Fast Pass Runner Question

[carmel]

Some true pixie dust fell on me and I got incredible help/suggestions from folks on how to make this trip great. I do have one other question.

People have mentioned FP runners. I will be the designated runner as DH has back problems and my girls are too young to venture off by themselves. The suggestions go like this, 'Head to XXX while you run and get a FPs for YYY'. Does this mean that DH and the girls get in line for XXX and when I've picked up the FPs, I find them in line and join them? Of course, I'm assuming that the line is long enough for XXX so that they won't already be on the ride by the time I get back.

Thanks!!

 

[LVTiffy]

sometimes people dispise people who are FP runners, or ppl who need to use the restroom or get soemthing to eat, so they get out of line to do what they have to do and cut back in line. SOmetimes the Disney workers might say something...I am usually the runner to go get what we need...i have never once had anyone say to me, omg shes cutting, make her get out. Its just a B**** to say excuse me to all the people if they queue is long.

Well, for instance, my DBF was waiting in line for space mtn last time we went..long wait so i said brb and i went to Buzz to get fast passes. I came back and found him. Luckily where he was in line, i didn't have to cut thru anyone or thru the line. There was a big empty spot i was able to go thru to get to him.

However, once he was in line for pirates and i went to do something (forgot what) and he was all the way up in line so i had to scoot thru alot of people. I'm sure ppl hated that i was cutting but noone ever says anything or at least to me or anyone else i witnessed to "cut"

 

[trodrigue]

Some true pixie dust fell on me and I got incredible help/suggestions from folks on how to make this trip great. I do have one other question.

People have mentioned FP runners. I will be the designated runner as DH has back problems and my girls are too young to venture off by themselves. The suggestions go like this, 'Head to XXX while you run and get a FPs for YYY'. Does this mean that DH and the girls get in line for XXX and when I've picked up the FPs, I find them in line and join them? Of course, I'm assuming that the line is long enough for XXX so that they won't already be on the ride by the time I get back.

Thanks!!

My experience as the runner for my family is that it takes them longer to move the family and reach the line than it does for me to go get the fast pass and get back. If they are in line already, most people don't mind if one person joins the line holders. It is another thing if an entire family jumps in line with one line holder though!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i know what alot of ppl hate is when three or four teens run to catch up with the others or parents.
I dont mind when its one or two ppl. like a mom or dad and a kid getting back in line. or one person being fp runner and stuff i dont think your get messed with if anything tell them your the fp runner and that they should learn hopw to use fp's lol

I cant belive how many ppl dont know about fp's

 

[DLR29]

One thing that we did for Nemo is everybody get into line and we asked the people behind us if I could go get a FP and come back in. They were more than happy to let me do it and it helped that the Nemo line is all exposed. It probably wouldn't work for Indy or Splash.

 

[funhouse8]

My experience as the runner for my family is that it takes them longer to move the family and reach the line than it does for me to go get the fast pass and get back. If they are in line already, most people don't mind if one person joins the line holders. It is another thing if an entire family jumps in line with one line holder though!

I agree usually they are just about arriving to the ride they were headed for by the time I get the passes and I'm back. It is alot easier for me to get though the park by myself then the rest of the family together.

 

[fairykin]

wow.. we don't even use the fast passes.

we go on vacation to chill out and relax.

that fast pass runner thing sounds like you miss out on the journey from here to there with your family by leaving them behind while you run off.

i know different things for different people.

 

[CraftyMouse]

wow.. we don't even use the fast passes.

we go on vacation to chill out and relax.

that fast pass runner thing sounds like you miss out on the journey from here to there with your family by leaving them behind while you run off.

i know different things for different people.

I'm not sure how much of a journey you're missing out on by splitting up for a few minutes to get a Fast Pass. When we do the runner "thing" we are apart for 5-10 minutes at most.

We also go on vacation to chill out and relax and getting Fast Passes allows us to better do that. Instead of spending more time waiting in line we are able to maximize that time and enjoy more, which gives us more time for chilling out throughout our day.

 

[Vacation Dad]

I’m obsessive about getting fastpasses, but I don’t believe I ever followed the process to the point that I ended up having to cut in front of people. My family would usually just wait the minute or 2 that it took me to get a FP. If I was to head to the other side of the park to get a FP, then my family either took a break or went on a ride without me. I hate having people cut in front of me, so I try not to do this myself. I understand if someone has to leave to take a small child to the bathroom for example, but that is one of the few reasons it is OK. If a person catches up to a group that has been in line for just a few minutes, then that entire group could have just waited a few minutes for that person to join them before getting in line. It is good to have your trip planned, but you don’t have to be obsessive about every minute.

 

[carmel]

If my girls are cranky and acting up, I might just keep running and running and running.....

With DH's back problem, I could get some distance on him pretty quick.

 

[fairykin]

It's great that everyone can do things exactly as they need to.

Our way of doing things is not for everyone.

Others way of doing things is not for me.

Yet I have learned alot on this board from many diverse people.

fairykin

 

[avalon451]

Fairykin, you are absolutely right. Everybody's got their own way of doing things. What makes your family happy may be different from what makes our family happy.

Our family just doesn't like waiting in hourlong lines for a 3 minute ride. Or only riding 4 rides during an entire day. So we plan, we get there before park opening, and we know how to use FPs. We spend time touring with a purpose in the morning, and either me or DH runs for FPs when a window opens up. For us, like a PP said, that usually coincides with the other parent and the kids taking a bathroom break, or getting a snack, or relaxing and people-watching for a few minutes. So nobody misses any of the journey or experience with the family. Also, as Hound will tell you, a FP runner is entitled to one secret churro or other snack on his/her journey without the rest of the family knowing.

