Recent Experiences with Unused FastPasses "Falling Off"

[only hope]

Does it matter whether the one you actually use comes before or after the burner FP? In OPs plan, the burners come first and the one to use is the final - does that clear the others? Wondering if folks who had them not clear used a FP first and then the burner just dangled there unused?

Does that make sense? Just wondering if using it the way t system expects clear out the glitchy stuff that came before like a hard reset.

The two times I had an issue, the useless fp were first and were still there after I used my third. Both times were at HS. It seems most people here reporting problems are always at HS. I wonder if something with HS causes problems and AK/EP are fine or if less people try this strategy at AK/EP, resulting in fewer glitches?

 

[AngiTN]

The two times I had an issue, the useless fp were first and were still there after I used my third. Both times were at HS. It seems most people here reporting problems are always at HS. I wonder if something with HS causes problems and AK/EP are fine or if less people try this strategy at AK/EP, resulting in fewer glitches?

The ones I did earlier this month were at HS. Epcot is the only other park we book FP we don't intend to use.

My personal theory is it varies based on the MDE account. At least best I've noticed, a person either has an issue or doesn't. I haven't noticed reports of them dropping sometimes but not others, for the same person.
There are other discrepancies between how a person's MDE account operates. Things like some never get room ready texts, others do. Even when all things are otherwise set up the same. Most of the differences are little things here and there.
I don't know why MDE accounts have these little differences. May be that those created during such and such time period work one way, those created during such and such other period are another way. MDE accounts are nothing but giant interlinked databases. I'd have to think that there are too many for 1 central database to hold them all. No idea really though, just tossing out possibilities.

 

[only hope]

The ones I did earlier this month were at HS. Epcot is the only other park we book FP we don't intend to use.

My personal theory is it varies based on the MDE account. At least best I've noticed, a person either has an issue or doesn't. I haven't noticed reports of them dropping sometimes but not others, for the same person.
There are other discrepancies between how a person's MDE account operates. Things like some never get room ready texts, others do. Even when all things are otherwise set up the same. Most of the differences are little things here and there.
I don't know why MDE accounts have these little differences. May be that those created during such and such time period work one way, those created during such and such other period are another way. MDE accounts are nothing but giant interlinked databases. I'd have to think that there are too many for 1 central database to hold them all. No idea really though, just tossing out possibilities.

Unused fp’s almost always drop for me, but twice they did not. I’m a local who usually just goes for the day, so my data is a bit different. No five day plus trips like most people.

 

[nkereina]

I read through this thread and was conscious of FPs not falling off for my trip last week, as I had reserved FP+ for some attractions as "throwaways" that I knew I wouldn't be using. The FP+ experiences remained on my app even after their time expired. However, the app did allow me to make a new fourth FP+ even though the expired one from my original three was still showing. Once the new fourth FP+ was confirmed, the app would "refresh" itself and my plans would update, causing the unused/expired third FP+ to fall off. I hope that all makes sense. We never had to tap into an experience for it to fall off, or modify/cancel the expired one, etc. So my suggestion would be to try making a new fourth FP+ even if your third one is still showing on the app.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I have had the same experience as nkereina. Sometimes an unused early FP+ would stay in my MDE well after it's expiration time, but it didn't get in the way of my being able to get a fourth FP+. I would second the advice to go ahead and try for a fourth FP+ and see what happens.

 

[AngiTN]

I read through this thread and was conscious of FPs not falling off for my trip last week, as I had reserved FP+ for some attractions as "throwaways" that I knew I wouldn't be using. The FP+ experiences remained on my app even after their time expired. However, the app did allow me to make a new fourth FP+ even though the expired one from my original three was still showing. Once the new fourth FP+ was confirmed, the app would "refresh" itself and my plans would update, causing the unused/expired third FP+ to fall off. I hope that all makes sense. We never had to tap into an experience for it to fall off, or modify/cancel the expired one, etc. So my suggestion would be to try making a new fourth FP+ even if your third one is still showing on the app.

Oh, good point. I guess I was never clear. Most, if not all, the time our unused FP is still showing on MDE. But they have never prevented us from making a 4th, or more, FP. So same as you saw.

There's only 1 time I had issues making a 4th FP and it had nothing to do with expired FP, it was when a tiered ride went down and was replaced with an anytime FP. When that happened, the system only saw 2 FP for that day, it won't recognize the anytime as a 3rd. I couldn't figure out why I was unable to book more FP, even after using the anytime FP (on the ride originally booked, as it returned to operation) I had to stop at GS to figure it out.

 

[crazyash83]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

 

[CT Disney]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

Well, the way I see it, everyone gets 3 pre-booked fast passes. If I want them as part of my 3 and I can grab them first, then that’s my right to do so as part of my price of admission. I definitely wouldn’t call it sucky. If I didn’t book these burner fast passes, I’d be booking other fast passes so it all evens out. And, usually, the burner ones are the more unpopular ones.

 

[nkereina]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

No. The burner fast passes are for things like Living with the Land, Journey Into Imagination, Muppets 3D. Attractions that almost never need a fast pass and ones that have ample same-day availability. Due to the tier structure in place at DHS and Epcot, we are forced to book the original three fast passes if we want to obtain a same-day fourth fast pass for a another tier one ride (i.e. Soarin, Test Track, RnRC, etc).

