So confused about setting fastpass reservations

[Hoosier Mom]

I am setting our fastpasses up, but now I'm more confused than ever.

We usually fastpass Big Thunder Mountain a couple times during the day. But I have to select 3 things. So I tried to just pick Big Thunder Mountain, thinking that I could just have 1 fastpass ahead of time and set others when we are actually in the park. BUT it seems to select 2 other options for me, so I'm understand that I have to select 3 options for my advance fastpasses.

However, when I get to the park will I be able to make more fastpasses? Or is there a limit?

So say I'm at Epcot and I really just want the Illuminations and Test Track, except that I can only pick one because they are in the same group.....so I selected Illuminations and then 2 lower tier reservations that will expire early. So after my earlier passes have expired, then will I be able to get a fastpass for Test Track?

Our trip is in January, and we usually only need fastpasses for the top few rides and we do standby for the rest.

 

[mesaboy2]

Three is the limit, no more on any single day. The tiering is there to prevent you from choosing more than one FP for the most desired attractions.

 

[g-dad66]

So say I'm at Epcot and I really just want the Illuminations and Test Track, except that I can only pick one because they are in the same group.....so I selected Illuminations and then 2 lower tier reservations that will expire early. So after my earlier passes have expired, then will I be able to get a fastpass for Test Track?

I don't think so, the way the system is set up right now.

However, it's possible that by January, the situation could change (since parks will be much less crowded then than they will be for the December 21-January 5 time frame).

I would check this Board again in early January and see if the tier system has been modified at all.

 

[serene56]

where are you staying? If other then Pop you could get paper Fast Passes with your card== but that could change tomorrow

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We are staying at Riverside. So there might be a chance that we can still make fastpasses the old fashioned way?

This just stinks. So I picked Illuminations for a day, but then I cannot pick Test Track because they are in the same tier. Crimony. Disney sure is getting selective on what we are allowed to get a fastpass on.

I actually got off the phone just now with a Disney cast member about a tour question. I asked her about fastpass while I had her on there. So I asked her if I couldn't get more fastpasses as they are used or expire. She said no. It's limited to 3 a day, and I cannot make them all the same item. That just stinks.

So does anyone know if selecting Illuminations and Fantasmic as my fastpass is worth it? Do they have special seating or a special reserved area? Illuminations said the area between the two gift shops, but Fantasmic didn't give any information.

Thanks everyone for the information. I didn't realize the scope of the fastpass changes. Ugh.

 

[Sammie]

We are staying at Riverside. So there might be a chance that we can still make fastpasses the old fashioned way?

This just stinks. So I picked Illuminations for a day, but then I cannot pick Test Track because they are in the same tier. Crimony. Disney sure is getting selective on what we are allowed to get a fastpass on.

I actually got off the phone just now with a Disney cast member about a tour question. I asked her about fastpass while I had her on there. So I asked her if I couldn't get more fastpasses as they are used or expire. She said no. It's limited to 3 a day, and I cannot make them all the same item. That just stinks.

So does anyone know if selecting Illuminations and Fantasmic as my fastpass is worth it? Do they have special seating or a special reserved area? Illuminations said the area between the two gift shops, but Fantasmic didn't give any information.

Thanks everyone for the information. I didn't realize the scope of the fastpass changes. Ugh.

As to worth, it is all subjective. I felt the Illuminations was worth it. There is no seating but the view there is fabulous.

As to Fantasmic, when it started it was reserved in Mickey section but I understand that has moved, so on that one I would say no it's not worth it.

It is limited so that more get to experience the more popular rides at least once instead of a few enjoying them over and over. You can still ride them again but not with a Fastpass.

If you don't want to book three, after booking cancel out what you don't want.

 

[g-dad66]

We are staying at Riverside. So there might be a chance that we can still make fastpasses the old fashioned way?

