Refreshing

[mckennarose]

I've heard when the app goes wonky most will just use the web on their phone's Internet browser. Some have said the website on their phone tends to be much better.

Using the website does work better generally, but it’s still glitchy in the parks. I got FOP on my tablet at the resort. In the park it didn’t matter when I was on my phone’s browser, park WiFi, the app or the website. I did slightly better at the resort on my tablet on the resort’s WiFi.

Eh, this happens every Tuesday. They roll out "updates" very early Tuesday mornings and simultaneously manage to break random parts of MDE every Tuesday.

I didn’t even try today as we have an off day and only Ohana later. But AK was the worst on Sunday and the phone cm told me they were doing upgrades over the weekend.

Thank you! It isn’t sarcasm when it is true. This morning I FINALLY saw a “Some guests may be experiencing problems...” message on the app. So maybe something is being done.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I got Olaf chasing his head on the screen or the notice on the app to try again later! As I mentioned, I’m experienced with refresh and can play the game well and still had major issues this weekend. I’m a big fan of refresh strategy so it didn’t deter me, it was just way more challenging this time.

It wasn’t just FP refresh affected, it was my dining, my resort info and people in my party. Things appeared, disappeared and rearranged themselves. Tomorrow is MK so we’ll see.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Refresh was alive and well just last week. The local high school band was at MK on Friday for a music contest. My son and his buddies (a group of 5 or 6) were able to refresh for 11 FPs throughout the day. They were only in the park from 10 am - 3 pm then 7 pm - 9 pm.

The only standby line they waited in all day was Big Thunder.

 

[graybow77]

So basically just go between times on a ride and the if a ride that has no availability becomes available anytime that day it will pop up???

 

[Remy is Up]

Yes. Here is an example based off actual experience, and we do this on every trip.
Walking to MK from Contemporary about 30 minutes after park opening. Grabbed HM for 930--1030, JC for 11-12, and BTMRR for 110-210. As soon as we scanned into HM, we moved JC up to 950-1050 and BTMRR up to 1105-1205. Rode HM and as soon as we scanned into JC we moved BTMRR up to 1005-1105. Managed to get in POC on the way to BTMRR because there was no line. As soon as we scanned into BTMRR we started looking for the next pass. Wanted to stay on that side of the park and work towards tomorrowland so we pulled a Pan for 2-3 and modified it to 1035-1135. Scanned into that and pulled a buzz lightyear for immediate 1045-1145. Scanned into that and pulled a space for 2-3. Rode TTA and while on it moved space to 1125-1225. Rode space, saw COP, left the park and took a break. While on break at the resort pulled a Soarin FP for Epcot. When we got to Epcot around 330 we had moved Soarin up and went directly to it. After scanning in grabbed the land to start 15 minutes later. After scanning into Land, we grabbed a TT and modified it to right before dinner. During Dinner grabbed a Frozen and was able to get it to 815 so we could ride and then watch illuminations.
Its all about patience and knowing what to use the FPs for. SO while in a Queue line or on the way to something, bathroom break, meal, just see what you can find. Other than short line attractions, we have not waited in a standby line for anything other than FOP at Rope Drop in the past couple of years once we figured out how to master refresh

 

[ashleyr409]

Yes. Here is an example based off actual experience, and we do this on every trip.
Walking to MK from Contemporary about 30 minutes after park opening. Grabbed HM for 930--1030, JC for 11-12, and BTMRR for 110-210. As soon as we scanned into HM, we moved JC up to 950-1050 and BTMRR up to 1105-1205. Rode HM and as soon as we scanned into JC we moved BTMRR up to 1005-1105. Managed to get in POC on the way to BTMRR because there was no line. As soon as we scanned into BTMRR we started looking for the next pass. Wanted to stay on that side of the park and work towards tomorrowland so we pulled a Pan for 2-3 and modified it to 1035-1135. Scanned into that and pulled a buzz lightyear for immediate 1045-1145. Scanned into that and pulled a space for 2-3. Rode TTA and while on it moved space to 1125-1225. Rode space, saw COP, left the park and took a break. While on break at the resort pulled a Soarin FP for Epcot. When we got to Epcot around 330 we had moved Soarin up and went directly to it. After scanning in grabbed the land to start 15 minutes later. After scanning into Land, we grabbed a TT and modified it to right before dinner. During Dinner grabbed a Frozen and was able to get it to 815 so we could ride and then watch illuminations.
Its all about patience and knowing what to use the FPs for. SO while in a Queue line or on the way to something, bathroom break, meal, just see what you can find. Other than short line attractions, we have not waited in a standby line for anything other than FOP at Rope Drop in the past couple of years once we figured out how to master refresh

Wow!!! This truly a skill. I am hoping I can do this. This will be my first time so I might not be as good as you, but I will try. Just WOW!!!

