At WDW Now - Used GAD Fastpass for Epcot & DHS

[doconeill]

Ok I know that I am repeating what many have already asked and answered but I never used the birthday FP and I will be using my volunteer vouchers for fast passes....so this is what I understand....please correct me if I am wrong.....

I have five members in my travel party and four of us are volunteering. We will receive four GAD vouchers.

I plan on using one voucher at each of the parks...MK, AK, DHS, Epcot.

I will redeem the voucher at the appropriate window which is outside of the park. At this point I will receive back a special fastpass card for each member of my travel party (5). I must do this step by 11 am.

I will then take the special fastpass card and use them at three donald rides and three daisy rides (repeat rides are allowed but not over three in each category) and place them in the special fastpass card kiosks. I will then get fastpasses which are for the current time. If the special kiosks are covered up, I can ask a CM to get me a fastpass.

I can then either use my fastpass as it is the current time or I can keep it for use at a later time like the normal fast pass.

I can get normal fastpasses as per usual with my park tickets.

Please say I have it correct!

Yes. The only thing to add is that all 5 of you must be present at the will call window to get the cards.

 

[g-dad66]

and place them in the special fastpass card kiosks. I will then get fastpasses which are for the current time. If the special kiosks are covered up, I can ask a CM to get me a fastpass.

Sounds right to me!

I'm not sure about the part above. I think you can use the Exchange Card in any of the Fast Pass kiosks. But there are special ones that will stay open even if all the regular FP kiosks are closed (because regular FPs are gone for the day, or not even being used that day).

Also, apparently you don't HAVE to trade the vouchers in for FP Exchange Cards by 11:00, although you could be denied if it is after 11:00. We're going to try to do this about 4:00 p.m. on our arrival day of March 12, so I will report back on how that works out.

 

[g-dad66]

Yes. The only thing to add is that all 5 of you must be present at the will call window to get the cards.

And also each needs a photo ID. If kids don't have a photo ID like a passport (school ID NOT acceptable), you need a copy of their birth certificate.

 

[doconeill]

Sounds right to me!

I'm not sure about the part above. I think you can use the Exchange Card in any of the Fast Pass kiosks. But there are special ones that will stay open even if all the regular FP kiosks are closed (because regular FPs are gone for the day, or not even being used that day).

Also, apparently you don't HAVE to trade the vouchers in for FP Exchange Cards by 11:00, although you could be denied if it is after 11:00. We're going to try to do this about 4:00 p.m. on our arrival day of March 12, so I will report back on how that works out.

Both true. The cards will work in any kiosk - one kiosk is (usually) left open after regular FPs are out. At TSM on a number of occasions it has been reported that all the kiosks were covered, but you can ask the CM.

They won't guarantee that you can get the cards after 11am, but no one has reported issues either.

And also each needs a photo ID. If kids don't have a photo ID like a passport (school ID NOT acceptable), you need a copy of their birth certificate.

Although I've heard of some people being asked for their IDs (and their park tickets), only the person redeeming the voucher is required to have ID and a multi-day ticket. I believe they verify everyone elses tickets to make sure they have at least on valid day on them (you are only entitled to the card if you are going in to the park).

That said, everyone except children should have some form of ID anyways...

 

[diskids2]

Thank you everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[g-dad66]

Although I've heard of some people being asked for their IDs (and their park tickets), only the person redeeming the voucher is required to have ID and a multi-day ticket.

Oops, good point.

I was thinking of our group of 4, because both granddaughters did the GAD, so when we redeem their vouchers, we will need ID for them.

Hope I didn't make the waters murkier for anyone!

 

[chickie]

I just wanted to say Thank You for this great, informative thread! I have gotten all of my questions answered!!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

I just got an email saying that our scheduled evening this Wed. to work at a food bank has been cancelled due to the blizzard this past weekend and a forecast for ANOTHER storm of 10-20 inches for Tue-Wed. They are not sure if it will be rescheduled so we may not get the chance to volunteer. The next SCHEDULED food bank isn't until March and it may be full already plus it's only a couple of weeks before our trip... DRAT!! I swear I'm gonna go catch that groundhog & BBQ him with a little mesquite!!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I just got an email saying that our scheduled evening this Wed. to work at a food bank has been cancelled due to the blizzard this past weekend and a forecast for ANOTHER storm of 10-20 inches for Tue-Wed. They are not sure if it will be rescheduled so we may not get the chance to volunteer. The next SCHEDULED food bank isn't until March and it may be full already plus it's only a couple of weeks before our trip... DRAT!! I swear I'm gonna go catch that groundhog & BBQ him with a little mesquite!!

Is there time to switch your volunteer opportunity to making the blankets for Project Linus? The blanket can be cut and made in about an hour each. If you are more crafty or diligent than me, which is not hard, you could do them quicker.

 

[ccgirl]

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to the OP and all those that contributed to this thread. This website is simply amazing. I have signed up my family to organize a neighborhood food drive and we just have to drop off what we collected Mon-Fri so that will work great. We are AP holders so we are getting the FP. What a great perk. We volunteer a lot anyway but this just makes it a little sweeter.

 

[Anal Annie]

Is there time to switch your volunteer opportunity to making the blankets for Project Linus? The blanket can be cut and made in about an hour each. If you are more crafty or diligent than me, which is not hard, you could do them quicker.

I looked for that this morning as an option. I found a Project Linus place in VA but it said they were NOT accepting "no sew blankets". I do NOT sew a lick so that's out for us!! I can't even get a button on and get it to stay! When something in our house loses a hem or a button it goes into the Goodwill pile. I made a pair of pants once in home economics (I'm sure they call it something else now) and the zipper came out when I washed them.

