Need for FP+ in "low" weeks?

[abolanwoski]

We go every year in Sept and although it's gotten busier as the years go by, it's still pretty chill. In the past we've used FP for TSM, Soarin and Peter Pan but haven't really needed it for much else and even when we used it (X TSM!) could probably have avoided it, we just like walking straight on.

Fast forward to this year and our first trip since FP+ started. We are using salute tix and usually buy them once we arrive.

Do I need to get them in advance to take advantage of the 30 day pre-book? Can I just plan on booking them on arrival or will I be screwed for the rides I really want (TSM)? Will I be unable to walk on to the rides I always used to because of the way FP+ moves the crowds?

Help!

 

[sethschroeder]

While more people might use FP+ that won't change the number of people? If anything I thought I heard reports that standby lines on the "head-liners" are actually lower year over year with FP+ (believe it was a touringplans report).

It makes sense to book up FP+ if you can but I am not sure how FP+ changes the number people riding?

Example:
Last Year
100 people ride per hour (20 FP - 10 left over FP)
This Year
100 people ride per hour (30 FP+ - 0 left over FP+)

Its the same amount of people right just some people choose to use FP+ since they can book it up in advance.

Also to add to it:
Last Year
200 people in the park but only 50% want to ride TSMM
This Year
200 people in the park but only 50% want to ride TSMM

Doesn't change the math just how they decide to get their place in line.

 

[siskaren]

If you want to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or either of your DDs have any interest in meeting Anna and Elsa, then you definitely need to have FP+ for those.

 

[Aurora0427]

If you study the charts on easywdw, FP + has actually increased wait times at attractions that previously never had waits- like POTC. If I were you, I'd do it in advance, especially, as the pp said, you want 7DMT or Anna & Elsa.

 

[sethschroeder]

If you study the charts on easywdw, FP + has actually increased wait times at attractions that previously never had waits- like POTC. If I were you, I'd do it in advance, especially, as the pp said, you want 7DMT or Anna & Elsa.

Link to specific charts please

 

[sethschroeder]

FYI here is the touringplans charts showing change:

June 2014 Update
http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/06/23/fastpass-lowering-waits-disney-world-popular-rides/

April 2014 Update
http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/04/03/how-fastpass-plus-affects-your-wait-update/

February 2014 Update
http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/02/19/fastpass-affecting-your-wait-in-line-disney-world/

Headliners are down
Some of the low priority rides have increased but they were lower to start with, going from 15mins to 20mins is offset by a headliner going from 45 mins to 40 mins for instance.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If you study the charts on easywdw, FP + has actually increased wait times at attractions that previously never had waits- like POTC. If I were you, I'd do it in advance, especially, as the pp said, you want 7DMT or Anna & Elsa.

Link to specific charts please

I don't have the link - but I can comment on my experience. We were there the week leading up to Memorial Day, over the holiday weekend and a few days after. One of our biggest surprises regarding FP+ were the lines for things we never thought we would need a FP+ for. POC consistently had waits of 40+ minutes. Living With the Land had waits of 30+ minutes, Spaceship Earth 45+, Maelstrom 45+ and even Figment had a 30 minute wait. These were not over the holiday weekend, but the week before. We have been that time the past 3 years and have never, ever seen waits like that.

 

[sethschroeder]

I don't have the link - but I can comment on my experience. We were there the week leading up to Memorial Day, over the holiday weekend and a few days after. One of our biggest surprises regarding FP+ were the lines for things we never thought we would need a FP+ for. POC consistently had waits of 40+ minutes. Living With the Land had waits of 30+ minutes, Spaceship Earth 45+, Maelstrom 45+ and even Figment had a 30 minute wait. These were not over the holiday weekend, but the week before. We have been that time the past 3 years and have never, ever seen waits like that.

I challenge "constantly" what day specifically are you talking about?

Based on touringplans where users actually report times and they capture disney times:
Maelstrom
May 19 - Max 20 mins
May 20 - Max 25 mins
May 21 - Max 45 mins @1:07PM (25 mins @ 12:40pm / 35 mins @ 1:15PM)
May 22 - Max 35 otherwise usually 25-30 mins
May 23 - Max 40 mins @3:07PM (20 mins @3:00pm / 10 mins @ 3:27PM)

That was the whole week prior to memorial day....

