Trial Club Level Fastpass+ Purchase Program Planning & Discussion

[GADisneyDad14]

Booking on Monday! I'm a bit torn on our MK day (xmas party day). We have been the past two years during the same time on on our particular MK day, it has opened up at 7 am for EMH. I'm going to assume that it will be the same this year. We usually follow the strategy of booking early FPs so we can look for more.

So thinking (am I overthinking?):

From 7 am - close to 9 am - hit the small Fantasyland rides like Winnie, LM, Meet Ariel, Small World, and maybe Enchanted Tales (for me and DD and DH/DS can ride Space?). Then:

FP - 8-9 PP
FP - 9 - 10 7D
Last year there was a Move in Shake it at 10
BOG at 11:15
FP - 11:30 - 12:30 (maybe 11:45 - 12:45) HM (***once scanned search for 4:30 - 5:30 FP)
CL - 12:30 - 1:30 Big Thunder
CL - 1:30 - 2:30 Splash
2:00 - Parade from Frontierland (maybe)
CL - 2:30 - 3:30 Pirates
CL - 3:30 - 4:30 - JC (or maybe Buzz)

(should everything maybe be pushed 30 minutes later?? i'm guessing we will only have until the 6:00 window to try to refresh for a final FP due to the xmas party)

After using the program, my perspective is similar to @IceQueen182. Even though you have Move It Shake It and BOG between 10-11:30 - if this were me at some point I’d feel I’m just “waiting around” too much between windows. I like to be using FPs towards the end of windows so I can just keep churning on to the next one / close to being able to modify.

I booked ours pretty much back to back to back with only a small window built in for lunch.

But it’s all really subjective with your other plans, how you like to tour, etc. Good luck - planning this program is not easy.

 

[JJ2017]

After using the program, my perspective is similar to @IceQueen182. Even though you have Move It Shake It and BOG between 10-11:30 - if this were me at some point I’d feel I’m just “waiting around” too much between windows. I like to be using FPs towards the end of windows so I can just keep churning on to the next one / close to being able to modify.

I booked ours pretty much back to back to back with only a small window built in for lunch.

But it’s all really subjective with your other plans, how you like to tour, etc. Good luck - planning this program is not easy.

So I did realize that the current park hours say 9 am opening. I am sure this will change but I’m assuming for when I book, I have to start them with the 9-10 window.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So I did realize that the current park hours say 9 am opening. I am sure this will change but I’m assuming for when I book, I have to start them with the 9-10 window.

Yup, that is correct. If park hours are 9am when you book, you can only make FPs 9am+ for now. They add FPs in the system later when/if park hours change.

 

[JJ2017]

Yup, that is correct. If park hours are 9am when you book, you can only make FPs 9am+ for now. They add FPs in the system later when/if park hours change.

Hm. Even more to think about in terms of which to book first: CL or regular.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hm. Even more to think about in terms of which to book first: CL or regular.

I vote CL. Our style is to stick with a plan early - but then by mid-day all bets are off. I modified and/or didn’t use FPs 4-6 nearly every day and I was glad I could do it all myself. But we’re pretty content with keeping 1-3 as planned, so didn’t mind having those pretty much locked.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Here now using CL FPs. Worth every penny for us! Used my three regular FPs in morning - then each day have gotten additional after using those three.

In the afternoon we use the CL FPs in afternoon. We've taken break after parks in morning - then might have 2 parks in afternoon. Have 4 FOP. Did Slinky Dog and Alien Saucers. Never waited more than 25 minutes on any ride and did EMM.

I did modify one CL FP yesterday. Easy to call and do. It's ds21 and I so we've moved to different parks. Today is AK, HS and MK. Last day tomorrow - all 4 parks and Dine with an Imagineer.

 

[texas200]

Here now using CL FPs. Worth every penny for us! Used my three regular FPs in morning - then each day have gotten additional after using those three.

In the afternoon we use the CL FPs in afternoon. We've taken break after parks in morning - then might have 2 parks in afternoon. Have 4 FOP. Did Slinky Dog and Alien Saucers. Never waited more than 25 minutes on any ride and did EMM.

I did modify one CL FP yesterday. Easy to call and do. It's ds21 and I so we've moved to different parks. Today is AK, HS and MK. Last day tomorrow - all 4 parks and Dine with an Imagineer.

