Trial Club Level Fastpass+ Purchase Program Planning & Discussion

[AngiTN]

Am I right that the final word on the reserved viewing areas for fireworks for July 3rd at MK and 4th at Epcot is not available?
I'm still trying to decide if we should buy the extra pass package. We are inside our 60 days now so some of the benefits are diminishing. If the viewing areas are not included then it may well not be worthwhile in the end, we are only doing MK on the 3rd (fly in early), Epcot on the 4th and HS on the 5th (we fly out very late on the 5th)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Am I right that the final word on the reserved viewing areas for fireworks for July 3rd at MK and 4th at Epcot is not available?
I'm still trying to decide if we should buy the extra pass package. We are inside our 60 days now so some of the benefits are diminishing. If the viewing areas are not included then it may well not be worthwhile in the end, we are only doing MK on the 3rd (fly in early), Epcot on the 4th and HS on the 5th (we fly out very late on the 5th)

I was under the impression 7/3 and 7/4 at MK so far have been unavailable (was the case as of two weeks ago), but I thought 7/4 at Epcot was available (don’t think I specifically discussed this though, thought I read it here). I’m not totally sure about this, but a quick call to DSS should help resolve.

Sorry, no help at all, I know.

 

[AngiTN]

I was under the impression 7/3 and 7/4 at MK so far have been unavailable (was the case as of two weeks ago), but I thought 7/4 at Epcot was available (don’t think I specifically discussed this though, thought I read it here). I’m not totally sure about this, but a quick call to DSS should help resolve.

Sorry, no help at all, I know.

Thanks. That is some help. I really need to figure out if we want to spend time in the parks or at the resort. If we are going to pretty much hang at the resort we won't want the extra FP (and the extra time in the parks)
The CL Chef at BWI told us that he plans a special meal on the 4th so I know we want to be around the lounge that evening, till we head to the park at least.

 

[sking5844]

Does anyone have any idea if the reserved viewing area will work during the parties? By parties I mean MNSHP and MVMCP. I understand you have to have a hard ticket to the parties themselves, but didn't know how this would work for those if you do have a ticket.

 

[PPFlight75]

Yes I would definitely tread lightly. While on the phone yesterday with DSS while booking the Disney After Hours and moving some paid Fastpasses around I discussed with the cast member the doubling up and worrying that people were going to ruin the program by trying to circumvent the rules. For example, would they stop booking the original 3 not paid at the same time if they were all being modified even though it was against guidelines? He said they are monitoring everything that is being done.

That's interesting. It must depend on the CM you get. My CM never mentioned it so they are not being consistent with their message. I booked mine about 3 weeks ago, waited a few weeks and then doubled up just one. No phone call yet. If they call, I will change it. I'm willing to risk the one FP if it disappears. That's why I did just one though.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That's interesting. It must depend on the CM you get. My CM never mentioned it so they are not being consistent with their message. I booked mine about 3 weeks ago, waited a few weeks and then doubled up just one. No phone call yet. If they call, I will change it. I'm willing to risk the one FP if it disappears. That's why I did just one though.

Yeah.. they’re monitoring how much money they are making vs the man hours it costs to book them. I still think the one person had issues because they had the bad luck of an overzealous CM who freaked. As long as DSS doesn’t need to put eyes on your account again my theory is you’ll be fine...

 

[JJ2017]

Anyone up for taking a crack at this itinerary? It's rough, but ADR day is Thursday and I am trying to pin point our days, especially since another family is trying to coordinate with us and they do not have hoppers.

Kids will be very close to 6 and 8. They are troopers and can hang. We arrive very late Tuesday night, so Wednesday will be a relaxing day.

Staying at Dolphin

Wednesday - pool day, MK afternoon/evening - no CL FPs this day. This is a non-party day, so it's our "best" chance to see Elsa lighting the castle. Maybe dinner in MK.