This just stinks. So I picked Illuminations for a day, but then I cannot pick Test Track because they are in the same tier. Crimony. Disney sure is getting selective on what we are allowed to get a fastpass on.

I actually got off the phone just now with a Disney cast member about a tour question. I asked her about fastpass while I had her on there. So I asked her if I couldn't get more fastpasses as they are used or expire. She said no. It's limited to 3 a day, and I cannot make them all the same item. That just stinks.

So does anyone know if selecting Illuminations and Fantasmic as my fastpass is worth it? Do they have special seating or a special reserved area? Illuminations said the area between the two gift shops, but Fantasmic didn't give any information.

Thanks everyone for the information. I didn't realize the scope of the fastpass changes. Ugh.

Yeah, welcome to FP+.

Fantasmic FP+ is not worth it (they tried Reserved Section for a while, but they did away with it). Reports are that Illuminations FP+ isn't worth it either.

Mesaboy's FastPass Priority list is a must-read here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143281

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Yeah, welcome to FP+.

Fantasmic FP+ is not worth it (they tried Reserved Section for a while, but they did away with it). Reports are that Illuminations FP+ isn't worth it either.

Mesaboy's FastPass Priority list is a must-read here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143281

Thanks! I changed Fantasmic to Toy Story Mania.

Also thanks for the link to the priority list.

Anyone know about Fastpass to Mission Space? We only do the green side. Is the fastpass only orange? or both orange and green?

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks! I changed Fantasmic to Toy Story Mania. Also thanks for the link to the priority list. Anyone know about Fastpass to Mission Space? We only do the green side. Is the fastpass only orange? or both orange and green?

FastPass works on either side I'm pretty sure.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

FastPass works on either side I'm pretty sure.

Thank you!

Our past January trips, a lot of the fastpass machines are usually covered up because there's no need for them. So we are just left with getting fast passes for the most popular rides, and in so doing, we could usually get more than one during the day for a certain ride. Sounds like those days are over.

 

[letsgoreds]

Also remember a couple of things. If you use a FP+ at one park, you can't cancel the other 2 and rebook at a different park...so my advice, if you hop, is to FP+ the evening park, and do standby or possibly FP-, which typically won't be a problem at all if you get there at rope drop.

If you get to a ride/attraction and don't NEED the FP+ (stand-by is short), you can currently change the unused FP+ to another ride/time available. This is true if you are within the window, and I have read, even past the window.

If you are smart about when you use your FP+, and when you choose standby, I'm guessing that you won't be terribly impacted.

My BIL/SIL just returned from WDW over Thanksgiving and had nothing but great things to say about FP+, and this was during the crazy busy time.

Have a great time!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Also remember a couple of things. If you use a FP+ at one park, you can't cancel the other 2 and rebook at a different park...so my advice, if you hop, is to FP+ the evening park, and do standby or possibly FP-, which typically won't be a problem at all if you get there at rope drop.

If you get to a ride/attraction and don't NEED the FP+ (stand-by is short), you can currently change the unused FP+ to another ride/time available. This is true if you are within the window, and I have read, even past the window.

If you are smart about when you use your FP+, and when you choose standby, I'm guessing that you won't be terribly impacted.

My BIL/SIL just returned from WDW over Thanksgiving and had nothing but great things to say about FP+, and this was during the crazy busy time.

Have a great time!

Not hopping, but good to know. Thanks!

So currently we can change an unused FP+ while in the park? That would be great. But I wonder if it would let us change it to ride that we've already done a fastpass+ on earlier in the day? Like if we did Test Track in the morning....but if we did not need the Spaceship Earth which we won't really need anyway, wonder if it would let us set another Test Track? Or does it have to be completely another ride that we did not have a fp+ for? We'll have to test it out. And like someone else said, perhaps fp- will still be working end of January. I just hate change. I don't mind switching to the magic bands so much, but hate that they are messing with fastpass.

 

[WorldWacky]

Not hopping, but good to know. Thanks!

