Epcot to test further restrictions on Fastpass+ usage

In what is sure to prove to be a very unpopular move, the Fastpass+ team is moving forward with a test that will restrict Fastpass+ usage in EPCOT for specific dates (listed below) for Fastpass+ bookings between November 4 and December 29.  This test is in line with what Disney originally announced for the FP+ system, but will make touring EPCOT even more difficult.  They are testing within the range of the most expensive hotel dates that Walt Disney World offers, so I’m not sure I’d be terribly happy with this sudden change during my stay that is costing me $602 to $748 for regular accommodations at the Grand Floridian.

Guests using the FP+ system will be allowed to book only ONE headliner attraction and TWO not so necessary attractions per day.

Level one: Headliners as listed in the test (Choose ONE):

• Illuminations:  Reflections of Earth (Only select dates available)
• Maelstrom
• Meet the Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
• Soarin’
• Test Track presented by Chevrolet

Level two:  Other attractions listed in the test (Choose TWO):

• Captain EO
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission Space
• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Click on an image for larger view

The current dates (as of 8:00 am on November 1) that I found for this test from researching this site are:

November 4, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29

December 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

UPDATE:  9:25 am and now the same rules are applying to EVERY November and December date beginning November 1!  

Attraction availability and dates for the testing are subject to change.

NOTE:  I’ve already been asked numerous times, “What happens if I already booked FP+ for those dates at Epcot? ” My recommendations are:

1.   Don’t change them!

2.  Screenshot them in case anything wonky happens and you can prove you had those reservations before this test began.  

It shouldn’t cancel your current ones, but there’s no guarantees!

What do YOU think about this type of usage for Fastpass+?

How to get 6 Fastpasses at ONCE at Animal Kingdom

Yesterday I traveled over to the Animal Kingdom about noon to do some Fastpass testing.  I recently did a small amount of testing at the Magic Kingdom in my Triple Dippin post.  That post would do a poor job demonstrating how to maximize FP and FP+ though.  I will write a new article soon about how you can use FP at the Magic Kingdom and get 8 Fastpasses and use FP at every possible attraction with as little back-tracking as possible.

So, onto the Animal Kingdom on Halloween.  (Queue ominous music).  I started out my day with 3 Fastpass+ reservations.   I had reserved Expedition Everest, Mickey and Minnie and Kilimanjaro Safari.  As I entered Animal Kingdom I headed straight over to meet Mickey and Minnie using my FP reservation.  The posted wait was 20 minutes.  Using FP+ I waited 8.21 minutes according to the Wait Time feature in our Android version of Character Locator.

Triple dippin, but no dippin dots and a morning in the Magic Kingdom with Fastpass+

Since Fastpass+ was introduced, it’s been possible to “Double Dip” as some call using Fastpass+ for 3 electronic Fastpasses AND using your hotel key to gather paper Fastpasses from the machines old school style or “Triple Dip” as I refer to using Magic Band FP+ for 3 FP, hotel key for paper Fastpass and Annual Pass for additional FP.

A lot of people have speculated on the net about “Double Dipping” coming to an end.  (I’m not linking to specific sites purposely not to attempt an “I’m right and you’re wrong” kind of thing.  I have no intention to disparage other people’s work.)  Some have said that resorts would issue Key to the World cards with no swipe on the back.  Some have said that it would be an RFID only card.  Some speculated that the Key to the World would be eliminated entirely soon.  I spoke to a person who has a solid knowledge of the Fastpass system last week and was told that the swipe on the back of the card will remain just the same for the foreseeable future for all hotel guests.   I was told that there is no test in the works that eliminates the swipe on the Key to the World.  The test that many are discussing is actually a test with Cast Members only.   New Disney World resort guests will continue to receive Magic Bands to access their FP+, door key and charging privileges and the Key to the World will still be issued as a backup.  If a person attempts to use the Magic Band, but the technology is acting up, the Cast Member can use the plastic card to continue the operation that is necessary to assist the guest.  This means that one can still use FP+ for 3 electronic FP and the Key to the World plastic card in the paper FP machines.