Glad you are having a great time! When you have time, would you mind posting an example of your schedule? I am still trying to decide whether to book CL FPs first or second. When did you schedule your extra FPs without overlapping your CL FPs? TIA

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Our trip was last month. A few brief comments about our experience-
- Not being able to modify the CL FPs was very annoying. I walked through many parks on my phone trying to modify. It was easy to do, I just found it inconvenient that I had to call in order to do so.
- we were able to find the reserved viewing locations (which I know are going away soon) quite easily by asking for the VIP viewing location. Once we were at the VIP location, the CM confirmed we were in the right place and looked us up on a clipboard. I read about asking for the VIP viewing area as opposed to the CL or paid FP area from someone else on this board, and it was great advice! All of the CMs were familiar with VIP viewing whereas I’ve read a few posts about confused CMs who are unfamiliar with the paid CL FP program (possibly because it is just a trial program at this point).
- being able to have FP for more than one tier 1 attraction, especially TSL, was well worth it to us!
- we duplicated a few FP and were able to use them with no issue.

I’m on the fence about whether or not I’d do this again in the future. Losing the viewing areas is a big disappointment to me. I also really disliked the inability to modify without going through a CM. In the future I might use it for shorter stays at very busy times of year.

 

[texas200]

Our trip was last month. A few brief comments about our experience-
- Not being able to modify the CL FPs was very annoying. I walked through many parks on my phone trying to modify. It was easy to do, I just found it inconvenient that I had to call in order to do so.
- we were able to find the reserved viewing locations (which I know are going away soon) quite easily by asking for the VIP viewing location. Once we were at the VIP location, the CM confirmed we were in the right place and looked us up on a clipboard. I read about asking for the VIP viewing area as opposed to the CL or paid FP area from someone else on this board, and it was great advice! All of the CMs were familiar with VIP viewing whereas I’ve read a few posts about confused CMs who are unfamiliar with the paid CL FP program (possibly because it is just a trial program at this point).
- being able to have FP for more than one tier 1 attraction, especially TSL, was well worth it to us!
- we duplicated a few FP and were able to use them with no issue.

I’m on the fence about whether or not I’d do this again in the future. Losing the viewing areas is a big disappointment to me. I also really disliked the inability to modify without going through a CM. In the future I might use it for shorter stays at very busy times of year.

Did you already have your duplicates when you called to modify your FPs? Did they say anything about that?

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Did you already have your duplicates when you called to modify your FPs? Did they say anything about that?

We duplicated at Epcot and Animal Kingdom. All of the times I called (3) we had duplicated but used the first one as our first FP of the day. I called once from Epcot and twice from Animal Kingdom. I suppose a very observant CM might have gone through all of our plans when I called from Epcot and noticed the duplicate for AK the following day, but luckily that didn’t happen to me!

 

[IceQueen182]

Our trip was last month. A few brief comments about our experience-
- Not being able to modify the CL FPs was very annoying. I walked through many parks on my phone trying to modify. It was easy to do, I just found it inconvenient that I had to call in order to do so.
- we were able to find the reserved viewing locations (which I know are going away soon) quite easily by asking for the VIP viewing location. Once we were at the VIP location, the CM confirmed we were in the right place and looked us up on a clipboard. I read about asking for the VIP viewing area as opposed to the CL or paid FP area from someone else on this board, and it was great advice! All of the CMs were familiar with VIP viewing whereas I’ve read a few posts about confused CMs who are unfamiliar with the paid CL FP program (possibly because it is just a trial program at this point).
- being able to have FP for more than one tier 1 attraction, especially TSL, was well worth it to us!
- we duplicated a few FP and were able to use them with no issue.

I’m on the fence about whether or not I’d do this again in the future. Losing the viewing areas is a big disappointment to me. I also really disliked the inability to modify without going through a CM. In the future I might use it for shorter stays at very busy times of year.

I'm on the fence myself about whether I'll use the CL FPs for our November trip, since my frustrations were similar when we used the program in June. I had a very hard time trying to change our afternoon FPs over the phone and often couldn't get what I wanted... Having FPs for TSL is probably the main draw since my kids are really excited about it. Agree that it's best for short stays during busy times.

