what to expect on FP selection night

[njitgrad]

For those that have recently made their FP reservations, I have a few questions regarding your experiences.

1) What time did the system let you "in" and how exactly did you know you were in? Did you have to keep refreshing the screen as if you were waiting to purchase concert tickets?

2) How long did the entire FP selection process take? Was it longer than you expected?

And now some questions specific to my travel party of 6:

3) At 60 days out do I have a chance of getting 3 FPs to Anna/Elsa meet or should I only try for 2?

4) At 60 days out do I have a chance of getting 6 FPs to 7DMT?

5) How close to my desired times should I expect the FPs to be?

6) Can you specify how far apart you want the FP times to be?

7) Is it possible to get FPs for three consecutive hours like 10am/11am/12pm?

8) Half of my party is park hopping on one day. Is it easy to get FPs for the 1st park for the 1st three members of my party AS WELL AS FPs for the 2nd park for the 2nd three members after we part ways?

9) There are some rides that three members of my party can't ride on. How do I arrange it so that I can get 3 FPs for one time slot and another 3 FPs for another time slot on the same ride a short while later (swapping wrist bands)?

10) What is the time window in which you must arrive at the attraction before your FP is invalidated?

Thanks!

 

[soniam]

For those that have recently made their FP reservations, I have a few questions regarding your experiences.

1) What time did the system let you "in" and how exactly did you know you were in? Did you have to keep refreshing the screen as if you were waiting to purchase concert tickets?

It let me in at 11pm CST, according to my laptop and cell phone times. It's usually midnight EST, but if MK closes late, then the time can be delayed until 1 or 2am EST. I just kept going forward and backward on the month selection, once you are into the FP+ selection area. Eventually, your dates will turn a color, either blue or grey.

2) How long did the entire FP selection process take? Was it longer than you expected?

Picking the FP+ doesn't take long. Going back and changing the times can. It also depends upon how many days you are and if everyone is riding the same thing.

now some questions specific to my travel party of 6:

3) At 60 days out do I have a chance of getting 3 FPs to Anna/Elsa meet or should I only try for 2?

Never tried. Don't know.

4) At 60 days out do I have a chance of getting 6 FPs to 7DMT?

I got 3 for mid-March at the time I wanted, ~noon. I was trying the minute the system came up.

5) How close to my desired times should I expect the FPs to be?
6) Can you specify how far apart you want the FP times to be?
7) Is it possible to get FPs for three consecutive hours like 10am/11am/12pm?

The system gives you 4 options of times for your 3 attractions. Usually, they try to have one or two options where the times are grouped in the morning or the afternoon. You have to pick 3 attractions, and you only get to choose from the available options given. The times may be back-to-back, but they usually aren't. Once you have picked all of your FP+, you can go back and change the time, based upon availability, for each attraction and person. Also, the 1 hour window for each attraction cannot overlap with another attraction's window. If you have one at 10am, the next one can only start as early as 11am.

I would play around with a day that shows up for you now to get an idea of how it works. As long as you have tickets, you can try something at 30 days out. Be sure to cancel it or do not actually select any.

8) Half of my party is park hopping on one day. Is it easy to get FPs for the 1st park for the 1st three members of my party AS WELL AS FPs for the 2nd park for the 2nd three members after we part ways?

I'm not sure I am understanding the question. Are you asking if you can get FP+ at one park for 3 people while another group of the 3 want FP+ at a different park, meaning you are at different parks at different times. I have not tried this, but you can pick each person individually. You should be able to play around to try out what you want to do.

9) There are some rides that three members of my party can't ride on. How do I arrange it so that I can get 3 FPs for one time slot and another 3 FPs for another time slot on the same ride a short while later (swapping wrist bands)?

So you are asking how to set up repeat rides where the non-riding members bands are used for one of the rides? I would set up all 6 for the same time. You have an hour window to re-ride. Otherwise, get all 6 together, and then go back and change 3 of them to another available time.

10) What is the time window in which you must arrive at the attraction before your FP is invalidated?

Supposedly, haven't tried this, you can arrive 5 minutes before the beginning time, and up to 15 minutes after the ending time. However, they say to not rely upon the 15 minute window extension.

 

[Laketravis]

^ what Soniam said.

 

[mesaboy2]

See the links in my signature for answers to FP FAQs like yours.

 

[uccats97]

I'm only answering a few of your questions due to time constraints:

You have a one hour window to use your FP.

Get all 6 people the same FP window for the ride that 3 of your party can't ride. No need to try and space the times out. Just arrive as soon as the FP window opens, have the 3 people ride, switch bands and head back in.

It is absolutely possible to get 6 FP for mine train and even Anna & Elsa.

You can choose your FP times and then go back and move them to a different time without losing them.

You can split your FP any way you want to. 3 people can get them in one park and 3 people can get them for a different park.

You can make choices at midnight of the 60 day mark unless MK is open until 1am. In that case, you'll have to wait until 1am to start selecting.

Try not to stress! It really isn't hard to do. You'll be fine! Enjoy your trip!

