How easy is it really to get same day FP?

[Cydney Wilson]

We are trying to plan out our park days so that we can make ADRs toward the end of this month, and I'm wondering how to go about this. We are traveling 11/25 - 12/2. Our party is me, DH, DS10, DS(almost)2, DS(almost)2. We definitely want to do all of the Toy Story Land attractions, and with twin toddlers, standby won't likely be an option for those rides if the waits are outrageous, as I'm sure they will be, so I'm thinking we will need at least two days at HS, but not full days.

So for example if we are able to secure a morning FP for, say, Slinky Dog, I would guess it will be unlikely to then get a same day for TSMM or Aliens at that time. What would be the chances of hopping to Epcot and getting FEA? Can most rides at MK can be obtained same day? And most things at AK besides FOP? In reality we probably wouldn't be so much "hopping" as we will be taking an afternoon break then going to a different park in the evening, so even if the FP is much later, that would be okay.

If those dates are the week of Thanksgiving same day FP would be difficult. Even with Toy Story land you can be done with HS in one day easily.

 

[StacyStrong]

You have a LOT of MK time.

I think it would be beneficial to drop one of those and get more time at Epcot or AK. Maybe even HS since TSL will be open.

But if MK is your priority above everything else? Then that's cool too!

 

[shan981]

If those dates are the week of Thanksgiving same day FP would be difficult. Even with Toy Story land you can be done with HS in one day easily.

It is the week after Thanksgiving, arriving the Sunday after. With the tiering of the new rides, I don't know how we can do them in one day without waiting in huge standby lines, which I don't know if I'm able (willing, haha) to do with two toddlers.

 

[shan981]

You have a LOT of MK time.

I think it would be beneficial to drop one of those and get more time at Epcot or AK. Maybe even HS since TSL will be open.

But if MK is your priority above everything else? Then that's cool too!

True! I guess I just don't really know what will be best with the littles. I feel like there will be the most for them to do at MK, and we are staying at Contemporary solely for its convenience to MK, so I feel like we will spend the most time there. But you're right, maybe it's too much.

 

[StacyStrong]

With two little kids, I'm not sure there's really "too much" time at MK, but there are still a lot of characters, shows, and kid friendly activities at other parks.

Plus, you adults might want more time in Epcot. I understand that you're going to MK on party days, but party days should be a bit slower than full days. Plus with kids that young, I really doubt they'll be up running around for full park days anyway.

Plus you do have a party scheduled there and ride waits are shorter at parties generally. I don't know if it's worth dealing with the massive crowds for the shows and fireworks on non party days - because keep in mind they will be cancelled on party days and everyone without a ticket will head there making it more crowded than it already will be.

 

[shan981]

Plus with kids that young, I really doubt they'll be up running around for full park days anyway.

For sure! That's one of the main reasons we got the hoppers. I figure we will definitely need mid-day breaks, and then if the littles aren't up for going back to a park, DH or I can still take DS10 back out at night to do some of the more grown-up things. I'm driving myself crazy trying to put a plan in place so that I can book some dining soon, but the truth is I have no idea how these kids are going to handle it, haha.

 

[StacyStrong]

The good thing about the hopper is that you can always change your mind mid day. It's good to have a general framework and some FP, but otherwise you can always go somewhere else if you decide that you've spent too much time at MK. So I wouldn't worry about it too much. They'll have fun anyway.

Figuring out ADRs is really annoying, but you're staying at a really convenient location so you should be fine if plans change!

 

[shan981]

The good thing about the hopper is that you can always change your mind mid day. It's good to have a general framework and some FP, but otherwise you can always go somewhere else if you decide that you've spent too much time at MK. So I wouldn't worry about it too much. They'll have fun anyway.

Figuring out ADRs is really annoying, but you're staying at a really convenient location so you should be fine if plans change!

Thanks for your advice! The other "good" thing I guess is that we probably won't do many table service meals with the toddlers, haha. I think I'm just going to book two character meals, and I have my heart set on Beaches and Cream if I can get it. Otherwise we will probably be doing a lot of quick service meals so we can decide in the moment.

 

[Robo]

Also, we got extra FP for Soarin', Mission: space (green)...

Just to keep things sorted, there is no FP+ differentiation between Mission:SPACE (Green) and Mission:SPACE (Orange.)
Guests just book a FP+ for “Mission:SPACE” and they can CHOOSE which experience they want to take when they arrive at the attraction.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Just to keep things sorted, there is no FP+ differentiation between Mission:SPACE (Green) and Mission:SPACE (Orange.)
Guests just book a FP+ for “Mission:SPACE” and they can CHOOSE which experience they want to take when they arrive at the attraction.

Thanks for clearing up my error! I didn't recall that detail as EP day was wrought with illness in part of our group.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for clearing up my error! I didn't recall that detail as EP day was wrought with illness in part of our group.

