I'm a WDW vet about to take my first fastpass+ trip. I have the
MDE app on my phone and it shows wait times; can you tell me why or how the Lines app is better than just MDE? Is the MDE not accurate, and would you mind giving some examples of what makes Lines a good addition. We loved the old way of collecting fastpasses and using them as we wanted. Really not sure how I'm going to learn to love the new system. Thanks!
Sure! From our experience, which I think is probably above average but not like local AP holder, the Lines app does tend to be more accurate. Neither are near perfect, but I've found that Lines is often within 10-15 minutes. Usually on the slow side (ie. it may show 20 minutes, and the wait is 30).
For me, its worked to have both open on my phone, and switch between them depending on what I'm doing. If I'm looking at FPs, adding them, or looking for something on a map like a bathroom or restaurant, I use MDE. For waits, I use Lines, and I also contribute to Lines while I'm there (which is how it works - relies on people that are there to update the times). Lines also lets you look at how recently it was updated, so you can get an idea of accuracy.
The MDE app wait times are tied to what is posted. What is posted is often not accurate, so relying on people's actual experience in the line seems more reliable. Lines will not only use that live information, but then they extrapolate what is expected based on the input.
In other words, if what you want to see is what is posted by Disney at the ride, the MDE app will reflect that. If what you're looking for is an actual recount of someone's real wait time in line, Lines is the way to go.
Finally, for what its worth, I like FP+. I also liked the original FP, but I'm a bigger fan of having everything managed on my device. I always felt stressed out keeping the paper FPs for our whole group, especially because we travel in a hoard, so they'd pile up. I've found that my experience in lines has not been diminished as a result of the change to FP+, BUT many people disagree with me on that. I'm just saying, for me, FP+ and the magic bands and new tech is a welcome change.