Fastpass first or ride? Need expert help.

[slaygirl]

I know for the most popular ride in each park, we are going to want to ride twice (at least!). We will be there at rope drop, but should I run ahead and get fastpasses and then meet my family and get in the standby line or ride first and then get fastpasses? I've heard that the fastpass line for TSM can be packed first thing in the morning. What's the smartest move, and are there any rides that are the exception, like TSM?

Thanks!
Terry

 

[dqpowell]

The strategy for Toy Story depends on how many times you want to ride.

If you are absolutely certain you only want to ride twice, then ride standby first and pick up fastpasses after you exit.

If you think you'll want to ride more than twice, get fastpasses first and then ride standby.

The reason for this is that fastpasses run out early, and your only chance to get two sets is to get one immediately.

Whatever method you employ, be sure to show up extra early for rope drop. Don't just show up 10 or 15 minutes early. You want to be one of the first four or five rows of people behind the rope. So show up 30 or 40 minutes early.

David

 

[winterman]

For TSM and Soarin' I go ahead with the crowd and get a FP, then DH and I get in the standby line. We don't do anything like that in the other parks.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I never get on my first ride in a park without getting a fastpass first. Always maximize fastpass. The exception to that is if you don't care how many headliners you get to ride and only want to do maybe two or three in a day. In that case, do what you want.

 

[pixarmom]

I know for the most popular ride in each park, we are going to want to ride twice (at least!). We will be there at rope drop, but should I run ahead and get fastpasses and then meet my family and get in the standby line or ride first and then get fastpasses? I've heard that the fastpass line for TSM can be packed first thing in the morning. What's the smartest move, and are there any rides that are the exception, like TSM?

Thanks!
Terry

Hi Terry,

We usually grab FPs first, and then ride other rides. But TSM is the exception. For TSM, we go directly to the standby line (all together) and ride. The FP line is so long at rope drop that we prefer to use that time on the ride, and then grab FPs afterwards. So we've already been on the ride once without a wait, and then the FP line is shorter. So I'd agree with everything David said, above.

For Everest, if the line has not formed yet, my husband rides standby with our older boys while I take the rider swap pass and then grab FPs for later. When our youngest is tall enough to ride, we'll all grab FPs and head to other rides.

For Space Mountain, we grab FPs and then head to non-FP rides.

For Soarin, we grab FPs and then head to other rides.

Hope this helps!

 

[Scraper]

Hi Terry,

We usually grab FPs first, and then ride other rides. But TSM is the exception. For TSM, we go directly to the standby line (all together) and ride. The FP line is so long at rope drop that we prefer to use that time on the ride, and then grab FPs afterwards. So we've already been on the ride once without a wait, and then the FP line is shorter. So I'd agree with everything David said, above.

For Everest, if the line has not formed yet, my husband rides standby with our older boys while I take the rider swap pass and then grab FPs for later. When our youngest is tall enough to ride, we'll all grab FPs and head to other rides.

For Space Mountain, we grab FPs and then head to non-FP rides.

For Soarin, we grab FPs and then head to other rides.

Hope this helps!

We do the same except we do standby on everest then FP.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I know for the most popular ride in each park,

Thanks!
Terry

To start, there isn't an answer to this statement for MK or AK.

Second, I think the idea is probably WAAAYYY overhyped onthe DIS. If you are going during say, Christmas week or Thanksgiving Day, then yeah, things get a little hairy.

If you are going almost any other time this fall, you REALLY don't have to 'run' at rope drop. Indeed, mostlythe CM's will stop you from running.

I realize, and apologize, as most likely you were talking figuratively and are asking a legitimate question.


Honestly, I don't think it matters all that much. It all comes out inthe wash so to speak. I'm pretty sure, right from the get go, there is a gap between FP return times and the time you get the FP. With TSM, the return times change very rapidly. so even near RD, you are liekly to get a FP for atime that is close to two hours away fro RD time. If that's the case, your opportunity to get your second FP will be two hours away.

You are probably BEST off making a beeline for ToT or RnRC at RD. Ride and get a FP for one of those (or ride one and FP the other). THEN go over to TSM. If you do this, you may well end up with almost a two FP
s for the time frame of one. (If the return time on your FP is only a 20min from now, thenyour next opportunity to get FP is only 20min away, not 2hours.)

