FastPass question

[disneybree]

Hi everyone !

I have never been to Disney. Therefore, FastPasses are currently very confusing for me.

I have a 5 day base ticket. Everything is linked on MDE. I am staying at an All-Star, so I KNOW i have Extra Magic Hours. But what I don't get are the fastpasses. I am understanding that we can to book 3 fastpasses each day/park. Do we have to use the 3 Fastpasses and THEN be able to book 3 more or can we hust book 1 Fastpass at a time when we did our first 3 fastpasses ? And the tier (whatever that is). I know that Hollywood Studios uses a tier fastpass system ? So let's say we pick Fantasmic, Journey of the Little Mermaid and Star Tours. When we're done, can we pick Rock N Rollercoaster ? Or we just can't pick the attractions on Group A (Rock, Fantasmic, Toy Story Mania, etc.) anymore ?

Sorry if this is confusing. If you have anything you don't understand please let me know

Thanks everyone !!!

 

[BrianL]

You pick your first 3 ahead of time and once they are used you can pick a 4th, and one at a time after that. The tiers only apply to your first 3, meaning that after that you can book whatever you want, even in different parks. Keep in mind though that the Tier 1 attractions are the most popular and are less likely to be available later in the day.

I recommend you read this thread, the standard in all things Fast Pass by Mesaboy:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/

Have fun planning and on your trip!

 

[FelisLachesis]

Do we have to use the 3 Fastpasses and THEN be able to book 3 more or can we hust book 1 Fastpass at a time when we did our first 3 fastpasses ? And the tier (whatever that is). I know that Hollywood Studios uses a tier fastpass system ? So let's say we pick Fantasmic, Journey of the Little Mermaid and Star Tours. When we're done, can we pick Rock N Rollercoaster ? Or we just can't pick the attractions on Group A (Rock, Fantasmic, Toy Story Mania, etc.) anymore ?

Sorry if this is confusing. If you have anything you don't understand please let me know

Since you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can pick your fastpasses for your entire trip starting at 60 days prior to the first day of your trip, up to 10 days in advance. You pick three (3) fastpasses all within the same park, and can pick whatever rides and times are available in the system. Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood studios have a tiering system, where you can pick one from Tier 1, and two from tier 2 for that same day. Magic Kingdom does not have a tiering system in place.

Once you are at the park and use the three fastpasses, you can then pick one (1) from whatever the system has left available. If there are any Tier 1s left available, you can then snag them up, one at a time. If there is an open Rock'n Roller Coaster available after you use your first three, you are free to take them.

If you are park hopping, you are free to pick a fastpass from any of the four major parks. However, the first three must be from the same park. You can't pick Tower of Terror, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, and Space Mountain as your initial three.

Each ride that is in the fastpass system has a certain number of passes available for each interval in the day. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Edit: I saw your travel dates in your signature. May 28, 7:00 Eastern, that's when your fastpasses open for your entire trip! Have fun making your selections!

 

[Nick6300]

Hi Bree,
Completely understand, FP's can be overwhelming to the most experienced, and people have very different preferences. But FP can be scheduled as early as 60 days prior to your 1st day if you're staying on Disney property or 30 days if staying offsite. So you'll want to count back 60 days prior to your 1st day and at 7am, you'll be able to schedule your FP's (I'd actually set your alarm on your phone for that day). You can book up to 3 FP's per day in advance, and then 1 FP after the initial 3 are used up, 1 at a time. Most people book all 3 in advance to the 3 they think is the longest wait. A few people prefer to book only 1 FP so they can then begin booking another right after. This is because booking 3 at once tends to have time gaps, that you can limit by booking just the 1 and grabbing another 1 at a time. The downfall to this strategy is that the most popular rides' FP's are gone by about 11am as people book them up for the remainder of the day. I'd instead book all 3 and try to get them close together (i.e. 8-9 for 1st one, 9-10 for 2nd one, 10-11 for 3rd one). Then you can proceed to book the 4th after you use the 3rd. Some people prefer to book FP in the afternoon when parks are the most crowded, reasoning that they can get to many rides early in am. My preference is to book them tight together and all early- to get my 4th FP as early as I can. That is because I do the most popular rides in the first hour and still get to my 1st FP on the backend of the 1 hr window. For instance, I rush (along with most everyone) to Mine Train at park opening (and wake up early to be 1st in line at gate), then able to do Pan and Space Mt. a few times before my 1st FP window has expired. Each FP has an hour window. Disney will usually allow you to go 5 min. early and up to 15min later than your 1 hr window. Picking FP per park is different for everyone. I'm like most people who like all rides in every park so plan on riding everything. Hence, I FP the most crowded attractions. You can watch MDE app to spot wait times at different times of the day to give you a feel. You'll also want to use the app during your stay to spot wait times. Personally, I tend to pick Mine Train, Peter Pan, the 3 mountains at MK. I tend to pick Safari, Kali River Rapids, and Everest (sometimes Dino if going to Everest 1st thing). With Pandora opening, there will be a mad dash for those 2 new rides and the Rivers of Lights show, so I'd be sure to know which days you want to go to AK and pick those new attractions first since they will be very popular. At DHS, I pick Toy Story, Tower of Terror, and Rock N Roller Coaster. At EP, I pick Soarin for my A tier, and Spaceship and Nemo for my B tiers (I use single rider line at Test Track). I occasionally chose Frozen instead of Soarin.

