Tell us the ways to beat fast pass+

[999DoomBuggies]

This thread is dedicated to sharing ways to get a leg up under the new fast pass+ system.

Currently, with the end of double dipping the new fast pass system is unchartered territory. Being a fan of the old fast pass system I never felt the need to double dip. I just out planned and out hustled my fellow wdw patrons. Now we have a relatively even playing field where even the lazy park visitors do not have to hustle to get an even amount of fast passes. To me, this is not going to work. There has to be a better way.

Let us help one another to find ways to get more fast passes!

 

[diskev]

This thread is dedicated to sharing ways to get a leg up under the new fast pass+ system.

Currently, with the end of double dipping the new fast pass system is unchartered territory. Being a fan of the old fast pass system I never felt the need to double dip. I just out planned and out hustled my fellow wdw patrons. Now we have a relatively even playing field where even the lazy park visitors do not have to hustle to get an even amount of fast passes. To me, this is not going to work. There has to be a better way.

Let us help one another to find ways to get more fast passes!

Unless you plan to find another hack similar to the last one (switching FP+ as you go through the line) you're SOL. The old system had flexibility and few limitations allowing anybody to make the most out of it. The new system is incredibly limited (more so in some parks) with limited flexibility. Surviving (if you can call it that) on the new system is simple: Rope Drop, EMH and Late FP+.

 

[mediamark]

Just got back yesterday and only used FP+ for the entire trip. To me, the trick to riding more rides is to get to the park at rope drop, ride the high demand rides first, then use your FP+ later in the day when the crowds are heavier. The lazy park visitors get to the park around 10-11 am and have missed out on the smaller crowds and the ability to get on attractions with short standby lines. The savvy visitor has ridden a ton of rides early while the lazy ones are sipping coffee at the hotel.

 

[Sammie]

At this point I could care less whether anyone likes Fastpass+ or not but to label anyone lazy because they prefer to arrive later in the day is wrong.

Just maybe that lazy guest was playing golf, riding horses, gone fishing, rented a boat, or a bike.

It is rude to call them lazy when you know nothing about them. It is a vacation which some seem to forget.

If you would like to say "late arrivals to the park" that is different.

 

[lugnut33]

I wrote this after our Thanksgiving trip and think it's pretty accurate:

My recommendations for a great Disney World trip once FP- is gone:

Vacation at a slow time of year like September and first part of November. Be very selective about the time you vacation. Pull kids out of school to get the most bang for your buck.

Stay for 7 days minimum. Plan on going to MK for 3 days, EP 2 days, DHS, 2 days, and AK 1 day. Due to the limit on the number of FP+ one can get, extended vacations will allow you to use FP+ on all the main attractions.

Don't worry about park hopping unless you're interested in seeing the lesser known attractions.

Do not change your schedule the day of unless you are OK with losing your headlining FP+ appointments. as of right now this does not appear to be the case as there are ample fp+ available, but as more guests use the system it could change

At non busy times you will want to be at the parks at least a half hour before opening..at busy times get there an hour or two ahead. This way you can see the most attractions in a day, and perhaps even ride the headliners more than once. This will become more vital as FP+ becomes more established.

It's still ok to leave for an afternoon break, just make sure you get back in time for your FP+ appointments if you planned them for the afternoon.

Be prepared for huge lines to get into FP lines. That means bring ponchos and mister fans in the summer.

Work with your kids on proper magic band placement to help keep the FP+ line moving.

Schedule your FP+ rides in the afternoons or evenings when the park is most crowded. You are better off using your FP+ selections at that time instead of waiting in huge lines for all non FP+ attractions.

If it's ever offered go ahead and purchase the unlimited FP no matter how much it costs.

 

[bcrook]

Combine rope drop (now a must) with your three FP"+", and the following:

Animal Kingdom - visit after 3:00 - until demands builds at DAK and late afternoon FP fill that park - it is still the best ride time at the four parks.

