EVERYONE can use FastPass...

[Shock13]

Keep in mind DISers that many people do not go to WDW or DLR as often as you go. My sister's friend was taking her family to a trip to DLR for the first since she was a teenager and didn't know about the Fastpass system. Luckily, I was able to tell her about it before they went on their trip.
I remember the days when I went with my family growing up and we would only spend one day at Disneyland because that was all we needed as the lines were not nearly as long as they are now.
For families that have not gone in a while or may have never gone, it is extremely difficult to find out ALL the information out there to insure a magical trip. WDW is very overwhelming with the theme parks, resorts, restaurants that finding info about Fastpasses may not be so easy.

 

[DisDeac]

Several years ago my wife's boss took his family to WDW at Christmas, their first trip to WDW. She tried to tell him about Fastpass but he was the kind of guy who knew everything and didn't want any advice. He came back from the trip and said he had a terrible time, the lines were long and he had to wait in lines forever. My wife asked if he tried Fastpass and his reply- "I gave Disney all the money I was going to give them, I wasn't going to spend a dollar more for Fastpass".

 

[seashoreCM]

In 1999 you could not obtain a new fastpass until your return time on the one you were holding. The system was so new and we got some for Space Mountain that were for 8pm and it was early afternoon! We wound up giving them away and couldn't get new ones before leaving around 6:30! !

Did you try around 3 PM (more exactly, 2 hours after you got yours) and actually see yourself rejected?

I'm pretty sure that the rule of getting your next Fastpass 2 hours later or return time whichever came first was there from day one of Fastpass.

 

[khertz]

I also noticed on this trip CMs letting people use FPs from other attractions if the FP attraction was down. The return line for PP was huge and the CM there was letting people use FPs from Philharmagic since Philharmagic was not running. Is this common?

I saw this happening too. We were in line for Splash Mountain and a group of about 3 people came up the fastpass line with FPs for Thunder Mountain, and said the CM at Thunder told them that since the ride was down, they could use their FPs for Splash. The CM at Splash said she'd have to confirm it since she hadn't heard anything about Thunder being down, but we were getting on the ride at that point, so I don't know if those people actually got to ride or not.

 

[tiggertabi]

I'm pretty sure that the rule of getting your next Fastpass 2 hours later or return time whichever came first was there from day one of Fastpass.

Yes, it was. Or at least, in the first year or so, when I went. It was "our secret." At that point, though, people really didn't know it, and my friend and I were working the system, so we thought.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Did you try around 3 PM (more exactly, 2 hours after you got yours) and actually see yourself rejected?

I'm pretty sure that the rule of getting your next Fastpass 2 hours later or return time whichever came first was there from day one of Fastpass.

Ya know I honestly don't think I tried again. I was told that info by a CM and didn't even think to try for another! I wonder..?!

 

[disneyfan1965]

I think it is funny how they leave key info out of that fastpass instruction!

I believe she is referring to the fact that you can use your room key, (has to be an adult one) to get a fastpass, as well as your ticket to get one. Ive done it in the past.

 

[doconeill]

I believe she is referring to the fact that you can use your room key, (has to be an adult one) to get a fastpass, as well as your ticket to get one. Ive done it in the past.

That is not (supposed) to be true. From what I understand, there was a period of time where this apparently worked due to an error, and it was corrected so it should no longer be true.

 

[MichelleVW]

Keep in mind DISers that many people do not go to WDW or DLR as often as you go. My sister's friend was taking her family to a trip to DLR for the first since she was a teenager and didn't know about the Fastpass system. Luckily, I was able to tell her about it before they went on their trip.
I remember the days when I went with my family growing up and we would only spend one day at Disneyland because that was all we needed as the lines were not nearly as long as they are now.
For families that have not gone in a while or may have never gone, it is extremely difficult to find out ALL the information out there to insure a magical trip. WDW is very overwhelming with the theme parks, resorts, restaurants that finding info about Fastpasses may not be so easy.