 

[njitgrad]

Thanks for the responses. They helped me out a lot.

Regarding the magic band swapping...is it always the case that amount of time it takes to get through the FP line and through the ride/attraction is less than one hour? If so then it does make sense to get all 6 FPs for the same time slot.

Another followup related to the time window for FPs. Suppose my ideal FP times for a given day are 10am/11am/12pm. How do I specify that I want FPs to three specific attractions, in that specific time frame, and in the specific order I want them to in. Or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[njitgrad]

It let me in at 11pm CST, according to my laptop and cell phone times. It's usually midnight EST, but if MK closes late, then the time can be delayed until 1 or 2am EST. I just kept going forward and backward on the month selection, once you are into the FP+ selection area. Eventually, your dates will turn a color, either blue or grey.

My arrival date is March 27th which according to www.timeanddate.com makes my FP Day fall Mon Jan 26th (60 days excluding the end date)...which is this Sunday night into Monday early morning. On Sunday the MK closes at 10pm (and is the last park to close). Does that mean I still have to way until midnight for my FP?

On Monday the MK closes at 8pm...I never knew MK closed that early.

 

[mesaboy2]

My arrival date is March 27th which according to www.timeanddate.com makes my FP Day fall Mon Jan 26th (60 days excluding the end date)...which is this Sunday night into Monday early morning. On Sunday the MK closes at 10pm (and is the last park to close). Does that mean I still have to way until midnight for my FP?

On Monday the MK closes at 8pm...I never knew MK closed that early.

Yes. See the purple link in my signature for a complete explanation.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Unfortunately, you don't get to pick a time frame from the start. You start out selecting the three rides you want. The system then gives you 4 time frames to choose from. None of them usually match what you want, so you can just quickly pick one or figure which is closest to what you are looking for, and then after getting the attractions you want for all days, you go back and change the time on each attraction one by one. It really is a pain, but sadly Disney doesn't mind taking up our time. LOL In a way it is fun too, that is if you are getting what you are looking for.

 

[Mikie]

Thanks for the responses. They helped me out a lot.

Regarding the magic band swapping...is it always the case that amount of time it takes to get through the FP line and through the ride/attraction is less than one hour? If so then it does make sense to get all 6 FPs for the same time slot.

Another followup related to the time window for FPs. Suppose my ideal FP times for a given day are 10am/11am/12pm. How do I specify that I want FPs to three specific attractions, in that specific time frame, and in the specific order I want them to in. Or is that just wishful thinking?

One of my questions about FP was "is it really fast?" meaning, is it just a somewhat shortened wait, or is it "no" wait all the time. The resounding answer here (and my experience in the parks) is that it's no wait at all - the amount of time it takes you to walk through the queue and maybe a coplepeople ahead of you getting into ride vehicles. I'd say barring break-downs or other things out of anyone's control, you'll spend 15 min or less in line every time. You can definitely book all 6 FPs for a ride, the first 3 ride it, swap bands and the 3 ride again within your hour, no problem.

You will be able to specify the 3 attractions you want but not the times you want. The site will give you your 3 rides in a variety of times and you select from their options which is best for you. If none of them are perfect for your preferences, pick one anyway and then you can edit each ride and time individually to get the precise times you want.

If you do have very specific times and order of rides you want, some people suggest the counter-intuitive move of picking the disney-provided times that are FURTHEST from your ideal and then moving them individually into the slots you want. Ex: you want 10 SPace Mtn / 11 Splash Mtn / 12 Big Thunder. The site gives you Option 1: 9:15 Splash / 10:40 Space / 12 Big Thunder . Option 2: 3 Big Thunder / 4 SPlash / 6:20 Space. (and one other set of options). If you select Ootion 1, whch is close, but not quite what you want, you may have trouble adjusting them to your precise needs because FP times cannot overlap. You can't change your 9:15 Splash to a 11 Splash because it would conflict with your computer-generated 10:40 Space. If you instead choose the completely "wrong" evening times, you will be more free to move each FP individually to the precise time you like. Clear as mud?

If the computer generated times are pretty close to what you like and the exact order isn't important to you, you can skip some of the shenanigans and pick the "best fit" and make only minor adjustments.

 

[njitgrad]

One of my questions about FP was "is it really fast?" meaning, is it just a somewhat shortened wait, or is it "no" wait all the time. The resounding answer here (and my experience in the parks) is that it's no wait at all - the amount of time it takes you to walk through the queue and maybe a coplepeople ahead of you getting into ride vehicles. I'd say barring break-downs or other things out of anyone's control, you'll spend 15 min or less in line every time. You can definitely book all 6 FPs for a ride, the first 3 ride it, swap bands and the 3 ride again within your hour, no problem.

Super!

You will be able to specify the 3 attractions you want but not the times you want. The site will give you your 3 rides in a variety of times and you select from their options which is best for you. If none of them are perfect for your preferences, pick one anyway and then you can edit each ride and time individually to get the precise times you want.

Guess I was thinking wishfully.