 

[Klayfish]

Yes. Here is an example based off actual experience, and we do this on every trip.
Walking to MK from Contemporary about 30 minutes after park opening. Grabbed HM for 930--1030, JC for 11-12, and BTMRR for 110-210. As soon as we scanned into HM, we moved JC up to 950-1050 and BTMRR up to 1105-1205. Rode HM and as soon as we scanned into JC we moved BTMRR up to 1005-1105. Managed to get in POC on the way to BTMRR because there was no line. As soon as we scanned into BTMRR we started looking for the next pass. Wanted to stay on that side of the park and work towards tomorrowland so we pulled a Pan for 2-3 and modified it to 1035-1135. Scanned into that and pulled a buzz lightyear for immediate 1045-1145. Scanned into that and pulled a space for 2-3. Rode TTA and while on it moved space to 1125-1225. Rode space, saw COP, left the park and took a break. While on break at the resort pulled a Soarin FP for Epcot. When we got to Epcot around 330 we had moved Soarin up and went directly to it. After scanning in grabbed the land to start 15 minutes later. After scanning into Land, we grabbed a TT and modified it to right before dinner. During Dinner grabbed a Frozen and was able to get it to 815 so we could ride and then watch illuminations.
Its all about patience and knowing what to use the FPs for. SO while in a Queue line or on the way to something, bathroom break, meal, just see what you can find. Other than short line attractions, we have not waited in a standby line for anything other than FOP at Rope Drop in the past couple of years once we figured out how to master refresh

Yep, pretty much what we do. We show up at the back end of our first FP+ window. So for example, say we have 9-10, 10-11 and 11-noon. We show up at 9:45am and go right to FP+ #1. By time we get off, it's time for FP+ #2 (by then it's 10am). While we're in line for FP+ #2, I'll pull up MDE and move FP+ #3 from 11-noon to 10:15-11:15. Therefore, when we get off it's time for FP+ #3. When we're in line for FP+ #3, I will hunt for FP+ #4. Rinse and repeat. If our goal is to hit as many attractions as possible, we'll spend our day this way and hit 8-10 attractions easily within maybe 3-4 hours.

Some days are a bit more difficult than others and it doesn't always go exactly that smoothly, but usually pretty darn close. Even during Xmas week, we were able to hop from FP+ to FP+ non-stop.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Yes. Here is an example based off actual experience, and we do this on every trip.
Walking to MK from Contemporary about 30 minutes after park opening. Grabbed HM for 930--1030, JC for 11-12, and BTMRR for 110-210. As soon as we scanned into HM, we moved JC up to 950-1050 and BTMRR up to 1105-1205. Rode HM and as soon as we scanned into JC we moved BTMRR up to 1005-1105. Managed to get in POC on the way to BTMRR because there was no line. As soon as we scanned into BTMRR we started looking for the next pass. Wanted to stay on that side of the park and work towards tomorrowland so we pulled a Pan for 2-3 and modified it to 1035-1135. Scanned into that and pulled a buzz lightyear for immediate 1045-1145. Scanned into that and pulled a space for 2-3. Rode TTA and while on it moved space to 1125-1225. Rode space, saw COP, left the park and took a break. While on break at the resort pulled a Soarin FP for Epcot. When we got to Epcot around 330 we had moved Soarin up and went directly to it. After scanning in grabbed the land to start 15 minutes later. After scanning into Land, we grabbed a TT and modified it to right before dinner. During Dinner grabbed a Frozen and was able to get it to 815 so we could ride and then watch illuminations.
Its all about patience and knowing what to use the FPs for. SO while in a Queue line or on the way to something, bathroom break, meal, just see what you can find. Other than short line attractions, we have not waited in a standby line for anything other than FOP at Rope Drop in the past couple of years once we figured out how to master refresh

Yep, pretty much what we do. We show up at the back end of our first FP+ window. So for example, say we have 9-10, 10-11 and 11-noon. We show up at 9:45am and go right to FP+ #1. By time we get off, it's time for FP+ #2 (by then it's 10am). While we're in line for FP+ #2, I'll pull up MDE and move FP+ #3 from 11-noon to 10:15-11:15. Therefore, when we get off it's time for FP+ #3. When we're in line for FP+ #3, I will hunt for FP+ #4. Rinse and repeat. If our goal is to hit as many attractions as possible, we'll spend our day this way and hit 8-10 attractions easily within maybe 3-4 hours.

Some days are a bit more difficult than others and it doesn't always go exactly that smoothly, but usually pretty darn close. Even during Xmas week, we were able to hop from FP+ to FP+ non-stop.

How many people are you doing this for? party of 2? party of 4? Many thanks.

 

[JETSDAD]

How many people are you doing this for? party of 2? party of 4? Many thanks.

