We're DVC, and got selected for FastPass + testing!!

[peabody58]

Completed On-line check-in today for our 9/9 - 9/18 split stay. First half is AKL-S just for the DW and me. Second half starts 9/13 at BCV 1-BR for a party of 4: DW, DD and her BF and me. FastPass+ testing popped up for our BCV stay. I'm adventuraous, so I'll attempt it.

I still need to link DW and my PAP's, as well as our guests 5 day non-hopper UT tics. Then hopefully I'll be able to start reserving Fast Passes on-line. I have already ordered our customized Magic Bands.

Need to call the DD and see what must do rides they want. I had promised I wasn't going to be an over-planner for their part of the vacation, but I think they will appreciate a few Fast Passes already figured out.

As we are DVC/AP participates, I am curious as to how well this plays out. So far the ME site is accurate with all of our lodging/ADRs, so I'm hopeful.

As far as the DW and I, there are only 2 FP's we absolutely need and get every trip - Peter Pan and Soaring.

I'm getting too old to run like crazy all over the parks to nab a FP, and knowing that our favs will be already locked in may actually make for a more relaxing trip. We have actually not used FP's we had obtained just because we were too tired, or changed our mind. 3 per park should be more than enough for us.

I'll keep you all updated as to the success of this test. I'm actually kinda excited about pre-planning with FP+.

 

[DisneyHeather]

How exciting We're not so patiently waiting to see if we'll get the bands and FP+ for our trip in December.

 

[DenLo]

Looking forward to hear what you think.

I have already added on all info for DH and I on DME took awhile but I did it. And I have added each future reservation (including one for VGC, which really isn't a WDW resort). I hope we get chosen for something too. We have a split stay between BLT and AKV and just added a cash stay in the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA. Hopefully we have a chance with one of those resorts.

 

[peabody58]

Status update:

I was able to load both of our PAP's and the 5-day non-hopper UT tics into MDE with out any problem. The only concern I have is that according to the Disney website info, these UT tics are now linked permanently to our 2 guests. If for some reason, the trip has to be cancelled, I wonder if I would be able to use these 'unused' tics at a later time for myself or someone else? Let's hope I don't have to test this theory.

Made all of our FP+ selections. There seems to be a disconnect between our ADR times (early dinner times) and the FP+ times. The FP+ options (A/B/C/Best Match) often conflict with our ADR's, but some of the options will state "This overlaps with dinner at 7:45 PM" or some other time which is no where near our ADR times. When feedback time comes I will mention this.

Not really feeling the love in the flexibility to select times for the FP+. You select 3 prioritized choices at only one park for the day, and it provides you with 4 options. If you like to take mid-day breaks for pool time/naps, forget it. There does not appear to be a way to select a FP early in the morning and then a couple in the evening. The options come grouped from morning / mid/day / evening time ranges. Also the FP options do not appear to recognize the actual park hours. i.e., MK is open till 1 AM one day, but the latest FP option was at 9:40.

The good news is that we have our "must do's" at a convenient time around our ADR's, and the other stuff we can either use the FP+, or just use the normal stand-by lines. Plus you can still tweek your selections. DW and I will not be doing the roller coasters, so we can individually change our FP selections if we want to.

 

[peabody58]

Received a Disney email that the Magic Bands have shipped via UPS. 20 days before arrival at BCV so they will be here well before the first part of our split stay at AKL.

DD and her BF are over stressing the FP+ selections, thinking they won't have anytime to relax or see anything else. The BF has never been to WDW, DD hasn't been since 1999. DW and I are already thinking we'll just do our favorites and if we use the FP's ok, if not, no big deal. We are at that point where if the line is > 20 min, we stroll on by and catch it later. This trip should be a good A/B comparison since the first half will be the traditional FP system, and the second half the new FP+ system.

 

[luckyman_apd]

You can change the time of your fp+ if there are openings. You have to go into the app and select the event. We were able to line up toy story mania, star tours, then rockin roller coaster back to back to back starting at 9:15 am

 

[peabody58]

Oh wow!! The Magic Bands arrived this morning. Disney does overnight UPS. That's gotta cost a whole lot of money. I'd think if your arrival is weeks away they would use cheaper shipping.

Tried to access my MDE on my iPhone app, but other than my profile, everything is blank. Last week my lodging and ADR's were showing up. Guess I need to re-link everything. What a pain. Another feedback item.

UPDATE: When I sat down at my PC with my iPhone to start linking all the items, everything showed up in my MDE app!! Thank you luckyman_apd for the info on fine tuning FP+ selections. I'm not ready to tweek yet, but good to know that flexibility and option is there.