not sure if i can post this here - but i found it very useful - Fastpass + mistakes

[disneyholic family]

I don't know if someone has already posted this, or if it can be posted, but i found this blog article really useful in understanding how to use Fastpass+ (something that has been a bit of a mystery to me).

I hope it's ok to post and i hope you find it as useful as i have.

Top Ten Mistakes with FastPass+:
http://www.****************/top-ten-mistakes-fastpass/#.U3i57yhCgxw.facebook

..

 

[Happy Tappy]

The biggest tip I could give is to not use your FP if there's no queue.

We'd often go in the standby line instead and then change our fastpass to another ride. We found you could even do this if your FP window has passed. As long as you haven't used it, you can reschedule it.

Riders with young kids can also use FP alongside rider switch to get extra rides. For example dad and my son get an FP for Splash Mountain and mother waits with daughter and asks for the rider switch. She then uses her FP to ride a kids ride (e.g. Little Mermaid) and everyone meets up again afterwards. Mother can then use the rider switch to go on Splash Mountain with son. Mother has got on 2 rides using 1 FP.

It's also worth keeping an eye on your email whilst in the parks. If a ride goes down and you have an FP for it, they'll send you an email telling you that you can use the FP for one ride on almost any attraction (apart from some M&G's) and at any time. This happened to us at least 4 times during our trip.

 

[disneyholic family]

The biggest tip I could give is to not use your FP if there's no queue.

We'd often go in the standby line instead and then change our fastpass to another ride. We found you could even do this if your FP window has passed. As long as you haven't used it, you can reschedule it.

Riders with young kids can also use FP alongside rider switch to get extra rides. For example dad and my son get an FP for Splash Mountain and mother waits with daughter and asks for the rider switch. She then uses her FP to ride a kids ride (e.g. Little Mermaid) and everyone meets up again afterwards. Mother can then use the rider switch to go on Splash Mountain with son. Mother has got on 2 rides using 1 FP.

It's also worth keeping an eye on your email whilst in the parks. If a ride goes down and you have an FP for it, they'll send you an email telling you that you can use the FP for one ride on almost any attraction (apart from some M&G's) and at any time. This happened to us at least 4 times during our trip.

great tips!!!!

in the article it mentions something that i didn't know about rider switch.
The rider with the rider switch pass has the right to pick an additional two people to ride with him. And all three go through the Fastpass line.
I didn't know the rider switch person has the right to take another two with him.

 

[edinburghlass]

Make sure you have made any FP+ for your last day before it is your last day as I it's my last day and my reservation has already gone from current bookings to past bookings

Not concerned as we have seldom used the FP I had booked as we tend to chop and change our mind where we are headed depending on what bus comes first!

 

[Elise79]

Make sure you have made any FP+ for your last day before it is your last day as I it's my last day and my reservation has already gone from current bookings to past bookings Not concerned as we have seldom used the FP I had booked as we tend to chop and change our mind where we are headed depending on what bus comes first!

It doesn't actually matter about the resort reservation once you are inside 30 days now as anyone can book FPs

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for posting this - I'll have a read.

I will probably get flamed for this, but here goes....

I know I may need to move with these technological times a bit more, but honestly, the thought of being glued to my mobile (or DH being glued to his) while we are in the parks just doesn't fill me with joy. Am I missing something, or isn't Disney about spending quality time with your family/friends - having to check emails/change FPs/look at ride wait times etc on a mobile doesn't really help with that . I feel it's taking some of the magic away .

When I am out and about, I find myself watching so many people just tapping away on their phones - not even speaking with the person with them - this can be on a train/restaurant etc. I find it really sad. Introducing things like this just add to this imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am pleased to hear reports that FP+ is starting to work better for people, but this whole thing just doesn't sit right with me.

And yes, we don't have to use it, but I think in August, we'd be silly not to - sadly!!

 

[edinburghlass]

It doesn't actually matter about the resort reservation once you are inside 30 days now as anyone can book FPs

Agreed but all info has gone and it is asking for confirmation numbers which I can't be bothered to find at 6.30 in the morning.

 

[Elise79]

Agreed but all info has gone and it is asking for confirmation numbers which I can't be bothered to find at 6.30 in the morning.

That's odd - we made FP on our last day in December as we were walking from BLT to MK and I wasn't asked for anything

Thanks for posting this - I'll have a read.

I will probably get flamed for this, but here goes....

I know I may need to move with these technological times a bit more, but honestly, the thought of being glued to my mobile (or DH being glued to his) while we are in the parks just doesn't fill me with joy. Am I missing something, or isn't Disney about spending quality time with your family/friends - having to check emails/change FPs/look at ride wait times etc on a mobile doesn't really help with that . I feel it's taking some of the magic away .

When I am out and about, I find myself watching so many people just tapping away on their phones - not even speaking with the person with them - this can be on a train/restaurant etc. I find it really sad. Introducing things like this just add to this imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am pleased to hear reports that FP+ is starting to work better for people, but this whole thing just doesn't sit right with me.

And yes, we don't have to use it, but I think in August, we'd be silly not to - sadly!!

You don't need to glued to your phone in the parks.

