These Tiers are killing me

[Mambo Junkie]

I'd hate to lose FP's. We use them for everything that they're offered for. Yes SB would speed up but there would still be much longer waits than what FP offers. So instead of a 90 minute SB wait for FOP you might have a 30-40 minute wait...I'd rather use a FP and walk right in. Not having FP's would also not spread the crowds out as much. Right now most people will actually use their 3 FP's, even if they would rather not. If they no longer had to make those tier 2 selections that they currently are making then they'd be in line for what is now a tier 1 ride.

A lot of people don’t even use their tier 2s. They tap out in order to get the next tier 1. In the past if there was a 60 minute wait for TSMM we did something else until we happened upon a 20 minute or less wait time.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I'm learning so much from this thread!

So now I'm questioning my Fantasmic FP during Thanksgiving week. I got it because we'll be returning to the park after dinner at Ohana and I didn't have to wait a long time in the standby line. Was this a mistake?

 

[shh]

can someone point me to a basic definitions thread where terms like "tap out" are explained? I'm very familiar with FP system...but just getting up to speed on this updated HS tiered policy. Just not sure how you "tap out" to clear FPs.

 

[JETSDAD]

can someone point me to a basic definitions thread where terms like "tap out" are explained? I'm very familiar with FP system...but just getting up to speed on this updated HS tiered policy. Just not sure how you "tap out" to clear FPs.

Just go tap the FP as though you are going to use it ut then walk away (don't actually bother doing the ride/show). I don't want to waste early park time watching Little Mermaid or any other show but need to get through my tier 2 FP's in order to add more tier 1 so I burn/tap out that FP.

 

[wilbret]

I just booked our Fast Passes, and it reminded me why we prefer the "experience" of Universal so much more these days. What a PITA.

It is amazing to me that FPs can be gone within minutes of the window opening. I'd gladly pay for express pass in some form, even if it was only for 3 rides, if it really meant FAST .

Universal nails it. Legoland gets it. SeaWorld gets it. Six Flags has it. Carowinds has it. Disney can't figure it out. Maybe you should get 1 guaranteed spot with any ticket, but upgrade to get more. You can keep adding one at a time in the app, with a narrower window of time than 1 hour. Even the old queuebot system at parks was nice, you scanned your place into line one ride at a time, freeing you up to do things OTHER than standing in line.

Imagine guests that can wait in line while shopping or eating?

 

[CastAStone]

I'm learning so much from this thread!

So now I'm questioning my Fantasmic FP during Thanksgiving week. I got it because we'll be returning to the park after dinner at Ohana and I didn't have to wait a long time in the standby line. Was this a mistake?

That is not an easy question. Fantasmic will probably fill up on some (all?) days that week. So if Fantasmic is really important to you, it may be worth keeping. But it means standby lines all day.

I would consider switching to something else and then get to Fantasmic an hour early. But it’s really a question about your priorities.

 

[UniversalDuder]

I don't mind the tiering in theory, but the changes they've made to HS are infuriating. I know they want to encourage people to attend the shows, but it's so frustrating when the park has some of my favorite rides in WDW, and also some of the longest lines.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I just booked our Fast Passes, and it reminded me why we prefer the "experience" of Universal so much more these days. What a PITA.

It is amazing to me that FPs can be gone within minutes of the window opening. I'd gladly pay for express pass in some form, even if it was only for 3 rides, if it really meant FAST .

Universal nails it. Legoland gets it. SeaWorld gets it. Six Flags has it. Carowinds has it. Disney can't figure it out. Maybe you should get 1 guaranteed spot with any ticket, but upgrade to get more. You can keep adding one at a time in the app, with a narrower window of time than 1 hour. Even the old queuebot system at parks was nice, you scanned your place into line one ride at a time, freeing you up to do things OTHER than standing in line.

Imagine guests that can wait in line while shopping or eating?

