Fastpass Process Question

[Vacation Dad]

I am wondering how many fastpasses are given out for an attraction in a day, and does that number vary by ride? Do they give out more on busy days, or does that not make any difference? I do recall seeing something one time stating that fastspasses are limited to about 6% of a rides capacity during a day, but I’m not positive about this. If that is correct, do they just divide out the number evenly into 5 or 10 minute periods, or are they distributed differently?

No particular reason for wanting this information since it doesn’t really help with trip planning. I’m just curious about how the process works.

 

[InLoveWithTheBeast]

Fastpass is essentially a virtual queue. I'm not sure about the numbers for the rides, but I'm pretty sure they do just divide passes up evenly into whatever increment. They don't add more for busy days as far as I've ever been able to see, although they do take machines off-line if it's not busy. I know they did that for Indiana Jones one day I was there as the line was less than 10 min. all day. On a busy day all passes are likely to be gone relatively quickly or they or you might be waiting many hours for your return window.

 

[Vacation Dad]

I'm pretty familiar with how to get fastpasses, the theory behind them (virtual queue), which ones to get first, etc. For this thread I'm mostly just interested in finding out how they decide how many are available in a day, and how they go about distributing them. Do they give out a certain percentage based on anticipated crowd, or is it always a specific number and they just run out when that limit is reached. Are they distributed evenly during a day (until the limit is reached), etc.

Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

There is a set amount given out for each 5 minute time frame. The # is the same every day I believe. On busier days, they run out faster because more people are grabbing them. The time frame keeps being pushed back farther and farther as more people grab them. When the end of the return time reaches past park closing, the machines shut off and don't distribute any more.