DHS - rides things like ToT multiple times and some of the other tier 2 tides while a third of the park is lined up and watches Fantasmic! It is important to go DHS on Fantasmic days but skip the show.

Epcot - ??? Out of luck. Spaceship earth is a short wait later in the day. Single rides TT works sometimes.

Magic Kingdom - skip the parade and wishes - great time to get in multiple rides in fantasyland and adventureland and haunted mansion.

This works well even peak season and it still worked in October during heavy Columbus Day crowds.

I am worried Disney will be successful with their plans and more evenly distribute the crowds. That would be great for the casual guest, but it would further disrupt the savvy.

 

[Pooksie]

Buck up.

When Disney announces that they are going to offer additional FP+ reservations by tier for a fee, you can purchase more FP+ reservations for each member of your party. That's what I believe will happen and you can pay to play or not. Enjoy your trip.

 

[PrincessJo]

At this point I could care less whether anyone likes Fastpass+ or not but to label anyone lazy because they prefer to arrive later in the day is wrong.

Just maybe that lazy guest was playing golf, riding horses, gone fishing, rented a boat, or a bike.

It is rude to call them lazy when you know nothing about them. It is a vacation which some seem to forget.

If you would like to say "late arrivals to the park" that is different.

Agreed. We prefer to be "lazy" and sleep in and begin our day refreshed. In our trip a couple of weeks ago, we waited for all of the cranky kids who were having meltdowns because they'd been up since dawn to arrive at RD to leave... we had nice evenings at the parks when everyone else had left after the fireworks. We rode everything with a less than 20 minute wait.

I can be snarky too

 

[jade1]

At this point I could care less whether anyone likes Fastpass+ or not but to label anyone lazy because they prefer to arrive later in the day is wrong.

Just maybe that lazy guest was playing golf, riding horses, gone fishing, rented a boat, or a bike.

It is rude to call them lazy when you know nothing about them. It is a vacation which some seem to forget.

If you would like to say "late arrivals to the park" that is different.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Unless you plan to find another hack similar to the last one (switching FP+ as you go through the line) you're SOL. The old system had flexibility and few limitations allowing anybody to make the most out of it. The new system is incredibly limited (more so in some parks) with limited flexibility. Surviving (if you can call it that) on the new system is simple: Rope Drop, EMH and Late FP+.

In time...loopholes will be found. I am sure some will be put on here. Others will not. You already seen jokes? about lining cast members handshakes/pockets with money, hiring out babies, etc. There was such buzz about when GAC was changed over to DAS, it now looks like it has turned back into a major advantage and will no doubt continue to get abused. I know of someone who goes to Disney multiple times a year who scams it all the time, they are not worried. They will find a way, they always do

I do however look forward to some of the legitimate ways to get the most out of Disney that are usually learned on here!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

In my opinion arriving maybe 30 mins before park opening is #1 thing to do. This might just be me, but I personally think using FP+ in Epcot is a waste.as basically you get 1 real one and 2 throw aways. No if they change hopping rules my opinion will change too. Just get there in the morning and do attractions when waits are low. Then hop to MK and use your 3 without tiers. Do single riders on TT, EE and RnRC.

A poster on a diff thread said to purchase another set of tickets. Now I like rides just as much as the next person but can't fathom spending that much money for just 3 more FP+s. Now if it were for unlimited FP+, I might feel differently!

 

[Disneylover99]

We find that Splash Mountain goes down a lot. So we always book FP for Splash Mountain. If it does go down, they will send you an anytime FP. It's an idea that is certainly not foolproof, but if it works, it's always nice to have an anytime FP to use at select attractions. And if it doesn't go down, well then we are happy to ride it.

 

[skater]

Buck up.

When Disney announces that they are going to offer additional FP+ reservations by tier for a fee, you can purchase more FP+ reservations for each member of your party. That's what I believe will happen and you can pay to play or not. Enjoy your trip.

Lovely.