It's not that they are gone within minutes, it's that they were gone in the days before you were able to book.
I looooove the current FP system and find it far superior to the others mentioned. I can FP any ride I want..... for free. If the other parks had it for free, then I would agree.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

can someone point me to a basic definitions thread where terms like "tap out" are explained? I'm very familiar with FP system...but just getting up to speed on this updated HS tiered policy. Just not sure how you "tap out" to clear FPs.

Tap out means to walk up to the attraction up to 5 minutes early and tap it with your band though you have no intention of riding or seeing it so you an get to the next fp and move it up. Then tap that one and you’re clear for another tier 1. For instance get Disney jr. tap the band then try to move mermaid up. Then tap that one just across the courtyard and you’re good to go. You can actually watch it. I enjoy it.

I'm learning so much from this thread!

So now I'm questioning my Fantasmic FP during Thanksgiving week. I got it because we'll be returning to the park after dinner at Ohana and I didn't have to wait a long time in the standby line. Was this a mistake?

I was able to pick up Fantasmic FPS later in the day. Last night was at AK and at 7:05 I was getting FPS for Rivers of Light.

ETA I mentioned to DH while walking into Fantasmic that the standby line was moving way faster than the fp line.

 

[wilbret]

It's not that they are gone within minutes, it's that they were gone in the days before you were able to book.
I looooove the current FP system and find it far superior to the others mentioned. I can FP any ride I want..... for free. If the other parks had it for free, then I would agree.

60 days out and the moment you can get passes, they are gone? That’s not being gone in the days before able to book.

You can’t find a FP for every ride, every day, when you want it. It’s impossible. At best, you are constantly checking the app and refreshing and structuring your time zig zagging the park to get to the ride you booked, forgetting that the 10-15 minutes walking is also...time.

Compare that to other parks, and you just go at your leisure, no checking, no plotting a course, no doubling back, no hassle. No booking things 1-2 months in advance

But I get it, you like it. The best part to me is the tap, that’s pretty cool!

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

That is not an easy question. Fantasmic will probably fill up on some (all?) days that week. So if Fantasmic is really important to you, it may be worth keeping. But it means standby lines all day.

I would consider switching to something else and then get to Fantasmic an hour early. But it’s really a question about your priorities.

Ok this helps- as we won't have an hour to get there early as we have an ADR at Ohana (yeah I could've planned that better!) I think I'll just keep it. And we do love Fantasmic, it's our favorite show. We also have droid and Savi's reservations, so I think the day will be busy enough.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

60 days out and the moment you can get passes, they are gone? That’s not being gone in the days before able to book.

You can’t find a FP for every ride, every day, when you want it. It’s impossible. At best, you are constantly checking the app and refreshing and structuring your time zig zagging the park to get to the ride you booked, forgetting that the 10-15 minutes walking is also...time.

Compare that to other parks, and you just go at your leisure, no checking, no plotting a course, no doubling back, no hassle. No booking things 1-2 months in advance

But I get it, you like it. The best part to me is the tap, that’s pretty cool!

I call if FP gymnastics lol

 

[PaladinButters]

It is amazing to me that FPs can be gone within minutes of the window opening. I'd gladly pay for express pass in some form, even if it was only for 3 rides, if it really meant FAST .

That purchased fast pass package would then sell out at 6am six months before your vacation. It’s the Disney way.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

That purchased fast pass package would then sell out at 6am six months before your vacation. It’s the Disney way.

That’s when you pay extra for the Early Morning Magic or Disney After Dark tickets. Of a dessert party
ETA I do have to say one of the best things we did this whole trip was the Lion King Tiffins lunch. It was hot, humid, crowded and miserable at AK. It was a welcome relief to walk into a cool dimly lit Tiffins. It was like a refreshing oasis in a punishing desert. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Adjusted our attitudes and we had a great rest of the day!