Chances are pretty good, that even near RD, if you get a FP for TSM, the return time will be fairly far out, and your opportunity for a second FP will be close to the 2hour mark. Whereas, if you get a FP ofr a different ride, your return time will be much closer to the RD time, and you'll be able to get 2FP's for the first two hour window.

It's also matters, IMO if you are going to HS on a Fantasmic day. Avoid HS on a F! day, and you'll see dramatically lower crowds ANY time of year. (or hop in for just the evening to see the show)

Now, I've seen this idea hotly debated onthe DIS, but well, MANY folks head to TSM at RD.....therefore, there is a rush of folks who will be there at that hour. Another rush of folks head there after the Stunt show lets out (many using FP) so that's another time to avoid. Between those two times, there may well be a lag. Most folks who ride it at RD will head to something else.

Another time the TSM line gets short is near park closing. I fyou plan on staying htat long, the lines gets short.

Last, with TSM you have to look inside the ride. Posted times are not always correct. Sometimes they are wildly incorrect. This is probably especially true near park closing time and near park opening. At park opening, the line rapidly goes from 0 to longer. So the posted wait is probaly not 100% correct. At park close, the wait is probaly shorter than posted.

The same is true at Epcot for Soarin'. Except that with Soarin', unless you ride it VERY close to RD time (and I mean being among the VERY first to enter the queue, not just going near RD time), the total time to ride will be aournd 45minutes even with a FP. (maybe late at night the wait drops off too.) Luckily at Epcot, there are really only two, maybe three rides to FP unless Epcot is very busy. (TT, Soarin', and Ornage Mission:SPace) So long as you get to Soarin' before FP's run out for the day, you are PROBABLY better off heading to TT first. Actually, should should modify that slightly, your best bet is probably FP tt, riding, then getting FP for Soarin'.

IMO, since the wiat for Soarin' is SOOOO long evne with aFP, it's just not worth riding twice. IMO, it's barely worth riding once - because the wait is ALWAYS so long.

OOh, and lets not forget single rider as an option. Read about Single rider and decide if it's for you. If it is, it may save you some time. Your family WILL be DIVIDED in the SR line! (only: TT, RnRC, and EE)

And.....all this is assuming you will last in the parks long enough to use your FP's. EVERY trip, we end up with FP's we never used.

 

[joshsmom]

We usually get our FP's and then get in line once they are in hand. Don't know if its the right way, but it works for us!!

ETA: I TOTALLY agree with the Single Rider line. We didn't use this at all when my DS was younger, but he's 14 now and we use it A LOT. It doesn't matter that we're not sitting together. On Everest we're usually on the same train. Save LOTS of time!!

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

As you have already heard, there is no CLEAR answer to your question. Philosophically, I almost always get a fastpass before getting in any standby line because it starts the clock on when you can get your next fastpass...

 

[stacyalisa]

Wow. Our first time at Disney is coming up. Is there always lines like this for TTM? We are planning on going to DHS on Tuesday, 11/9. Crowd level for DHS for that day is 0.9. This is the ride I think my 9 yr. old will enjoy most so I'm really looking forward to it. Will we still need to make sure we go there first thing w/ a 0.9 crowd level?

 

[dqpowell]

Wow. Our first time at Disney is coming up. Is there always lines like this for TTM? We are planning on going to DHS on Tuesday, 11/9. Crowd level for DHS for that day is 0.9. This is the ride I think my 9 yr. old will enjoy most so I'm really looking forward to it. Will we still need to make sure we go there first thing w/ a 0.9 crowd level?

Yes. You still need to get there prior to rope drop and proceed straight to TSM. The fastpasses will all be gone by 11 AM.

David

 

[stacyalisa]

Yes. You still need to get there prior to rope drop and proceed straight to TSM. The fastpasses will all be gone by 11 AM.

David

Will do then. Thanks!

 

[Rose DiVerona]

We usually get FPs for a ride, and then immediately get in the stand-by line for it. The exception is TSM...don't need to ride it twice, so we get the FPs and move on to ToT or RnRC.

