The Ultimate FastPass+ experiment!

[AlixaLock]

Oh, and you proved even in the dead of early February, you will only get three non-standby rides.


Jason

Can't argue with that. Hope you have a great rest of the day!

 

[AlixaLock]

Alrighty, here is a last update on FP+ pre-planning. FastPasses were plentiful for all four of my days, as predicted by most here. ADRs were a bit trickier ... No BOG or 'Ohana or Cali Grill. There were a few scattered Le Cellier's, but nothing that worked remotely for us. Le Cel' is a tradition for us, so I'm a little disappointed on that front, but I'll keep trying. Regardless, I was able to book a slate of good reservations! Just for the sake of being "complete" airfare from the North/East US was fairly cheap and plentiful (not surprising, in february, of course) but it wasn't a slam dunk either. No seats together on either flight.

So now we are on to the important stuff ... I am really most curious and eager to post about what happens on the ground. Changing FastPasses, using the app, snagging ADR's

I'll keep you posted.

Finally, let me say for the record that so far, since October I've had good luck with the new systems. However, I am absolutely not trying to prove anything. My eyes are open and I'm really curious what effect all the changes have had on the park and the Disney experience.

Disclaimer: Predicted crowd levels for my trip are in the 3-4 range depending on where you look, it's February and park hours are fairly limited. Splash is closed. Those are the only circumstances I can report on.

 

[JimmyV]

Thanks for reporting back, and glad you are getting what you want.

 

[DVCmom4]

I cant wait to hear how it goes! We are going in 2 weeks!!! HOORAY!! The kids keep changing their minds. I think I've changed our fast passes a hundred times now. I told them they cant change anymore because they won't get anything. But it's nice to know how it works if I do need to make more changes.

I have to say one more thing I thought we are all here because we love the magic of Disney! Lately some people have been just nasty! Did they ever hear "if you can't say something nice don't say anything"?

 

[njchris]

From the reports I've read, you probably could wait in line for BOG lunch if you didn't mind waiting a half hour or so.

I don't know why people have to knock down or try hard to make everyone as bitter as they are!

I hope you have a blast! I'm jealous, but at least I'm going in about 26 days!

 

[princessekrus]

Thanks for reporting.

I will be very curious to see how your FP+ wait times are, for a weekend that is pretty low. We are going in a couple of weeks, at a much busier time, and I'm worried that even the rides I'm booking FP+ for are going to have 15-20 minute waits.

Ignore the negativity, I really appreciate everyone who is posting their experiences (both positive and negative), because it is helping me make informed choices.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[AlixaLock]

Thanks for reporting.

I will be very curious to see how your FP+ wait times are, for a weekend that is pretty low. We are going in a couple of weeks, at a much busier time, and I'm worried that even the rides I'm booking FP+ for are going to have 15-20 minute waits.

Ignore the negativity, I really appreciate everyone who is posting their experiences (both positive and negative), because it is helping me make informed choices.

Have a great trip!!!

From the reports I've read, you probably could wait in line for BOG lunch if you didn't mind waiting a half hour or so.

I don't know why people have to knock down or try hard to make everyone as bitter as they are!

I hope you have a blast! I'm jealous, but at least I'm going in about 26 days!

I cant wait to hear how it goes! We are going in 2 weeks!!! HOORAY!! The kids keep changing their minds. I think I've changed our fast passes a hundred times now. I told them they cant change anymore because they won't get anything. But it's nice to know how it works if I do need to make more changes.

I have to say one more thing I thought we are all here because we love the magic of Disney! Lately some people have been just nasty! Did they ever hear "if you can't say something nice don't say anything"?

Thank you all! I am so curious about wait times in general. This is has always been considered such a quiet time and there are so many reports to the contrary. I'm really curious what wait times will be! I'm an old-school Disneyland girl and we used to wait and 1 hour to 90 minutes on Saturday weekends for basically everything and loved it. But now I'm so used to never waiting ... should be interesting!

 

[Itinkso]

If you want to try for Fp+ for a BOG lunch (it doesn't affect your 3 Fp+ per day - it is separate from MDE), here is the link:

beourguestlunch.disney.go.com

 

[AlohaAnnie]

I really appreciate everyone who is posting their experiences (both positive and negative), because it is helping me make informed choices.

