WDW Prep To Go - a Disney World planning podcast

People often cite FastPass+ reservations as the most stressful part of planning, so today I want to discuss what you need to know that will hopefully help you feel less stressed.

I also have a quick tip that will let you visit some attractions before the parks open as a bonus to a dining reservation.


These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

New intro/outro

Skilled at audio production? I'm looking for a new intro and outro for the podcast. Email your idea to me at shannon@wdwprepschool.com. If chosen, I'll send you a $100 Disney gift card.

FastPass+ help

General touring advice

  • Show up at least 45 minutes before park opening
  • Follow a touring plan until lunch time, and visit popular attractions either within the first hour or later in the day with FP+
  • After lunch, do “anytime” attractions, use FP+, take breaks

General FP+ info

  • Onsite guests can make all FP+ 60 days before their trip begins beginning at 7am eastern
  • Offsite guests can make FP+ 30 days before each day of their trip beginning at 7am eastern
  • Most FP+ give you a 1 hour window (except for shows which will be shorter)
  • Show up anytime within that time frame (can usually be 5 minutes early and 15 minutes late)
  • Can’t overlap FP+
  • Can make 3 FP+ ahead of time for 1 park. Once those 3 are used, you can get a 4th in any park, then a 5th, etc.

On-site guests booking 60 days ahead

  • Log out, log back in to make sure the site will show you the full trip dates
  • Can use multiple devices at once
  • Make FP+ in order of difficulty, not chronologically
  • Only really need to worry about Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Frozen Ever After, and the 2 new Pandora attractions (Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey)
  • End of your trip will give you better odds
  • After making difficult FP+ reservations, go back and add in other FP+

Everybody else (offsite guests and and onsite guests who are not booking 60 days in advance)

  • Will have a hard time booking Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Frozen Ever After, and the 2 new Pandora attractions (Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey)
  • Either plan on doing those at rope drop OR keep checking constantly for openings

Quick tip of the day

Many pre-park opening breakfast reservations will allow you to visit an attraction before the park opens. Check this list for where and when that often happens.

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode145.mp3
Category:WDW Prep To Go Podcast -- posted at: 4:16pm PDT

Let's discuss what we know so far about Pandora - World of Avatar, plus discuss how to plan to see Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom.

I also have a quick tip with an idea of what to do on your arrival day.


These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Info from this episode

Overview of Pandora - The World of Avatar

  • Heavily themed with waterfalls, floating mountains, and exotic plants that come to life at night
  • 2 new attractions - Na'vi River Journey (family boat ride, no height requirement) and Avatar Flight of Passage (banshee thriller ride, 44" height requirement)
  • 2 dining options - Satu'li Canteen (fast casual restaurant) and Pongu Pongu (drink/snack kiosk)
  • Windtraders store with Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more

Pandora media coverage

Other links mentioned

Quick tip of the day

Karen emailed with this tip:
"We landed around noon, stopped by our hotel for a swim, and got to Epcot at about 3 pm. We had FastPasses booked for Spaceship Earth, Turtle Talk, and Soarin'. We also had a dinner reservation at Garden Grill. It was a perfect start to our trip. I know many of your readers may not want to use a park ticket when they aren't going to have a full day, but we felt it made for a much more relaxed Epcot day later in the week. I also liked Garden Grill as our arrival day character meal as opposed to Chef Mickey's since after a day of traveling, etc. It was nice to sit and relax and not be dealing with a buffet."

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode144.mp3
Category:WDW Prep To Go Podcast -- posted at: 10:09pm PDT

My full March trip report – PREP143

Today I have a full trip report from my March trip, including Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom, Pop Century, and Coronado Springs Resort.


These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Info from this episode

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode143.mp3
Category:WDW Prep To Go Podcast -- posted at: 8:05am PDT

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