Those on the fence about purchasing LLMP

[pooch]

Thank you but since my DD will be using her AP, I’d have to wait until 9/21 to book them together. But I could try for a ROTR LLSP for the evening of 9/21 beginning 9/18 for us both. Do I have this correct?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I would strongly caution against this. It's far easier to modify into a better time once you've already booked something rather than gambling like that. The actual meta is to get whatever times you can when prebooking and even if you can't manage to get better times when you're at home, at 7am the day of when Disney drops additional inventory you can very often back LLs up significantly.

I daresay, that's what WDW wants you to think. If someone is firmly intending to buy it, then sure, buy it at the 7-day mark.

If someone is on the fence about buying it after seeing the times they are offered, then it is worthwhile to gamble for something better.

I've played around with MDE enough times, and often get better options later (6-4 days out). Once you buy it, you can only modify one pass at a time, so the system has less flexibility. Passes are not all released at the 7 day mark, but the 4-6 days out is usually a little better than what you will be offered at the 1-2 day range.

Just recently, at the 7-day mark I was offered: Space Mtn noon, Pooh 2:30. For the 3rd pass, I searched every attraction and nothing was available before 10:30am. Mostly, the 3rd pass was coming up with times around 3 or 4pm - yikes!

Two days later, I was offered Space 10am, Pooh at noon, and my choice of Dumbo, Monsters, Philarmagic and a few others all 9:15-9:20. The only difference is that on the first day, I would have been able to get Tiana.

For Epcot, I was also given somewhat lousy options at the 7 day mark. Remy and Frozen were both coming up with only afternoon times, like 2:45 or 3pm. Two days later, Surprise! Remy at 10:45, and Frozen at 9:55am.

There are 100% more drops after the 7day mark. The later drop times are known, but the drop times are not consistent. There are also same day drops, but getting those can sometimes be frustrating, especially if one is trying to enjoy their time in the parks instead of being glued to their phone.

MDE also still does this VERY annoying thing where it looks like you are being offered a pass ( Star Tours at 2pm) , but then when you book it, a one second process, the system gives a completely different LL time (Star Tours at 3pm).

OH- one more quirk- if you do buy it 7 days out, take the first set of passes you are offered at 7am. If you immediately reject all 3, then immediately try again- MDE will offer worse times. Refresh again, and they will get even worse. IMO, it is designed to trigger panic buying.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Thank you but since my DD will be using her AP, I’d have to wait until 9/21 to book them together. But I could try for a ROTR LLSP for the evening of 9/21 beginning 9/18 for us both. Do I have this correct?

I think you could book your LL's 3 days before the first day of your ticket (for every day of your ticket), while I think she can only book 3 days before each park visit (rolling one day at a time).

From WDW website:

• Guests with date-based theme park tickets (which require the Guest to choose a start date at the time of purchase) can purchase 3 days before the first day of their ticket, for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket.
• Guests with other ticket types* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.
• Annual Passholders* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.

LLMP is a bit of an overly complicated mess.

If you into MDE about 3 weeks out (solidly BEFORE you are eligible), maybe around August 15, and try to book LLMP, MDE will specifically tell you when you'll both be eligible to book.

 

[pooch]

But I can book from 3 days prior to my 9/21 start date through the last day of use (9/28). Isn’t hers a rolling 3 days? 9/21 can be booked on 9/18, 9/22 on 9/19, 9/23 on 9/20 etc?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

But I can book from 3 days prior to my 9/21 start date through the last day of use (9/28). Isn’t hers a rolling 3 days? 9/21 can be booked on 9/18, 9/22 on 9/19, 9/23 on 9/20 etc?

I just modified my post, so hopefully it is more clear.

but check it a few weeks out, and MDE will give you the specfic 1st day.

 

[pooch]

I just modified my post, so hopefully it is more clear.

but check it a few weeks out, and MDE will give you the specfic 1st day.

Thank you but since my DD will be using her AP, I’d have to wait until 9/21 to book them together. But I could try for a ROTR LLSP for the evening of 9/21 beginning 9/18 for us both. Do I have this correct?

So my post is correct?

