Fast Pass Advice for DL (WDW veteran; first trip to DL in May 2017!)

[ngl]

We will be taking our first trip to DL during the week of Memorial Day (will not be in the park on Mem Day but rather Tue-Thur of that week). I heard it will be busy bc of grad nights and some people pulling kids out early but not as bad as summer so we will give it a whirl.

We are DVC members and had no problem reserving a room at GC for that week when the window opened so understand we can get EMH and will take advantage of that. However, what rides are a must for FP at DL and DCA? Which ones can you not "double up" on? I forget the term but can we go around getting as many FP as we would like under this old system by simply inserting our tickets or what is their system like?

We live 1 hr from WDW, are annual passholders & DVC members so go there very frequently and love Magic Bands and the app for FP so not sure how it all works in DL with the old system (at least last I heard they were still using the old system).

Any insight at all to any aspect would be greatly appreciated! (Traveling with 8 & 6 year old). THANK YOU!

 

[figment_jii]

There are rumors that DLR will implement some type of digital FP system in the near(ish) future, but it's not known how that system will work or what will be the limitations. So, I would ask this question again much closer to your trip when (hopefully) we'll know whether the digital system will be rolled out resort-wide, just for select attractions, etc.

If nothing changes and the legacy FP system is still in place, then you can pull a FP every two hours or when the time window opens, whichever comes first. Let's say it's 9:00 am and you obtained a FP with a return time of 10:15 am to 11:15 am. You'll be able to get your next FP at 10:15 am (when the time window for the most recent FP opens). On the other hand, let's say it's 9:00 am and you obtain a FP with a return time of 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm. You'll be able to get your next FP at 11:00 am (two hours after you pulled your most recent FP). (Caveat: You cannot hold two FPs for the same attraction, so if you already have a FP for an attraction, but it's time window has not yet opened, you cannot get another FP for that attraction even if you're eligible to get more FPs.) A few other notes:

• DLR is enforcing return times, so plan to use your FP during the time window printed on the FP. There is no set grace period, so you can be turned away if you arrive before or after the time printed on the FP.
• There are a handful of "disconnect" FPs. You can obtain these FPs and they do not limit/impact your ability to get another FP immediately. The only "disconnected" attraction FP is for Buzz Lightyear. Currently the only show that uses a FP is WoC and it is also disconnected. When F! was running it also had a "disconnected" FP.
• The two parks are "disconnected" from each other. Meaning you can collect a FP in DL and then immediately hop over to DCA and collect a FP there. For example, if you are in DL and pull a FP for Space Mtn, you can immediately go over to DCA (assuming you have park hopper tickets) and get a FP for RSR.
• Once a park ticket has been used to enter a park, you can obtain FPs in either park. So let's say your party all enters DL in the morning. You can then have one person (aka "the runner") hop over to DCA to get FPs in that park. (It's worth noting, I've only ever done this with park hopper tickets, so I don't know if works if someone had a one-park-per-day ticket). This is one of the biggest differences from WDW when it was still using the Legacy FP system.
• There aren't a huge number of attractions at DLR that use the FP system. Mostly they are the thrill rides and a few of the more popular non-thrill rides. Disneyland.com has a list of the attractions that currently use the FP system: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/fastpass/

 

[LSU Mom]

http://dlrprepschool.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

This website was most helpful when I planned my first visit to DL in May 2015 (after many visits to WDW). She also post strategies on how to get the most FP at park opening. And if you have any questions, email her and she will do her best to find the answer.

You will love DL also. You can walk from one park to the other. All the rides and attrations are located right next to each other. The weather is wonderful.

 

[FlyingBelle]

We've been to DL a few times, after years as WDW loyalist. This past August we were in DL with a group of 18 and oh how I wish we could have used MDE and reserved fast passes linked to our magic bands!

But, it all went well. A few things we learned...

• Buzz Lightyear fast pass is not connected to the whole fast pass system. So we were able to go right to the Star Tours/Buzz Lightyear fast pass distribution center and get both at the same time (different kiosks, but in the same area)
• At DCA, the same holds for the Frozen show - it's not connected to the rest of the fast pass system, so we were able to get Radiator SPrings fast pass (a must!) and then get our Frozen show FP.

 

[FlyingBelle]

I also recommend that you find out where the FP distribution kiosks are. Especially at DCA, some are not near the attractions.

 

[closetmickey]

Things could change by May, but as of now, the Frozen show no longer is using FP.

 

[Donalyn]

what rides are a must for FP at DL and DCA?

What rides should you FP at DL and DCA? Assuming current DLR rules, I'd say that the following are FP musts:

DL: Space, Splash, Indy, Star Tours, Haunted Mansion (if FP is operating).

