Do tour groups get VIP Fastpasses or something?

[mom2rtk]

GKTW kids don't travel in groups of 50.

 

[JimmyV]

I don't know what it is that the OP saw, but logically, it makes sense if a large group were given special access to a ride or two. Think about it. If they really were a cheer group and they had to be at a rehearsal or meet at, say, 2:00, and they had the morning to go to a park, it would be next to impossible for all of these people to independently get FPs for the same booking window. I suppose that people here could try some workarounds and get a whole bunch of people into the ride at around the same time. But for the uninitiated, this would be very difficult. And it wouldn't make too much sense for the large group to wait in the very long SB line, as they might not all complete the ride in time to get to their meet or practice. And even if they did, they might burn up their entire "free time" in the park doing just one ride. While that might seem fair, Disney wants to encourage these groups to keep coming back. And "I only got to do one lousy ride" is not good word of mouth for repeat business. So it would make perfect sense for Disney to give out 50 special FPs for a set time so that the group could check off a headliner with little wait. Maybe even do this for two rides. While you might not like being behind a group of 50 kids, in the end, it only costs you 10-15 minutes. Disney would consider that an acceptable burden in exchange for the benefit it is getting. I'm pretty sure that Disney did this with paper FPs all the time. I saw leaders of large groups handing out paper FPs to all the members of the group. They had them in stacks wrapped with rubber bands. Now that Disney has done away with paper FPs, there has to be some way to keep a large group together and allow them to ride a ride at close to the same time. The FP+ system, for all of its benefits, is a surefire way to divide up a large group that might have very good reasons for trying to stick together. It was hard enough trying to coordinate similar FP times when a fourth person decided to join our little family of three. Imagine trying to keep a herd of 75 cheerleaders in the same time zone without giving them special access that keeps them together.

 

[JimmyV]

Found this on the Disney Youth website:

Pre-Planning Options for Groups: If you are a Guest staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 60 days prior to your Group's arrival or make plans once you arrive using the My Disney Experience mobile app or in-park kiosks. Note: If you are NOT staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 30 days prior to your arrival.

1. GREEN PLAN (recommended): The Group Attendees plan their own FastPass+ experiences in advance.
2. RED PLAN: The Group Leader plans all of the FastPass+ experiences together in advance.
3. ORANGE PLAN: The Group Leader plans all experiences in advance, including FastPass+ and MagicBand selections. Note: only available for groups staying at an official Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

I think this is pretty much in line with what I guessed above.

 

[zaccaglin]

The only other thing I know that would have a card is cast members. If they were running around like that, sounds like their college program just started. My understanding that starts with 3 days in the parks to just enjoy and become familiar with the layout.

If they were dressed exactly the same this probably wasn't it though.

No the CP program cast doesn't receive specific time to get to know the parks. They do usually have three or so days between there housing move in/traditions date and the start of their training, but it's not told to them to go the the parks, nor do they receive priority access. I can't tell you have many CPs I've training the past who didn't know even the most basics about the parks when they go to me. I was a day one trainer as well.

 

[jlovesee]

Found this on the Disney Youth website:

Pre-Planning Options for Groups: If you are a Guest staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 60 days prior to your Group's arrival or make plans once you arrive using the My Disney Experience mobile app or in-park kiosks. Note: If you are NOT staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 30 days prior to your arrival.

1. GREEN PLAN (recommended): The Group Attendees plan their own FastPass+ experiences in advance.
2. RED PLAN: The Group Leader plans all of the FastPass+ experiences together in advance.
3. ORANGE PLAN: The Group Leader plans all experiences in advance, including FastPass+ and MagicBand selections. Note: only available for groups staying at an official Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

I think this is pretty much in line with what I guessed above.

But if its #2 why don't they just go through the normal FP entrance then? The group I saw went around everyone including FP. I could see this being a bigger issue if its every single ride, a few people with a VIP guide isn't going to make a huge difference to wait, 50+ people groups bypassing FP and all other lines will.

