fastpass etiquette

[llane]

We always use fastpass when we visit the parks-especially last week when we were there. The system works great for us - except for the "gotta-be-the-first-one-during-our-return-timers". So many times people were in the fastpass line when it wasn't even their time. It caused a mass of people at the entrance, because the first CM wouldn't let them in. Instead of moving aside they just stayed where they were making it hard for others to pass by.

Anybody else notice this lately or are we just lucky?

 

[goofy4tink]

Yikes!!! No, I never encountered this when we were there in August. In fact, when we had FP's and we were early for the return time, we wouldn't get in line for fear of looking foolish. We just patiently waited outside until it was about 1 minute past our time. I'll have to watch for the rude behavior when we go in 11 days. (Man, I love saying 11 days!!)

 

[CarolMN]

We often encounter a crush of people in front of the FastPass entrance waiting for their "time". IMHO, the CMs need to do a better job of insisting that they not block the entrance.

Some people just won't ever get it! What good is FastPass if you just stand around and wait for your time?

 

[SueM in MN]

We've noticed it too. It happens a lot. I don't care if people want to come back to the area before their fastpass time, but please, don't block the entrance!
Several times we came back for our fastpass time and got in a formed line of 50 or so people. After a few seconds, we noticed the lines were not moving at all. Then we noticed the people ahead of us had fastpass times that would not even come up for 15 or 20 minutes. It turned out that none of the 50 or so people in line had fastpasses that were valid yet.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

The worst culprits I've seen are outside Buzz Lightyear. In the summer, we noticed that the crowd of people in front of us had return times at least 20 minutes away so in the end we just jostled our way through them and went right in. They looked at us funny like WE were line jumping!!!!

But we got in, and they didn't so thems the breaks.

Louise

 

[Grog]

Luckily I've only seen it happen once, and then the CMs could see those of us at the back of the pack trying to get through and they made the others move off to the side, and told them not to line up until it was their return time.

 

[DebbieB]

I've seen this happen many times, especially at the Safari and Space Mt. You get behind them thinking that is the line and here they are just waiting.

 

[jaysue]

Funny, only really noticed this as a problem at Buzz Lightyear as well - if we are in our time, we take a quick check of the line flow and if it is not moving we assume (yes dangerous to do) that the people are just milling about waiting for other people or their time to come up

As aluded to above why linenup with a fastpass, they are meant to eliminate the need to mill about and line up



thanks
jaysue

 

[Grog]

As aluded to above why linenup with a fastpass, they are meant to eliminate the need to mill about and line up

That has always puzzled me as well. It's not as if you have to return at the beginning of the window. I like to use the time to go on rides with no lines, eat, shop... just like it was intended when you get a FP.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes for us it was the entrance at space mountain and rock n roller coaster. You had to be aggressive to get into the fp line ahead of those who had much later times, weird. We almost never get in line at the beginning of our fp time as we are usually getting another fp at that time. This way we are "waiting our fp time" while riding another fp attraction. Either this or we are eating, watching parade, shopping etc. If your going to get a fp why wait in line anyway???

TJ

 

[DisneyMim]

I agree, we've seen this many times and can't figure out why??? We never are at the entrance to a ride at the exact time our fast pass is valid. The whole point of a fast pass is to enjoy other things. I guess some people just can't relax, they have to be the first ones through the entrance. Doesn't make sense to me at all.

 

[goofyernmost]

Someone once said that nobody ever went broke under-estimating the intelligence of the general public. This falls neatly into that description!

 

[Badger Brent]

I have seen this too!! My fav. ride is PP's flight and this seems to be happening at times also. Maybe they will get a Monorail speech going for the FP line "Please stand clear of the FP line for the people that have vaild return times....Por Favor Mantenga.... I'm only kidding about this!! I go up towards the front and my family waits in line until I motion them up.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay now....I have to come to the defense of those who may be like me. If you ride M:S, and have a FP to TT, great. But, if you get out of M:S with only about 5 minutes to go until your window opens for TT and you have done all that you want to do in the area, then what are you to do? We didn't stand at the entrance to FP line, blocking the way. We just sat our little selves down on a bench and waited for the 3-4 minutes to pass so we wouldn't irritate anyone by being in line too early. Yes, I can understand not waiting around for 20 minutes, that's just a waste. But I can't see walking over to another area of the park since I have time left before my FP is open and then backtracking to use it 1/2 hr. later. And, you know...come to think of it, I did see this happen at Buzz last August. I had completely forgotten about it. I remember wondering why I had to shove thru all those people. Couldn't figure out why they were just standing there if they actually had FP's. What a dummy I am...duh!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

I agree with you goofy but if you really are out of things to do and have a fp time in the next 5 mintues why not......

Grab an ice cream and be say 5 minutes "late" for your fp time? Take a potty break, (ok always necessary with a party of girls from 5 to 50 LOL). Make a ps for dinner, catch the dancing fountain or a live off kilter show etc, etc.

IMHO there is really no reason (excuse) for blocking the entrance to the fp line 5-20 minutes before your fp time. Not saying this is what you are doing mind you, I just can think of a million other things to do, especially with a one hour window!!...

TJ

 

[Beachangel]

I just noticed this "blocking" last month at Philharmagic. We could barely enter the line because so many people were crowding the entrance. Yup, the CM's need to do a better job clearing the way.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

It was terrible at Kali River Rapids. The poor CM's were frazzled, I don't blame them though. The horde of people waiting for their windows to open up were yelling and berating the CM's!
After a few minutes, we finally figured out what was going on and walked ahead to the front of the line, gathering our fair share of snide comments and dirty looks along the way. It is obvious that most people don't understand how Fastpass is supposed to work. Perhaps Disney should post huge "wait time suggestions" signs at the kiosks. I.E. get an ice cream, enjoy the scenery, grab a bite to eat, potty break, ride a non-fastpass ride.
We noticed it at other rides too, but Kali really sticks out in my mind.

 

[HaleyB]

We haave seen this too. But I am a Disney Vet and know how to work around a crowd or push through if need be. I think some of this is due to a basic lack of understanding about how the fast pass return window works. So many people are afraid they will miss their window. I have even see people toss FP's because the return time was past. Many people don't seem to be aware that fast passes are good ANY time after the start of your window until the park closes that day.

 

[mplsmom1]

HaleyB - are you sure about that - or did they change the Fastpass since 2001? I thought the fastpass was only good for a 1 hour window?

I'm bummed to hear about people clogging up the FP enterances - we really like FP and plan to use it extensively our next trip since it will be High Season.

Thanks in advance for the FP clarification!!

 

[bmr12]

At the Haunted Mansion last new years (at Disneyland), there was actually a line of folks along a fence waiting for their fastpasses to mature. Folks actually yelled at us as we strolled past the line and in (as it was well into our fastpass interval). I couldn't believe that they were standing in line to await their anointed minute.

At least there, the cast members had folks well organized.