DCA: RSR, Soarin, Grizzly River Run (if hot and you like to get wet), ToT (but I think it will be closed before you get there).

 

[ngl]

Great info from all. Thank you! I will keep an eye on FP updates to see if they role out the app system by then at DL and DCA. Much appreciated!

 

[ngl]

First DL trip a few weeks away! Is this still the recommend

What rides should you FP at DL and DCA? Assuming current DLR rules, I'd say that the following are FP musts:

DL: Space, Splash, Indy, Star Tours, Haunted Mansion (if FP is operating).

DCA: RSR, Soarin, Grizzly River Run (if hot and you like to get wet), ToT (but I think it will be closed before you get there).

ation? Thanks!

 

[ngl]

Also, curious if this data is still correct (Buzz "disconnected" from others, etc). We will definitely have Park Hoppers and will be staying at Grand Californian if that helps with any planning info! Thanks so much.

There are rumors that DLR will implement some type of digital FP system in the near(ish) future, but it's not known how that system will work or what will be the limitations. So, I would ask this question again much closer to your trip when (hopefully) we'll know whether the digital system will be rolled out resort-wide, just for select attractions, etc.

If nothing changes and the legacy FP system is still in place, then you can pull a FP every two hours or when the time window opens, whichever comes first. Let's say it's 9:00 am and you obtained a FP with a return time of 10:15 am to 11:15 am. You'll be able to get your next FP at 10:15 am (when the time window for the most recent FP opens). On the other hand, let's say it's 9:00 am and you obtain a FP with a return time of 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm. You'll be able to get your next FP at 11:00 am (two hours after you pulled your most recent FP). (Caveat: You cannot hold two FPs for the same attraction, so if you already have a FP for an attraction, but it's time window has not yet opened, you cannot get another FP for that attraction even if you're eligible to get more FPs.) A few other notes:

• DLR is enforcing return times, so plan to use your FP during the time window printed on the FP. There is no set grace period, so you can be turned away if you arrive before or after the time printed on the FP.
• There are a handful of "disconnect" FPs. You can obtain these FPs and they do not limit/impact your ability to get another FP immediately. The only "disconnected" attraction FP is for Buzz Lightyear. Currently the only show that uses a FP is WoC and it is also disconnected. When F! was running it also had a "disconnected" FP.
• The two parks are "disconnected" from each other. Meaning you can collect a FP in DL and then immediately hop over to DCA and collect a FP there. For example, if you are in DL and pull a FP for Space Mtn, you can immediately go over to DCA (assuming you have park hopper tickets) and get a FP for RSR.
• Once a park ticket has been used to enter a park, you can obtain FPs in either park. So let's say your party all enters DL in the morning. You can then have one person (aka "the runner") hop over to DCA to get FPs in that park. (It's worth noting, I've only ever done this with park hopper tickets, so I don't know if works if someone had a one-park-per-day ticket). This is one of the biggest differences from WDW when it was still using the Legacy FP system.
• There aren't a huge number of attractions at DLR that use the FP system. Mostly they are the thrill rides and a few of the more popular non-thrill rides. Disneyland.com has a list of the attractions that currently use the FP system: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/fastpass/

 

[Winnowill]

Also, curious if this data is still correct (Buzz "disconnected" from others, etc). We will definitely have Park Hoppers and will be staying at Grand Californian if that helps with any planning info! Thanks so much.

These are no longer true. Buzz is connected to the system and the two parks are connected to each other. So no more hopping to increase FP potential.

 

[ngl]

Darn, I guess they figured out the tricks!! But also I assume it is in preparation for the new system they will be rolling out this year. With this new information, does anyone have a new recommended plan of attack?!

These are no longer true. Buzz is connected to the system and the two parks are connected to each other. So no more hopping to increase FP potential.

 

[cuteinnocent]

Now Gardians of the Galaxy will be opening so will need to rope drop or fp that. Toy Story now has fp. So does Matterhorn.

 

[Winnowill]

Darn, I guess they figured out the tricks!! But also I assume it is in preparation for the new system they will be rolling out this year. With this new information, does anyone have a new recommended plan of attack?!

For us, it's mainly affected our ability to ride RSR every day we're there, regardless of where we start, and it really made us plan around getting to ride it after dark (we lucked out though - BTMRR went down right as we were getting to the station and they gave us a universal FP even though we'd basically completed the ride, so we used it for nighttime RSR). It didn't affect much else, honestly, but it may when we go in June and GotG and GRR are both running (GRR had gone down when we were there).