Fast Pass + Simple question: do you love it?

[AmandaChan]

I am getting really excited about the FP+ system and I was wondering what is the general consensus on it by people who have had a chance TO REALLY use it, that were used to the old system.

Obv there is no longer an issue of people throwing a fit about not being able to use their FP after the window closes? Anyone have any tips of when they request which rides first, etc.

Also if DH and I have a FP for say, Expedition Everest. Can we get in line with each our kids and do the whole parent swap thing

[Lakin]

The only issue I have with it is the app. Back when I used the app to use FP+ in November, it was not at all user friendly and I felt like I was using a lot of the trip trying to get the technology to work out correctly. I don't like spending vacation staring at my phone or trying to find FP+ kiosks.

[Bay Lake]

We were there in March and Loved It, changed FP+ on the go if we needed to on our phones. Can't wait for July to try FP+ 2.0

[ERJDriver]

We were there two weeks ago, and I don't know that I love it but it's not terrible. I had no problems with the app and the ability to change a FP from anywhere in the park was nice, but at the same time the stuff you really need/want FPs for are probably not going to be available if you are trying to do a same day edit.

[hunnyluvsthemouse]

We were just there in April and I had mixed feelings before we went if I was going to like it. And I must say that we really did love using it. We were able to change times or attractions right from the convenience of our phone. I really liked knowing once we got to the park, we already had FP for the rides and didn't have to go running through the park to try and get a FP. I can't wait to go back and use it again...

[Katzateer]

I really like the new system except only being able to pick 3 from same park. We always park hop so will be even happier if that is changed in near future.

[cer]

We used Fast Pass + when we were at WDW in January for Marathon Weekend.

We were participating in the Dopey Challenge, so we went to the Expo on Wednesday morning and were running daily each morning from Thursday through Sunday.

Fast Pass + worked beautifully for us in this situation. It was so great to know that even though I might not be at rope drop, I was still going to be able to ride an e ticket attraction with little wait.

The days were shorter during that time of year and for some reason AK was open until 7 one evening... I was able to schedule a ride on Everest at dusk. AK is a beautiful park at night, and Everest is amazing in the dark.

So great to show up and get a ride in and then be on your way.

I have no complaints with the way it works with the runDisney events - in fact I loved it. When we participate in the longer distances, we try to conserve our energy and steps so it worked well to schedule ride times get what you want to do done and then get on back to the resort to rest up.

I have not, however, used it to tour in a regular vacation scenario.

[LoveofEVERYTHINGDisney]

Absolutely love FP+. We are currently using it and have enjoyed the fact that we don't have to run through the parks to get a FP. For example we have a 2:00 FP today for TSM. It's nice to know we have our time already booked. We plan on hanging around our resort and enjoy the pool this morning. We also like to park hop. The other day we were in DHS - used our FP's and went to MK at night. We went to FP+ kiosk and obtained a FP for Space Mtn. for an hour later. It was fantastic!

[TheVBs]

We used it for the first time at the end of April/beginning of May. There were definitely pros and cons. It was a little stressful in the planning process. We were just hoping we were making the right choices for the right times, and in retrospect, I think we mostly got it right.

We had 8 park days and decided not to schedule any FPs for the last few days. At the beginning of our trip it was definitely more crowded than we're used to and we absolutely benefited from having those FPs. Not to mention, we were able to ride TSM for the first time ever. There were a couple of cases where the standby line was actually quicker than our FP line, so obviously it didn't benefit us in those cases.

It was also weird for us to have such a scheduled day. We're used to touring the parks at our leisure and getting the odd FP here and there. This made things feel a little more rushed. DH compared it to the days when we would have the meal plan and a sit down meal reserved every day (which we no longer do). I'm sure part of the stress involved was just getting used to a new system and feeling a little disconcerted at altering our routine. Hopefully, we'll be more in the groove on future visits!

[ronandjulie]

The new FP system is beyond awful. I have been visiting Disney parks for 40 years. I have never hated something Disney has done this much in my life, including that Stitch abomination. I am currently visiting WDW as I am writing this and I can assure you, I will NOT be renewing my AP until they figure this out. I NEVER abused the original FP system, ever, and loved it. This 3 FP ****, combined with people choosing their FP long before they arrive has virtually removed all spontaneity from a WDW vacation. I cannot express my disgust properly. This will go down as Disney's grandest folly. This is the exact opposite of magical.

