Fast Pass + without a "Smart Phone"?

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Hi Everyone. When I was in WDW this past December I noticed a huge amount of people looking at their computers in the middle of attractions such as The Tiki Birds. I thought they were just rude. Now I understand just how much Fast Pass + is connected to computers, and the internet on the go in the parks.

I have a very simple cell phone, and it doesn't even text. I don't want to carry around the internet with me all day in the parks. Someday, when my simple cell phone gets broken, I will get higher tech, but not now.

I do have my lap top at home, and I leave it home while I am on vacation.
Will I be OK using Fast Pass + without internet all week? What if I want to get more Fast Passes for the next park? How do I do this?

Thanks!

 

[MattRyan]

It will be harder without a smart phone, but manageable.

You will have to either write down all your FP+ times, memorize them, or visit a kiosk to check your FP+.

If you want to get more FP+ use the designated kiosk computers or the CMs there with iPads.

 

[ZoZo]

OP, I don''t have a smartphone, either! I have a "pay as you go" cell phone (but it does text).

On my trip in February, I wrote my FP times on an index card for each day. Had to keep tack of them somehow!

I did have my iPad back in the room, and was able to easily make changes at night. During the day, we used my friend's iPhone to make changes. It was much easier to have a smart phone, even if it wasn't mine. But you can use the kiosks in the parks to make changes as needed - but the kiosks can have lines, too.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't have a smartphone either. I decided to get an iPod Touch to use for MDE. It works for that just fine, and one of the biggest assets to me has been the ability to monitor weather, especially during the rainy season, so I know whether it's just a quick passing shower or something I need to take cover for. I've probably used it more for weather in the parks than MDE, to be honest.

Aside from FP+, it's nice to be able to check dining availability on the fly. I seldom make ADR's in advance, so if I decide I want to have a leisurely meal, it's nice to just see what's available and book it. I generally do the dining through the website instead of MDE, just because I prefer how it shows availability - but either one is preferable to spending time on a phone while someone else looks things up one restaurant at a time.

I also downloaded a white noise/alarm clock app that I use in the room to block out noises from other guests as well as waking up on certain days (hotel alarm clocks and I just don't get along - they always seem to go off at midnight, lol!). I have also used the camera when I didn't have any other camera around. They aren't nearly as good as the photos from my regular camera, but better than none at all when something unexpected happens.

You could probably pick one up used for very little money, although I did buy mine new, and you don't need a huge amount of memory - just enough for the Disney app and maybe a few other helpful travel apps like the weather and alarm clock. Just because you have the Internet in your pocket doesn't mean you have to spend your time there - my iPod is powered off most of the time. But it is very convenient to not have to rely solely on the kiosks for information.

 

[Meriweather]

I don't have a smart phone either......it worked fine for me.
that was before the 4th FP+ option, so we'll see. No plans to get a smart phone either. So we'll see how it goes next week.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I have a flip-phone with no texting and no interest in upgrading. DH has a smartphone, but we did not use it at the park. I refuse to be tied to a screen while on vacation.

A smart phone (or a device like an i-pod touch) is not needed if you set your FP+ from home, memorize or write down the times, and don't make changes. At the time we traveled, you could only have three FP+, but now you're able to book more at kiosks at the park where you want the FP+. You'd have to make any changes at the kiosk as well, or with the help of a CM with an i-pad, so it would probably be better to not make changes to your initial three FP+/day unless you must.

 

[leebee]

So would I be able to make these changes on an iPad, or do I need an iPod touch or a smart phone to change FPs, etc.?

 

[AmyB2006]

You don't "need" a smartphone. It would probably be easier, but not necessary. You would use the kiosks for FP+ in the parks.

 

[HM]

OP, I don''t have a smartphone, either! I have a "pay as you go" cell phone (but it does text).

On my trip in February, I wrote my FP times on an index card for each day. Had to keep tack of them somehow!

I did have my iPad back in the room, and was able to easily make changes at night. During the day, we used my friend's iPhone to make changes. It was much easier to have a smart phone, even if it wasn't mine. But you can use the kiosks in the parks to make changes as needed - but the kiosks can have lines, too.

This is exactly how we handled things too.

 

[nkereina]

It's my understanding that, for now, the 4th FP option requires everyone to be in the park and using a kiosk in order to obtain any FPs beyond your original pre-booked 3. So you're on the same playing field there.

The only times it would be a hassle without a smart phone is just remembering them and if you want to change them on the fly. You'd have to go to a kiosk to do this instead. On our last day, I had pre-booked FP+ at MK but during breakfast, we decided we wanted to go to Epcot instead if we could get on TT. I was able to pull up FP+ while still at the table, saw a TT FP+, and booked it while cancelling my MK FP+. This was very convenient. You could still do something like that, but you'd have to be at a kiosk in the park.

 

[bastos]

We have no smart phones - but DO have an ipad. We bought a case ($35) that was waterproof - and carried it each day. Worked out well for changes on the fly. That was the nicest thing. OH! Star Tours FP un-needed? Switch over to Great Movie Ride. DONE!

And to remind.

BUT - for additional ones, I needed to visit a kiosk. Once that was done, I could change it later. If you can, look for the case, and bring the ipad.