PS - This is not to say low tier rides have seen an increase the data has shown they have, but a slight increase of 2-9 mins is offset by the headliners dropping time 6-13mins.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

While more people might use FP+ that won't change the number of people?

Exactly, that's for Frozen to do. Based on the number of people on here and FB talking about booking a last week of August trip now that Frozen will be in DHS, I'm very freaked out that my crowd predicted days of 1-3 will now be 5-7

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I challenge "constantly" what day specifically are you talking about?

Based on touringplans where users actually report times and they capture disney times:
Maelstrom
May 19 - Max 20 mins
May 20 - Max 25 mins
May 21 - Max 45 mins @1:07PM (25 mins @ 12:40pm / 35 mins @ 1:15PM)
May 22 - Max 35 otherwise usually 25-30 mins
May 23 - Max 40 mins @3:07PM (20 mins @3:00pm / 10 mins @ 3:27PM)

That was the whole week prior to memorial day....

PS - This is not to say low tier rides have seen an increase the data has shown they have, but a slight increase of 2-9 mins is offset by the headliners dropping time 6-13mins.

Good Grief. Challenge me if you want. You can throw numbers at me all day long. I am telling you what my experience was. I was there and what I posted was what I experienced. Perhaps the "reporter" of the above numbers was there at a different time or a different day. Anyone who has ever been to WDW will tell you numbers and plans look a certain way on paper before you arrive...but then you arrive and reality kicks in. I am sharing my experience...you are free to take it or leave it.

 

[sethschroeder]

Good Grief. Challenge me if you want. You can throw numbers at me all day long. I am telling you what my experience was. I was there and what I posted was what I experienced. Perhaps the "reporter" of the above numbers was there at a different time or a different day. Anyone who has ever been to WDW will tell you numbers and plans look a certain way on paper before you arrive...but then you arrive and reality kicks in. I am sharing my experience...you are free to take it or leave it.

The numbers are on touringplans website from the following resources:
Times reported by Disney
Times observed by "Lines App"
Times observed by TouringPlans

Thats 3 resources that show that wait times were not even close to 45 mins "constantly". I understand you might have felt it was a long time but saying that a whole day a wait for maelstrom is completely different than most of the day being 25-30 mins reported by 3 completely different resources compiled by touringplans.

I feel that its important to not have people completely over-react when in fact the wait times were not as bad as you had stated.

PS not sure if you need a touringplans membership to view:
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-19
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-20
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-21
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-22
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-23

 

[sethschroeder]

Exactly, that's for Frozen to do. Based on the number of people on here and FB talking about booking a last week of August trip now that Frozen will be in DHS, I'm very freaked out that my crowd predicted days of 1-3 will now be 5-7

Frozen would be my exception as well but with a 30 day pre-book will they get a FP+ anyways? I thought Frozen meet n greet was gone at the 60 day mark? And it was a hit or miss after that with just checking every day?

Also from the sounds of it 7DMT is a little underwhelming for some so could that ride actually open up? People who book 3 or 4 days with 7DMT drop it for 1 or 2 days as they don't see a need or want to ride it more than 1 or 2 times?

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Frozen would be my exception as well but with a 30 day pre-book will they get a FP+ anyways? I thought Frozen meet n greet was gone at the 60 day mark? And it was a hit or miss after that with just checking every day?

Also from the sounds of it 7DMT is a little underwhelming for some so could that ride actually open up? People who book 3 or 4 days with 7DMT drop it for 1 or 2 days as they don't see a need or want to ride it more than 1 or 2 times?

He is actually talking about the new Frozen Summer Celebration they are bringing to DHS that is supposed to end on Sept 1st. The PP feels like this is adding stress to his planned trip because this event is bringing in guests who wouldn't normally vacation at this time and thus increasing the park crowds.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

The numbers are on touringplans website from the following resources:
Times reported by Disney
Times observed by "Lines App"
Times observed by TouringPlans

Thats 3 resources that show that wait times were not even close to 45 mins "constantly". I understand you might have felt it was a long time but saying that a whole day a wait for maelstrom is completely different than most of the day being 25-30 mins reported by 3 completely different resources compiled by touringplans.

