Fastpass Bookings - Best time slots to save time?

[Pumpkin Queen]

Hi All, I will be going to WDW 11-16 October (staying off site). I haven't visited WDW since the new FP+ system was introduced, although I have used the old system several times.

Can anyone recommend in their experience what the best time slots are to book for your fastpasses to save time? I would ideally like to have my FPs booked for when peak crowds are. Should I book my fastpasses for around 12, 1pm and 2pm? Or is it busier late morning and would I be better to try book for 10am, 11am, 12?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can give!

 

[dreamfinder]

And there is the rub. The later in the day you book your FP+ selections, the longer you need to wait to try to get a 4th, 5th, etc. So do you want to use one during a period of potentially shorter lines to possibly be able to get another one for the afternoon/evening? Or would you rather do the shorter lines in the AM, and potentially not get additional fast passes, or get them for less desirable rides later on. There are people in both camps, so it's really up to you.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think it depends on the park (and if it's tiered or not), and how much time you have in each one. For example, here's how it shakes down for my family:

- MK (afternoon FP+) - we spend 3 days there and we arrive at rope drop and get a ton done in the morning, leave for a 3-hour nap break after lunch, and return later, so we plan our FP+ for 11pm-12pm or 4pm-7pm, since that's when the lines are longest. There are so many FP+ attractions in MK that even mid-evening, we can still get a 4th for something we want to do, even if some of the biggies are gone.

- Epcot and HS, the "Tiered FP+" Parks (early morning FP+) - For Epcot, thanks to the fact that there are 3 giant headliners in far-flung corners of the park and only one Tier 1 FP+ allotment, our goal is to: (1) hit one headliner -- e.g., Soarin' -- at rope drop; (2) FP+ a second headliner -- e.g., Frozen -- and our two Tier 2 FP+, all in the first 3 hours after park opening, so we can burn through them and then... (3) hopefully get a 4th FP+ for the remaining headliner -- e.g., Test Track -- immediately upon using our third FP+. We do the same thing at HS -- rope drop 2 of the 3 biggies (e.g., RnR and ToT, which are conveniently next to one another) and get a morning FP+ for the other (TSMM), burning through our FP+ as quickly as possible (using GMR and ST as second-tier choices), and then make a 4th FP+ at whatever park we plan to hop to later, since HS is never a full-day park for us.

- AK (what FP+)? - If we arrive at rope drop and start with a Safari - Everest - Kali - Dinosaur touring pattern, we've never waited more than 15 minutes for anything, so we don't even tend to bother with FP+ at AK. Instead, we save our FP+ for whatever park we plan to hop to in the evening.

 

[G8rchamps]

We tend to rope drop and hit the short lines early and often till around 11 when the lines start getting longer. That said we usually do FP like 11, 12, and 1 or 12,1,2. We also try to get a light lunch around 11:30 - again to beat the rush. Then we get a snack and decide if the lines are worth it or if we need a resort break/dinner/go back for parade and fireworks.

 

[disneygirl76]

A lot does depend on the park but as a whole, I recommend to clients around the 10:30 am time slight to start making their fast passes. That is also what I do personally. Good luck!

 

[RMichael21]

Book them as early as possible for the most popular attractions that people go too first. Because they can't overlap, (let's say the park opens at 9:00 AM) book them for 9:00-10:00, 10:00-11:00 and 11:00-noon. If you use your third FP right at 11:00, you'll be among the first to book a fourth FP from the My Disney Experience App or at an in park kiosk. We did this and on our Magic Kingdom day were able to continuously book more Fastpasses through the app. I'd say we got an addition seven to eight fast passes after our initial three. People really don't know the power of booking early in the morning, and book them for the afternoon, when all of the "freebies" are already for the late evening or unavailable.

Also, keep checking. Sometimes, the app doesn't show all availability or people cancel/change their reservation. At around 1:00pm, we had reserved a FP for Space Mountain at 9pm, then found a slot for 8pm, then one for 6:30pm and then one for 4:15pm and then one for 2:20pm. So, as long as you keep checking, you'll hopefully find availability.

We even found same-day slots for SDMT for late evening in mid-afternoon, so anything is possible.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We always try grabbing mid morning time slots. We get to the parks early, hit some major things before the crowds fill in. By that time our FP+ come into play and we can get on major desired rides another time. Then after using the FP+ up we play the "what else can we get" game. Thats when my frustration level hits.