In getting ready to pick your FP's, it's good to know which parks you're going to on each day of your trip beforehand. This avoids you having to change your FP's later and having them picked over. It seems like super micro managing but that's just my style... My DIS time is money, so I try to maximize it. I've actually taken the time to daily chart wait times on all of the rides throughout the yr.

I pick my park days by looking at the calendar on the official site. Based on extra magic schedule and other factors, I pick my parks (EMH can/will change however, due to scheduling of special night time shows like Nights of Joy, the Halloween nights at MK, etc). Once I have my parks figured out, I pick 3 FP's I want plus backups in mind. Then at 60 days out, I'm ready to pick, and pick them for all days. If I didn't get my top priorities, I continuously check back as others will change their minds and remove FP's. Again personal preference on FP picking. Again I pick by most time saved. I don't FP shows such as Nemo, Lion King, even parades and finishing shows because these shows have A) huge arenas, B) I'm tall and can see fine 4 or 5 rows deep at a parade, and C) attractions such as Frozen or Soarin can have a 90 min wait. I've waited over 3 hrs for Toy Story before they recently added the 2nd loading area.

I hope I haven't confused your further. But the basics are: 1) know when you're eligible to pick FP. 2) know what you want to pick ea. day beforehand. 3) you can pick up to 3 FPs. then pick more after the 3rd, 1 at a time until park close, as available. Good luck

 

[disneybree]

Thank you everyone !! I understand now

 

[disneybree]

One last question,

For example, in Hollywood Studios, I book two FastPasses : Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours. When those two are done, can I book a Fantasmic Fastpass (since I already booked a Group A FastPass, Toy Story Mania) ? We aren't Hollywood Studios fans at all.

 

[Gophers]

One last question,

For example, in Hollywood Studios, I book two FastPasses : Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours. When those two are done, can I book a Fantasmic Fastpass (since I already booked a Group A FastPass, Toy Story Mania) ? We aren't Hollywood Studios fans at all.

You can make your 3rd FP Fasntasmic. I wouldn't because then you lose the option to use a 4th, 5th FP as they are held up until you use the first three. Find something you want to do and put that as you 3rd FP. We've never used a FP for Fantasmic. Too many seats to need one in my opinion.

 

[Nick6300]

One last question,

For example, in Hollywood Studios, I book two FastPasses : Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours. When those two are done, can I book a Fantasmic Fastpass (since I already booked a Group A FastPass, Toy Story Mania) ? We aren't Hollywood Studios fans at all.

You're correct in that you can't have fantasmic as 1 of your initial 3 due to Toy Story as your A tier and yes you can book fantasmic after those 2 are used up if it's still available. Fantasmic sometimes still available into early afternoon on off peak weeknights but sometimes gone early, before the day you're in park (so can't pick it if not picked beforehand as you're A tier) Fantasmic is a huge seating capacity area and if you get there an hr before you will likely still find a seat. I typically shoot for an hr before and kill the wait time by having late counter service dinner or snack (you can bring food in or they have limited vendors inside- Check menus in allears.net for planning- love scouting dining menus ahead of time!) I have however found a seat cutting it close to start time esp. if small party (i.e. 30 min or less before). They recommend 1.5hrs, but usually not necessary it's a huge arena and you see available seats up to start of show. They added seating in recent few yrs. also, I don't mind getting wet on a hot FL night but if you don't want misty water on you, the first 5-10 rows will get some mist during show.

2nd show if having two shows is usually less crowded as it's too late for some. Other factor in picking which fantasmic may be if they're having a Star Wars fireworks laser light show close to a fantasmic time. FP people at Fantasmic have reserved area but recently they've put you in the far inside bleachers (I prefer seating in the middle viewing area), and hence you are last to get out of a stampede of people herding out of fantasmic.

