Fastpass advice

[disneymomoffour]

As a WDW vet, I can tell you exactly which 3 Fastpass+ to book at each park. We haven't been to DLR in several years, so I need help! Which attractions run out of Fastpasses the quickest at both DL and CA? We have 5 day parkhoppers. What is your best advice for getting on the most popular attractions without too much wait?
TIA!!

 

[Cherryb]

Well it really depends on the time of year you visit the park. for example if during Halloween time I would do:

• Indy
• Ghost galaxy
• Haunted mansion

If you are going this summer I would do:

• Indy
• Hyper space mountain (thinking you go during this summer)
• Splash mountain (since it is hot, people want water )/Big thunder

And for DCA:

• Radiator spring racers
• Tower of terror/California Screaming
• Toy Story Midway mania

It really depends on your family too like ages and likes, but those are my picks.

 

[Laz]

Toy Story Mania did not have fast pass when we were there last year. Do they have it now? If you are stay at one of the DLR hotels, you get early entry into one of the parks every day. You can get quite a bit accomplished.

 

[disneymomoffour]

Thanks for the replies! We are going in June, and we are staying off property. Early entry unfortunately won't be an option (with the exception on one MM morning), but we are planning for rope drop for sure. We are a family with older children, so we love every attraction.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Toy Story does not have fastpass at Disney California Adventure. If you go anytime after June 17, the Soarin' fastpass will likely be very popular since it will be the new movie.

 

[HydroGuy]

As a WDW vet, I can tell you exactly which 3 Fastpass+ to book at each park. We haven't been to DLR in several years, so I need help! Which attractions run out of Fastpasses the quickest at both DL and CA? We have 5 day parkhoppers. What is your best advice for getting on the most popular attractions without too much wait?
TIA!!

At DL, the hard to get FPs have not changed much over the last 10 years. Not sure when you were there last, but here is your list:

- Most in demand FPs at DL:

Space Mtn
Indy
Star Tours
Splash Mtn (when it is warm out)

I try to time the Splash FP for the afternoon.

- Easier to get FP

BTMRR
BLAB (always easy as it sounds like it is still not connected)
HM (except during HMH)
RR

My strategy at DL is usually to start with Space Mtn, then Indy. I usually do not start getting FPs right away (because the return windows are so early and not that crowded yet when you use the FP). I instead focus on rides and start getting FPs 30-60 minutes after the park opens.

BTMRR usually has plentiful FP with return windows within an hour all the way into the evening.


- Most in demand FPs at DCA

Top tier...
RSR (far and away the most popular and gone withing 2-3 hours after park opening)
Soarin (this is not historically that in demand but as a PP stated it will be after June 17 when the new Soarin movie shows)

Next tier...
GRR (On a warm day)
ToT

- Easier to get

CA Screamin (like BTMRR CS usually has plentiful FP with return windows within an hour all the way into the evening - except be careful as it closes early for WOC)
GSS


There are also FPs for shows that work independently from the rides.


Be aware that there are rumors DLR is getting FP+ in the relatively near future. I suspect it may be after summer ends.

 

[disneymomoffour]

At DL, the hard to get FPs have not changed much over the last 10 years. Not sure when you were there last, but here is your list:

- Most in demand FPs at DL:

Space Mtn
Indy
Star Tours
Splash Mtn (when it is warm out)

I try to time the Splash FP for the afternoon.

- Easier to get FP

BTMRR
BLAB (always easy as it sounds like it is still not connected)
HM (except during HMH)
RR

My strategy at DL is usually to start with Space Mtn, then Indy. I usually do not start getting FPs right away (because the return windows are so early and not that crowded yet when you use the FP). I instead focus on rides and start getting FPs 30-60 minutes after the park opens.

BTMRR usually has plentiful FP with return windows within an hour all the way into the evening.


- Most in demand FPs at DCA

Top tier...
RSR (far and away the most popular and gone withing 2-3 hours after park opening)
Soarin (this is not historically that in demand but as a PP stated it will be after June 17 when the new Soarin movie shows)

Next tier...
GRR (On a warm day)
ToT

- Easier to get

CA Screamin (like BTMRR CS usually has plentiful FP with return windows within an hour all the way into the evening - except be careful as it closes early for WOC)
GSS


There are also FPs for shows that work independently from the rides.


Be aware that there are rumors DLR is getting FP+ in the relatively near future. I suspect it may be after summer ends.

