Where to start

[teacher100]

I never thought I would do a post like this. I went to Disney faithfully every 2 to 4 years, then our family of 5 with one adult child and magic bands kept us away. So much has changed! I knew how to do Disney with Tour Guide Mike 5 years ago, but now everything has changed! Not sure about all the ride reservations and everything. It is kind of going to be a last minute trip with just 4 of us which will make it more affordable. I know there is a lot of good advice here, but what how to website and/or guide book should I start researching. Is it absolutely essential to get up and make reservations for rides 60 days in advance. We'll probably be getting there around August 9 so I guess I better start planning if I'm doing this.

 

[maryandtyson]

So your main question is about FP+?

The only attraction that is super hard to get is the Anna & Elsa meet and greet in Magic Kingdom. If you want that, then being online at midnight is probably wise. The others seem book able the next morning, or even much closer to your trip.

Here's what I do: I check crowd calendar predictions on www.easywdw.com and choose which parks on which days. Then, I choose some dining. At 60 days out, I make FP selections based on what rides we love that typically have long wait times. There is an excellent thread on here called Fastpass Plus Basic Info and strategies that goes much more in depth. In my experience, making the FP reservations is not a big deal. You can adjust them the night before even. They provide a basic framework for your visit. I hope that helps you.

 

[mesaboy2]

The green link in my signature is designed to be a FP+ primer, with all the known rules and my suggestions for best use of FP.

 

[hiroMYhero]

For someone who is a WDW vet and needs to know about the FP system, @mesaboy2 has a great thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

 

[teacher100]

Thanks! Already feel less overwhelmed. Since my sons are 23 and 15 meeting Anna and Elsa are not a priority. Buzz Lightyear on the otherhand... It's mainly the rides we would want to use fast passes for.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would follow mesaboy's suggestions for FP+ reservations. Other than that, plan like you normally would. I was worried about the whole magic band thing, how the FP would work once we got there, and managing to line up the FP at reasonable times for my friend and me. It was fine! The magic bands wotked without a hitch, and took a lot of stumbling around with cards and passes right out of the picture. Scheduling the FP+ was stressful for me because I had never done it before, but again, it was stessful because I made it stresful. LOL!

And I tell you, once you get tot he park, no more dashing around trying to score a FP. You have it!

 

[JZCubed]

I never thought I would do a post like this. I went to Disney faithfully every 2 to 4 years, then our family of 5 with one adult child and magic bands kept us away. So much has changed! I knew how to do Disney with Tour Guide Mike 5 years ago, but now everything has changed! Not sure about all the ride reservations and everything. It is kind of going to be a last minute trip with just 4 of us which will make it more affordable. I know there is a lot of good advice here, but what how to website and/or guide book should I start researching. Is it absolutely essential to get up and make reservations for rides 60 days in advance. We'll probably be getting there around August 9 so I guess I better start planning if I'm doing this.

I suggest starting here:

http://www.easywdw.com/category/cheat-sheets/