Starting to think about FP+ anyone want to help?

[wdw71]

Our last trip was in 2013, we had an RFID ticket but no bands and our FastPasses were done the old fashioned way (rope drop and run). Our FP+ day isn't until Feb 8 but i'm starting to think about how we should do this and for some reason I'm really nervous about screwing this up.
Our first day we don't land in Orlando until 11:39am all things going well. I figure by the time we DME and pick up my Dads ECV at POFQ it may be 2:30 or 3:00 before we see a park. We will head to MK. Opinions please on what 3 FP+ reservations I should make. Kids are 9 and 12. We will stay for Fireworks. Wondering if a FP for fireworks might make finding a good viewing spot easier since we have an ECV in our party.
After that if anyone wants to give me advice for our other days FP+ reservations I'll soak it all in. Normally we are rope drop people but this trip we are traveling with someone who is NOT a 6:30 am riser. So by morning I'm hoping this will mean arriving by 9:30ish. So if you are interested in giving me ideas here is the rest of our plan otherwise thanks for getting me started.
Day 1 late arrival MK No ADRs
Day 2 morning arrival AK need to leave around 5 or 5:30 for a BOG ADR at 7pm
Day 3 morning arrival EPCOT we have an ADR at Via Napoli at 6:40pm
Day 4 morning at POFQ then late afternoon arrival HS parents want to see F! No ADRs this day
Day 5 morning arrival HS need to leave early enough for our Biergarten ADR at 7pm (this ADR might get cancelled but for now its there)
Day 6 9am Kona Cafe ADR then over to MK

 

[siskaren]

Read the first two posts of this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

 

[bcrook]

Here are some things I noticed several trips this year:

1. At MK I found the lines to haunted mansion and pirates to be too long in the evening for standby. So consider FP+ for that.

2. If Peter Pan is important, I found the Fastpass return line to be long from open until close. Standby was always unbearable even at rope drop. The best time for standby for me was during the parade/wishes. I wanted to see the interactive standby queue. It was cute, but once was enough. Even then I waited 45 minutes.

3. Splash, pirates and haunted mansion were practically empty everyday until until 10:30-11:00.

4. The mine train is chaotic to get. I had trouble getting this on the 60 day mark. Easier at the 60+ times. FP is a must.

5. Little mermaid was a walk on most of the time.

6. Big Thunder had reasonable waits at times. I rode it several times with ever getting a FP but it was usually late at night.

7. Space Mountain needs a pass. If you ride it.

Other parks, get what you can. Epcot is kind of a waste. You will only get Test Track. Nothing else is even available really.

The studios... Tower of terror is easy to get along with star tours. I would always grab a star tours.... That line was insane every time for me.

DAK - I didn't use many FP, I would go early or late and hop to MK with my Fastpasses in hand.

 

[wdw71]

Here are some things I noticed several trips this year:

1. At MK I found the lines to haunted mansion and pirates to be too long in the evening for standby. So consider FP+ for that.

2. If Peter Pan is important, I found the Fastpass return line to be long from open until close. Standby was always unbearable even at rope drop. The best time for standby for me was during the parade/wishes. I wanted to see the interactive standby queue. It was cute, but once was enough. Even then I waited 45 minutes.

3. Splash, pirates and haunted mansion were practically empty everyday until until 10:30-11:00.

4. The mine train is chaotic to get. I had trouble getting this on the 60 day mark. Easier at the 60+ times. FP is a must.

5. Little mermaid was a walk on most of the time.

6. Big Thunder had reasonable waits at times. I rode it several times with ever getting a FP but it was usually late at night.

7. Space Mountain needs a pass. If you ride it.

Other parks, get what you can. Epcot is kind of a waste. You will only get Test Track. Nothing else is even available really.

The studios... Tower of terror is easy to get along with star tours. I would always grab a star tours.... That line was insane every time for me.

DAK - I didn't use many FP, I would go early or late and hop to MK with my Fastpasses in hand.

Thank you so much for your info here. MK is the park with the toughest choices. Too many favorites there. But since we've been to WDW a number of times and ridden most everything, Mine Train is the only ride we feel like we just have to ride this trip. I can't believe I'm saying this but I may actually stay up until midnight when the window opens to give us the best chance of getting that FP during our trip.
BTMR will be under refurbishment while we are there so even though it's a favorite it's a none issue this trip.
How has FP+ affected Buzz? The kids love it and my parents haven't been since it opened.

 

[bcrook]

Thank you so much for your info here. MK is the park with the toughest choices. Too many favorites there. But since we've been to WDW a number of times and ridden most everything, Mine Train is the only ride we feel like we just have to ride this trip. I can't believe I'm saying this but I may actually stay up until midnight when the window opens to give us the best chance of getting that FP during our trip.
BTMR will be under refurbishment while we are there so even though it's a favorite it's a none issue this trip.
How has FP+ affected Buzz? The kids love it and my parents haven't been since it opened.

I stayed up to midnight and still had trouble booking mine train for the evening on arrival day. The rest of the days were much easier to book.

Here is what I notice at MK: the park steadily fills all day. I think a majority of people who can hop - do. And they hop to the later hours at MK. Fastpasses are necessary now for rides that didn't it before - In the evening. Buzz fits that category. I rode as a walk on one night when the park closed at 1:00 am. It's good then and in the morning.

The mine train was not available for me in the evening on arrival day at the 60 day mark for either the July or October trip for my entire party. I managed to grab a couple groups if two at different times.

That is another good hint try smaller groups when booking, sometimes you can see more times available.

I would book the mine train for all visits to MK just in case. You can switch later.

Also the mine train is much better at night because of the lights and darkness. And don't forget to rock your mine train cars. Get them swaying. It is really short ride, the swaying helps make it more fun.

Good luck.