Picking Fantasmic because it's at end of night means you won't b able to pick other FP before. You did state you're not DHS fan. But I'd still pick a third initial FP (I usually pick Tower w the 2 you have as a B tier that's popular), but you could pick a show like Frozen then another 1 by 1. Not super necessary for FP but good to use FP when you can.

 

[Gophers]

You're correct in that you can't have fantasmic as 1 of your initial 3 due to Toy Story as your A tier and yes you can book fantasmic after those 2 are used up if it's still available. Fantasmic sometimes still available into early afternoon on off peak weeknights but sometimes gone early, before the day you're in park (so can't pick it if not picked beforehand as you're A tier) Fantasmic is a huge seating capacity area and if you get there an hr before you will likely still find a seat. I typically shoot for an hr before and kill the wait time by having late counter service dinner or snack (you can bring food in or they have limited vendors inside- Check menus in allears.net for planning- love scouting dining menus ahead of time!) I have however found a seat cutting it close to start time esp. if small party (i.e. 30 min or less before). They recommend 1.5hrs, but usually not necessary it's a huge arena and you see available seats up to start of show. They added seating in recent few yrs. also, I don't mind getting wet on a hot FL night but if you don't want misty water on you, the first 5-10 rows will get some mist during show.

2nd show if having two shows is usually less crowded as it's too late for some. Other factor in picking which fantasmic may be if they're having a Star Wars fireworks laser light show close to a fantasmic time. FP people at Fantasmic have reserved area but recently they've put you in the far inside bleachers (I prefer seating in the middle viewing area), and hence you are last to get out of a stampede of people herding out of fantasmic.

Picking Fantasmic because it's at end of night means you won't b able to pick other FP before. You did state you're not DHS fan. But I'd still pick a third initial FP (I usually pick Tower w the 2 you have as a B tier that's popular), but you could pick a show like Frozen then another 1 by 1. Not super necessary for FP but good to use FP when you can.

Totally forgot about the tiers.

 

[Nick6300]

Bree, did you by chance pick all star sports or one of other two? If not Sports, I don't want to make you feel like you need to change your resort but I always prefer Sports over music and movies because it is the first stop for buses for pick up to parks between All Stars. (Buses commonly run for the group of All star hotels). And if there's room, they then stop at Music and Movies. It's bit of a transportation advantage to b in Sports. 1st bus leaves for All Stars an hr before park opens so if 8am extra magic hrs, they leave st 7 and usually picking up people around 715. If you miss that one, can be another 20-30 min.

I've stayed at all 3... I'm in sports this Aug- usually pick Pop Century of staying at a value resort but it's under refurbishment through part of next yr.

I end up changing my reservation few times (just moved it this week). I also called to ask a cast member for adding 3 room requests, to be closest to end zone dining area (coincidentally closest to bus pick up area for shorter walking), building 6 surfs up, and lowest floor. Usually get all but 1st floor if not paying more for preferred - which I never do.

 

[davkata]

Bree, did you by chance pick all star sports or one of other two? If not Sports, I don't want to make you feel like you need to change your resort but I always prefer Sports over music and movies because it is the first stop for buses for pick up to parks between All Stars. (Buses commonly run for the group of All star hotels). And if there's room, they then stop at Music and Movies. It's bit of a transportation advantage to b in Sports. 1st bus leaves for All Stars an hr before park opens so if 8am extra magic hrs, they leave st 7 and usually picking up people around 715. If you miss that one, can be another 20-30 min.

I've stayed at all 3... I'm in sports this Aug- usually pick Pop Century of staying at a value resort but it's under refurbishment through part of next yr.

I end up changing my reservation few times (just moved it this week). I also called to ask a cast member for adding 3 room requests, to be closest to end zone dining area (coincidentally closest to bus pick up area for shorter walking), building 6 surfs up, and lowest floor. Usually get all but 1st floor if not paying more for preferred - which I never do.

Just an FYI, the busses actually start at 6:30 am, often earlier, per many posts on here and in our experience. We have been on them and at park gates in the morning darkness more than once. Those were for a 7 am EMH opening though.

 

[Nick6300]

Just an FYI, the busses actually start at 6:30 am, often earlier, per many posts on here and in our experience. We have been on them and at park gates in the morning darkness more than once. Those were for a 7 am EMH opening though.

Thank you! I had to ask cm for the 7am first bus because I haven't stayed at an on site hotel since about 2014 (FL resident 2015-2016). But good to know you can be even earlier at the gate. It must be more like 730 for non emh 9am opening for 1st bus then I'm guessing.

 

[davkata]

Thank you! I had to ask cm for the 7am first bus because I haven't stayed at an on site hotel since about 2014 (FL resident 2015-2016). But good to know you can be even earlier at the gate. It must be more like 730 for non emh 9am opening for 1st bus then I'm guessing.