 

[brerdawg]

I know for the most popular ride in each park, we are going to want to ride twice (at least!). We will be there at rope drop, but should I run ahead and get fastpasses and then meet my family and get in the standby line or ride first and then get fastpasses? I've heard that the fastpass line for TSM can be packed first thing in the morning. What's the smartest move, and are there any rides that are the exception, like TSM?

Thanks!
Terry

We always try to fastpass first and then ride our favorite rides at each park. We found it very effective for Everest at AK, Space Mountain at MK and RNRC at DHS.

 

[IndyClown]

Is there a rule about getting fastpasses for multiple rides one after the other. In other words if you are in an area that has two fastpass attractions near each other (ie Splash Mtn and BTMRR or TOT and RNRC), can you get fastpasses at one and then bop over to the other for FPs at the other or is there a minimum wait for garnering FPs at multiple attractions?

 

[Coach81]

Yes.. FP, then jump in line...

 

[LaurenT]

The strategy for Toy Story depends on how many times you want to ride.

If you are absolutely certain you only want to ride twice, then ride standby first and pick up fastpasses after you exit.

If you think you'll want to ride more than twice, get fastpasses first and then ride standby.

The reason for this is that fastpasses run out early, and your only chance to get two sets is to get one immediately.

Whatever method you employ, be sure to show up extra early for rope drop. Don't just show up 10 or 15 minutes early. You want to be one of the first four or five rows of people behind the rope. So show up 30 or 40 minutes early.

David

I agree with this for any day of the year where TSM is concerned. It is a good idea for any other popular ride as well, but for TSM, absolutely necessary! We're going in 11 days, supposedly a very slow time, but I will be at the front of rope drop in order to save myself the hassle of spending 15 minutes in line just to get a FP for TSM!

 

[Gonzo82]

I typically get the fastpasses first and then ride standby. It gives you an earlier return time, which lets you get another fastpass that much sooner. It may look like there's a lot of people getting in line while you get your passes, but it's not really going to impact your wait time, only a few minutes really.

Is there a rule about getting fastpasses for multiple rides one after the other. In other words if you are in an area that has two fastpass attractions near each other (ie Splash Mtn and BTMRR or TOT and RNRC), can you get fastpasses at one and then bop over to the other for FPs at the other or is there a minimum wait for garnering FPs at multiple attractions?

Once you have a fastpass for one attraction, the ticket will tell you on the bottom when you can get another fastpass, which is typically either the return time on your ticket or 2 hours, whichever is shorter, before you can get another fastpass. It does not matter how close together the attractions you want to fastpass are.

 

[Flamingomo]

I'm really okay only riding this once. So what are the approximate wait times for this at rope drop? I would prefer just to get in standby and ride and then move on to ToT and RnR after hopefully seeing Buzz and Woody

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The wait times for TSM are going vary dramaitcally by date. Even within a week, the crowds at HS will vary dramatically, It will be more crowded on a Fantsmic day - esp if the Fantasmic day is also emh. All parks, on any given week will be rather more crowded when the weather is nice, too.

In the morning, the wait will quickly go from zero, to likely an hour or more. I' reasonably certain too at rope drop, since the increase is so dramatic, the posted wait time will start at 30 minutes - even before the queue has filled inthat much. In other words, you really gotto go inside to see what it looks like.

One time it's probably bad to get in line for TSM is just after the stunt show lets out - even if you've got a fp, and especially a bad time if you don't.

FP's for this ride have been listed as running out by 10am. It's kind of atoss up based onhow many other FP's you want in HS. The other biggies to FP are RnRC and ToT. If TSM is the only FP you want, then I'd make a beeline for it (so long as you don't mind the crowds) when you enter the park - if that's before 10am. If you are doing RD, but want to hit the other rides too - then it may be worth going to those first in the morning: ride one and FP the other - then head over to TSM for a fastpass (before 10am).

Conversely, if you KNOW you will be staying in HS until park close, and aren't going to see Fantasmic - there may be a small window to ride TSM very close to park closing. The posted wait at park close will still say something like 50+min - but the actual wait that late will be shorter. It will only work if you aren't going to Fatasmic or you are there on day w/out a Fantasmic showing.