Can someone explain the "secrets" to using the fastpass??

[jmclester]

The fastpass now has the time you can get a new FP printed on the bottom so no more guesswork. I also get the new FP before using the current most of the time.

I must also share that I have been turned away from a ride with an "expired" fast pass. My dd's and I missed our return window by about 30 minutes due to a PS snaffu and were not allowed to ride.

I know others have been allowed but since the FP clearly states the return time I would not count on using an expired fastpass as a "stragegy". If you legitimately miss your time there is no harm in checking but my advice is if you really want to see the attraction then you should arrive within the FP window.

TJ

I agree. It is not good strategy to miss your window. The reason for FP, after all, is to smoothe out the lines during the day. If a glut of folks used expired FP's at the same time there could be clog in the FP line which would likely upset those who have valid passes and those in the standby line.

 

[robinb]

The good thing about the start time/2 hour rule for when you can get your next FP is that the time you can get a new one is now printed on the FP itself. No time calculation and no guessing when you got it .

I would also suggest that you deputize someone in your party to hold all the park passes and all the FPs. That person goes up to the kiosk alone and gets all the FP for that ride at once. That person can also break off from the rest of the family/group when it's time to get a new FP. We do this all the time. One of us will "hoof it" across the park to get FP's while the slower members of our group dawdle to the next ride or maybe get on something that doesn't have a wait like the carousel.

We usually get a FP for some attraction as soon as we get into the park using the "hoof it" method above. We carry GRMS radios (we have FCC licenses so we can use the more powerful ones) to help keep in touch. We then keep an eye on the time and grab a new FP as soon as we can. We usually get a FP for the next FP ride we're interested in, although we have been known to compare return times at attractions that are close to each other and take the one that's soonest (ex R&RRC/TT, SM/Buzz, SM/BTM). We are never without a FP unless FPs are completely "sold out".

 

[ralfrick]

It's mostly been covered here. I'll add that the first ones given out usually have a return of 45 min or so after you get it, but lines are still fairly manageable at that time, so wait until the end of the window to use it. Be very aware of what attractions may run out, Splash, Space, Test Track immediately come to mind. Those can have a return in the evening by early afternoon. If you take a midday break, use that to your advantage. Get a FP that you will be able to use upon your return, and you'll be able to get your next one at that point, too.

Cheers.

 

[Goofyish]

I'm sure it's already been said, but always check the time on the bottom of your FP for when you can get another one - it's not always 5 minutes after the start time. Sometimes it can be a lot sooner

 

[seashoreCM]

Have the rules changed about the number of fast passes you can possess? ... when we got a late day fastpass without looking first to see what time they were for and we could not get another one for a long time ... sooooo - they finally have made the changes the promised to the fast pass system?

"[A] long time" was never more than about two hours. Before they printed the time you could get another fast pass on the fast pass you just got, it was confusing if you hadn't read the park's main guidemap brochure, that stated a two hour maximum.

There was never any limit about how many fastpasses you could possess, other than how soon you could get another one or when some rides became "sold out".

One "promised change" made was that the time for another fast pass can sometimes be 45 minutes tops instead of two hours tops. But on some days it may be 45 minutes (or five minutes) for one ride and two hours for a more busy ride (when your ride time is more than two hours away), but you have to use trial and error because only the worst case time is printed.
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[robinb]

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastnext.htm

I have to say that the link above is fascinating reading. Thank you so much for putting it together. I thought I knew all there was to know about Fast Passes, but I was wrong! I never knew you could get another FP before the time stamped on your current FP.

I'm still trying to get my brain around the concepts, so I'll talk them out here if you don't mind. SeashoreCM, please correct me if I'm wrong.

(1) Each Fast Pass has a FP start time. Once the FP starts, it's considered mature.

(2) Each Fast Pass also has a fetch time which is the time you received the FP.

(3) Each attraction has a re-fetch interval which can be from 45 minutes to 2 hours. That is the time when you can re-fetch a FP from that individual attraction.

(4) The re-fetch time is added to the fetch time (plus 5 minutes) and stamped on the FP. This is called the next fetch time.

OK. Here's where is gets tricky.
You can get a new FP at an attraction when one of the following happens:
(a) Your FP is mature
(b) current time > the FP's next fetch time
(c) current time > (Your FP's fetch time + the re-fetch interval + 5 minutes)
(d) If you already hold a FP for an specific attraction you can get another one for that attraction at the next fetch time.

Am I correct?

My question ... what happens if I have 2 FP's and I want to get a 3rd. Which one does the system use to determine if I am eligible for another FP?

 

[jmclester]

You could drive yourself to madness by touring the parks this methodically and scientifically! Keep this in mind:
If you put your ticket in the machine and and you are not eligible, it will let you know!

 

[tjmw2727]

Ok I will try and keep it simple.

First, the time you can get another FP is printed directly on the FP itself - so no worry, no guess work.

If you are trying to decide on a particular FP the return time will be on the kiosk display so you can decide if that return time works for your schedule before you get the FP.

Then, if your concerned about the next earliest time you can get another FP just calculate 2 hours from the time you get the FP or 5 minutes after the return time starts whichever is shorter. OR - just ask someone who just got the FP what time is printed on the FP. Most folks will gladly share the time with you.

Occasionly you can get another FP before the printed time but this is just trial and error, just insert your pass and see what happens. Like the above poster said you will just get an invalid fastpass.

Clear as mud LOL?

TJ

 

[robinb]

Ok I will try and keep it simple.

TJ, But I don't want it simple! I want to know the system. It's a challenge .

 

[tjmw2727]

TJ, But I don't want it simple! I want to know the system. It's a challenge .

LOL - good for you and thanks for the little laugh I need it today!

It really is simple though!! As for your last question I think I missed that, you would have to rely on the last FP you hold and its earliest "fetch" time.

So if you got a FP at 8am for say WTP and the return time is 9:25 you can get a new FP at 9:30 regardless of riding the ride. The system just puts a code on your pass and dosen't know when the paper has passed hands. In this case you get a FP for BTMR at 9:45 and then ride WTP. You would have to defer to the "fetch" time (love your phrase!) on the BTMR pass to determine when you can get another.

Generally speaking you would really only have 2 FP's at a time unless you get a bonus FP (TT sometimes gives HISTA) or a machine that dosen't realize you have a current FP and that like I said is hit or miss.

TJ

 

[robinb]

Generally speaking you would really only have 2 FP's at a time unless you get a bonus FP (TT sometimes gives HISTA) or a machine that dosen't realize you have a current FP and that like I said is hit or miss.

I thought that FP's work the way that you describe, but it appears they do not! Did you read SeashoreCM's link (http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastnext.htm)? He clearly says you can have 2 FP's.