FastPass Runner ?

[redbonec]

HI,
I have a few questions about fastpass runners I have not seen before:

1) silly question, but I really keep wondering, does the fastpass runner in your party actually run? Because I don't know how silly I will feel running like where is the fire, but if I walk across the park or to cross into another park to get a fastpass and then come back to join the family, that will take some time even walking at a fast pace.

2) when the fastpass runner is gone to get the passes, does the rest of the your party get in line for another ride, and if so, can the runner join in the line with them when they return, or is this considered rude or line cutting?

3) where can I find out where the fastpass locations are for the rides? As I gather, some are located at the ride, some are not

Thank you for any help! I am going to try utilize the fastpasses better than I did a few years ago!

 

[Geemo]

I use to be the FP runner, when the return times were not enforced. I would walk to the FP machine, pull the passes and meet back up with my group.

They would usually ride something while I was gone. The ride que's/lines are not really setup for meeting up with your party if they have been in line for more than a minute or two. For the distance your group would be into the ride line, I'm sure some would consider it rude or line cutting.

FP locations are located on the park maps. Most are right along the perimeter of the ride, except for RSR.

With return times enforced, you might want an APP to check the FP return times before you have someone make the trek.

Geemo

 

[ADLFAN]

Haha, I am also the FP Runner but no, I do not actually run! I think Disney will allow a skip though, which I will admit to having done, with kids! The only Fastpass I can think of that isn't within the location of the entrance or exit to it's ride is Radiator Springs Racers, and that one is on the way to Paradise Pier, next to the entrance to A Bugs Land. It is very well marked. Star Tours and Tower Of Terror are across the 'street' from their rides.

I liked to send the rest of my party on a ride that I did not mind skipping and have them text me if they finished and I wasn't waiting at the exit and they were going to move on to the next ride.

I also used the time to get myself or them a treat so we wouldn't all have to wait for the Dole Whip or Churro or Frozen Lemonade line. I have also been known to get solo photopass pictures, just because I usually buy the photopass+ so they are included.

Have fun!!

 

[figment_jii]

I've also been the FP runner for my group and I don't run either. I walk, sometimes fast, sometimes slowly, to the FP location while the group goes off and does something else. Most times, when I'm the runner, it's to get a FP for an attraction that isn't necessarily near where the group is at that point (e.g., hoping over to DCA to get RSR or WoC FPs), so by the time I get there and back, it's not worth it to try and catch up with the group. The only time when it was pretty easy to be the runner and still get in line with the group was when I went ahead of the group to get the FPs and then met up with them at the entrance to the line (i.e., usually a solo person can move through a crowd faster than people with strollers and kids that want to stop and look in every window on Main Street). As mentioned, the queues really aren't mean for guests to try and catch up with their group (in many cases, you'd have to literally push your way past others in line and that is never comfortable when it happens). My group usually sets a meeting time and location, so that if I get back early, I can do a little shopping or grab a snack while I wait.

Most of the rides have FP machines near the entrance. There are only a few with FPs machines that aren't located close to the entrance (RSR, Star Tours, ToT, and Splash are the only ones that come to mind). Star Tours is across the walkway between the entrance to Buzz and the Little Green Command Store. ToT is across the "street" near the Red Car Trolley station. Splash is by the Brier Patch store, across from the entrance to the Hungry Bear. And RSR is the most removed, being near the entrance to It's Tough to Be a Bug. Other than that, the FP machines are near enough to the attraction entrance that they should be easy to find (you can ask a CM at the attraction entrance if you have trouble locating the machines).

While not attraction FP machines, I suppose the FP machines for WoC, F!, A&E, and Frozen at Fantasy Faire are also somewhat removed from their associated event. WoC FPs are distributed at GRR. F! FPs are distributed along the trail to Big Thunder Ranch. A&E FPs are distributed about 3/4ths of the way down Hollywood Blvd, just past the entrance to the Animation Building. Frozen at Fantasy Faire FPs are distributed in the hub area.

 

[Drusilla99]

I usually grab the fp's for the group, but no running. I think with the crowds, running wouldn't be safe anyway. They go ahead and ride a different ride while I'm getting the passes. I don't cut into the line they've gotten in, I usually stroll through shops and people watch.

 

[TechGuy]

Don't forget, when you are the runner, you need to have all of the entry tickets for your entire party. You need the ticket to get the FP.

I typically keep all of the tickets (for everyone) and all of the collected FP in a pouch, on my lanyard. Some days you can have quite a pocket full.

 

[swooshbear]

I'm the designated FP runner for my group and I think it's partially because I walk faster than everyone in my group. It's also easier to weave through large crowds as one person so I just grab everyone's tickets/passes and collect FPs. I also hold them all in my wallet until it's time to ride.

One trick I've seen for pulling large bunches of FPs is stacking the paper tickets on top of each other in the scanner, instead of inserting and pulling them out one by one.

 

[KateDrake]

My DH and I often take turns being the runner for our family, but we usually just walk quickly. I don't think the CMs look to kindly on actual running

We have found that with small kids, it takes the rest of the family so long to get anywhere that the runner sometimes beats everyone else to our next stop. For example, we'll exit the attraction and DH takes off to grab FPs while I get the stroller, pack up the baby, etc. Then we head over to the meeting spot, and since the 6 year old can't walk very fast and we have to weave in and out of traffic, DH is usually there by the time we arrive. And we've found this to be true even if we don't have kids with us. Even a group of adults takes forever to get anywhere, because someone wants to grab a photo, or someone needs to go to the bathroom, plus it's harder for a group to get through the crowd than it is for the runner, etc.

 

[JeriLee]

FP Runner for my family too! And yes – I do sometimes run (slowly) – it’s just my energy level. Below is a picture of my FP wallet – it is perfect for holding the AP cards and FP’s.

Also - Don’t forget to treat yourself! As the FP Runner, you deserve a few perks. One time, I got to Indiana Jones and had to wait 10 minutes before I could get my next set of passes – so I grabbed a single rider ticket and was out in 15 minutes. Sweet! I’ve also been known to grab a Dole Whip on my way past… Like I said – us Runners deserve a perk!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FXFlVf2oL.jpg

 

[redbonec]

Thank you for the clarifications! Good ideas.
Yes, I can see how a returning member wouldn't really be able to re-join a line, that makes sense. But, like some said, by the time a runner gets done, the family might just be meeting them nearby, or go on a different ride. And the idea of getting a treat, sweet!
Thanks figment for posting on the locations, after hearing how RSR was not at the ride, I was worried about finding other fast pass locations. And thanks for the reminder about Fantasmic and World of Color fastpasses, I had forgotten about those.
JeriLee, neat wallet. I don't have the same, but that did give me an idea of something I do have that I can use.
Thank you!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We always send DS16 as our Fast Pass runner. He's quick and agile and can get through crowds faster than our whole family of four. We always have a plan for where he will meet up with us. Sometimes we stay in one place and he comes back. Other times, we meet up with him in another area. He always has his phone so we can text back and forth. Frequently, he comes back with a Mickey Bar or a Mickey pretzel!

 

[rentayenta]

DS 13 is our runner. I have no idea if he actually runs or not but I am guessing he might.