Then we take a midday break when the parks get hot and crowded, and go back to our hotel to nap, swim and generally relax and chill out. Then we come back rested and refreshed in the evening, and use that pocketful of FPs we collected in the morning. We go on all the E-ticket rides which are now posting 60-70 minute waits, and walk right on them past the standby lines, one after another.

That's what makes our vacation relaxed and enjoyable! But to each their own.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

If my girls are cranky and acting up, I might just keep running and running and running.....

With DH's back problem, I could get some distance on him pretty quick.

I totally agree with avalon451's previous post and also Vacation Dad's previous post...

"Running" to get FPs was suggested because of your DH's back problems. Although we prefer the term "Walking with purpose."

JMHO... DH and the girls really don't need to get in line for Astro Orbitor, Pirates, or Jungle Cruise before you return. It doesn't take too long to get FPs at Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, or Indiana Jones, and catching up to them in line would probably be more of a hassle than it's worth.

It's not unusual for the lines for SM and Splash to be 60 minutes and 90 minutes in the summer, so I think those few minutes of "walking with purpose" are definitely worth it.

8:00am: Everyone else goes to Astro Orbitor (while you hold
all the tickets and get FPs for Space Mtn)
Ride Astro Orbitor ...

...

DL Railroad (Tomorrowland to Frontierland)
Everyone else goes to Pirates (while you get FPs for Splash Mtn)
Ride Pirates ...

...

8:00am: Everyone else goes to Jungle Cruise (while you get FPs for Indiana Jones)
Ride Jungle Cruise ...


-From this thread.

 

[bumbershoot]

If my girls are cranky and acting up, I might just keep running and running and running.....

With DH's back problem, I could get some distance on him pretty quick.

I know the feeling!

Although we prefer the term "Walking with purpose."

Love that phrase. Puts a whole picture into my head.


So when you're the FP purpose-walker, just tell the fam to dawdle, take some pictures, etc.

I personally don't rejoin lines I've left, and don't join family further ahead. When we've had to leave a line for restroom purposes, we just go back to the end of the line later. Took us three times to go on Jungle Cruise in May b/c DS kept having to go to the bathroom right as we got to the easy-way-out of that line. Even when we had to be let out of line with CM help (Casey's) and they TOLD us to come to the exit when DS was done, we just got back at the end of the line. We're just like that.

Then again, as you might have noticed Carmel from my "chunk" suggestions, we don't tend to run all the way across the park to get a FP. We tend to stick in the area we're in. So DS and DH struggling with the stroller won't even GET to a non-FP line before I've come back with FPs, LOL.

 

[talie95]

We also run for FP's. But I don't cut into line with my family. Usually by the time dh and the girls get to the next ride I'm only a couple minutes behind so they'll just wait for me or if I'm going farther to get the FP they'll go on a ride that has a short line while they're waiting for me. The only time I'll rejoin a line is if I'm already in line and then one of my dd's needs to go to the bathroom. I have a 3 1/2 year old who is completely potty trained but when she has to go, she has to go, we best not try to wait. But I'll usually tell the people behind us that I'm taking her to the restroom and I'll be right back and they're always fine with it.

 

[mousemom11]

Also, as Hound will tell you, a FP runner is entitled to one secret churro or other snack on his/her journey without the rest of the family knowing.

And my family wonders why I volunteer to be the runner!

 

[daneenm]

I’m obsessive about getting fastpasses, but I don’t believe I ever followed the process to the point that I ended up having to cut in front of people. My family would usually just wait the minute or 2 that it took me to get a FP. If I was to head to the other side of the park to get a FP, then my family either took a break or went on a ride without me.

This is what we do as well. I am not comfortable moving forward in a line to catch my family, so they wait at the entrance to the line if I have not made it back yet.

--Daneen

 

[Plantlady]

DH is our official fast pass runner.

He never joins us in a line though, as we don't like that other people do that to us. We meet in front of a ride, or even as much as take a break, sitting on a bench, or go look in a shop (He doesn't like shopping.)

We never had to wait more than 3-5 minutes for him to catch up to us. Much easier for one person to go grab fast passes, than five people, three of which are kids, that don't always watch where they're walking.

DH loves being the fast pass runner.. he feels it's his personal mission to have a "pocket of fun".

 

[CrazyDuck]

DH is our official fast pass runner.

He never joins us in a line though, as we don't like that other people do that to us. We meet in front of a ride, or even as much as take a break, sitting on a bench, or go look in a shop (He doesn't like shopping.)

We never had to wait more than 3-5 minutes for him to catch up to us. Much easier for one person to go grab fast passes, than five people, three of which are kids, that don't always watch where they're walking.

DH loves being the fast pass runner.. he feels it's his personal mission to have a "pocket of fun".

I like your style... I hate people who cut... If you are not with your group whey enter the line then wait for your group at the exit!

 

[travelmel]

If my girls are cranky and acting up, I might just keep running and running and running.....

With DH's back problem, I could get some distance on him pretty quick.

Nice! That's hilarious!

For us: my DH did the FP runs but we would just wait for him or do something while he was gone.. like ride Pooh or eat somethin. For us it was just a good way for my feet to rest as he is quick and I am old and sore!