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

And there is the rub. The later in the day you book your FP+ selections, the longer you need to wait to try to get a 4th, 5th, etc. So do you want to use one during a period of potentially shorter lines to possibly be able to get another one for the afternoon/evening? Or would you rather do the shorter lines in the AM, and potentially not get additional fast passes, or get them for less desirable rides later on. There are people in both camps, so it's really up to you.

I think I would rather do shorter lines in the AM and use fastpasses when the lines get longest, at the risk of potentially only getting 3 fastpasses per day, but you have given me a lot to think about, thank you!

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

I think it depends on the park (and if it's tiered or not), and how much time you have in each one. For example, here's how it shakes down for my family:

- MK (afternoon FP+) - we spend 3 days there and we arrive at rope drop and get a ton done in the morning, leave for a 3-hour nap break after lunch, and return later, so we plan our FP+ for 11pm-12pm or 4pm-7pm, since that's when the lines are longest. There are so many FP+ attractions in MK that even mid-evening, we can still get a 4th for something we want to do, even if some of the biggies are gone.

- Epcot and HS, the "Tiered FP+" Parks (early morning FP+) - For Epcot, thanks to the fact that there are 3 giant headliners in far-flung corners of the park and only one Tier 1 FP+ allotment, our goal is to: (1) hit one headliner -- e.g., Soarin' -- at rope drop; (2) FP+ a second headliner -- e.g., Frozen -- and our two Tier 2 FP+, all in the first 3 hours after park opening, so we can burn through them and then... (3) hopefully get a 4th FP+ for the remaining headliner -- e.g., Test Track -- immediately upon using our third FP+. We do the same thing at HS -- rope drop 2 of the 3 biggies (e.g., RnR and ToT, which are conveniently next to one another) and get a morning FP+ for the other (TSMM), burning through our FP+ as quickly as possible (using GMR and ST as second-tier choices), and then make a 4th FP+ at whatever park we plan to hop to later, since HS is never a full-day park for us.

- AK (what FP+)? - If we arrive at rope drop and start with a Safari - Everest - Kali - Dinosaur touring pattern, we've never waited more than 15 minutes for anything, so we don't even tend to bother with FP+ at AK. Instead, we save our FP+ for whatever park we plan to hop to in the evening.

Wow thank you for sharing your experience and strategies. This is extremely helpful, especially as I can only access FP+ 30 days out and have no chance of getting a Frozen fastpass. I should have been more specific about our plans - we usually spend a whole day in each park and don't tend to go for breaks midday.
That's interesting that you don't use FP+ for Animal Kingdom. I was thinking of using FP for Kali and Primeval Whirl (Dinosaur won't be open when we go sadly!), but maybe I am just being silly thinking I would need FP for those?!

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

We tend to rope drop and hit the short lines early and often till around 11 when the lines start getting longer. That said we usually do FP like 11, 12, and 1 or 12,1,2. We also try to get a light lunch around 11:30 - again to beat the rush. Then we get a snack and decide if the lines are worth it or if we need a resort break/dinner/go back for parade and fireworks.

Thank you for sharing! These are the times I was thinking about making FPs for so it's reassuring that those are the times your family usually make them for too. 11:30 lunch to beat the crowds is a great idea!

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

A lot does depend on the park but as a whole, I recommend to clients around the 10:30 am time slight to start making their fast passes. That is also what I do personally. Good luck!

Thank you! This is helpful. It seems everyone agrees that 10:30/11:00 is when the parks start to get busy with long lines. I didn't want to make FPs for 09:00,10:00, 11:00 if the lines would be shorter anyway, although I see that the earlier you make your FP, the more FPs you can get... Ahh decisions! Decisions!

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

Book them as early as possible for the most popular attractions that people go too first. Because they can't overlap, (let's say the park opens at 9:00 AM) book them for 9:00-10:00, 10:00-11:00 and 11:00-noon. If you use your third FP right at 11:00, you'll be among the first to book a fourth FP from the My Disney Experience App or at an in park kiosk. We did this and on our Magic Kingdom day were able to continuously book more Fastpasses through the app. I'd say we got an addition seven to eight fast passes after our initial three. People really don't know the power of booking early in the morning, and book them for the afternoon, when all of the "freebies" are already for the late evening or unavailable.

Also, keep checking. Sometimes, the app doesn't show all availability or people cancel/change their reservation. At around 1:00pm, we had reserved a FP for Space Mountain at 9pm, then found a slot for 8pm, then one for 6:30pm and then one for 4:15pm and then one for 2:20pm. So, as long as you keep checking, you'll hopefully find availability.

We even found same-day slots for SDMT for late evening in mid-afternoon, so anything is possible.