[mamatedd]

I didn't LOVE it, but it didn't hate it either. Everything worked just fine. I didn't like having to schedule our FPs 60 days out from our vacation. It made me feel like I had to schedule every single minute of our vacation. I also didn't like having to have three in one park before we could schedule a new one. There is usually only one or two rides we want to FP in each park, and then we park hop. However, it was great to be able to tell the kids way ahead of our trip that we ABSOLUTELY would be riding Soarin', TSM, etc. There are a few bugs to work out, but it'll get there! :mickey:

[MargaretMessler]

Just curious, those who have used the FP+, do you make all your FP ressies at the 60 day mark, or closer to your trip? I can deal with the new system (even though I found no fault with the old system if enforced), and I can get used to this one, but I just don't want to feel like I have to schedule EVERYTHING so far ahead (meals, tours, shows, etc no problem there), so if I wait until 30 days or a couple weeks before, should this work? I figure I am generally a park "opener" anyways, so I should be able to get to the top tier attractions early anyway on standby.

Also not a fan of the tiering system at EPCOT and DHS. Opinions?

[mamatedd]

MargaretMessler, I found that the earlier ahead of time that I made our FP+, the earlier in the day they were. The ones I went back in and "monkeyed around" with closer to our trip, ended up being late afternoon to evening. Depends on your park tackling strategy, I suppose. I like the earlier FPs because then I can park hop later and schedule additional FPs after the first three. :mickey:

[steamboat willy]

Great Question and Post. Makes us feel better. Never used bands or Fast Pass+.

[baldburke]

I'd be interested to see the like/dislike scale graphed by age of user. I'm not saying our seniors aren't tech savvy, but it has to be frustrating if you're not carrying a smart phone.

[MargaretMessler]

I'd be interested to see the like/dislike scale graphed by age of user. I'm not saying our seniors aren't tech savvy, but it has to be frustrating if you're not carrying a smart phone.

This would be a very interesting stat to consider, also demographically by where guests are coming from (US versus UK, etc.) Undoubtedly more of the younger generations are carrying smartphones than seniors; however, I am the former (and a very happy smartphone user) & I just don't want to feel pressured to plan so far ahead. The tech I'm fine with, I love that part. If it were maybe a closer timeframe than 60 days...

[MargaretMessler]

MargaretMessler, I found that the earlier ahead of time that I made our FP+, the earlier in the day they were. The ones I went back in and "monkeyed around" with closer to our trip, ended up being late afternoon to evening. Depends on your park tackling strategy, I suppose. I like the earlier FPs because then I can park hop later and schedule additional FPs after the first three. :mickey:

With few exceptions I would probably follow the same strategy (grab early FPs then hop). How does it work exactly? Do you enter your choice of date and park, then the system assigns you a time? Or does it generate a list and you click off which ones you want? Like, the system may think 10am is preferable, but I might prefer 5pm based on my schedule.

Forgive all the questions, this is all new from my last trip, and I just want to be well versed for when the time comes.

[mamatedd]

With few exceptions I would probably follow the same strategy (grab early FPs then hop). How does it work exactly? Do you enter your choice of date and park, then the system assigns you a time? Or does it generate a list and you click off which ones you want? Like, the system may think 10am is preferable, but I might prefer 5pm based on my schedule.

Forgive all the questions, this is all new from my last trip, and I just want to be well versed for when the time comes.

Well, I hope someone comes along, smarter than me, to better answer your question. You enter your choices and get options A, B or C-all different schedules. You choose which best fits your schedule. It will tell you if it conflicts with a ADR. I have heard of people being able to change the time of a FP, but I had no luck at it. However, everything else worked rather smoothly for us. Good luck!:mickey:

[JRocker]

We actually used the FP+ system more than we ever used the old system.
We hop almost everyday of our trips, and the old system actually threw a kink in our wont to mix things up. (stand in line, get a FP for several hours later, meant we were 'stuck' at that park for that long...)
I didn't schedule 60 days in advance, probably closer to 30. My goal was to get a fastpass for our favs in each park, which I did. We didn't have fastpasses for each day of our trip, but the days we did, we knew we could hang at one park in the morning and make it to our FP's in another park later in the day.
Really, because of the way we play, the new system works better for us.
The app, on the other hand....:sick:

[Katzateer]

I have an older iPhone and could not use the app. Still like the new system. I would suggest getting your FP for really popular rides as soon as you can and you can change your mind closer to trip , if you want.