I am pretty sure they always start at 6:30 as people have PPO ADR's. I think it was Robo who had answered this in one of his threads? I can only confirm we were there 3 years in a row during President's week in February and there were always 7 am EMH at some park, so we got on the busses around 6. I have pics of us waiting for RD at DHS in the dark!

 

[msb578]

Bree, did you by chance pick all star sports or one of other two? If not Sports, I don't want to make you feel like you need to change your resort but I always prefer Sports over music and movies because it is the first stop for buses for pick up to parks between All Stars. (Buses commonly run for the group of All star hotels). And if there's room, they then stop at Music and Movies. It's bit of a transportation advantage to b in Sports. 1st bus leaves for All Stars an hr before park opens so if 8am extra magic hrs, they leave st 7 and usually picking up people around 715. If you miss that one, can be another 20-30 min.

I've stayed at all 3... I'm in sports this Aug- usually pick Pop Century of staying at a value resort but it's under refurbishment through part of next yr.

I end up changing my reservation few times (just moved it this week). I also called to ask a cast member for adding 3 room requests, to be closest to end zone dining area (coincidentally closest to bus pick up area for shorter walking), building 6 surfs up, and lowest floor. Usually get all but 1st floor if not paying more for preferred - which I never do.

I do agree with you on Sports (I'm a fan of it)... however, at many times during the day, each All-Star does get its own bus. They try to base it on crowds- sometimes they get it wrong and a bus could possibly fill up. I'm not sure I'd stay away from Music and Movies based on that factor alone.

 

[Nick6300]

I am pretty sure they always start at 6:30 as people have PPO ADR's. I think it was Robo who had answered this in one of his threads? I can only confirm we were there 3 years in a row during President's week in February and there were always 7 am EMH at some park, so we got on the busses around 6. I have pics of us waiting for RD at DHS in the dark!

Arriving while still dark would be strange!

Because my upcoming trip is in aug (value season 2), Parks open at 9 and emh 8 for 1 of them typically. Hope it's still 630 pick up with these 1 hr later times. We're used to trying to be among first at gate as APH. We've actually succeeded at being 1st in line at Toy Story Mania several weeks in a row which is tough to do. Sadly had to move to IL. Excited for our longest rip ever at 9 nights 10 days though.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Arriving while still dark would be strange!

Because my upcoming trip is in aug (value season 2), Parks open at 9 and emh 8 for 1 of them typically. Hope it's still 630 pick up with these 1 hr later times. We're used to trying to be among first at gate as APH. We've actually succeeded at being 1st in line at Toy Story Mania several weeks in a row which is tough to do. Sadly had to move to IL. Excited for our longest rip ever at 9 nights 10 days though.

First bus is always around 6:30 am to get guests to PPO breakfasts around property

 

[disneybree]

Bree, did you by chance pick all star sports or one of other two? If not Sports, I don't want to make you feel like you need to change your resort but I always prefer Sports over music and movies because it is the first stop for buses for pick up to parks between All Stars. (Buses commonly run for the group of All star hotels). And if there's room, they then stop at Music and Movies. It's bit of a transportation advantage to b in Sports. 1st bus leaves for All Stars an hr before park opens so if 8am extra magic hrs, they leave st 7 and usually picking up people around 715. If you miss that one, can be another 20-30 min.

I've stayed at all 3... I'm in sports this Aug- usually pick Pop Century of staying at a value resort but it's under refurbishment through part of next yr.

I end up changing my reservation few times (just moved it this week). I also called to ask a cast member for adding 3 room requests, to be closest to end zone dining area (coincidentally closest to bus pick up area for shorter walking), building 6 surfs up, and lowest floor. Usually get all but 1st floor if not paying more for preferred - which I never do.

I am staying at All Star Sports

 

[Farro]

You pick your first 3 ahead of time and once they are used you can pick a 4th, and one at a time after that. The tiers only apply to your first 3, meaning that after that you can book whatever you want, even in different parks. Keep in mind though that the Tier 1 attractions are the most popular and are less likely to be available later in the day.

I recommend you read this thread, the standard in all things Fast Pass by Mesaboy:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/

Have fun planning and on your trip!

WAIT!!!! You can book a 4th fast pass in another park???
We haven't been since 2014, when this was not allowed.

I am late to the game on this, but this is a game changer!!! Awesome.

 

[siskaren]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/

 

[hiroMYhero]

WAIT!!!! You can book a 4th fast pass in another park???
We haven't been since 2014, when this was not allowed.

I am late to the game on this, but this is a game changer!!! Awesome.

Read the FP FAQ Addendum for FP booking tips when park hopping. It's linked in the FP FAQ.