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed! We are going before the 17th, so we will miss the new Soarin film. (Good and bad!) I would love to see the new film, but not fight the crowds. We will be able to see it in December. Thanks again!!

 

[danceanddisney2010]

SPACE MOUNTAIN! We tried SO hard to get fastpasses for that ride last August and literally they were GONE by like 2:00 EVERY DAY! In the past ... we were still able to get Fastpasses for Space Mountain even around like 5 for an 11:00 ride or so..but NOT anymore! And RSR in DCA. Definitely.

 

[avalon451]

If you want to get an idea of what FP return times look like, and how fast they go, you might want to DL the Disneyland app. I've been having fun with it by checking it on random days and times, to see what ride wait times are, whether they are still distributing FPs, and what the FP return times are-- you can find all that out with the app. It gives me a better idea as to what has been popular, at what times of the day, and when you need to pick up FPs-- for example, if you want to ride RSR at night, about what time would you want to go pick up the FP for it? You could keep a close eye on it the week before you go, to get an idea of what order you should be picking up FPs.

 

[mousemom11]

We haven't been to DL since 2008. Are they enforcing the 1 hour FP window now, or just the arrival time? Last time we were there, we could arrive anytime after our window opened and ride.

 

[Skiton]

All I can say is, in DL make Space Mt your priority. Now that it's Star Wars themed, those go fast. And for CA, RSR. They're gone quick.

 

[Aladora]

We haven't been to DL since 2008. Are they enforcing the 1 hour FP window now, or just the arrival time? Last time we were there, we could arrive anytime after our window opened and ride.

They have been enforcing it for a few years now.

 

[mousemom11]

They have been enforcing it for a few years now.

Thanks. That helps with the planning process.

 

[Nohal]

Be advised that the FP kiosk for RSR is in bugs land shortly after you enter the park. We rode this for the first time at rope drop single rider with a short wait. Then we went and got a FP. In DL the FP machine for Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars are next to each you can get one for each ride as Buzz is not connected to other rides for FP

 

[disneymomoffour]

If you want to get an idea of what FP return times look like, and how fast they go, you might want to DL the Disneyland app. I've been having fun with it by checking it on random days and times, to see what ride wait times are, whether they are still distributing FPs, and what the FP return times are-- you can find all that out with the app. It gives me a better idea as to what has been popular, at what times of the day, and when you need to pick up FPs-- for example, if you want to ride RSR at night, about what time would you want to go pick up the FP for it? You could keep a close eye on it the week before you go, to get an idea of what order you should be picking up FPs.

Thank you! I hadn't thought of doing this. It will definitely help our planning!

 

[Nevada Jen]

Also, the Frozen musical fastpasses are going really fast in DCA. Sounds like even faster than RSR. Frozen is also disconnected.

 

[agamble]

I really have never had trouble getting a FP for something I want to ride as long as I try to get the FP before noon. As mentioned by Hydro Guy, some FP are more likely to run out. But we've been in the park many times and seen FP for Indy still available in the evenings. The only FP we've consistently seen run out early in the day is RSR. We have not been with the new Space Mountain though. The last few times we visited Star Tours was back to "less popular" status in that the queue was seldom over 40 minutes and FP were only about an hour or two out and available most of the day. We have had odd occasions where Tower of Terror runs out early afternoon, that's always a sad day. The only FP we've ever stressed about getting was RSR.

Also, I will say with five days in the parks you have plenty of time to ride all the rides and then re-ride your favorites. There are also a lot fewer rides with FP at the Disneyland Resort than WDW.

 

[disneymomoffour]

Also, the Frozen musical fastpasses are going really fast in DCA. Sounds like even faster than RSR. Frozen is also disconnected.

As a mom of three boys and an older 18 year old daughter who is very over Frozen (she thinks Tangled was better...) that isn't a priority for us. (We don't dislike Frozen, we just don't get all the hype!) Though we wouldn't mind seeing it if it's not a huge hassle. Thank you!!

 

[mich311e]

I've been to the parks for 3 trips this year. RSR FP's are gone by at least noon. On busy park days by the evenings the passes run out for Space Mtn, Star Tours, Soarin, Tower, Screaming, and usually Indy. We've been able to get Big Thunder FPs in the evening. We don't ride Splash or Grizzly River Run a lot because we hate being wet.