We're normally a party of 3 and have very good success with refreshing. In December we were a party of 7 and it did take some more work and patience but it still worked quite well. With a larger group it typically requires splitting the group up and looking for overlapping times (for the harder to get rides).

 

[Disneypro1]

Once we are there....we use the kiosk. For every FP after the first 3. Never had an issue and dont spend much time on phone that way.

 

[Klayfish]

How many people are you doing this for? party of 2? party of 4? Many thanks.

We're a party of 5. Usually it works just fine that way, but on rare occasion I have to split us up into 2 and 3

Once we are there....we use the kiosk. For every FP after the first 3. Never had an issue and dont spend much time on phone that way.

Yes, but you have to go walk to find a kiosk, then hope nobody is using it (or wait in line), then use the kiosk which is fairly slow to respond. It's nothing at all like doing refresh. Not that there's anything wrong with the kiosk if that's what you want to do, but it's apples and oranges.

 

[Remy is Up]

Our party is generally 2-4 but if we go over the magic number of 4, we will split the group and do overlaps ( which is usually pretty easy). Break into 2 and 3 and then just overlap times. As far as not wanting to walk on your phone, I certainly get that. Like others have said, if our goal is to hit a ton of attractions, we will refresh continually and end up getting in 8-10 within 3-4 hours. If it isnt an attraction centric visit, we will use refresh to hit a few things but not worry about it too much. We have found we can hit what we want, when we want, pretty much anytime by using refresh. We will RD now and then, mainly AK or MK due to the fact I love the feel of those parks at RD and FoP is hit best that way. There are four methods of thought for maximizing time..Either RD, sleep in and refresh, after hours paid events, or a combo of RD and refresh. EMH is great the earlier it is, but, there has to be a killer on property AP discount for us to stay on property these days now that we have discovered other ways to maximize park time. It has gotten to the point by using refresh, on longer trips, we rarely spend more than 3 or 4 hours in a park to do attractions and generally its in the morning. Our evenings are reserved for nice meals, ambience, ride whatever, and just enjoy the parks and evening events.

 

[monkyby87]

Once we are there....we use the kiosk. For every FP after the first 3. Never had an issue and dont spend much time on phone that way.

The kiosks work great if you're just looking to get a 4th FP+ of any kind, but if you actually want a particular ride, refresh is the way to go. And like @Klayfish said, you have to physically go to a kiosk, hope it's not slow, and just pray for something good to show up. The app/website on mobile device is just far easier. Many people do it while in a queue for a ride, which is a great time to do it. The kiosks of course work, but that's not really what refresh is all about.

 

[BobbyMoon]

Once we are there....we use the kiosk. For every FP after the first 3. Never had an issue and dont spend much time on phone that way.

I don’t think that would really qualify as “refreshing”.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

We're normally a party of 3 and have very good success with refreshing. In December we were a party of 7 and it did take some more work and patience but it still worked quite well. With a larger group it typically requires splitting the group up and looking for overlapping times (for the harder to get rides).

Thanks! would you mind describing that process of splitting up a little? We are a a party of 7. Do you do it on one phone or do you have different people doing it for different groups on multiple phones or MDEs?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Our party is generally 2-4 but if we go over the magic number of 4, we will split the group and do overlaps ( which is usually pretty easy). Break into 2 and 3 and then just overlap times. As far as not wanting to walk on your phone, I certainly get that. Like others have said, if our goal is to hit a ton of attractions, we will refresh continually and end up getting in 8-10 within 3-4 hours. If it isnt an attraction centric visit, we will use refresh to hit a few things but not worry about it too much. We have found we can hit what we want, when we want, pretty much anytime by using refresh. We will RD now and then, mainly AK or MK due to the fact I love the feel of those parks at RD and FoP is hit best that way. There are four methods of thought for maximizing time..Either RD, sleep in and refresh, after hours paid events, or a combo of RD and refresh. EMH is great the earlier it is, but, there has to be a killer on property AP discount for us to stay on property these days now that we have discovered other ways to maximize park time. It has gotten to the point by using refresh, on longer trips, we rarely spend more than 3 or 4 hours in a park to do attractions and generally its in the morning. Our evenings are reserved for nice meals, ambience, ride whatever, and just enjoy the parks and evening events.

I would say a 5th method is sleep in, use prebooked FP+ and then refresh.

We are pretty good with the FP+ schedule we already have. And if were 2-4 I would be confident in getting same day FP+ as you and others have described...my last little hurdle is knowing the best way to do it with a party of 7. Do I search for 3-4 and grab it an dthen search for the other 3-4 and grab overlapping? so basically it is doing the refresh thing twice?