 

[bpx2]

My day to book this is tomorrow. For now, I'm planning to book regular FPs in the morning and the CL FPs in the afternoon at a different park. It is just my husband and I (we don't have kids), so I'm not foreseeing too many problems making it to the CL FPs in the afternoon. I'm hoping this schedule works out well for us. It's so hard to know how to plan this since what works for others might not work best for us.

 

[JJ2017]

I'm poring through my schedules too. Even though we have hoppers, we are deciding not to hop (except for going to Epcot three of the nights for dinner). I think that will help us stick to our plan of using regular FPs early in the morning, followed by CL FPs so we know we have a schedule to stick to and not have to deal with getting tired due to transportation. Making that decision to not to try to straddle different parks is making planning easier. It's just HS that I feel like I'm wasting money, but with all three TSL rides in Tier 1, it's just what has to be done. I'd like to hop that day, but I think DS could stay all day at HS. I'll just take DD to a lot of shows and hope she naps in the stroller (waste of money for me and her).

 

[JJ2017]

Looking for advice on times to schedule the below FPs for HS

Park says for now it's opening at 9:00 am and Fantasmic is at 8:00 pm. I'd like to get back to the resort before heading back to ride SDD at night (will be a duplicate - hope that works), maybe at at Sci-Fi at 6:15, then watch Fantasmic.

What time would you order these Fast Passes?

PPO Breakfast at H&V - hope to sign up for Jedi Training beforehand in order to pick a show time for when all our morning/afternoon FPs end.

These are the rides we want - not sure what time to start the FPs - again, want to be able to take our break as early as possible

We get 7 FPs

SDD - all
Aliens - all
TSMM - all
RnR for Dad/Son
ToT for Dad/Son
Frozen for Mom/Daughter
Beauty and Beast for Mom/Daughter
Jedi Training
Break at Resort (Dolphin)
Evening:
Star Tours regular FP which I will duplicate to SDD
6:15 dinner at Sci-Fi (should I keep? never been, but not sure it will time constrict us)
8:00 Fantasmic FP

 

[rebrick2006]

Are the club level viewing areas better or about the same for fireworks as the special area included with the dessert packages?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Are the club level viewing areas better or about the same for fireworks as the special area included with the dessert packages?

Hi, I moved your post to this thread which has a lot of discussion of the Trial CL program.

If you don’t know this already, the “viewing” piece of the trial offering is ending mid-Sept (9/15 is the last day, I believe).

But to answer your question - the MK viewing location is in the garden in front of Casey’s - the opposite garden of the HEA dessert party (so, nearly identical view, just opposite side of the hub).

I will let others comment on the viewing location for the other shows.

 

[yaya74]

Are the club level viewing areas better or about the same for fireworks as the special area included with the dessert packages?

Since GADisneyDad14 has already answered your questions regarding viewing area for HEA, I would like to share with my experience at Fanstasmic on 8/1.
--CM at FP check in didn't know anything about the CL FP. She let us in and asked me to ask CMs up by the theatre.
--Upon approaching the theatre, I asked a CM where the reserved area is for CL FP. She asked me to follow the crowd. At that time the only available seats were by the far left of the theatre. I refuse to pay and seat in the Hades/Beast section. (refer to the map in post #7 of this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-dinner-package-worth-it.3671340/#post-58968664)
--Then I saw a rope-off area with a sign "Dining Package". I approached the CM by that section and told her "We have CL FP for a paid reserved area and were told by DSS to give you our name to enter that section". She asked for our name and let us into a roped-off section on the top of Mickey. She does not have a name list with her (but CM at HEA did have a name list and she checked our name on the list).
-- I don't know if the section where we sat was the real reserved section for CL FP. My family enjoyed the view though we were sitting in the last two rows...

Upon return, I emailed DSS regarding the difficulty to locate the reserved area at Fantasmic with the hope that someone will do something about it if Disney decides to offer this program for awhile.

Hope it helps.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Glad you are having a great time! When you have time, would you mind posting an example of your schedule? I am still trying to decide whether to book CL FPs first or second. When did you schedule your extra FPs without overlapping your CL FPs? TIA

I'll do on Saturday a detailed description of our days

I did regular FPs in morning back to back in same park. Then as soon as those three gone is quickly get an additional for after CL FPs. We'd take break at lunch for a couple hours then do second park and do the CL FPs back to back and use additional one.