Thursday - AK/EP day - CL FP day

AK - morning/early afternoon:
Regular FPs
FoP - Husband and son
Navi - Me and daughter
Safari - all of us
Everest - Husband and son
Minnie/Mickey - Me and daughter
** Grab extra FPs - either in AK or in EP

Epcot:
CL FPs
Test Track - all of us
Soarin - all of us
Frozen - all of us
Dinner either F&W booths or restaurant
Reserved viewing for Illuminations

Friday - MK bright and early (party day)

(past two years, park opened at 7 am while were were there). Stay until we are beat, then relax at pool. Fantasmic at night (maybe dinner at HS?)

CL FP day

FPs to include 7D, PP, Space, Big Thunder, Splash
Maybe reserve one CL for HS for Slinky Dog before dinner.
Fantasmic reserved viewing at night.

Saturday - HS all day - CL FP Day. Maybe HEA reserved viewing at night or Fantasmic reserved viewing)
PPO H&V - Sign up for JTA
CL:
Slinky
Saucers
TSMM

Regular FP:
RnR - Husband and Son
Tower - Husband and Son
Not sure what to FP for me and daughter - Frozen Sing Along, Beauty and Beast, Mermaid?? No clue
Star Tours - everyone but me...maybe, not even sure

Sunday - have until 1 in parks. Maybe finish up Epcot. No CL FPs.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yeah.. they’re monitoring how much money they are making vs the man hours it costs to book them.

Doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. If they continue this offering, seems to me they’d have to make these bookable online — calling up to book FPs AND to change them is ridiculous beyond a pilot program... IMO.

 

[Hope Soda]

Is a "Club Level Access" room at GF the same as a "Club Level" room, for the purposes of making extra FP+? I realize that the "Access" rooms are in Sugarloaf instead of the main building. Does DSS actually call you after making a reservation - if so, how long does that take?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is a "Club Level Access" room at GF the same as a "Club Level" room, for the purposes of making extra FP+? I realize that the "Access" rooms are in Sugarloaf instead of the main building. Does DSS actually call you after making a reservation - if so, how long does that take?

Yep, "Club Level Access" is full-fledged CL.

Generally speaking, some folks who make CL reservations will receive a call from DSS, some get a postcard, some get both, some get none - with no apparent reason for the inconsistency. Many do get the call or postcard, but don't worry if you don't - you can reach out to them at any time.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hope Soda]

Yep, "Club Level Access" is full-fledged CL.

Generally speaking, some folks who make CL reservations will receive a call from DSS, some get a postcard, some get both, some get none - with no apparent reason for the inconsistency. Many do get the call or postcard, but don't worry if you don't - you can reach out to them at any time.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! That is very helpful!

 

[PPFlight75]

Yeah.. they’re monitoring how much money they are making vs the man hours it costs to book them. I still think the one person had issues because they had the bad luck of an overzealous CM who freaked. As long as DSS doesn’t need to put eyes on your account again my theory is you’ll be fine...

Thanks! That’s what I’m hoping for

 

[MacMama0930]

I was originally so excited about this program but the more I think about it, I wonder if it’s “rules” make it worth it.

I, of course, wanted the ability to have 6 FP in place but with the having to book them in one hour increments and not being able to duplicate, I don’t know. My kids are used to DL, a place where you can spontaneously pull FPs and re-ride certain rides over and over again with FPs (Big Thunder is easy to do this with). I don’t know how this will work with having 6 rides scheduled over 6 hours.

I guess there is still the perk of being able to bypass tiers, so having FP for the two Pandora rides and all toy story rides, etc. but for an extra $600? I’m just having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

I’m looking forward to see more itineraries and how it all worked out for folks before I have to make my decision!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was originally so excited about this program but the more I think about it, I wonder if it’s “rules” make it worth it.

I, of course, wanted the ability to have 6 FP in place but with the having to book them in one hour increments and not being able to duplicate, I don’t know. My kids are used to DL, a place where you can spontaneously pull FPs and re-ride certain rides over and over again with FPs (Big Thunder is easy to do this with). I don’t know how this will work with having 6 rides scheduled over 6 hours.

I guess there is still the perk of being able to bypass tiers, so having FP for the two Pandora rides and all toy story rides, etc. but for an extra $600? I’m just having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

I’m looking forward to see more itineraries and how it all worked out for folks before I have to make my decision!

