fast pass.. is it a must

[jann1033]

fastpass sounds great for busy times but have any opinions about off-peak season useage? if there is not a line will you have to wait any way or would the fastpass not be available or what.orrr could you get a fast pass for it earlier in the am then go back when it is busier..obviously never used it.

 

[brentalex]

I would think that if there is no line, then there is no reason to use the fastpass. It is really only a timesaver if its line is shorter than the regular line. I would think that even in slow times it may save you some time on some rides. It will show the time when you will be allowed to use the fastpass that gets dispensed at the kiosk. Soyou can decide if you want to get right on the ride or come back at the time that fastpass will tell you. Unluckily for me, we always need to go at fairly busy times, kids in school, so it will always be helpful.

 

[kandmwedding]

When you get the ticket a the fastpass station it will say a time for you to come back and get in the fastpass line. During busy seasons this line is usually shorter than the regular line, but during value seasons they might be the same length if the parks aren't that busy. Sometimes they don't even open the fastpass station because the crowds are so low. Most people have said on here that the parks have been so empty that they've been able to walk on most rides, so fastpass wouldn't make any difference. Play it be ear when you get there, and if you have questions ask a CM. They're always helpful!

 

[disneysteve]

We only go during the off-season but still make good use of FastPass. Even during slow season, certain rides can still get a pretty lengthy line at times.

Certainly, if there is no line, or a short one, no need for FastPass. But if there is a more substantial line, then FastPass is a great time saver.

During really slow times, the FastPass system may not even be in use on certain rides if there is no anticipation of a crowd developing.

Steve

 

[dan-tot]

When we were there during the first part of December they didn't have fast pass if on. Thunder mountain didn't have their going because the crowds were so low you didn't have a long line problem. This was before 911.



Dan-tot

 

[hdnwaters]

Hi,

I was just there on Sunday 9-14. We never used the Fast Pass option. The longest we had to wait on anything was maybe 15 minutes. Some of the FP stations were not even open. I can see if things are crowded where it would be an advantage to use one.

One thing that confused me is, I was told that a Fast Pass could only be obtained with a park hopper pass. That is not true. A single park admission ticket can be used to get at Fast Pass time. I asked a Disney employee.

 

[Laney's Mom]

we were there 9-3 til 9-8 and never used it once. Most of them were not even opened.

 

[Waterbug]

fast pass is essential during the peak summer months

 

[jann1033]

I'll follow with an even dumber question that my first one(lol) is the fast pass right by the ride? I got the impression( could be wrong, probably is) that it was a different place...so there is a machine by each major attraction? would I possibly walk past it and not see it?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by jann1033
I'll follow with an even dumber question that my first one(lol) is the fast pass right by the ride? I got the impression( could be wrong, probably is) that it was a different place...so there is a machine by each major attraction? would I possibly walk past it and not see it?

There are no dumb questions - only dumb answers - LOL.

The FastPass machines are at each ride. Sometimes near the regular entrance, sometimes off to the side. I don't think you are likely to miss them.

Steve

 

[perpetualplanner]

During our May trip we would get a fastpass for a ride with a short line and then ride some rides nearby until that fastpass was good. It just saves you one more line from waiting in - even if that line was short its nice to not have to use it. Plus the kids loved getting them (putting the tickets in to get the fastpass).

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I agree with the posters here, if it is crowded, fast past is the way to do the parks... it just makes sense rather than standing in lots of long lines...

 

[babslittleones]

This was a first for us.

We went to Magic Kingdom on Labor day. It was very very slow because everyone was doing their traveling trying to get home. Another thing that kept MK slow was the early entry to Animal Kingdom. As a result of the very low crowds, all of the fast pass machines were shut down. We used the stand by lines for everything. We basically walked onto every ride that day. The longest wait was maybe ten minutes or so. It was a wonderful day to be at the Magic Kingdom.