 

[elvispursley]

So my post is correct?

Yes—your DD will be on a rolling 3-day booking window since you’re staying offsite and she has an AP. You can book 3-days before the start of your tickets.

 

[GatorChris]

I daresay, that's what WDW wants you to think. If someone is firmly intending to buy it, then sure, buy it at the 7-day mark.

If someone is on the fence about buying it after seeing the times they are offered, then it is worthwhile to gamble for something better.

I've played around with MDE enough times, and often get better options later (6-4 days out). Once you buy it, you can only modify one pass at a time, so the system has less flexibility. Passes are not all released at the 7 day mark, but the 4-6 days out is usually a little better than what you will be offered at the 1-2 day range.


OH- one more quirk- if you do buy it 7 days out, take the first set of passes you are offered at 7am. If you immediately reject all 3, then immediately try again- MDE will offer worse times. Refresh again, and they will get even worse. IMO, it is designed to trigger panic buying.

This is all new to me. I prefer the DL method of getting the LL and doing everything the day of as you come in.

Anyway, what you're saying is to NOT buy on day 7 but rather on day 5 or 4??? That's so weird to us folks who 60 days out are getting the dining reservation we want because we know they won't be there later. I just want to do this right when I have to make this choice in a few weeks.

 

[Minnie1222]

This is all new to me. I prefer the DL method of getting the LL and doing everything the day of as you come in.

Anyway, what you're saying is to NOT buy on day 7 but rather on day 5 or 4??? That's so weird to us folks who 60 days out are getting the dining reservation we want because we know they won't be there later. I just want to do this right when I have to make this choice in a few weeks.

LLMP was only launched last July so people may have different experiences. Since then, I've had three trips to WDW and gotten a total of 12 LLMP days. I've concluded, for myself, that availability is best at the 7 day prior and exponentially decline as you reach Day Zero (your park day). We will need more data from guests who have purchased on day -7, -5, and -4 to make a comparison.

 

[Tgj2010]

If you are still debating whether or not to purchase LL... this thread may or may not help. Just some data points and then my thoughts...

We just returned from WDW. We were basically "split" into four couples (and one senior who wasn't interested in many rides).

Group A had LLMP for MK & HS.
Group B & E had no LLMP
Groups C & D had LLMP for all four parks.

We were staying on property so had 7 day bookings of LL and could take advantage of ETPE, as well as EEH. EEH was used by two groups for one ride only. ETPE was used for EC, HS, and MK.

Everyone got on:
Remy
Guardians
Spaceship Earth
Soarin
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Toy Story Mania
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Haunted Mansion
it's a small world
Pirates of the Caribbean
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

4/5 Groups also did
Rise of the Resistance
Slinky Dog Dash
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Space Mountaint
Tron
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Expedition Everest
Flight of Passage
Na'vi River Journey

The second list was "missed" for either lack of interest or lack of time.

All groups were in the same parks on the same days.

So, you CAN hit the big name attractions (in addition to smaller ones and character M&G) WITHOUT using LL. Yes, you will stand in lines. We did benefit by utilize ETPE.

So, the big question is always "Is LL 'worth' it." Obviously it depends...
* What park(s)?
* How many people are you buying for?
* Can you take advantage of ETPE or EEH?
* What rides are important to you?

Personally, I don't like LL. I don't like the cost factor and I don't like the planning factor. Unfortunately, that's the only game that's available.

Would we purchase it again (DW and I were the group that just did HS & MK)? For just the two of us and just those parks... probably, but not definite.

Sorry this isn't a definitive "LL is DEFINITELY worth it!" or "LL is a waste" post. But hopefully it does support whichever way you're "leaning".

I will say, for the middle of June, crowds weren't terrible. E-ticket rides were probably averaging 60 minute waits through the day, with Tron & Guardians, and Tiana's hitting 75-80 at times.

This is awesome thank you for taking the time

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Looking at Thrill Data for the dates of a trip this week, many of the LL's for top tier rides (especially at HS) were gone 2-3 days in advance of those park dates.

My gut feeling is most of the pre-book LL's are late morning / later day in an attempt to discourage hopping which can help control afternoon crowd levels.