 

[bcrook]

In my opinion arriving maybe 30 mins before park opening is #1 thing to do. This might just be me, but I personally think using FP+ in Epcot is a waste.as basically you get 1 real one and 2 throw aways. No if they change hopping rules my opinion will change too. Just get there in the morning and do attractions when waits are low. Then hop to MK and use your 3 without tiers. Do single riders on TT, EE and RnRC.

A poster on a diff thread said to purchase another set of tickets. Now I like rides just as much as the next person but can't fathom spending that much money for just 3 more FP+s. Now if it were for unlimited FP+, I might feel differently!

I agree with that. I hop everyday, so I might have to start in Epcot more then hop the boat to DHS. Then probably return to Epcot for the evening. The 20 minute boat ride is relaxing part of the day for me.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

We find that Splash Mountain goes down a lot. So we always book FP for Splash Mountain. If it does go down, they will send you an anytime FP. It's an idea that is certainly not foolproof, but if it works, it's always nice to have an anytime FP to use at select attractions. And if it doesn't go down, well then we are happy to ride it.

I did this my most recent trip. Then I showed cast members how the app was not working and their kiosks were down too. I had my fast pass attractions booked but they gave me two fast passes for the whole family to anything. We were triple dipping that day. Fantastic times.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I agree with that. I hop everyday, so I might have to start in Epcot more then hop the boat to DHS. Then probably return to Epcot for the evening. The 20 minute boat ride is relaxing part of the day for me.

I did the boat ride for the first time on my last trip. I loved it! Sat by a wonderful couple from WI. The guy totally reminded me of my fave uncle that passed away 10 years ago. I almost asked the guy for a hug. Of all the great things about that trip talking to those folks might be my fave part! I wish I would have gotten their last name so we could stay in touch!

 

[999DoomBuggies]

In time...loopholes will be found. I am sure some will be put on here. Others will not. You already seen jokes? about lining cast members handshakes/pockets with money, hiring out babies, etc. There was such buzz about when GAC was changed over to DAS, it now looks like it has turned back into a major advantage and will no doubt continue to get abused. I know of someone who goes to Disney multiple times a year who scams it all the time, they are not worried. They will find a way, they always do I do however look forward to some of the legitimate ways to get the most out of Disney that are usually learned on here!

I assume some sort of genius will hack the system and enable a super magic band.
I figure a lot more folks will be using DAS as a fast pass double dip.

 

[glamdring269]

Yeah really the best "power" method currently available is RD, efficiently tour without FP, and then hop to a park that afternoon/evening and use your FP+ then. If you're hopping then EMH may even be better than following the normal touring guides. Of course it depends on the park.

I have to admit, when they start offering more FP+ for $$$ I will likely be a sucker and pay. I'd rather pay for a couple of re-rides than stand in line.

 

[disnut8]

At this point I could care less whether anyone likes Fastpass+ or not but to label anyone lazy because they prefer to arrive later in the day is wrong.

Just maybe that lazy guest was playing golf, riding horses, gone fishing, rented a boat, or a bike.

It is rude to call them lazy when you know nothing about them. It is a vacation which some seem to forget.

If you would like to say "late arrivals to the park" that is different.

I agree. It's just my husband and me on most trips and the one thing we cannot do at home is sleep in on any day of the week. Our alarm goes off at 6:00 AM for work during the week and around 7ish on weekends to get things done at the house or to go out and get some exercise. To us, sleeping past 8:00 is a luxury and we take advantage of that while on vacation. If we get to a park by noon, we consider that early. Because to us, it's not about the rides. It's about detoxing from work and obligations of our daily lives. There have been many days we've gone to a Disney park and have not ridden any rides or maybe just one or two. To us, walking around World Showcase is the perfect afternoon and we could do that three or four times and be extremely content.

But, that's not what this thread is about so I'll end here.

 

[MrDanielOwens]

I assume some sort of genius will hack the system and enable a super magic band.
I figure a lot more folks will be using DAS as a fast pass double dip.

I love voiding warranties as much as the next guy, but I think this may upset the Mouse. On the flip side, you may get a quick tour of the tunnels on your way out