Fastpass questions, a.k.a "beating the system"

[JessetheCowgirl]

Advanced covert planning for our Dec 2003 trip, me, DH, DS 4, DS 2 and my folks. I haven't been to the World since fastpass was introduced.

That said, we will be there Christmas week--CROWDED, but no other option.

Regarding fastpasses---1. Since DS 2 won't have a ticket (free admission), does he also not need a fast pass?

2. Can we get 5 fastpasses for all of our tickets but only 1 person use them??? Example, we go to MGM to see little mermaid. Could DH ride Tower of Terror 5 times with our five fastpasses while we enjoy the show?

I'm really thinking about when my two boys are napping that 2 of us might hit the parks. If we took all tickets we could get 2 fastpasses each. Make sense???

 

[admiral nelson]

Regarding fastpasses---1. Since DS 2 won't have a ticket (free admission), does he also not need a fast pass?

He will probably have a ticket of some sort, I doubt he'll just walk past the front gates???

2. Can we get 5 fastpasses for all of our tickets but only 1 person use them??? Example, we go to MGM to see little mermaid. Could DH ride Tower of Terror 5 times with our five fastpasses while we enjoy the show?

I'm really thinking about when my two boys are napping that 2 of us might hit the parks. If we took all tickets we could get 2 fastpasses each. Make sense???

Yes, both those schemes should work fine.

 

[wdwguide]

The answers yo your questions are yes, yes, and no.

#1: Kids under three don't need FastPasses

#2: Yes, while FastPasses are technically supposed to be non-transferable, nothing on the ticket indicates who its "rightful owner" is, so there is no chance of "getting caught". Don't let my language confuse you; I am sure the non-transferable part is just on there ecause the lawyers told them to; that way people can't start selling them. Often people will give FastPasses they are unable to use to strangers, which is perfectly fine.

#3: That does not work. In order for the tickets to be recognized by the FastPass machines, they have to be "flagged" as active by the tunstiles at the entrance. So unless the tickets have already been used at the park or you enter twice, using different tickets each time, you'll be out of luck.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Ouch, "scheme" is such a harsh word

Thank you for the replies.

 

[DVC4US]

JessetheCowgirl,

I'm really thinking about when my two boys are napping that 2 of us might hit the parks. If we took all tickets we could get 2 fastpasses each. Make sense???

As long as all the tickets have been used that day to enter a park then you can take them back later on to get extra fastpasses. For example: if 5 of you go to the park in the morning and use your ticket to enter the park, then 3 leave later on to take a nap you can use those 3 tickets to get extra fastpasses.

 

[llp479]

Don't forget your "child swap" option. Our dd is too short to ride RRC, so we get a fast pass with her ticket, then also get the 2 child swap tickets, so we end up with "extras" and her older sisters get to ride twice.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I thought about that with childswap. But I *think* my 2 year old would not do well with waiting in line and watching everyone ride except him.

So, I don't know if I will even utilize childswap. My plan is to divert his attention elsewhere, i.e. riding Small World with him while DH/DS 4 ride space mountain. Although I don't know how well we will coordinate our times.

Any other ideas???

 

[DVC4US]

JessetheCowgirl,

We too have reached the point where we do not do the child swap any longer. My DD (7) does not like to ride anything "too fast". So, usually one person in our party of 4 will take all the tickets and go get fastpasses for a certain ride while the other 3 are doing Fantasyland. The we meet back up and DH will take DD (14) to the fastpass ride while I stay with DD (7) in Fantasyland or ToonTown. Again we pick a meeting time and place (or sometimes we use 2 way radios if they work) and change places. Doing it this way causes some extra walking around for some, but at least everyone gets to ride the things they like and DD (7) does not get bored in line. If the timing is right, we can sometimes get fastpasses for two rides. We generally let the younger one do the rides she likes in what ever area of the park we are in.
LeiLani

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the idea, Lnaylor

At this point our 2 year old is in fierce competition with the 4 year old, and wants to do everything big brother does. That said, I don't think he will be afraid of much. Instead I think he would be mad that he wasn't "allowed" to ride, much less to watch his brother ride twice while he stood bored in the childswap area.

So, I think we will try your idea and hang out in Fantasyland while DS 4 rides the "thrill" rides with DH.

I don't know if we will even try Splash Mountain in the early morning of December, and AE is out for both boys. So really that just leaves Space Mtn and BTMR that my younger would not ride. Am I missing any others?

Thanks

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Jesse,

I think you've got a great "scheme"! No need to feel guilty!

Our family of six (kids aged 4 - 12) will be travelling with my in-laws this fall and plan to use the fast passes of grandpa and grandma and the younger two kids while they go on tamer rides.

On our previous trip we did child swap at a couple rides and it was actually kind of a nice opportunity to catch your breath and do some people watching. There can't be a better place than WDW to people watch! Would purchasing something from a souvenir stand keep your two-year-old occupied while you wait?

Have fun!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks, Manchurian!!

I hadn't thought of bribery/souvenir shopping.

That just might be another option.

 

[MamaKate]

Originally posted by admiral nelson
He will probably have a ticket of some sort, I doubt he'll just walk past the front gates???

Just for your information Admiral Nelson, Children under the age of 3 do not need a ticket to enter the parks, so yes they will let him just walk past the front gates.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the clarification. I wondered how the 2 year old would be admitted.

 

[disneygals]

If you do end up at Splash Mountain, there is a great little play area for the littles ones...a "cave-like" area with a slide. My kids spent a fun time "selling ice cream" there.

Be very careful splitting up that you are very clear about where and when you'll meet. The first time we went my dh and I were waiting for each other in different places!


Vivienne

 

[DancingBear]

Donald's Barnstormer in Toontown also has a height limitation (or some sort of limitation) which will probably exclude your 2yo.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by llp479
Don't forget your "child swap" option. Our dd is too short to ride RRC, so we get a fast pass with her ticket, then also get the 2 child swap tickets, so we end up with "extras" and her older sisters get to ride twice.

I have a couple of questions.
1. What are child swap tickets?
2. Can you get FastPass tickets later in the day? I was under the impression that they "ran out" after a certain number were issued.

BTW the height restriction for Barnstormer is 35".

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Oh, good. We are in for Barnstormer!! My DS 2 is already 36 inches.

Childswap is when you wait to ride, and one parent stays with the "too short" child while the other rides. When the ride finishes, the other parent rides without waiting. I have heard that usually they will let kids who are tall enough ride twice (staying on with both parents).

I'm sure someone else can explain it better than me.