be able to use a stand by ride line if available for the ride and not need to use a FP+.

Also, you need to realize it takes time to go from resort to park and to go from park to park. With an ECV it gets a little harder the more trips you take here and there. It just may be better not to park hop and just pick one park. I really feel Epcot is a full day park especially with the Flower and Garden Show. Make sure you get a park hopper ticket if you really stick with going to both parks. The Walt Disney World parks and resorts and not really close to each other.

Another consideration would be to at least drop one of the dining experiences at one of the resorts. You can have late breakfast or early lunch at some park restaurants. There are character dining experiences at the park, too.

Personally, I feel you are trying to cram in too much into one day.

We're planning to pay extra for the express transportation which can get you from park to park in like 20 minutes. I do understand with a ECV it does take more to get around. The reason I posted this question here was more to find out if the attractions I'm interested required me to get a fp+ for since I'm on a ECV. In DL I don't need FP I either get to go in the FP line w/o a FP or they take my info down and ask me to come back like a FP. I'm not sure if there are any attractions in EP or AK like this. Can you or someone tell me this please? And I think you may be right about switching EP with AK so, that I go to EP in the evening. I know it's a lot in one day but we're only going to be there for 3 days unfortunately.

 

[gap2368]

We're planning to pay extra for the express transportation which can get you from park to park in like 20 minutes. I do understand with a ECV it does take more to get around. The reason I posted this question here was more to find out if the attractions I'm interested required me to get a fp+ for since I'm on a ECV. In DL I don't need FP I either get to go in the FP line w/o a FP or they take my info down and ask me to come back like a FP. I'm not sure if there are any attractions in EP or AK like this. Can you or someone tell me this please? And I think you may be right about switching EP with AK so, that I go to EP in the evening. I know it's a lot in one day but we're only going to be there for 3 days unfortunately.

the express pass is great used it so much last week I really hope disney keeps it.

about whether or not you need a FP because you have an ECV

the safrie you can take your ECV in line ( I know for sure the FP line and I think stand by too) there is an outlet where you can plug in if no one else is using it while you ride. and this line is long so if you can not walk you will want your ECV

kalli I have not done I do not like to be wet

Everest you can take your ECV in both stand by and FP

so yes you will need FP in all of Disney there are 3-5 rides that are not ECV friendly

 

[GenGen22]

the express pass is great used it so much last week I really hope disney keeps it.

about whether or not you need a FP because you have an ECV

the safrie you can take your ECV in line ( I know for sure the FP line and I think stand by too) there is an outlet where you can plug in if no one else is using it while you ride. and this line is long so if you can not walk you will want your ECV

kalli I have not done I do not like to be wet

Everest you can take your ECV in both stand by and FP

so yes you will need FP in all of Disney there are 3-5 rides that are not ECV friendly

Thanks for your response, I appreciate !

 

[lanejudy]

I believe all the rides you mentioned allow the ECV into the queue. Safari uses a pull-off for those using a mobility device as it cannot be parked at the regular boarding; also there can be a wait for the accessible vehicle, so that could be long regardless of FP+ if there are a lot of people at the accessible boarding area. As another poster suggested, people on the Everything FastPass thread may be better able to answer as to which rides most need a FP+ and which might be ok as standby.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We're planning to pay extra for the express transportation which can get you from park to park in like 20 minutes. I do understand with a ECV it does take more to get around. The reason I posted this question here was more to find out if the attractions I'm interested required me to get a fp+ for since I'm on a ECV. In DL I don't need FP I either get to go in the FP line w/o a FP or they take my info down and ask me to come back like a FP. I'm not sure if there are any attractions in EP or AK like this. Can you or someone tell me this please? And I think you may be right about switching EP with AK so, that I go to EP in the evening. I know it's a lot in one day but we're only going to be there for 3 days unfortunately.

very few attractions at WDW work like DL as most lines allow the ECV in standby line so you will need the FP+. I agree with doing AK then going to EPCOT in the evening

 

[SueM in MN]

We also want Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids but am thinking maybe I don't need my FP for this park and to use them on Soarin or Frozen.

On all of those attractions, both the regular and Fastpass lines are accessible.
So, you will need to use Fastpasses if you don't want to wait in the Standby (regular) line.

Kilimanjaro Safari and Kali River Rapids both have pull off points close to boarding that take you to a different boarding area, but the regular and Fastpass lines are both accessible up until the pull off point.

Soarin' and Frozen are accessible in both Fastpass and Standby line all the way to boarding.

There are no attractions at AK with handicapped entrances like at DL.
At Epcot, there is only one attraction - Spaceship Earth. There, you go in the exit and will wait there to be brought into the boarding area. Sometimes, if a lot of people are already waiting and the area is full, they may give out return time passes.

 

[smidgy]

just so you know, while you can make advance fastpasses at both parks (epcot and AK) you can ONLY make advance FP for one park per day. so if you choose to make advance FP for AK, you can't make any FP for epcot until you use the first 3 at AK. (by that time frozen Fp will be unavailable.)