Jennifer

 

[ArwenMarie]

I can see working with groups to get them their times, but why should they be bypassing the FP line?

 

[JimmyV]

But if its #2 why don't they just go through the normal FP entrance then?

Maybe because so many people detest being in line with these large groups? Perhaps the separation from the general public is viewed as a positive.

 

[Accident]

actually, there is 1 more thing I know this could be.. I believe the disney education series is happening right now and it involves some larger groups that are field learning on various topics using disney for the example of how it's applied. For example, a physics section you learn about coasters and why they work but you get the bonus of a lights on ride on space mountain to see it in action. I believe it's on the disneyyouth website (and opened to anyone who wants to pay, well students that is)..

What ride(s) were they getting into past everyone?

 

[monique5]

Found this on the Disney Youth website:

Pre-Planning Options for Groups: If you are a Guest staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 60 days prior to your Group's arrival or make plans once you arrive using the My Disney Experience mobile app or in-park kiosks. Note: If you are NOT staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 30 days prior to your arrival.

1. GREEN PLAN (recommended): The Group Attendees plan their own FastPass+ experiences in advance.
2. RED PLAN: The Group Leader plans all of the FastPass+ experiences together in advance.
3. ORANGE PLAN: The Group Leader plans all experiences in advance, including FastPass+ and MagicBand selections. Note: only available for groups staying at an official Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

I think this is pretty much in line with what I guessed above.

actually, there is 1 more thing I know this could be.. I believe the disney education series is happening right now and it involves some larger groups that are field learning on various topics using disney for the example of how it's applied. For example, a physics section you learn about coasters and why they work but you get the bonus of a lights on ride on space mountain to see it in action. I believe it's on the disneyyouth website (and opened to anyone who wants to pay, well students that is)..

What ride(s) were they getting into past everyone?

I was trying to figure this out to. Then I thought about the Disney YES program. Next year will be my school's 1st time doing this. So I've done much research & since we're officially booked, I've received more info. You do have those 3 options to make FP+ selections. Also, depending on the paid program you select, 1 or 2 rides is included with that program & how it relates to that field of study. Depending on program, it can be 60 or 120 students. 7:15, 8:30 or 1pm -- 3 hr, certain days of week. AK, MK, EP. As OP mentioned if do physics program at MK, there's the splash mountain option & space mountain option. I've been wondering how we would access/enter ride. But for space mountain, that's 7:15, PPO, with lights on -- so this shouldn't interfere with others.

@TiggerBouncy --- Which park? Which ride?

 

[cgattis]

thanks for pointing that out, I didn't know. I always have the time for a family in this situation to go before I do.

I think it's pretty common to not know that. A friend has a really tough time when they wanted to grant her niece a wish (who interestingly had the same rare cancer as my mom). She was adamant that her niece was NOT dying! Then they explained it to her. Our little cousin also got a wish after he beat a life-threatening illness. So we definitely have time for Wish kids to go in front of us I'm sure most others would agree with us if they knew what was going on. I want to grant a wish one of these days.....

 

[monique5]

Found this on the Disney Youth website:

Pre-Planning Options for Groups: If you are a Guest staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 60 days prior to your Group's arrival or make plans once you arrive using the My Disney Experience mobile app or in-park kiosks. Note: If you are NOT staying at the Walt Disney World Resort*, you can schedule all of your theme park activities up to 30 days prior to your arrival.

1. GREEN PLAN (recommended): The Group Attendees plan their own FastPass+ experiences in advance.
2. RED PLAN: The Group Leader plans all of the FastPass+ experiences together in advance.
3. ORANGE PLAN: The Group Leader plans all experiences in advance, including FastPass+ and MagicBand selections. Note: only available for groups staying at an official Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

I think this is pretty much in line with what I guessed above.

@JimmyV -- Do you have direct link for this info? Where info specifically located? TIA

EDIT - Never mind. Found it!