Not really an error.
I just didn’t want readers looking for tips to try to book something that’s not really there.

 

[kuhltiffany]

When everyone talks about "refreshing" to see FP availability, are you referring to a computer or the app? We haven't been to WDW in 6 years so I'm trying to gather as many tips as I can. I'm hoping to not take my laptop with us, planning on only using my phone if possible...

 

[Robo]

When everyone talks about "refreshing" to see FP availability, are you referring to a computer or the app? We haven't been to WDW in 6 years so I'm trying to gather as many tips as I can. I'm hoping to not take my laptop with us, planning on only using my phone if possible...

“Refresh” while at the parks using the Phone App.

 

[jaysmom4285]

No such chance of that happening. You will be lucky to get it 60 days out. And the other rides you are mentioning (FEA) are also necessary to book at the 60 day mark. Your best bet for planning would be to plan your 2 HS days maybe one day a morning and one an afternoon. Keep in mind there is MVMCP going on so MK will be closing early many nights you are there -- but this can work to your benefit because party days at MK can be slower- you can go to MK for rope drop, take a break in the afternoon (naps for the little ones) and then book your FP for HS in the evening. RD can be hugely beneficial to tackle a lot of rides with very short waits

I respectfully disagree that the attractions you mentioned have no same day FP+ availability. See my earlier post.

 

[Cydney Wilson]

It is the week after Thanksgiving, arriving the Sunday after. With the tiering of the new rides, I don't know how we can do them in one day without waiting in huge standby lines, which I don't know if I'm able (willing, haha) to do with two toddlers.

The week after Thanksgiving shouldn't be too bad, except Sunday

 

[jina]

Last month on a Sat we had HS FP in the am, and around noon changed our 3rd to a 6:30 Pm FEA at EP. felt very lucky - it can happen .

 

[kniquy]

I respectfully disagree that the attractions you mentioned have no same day FP+ availability. See my earlier post.

Maybe saying there is no chance is incorrect, but the odds are not in your favor with a larger party. I see your point, but planning for 2 is different than for a family of 5+ who might have to leave the park probably by 7pm because of toddlers. Just adults can grab those 9 or 10 pm FP. But I think your process of grabbing what you can and modifying might be a helpful technique.

Even the touring plans FP availability is only looking at grabbing 1 FP, so a larger party might not have as much good luck. It is always good to lower your expectations so that the unexpected surprises of FP will be that much more enjoyable.

I long for the day of an adult only with limited plans trip. I feel planning is essential when kids are involved.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Maybe saying there is no chance is incorrect, but the odds are not in your favor with a larger party. I see your point, but planning for 2 is different than for a family of 5+ who might have to leave the park probably by 7pm because of toddlers. Just adults can grab those 9 or 10 pm FP. But I think your process of grabbing what you can and modifying might be a helpful technique.

Even the touring plans FP availability is only looking at grabbing 1 FP, so a larger party might not have as much good luck. It is always good to lower your expectations so that the unexpected surprises of FP will be that much more enjoyable.

I long for the day of an adult only with limited plans trip. I feel planning is essential when kids are involved.

I was doing FP for a family of 5 (other than a couple times when not everyone was going on something). We were not in the parks after 9 (with one exception at Epcot). We still had very good luck refreshing and modifying. It took a fair amount of persistence for the biggest ride or two at each park but even larger parties can have quite a bit of success. Keeping expectations reasonable it's definitely a good plan but when people think it's so unlikely they don't even look, they wait in line for an hour at TT when they could have had an FP with 5-10 mins of effort.

 

[Whositsgalore]

I’m curious if anyone knows when parks stay open really late do they offer FP throughout the night? Example: July 4th park hours are usually midnight or later, will FP still be even a possibility at say 10:00 p.m?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

When considering this, it really depends which attractions you want, what times you are willing to accept, how much time you want to spend looking for them, how much juice your phone has, and the logistics of using that FP.

IME, there is also quite a bit of variability depending on crowd levels and the related weather. Lousy weather = more FP.

IME, the week after Thanksgiving is quite busy. Disney Springs is very busy on the tail end of Thanksgiving week(end). Though you'll find that crowd levels drop as the week progresses. Your best opportunities to find extra FP will be towards the end of your visit.

When choosing FP, you usually have options. You can choose a now FP for a lesser attraction, or you can choose a later FP for a more popular attraction. With each hour, (more or less) your odds of getting another FP go down.

There's also the logistics of getting to each FP. Some folks are willing to run back and forth across the park, others are less mobile. ADR's, parades, fireworks, hotel breaks/naps are also important factors.

So I take it with a grain of salt when someone says they were able to get a FP for a certain attraction. There are many variables to consider.