 

[smidgy]

at AK, the safari and kali river rapids have very long lines without FP.. for everest, I would suggest the single rider line. but, you are starting out the day with a late breakfast near MK. and ending it with an early luau.. near MK.
I am thinking, as a DL veteran, you have no idea of how huge the WDW property is.. like 48 square miles! even with the special exress transport between parks... you are thinking 20 minutes. no.. first you have to wait in line. than get on eith the ECV.. then others board. they still might wait a bit for others. then.. when you get to the new park. all the others get off. then the ECVs get off.
I'm sorry I hate to be a debbie downer, but I want you to be prepared. in my opinion, there is no way you will be able to do a 10:20 breakfast at Park fare, and a 5:15 luau (both of which are near the MK, and somehow fit in the top liner rides at both epcot and AK.
me? I HATE!!!!! mornings!! I tend bar, waitress, work nights. but at WDW, I get up for rope drop!!! it is SO worth it!! I would move the breakfast earlier, if I could, and the luau later. (I would skip the luau, myself). if those are your fav. rides, so them on 2 dif. days. make advance FP for AK. I know.. tough choices. at epcot there are handicap viewing areas for illuminations.. which is a great show! no FP needed. (but again, first come first served.

 

[GenGen22]

I moved my morning ADR to 8:20am yesterday as I agree I'm going to have to get up one at early. I also moved my dinner ADR to 5:20pm because my plan is to go to a second park after dinner. Now I have another question. Since Smidgy stated the Frozen FP would be gone if I selected EP as my second park. Would this also me true if I selected AK as my second park for the Safari and expedition Everest? We have Soarin in CA so, not as big of a deal and the same with the rapids. And I'm not really interested in illuminations but would kind of like to see ROL but not a requirement. I will discuss all of this with DD and see what she says before deciding but just need a little more information first. Thank you all for all of your input, I appreciate it!

 

[gap2368]

I would do FP for EPCPT. AK is easer to get FP for the safari and EE. just try right after you use your 3 one but there is very little chance for a FP for FEA day of

 

[Hoodie]

Remember - World Showcase in EPCOT (and many F&G booths) won't open until 11am.

There are a couple of factors at play, especially travel time. It can take 45 minutes -1 hour to get from one point to another. We found Disney buses sporadic, at best. Some times there were 2-3 minutes between buses, sometimes 20+ minutes. The monorail can have similar issues. With an ADR at the Poly at 5:20, plan to be out of the park by 4:30 at the latest (remember, with an ECV you may need to wait for a couple of buses is there are others in front of you)

Even with the express transportation between parks, it will be very tight to make both ADRs and hit everything. Since almost all lines are accessible with an ECV, standing in lines won't be a problem, but you could spend a lot of time in the line itself.

AK is a bit of a wild card right now. It used to be you could show up mid-afternoon and almost walk onto everything. With the addition of the nighttime events and now ROL, wait times have picked up in the afternoon as well. They still seem to be peak between 10-2, but you don't see the dramatic drop off you used to.

I would see what rides are absolute must dos and plan your fastpasses that way (I'd also ditch one of the ADRs, but that's just me). Don't plan on FPs being available at your second park - and even if they are they likely will be a couple of hours away, meaning you may need to chose between FP and your dinner ADR. Just plan to wait in the standby line. I think the key is to remember that unlike DL which would give you a wheelchair return time based on the existing wait, that doesn't exist at AK or EPCOT. I've seen FastPasses for some attractions already set at 4-5pm an hour after rope drop.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with the others. I would definitely only do 1 ADR if you must try to do 2 parks in one day. I agree with @smidgy Coming from DL I don't think you have any idea of the size of the property. It is bigger than all of Manhattan's 5 Boroughs. Express Transportation will definitely help, as you will not need to go through bag check and security again. But I still think travel time could easily be 45 minutes or more.
The Luau is about a 2 hour show. So you will not get out until 7:15 or after. Then you need to make your way from the Luau pavilion and to the bus stop. At that point you very well have to wait for more than one bus to the park. Then you DO have to go through bag check, and security again prior to entering the park. I just wouldn't try that plan
Good Luck

 

[GenGen22]

All of this really makes me think. I really wanted to do the Luau the night of arrival. I arrive at 6:35pm at MCO but changed my plans as others said I wouldn't make it on time to the 87pm showing. I really liked that MDE takes the baggage to the room so we can take off and maybe go to DS and shop & eat dinner. Can you still have MDE take your luggage if you take uber? Would I be able to do the Luau that night instead. I don't want to cancel my morning ADR as this is the one we cancelled last trip as we were too tired after being there and getting up early for the last 8 days. So, I really want to go to 1900 park fare. I do know that the property is larger but I don't remember as its been a few years since I've been there and I think my planning definitely shows that. I think I need to talk to DD about possibly cancelling the Luau or moving it to my MK night. But I was soooo looking forward to going to Crystal Palace on mothers day as that was my favorite character experience on our last trip.

 

[Hopefully]

All of this really makes me think. I really wanted to do the Luau the night of arrival. I arrive at 6:35pm at MCO but changed my plans as others said I wouldn't make it on time to the 87pm showing. I really liked that MDE takes the baggage to the room so we can take off and maybe go to DS and shop & eat dinner. Can you still have MDE take your luggage if you take uber? Would I be able to do the Luau that night instead. I don't want to cancel my morning ADR as this is the one we cancelled last trip as we were too tired after being there and getting up early for the last 8 days. So, I really want to go to 1900 park fare. I do know that the property is larger but I don't remember as its been a few years since I've been there and I think my planning definitely shows that. I think I need to talk to DD about possibly cancelling the Luau or moving it to my MK night. But I was soooo looking forward to going to Crystal Palace on mothers day as that was my favorite character experience on our last trip.

I don't believe you can do The Luau on arrival night. I actually don't think it is worth the struggle. If you were to be delayed you would be charged the total cost ( expensive) as No Shows.
MDE is My Disney Experience (MDE) and is the online app to manage your trip. DME is Disney Magical Express, the transportation service.
DME is designed to transfer you and your luggage from the airport to your resort. There are reports of luggage only transfers but in my opinion it is a risk and I would not do it.