 

[wilkeliza]

actually, there is 1 more thing I know this could be.. I believe the disney education series is happening right now and it involves some larger groups that are field learning on various topics using disney for the example of how it's applied. For example, a physics section you learn about coasters and why they work but you get the bonus of a lights on ride on space mountain to see it in action. I believe it's on the disneyyouth website (and opened to anyone who wants to pay, well students that is)..

What ride(s) were they getting into past everyone?

That makes a ton of sense. I think with the Youth Series there is often only one or two CMs and then the badges so perhaps that was it. Especially if the went in front of everyone not just standby.

 

[ajfd]

actually, there is 1 more thing I know this could be.. I believe the disney education series is happening right now and it involves some larger groups that are field learning on various topics using disney for the example of how it's applied. For example, a physics section you learn about coasters and why they work but you get the bonus of a lights on ride on space mountain to see it in action. I believe it's on the disneyyouth website (and opened to anyone who wants to pay, well students that is)..

What ride(s) were they getting into past everyone?

I think I saw one of these groups last Thursday morning at MK.

We were getting off BTMR and passed a group that was getting a lesson in centrifugal force.

 

[catycatcat4]

Back during the days of paper fast passes. Whenever I was still in school and went on field trips we had a card instead of paper fastpass. We still had to get a time printed.
Either way if it's something Disney does that is allowed it really doesn't matter. 50 extra people in a fastpass lane is STILL FP. Typically there are hundreds standby.

 

[palmtreelover08]

We just left on the third. We were attempting to use our FP for TSMM (which only had been down and was only accepting FP riders, no standby). There was a tour group- green flag in front, all teen girls in green shirts, green flag carrier in the back- more than 30 kids deep. Line was very long- out the door, past Mr Spell. We decided to skip due to line length and we were leading to MK- so I am not sure what type of pass (if any)- they were giving the CM, but it was def. a general tour group in the FP line on Sat.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

What ride(s) were they getting into past everyone?

@TiggerBouncy --- Which park? Which ride?

Happened to us on 7DMT

 

[Networth]

GKTW kids don't travel in groups of 50.

This is true. I am a large benefactor to GKTW, and I have never seen a group that large in the parks. Each family is issued there own passes and "let loose". Doesn't mean they can't pair up but they are in no way required or suggested too.

This is NOT GKTW. Unless things have drastically changed since I visited the village last in October.

 

[shruley]

Nope, don't think it sounds like GKTW. We have stayed there for my DD Make a Wish trip. You're only given 3 days in Disney parks, but 7 days at GKTW. People are coming and going at different times, families all have LOTS of different needs. All drive themselves in their own cars. I can't imagine very many families actually touring a park together. For SURE, not 50. And Networth, thank you! Give Kids the World was amazing, the people were amazing. Definitely a worthy cause!

 

[tlmadden73]

Slightly off topic, but thinking about how FP+ works, this could just happen on accident WITHOUT tour groups.

Let's say a bunch of people book the 12:30 - 1:30p FP
Let's say a bunch more book the 12:35 - 1:35p FP
Let's say a bunch more book the 12:40 - 1:40p FP.
Etc.

What happens if EVERY SINGLE ONE of those people show up at the FP+ line at the exact same time within their overlapping windows?
The FP+ line wouldn't be very fast for anyone who shows up.

I wonder sometimes if big tour groups (or several families) just do that to go on the ride at the same time.

 

[Networth]

Nope, don't think it sounds like GKTW. We have stayed there for my DD Make a Wish trip. You're only given 3 days in Disney parks, but 7 days at GKTW. People are coming and going at different times, families all have LOTS of different needs. All drive themselves in their own cars. I can't imagine very many families actually touring a park together. For SURE, not 50. And Networth, thank you! Give Kids the World was amazing, the people were amazing. Definitely a worthy cause!

I am so glad to hear you had a positive experience at GTKW. I love hearing accolades and endorsements like yours. Those are what keeps me supporting the organization. I hope your family and in particular your daughter had a wonderful time