Fastpass lesson??

[JJsmama]

Ok, I am a mega planner / reader like most of you, but the one thing Dh and I did not get right last time was Fastpass. This was about 18 months ago and I think I heard they have changed the system since then??

Anyway, we got a Fastpass for something that was not completely essential and then could not get another one for two hours. Finally two hours later came, we got another and it was for hours later, the end of the day Jungle Cruise and we ended up having to leave before the time came up. Never did Jungle Cruise and never got Fastpass right.

Is there still a 2 hour wait between passes? I'll be with 4 little boys this time and need to get it right!

 

[jaysmom4285]

It's two hours, or anytime after the start of the return time on your fastpass, whichever is shorter. If you get a fastpass at 1 and the return time is 1:45, you can get a second fastpass anytime after 1:45. If the return time is over two hours, you can get another after two hours. They've made it much easier by printing on the bottom of the ticket the time at which you can get another fastpass, thereby eliminating the guesswork.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

We usually get our next Fastpass before we ride using the current one we're holding. And it sounds like you know to be selective about which Fastpass you get.

 

[snappy]

I also think it helps to get to the park early, so that the return times on fast passes are not already late in the day. Get a fastpass when you first enter and ride standby on rides with low wait times. Get another fastpass as soon as the window open, use the first fastpass, and then ride standby until the window of the second fastpass opens, get a third fastpass, and so on. In the am I can hold fastpasses for several rides. I try to do this mostly in the same or close lands, say Fantasyland and Adventureland, or I just stay in Tomorrowland for awhile. I don't like rushing all over the park.

On cooler days we don't get fastpasses for Splash Mountain at MK or Kali River Rapids at AK as the standby lines are usually not bad.

I never ever ride Peter Pan (one of my favorites) without a fast pass, this ride loads slowly. I also only ride the cars in Tomorrowland and Dumbo in Fantasy land early in the am because these also load slowly. Should not have to do Dumbo too much more as my youngest is 9 years old.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I also think it helps to get to the park early, so that the return times on fast passes are not already late in the day. Get a fastpass when you first enter and ride standby on rides with low wait times. Get another fastpass as soon as the window open, use the first fastpass, and then ride standby until the window of the second fastpass opens, get a third fastpass, and so on. In the am I can hold fastpasses for several rides.

Great advice!

 

[patsal]

I am a great fan of fastpass--of course I can only travel during the times when everyone else travels, so they are a must!
Usually we get to the parks at opening--grab a fastpass for a ride we want close to one we are going to do standby for (ie: TT and RNR) ride, use fast pass, get fastpass, etc. Later in the day as crowds start to thicken, I plan the fastpasses around my break and/or lunch. I have held three valid fastpasses at one time, the more you use them the more you will work out the kinks for your touring style.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I found this while cruising the Net one day; I think it offers some great tips and advice for Fastpass, especially for newbies:

All About Fastpass

 

[snappy]

Thanks for the link, Princess Wannabe. As much as I have used fastpass, I did not know that you could get another fastpass for certain not-as-busy rides BEFORE the time printed on the fastpass you are holding. I always get the NOT A VALID FASTPASS tickets when I try before the stipulated time.

Anyone see this in practice? I wonder if it is always the same rides or if it varies depending on how many fastpasses have been given out at each attraction.

Guess I'll have to do an unscientific experiment on my May trip.

 

[JJsmama]

I have held three valid fastpasses at one time, the more you use them the more you will work out the kinks for your touring style.

Confused. How do you manage that?

 

[JJsmama]

And it sounds like you know to be selective about which Fastpass you get.

Well, we learned the hard way but don't really know the best way to go about it. After our first mistake we were basically scared away from using them at all.
ANy help is appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

 

[agnes!]

Thanks for the link, Princess Wannabe. As much as I have used fastpass, I did not know that you could get another fastpass for certain not-as-busy rides BEFORE the time printed on the fastpass you are holding. I always get the NOT A VALID FASTPASS tickets when I try before the stipulated time.

