can someone give me a summary of the new fast pass system

[mackay_j]

Hi - I started reading through the very long threads on the new system but I have decided to be lazy and just ask on here in the hope that someone can give me a quick low down of it. I never followed the threads as we had made up our minds that our trip 1.5 years ago to would be our last one to include disney . We are now booked to go on a large family reunion trip (14 of us) in August. And as we are the ones that have been many times- the planning is down to me so I supose I better find out how the new system works.

We have also had a GAC in the past- I belive this has also changed how it works into a fairer method ( which I am happy about as I always felt guilty when it seemed that we queue jumped)- can anyone who has used the new system comment on it - We have 2 issues- one mobility and the other a time issue where dd has to be disconected from a medical device for coasters and water rides but cannot be disconected for more than 1/2 hr - do we now get a time to go to the ride the way busch does it.


Thanks for any help.

 

[wilma-bride]

Firstly, are you all booked under the same reservation? If so, that will make things easier. If not, you might find it more difficult to make/share plans.

In a nutshell, as of very recently there are no more paper fastpasses (also known as legacy FP or FP-) at any of the Walt Disney World parks. The new system, Fastpass+, allows you to book three experiences per day in only one park. If you are staying on-site and have booked a package that includes tickets, you will have the ability to pre-book your FP+ for the duration of your stay. You can do this either using the app or at www.mydisneyexperience.com. If your party is all under the same reservation, you will be able to book FP+ for all members of your party. If not, you may have to link and share plans.

You have to have tickets linked to My Disney Experience (MDE) to be able to book FP+ and you have to have an onsite stay to be able to book in advance. If you are staying offsite, you will only be able to book on the day in whichever park you're at that day.

As far as DAS (which replaced the old GAC), I'm afraid I don't know exactly how this works. My understanding is that you get a pass for a return time comparable to the current wait for that ride or experience when the pass is issued. One ride/experience at a time. I don't know how many people are able to use it (whether it's your whole party or a limited number).

 

[mackay_j]

Thanks for that.

We are staying offsite so is there a desk that we go to in each park at the start of each visit to get our fast passes assigned. Does anyone know if offsite guests are likely to still get passes for the better rides or is it just whats left over after onsite guests book the rest up.

Has any got any experience of how this works at busy times of the year yet.

 

[wilma-bride]

Yes, there are kiosks at each park. There is a definitive list here At the moment, I believe that there are quite a few issues with long lines but that is because the system is new and people don't really know what they're doing. As far as whether there will be any FP+ available when you arrive at the park, I would imagine it will be very similar to the legacy system whereby, if you arrive early, you will get your pick. If you arrive late, it may be that all FP+ times have been used up for some of the more popular rides.

 

[hunty]

Hi Just Register on MyDisney experience , connect your Park passes to the app (using the ticket number) , and you can book Fast pass+ online or on your phone without going to the Kiosk.
We booked our FastPasses either the night before, opps Space Mountain at 9:30am seemed like a good idea after a couple of beers., or we booked in teh morning. We managed to get TSM in the morning over breakfast for the same afternoon.

To me it seems a lot easier once you are registered. The down side you get restricted to one park per day, we liked to Park Hop so worked out which our main park was each Evening/Morning and then looked for fast pass times that suited, even when you are allocated times its was really easy to change times or even rides, using the Iphone and the free Wifi.

there seemed to be long Queues (5 -10 people) at each Kiosk when we were there last week.

 

[wilma-bride]

Hi Just Register on MyDisney experience , connect your Park passes to the app (using the ticket number) , and you can book Fast pass+ online or on your phone without going to the Kiosk.
We booked our FastPasses either the night before, opps Space Mountain at 9:30am seemed like a good idea after a couple of beers., or we booked in teh morning. We managed to get TSM in the morning over breakfast for the same afternoon.

To me it seems a lot easier once you are registered. The down side you get restricted to one park per day, we liked to Park Hop so worked out which our main park was each Evening/Morning and then looked for fast pass times that suited, even when you are allocated times its was really easy to change times or even rides, using the Iphone and the free Wifi.

there seemed to be long Queues (5 -10 people) at each Kiosk when we were there last week.

Except the OP is staying offsite. I don't believe you can book FP+ on the app/website if you are not staying onsite.

 

[chmurf]

I've used DAS on our last trip.

here's how it goes :

first of all, get a DAS. You can get one at guest relations (parks only). Your DD will need to be present. Getting the DAS is the same as getting the GAC, you need to explain what the "limitations" are.

your DD will have her picture taken, and issued a paper card with her picture on it, and the number of guests allowed to ride with her.
The card will usually be issued for 14 days.

Once you have the DAS card. Go to the ride you want to do, and ask the greeter for a return time.
The Cast Member will check the current standby wait time, and will take 10 minutes off that time.
For example, if you show up at 12:00 (noon) and want to ride TSMM and it's 80 minutes standby, you will get a return time of 70 minutes (1:10pm)
The CM will then write that return time on the back of the DAS card.

You can then return to the Fastpass line of the ride as soon as the return time is reached (or a couple of hours later if you so desire)
your DD will then be let in the FP line with a number of guests that don't exceed the number indicated on her DAS card.

The actual wait time will be that of the FP line. and the time your DD will need to be "disconnected" will be that of the FP line + the ride itself.

this is not an "expedited" boarding. For example, riding Soarin' will require for the flight decks to be cleared before letting a new set of guests go through the FP check.
Riding TT will require you to go through the design studio.

You will need to tell the CM about your 30 minutes deadline so they can tell you if it's possible or not. Always speak up about that, because even with a DAS, 30 minutes can be short for doing the FP line, preshow (if any) and actual ride. It all depends on the ride.

Once you exit the ride, you can get another DAS return time at any ride.

you can't have 2 DAS return times at the same time.
If you decide that you no longer want to ride Splash Mountain for example, and prefer to ride BTMRR instead, you'll need to go get a return time for BTMRR, but your Splash Mountain return will be voided. You will need to wait for "standby minus 10 minutes" for BTMRR even if you've waited more than that for Splash, since that return is now void. (in other terms, you can't ask for a return for a ride, wait, and then decide you want to use that time towards another ride, you start over, period)

here are the basics.

 

[amacspad]

Sorry to jump in but just to clarify, you can only have the fastpasses in 1 park per day now? If so there are 2 lots of 2 adults in our booking, can we go to different parks and get our own lots of fastpasses?

Debs x

 

[wilma-bride]

Sorry to jump in but just to clarify, you can only have the fastpasses in 1 park per day now? If so there are 2 lots of 2 adults in our booking, can we go to different parks and get our own lots of fastpasses?

Debs x

In short, yes and yes. When you select your FP+, you just tick the people who you are booking for out of those available (and linked) on MDE.

 

[amacspad]

Oh that's good then, thank you , we also like to park hop but I suppose by the time we get to the next park all the fast passes would probably have gone anyway!

Debs xx

 

[wilma-bride]

Oh that's good then, thank you , we also like to park hop but I suppose by the time we get to the next park all the fast passes would probably have gone anyway!

Debs xx

What we have done for our March trip is to book our FP+ for the park that we are going to hop to and we will just use standby at the first park, in the morning.

 

[amacspad]

That's a good idea thank you, it's probably better that you don't have to wait to be in the park to book the later fastpasses as normally you would miss out on the rides by the time you got there!

Debs x