 

[3threebabies]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

No. The burner fast passes are for things like Living with the Land, Journey Into Imagination, Muppets 3D. Attractions that almost never need a fast pass and ones that have ample same-day availability. Due to the tier structure in place at DHS and Epcot, we are forced to book the original three fast passes if we want to obtain a same-day fourth fast pass for a another tier one ride (i.e. Soarin, Test Track, RnRC, etc).

I had always assumed (despite Disney IT issues and with no inside knowledge at all) that FastPass software was dynamic and evaluated use in real time by offering same day fp as system deemed appropriate. I assumed the speed of lines (both standby and fp), breakdowns, park attendance, etc. also affect the availability of same day fp. “Rumors” of day of FastPass drops reenforced this theory imo. Things happen. People miss fp for many reasons. I don’t think many people book SDD or FOP fast passes to skip them. I don’t see fp system as a zero-sum game. To me it is an “early bird gets the worm“ but not a “winner take all” scenario.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I'll add that I did not have very good luck this week with FPs dropping off. Tried all 3 race mornings when I didn't get to the parks til late morning or early afternoon and none of those 3 times worked for me. And yes, I did still try to book despite the early FPs still being there, but no luck.

 

[gharter]

We only had 2 that we didn't use. 1 dropped off as it should, the other took a while, didn't drop off, but we were able to book another FP after about 30 minutes.
One of many glitches in MDE.

 

[only hope]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

Depends on what people are booking as throwaways. As long as things that don’t need a fp are being booked, then no. There’s many things that shouldn’t have fp except for crazy busy days as those are the only days there is a wait...Philharmagic, Muppets, Disney Jr Dance Party, Little Mermaid show, Bug’s Life, Lion King Show, the Up show, and the Pixar Film Fest. Other shows you don’t need a fp for as long as you don’t show up at the last minute but fp will usually give you a better seat as long as you arrive before standby is let in. Some people will book an attraction that does get busy for their entire group even though “Johnny” doesn’t like it and won’t be riding it, and that is taking away someone else’s option to skip the line unless someone in the group rerides it with Johnny’s fp.

 

[osufeth24]

I posted this in the other thread that got locked, but had a weird situation happen.

Past few times, I haven't had trouble with booking throwaway's and being able to book a 4th after I've tapped in.

Well, on Fri a group of us were at HS, and booked 2 throwaways early in the morning, then had a FP for RRnC at 5pm. We tapped into that, and noticed the other 2 were gone. Was thinking sweet, they fell off. When I went to try to book ToT, it kept saying I've already booked a Tier 1 ride, and need to book 2 others. Turns out, those FP's did fall off, but the system then didn't recognize they were ever booked. It let me book two Tier2 rides.

 

[Selket]

My unused FP don't fall off - didn't for the August trip and didn't on my trip last week. It always makes me go and rebook. It's really frustrating. I didn't have any prebooked fast passes - I booked them either the day before or the same day for the trip last week. In August I had booked them at the 60 day mark. When I booked them didn't seem to matter for getting them to fall off!

 

[AngiTN]

isn't it sucky to book these burner fast passes when there are legit ppl wanting those fast passes?

Not at all. I'm entitled to 3 FP with each park entrance, at the start. I am booking them. Any FP not used is only admitting an additional stand by guest too.
But, to keep it at a minimum impact I only book FP that are in extremely low demand when they are FP that I don't intend to use, like Muppets, Little Mermaid or Tough to be a Bug, things like that. Besides, maybe I do start off with intention to use them and just run late. I've done that plenty of times. Because my DH's idea of being on time is leaving the resort at the time we are supposed to be AT our destination.

 

[AngiTN]

I had always assumed (despite Disney IT issues and with no inside knowledge at all) that FastPass software was dynamic and evaluated use in real time by offering same day fp as system deemed appropriate. I assumed the speed of lines (both standby and fp), breakdowns, park attendance, etc. also affect the availability of same day fp. “Rumors” of day of FastPass drops reenforced this theory imo. Things happen. People miss fp for many reasons. I don’t think many people book SDD or FOP fast passes to skip them. I don’t see fp system as a zero-sum game. To me it is an “early bird gets the worm“ but not a “winner take all” scenario.

Oh, they are not that fluid, not at all.
Do they drop in some additional FP same day, some days? Sure. But it's never every single day nor is it every single ride. And it's 1 drop when they drop them, not a continual fluid change. What you see with changes coming up are folks who drop, change FP on the fly. There's not a trip we've done where I've not changed park days on the fly. So I drop what I'd booked in advance and pick up brand new ones. Plus, other than on REALLY busy days, there are still FP not booked for most rides. Only a handful "sell out" in advance.

 

[Anchored]

I don't always have luck with them falling off, so I've started booking back to back Little Mermaid and Disney Jr dance party. They are in the same courtyard so I can tap into one at the end of the window, go in Launch Bay for a small period then go back out and tap the other one and I'm free to book more Tier 1