This is super helpful to know! Thank you! I will be sure to keep an eye on the app when I am in the park. I am a big Space Mountain fan and would LOVE to ride it at least a few times this trip! As I am staying off site, it appears all the SDMT FPs are already gone and my 30 day window hasn't even opened yet, so I would LOVE to stumble upon a same day slot as you did! Fingers crossed

 

[Pumpkin Queen]

We always try grabbing mid morning time slots. We get to the parks early, hit some major things before the crowds fill in. By that time our FP+ come into play and we can get on major desired rides another time. Then after using the FP+ up we play the "what else can we get" game. Thats when my frustration level hits.

Thank you! This is what I was thinking of doing. ^^ This forum have given me so much to think about though! Have you ever had any major successes with the "what else can we get" game? I am crossing my fingers for SDMT, failing that I will follow the crowd there at rope drop or hit it during MNSSHP hopefully.

 

[Weather_Lady]

[QUOTE="Pumpkin Queen, post: 7368436, member: 110003"[
That's interesting that you don't use FP+ for Animal Kingdom. I was thinking of using FP for Kali and Primeval Whirl (Dinosaur won't be open when we go sadly!), but maybe I am just being silly thinking I would need FP for those?![/QUOTE]

Oh no, it's not silly. If you are not getting to those attractions within an hour of rope drop, or if you are visiting during a time of year with higher-than-average crowds, you certainly may want to get FP+ for them. (I don't know what time of year you are visiting, but it's worthwhile to consider the weather -- when it's hot, Kali's line builds much faster and is longer all day.)

 

[Scoppin]

Book them as early as possible for the most popular attractions that people go too first. Because they can't overlap, (let's say the park opens at 9:00 AM) book them for 9:00-10:00, 10:00-11:00 and 11:00-noon. If you use your third FP right at 11:00, you'll be among the first to book a fourth FP from the My Disney Experience App or at an in park kiosk. We did this and on our Magic Kingdom day were able to continuously book more Fastpasses through the app. I'd say we got an addition seven to eight fast passes after our initial three. People really don't know the power of booking early in the morning, and book them for the afternoon, when all of the "freebies" are already for the late evening or unavailable.

Also, keep checking. Sometimes, the app doesn't show all availability or people cancel/change their reservation. At around 1:00pm, we had reserved a FP for Space Mountain at 9pm, then found a slot for 8pm, then one for 6:30pm and then one for 4:15pm and then one for 2:20pm. So, as long as you keep checking, you'll hopefully find availability.

We even found same-day slots for SDMT for late evening in mid-afternoon, so anything is possible.

Wow, you picked up a lot of extra FP+s. We are going this September and I have scheduled all of our FP+s for as early as possible in the hope of doing exactly as you were able to and pick up as many extra FP+s as possible in order to shorten wait times as much as possible in order to see as much as we can for our first trip to WDW. May also help, that we are thrill ride riders so won't have to worry about some of the more popular attractions.

 

[Scoppin]

Getting advance FP+s is one of the downsides of staying off site. Your window opens at 30 days and can only book one day at a time. Most of the more popular attractions may be difficult to get. Frozen ever After will be close to impossible as it can be almost impossible for those whose window open at 60 days. But the MDE app is a wonderful new feature I have recently heard about and play on taking full advantage of as soon as I have used my third FP. From what I understand, as soon as you enter the queue, your third FP as been used and you can book your 4th FP without having to wait to finish the attraction and looking for a kiosk.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Thank you! This is what I was thinking of doing. ^^ This forum have given me so much to think about though! Have you ever had any major successes with the "what else can we get" game? I am crossing my fingers for SDMT, failing that I will follow the crowd there at rope drop or hit it during MNSSHP hopefully.

Yes, I have gotten some popular attractions but its been a rarity. Most of the time I've had to settle for something I really didnt care for. Then I end up standing in a long standby line for the thing I really want to do.

 

[Horizons '83]

Question, if you are park hopping and you use the 3 fastpasses for the AM park and you want to pick your 1 additional at a different park for the PM, is that possible to do from the app? or do you have to go to that parks kiosk?

 

[Tuvalu]

Question, if you are park hopping and you use the 3 fastpasses for the AM park and you want to pick your 1 additional at a different park for the PM, is that possible to do from the app? or do you have to go to that parks kiosk?

You can do it from the app wherever you are.

 

[Horizons '83]

You can do it from the app wherever you are.

Very nice, thank you for the confirmation. I feel like just last year when we went, this wasn't possible.