Wow......easiest FP+ setup ever.......and I've found a slow time at WDW too.......

[dkrauss]

I just finished my FP+ (60 day) setup for our Jan 6 thru 10th trip. Wow..........easiest ever.

First off.........I had access at 9:30pm ET.........unexpectedly early
Second..........All the big rides were available. I got two 7DMT FP's..........TSMM.......TT..........and the holy grail of FP........Anna & Elsa ......and I could have had it twice!
Finally, I was easily able to modify all the times to meet our plans...............

I also could have had FOF twice too..........I believe, or so it looks, January is a slower or the last slower time left at WDW (and this is Marathon weekend too.......although that could be a factor).

Very happy with these selections...........this trip is going to be unique in that we're going with a group of professional WDW folks..............so this should be fun!!!

Doug

 

[aimathy]

How did you make FP selections for Jan 6th? Our trip begins that day too, but the 60 days out starts at midnight. Am I missing something?

I'm glad you got what you wanted. We were there last year at this time. It wasn't crazy crowded, but honestly, it wasn't "slow". Maybe this year will be better!

 

[roxymama]

My guess is they arrive 1/5 but first day in a park is 1/6. Can OP confirm.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Our trip crosses over with yours, OP, and we too got everything we wanted with multiple time options! A&E, 7DMT, etc. So thankful all my FP+ worrying was for nothing. First trip using FP+ & I'm feeling good!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

How did you make FP selections for Jan 6th? Our trip begins that day too, but the 60 days out starts at midnight. Am I missing something?

I'm glad you got what you wanted. We were there last year at this time. It wasn't crazy crowded, but honestly, it wasn't "slow". Maybe this year will be better!

OP's post says he got access at 9:30 pm tonight, unexpectedly early.

 

[dkrauss]

My guess is they arrive 1/5 but first day in a park is 1/6. Can OP confirm.

Nope our first day at WDW is Jan 6th. The only different thing was we're renting points for the room............and we got the tickets separately from Disney. I dunno

Doug

 

[mgentry210]

Me too! I was booking a party of 8 New years week and expecting the worst. I stayed up and got everything! For 8! And I have been successfully modifying times to accommodate new dining plans. Today I bumped up a Fastpass for Soarin on New Years Eve from 3:45 to 11:50 am, again for 8! Normally just booking for 2 or 4 and had troubles. Something is definitely changed. At least that week.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Nope our first day at WDW is Jan 6th. The only different thing was we're renting points for the room............and we got the tickets separately from Disney. I dunno

Doug

Are you are physically checking in in the 6th?

 

[roxymama]

That's awesome! Who doesn't like an early start.
I am a 1/6 check in person too and got what I needed at midnight which was a relief. We only had to change one dinner (from Tony's to Plaza on first night which is totally fine...it was supposed to be our least fancy/special meal anyways) to go to Anna&elsa at 5:40-6:40. We are not going to be in the parks until after lunch first day so it worked out perfectly.

I was shocked that we got for day one:
Parade viewing - my toddlers #1 request is this parade, she watches it in YouTube, haha
A&E
Mine Train

 

[larryz]

I believe, or so it looks, January is a slower or the last slower time left at WDW

I think WDW agrees with you. They've been running "demand pricing" on their resorts for many years. "Value season" is when they expect lowest crowds, so they drop the rack rates to their lowest price of the year. Check the Seasonal Resort Rates chart and look for "value season."

There are 3 weeks of "value season" in January 2016 and you're sandwiched between two of them (in "Marathon" week). Other true "value season" weeks in WDW include late August/early September, another slow time due to hot, muggy weather, kids heading back to school, and potential for hurricanes.

Parenthetically, I'd expect "demand pricing" on park tickets to follow a similar baseline, with additional tweaks for specific holidays (4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year's, and Easter/Spring Break.

 

[disfanforlife]

Yay! Congrats! Hopefully ours will go as smoothly in 10 days.

 

[Laz]

Now that everyone else knows about this time period, it will fill up real quick and be just like the rest of the year.

 

[dkrauss]

Are you are physically checking in in the 6th?

Yes, in fact did online check-in around 12:30am later that night.................I have no explanation for all of this...........I'm taking it as a bit of "pixie dust" for us!

Doug

 

[dkrauss]

That's awesome! Who doesn't like an early start.
I am a 1/6 check in person too and got what I needed at midnight which was a relief. We only had to change one dinner (from Tony's to Plaza on first night which is totally fine...it was supposed to be our least fancy/special meal anyways) to go to Anna&elsa at 5:40-6:40. We are not going to be in the parks until after lunch first day so it worked out perfectly.

I was shocked that we got for day one:
Parade viewing - my toddlers #1 request is this parade, she watches it in YouTube, haha
A&E
Mine Train

It was amazing. I use the UK site "The DIBB" to track FP's and I've been watching those 3 for about 2 weeks. As the time grew closer I just couldn't get over that they weren't filling up. I believe I would have been fine with my picks even with going at midnight! Congrats to you on your selections too!

I think WDW agrees with you. They've been running "demand pricing" on their resorts for many years. "Value season" is when they expect lowest crowds, so they drop the rack rates to their lowest price of the year. Check the Seasonal Resort Rates chart and look for "value season."

There are 3 weeks of "value season" in January 2016 and you're sandwiched between two of them (in "Marathon" week). Other true "value season" weeks in WDW include late August/early September, another slow time due to hot, muggy weather, kids heading back to school, and potential for hurricanes.

Parenthetically, I'd expect "demand pricing" on park tickets to follow a similar baseline, with additional tweaks for specific holidays (4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year's, and Easter/Spring Break.

Excellent post..............I also really enjoyed the use of "Parenthetically"......great word......used so infrequently!

Doug

 

[anniemae]

That is awesome. I have heard the beginning of January is very slow. Right after New Years everyone clears out and the kids are back in school. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Jennygt]

That's great to hear!

 

[focusondisney]

I don'T want to burst anyone's bubble, but we're going Dec. 12-19, a moderate crowd time. I got all those fastpasses for 2 days each too, except Anna & Elsa- just me & DH so we have no interest in that. But happy you got what you wanted OP!

 

[ougrad86]

I will be booking in a few days - hope I get the same results!

 

[aprincessatlast]

I don'T want to burst anyone's bubble, but we're going Dec. 12-19, a moderate crowd time. I got all those fastpasses for 2 days each too, except Anna & Elsa- just me & DH so we have no interest in that. But happy you got what you wanted OP!

I was thinking the same thing as well. I am not so sure that is an indicator the crowds will be low. Probably but still not sure if fasts booking is an indicator. We are headed the week of December 25 and we booked two fast passes for mine train and A&E had availability as well and we booked at 55 days instead of 60. Was able to change things around later too. Hotel deals and crowd calendars I would think would be good indicators though.

 

[Disneylover99]

I was thinking the same thing as well. I am not so sure that is an indicator the crowds will be low. Probably but still not sure if fasts booking is an indicator. We are headed the week of December 25 and we booked two fast passes for mine train and A&E had availability as well and we booked at 55 days instead of 60. Was able to change things around later too. Hotel deals and crowd calendars I would think would be good indicators though.

I agree. We went Christmas week last year and we're going Christmas week this year. Fp's for the most popular attractions were plentiful during this time frame. But crowds of course are huge.