But it's printed on the map???!!! How can people not notice it?

 

[Shock13]

Well, based on Robo's scan, nowhere does it say that the Fastpass service is FREE or that all park guests could use this service. As far as I know, Disney is the only theme park to offer front-of-the-line passes without an additional cost. So, I could see how someone who's been to Universal and/or Six Flags and think that the information on the map is for those who had "purchased" that particular service.

 

[BJC15]

Why do people insist on educating people about fastpasses? Let 'em stand in line so I can enjoy my early return times. Love it when the stand-by is longer than the current FP return.

 

[disneyfan1965]

That is not (supposed) to be true. From what I understand, there was a period of time where this apparently worked due to an error, and it was corrected so it should no longer be true.

Honestly do not know if its been fixed, but I do know I did it a few years back. Seems like the other poster was referring to this with her post, so I suspect it still works.

 

[doconeill]

Honestly do not know if its been fixed, but I do know I did it a few years back. Seems like the other poster was referring to this with her post, so I suspect it still works.

I think you read WAY to much into that...

 

[Robo]

Honestly do not know if its been fixed, but I do know I did it a few years back. Seems like the other poster was referring to this with her post, so I suspect it still works.

It is no longer true.

You can only get a FP using a park ticket that has been "scanned in" that day.

 

[mcorbo]

That is not (supposed) to be true. From what I understand, there was a period of time where this apparently worked due to an error, and it was corrected so it should no longer be true.

When they first installed the fast pass machines, you could use anything that had a magnetic stripe on it to get a fast pass. Credit cards, room keys, expired passes etc.

 

[MichelleVW]

Why do people insist on educating people about fastpasses? Let 'em stand in line so I can enjoy my early return times. Love it when the stand-by is longer than the current FP return.

lol...that's how I feel!!

 

[disneyfan1965]

I think you read WAY to much into that...

Ok Maybe she is referring to the other strategy veterans employ for fast pass use.

 

[goofyernmost]

Why do people insist on educating people about fastpasses? Let 'em stand in line so I can enjoy my early return times. Love it when the stand-by is longer than the current FP return.

If you only think about the here and now that is a wonderful emotion. However, if you really want to see WDW prosper and continue to be relevant in the future you might want to reconsider that opinion. It isn't showing yet but someday it will and it will show up big time.

WDW is as successful as it is because so many of us return and return and return. If, on the other hand, you are frustrated and angry through-out your stay there is very little chance that you will go again.

On the surface that seems fine, smaller lines, fewer people and walk on access to attractions. That feeling will continue until massive cuts are made because of lower attendance counts culminating in lower income which can only be made up for by increased cost of tickets. I know, you all think that is a lot of bunk because the crowds are bigger now then they ever were, but like I said I am not referring to right now...I am referring to the future and the not so distant future as well. So, only look at right now but remember to start planning to go someplace else 10 years from now. Remember Disney is a business, not a pet project overseen by Walt Disney himself.

If Disney is going to continue to offer Fastpass then they need to do a better job of promoting it in a simple straight forward way that all will understand. The reason that they don't is because the program is only usable when the majority either don't know about it or choose to not use it. If it were possible for everyone to have a fastpass then the fastpass line would last forever and the stand-by line would sail right past you.

 

[BJC15]

I was being more sarcastic than anything. But I also do not offer any advice to those around me in the park. They will need to stumble upon the DIS just like me.

 

[preschoolmom]

I'll never forget the first day of our trip in 2007. I'm an avid researcher, so I'd spent tons of time on the Dis. We had our fast passes for the Safari - and we walked by a stand by line that was 60 minutes?

My Dad was way impressed with my planning at that point.

THEN, I heard a kid ask his mom, "Why can't we go in that line?" and she said, "We have to wait in this one!" Well... Actually, you don't - but whatever!

Thankful for the Dis.

I just do not understand families that spend $$$ on a vacation and do no research! If I was going to spend that much on a TV or a computer or a car - I would plan and research it. Why not research and plan a vacation?