Need for FP+ in "low" weeks?

[michsig]

I'm going from 9/11-9/16, and crowds are predicted to be low on easyWDW. However, I'm also concerned that the crowds may end up being bigger than expected. I've always been the type of person to "wing it" on Disney vacations - it's just more enjoyable for me that way. I would pull MAYBE 1 or 2 fast passes a day, depending on the attraction. So, we were never really big on the fast passes. My 60 day mark is coming up quick (July 12 I will be able to make selections) and I really am on the fence about choosing FP+. I'll probably do a few of the bigger attractions, but other than that, planning down the the ride I'll be riding and at what time, it's a little much for me.

 

[ibela]

The last week of Aug is a fave week of mine and I planned out my FP+ for each day. Crowds are typically very low and most rides have little to no wait, but the headliners DO still typically have a wait so why not get FP+ for it? I honestly never understand these questions of should I book in advance or wait until I get there? Unless there's some cost savings associated with getting a special ticket when you get to the park, why wouldn't you book FP+ in advance? It's free and you can always change/cancel your reservations once you get there if you don't think the park is as expected. If you didn't book in advance, you'd be getting in line at the kiosks anyway. What's the disadvantage to booking as a precautionary measure in advance?

 

[Aurora0427]

Link to specific charts please

It is in one of the blogs Josh posted a few months ago. When I have time, I will go back through and look and post the link. Don't really appreciate your tone, to me or the other poster. It is very challenging. I may not be a DIS boards veteran, but I've been to Disney more than 10 times, do my research, and I know what I'm doing.

I will say that we were at Disney back in February, and waited in line for POTC for 35 minutes. Unheard of before FP+. Rides like Journey Into Imagination and Maelstorm also had lines- MS in excess of 35 minutes. Now, as long as you are at the park by RD, you can get on and off these rides with no problem before about 11am. The standby lines seem to get longer throughout today on rides that historically had little to no wait. I remember being at MK in August 2007 when it was at capacity. POTC still only had a ten minute wait! I'm not trying to argue that FP+ has made lines longer all across the board, but it's an interesting phenomenon.

That being said, Disney is known to list longer wait times. My point to the OP is simply this- I would do FP+ in advance. You just never know.

 

[Aurora0427]

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.

EXACTLY. We checked in the Tuesday after President's Day, and the entire week was a mess, through the Princess marathon on Sunday. I expected the week to be busy, but it was underestimated on TP.

You simply can't rely too much on a chart to predict wait times and crowd levels. It gives you a basis, but doesn't take into account unforeseen factors.

 

[Suvadoo]

Don't really appreciate your tone, to me or the other poster. It is very challenging. I may not be a DIS boards veteran, but I've been to Disney more than 10 times, do my research, and I know what I'm doing. ./QUOTE]

I agree wholeheartedly!