Yeah, it doesn’t quite fit with our particular touring style either.

The bypassing tiers as you mentioned is a huge benefit.

Having the 90 day booking window certainly helps with not worrying about availability for FoP and now the TSL rides (would be very helpful for a short trip).

Being able to hop with a plan has some appeal to us... do some FPs at one park in the AM...resort/rest time.... back out to do a headliner (or three) that night before an evening show (although with our family this is easier said than done... sometimes we don’t like so much structure as the day goes on and would rather wing it).

The nighttime viewing for HEA is appealing to us as I’d do that over something like the dessert party - so I’m swapping upcharge events there.

But yes, it is quite interesting to try to marry it up with one’s touring style to see if it makes sense. I’m on the fence with the “worth it” factor myself.

 

[PPFlight75]

I was originally so excited about this program but the more I think about it, I wonder if it’s “rules” make it worth it.

I, of course, wanted the ability to have 6 FP in place but with the having to book them in one hour increments and not being able to duplicate, I don’t know. My kids are used to DL, a place where you can spontaneously pull FPs and re-ride certain rides over and over again with FPs (Big Thunder is easy to do this with). I don’t know how this will work with having 6 rides scheduled over 6 hours.

I guess there is still the perk of being able to bypass tiers, so having FP for the two Pandora rides and all toy story rides, etc. but for an extra $600? I’m just having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

I’m looking forward to see more itineraries and how it all worked out for folks before I have to make my decision!

I totally know what you mean. I went back and forth about it. I was really hoping for a little overlap on the times.

We will use all of ours at once and not hop at night. So we will spend a little longer during the day that we usually would but not by too much.

What sold me was being able to do the new toy story rides and my kids wanted both pandora rides this time. The 90 days plus the reserved viewing helped too.
If I could have only done 1-2 days I would have.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[CJN]

I was originally so excited about this program but the more I think about it, I wonder if it’s “rules” make it worth it.

I, of course, wanted the ability to have 6 FP in place but with the having to book them in one hour increments and not being able to duplicate, I don’t know. My kids are used to DL, a place where you can spontaneously pull FPs and re-ride certain rides over and over again with FPs (Big Thunder is easy to do this with). I don’t know how this will work with having 6 rides scheduled over 6 hours.

I guess there is still the perk of being able to bypass tiers, so having FP for the two Pandora rides and all toy story rides, etc. but for an extra $600? I’m just having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

I’m looking forward to see more itineraries and how it all worked out for folks before I have to make my decision!

I agree. I think we’re backing out for the very same reason. If the regulars could be overlapped with the club level ones then it would be perfect. Or if we could ride one and at least have the ability to try to move the next special one up ourselves without making a phone call would be helpful. But six rides in a six hour block of time would feel really slow for us.

 

[MPD]

We doubled up on FP+ (same ride using purchased and regular passes) two days last week without any problems. I wasn’t told that it was against the rules to modify my regular passes at any point in the process - either months ago at booking or days ago when we used them.

The whole system worked perfectly for us - the reserved fireworks viewing areas were just icing on the cake. We’ll definitely purchase passes again on future trips.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I wasn’t told that it was against the rules

It isn’t against the rules. Every guest with valid ticket media can pre-book any 3 regular FPs while adhering to park specific Tiering rules. Your Extra FPs are an upcharge and CMs can direct you not to duplicate the FPs within your paid 3 but they can’t tell CL Extra Guests what can and cannot be done with regular FPs.

From a FP standpoint, that’s what’s wrong with this program. DSS can’t override regular FP booking that is available to every guest and CM with valid ticket media.

 

[sking5844]

Do you have to have park hopper to use the reserved nighttime shows? For instance, if I was in MK for my park ticket, could I go to fantastic for my nighttime reserved seating or would I have to do HEA since I used my park ticket at MK?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Do you have to have park hopper to use the reserved nighttime shows? For instance, if I was in MK for my park ticket, could I go to fantastic for my nighttime reserved seating or would I have to do HEA since I used my park ticket at MK?

Without park hoppers, you'd have to do HEA. The CL Extra Program doesn’t add hopping to a regular base ticket.