 

[shh]

Tap out means to walk up to the attraction up to 5 minutes early and tap it with your band though you have no intention of riding or seeing it so you an get to the next fp and move it up. Then tap that one and you’re clear for another tier 1. For instance get Disney jr. tap the band then try to move mermaid up. Then tap that one just across the courtyard and you’re good to go. You can actually watch it. I enjoy it.

I was able to pick up Fantasmic FPS later in the day. Last night was at AK and at 7:05 I was getting FPS for Rivers of Light.

ETA I mentioned to DH while walking into Fantasmic that the standby line was moving way faster than the fp line.

Thanks - I thought that's what it might mean, but wasn't sure. Appreciate it!

 

[shh]

Just go tap the FP as though you are going to use it ut then walk away (don't actually bother doing the ride/show). I don't want to waste early park time watching Little Mermaid or any other show but need to get through my tier 2 FP's in order to add more tier 1 so I burn/tap out that FP.

Thanks!Appreciate the help!

 

[disneygirlsng]

60 days out and the moment you can get passes, they are gone? That’s not being gone in the days before able to book.

You can’t find a FP for every ride, every day, when you want it. It’s impossible. At best, you are constantly checking the app and refreshing and structuring your time zig zagging the park to get to the ride you booked, forgetting that the 10-15 minutes walking is also...time.

Compare that to other parks, and you just go at your leisure, no checking, no plotting a course, no doubling back, no hassle. No booking things 1-2 months in advance

But I get it, you like it. The best part to me is the tap, that’s pretty cool!

60 days from your first day is somebody else's 4th, 5th, 6th+ day of their trip, so they have already booked FPs several days before you are able to book your first day. You don't book each individual day 60 days out. That's why it's easier to book FPs for later days in your trip. That's what I'm talking about.

Gonna just agree to disagree with the rest of this post.

 

[mtrib]

I wrote a long post on this topic here with some strategy tips.

TLDR is that there are almost 3X as many Tier 1 FPs as there will be people in the park (excluding major holidays, when it will be more like 2X). If you get a jump on it, you can get at least 3 and more likely 4 (maybe even 5) in a day if you:

• Have your prebooked T1 early (before 10:30 ideally, but def before noon) - But DO NOT prebook Tower of Terror
• Use or burn your T2s early
• Book TOT as your 2nd FP (because it will be available soonest)
• Go at the beginning of your FP windows
• Book whatever is soonest as soon as you step into line and refresh refresh refresh for the best times.

Thank you!

I have 9:30 TSMM now. Plan to RD SDD unless I find a random one beforehand. If that happens we’ll TD TSMM.

12:30 ST that I’ll try to move up. I have high hopes for getting a random SDD by modifying my TSMM before the trip. I don’t want to move ST to a morning a lot because it will “block” that morning slot from SDD availability. We’d like to ride ST but I’ll probably drop it day if so I can grab earlier Tier 2 FP to tap out of and start my Tier 1 hunt.

I appreciate the help!

 

[mtrib]

I wrote a long post on this topic here with some strategy tips.

TLDR is that there are almost 3X as many Tier 1 FPs as there will be people in the park (excluding major holidays, when it will be more like 2X). If you get a jump on it, you can get at least 3 and more likely 4 (maybe even 5) in a day if you:

• Have your prebooked T1 early (before 10:30 ideally, but def before noon) - But DO NOT prebook Tower of Terror
• Use or burn your T2s early
• Book TOT as your 2nd FP (because it will be available soonest)
• Go at the beginning of your FP windows
• Book whatever is soonest as soon as you step into line and refresh refresh refresh for the best times.

FP4me for the win! SDD at 11:30.

So, now would you get Tier 2 at 9 and 10? Or leave rest of day open in case I can modify SDD to earlier?

 

[CastAStone]

FP4me for the win! SDD at 11:30.

So, now would you get Tier 2 at 9 and 10? Or leave rest of day open in case I can modify SDD to earlier?

Personally I would get them as early as possible. You can probably even modify your 10 o’clock one to a 915 or 930 after you use the 9 o’clock one