I agree, I like to hear it all, it helps me to determine the best route for our upcoming trip and what to possibly expect. I have always enjoyed reading the good and the bad an ultimately making my decision with all the evidence.

Maybe that is why I am a mystery enthusiast. I know a bit corny but true.

.

 

[Robin Hood]

What happened to this board? I am so happy to come here and read people's updates so that I can see what is going on. Any information is usually good information. People may book their stuff 60 days out but plans change and days get switched around so I think it is great to see you can switch FP's closer to the vacation date. I know it is only for February but I can't see into the future so I'll take what I can get.

To put a poster down for describing what they are experiencing is a little insane to me.

I'm going at the end of March and hope to have a great trip so thanks for the information and keep it coming.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

OP thank you for your curiosity. I am also a very curious person and I can see where you are coming from.

I am enjoying reading about your experiment.

You are very sweet, kind, and helpful.

I like that.

Looking forward to your finished product.

.

 

[Robin Hood]

If you want to try for Fp+ for a BOG lunch (it doesn't affect your 3 Fp+ per day - it is separate from MDE), here is the link:

beourguestlunch.disney.go.com

How far out can you book this? I'm showing no available slots for my dates right now.

 

[Orsino]

Ironically, the one FastPass that I would have booked and kept for Friday was Illuminations and that was THE ONLY one not available.

That doesn't seem right to me. Illuminations is Tier 1. I have a hard time believing it would be sold out. There's tons of room in that space for people.

We were in Epcot last week (last day of paper fast pass). Since we were able to pull a paper fast pass for soarin', we decided to change our FP+ from Soarin to Illuminations. So day of, there was plenty of space. Perhaps a Friday is more busy than a Wednesday, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, my point is, I could not 'see' Illuminations as a choice to switch to from Soarin. The weird thing about FP+ and the app is that you can change the TIME or the ATTRACTION but not BOTH at the same time. You have to change one, then change the other. Since Soarin FP+ was for noonish and Illumination is for 830PM and only 8:30PM, switching from Soarin to Illuminations was not possible.

To get Illuminations, we had to 'start over.'

I'm not sure how you were looking for Illumination, but if you start from the beginning, you might be able to get it.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

How far out can you book this? I'm showing no available slots for my dates right now.

There is not a specific date these are being released. Based on the past few months, it has been available anywhere from the 12-19th of the month before you need it.

For example, if you need one for the month of March it will be released approximately Feb 12-19th but that is not guaranteed. I would keep checking daily to see if your times open up.

Good Luck

.

 

[jo-jo]

Thank you for posting.

I'd be interested on your opinion of how standby vs FP+ lines are at the park.
From some reports it almost sounds like people are standing in a FP line even though the standby line is shorter.

 

[Orsino]

Thank you for posting.

I'd be interested on your opinion of how standby vs FP+ lines are at the park.
From some reports it almost sounds like people are standing in a FP line even though the standby line is shorter.

That generally doesn't happen. In the rare instance where the standby line is shorter, the FP+ line should still be faster. In other words, the short standby line needs to wait for the FP+ people to move through first.

There are times when FP+ is useless and will have equivalent wait time as standby, but it is not longer.

 

[tinkerbellmamma]

Have a great time on your trip!! Sitting in the snow and freezing weather - I am beyond jealous of where you will be spending your weekend!! I can't wait to hear about how the FP+ went.

 

[Luscien]

Looking forward to hearing more. We booked using MDE in the first week of Dec for Dec 26th through the 1st. We found that we were able to get the FP+ selections we wanted, as well as most ADRs, even a Rose and Crown to watch Illuminations from the patio one day. Given it was three weeks out, I was surprised to get an ADR to Marrakesh for lunch on New year's eve, and world showcase for dinner.

We have a trip coming up in May for a few days, so it will be interesting to see how your experience is during a slower time.

 

[Itinkso]

How far out can you book this? I'm showing no available slots for my dates right now.

On the Restaurant Board, DISers say booking opens mid-month, the month prior to your arrival.

Last week, I was able to book a BOG lunch for the 19th. Make sure to grab a screenshot of the final confirmation because it doesn't show in MDE.

 

[larryz]

I really meant this to be fun and light ... not sure where I went wrong.

It's not you -- it's them.