So currently we can change an unused FP+ while in the park? That would be great. But I wonder if it would let us change it to ride that we've already done a fastpass+ on earlier in the day? Like if we did Test Track in the morning....but if we did not need the Spaceship Earth which we won't really need anyway, wonder if it would let us set another Test Track? Or does it have to be completely another ride that we did not have a fp+ for? We'll have to test it out. And like someone else said, perhaps fp- will still be working end of January. I just hate change. I don't mind switching to the magic bands so much, but hate that they are messing with fastpass.

I tried to do this exact thing this week and was not able to FP an attraction that I had already used a FP for. I will say that the system worked very well for us over Thanksgiving week. We were able to change times when we were running behind or switch to a different attraction if the one we had reserved didn't warrant a FP because of lower standby lines.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I tried to do this exact thing this week and was not able to FP an attraction that I had already used a FP for. I will say that the system worked very well for us over Thanksgiving week. We were able to change times when we were running behind or switch to a different attraction if the one we had reserved didn't warrant a FP because of lower standby lines.

Thanks!

 

[g-dad66]

I tried to do this exact thing this week and was not able to FP an attraction that I had already used a FP for.

Same here.

Every report I've read of someone who tried to get a second FP+ for the same ride has been unable to do so (at least since about June, when they were doing early testing; at that time one person reported being able to get a second FP+ for the same ride; no longer the case, sadly).

 

[mariamouse]

Same here.

Every report I've read of someone who tried to get a second FP+ for the same ride has been unable to do so (at least since about June, when they were doing early testing; at that time one person reported being able to get a second FP+ for the same ride; no longer the case, sadly).

How about for a second tier 1 ride that you have NOT already ridden (e.g. you rode Soarin' in the morning and want to switch your current Spaceship Earth FP+ to Test Track)? I assume that would not work either..

And, just to confirm, you cannot change a Spaceship Earth FP+ to a ride in a different park if you have already gone on a ride in Epcot, correct?

We are visiting in January staying at the GF. What is the likelihood that FP- will not be accessible by that time? We purchased park tickets separately through UT, so will have those physical tickets. Can we just enter the parks using our magic bands and then use the physical UT tickets for FP- even though we didn't use those tickets to enter the parks?

So confusing, although I assume we will get used to the new system fairly quickly. Not crazy about the tiering restriction at all, though-- especially if FP- is eliminated and it is a busy time of year.

 

[g-dad66]

1) How about for a second tier 1 ride that you have NOT already ridden (e.g. you rode Soarin' in the morning and want to switch your current Spaceship Earth FP+ to Test Track)? I assume that would not work either..

2) And, just to confirm, you cannot change a Spaceship Earth FP+ to a ride in a different park if you have already gone on a ride in Epcot, correct?

3) We are visiting in January staying at the GF. What is the likelihood that FP- will not be accessible by that time? We purchased park tickets separately through UT, so will have those physical tickets.

4) Can we just enter the parks using our magic bands and then use the physical UT tickets for FP- even though we didn't use those tickets to enter the parks?

So confusing, although I assume we will get used to the new system fairly quickly. Not crazy about the tiering restriction at all, though-- especially if FP- is eliminated and it is a busy time of year.

1. I think you're correct that this would not work.
2. Correct
3. I'd say the odds are probably better than 50/50 that FP- will NOT be accessible
4. Same as #3, I would think.

Hard to know what the situation will be a month from now.

 

[mariamouse]

1. I think you're correct that this would not work. 2. Correct 3. I'd say the odds are probably better than 50/50 that FP- will NOT be accessible 4. Same as #3, I would think. Hard to know what the situation will be a month from now.

Thank you! Agree that nothing can be known this far out, although it is a bummer to hear that the likelihood of FP- being phased out is high. Thankfully, this trip is more about enjoying ourselves at a leisurely pace than riding every ride we can. Would not be too happy if our objective was the latter, though!