Anyone see this in practice? I wonder if it is always the same rides or if it varies depending on how many fastpasses have been given out at each attraction.

Guess I'll have to do an unscientific experiment on my May trip.

I have gotten 'double' FastPasses once or twice...I think that both times we were in Epcot. We got FastPasses for Test Track and the TT machine spit out an extra FP for Honey I Shrunk the Audience at the same time.

hth,
agnes!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I second the suggestion to get there early and use Fastpass. We arrived at MK at park opening and went to Tomorrowland. Got a Fastpass for Space Mountain and rode Buzz and the Speedway, then DH rode Space Mountain with no wait. Return time was about an hour.

Then we headed to Adventureland, DH got Fastpass for Thunder Mountain and we rode POC, magic carpets and Haunted mansion. Got a Fastpass for Jungle Cruise and went for lunch, then rode cruise.

Once the window opens on your existing fastpass, you should be able to get another one for another ride.

It was awesome. On a crowded park day, getting there early and using Fastpasses are essential for those who like the coasters and other thrill rides.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I also think it helps to get to the park early, so that the return times on fast passes are not already late in the day.

This was our big mistake the last time we went. We got to the parks kind of late and so the we have to wait 3-4 hours to use our FP! We just didn't plan it right. So hopefully I will get it right this time. Great advice!

 

[Lesia]

If you ever get a "bad" fastpass - times too far away, you know you will be gone, or whatever, you can trade them in with the CM at the fastpass machines at the ride you would rather have. Just give them the old fastpass, and you get one for that ride. Your times for automatically getting a FP are still the same, the computer isn't involved in this trade.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I have held three valid fastpasses at one time, the more you use them the more you will work out the kinks for your touring style.

Wow!! Three FPs at one time?!? How did you managed that one? I would love to have three in my hands!

 

[SoCalKDG]

The first thing to do is look at the board that has wait times for rides. No sense getting a FP for a ride with a 15 minute line. Grab a FP for the 30+ minute rides.

Always grab another FP before going on the current FP ride.

Just because your kids aren't going to ride Space Mountain doesn't mean you can't use their ticket to get another FP.

Occasionally some machines spit out a bonus FP for a ride somewhere in the park. This is done to entice you to ride that attraction.

Just send one person with all the tickets to get the FP for your group.

 

[JJsmama]

If you ever get a "bad" fastpass - times too far away, you know you will be gone, or whatever, you can trade them in with the CM at the fastpass machines at the ride you would rather have. Just give them the old fastpass, and you get one for that ride. Your times for automatically getting a FP are still the same, the computer isn't involved in this trade.

Good to know!

 

[Lesia]

yep, I did that in Epcot. Dh and the boys went to ride MS. I went to get TT FP. TT had been down the day before, and the FP time was a loooooooooooong time away. I knew we would be gone, and that the guys would prefer MS again. So i traded.

 

[MinnieM3]

I'm sorry, I still don't get the "trading a bad fast pass" manuever. If I get a FP and then realize we're going to leave the park sooner than that or the time is way too far off (like it's noon and I get a BTMRR FP for 6pm), I can TRADE it for a Splash Mountain FP that's sooner? If it's not sooner, I don't get the point. Am I just thick-headed today?!

Thanks!

 

[Lesia]

I'm sorry, I still don't get the "trading a bad fast pass" manuever. If I get a FP and then realize we're going to leave the park sooner than that or the time is way too far off (like it's noon and I get a BTMRR FP for 6pm), I can TRADE it for a Splash Mountain FP that's sooner? If it's not sooner, I don't get the point. Am I just thick-headed today?!

Thanks!

yes, you can trade if it is sooner. You get the current fastpass out of the machine, so it is only what is available if you could get a fastpass with your ticket. (the cm can print them out without a ticket) Or, even if it is the same time frame, but you know you would like that attraction better than the one you have. Or if you just change your mind.