Today- AK in morning
9:30-1030 FOP
1030-1130 EE
1230-130 Kali

We had done Safari earlier this week
Prior to FOP rode EE 3xs and Dinosaur

Lunch offsite

HS afternoon
330-430 TofT
430-530 RnRC
530-630 TSMM

Used additional RnRC FP I got this morning after first three done

We had done Slinky and A$$ earlier this week

That's how we worked week

 

[djc9699]

This has been a long time coming and now I see that some other changes have happened with the program, but I still wanted to give my feedback. We visited at the end of June and early July, staying split at BC and CR CL. I purchased the extra CL FPs for three days. The biggest benefit for our family was that we had the opportunity to get FPs for Toy Story Land on opening day...I mean far and above the best benefit. And, while the extra fastpasses were nice, as was the nighttime viewing of fireworks, we had some big problems that caused me stress about how much I spent on this program.

First, during our week, we had a couple of days of lots of thunderstorms which resulted in our early, regular fastpasses to be converted to anytime fastpasses, which we could use later, after the storms passed. We are hoppers, however, so I had scheduled CL FPs in other parks, like AK, and all heck broke loose because there simply was not enough time to do them all. For example, one morning we were at MK and our first FP was for SDMT, but it was down (mechanical, not weather), so we went on Tomorrowland Speedway and then had lunch at CRT, after which the heavens opened and our next FP on BTMTR converted to an anytime pass. By this point it was 1:30 pm and we still had 3 fastpasses in MK, but our AK CL FPs were set to start in the 430-530 window. We basically ran through two of our fastpasses once the skies cleared and had one still remaining, but started running late for AK, and the kids were waterlogged so we had to hit the hotel to change. Basically, the kids wanted to go back and finish the FP at MK and not head to AK. I called to make the changes to MK and although they said it was done, we ended up only getting two fastpasses available when we returned in the evening. And, of course the regular CMs know nothing about the program, DSS closes at 5:00 pm, and customer service was swamped due to the weather issues earlier. So, I ate those fastpasses.

Second, my husband threw his back out in the gym on Friday morning. It was outside the 24 hour window so I had to eat the cost of his fastpasses for Friday. The kids and I did the parks alone and attended HEA alone, allowing him to be prone in the hotel room. The next day, he got up to hit TSL, but then needed to head back to the room. The kids and I went to the parks again, but by this point, they were not wanting to go see fireworks either.

Overall, it has the potential to be a good program, but if there is no way to make real changes the day of or day before, then I cannot see us doing this again. Also, this was the first time we went and the fastpass lines were incredibly long.

Don't get me wrong, we had a great trip, but for the amount we paid for this, and now hearing that the nighttime shows will be taken away, the value is better on paper than in reality for our family.

We had some of these same issues. I also did not appreciate that we 'paid' for Toy story Mania and when it went down they were not going to allow us to use our converted anytime FP on AS2.I held my ground and explained to the CM (supervisor or something) that I had paid for my granddaughter (3) to ride a ride and she couldn't ride TOT or RNR. He finally relented and let us ride. As I stated in a previous post, we will not do this again. Our touring style doesn't fit with this program. We need more flexibility and often change plans on a whim.

 

[TriSeb°o°]

We decided to do all our FP$+ first and the regular FPs+ in the evening. We were still able to pull extra fast passes on some days or modify them to other rides.

We also were able to easily change a FP$+ to a different ride while riding Peter Pan, even with super loud atmosphere noises! No mention of my double-up tier one passes was mention. As a matter of fact, I didn't have any issues the whole trip with the double up T1's.

I saw a request for a sample schedule, here is the final of what we did this past week and half.


I enjoyed the reserved areas as I posted previously, however, on EPCOT night, it was a bit weird. We walked up to the FastPass entrance about 5 minutes before starting and asked about the Club Level spot. Of course, the CM didn't have a clue. She waved over another CM an told him that we were looking for the club reserved spot he said, no problem, it's up front combined with the accessibility folks. The CM walked us past the super crowded FP+ areas and down to a smaller roped off area near the railing. What was weird is that no one ever asked me for my last name or any other method of verification and was was ushered through without a single question. The CMs were very accommodating and provided a secondary exit/entrance so I could go purchase some snacks. It was a great spot, and I can only hope the decision to eliminate these is reconsidered.