The food bank is still closed from the last storm so I will give it a couple more days to hear back - although we're getting another storm tonight... I found out that the March one is full already so hopefully they will reschedule the Feb. one. If not, I found a horse rescue place that MIGHT be an option and I found a thing to make ribbons for MADD at a place in VA. The horse thing is in MD and is closer to home but the ribbons can be made at home once you pick up the materials. They want 500-1,000 per person. But DS could definitely do that.

 

[ftballfan7]

Lots of great information here. My wife read on another thread that if more than one person in your party were to turn in a voucher at the same time, they would have to get out of line after redeeming the first one and then get back into line again in order to redeem the second one, otherwise the other members of your party will not recieve the fastpass cards the second time as they already have one (from the first voucher redeemed). Does anyone know if this is true? There are eight of us and all eight have a voucher. It is our plan to use two vouchers at each park, getting 6 fastpass cards per voucher for a total of 12 to use between us. Has anyone tried redeeming two vouchers at once within their party, and did you receive the full compliment of fastpasses for each voucher? I apologize in advance for making this sound more complicated than it is. Any info is appreciated.

 

[diskids2]

Getting the FP is presenting a whole new touring strategy for me

I was wondering how others (who have used the Birthday FP) might have used these special FP's.

We always go at RP, so I'm figuring on using standby or normal FP's in the morning....obtaining the special FP's... but then using them later in the day or at night.

Any thoughts on this.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

My new plans are RD everyday, normal FPs in the morning and saving getting my special FPs for later on. Since that special FP machine will always be open, I'll just wait until I want to ride to get the FP ticket. This way, blonde that I am, I won't lose them if I get them too early.

The key is to make sure I am doing the same park in the AM that I am in the PM. Because you need to get the GAD card before 11 am.

 

[Befferk]

My strategy is similar to the poster above me. I am also going to get the "regular" ones first as long as they look like a suitable return time.

On one day though, we are park hopping. I's a little extra running, but I will be stopping at DHS to pick up our FP cards for there, then going to AK and getting the FP cards and doing our morning there. Then we'll head back over to DHS in the afternoon. I know there is a chance we wouldn't have a problem getting the FP cards after 11am, but with Toy Story Mania, I don't want to take that chance. That is going to be the most important ride for us since we aren't getting there til afternoon.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I've been thinking about this too. You all have brought up some good ideas. We aren't park hopping and will be at rope drops. There are some rides that we like to do many times, so we will be using the GAD FP for those. We will use the regular FP for the one time rides but only if we have to.

This is going to be a change for us, but with the heat of June, I think we will really enjoy this benefit.

 

[Meteora]

Wow, great information on this thread. A few days ago I finally found a volunteer opportunity that was feasible, so I'm very excited! Most of our vacation falls during the blackout dates, so we will have to use my voucher for FPs the first day we are there, March 28th. We were planning on doing DHS that morning, but now I am thinking the FPs might be better utilized at Epcot, since my parents don't do thrill rides like RnRC, TOT, or ST but love Soarin' and Living with the Land and my dad at least will go on TT. Pretty much the only thing the whole family would want to use it for at DHS is TSM.

The reason we had originally planned DHS rather than Epcot is that Epcot has EMH that morning, so we figured it would be very crowded. We were planning to do DHS in the morning, then a very long and relaxing rest/regroup at the hotel, then walk over for Illuminations (staying at the Swan) and head over to the MK for evening EMH. But now I'm conflicted and wondering if I should revise the plan to make better use of the FPs in a way the whole family can enjoy them. Thoughts?

 

[jkstewart1800]

I have read here that with the GAD/birthday FP you can have anywhere from 2 to 4 FP per category (donald or daisy)....


my question is... how far in adavance can you find out? Is it determined in advance (like based on season) or day by day park attendence? Or does some one just wake up one morning and say "Today I will grant thee 3 FP..... but lo, tomorrow it will only be 2!"


I still have quite a while before our trip, but when it comes time to set up a touring plan knowing whether or not I have 3FP for SM or only 2 will make a difference.

Thanks!

 

[diskids2]

My strategy is similar to the poster above me. I am also going to get the "regular" ones first as long as they look like a suitable return time.

On one day though, we are park hopping. I's a little extra running, but I will be stopping at DHS to pick up our FP cards for there, then going to AK and getting the FP cards and doing our morning there. Then we'll head back over to DHS in the afternoon. I know there is a chance we wouldn't have a problem getting the FP cards after 11am, but with Toy Story Mania, I don't want to take that chance. That is going to be the most important ride for us since we aren't getting there til afternoon.

I have the same scenario that I was just thinking about as I watch the snow! I just don't know if I can get all five of us to do that.

 

[doconeill]

I have read here that with the GAD/birthday FP you can have anywhere from 2 to 4 FP per category (donald or daisy)....


my question is... how far in adavance can you find out? Is it determined in advance (like based on season) or day by day park attendence? Or does some one just wake up one morning and say "Today I will grant thee 3 FP..... but lo, tomorrow it will only be 2!"


I still have quite a while before our trip, but when it comes time to set up a touring plan knowing whether or not I have 3FP for SM or only 2 will make a difference.

Thanks!

No one knows the criteria Disney selects. It is printed on the brochures they give with the cards, so they DO know in advance, but they don't publicize it. It appears that the brochures are printed up for around a week at a time, so if it is 3 one day that week, and the brochure is good for a day later in that week, it will probably still be 3.

So far, no one has reported anything other than 3 for the GAD FPs. Disney may have figured out that is a good number in general after futzing with it most of last year.