[MargaretMessler]

I'm thinking I kind of like the idea of scheduling afternoon/evening FPs at one park, then we can open one park and do the popular things standby, relax at the resort in the mid-day, then hop to that second park.

I don't know, I suppose it's going to be fine, but we just don't tend to decide so far in advance which parks we will do which days. I'm afraid that if we do that, then choose while we're there "oh, I think we'd rather do EPCOT on Friday..." we won't be able to find any good ones for the top tier rides.

[PlutoPlanet]

We did not think we were going to like it, but we did. It was more relaxing to have times already planned. After using our 3 FP+s we got an additional FP+. We're not park warriors any more. We do take our time. The only negative for us is we can't get FP+ for Test Track and Soarin. We did single rider at Test Track, and that was fine.

[ThanxForNoticin]

We used ours for the first time a couple months ago. I'm sensing the same mixed feelings about the system here in this post that we heard when talking about FP+ and Magic Bands with others at Disney (while in line or at restaurants). Most people think it's cool, but challenging.

Even my wife, who is a master planner and organizer, said she thought it was overkill to try and plan what attraction you want to be doing at 11AM 60 days from now! But I'm sure we'll get better at utilizing the system as we continue to try it more. We've adjusted to 180-day ADRs. We'll adjust to this, too!! But would we be fine without FP+? Absolutely.

[Jack Skellington]

CAVEA(r)T: I haven't used my FP+s yet in the parks, yet.

I do like the fact that I don't feel a huge need to get to the parks right at opening in order to secure FPs for the most popular attractions (TMM, EE, TT, MS, 7DMT, etc.). When we do go at opening, it will be to maximize low heat/humidity time, or to enjoy the opening, or to just try to get right in line at the E-Ticket we couldn't get a FP+ for (we will try to enjoy TT between 9-10am before our MS FP+ at 10:15 at Epcot for example)

I like the idea that other things can now be reserved as well (parade, show and firework viewing).

So far, I am a fan. But again, I will reserve final judgment until I use all mine up in the parks, soon!

JS:mickey:

[TheHD]

How does it work exactly? Do you enter your choice of date and park, then the system assigns you a time? Or does it generate a list and you click off which ones you want? Like, the system may think 10am is preferable, but I might prefer 5pm based on my schedule.

Forgive all the questions, this is all new from my last trip, and I just want to be well versed for when the time comes.

You enter the date/day first, and then select the Park. Then the attractions, or entertainment options used for FP+, are listed for that park. Epcot and Studios are tiered, which is listed as such. You then select three attractions/entertainment options and carry-on. As others have posted, you will be given an "ideal" choice, followed by three other options for all three selections. You choose one of the four options. After you select an option, you can go back through and individually modify the time for each FP+ selection. You may change just one selection, two, or all three if you'd like.

[MargaretMessler]

You enter the date/day first, and then select the Park. Then the attractions, or entertainment options used for FP+, are listed for that park. Epcot and Studios are tiered, which is listed as such. You then select three attractions/entertainment options and carry-on. As others have posted, you will be given an "ideal" choice, followed by three other options for all three selections. You choose one of the four options. After you select an option, you can go back through and individually modify the time for each FP+ selection. You may change just one selection, two, or all three if you'd like.

Thanks!

[RunDMV]

The new FP system is beyond awful. I have been visiting Disney parks for 40 years. I have never hated something Disney has done this much in my life, including that Stitch abomination. I am currently visiting WDW as I am writing this and I can assure you, I will NOT be renewing my AP until they figure this out. I NEVER abused the original FP system, ever, and loved it. This 3 FP ****, combined with people choosing their FP long before they arrive has virtually removed all spontaneity from a WDW vacation. I cannot express my disgust properly. This will go down as Disney's grandest folly. This is the exact opposite of magical.

This ^

I have to wonder, how many people wrote to Disney and asked, "Can you make a system that requires me to plan every minute of my vacation 60 to 180 days in advance, limit my choices, destroy my sponteneity, and confuse me beyond belief? And while you are at it, can you spend 1 billion dollars on it rather than improving the parks?"

[yjgirl32]

at your 60 day mark, can you make fast pass+ reservations for your entire stay like we do for dining reservations?