New to the FP System

[Mskay1216]

Hello!
So we are headed to WDW in August with my 4yo and 2yo and DH this will be our first time using -or should I say attempting to use FP

since we don't know which days we will visit the park (once we're there we'll decide) than I guess there is no point in doing FP now, am I understanding that right?

so basically we can try the day before we head to the park and then try to get a FP for the rides we are interested in is that pretty much how FP works?

 

[glassslippergirl]

This thread will probably be moved to the FP board, where there's lots of valuable information.

Your understanding is correct. You don't have to make FPs in advance; you can make them the night before. You are at that time limited to what's left, which will vary depending on time of year and other factors. You could happen into a highly desired FP, or you could be stuck with FPs to rides that don't really require them.

You're paying for the opportunity to make advance FPs in the price of your tickets, but you don't have to take advantage of that opportunity. I'd download My Disney Experience in advance to be prepared when you do choose to make FP reservations.

 

[Mskay1216]

oooh! I gottcha that makes sense.. thanks I will do just that ! (download my Disney experience)

 

[tobikaye]

OP: I have not been since FP+ started, but hope to go next year again. I usually do not plan too far out for which parks and times of day I will be at that park. I figure that if we stay on-site, which is most likely, I would just make FP+ around the 60 day mark with the plans that they will likely change. Then I can see what happens as I get closer to the date.

This is one of the reasons I usually only book a couple of ADRs before arriving even if I plan to have a TS every day. I can usually get very good ADRS once on-site.

 

[usetr99]

Once you know the dates, I would try to make fastpasses. Just because you can always change the fastpasses later on and the earlier you make the fastpasses, the better chance you have in getting the fastpasses you want for the times you want too.

 

[georgina]

I agree. Even if you are not sure which parks you will go to which days, take a guess and make some FP when you are first eligible. If you need to change them later, so be it, if not, then you will have them. (Your tickets need to be linked in MDE in order to make FP.)

 

[wdw&sonny]

Why don't you know which days you will visit the parks? Just decide. Sketch out a plan and go with it. You can always abort. But, better to have a plan in place. Which parks you visit will influence the restaurant ADRs, evening shows, pool time etc. Rough it out, make FPs and ADRs, go to rope drop, take mid-day break...know your options when the kids change the plans...(too tired, too scared, hungry, potty break, nap time...be prepared.
Don't decide when you are there...you will be standing in 95' sun, hot, tired, with screaming kids and frustrated hubby, staring at an app or map trying to decide and you won't make an informed decision you will instead bail out of the situation and leave the park, go to resort and sleep....you can do that at home.
Make your decisions now...at night, when the kids are in bed, the house is quiet and comfy and you have all resources at your fingertips.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

My suggestion is to plan ahead! You won't regret it...trust me.
Pick which park you are doing each day now, so you can schedule your 1st 3 fast passes of each day now (or at your 60 day mark)
So many rides are fast pass rides and you can minimize standing in long lines by making the most of fast passes.

Once you are in the parks, and you use your 1st three fast passes, you go to a kiosk and get 1 after another, or
you can now get them by using my disney experience on your cell phone.

You can use fast passes all day long. After you use those 1st three, you get them 1 at a time.
Use 1st three, pick another...ride that ride, pick another...ride that ride, pick another etc.

Folks don't realize how much time you save by using fast pass.
Florida in summer is so humid and hot. It really is better to plan ahead at least which park you are doing each day
and the 1st three fast passes each day.

I also recommend scheduling the 1st three fast passes early. You can't get more each day until you use those 1st three.

 

[BlueLion]

We're going with a 9yo and 2yo in August and I agree on trying to pick parks for each day to be able to book some fast passes to avoid long lines with little ones. You might try crowd calendars on sites like touringplans and easywdw to help you pick days, though it may or may not really help from what I've been reading. A good plan is more important, and I really like touringplans for this as well. You might also check out their unofficial guide to disney world book for lots of info. Buying the book also gets you a discount on the site/app, which is pretty cheap anyway.

With a 2yo you can also (probably) take advantage of rider swap on rides with height requirements. If you search in these forums and on the wdw site you'll find more details on this. It can help with your fp booking and options too.

Our plan is to be there for park open (aka rope drop or RD), go through lunch in the park, head back to hotel for napping/swimming, then go back around dinner time for a few more hours.

 

[Shanti]

Hello!
So we are headed to WDW in August with my 4yo and 2yo and DH this will be our first time using -or should I say attempting to use FP

since we don't know which days we will visit the park (once we're there we'll decide) than I guess there is no point in doing FP now, am I understanding that right?

so basically we can try the day before we head to the park and then try to get a FP for the rides we are interested in is that pretty much how FP works?

Make the FP as far in advance as you can.

 

[mjmgsssp]

My recommendation is to first decide what you absolutely don't want to miss. Some attractions (ie, meeting Anna and Elsa in MK or Toy Story Mania at HS) can have wait times over an hour. If you know what you can't miss, you can begin to plan so you can experience your "must do's".

 

[Mskay1216]

Wow!! soo much good advice!
Thanks everyone
DH hubby and will sit down and put a plan together this weekend! I like the idea of getting there at rope drop do lunch and head back to the resort for a nap
Soo glad I asked!

Thanks Again

 

[Mskay1216]

Why don't you know which days you will visit the parks? Just decide. Sketch out a plan and go with it. You can always abort. But, better to have a plan in place. Which parks you visit will influence the restaurant ADRs, evening shows, pool time etc. Rough it out, make FPs and ADRs, go to rope drop, take mid-day break...know your options when the kids change the plans...(too tired, too scared, hungry, potty break, nap time...be prepared.
Don't decide when you are there...you will be standing in 95' sun, hot, tired, with screaming kids and frustrated hubby, staring at an app or map trying to decide and you won't make an informed decision you will instead bail out of the situation and leave the park, go to resort and sleep....you can do that at home.
Make your decisions now...at night, when the kids are in bed, the house is quiet and comfy and you have all resources at your fingertips.

Thanks WDW&Sonny
You sound like my DH ! Thats something he would say...LOL
But you are right
We'll do that this weekend