What FP+ info should I give a newbie staying off-site?

[TexasErin]

An acquaintance is going to call me to get tips about planning a WDW vacation for Christmas/New Year's week! I have never been this week, but it sounds like an absolute crowded nightmare! Plus I am afraid that the parks may close to capacity and she is staying offsite. Her kids will be 12 and a toddler.

Since we went to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago, I have not paid much recent attention to FP+, plus we never stay off-site, so I don't know what the procedure is.

Can anybody give me some information about what to tell her? Staying off-site, can she make FP+ selections? Does she need to buy tickets ahead of time to be able to book FP+? And, how soon in advance that she needs to book them, if she is even eligible (I really don't know anything about staying off-site!)?

Sorry for so many questions

 

[kmb584]

An acquaintance is going to call me to get tips about planning a WDW vacation for Christmas/New Year's week! I have never been this week, but it sounds like an absolute crowded nightmare! Plus I am afraid that the parks may close to capacity and she is staying offsite. Her kids will be 12 and a toddler.

Since we went to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago, I have not paid much recent attention to FP+, plus we never stay off-site, so I don't know what the procedure is.

Can anybody give me some information about what to tell her? Staying off-site, can she make FP+ selections? Does she need to buy tickets ahead of time to be able to book FP+? And, how soon in advance that she needs to book them, if she is even eligible (I really don't know anything about staying off-site!)?

Sorry for so many questions

She's eligible to book FP+ 30 days in advance provided she has valid tickets linked to her MDE account. They will not receive MagicBands but can buy them in the parks for $12.95 + tax if that's something they're interested in, otherwise their ticket media will work for both park admission and FP+.

Has she ever been to WDW before? A Christmas trip can be scary to even the most well seasoned Disney vets, let alone a first timer. Stress the importance of having a touring plan. Point her in the direction of EasyWDW's crowd calendar to see which park is recommended for each day of their trip. A quick Google search for "Disney World at Christmas" will lead her to a wealth of good information on what to expect and how to "survive" the week.