Fast pass questions

[seagodess]

We have never used fast passes before. For one, we didn't know what they were the first time and then we didn't feel we needed them since the lines were not that long. This time we are going during spring break with a lot of kids and want to try them out. I just have a few questions about them.

1. Does the time you get your fast pass determain the return time (the sooner you get it the sooner return time) or is the return time random?

2. Is the return time what time you have to be in the fast pass line, or is it what time you have to be on the ride by?

3. What is the wait times like for the fast pass lines?

4. I've read RSR fast passes are usually out within a hour or so of park opening. Are there any other ones that go quickly?

 

[SMD]

FP return times are a 1 hour window that increase in 5 min increments as guests request them. They are sequential, not random. You have to hand your FP to the CM at the start of the FP return line within the 1 hour window. Plan to be at least 5 min early in case there are a bunch of people returning. On some rides they check your FP at the line entrance, then another CM takes it later. You have to show it to the first CM within the window. The length and time varies by attraction, there may be times when the FP only says you a few minutes because the standby line is short, it's hard to predict, but it happens.

 

[ImDMous]

1. Yes, when you go up to the Fast Pass machine, it will tell you what the return time is for passes that are being pulled now. Earlier in the day, the return time will be not too far past the current time. Later in the day, the return time could be several hours after when you pull them. You will always know the return time before you get your passes though so if you have reservations for something later and the return time is when you'll be eating, those passes won't help you so you should skip them.

2. The return time is an hour time-frame that you must return to the ride to get in line. There is a cast member at the return that will check your pass and just make sure the time on you Fast Pass is in the past. You can return any time within that one hour time-frame.

3. Fast Pass lines depend on a lot of things. For most rides, the Fast Pass line is about 15 minutes give or take. It depends how busy a day it is and what ride it's for. If a ride has a 90 minute stand-by, the Fast Pass line could be longer than 15 by a little or a lot. Most of the Fast Pass lines join back with the main line somewhere before loading. Different rides at different points. For example, Space Mountain joins when you go inside, so depending how long they have let the line get inside, that's what your wait will be but you'll get to skip all of the outside.

4. Nothing else goes anywhere near as fast as RSR. I've seen Indy and Star Tours run out before dark, Space Mountain and Soarin run out. All of these will usually still be available during the day. The wait board on Main Street will tell you what Fast Pass times are currently being distributed for each ride so just take a peek as you go by and make sure they are still available. Maybe make sure you get Thunder Mountain ones early since it's been closed for so long. They only turn Fast Pass on for that when it's busy, but I'm betting it's going to be a high demand ride for a while.

 

[figment_jii]

1. Does the time you get your fast pass determain the return time (the sooner you get it the sooner return time) or is the return time random?

The sooner you get your FP, the sooner your return time. The times increment sequentially (as SMD said) from about one hour after park opening until park closing (e.g., if the park opens at 10:00 am, the first FP is going to be for around 11:00 am). You cannot pick your FP return time. The time window is always one hour (e.g., 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm).

2. Is the return time what time you have to be in the fast pass line, or is it what time you have to be on the ride by?

You must enter the FP queue before the end of the time window. As the PP said, the first CM is by the entrance to the ride and they typically check the time window on the FP against the clock posted by the ride. As long as you're within your time window, they'll let you into the FP queue. You'll hold onto your FP until you reach the "merge" point (where the FP and stand by lines merge).

3. What is the wait times like for the fast pass lines?

It varies depending on how busy the crowds are. It might be a short or you might still have to wait a bit - a lot depends on the location of the "merge" point. I'd say (on average) the wait with a FP is about 15-30 minutes depending on the ride and the crowds.

4. I've read RSR fast passes are usually out within a hour or so of park opening. Are there any other ones that go quickly?

The only other one that might go quickly is WoC. My guess says the next most popular is probably Space Mountain (not as sure about this) and Big Thunder (once it re-opens to the public).

 

[seagodess]

It varies depending on how busy the crowds are. It might be a short or you might still have to wait a bit - a lot depends on the location of the "merge" point. I'd say (on average) the wait with a FP is about 15-30 minutes depending on the ride and the crowds.

QUOTE]

We are used to that wait time for the normal line. This trip is going to be so different I think. Thank you everyone.

 

[sherilaine]

I just wanted to comment that having a fast pass only gets you to bypass a portion of the standby line - it is not a front of the line pass whatsoever - you can still end up waiting 10 or 15 minutes or even longer (especially for RSR) even with your FP.

You normally enter the ride line via either a cut off point or a different queue altogether and then the two lines do meet and you are then added in with the standby line and from then on there is no distinction. This is why often you are told to initially hold onto your FP when you enter the queue and then hand it over the CM at the merge point.

 

[mafibisha]

How many FPs can you get in a day -- is there a limit like there is now in WDW? Or is it the old way, where you need to use one FP before another can be pulled?
(The same way it was in WDW prior to their current "test" with wrist bands ... just back from a quick WDW trip .....and it was challenging.... )

 

[figment_jii]

How many FPs can you get in a day -- is there a limit like there is now in WDW? Or is it the old way, where you need to use one FP before another can be pulled?
(The same way it was in WDW prior to their current "test" with wrist bands ... just back from a quick WDW trip .....and it was challenging.... )

DLR is still using paper FP (legacy FP in WDW-speak). You can get your next FP as soon as the time window opens for your current FP or two hours after you got your last FP, whichever comes first. You don't actually have to use the FP before you get next FP...it all depends on the timing.

For example, let's say you get a Space Mountain FP at 11:00 am and the time window is for 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. You can get your next FP at 1:00 pm (two hours after you pulled the Space FP).

 

[Disney Dreams]

How many FPs can you get in a day -- is there a limit like there is now in WDW? Or is it the old way, where you need to use one FP before another can be pulled?
(The same way it was in WDW prior to their current "test" with wrist bands ... just back from a quick WDW trip .....and it was challenging.... )

There is no limit to how many you can get/use in one day. The only exception to this would be the World of Color FP. As for the ride fast passes, if you can time the collection and use of them to get 20 in one day, you can go for it! You DO have to wait for the window of one to open before pulling another. (You do not have to USE it before pulling another.) You DO have to use FPs within their allocated window.

- Dreams

 

[disneymum58]

The other thing to remember is that you can't get a second FastPass for a ride that you already hold a FastPass for.
For example, you get a FP for Space Mountain at 1pm that is good for 4-5pm. You could get another FP at 3pm. Just not for Space Mountain.

 

[HydroGuy]

The other thing to remember is that you can't get a second FastPass for a ride that you already hold a FastPass for.
For example, you get a FP for Space Mountain at 1pm that is good for 4-5pm. You could get another FP at 3pm. Just not for Space Mountain.

This is correct.

Funny but WDW did not work this way. But DLR always has. Now WDW has FP+ it is a moot point about WDW. But when they had legacy FP that is what they did.

Just saying this for any WDW types trying to get their bearings at DLR.