Fast Passes?

[Mackysmycat]

I see a lot of mention of fast passes. What is this all about? Thanks

 

[audrabolster]

You basically grab a fast pass from one of the machines that offer it, and it holds your place in line. You can go off and do other things, and then come back after the time it tells you to and you bypass most of the line, reducing your wait times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FASTPASS

 

[ballarinamom]

You will find a list of all fastpass rides on the map. You go to the kiosk and put your ap, parkhopper or day ticket in the machine and a fastpass ticket will come out. It will tell you when to return. It will only say it is good for one hour but you can use it any time after that first window until park closes. There will be time that tells you when you can get another pastpass. My best advice to anyone is to really figure the fastpass system out and use it. It will save you so much time

 

[HydroGuy]

See "FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

 

[Sherwin]

I see a lot of mention of fast passes. What is this all about? Thanks

It is REVOLUTIONARY.

It's about a decade old system, but it is so exhilarating being able to whisk past everyone standing in an hour long line while you basically just run through an empty queue.

But when you're not using it, of course, the jealousy burns in your heart.

 

[Mackysmycat]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

 

[ballarinamom]

I do know that the first time we were at Disneyland we were in line with a couple from Europe. They didn't know about it. My sister-in-law thought it was easier to do WDW without it. Maybe that's why she only rode about 5 rides one day! Also, some theme park chains like Six Flags charge quite a bit for what Disney does for free. And eventhough there's lots of research going on at the DIS and other boards, it's a very small percentage of folks who are going. Most just don't understand how it works!

 

[ballarinamom]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

Aren't you the smart one to be doing your research?!?!?!

 

[audrabolster]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

Well, you can't just grab fastpasses for every single ride. Most rides that have fastpass are hooked up to a system. You enter your ticket into the machine and it reads it. So basically, you can't have a fastpass for Splash Mountain and Indy at the same time. And not every ride has a fastpass machine

 

[Mackysmycat]

lol I have so many questions before we leave on March 13th - I'm trying to spread them out as to not annoy.... LOL

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

I don't know, but if they knew how helpful FastPass is, they would use FastPass whenever they could.

Be sure to check out the HydroGuy Tips Compilation.

Especially this one:

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see HG's post #4 in that thread)

HTH

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... you can't have a fastpass for Splash Mountain and Indy at the same time. ...

Yes you can.

8:55am: Get Splash Mtn FP

9:40am: Get Indy FP

10:30am: Both FPs can be used.

HTH

 

[Sherwin]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

If anyone could use a fastpass for any ride at any given time, that would compromise the whole point of virtual queuing. The idea is that only a limited number of people can be allowed in a ride's fast pass line for a certain period of time. For example, from 1pm-2pm, they may only allow 100 people to obtain fastpasses for that period. Once the 101th person tries to get a fastpass, the system will default them to the next period, perhaps from 2-3pm. That way, only those 100 people can go in the FP line anytime in that hour, so it keeps the FP line 'fast'.

 

[Mackysmycat]

So much to learn!

 

[HydroGuy]

Sorry if this is a dumb system, but why are people standing in line if they could also be using it too?

Some people still think it costs money to use FP and avoid it. Other people ignorantly think it is too much of a hassle. Many people want to "wing it" and "be spontaneous" and do not take a little time to understand it.

I remember last June when we were outside the new Toy Story Midway Mania ride at WDW on its opening day with three FPs. My sons had decided that we had ridden it enough (like 10 times already) and did not want to ride it again. A lady walked up to the standby line with her two young daughters and the line was posted at 80 minutes long. I thought I would do her a favor and offered her our FPs. She looked at me like I was a snake-oil salesman and said "no thank you" and headed into the 80 minute line. Wow! The people walking up behind her knew what the FPs were and accepted them gratefully.

 

[HydroGuy]

you can't have a fastpass for Splash Mountain and Indy at the same time.

Yes you can.

8:55am: Get Splash Mtn FP

9:40am: Get Indy FP

10:30am: Both FPs can be used.

HTH

SSC is right here. Perhaps Audra meant that you cannot get a Splash and Indy FP at the same time. When you do get a FP, you must wait at least 40 minutes but no more than two hours to get the next FP. So while one cannot get two FPs at the same time one can in fact have FPs for two (or more) different rides at the same times.

 

[Hound 109]

So much to learn!

All of HydroGuy's tip threads are worth a read, but this is the one that showed me how one should/could logically tour & pick up FPs at DLR.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

After reading it a couple of times (with a park map handy)....it started to make sense how best to tour & collect FPs at DLR.


hound's rules for FPs (learned from HG):

- Use them.
- Start collecting them early & often.
- Have 4-6 in your pocket prior to your mid day break.
- Use them late afternoon or evening when it's more crowded.


Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... with a park map handy ...

Here are a couple of maps from the DL web-site:

DL http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DLPLowbandMap.pdf

DCA http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/map/images/DCALowbandMap.pdf

HTH