Disney People - FP+ Help!

[skib]

So, we leave for Disney in 67 days. I haven't been to Disney in years, so I'm new to the Fast Pass thing. We are staying at a Disney property, so I know that we can book our FP+ a week from today, but I need help with my strategy!

First, can I log in at midnight to make my FP+ selections? If so, is it midnight Eastern? Do I really need to stay up late to get them, or will there still be good ones left when I wake up around 6 a.m.?

Here are the things I'm looking at getting FP+ for. If you think I should look at FP+ for another ride/attraction instead, or if one of my picks doesn't usually have a long line and I'd be wasting my FP+, I'd really appreciate some advice.

Sunday - Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Midway Mania
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (for the two of us who don't ride big rides)
Tower of Terror (for the three of us who do)
Star Tours

Monday - Magic Kingdom
Princess Fairytale Hall
Disney's Electrical Parade
Space Mountain (big ride people)
Tomorrowland Speedway (little ride people)

Tuesday - Epcot
Soarin'
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Illuminations

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Festival of the Lion King

Thursday - Hollywood Studios (morning)/Epcot (evening)
Toy Story Midway Mania
Tower of Terror (big ride people)
Rockin Roller Coaster (big ride people)
Beauty and the Beast Stage Show
Anything else that the two little ride people should use FP+ for?

Friday - Magic Kingdom
Peter Pan's Flight
It's a Small World
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (big ride people)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (little ride people)

TIA for your advice!

[mainelyfoolish]

Princess Fairytale Hall has separate lines for Anna/Elsa and Cinderella/Rapunzel. You'll need to use 2 fast passes if you want to see them all quickly.

At Epcot, you can't get a FP+ for both Soarin' and Illuminations. At Hollywood Studios, you can't get FP+ for Toy Story MM, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Beauty & The Beast. These parks both have tiered fast passes.

This post on Disboards has an excellent ranking of fast pass priorities. disboards.com/threads/fastpass-basic-info-suggested-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

Also, when you say little people, how little? If they aren't old/tall enough to ride by themselves, the adult escort also has to have a FP+ for the ride. 

[curbsideprophet]

If you want Anna and Elsa I would stay up until midnight. I would also consider moving it to your Friday MK day. You will be competing with less people that way. I would also consider breaking up your group for that one.

Is anyone interested in Test Track at Epcot? Would need to be split with Soarin. Do you have kids that are small enough that you can use rider swap?

At HS I don't think you can do both TSMM and Beauty and the Beast.

[mainelyfoolish]

I stayed off-site when I went last fall so I had to book my fast passes each day. Some days I was able to make reservations starting at 12 am Eastern (my time zone) and some days I wasn't able to book until 1 am eastern/12 am central. I never figured out why and I don't know if that has changed since then.

[ribollita]

In addition to the above:

I would not FP IASW. Do something like Pooh instead.

For AK, for those of you not riding Everest maybe FP Adventurers Outpost (Mickey and Minnie)?

[hymen]

I booked fast passes for everything I wanted for our August trip well past the 60 day mark (it was about 2 weeks later) with no problems, including Seven Dwarves. I was even able to make changes with little issues. Since you are going at a far less busy time, I wouldn't worry about booking at midnight, except for Anna and Elsa (we don't see them so it's NBD for us).

[jena]

I recommend using www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/ to decide which days to go to which parks. It's very helpful.

We only spent a half day in Hollywood Studios and honestly I think it's the worst of the parks, so I can't imaging going there twice.

You're only park hopping one day? Park hopper is pretty pricey to only use it once. Might consider getting rid of it.

I agree with pp, small world does not need a FP. I would get one for the Buzz Lightyear ride instead (we rode it 3 times this summer, a family favorite!)

[skib]

Sept 2, 2015 20:26:36 GMT -5 jena said:

I recommend using www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/ to decide which days to go to which parks. It's very helpful.