 

[Randomsoulshine]

Yep, pretty much what we do. We show up at the back end of our first FP+ window. So for example, say we have 9-10, 10-11 and 11-noon. We show up at 9:45am and go right to FP+ #1. By time we get off, it's time for FP+ #2 (by then it's 10am). While we're in line for FP+ #2, I'll pull up MDE and move FP+ #3 from 11-noon to 10:15-11:15. Therefore, when we get off it's time for FP+ #3. When we're in line for FP+ #3, I will hunt for FP+ #4. Rinse and repeat. If our goal is to hit as many attractions as possible, we'll spend our day this way and hit 8-10 attractions easily within maybe 3-4 hours.

Some days are a bit more difficult than others and it doesn't always go exactly that smoothly, but usually pretty darn close. Even during Xmas week, we were able to hop from FP+ to FP+ non-stop.

For the first time we are doing evenings instead of rope drop. Our fast passes are around the 4,5,6 hours. I’ll attempt to move up etc but I’m concerned that not being able to work on 4th fast pass until let’s say 5 or 6 will mean a much slimmer chance of getting anything. When we rope drop we manage to get so many FP’s with refresh. Do you have any experience after 6pm? We will be there in June.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

For the first time we are doing evenings instead of rope drop. Our fast passes are around the 4,5,6 hours. I’ll attempt to move up etc but I’m concerned that not being able to work on 4th fast pass until let’s say 5 or 6 will mean a much slimmer chance of getting anything. When we rope drop we manage to get so many FP’s with refresh. Do you have any experience after 6pm? We will be there in June.

We were there last June. FPs were available through Refresh all day long and into the evening. Guests change plans all of the time. A lot tire out and leave early, but I bet very few of those take the time to cancel unused FPs before they depart though.

The good news is that the lines will eventually get short enough in the evening that FPs aren't necessary. We had a FP for Haunted Mansion at about 10:30 pm. Ironically it was our 13th of the day. We arrived at the gate at the same time as a family heading into the standby line. We had to stop and scan and they beat us to the entrance as there was no one in either line. We were the only 2 families in the stretching room.

 

[Randomsoulshine]

We were there last June. FPs were available through Refresh all day long and into the evening. Guests change plans all of the time. A lot tire out and leave early, but I bet very few of those take the time to cancel unused FPs before they depart though.

The good news is that the lines will eventually get short enough in the evening that FPs aren't necessary. We had a FP for Haunted Mansion at about 10:30 pm. Ironically it was our 13th of the day. We arrived at the gate at the same time as a family heading into the standby line. We had to stop and scan and they beat us to the entrance as there was no one in either line. We were the only 2 families in the stretching room.

So good to hear as the only must must do MK rides we don’t have Fp for are HM and POC. We have the three mountains so if we can snag FP or short lines for the other two we should be set. Now just fingers crossed the 10pm close gets moved to 11 or 12.

 

[Klayfish]

I would say a 5th method is sleep in, use prebooked FP+ and then refresh.

We are pretty good with the FP+ schedule we already have. And if were 2-4 I would be confident in getting same day FP+ as you and others have described...my last little hurdle is knowing the best way to do it with a party of 7. Do I search for 3-4 and grab it an dthen search for the other 3-4 and grab overlapping? so basically it is doing the refresh thing twice?

Yes, your choice would be to do it twice, or have two people doing the same thing...one for the group of 3 and one for the group of 4. When I split us up, I do it all myself. It definitely takes longer, which is why I prefer not to if I don't have to. But sometimes you do what you have to do...

For the first time we are doing evenings instead of rope drop. Our fast passes are around the 4,5,6 hours. I’ll attempt to move up etc but I’m concerned that not being able to work on 4th fast pass until let’s say 5 or 6 will mean a much slimmer chance of getting anything. When we rope drop we manage to get so many FP’s with refresh. Do you have any experience after 6pm? We will be there in June.

I agree with Babe above. We were there last June as well. First thing I'd say is that for most FP+ you should be able to move them up if you wish. So maybe you could do 2, 3, 4. Even if not, you should be able to grab FP+ after 6pm. We do it all the time. As noted, people may not cancel as they walk out, but we still find the selection pretty good. Plus, in so many parks the lines go WAY down. For example, with the exception of Pandora, nearly everything in AK is a walk on after 6pm....Dinosaur, Kali, Safari, EE, etc... So in the last hour of the park, you really don't even need FP+ anyway....just like rope drop. Think of it as rope drop in reverse.

Hmmmm...maybe we should coin a new term for that. Instead of rope drop, how about rope up?? Rope raise?

 

[Texastiger]

We were there last week and refreshing worked for me using an iPhone 7, but the app would crash for my husband that was using an iPhone 5. We had a party of 4 and were able to book 11 FP+ on our Magic Kingdom day. They were all booked on my phone. I'm not sure if it was just us, or if the app usually works better on newer phones.