If you do have very specific times and order of rides you want, some people suggest the counter-intuitive move of picking the disney-provided times that are FURTHEST from your ideal and then moving them individually into the slots you want. Ex: you want 10 SPace Mtn / 11 Splash Mtn / 12 Big Thunder. The site gives you Option 1: 9:15 Splash / 10:40 Space / 12 Big Thunder . Option 2: 3 Big Thunder / 4 SPlash / 6:20 Space. (and one other set of options). If you select Ootion 1, whch is close, but not quite what you want, you may have trouble adjusting them to your precise needs because FP times cannot overlap. You can't change your 9:15 Splash to a 11 Splash because it would conflict with your computer-generated 10:40 Space. If you instead choose the completely "wrong" evening times, you will be more free to move each FP individually to the precise time you like. Clear as mud?

Yep. If this really works as you say then this is definitely a strategy I want to take.

If the computer generated times are pretty close to what you like and the exact order isn't important to you, you can skip some of the shenanigans and pick the "best fit" and make only minor adjustments.

Fingers crossed.

 

[njitgrad]

Some more questions....

It sounds like you have to pick ALL FP attractions before you can see the available FP times. What if not all members of your party want the same FPs?
When you select the 1st FP attraction, do you select which party members want it, then select the 2nd FP, select party members, etc until it knows all party members have exhausted their selections?

What if half of your group wants a morning FP for a ride and the other half an afternoon FP for the same ride (i.e. a wristband swap so that you don't have to take a 2nd ride immediately after the 1st ride).

 

[mesaboy2]

Some more questions....

It sounds like you have to pick ALL FP attractions before you can see the available FP times. What if not all members of your party want the same FPs?
When you select the 1st FP attraction, do you select which party members want it, then select the 2nd FP, select party members, etc until it knows all party members have exhausted their selections?

What if half of your group wants a morning FP for a ride and the other half an afternoon FP for the same ride (i.e. a wristband swap so that you don't have to take a 2nd ride immediately after the 1st ride).

After you make initial selections for the group--the only option--you can edit them individually to either different attractions and/or different times.

 

[soniam]

As for finishing quick enough to get back in line during the same window, that usually works. However, if the ride has mechanical issues and is down, then that could blow everything out of the water. I'm pointing to you Pirates of the Carribean

I think you might get a replacement FP though that's good for a range of rides. Check your email in that case, not the app. It only shows up in email. I don't know how long something has to be down for this to happen.

I had such an FP+, because SM broke down. I used it on POTC. Unfortunately, pirates was acting up, and I ended up in the FP+ line for over 45 minutes. Luckily, I didn't have anywhere to be. I didn't get another replacement. Probably because it was a non-scheduled FP+. I don't think the other people in line got one either.

 

[njitgrad]

After you make initial selections for the group--the only option--you can edit them individually to either different attractions and/or different times.

How many initial selections do you get?

 

[mesaboy2]

How many initial selections do you get?

Three FPs per day per guest.

 

[njitgrad]

Three FPs per day per guest.

Understood but how do you select 4 or more attractions if your party has different interests and is planning on splitting up (either in the same park or even a different park) for a portion of the day?

In other words, what is the "best process" to go about making those type of specialized selections?

I've never seen the FP selection screen so I don't know what to expect, and don't want to waste too much precious time on the learning curve.

So for example....What do I do if party member 1, 2 & 3 want to do Ride A while party members D, E & F want to do Ride B, but all six party members want to do rides C and D together. That's 4 rides, but you only can select three you're telling me. There must be a way to do this, I'm just not visualizing it yet.

 

[mesaboy2]

Understood but how do you select 4 or more attractions if your party has different interests and is planning on splitting up (either in the same park or even a different park) for a portion of the day?

In other words, what is the "best process" to go about making those type of specialized selections?

I've never seen the FP selection screen so I don't know what to expect, and don't want to waste too much precious time on the learning curve.

So for example....What do I do if party member 1, 2 & 3 want to do Ride A while party members D, E & F want to do Ride B, but all six party members want to do rides C and D together. That's 4 rides, but you only can select three you're telling me. There must be a way to do this, I'm just not visualizing it yet.

I don't know if you've seen the link I referenced in the OP of the long FP thread. Meaning, click on the green link in my signature below and it will take you to that FP thread, and within that first post, about halfway down, is a section that includes a link to another site that describes this process pretty well. I'll be back in a minute with it.

Just click here and see if that doesn't help: http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?21568-New-Examples-of-Booking-and-Modifying-FP

 

[njitgrad]

I don't know if you've seen the link I referenced in the OP of the long FP thread. Meaning, click on the green link in my signature below and it will take you to that FP thread, and within that first post, about halfway down, is a section that includes a link to another site that describes this process pretty well. I'll be back in a minute with it.

Just click here and see if that doesn't help: http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?21568-New-Examples-of-Booking-and-Modifying-FP

Yeah, I didn't dig that deep into your thread but I did read the entire lengthy OP.

 

[mesaboy2]

Yeah, I didn't dig that deep into your thread but I did read the entire lengthy OP.

Check out the link I just posted, it has pictures and walkthroughs.