I have been twice now since they introduced FP+ and can't say I have needed to look at my phone anymore than previous. (As I do need to keep an eye on work email while away).

The benefits (for me) having used it far outweigh the negatives. I know for certain 3 rides that I will get on in a time frame I want to. I know if my FP ride is down without having to walk over there and lastly I am not trying to run across the park to get a FP to find the window doesn't work for us.

If you want to change a FP once it is booked it only takes a minute as well

You make the decision as to whether you speak to your family - it shouldn't matter what anyone else is doing

 

[Laurafoster]

Thanks for posting this - I'll have a read. I will probably get flamed for this, but here goes.... I know I may need to move with these technological times a bit more, but honestly, the thought of being glued to my mobile (or DH being glued to his) while we are in the parks just doesn't fill me with joy. Am I missing something, or isn't Disney about spending quality time with your family/friends - having to check emails/change FPs/look at ride wait times etc on a mobile doesn't really help with that . I feel it's taking some of the magic away . When I am out and about, I find myself watching so many people just tapping away on their phones - not even speaking with the person with them - this can be on a train/restaurant etc. I find it really sad. Introducing things like this just add to this imo. Don't get me wrong, I am pleased to hear reports that FP+ is starting to work better for people, but this whole thing just doesn't sit right with me. And yes, we don't have to use it, but I think in August, we'd be silly not to - sadly!!

You don't need to be glued to your phone at all.

We fully utilised FP+ and rarely took out phones with us to the parks. We booked them the night before (or in the morning before we left). If I wanted to change one or a ride had broken and I needed to get a new one I would just quickly pop to one of the FP+ kiosks. Most parks have a notice board somewhere showing most attraction wait times so we just looked at this if needed.

 

[Laurafoster]

Agreed but all info has gone and it is asking for confirmation numbers which I can't be bothered to find at 6.30 in the morning.

We booked ours on our last morning with no problems (last weds) and then changed one when in the park with no problems.
I wonder if it's because we had a ticket that wasn't going to expire though?

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for posting this - I'll have a read.

I will probably get flamed for this, but here goes....

I know I may need to move with these technological times a bit more, but honestly, the thought of being glued to my mobile (or DH being glued to his) while we are in the parks just doesn't fill me with joy. Am I missing something, or isn't Disney about spending quality time with your family/friends - having to check emails/change FPs/look at ride wait times etc on a mobile doesn't really help with that . I feel it's taking some of the magic away .

When I am out and about, I find myself watching so many people just tapping away on their phones - not even speaking with the person with them - this can be on a train/restaurant etc. I find it really sad. Introducing things like this just add to this imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am pleased to hear reports that FP+ is starting to work better for people, but this whole thing just doesn't sit right with me.

And yes, we don't have to use it, but I think in August, we'd be silly not to - sadly!!

this has me worried too...about having to micro-manage my visit....we really like to go with the flow...
but reading the blog and the posts here have calmed me down...a bit..

 

[DLPDreams]

this has me worried too...about having to micro-manage my visit....we really like to go with the flow...
but reading the blog and the posts here have calmed me down...a bit..

I think it is hard to imagine until you have been - and as Elise and others on here have been and not found it an issue, perhaps it isn't.

But, on the flipside, I have read people's accounts where they have said they felt they were on their phones way more than they wanted to be (especially if you follow some of the tips in the blog you kindly posted!). Yes, there are kiosks but you may not be near one at the time, and in August, during our visit, I would think the queues could get fairly long, so a mobile may be more convenient .

As for speaking to your family instead of texting/facebooking etc etc - we would do that, I was simply making an observation after people watching at certain places. Using your phone in a theme park could clearly add to this if you don't restrict use. I'd rather leave mine in the villa - but it does have it's advantages for keeping in touch!

Nevertheless, it was an interesting article Beth .

 

[chmurf]

I have read people's accounts where they have said they felt they were on their phones way more than they wanted to be

I didn't even take my phone or tablet to the parks. And it worked quite well.
Over the course of 3 weeks I only had to go to a FP+ kiosk 3 times to make adjustments. All other adjustments were made inside our hotel room.

TBH many of those who say that they're more on their phones than they wanted to be, only mean "Using the Disney app prevented me from being on Facebook/Twitter as much as I wanted to be" ...

 

[DLPDreams]

I didn't even take my phone or tablet to the parks. And it worked quite well.
Over the course of 3 weeks I only had to go to a FP+ kiosk 3 times to make adjustments. All other adjustments were made inside our hotel room.

TBH many of those who say that they're more on their phones than they wanted to be, only mean "Using the Disney app prevented me from being on Facebook/Twitter as much as I wanted to be" ...

You are probably right on that last bit .

Now DisBoards is a totally different matter

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

What proof do you have that you have requested Fastpass+ for attractions if you leave your phone in your room? Do you get a 'reservation number' that you could just write down? Is it linked to your wristband via your MDE? Wish I could keep up with technology!

 

[Elise79]

What proof do you have that you have requested Fastpass+ for attractions if you leave your phone in your room? Do you get a 'reservation number' that you could just write down? Is it linked to your wristband via your MDE? Wish I could keep up with technology!

They are stored in your MDE account and you gain access to the attraction by scanning either your Magic Band or RFID park ticket