I feel that its important to not have people completely over-react when in fact the wait times were not as bad as you had stated.

PS not sure if you need a touringplans membership to view:
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-19
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-20
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-21
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-22
http://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/maelstrom/wait-times/date/2014-05-23

Thank you. I did not "feel" that the wait times were long. I read the numbers on the wait time signs. Multiple times over the my 9 day stay. As an educated woman, who has been to Disney many, many times, I can assure you, I am capable of doing so successfully. My intention is not to have people over-react. My intention is to let people know that attractions that you may have previously thought did not need a FP+, may very well need one, if it is a priority for you. While I am sure it was not your intention, I do not appreciate your posts implying that I am unaware, lying or incapable of reporting reality. The end.

 

[sethschroeder]

Thank you. I did not "feel" that the wait times were long. I read the numbers on the wait time signs. Multiple times over the my 9 day stay. As an educated woman, who has been to Disney many, many times, I can assure you, I am capable of doing so successfully. My intention is not to have people over-react. My intention is to let people know that attractions that you may have previously thought did not need a FP+, may very well need one, if it is a priority for you. While I am sure it was not your intention, I do not appreciate your posts implying that I am unaware, lying or incapable of reporting reality. The end.

I agree that the lesser attractions could possibly need FP+ now when in the past you wouldn't even think about a FP-.

I am sure you are a Disney pro and know how to get around but isn't it a little more likely that your remembering wait times a little on the heavy side and generalizing a bit? That or I have an issue to take up with TouringPlans as their site for historical numbers is completely unreliable.

 

[sethschroeder]

He is actually talking about the new Frozen Summer Celebration they are bringing to DHS that is supposed to end on Sept 1st. The PP feels like this is adding stress to his planned trip because this event is bringing in guests who wouldn't normally vacation at this time and thus increasing the park crowds.

Whoops dont I feel stupid

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Whoops dont I feel stupid

Aw, don't! I didn't mean for you too! We all have those moments Just thought I'd clarify

 

[sethschroeder]

Aw, don't! I didn't mean for you too! We all have those moments Just thought I'd clarify

Hahaha, no its fine.

Bigger question what will happen September 1? Will there be riots in HS when Frozen pulls out?

 

[Amanda999]

Good Grief. Challenge me if you want. You can throw numbers at me all day long. I am telling you what my experience was. I was there and what I posted was what I experienced. Perhaps the "reporter" of the above numbers was there at a different time or a different day. Anyone who has ever been to WDW will tell you numbers and plans look a certain way on paper before you arrive...but then you arrive and reality kicks in. I am sharing my experience...you are free to take it or leave it.

Fwiw, I was at wdw last week and noticed that the wait times at touring plans (I'd look the next day, for the prior day) were understated. Ditto February 2014 presidents week. Barnstormer for example: both trips I personally waited 10 to 20 minutes longer than the wait TP stated for that time and date. Talking stand by lines.

 

[EveClark]

We go every year in Sept and although it's gotten busier as the years go by, it's still pretty chill. In the past we've used FP for TSM, Soarin and Peter Pan but haven't really needed it for much else and even when we used it (X TSM!) could probably have avoided it, we just like walking straight on.

Fast forward to this year and our first trip since FP+ started. We are using salute tix and usually buy them once we arrive.

Do I need to get them in advance to take advantage of the 30 day pre-book? Can I just plan on booking them on arrival or will I be screwed for the rides I really want (TSM)? Will I be unable to walk on to the rides I always used to because of the way FP+ moves the crowds?

Help!

I'm wondering the same thing!
We picked going at this time again this year because we liked the low crowds/wait times we had during our 2012 trip. Now I'm getting nervous that FP+ will influence those wait times... I'm getting the feeling we're not going to be able to get as much done because I'm underestimating how long the waits will really be... I'm kinda nervous!