We only spent a half day in Hollywood Studios and honestly I think it's the worst of the parks, so I can't imaging going there twice.

You're only park hopping one day? Park hopper is pretty pricey to only use it once. Might consider getting rid of it.

I agree with pp, small world does not need a FP. I would get one for the Buzz Lightyear ride instead (we rode it 3 times this summer, a family favorite!)

Thank you! I actually based the days we were visiting each park on when I was able to get dining reservations.

I love Hollywood Studios for some reason! At least I did many years ago. It may be really different and not as fun now. As far as the park hopper goes, we will use it more than one day, because we're going to take advantage of Magic Hours -- but we can only get FP+ for one park per day, right?

[curbsideprophet]

Sept 2, 2015 20:53:05 GMT -5 skib said:

Sept 2, 2015 20:26:36 GMT -5 jena said:

I recommend using www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/ to decide which days to go to which parks. It's very helpful.

We only spent a half day in Hollywood Studios and honestly I think it's the worst of the parks, so I can't imaging going there twice.

You're only park hopping one day? Park hopper is pretty pricey to only use it once. Might consider getting rid of it.

I agree with pp, small world does not need a FP. I would get one for the Buzz Lightyear ride instead (we rode it 3 times this summer, a family favorite!)

Thank you! I actually based the days we were visiting each park on when I was able to get dining reservations.

I love Hollywood Studios for some reason! At least I did many years ago. It may be really different and not as fun now. As far as the park hopper goes, we will use it more than one day, because we're going to take advantage of Magic Hours -- but we can only get FP+ for one park per day, right?

I think you can get FP for the second park once you are in the park (assuming you use your FP selections for the morning park). I know some people book their FP for the afternoon/second park because it is a busier time.

[skib]

This is all such good advice -- thank you all so much!

I love the idea of looking at wait times on the app before I book. Thank you for that tip!

Based on your advice, here's a revised plan:

Sunday - Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Midway Mania
For the First Time in Forever (Frozen sing-along)
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

Monday - Magic Kingdom

Enchanted Tales with Belle (little ride people)
Space Mountain (big ride people)
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Tuesday - Epcot, probably park hopping in p.m. and then back to Epcot for fireworks

Soarin'
Spaceship Earth
IllumiNations


Wednesday - Animal Kingdom, park hopping in p.m.

Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Festival of the Lion King

Thursday - Park hopping, will probably get FP for Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Midway Mania (little ride people)
Tower of Terror (big ride people)
The Great Movie Ride
(Any suggestions for what to get for our "C" tier?)

Friday - Magic Kingdom

Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall (little ride people)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (big ride people)
Meet Ariel at her Grotto (little ride people)
Space Mountain (big ride people)
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

[jena]

Sept 2, 2015 20:53:05 GMT -5 skib said:

Sept 2, 2015 20:26:36 GMT -5 jena said:

I recommend using www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/ to decide which days to go to which parks. It's very helpful.

We only spent a half day in Hollywood Studios and honestly I think it's the worst of the parks, so I can't imaging going there twice.

You're only park hopping one day? Park hopper is pretty pricey to only use it once. Might consider getting rid of it.

I agree with pp, small world does not need a FP. I would get one for the Buzz Lightyear ride instead (we rode it 3 times this summer, a family favorite!)

Thank you! I actually based the days we were visiting each park on when I was able to get dining reservations.

I love Hollywood Studios for some reason! At least I did many years ago. It may be really different and not as fun now. As far as the park hopper goes, we will use it more than one day, because we're going to take advantage of Magic Hours -- but we can only get FP+ for one park per day, right?

Well, a few years back, my 17yo SS loved HS, so maybe it's just me! 

Yes, the 3 FP+ you can book ahead have to be in one park. You can try for a 4th one after those 3 are used, but unless you use them early, there's not a lot of things left. And if you get there early, you really don't want to use your FPs in the morning because wait times are shorter then.