Thinking about staying first night ON SITE just to snag FOP FP'S . Am I crazy?

[jollyholiday80]

We are planning a trip for 8 days for either early March or May 2019. Planning on staying in a condo off-site but was toying around with the idea of staying somewhere in the resort just to use the 60 day mark for FP's for Flight Of Passage. I know that even at 60 days FP's for the ride aren't that easy to get and at 30 they will be almost nonexistent. And yes I know I can stalk the site every day and wait for one to come open but I kinda wanna go ahead and make it concrete if that makes sense. Is that crazy??

 

[PeakSeason]

If you'd enjoy staying onsite for one night and then moving offsite, by all means have at it. I wouldn't count on getting FOP FPs for certain though. Could happen but it's far from guaranteed. I suppose it's possible that by next spring the demand for FOP will have calmed down but I wouldn't bet on it. I think getting to Animal Kingdom at rope drop would be less of a hassle then doing a one night separate stay.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It's tough getting the FoP for your first (and only) night. Everyone who has reservations earlier than you already had dibs to that day. I've sometime found I couldn't get FoP FPs until the third day of a stay. But, I've also found one on the first day. So... good luck!

 

[Andrew Appleby]

To be honest I don't think even then you'd get FoP FP+. We've just booked outs and we're staying for 14 days and couldn't get any until day 4.

 

[higgipoker]

Got FP+ for both Avatar and Toy Story attractions 60 days out no problem. Isn't there a minimum 3 night stay though?

 

[Disney Dad 3000]

What type of ticket do you have (AP, 7 day, etc) ?
I know it's been a contentious debate over the years, but if you are on property first, you'll get 60 day FP booking for your trip even when off site (well limited to the days of your ticket). I don't know if there's been restrictions though on 1 night stays with this since it tended to get abused.

We are AP holders, and spent first 3 nights of our recent trip at BW. We still got 60 day booking for FP on our other 7 days we were there off site (limited though to 7 days of passes during that time). We werent able to get a FOP FP until day 3-4 of our trip.

 

[jollyholiday80]

What type of ticket do you have (AP, 7 day, etc) ?
I know it's been a contentious debate over the years, but if you are on property first, you'll get 60 day FP booking for your trip even when off site (well limited to the days of your ticket). I don't know if there's been restrictions though on 1 night stays with this since it tended to get abused.

We are AP holders, and spent first 3 nights of our recent trip at BW. We still got 60 day booking for FP on our other 7 days we were there off site (limited though to 7 days of passes during that time). We werent able to get a FOP FP until day 3-4 of our trip.

We will purchase 5 day PH but will also spend 2 days at US and a rest day. So you're saying if we stay at an onsite resort for our first night, that we can still have 60 day booking window for the remaining days?? That's crazy!! How have I never heard of this? It's so sneaky but easy to get those awesome benefits! Surely the bigs are onto this and will be shutting this party down??!!?

 

[nickys]

We will purchase 5 day PH but will also spend 2 days at US and a rest day. So you're saying if we stay at an onsite resort for our first night, that we can still have 60 day booking window for the remaining days?? That's crazy!! How have I never heard of this? It's so sneaky but easy to get those awesome benefits! Surely the bigs are onto this and will be shutting this party down??!!?

You will get a 60 day window for check-in and check-out day with a 1 night stay. Both can be booked at once, 60 days from check-in.

After that, there's a rolling 60 day window. So exactly 60 days out from each day you can book FPs for that day. It is a "feature" of MDE that this rolling window happens, in other words a kinda glitch which they are aware of and one which they might close if they decide it's important enough.

They started closing glaring loopholes in 2016, and seem now to be limiting FP switching. It might be on their list, who knows? I think they should focus on fixing what they do have first though!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We will purchase 5 day PH but will also spend 2 days at US and a rest day. So you're saying if we stay at an onsite resort for our first night, that we can still have 60 day booking window for the remaining days?? That's crazy!! How have I never heard of this? It's so sneaky but easy to get those awesome benefits! Surely the bigs are onto this and will be shutting this party down??!!?

Yikes.

 

[HwdStudio]

You will get a 60 day window for check-in and check-out day with a 1 night stay. Both can be booked at once, 60 days from check-in.

After that, there's a rolling 60 day window. So exactly 60 days out from each day you can book FPs for that day. It is a "feature" of MDE that this rolling window happens, in other words a kinda glitch which they are aware of and one which they might close if they decide it's important enough.

They started closing glaring loopholes in 2016, and seem now to be limiting FP switching. It might be on their list, who knows? I think they should focus on fixing what they do have first though!

I wish I could explain things so clearly. I knew this but I could have never explained it where anyone could understand what I meant.

 

[draybook]

Just weigh the options: paying $100+ for a room versus standing in line for a couple of hours or less if you go at opening/closing. I would NEVER spend extra money just to ride a certain attraction.

 

[jollyholiday80]

Yikes.

Yikes indeed sir.....

 

[jollyholiday80]

I wish I could explain things so clearly. I knew this but I could have never explained it where anyone could understand what I meant.

Yes me too!! Every. Day. Of. My. LIFE!!!

 

[flynnibus]

We are planning a trip for 8 days for either early March or May 2019. Planning on staying in a condo off-site but was toying around with the idea of staying somewhere in the resort just to use the 60 day mark for FP's for Flight Of Passage. I know that even at 60 days FP's for the ride aren't that easy to get and at 30 they will be almost nonexistent. And yes I know I can stalk the site every day and wait for one to come open but I kinda wanna go ahead and make it concrete if that makes sense. Is that crazy??

You are talking about changing your entire trip and huge spend difference for A few FPs. The wait is usually anywhere from 100-180 mins. If you just time your attempt... it will be a 1 to 2 hr wait. If you are onsite... you can rope drop and do it in under 45mins. I’d just do the wait.... or pay for a single night hotel stay I probably wouldn’t actually use... and emh and FP that day.

 

[BackOTheLine]

I will not condone this, nor have I ever done it, but I believe there are ways to make and subsequently cancel on-site reservations in order to get a jump on FP for early days during your “actual” stay. At least that’s what a blue bird on my shoulder once told me...

 

[YankeeMouse]

If you go at closing, wait will be about 45 minutes, in my experience. Get in line at 7:55 for an 8:00 closing and that's what happens. If you go first thing in morning, you need to get there maybe 1 1/2 hours before opening and then the wait will be....45 minutes.

 

[monykalyn]

Disney also alters schedules - I got FoP fastpasses today and I'm 33 days out from August trip- and there were still plenty of times. Notice of new FP released a day or two ago on another board but I forgot about it lol. I'm onsite but didn't make reservation until a couple days ago.
If u do decide to make a one night spreservation try to do it for an EMH day at AK - that way if you can't get FP you can RD the ride. My experience with that first week of June - got to park after they'd just started letting EMH guests head towards Pandora- got on ride 55 minutes later. End of night ranges 45-90 minute wait.

 

[jollyholiday80]

Thank you guys for all the help, tips and suggestions!! I'm so glad I found wdwmagic and these forums!! I'll post what our final decision is.... I know the anticipation is killing ya'll!!