Fastpass...why doesn't everyone use it?

[Somegirl]

I've searched around but haven't found an answer to this one. If I remember correctly when FP was first started only certain park passes had access to FPs. like AAA passes. If everyone can use FPs now why wouldn't everyone use it, and if everyone uses it wouldn't the FP lines be just as long as standby lines? Am I missing something here?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

First off, there are only so many Fastpasses given out for the day and then they are gone for the day, so the line could not ever get as long as the standby lane.

As to why doesn't everyone use it, not everyone that goes to DL reads the DIS or does any research before their trip. If you think it is a mystery at DL, you should see the lines at WDW. And, you should see the dirty looks that some of those in the standby lines give to Fastpassers when they walk by, it is as if the Faspassers have broken a law or something.

We often ask the question ourselves why more people don't use Fastpass. Could be that some of them don't think about what their park tickets cost and don't realize what it is actually costing them to just stand in line. Maybe some just don't care , who knows. But you aren't the first to be mystified by this.

 

[50sjayne]

Ever see Idiocracy?

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Alot of people I have talked to are not aware of the fastpass system. Or if they are aware they think they can only use the fastpass's during the time listed on the pass. I have been to disneyland several times before I found out about the fastpass system. So I guess the less people who know about it, the better it is for us who do.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yes, some people aren't smart enough to do their research or to ask a cast member about what it is, or even to read about in on the map/guide when they enter the park.

But also once you have a fast pass, you can still go wait in the standby lines of other rides until your time is ready- so the people you see in the stand by line might have a fast pass for later on another ride.

I think the majority of people do use it.

 

[HydroGuy]

1. Some people like to "wing it" which to them means never doing any research or looking at any park maps (which explain FP clearly) or asking any CMs about FP. So they do not understand it.

2. Some (many) people think you have to pay for it and so they ignore it.

3. Many people think it is too much of a hassle.

4. Many people act like sheep and are so accustomed to getting in long lines at DLR that they just do it without thinking.

And finally, I think many people do use FP. Just because someone is in a standby line does not mean they are not using FP. It may mean they have a FP for something else.

 

[Somegirl]

As to why doesn't everyone use it, not everyone that goes to DL reads the DIS or does any research before their trip.

Well those people are missing half the fun! Yes I forgot that they run out of FPs. I don't think we've ever been to DLR during a super busy time so that has never happened to us. We're going in June this year so I'm certain we'll experience the FP machines running out.
The last time we went to DLR AAA had unlimited FPs or something, that was great. I'd buy my Hoppers from them if they still had that option, but since they don't I'm going with LMT.

 

[Somegirl]

Ever see Idiocracy?

Yes I have! Now it's all very clear to me!

 

[blackjackdelta]

All the time.

Jack

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I know many (including me up until I joined the DIS) think that you have to use them between the allotted time. i have had numerous people try to hand out FPs to me since they weren't going to be able to use them at the printed time. I have also found unused FPs sitting on top of FP machines for other rides.

 

[Somegirl]

I know many (including me up until I joined the DIS) think that you have to use them between the allotted time. i have had numerous people try to hand out FPs to me since they weren't going to be able to use them at the printed time. I have also found unused FPs sitting on top of FP machines for other rides.

Let's keep this secret under our hats shall we? ...You are very right about people not knowing about the return times. My neighbor is a huge Disney fan. Her family goes every year for week, stays at the DLH and didn't know you could come back after the return time. I wish I didn't tell her...

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Let's keep this secret under our hats shall we? ...You are very right about people not knowing about the return times. My neighbor is a huge Disney fan. Her family goes every year for week, stays at the DLH and didn't know you could come back after the return time. I wish I didn't tell her...

DH is more than happy to keep his mouth shut and accept those FPs!!! I am nicer unfortunately!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I know many (including me up until I joined the DIS) think that you have to use them between the allotted time. i have had numerous people try to hand out FPs to me since they weren't going to be able to use them at the printed time. I have also found unused FPs sitting on top of FP machines for other rides.

People can be weird. Two FP stories:


1. I had 3 FPs for TSMM at DHS on TSMM's opening day in 2008. We had already ridden it 10 times on our trip and my kids just did not want to go again. The standby line was 80-100 minutes mid-day.

So while standing in front of TSMM a lady walks up with two children to get in the standby line and I offered her the FPs. She looked at me like I was trying to sell her some snake oil and got in the standby line. I then offered them to the next guy coming up and he took them and said "thanks"!


2. While standing in line at DLR I heard some people talking about their FPs and how they were past the window. I told them casually how DLR accepts FPs after the window. They looked at me uncomfortably and it was clear they did not understand and did not want to understand.


In general I rarely give FP advice while at DLR or WDW because the typical body language and facial response I get is "don't talk to me, I do not want to hear it". Every once in awhile I will mention some FP tips to people if they seem open to talking about it. But usually they are not open in my experience.

 

[XTinabell]

1. Some people like to "wing it" which to them means never doing any research or looking at any park maps (which explain FP clearly) or asking any CMs about FP. So they do not understand it.

2. Some (many) people think you have to pay for it and so they ignore it.

3. Many people think it is too much of a hassle.

4. Many people act like sheep and are so accustomed to getting in long lines at DLR that they just do it without thinking.

And finally, I think many people do use FP. Just because someone is in a standby line does not mean they are not using FP. It may mean they have a FP for something else.

Yes, we had a very awkward encounter with an older lady and her grand daughter when we tried to give them our FP's for Soarin. They thought we were trying to sell the FP's to them, and they had absolutely no idea what they were. It took the fun out of giving the FP's to them because they thought we were scamming them. After we explained and gave the FP's to them, I think they still had no idea what they were. Oh well.

 

[DSNY4ever]

People can be weird. Two FP stories:


1. I had 3 FPs for TSMM at DHS on TSMM's opening day in 2008. We had already ridden it 10 times on our trip and my kids just did not want to go again. The standby line was 80-100 minutes mid-day.

So while standing in front of TSMM a lady walks up with two children to get in the standby line and I offered her the FPs. She looked at me like I was trying to sell her some snake oil and got in the standby line. I then offered them to the next guy coming up and he took them and said "thanks"!


2. While standing in line at DLR I heard some people talking about their FPs and how they were past the window. I told them casually how DLR accepts FPs after the window. They looked at me uncomfortably and it was clear they did not understand and did not want to understand.


In general I rarely give FP advice while at DLR or WDW because the typical body language and facial response I get is "don't talk to me, I do not want to hear it". Every once in awhile I will mention some FP tips to people if they seem open to talking about it. But usually they are not open in my experience.

Haha, you don't even know how many people I have apparently "scared" or made uncomfortable by just offering a nice tip or advice. My husband told me to just stop telling people things, but I always think I am going to help- usually they just give me that weird look you are talking about

 

[kelmac284]

We are FP gurus as well and my dh is obsessed actually LOL. We get in the parks at opening and he makes it his mission to collect as MANY fp's as possible. Even if we could NEVER use them all. Then at the end of the day whatever we DON'T use he gives away. I often wonder though how many people throw them away because the time is well past and they don't realize you can STILL use them.

He gets them EARLY in the day when you can get them like every 40 minutes or so and continues all the way till he can't get anymore and we learned that trick LONG ago about using them till the end of the day. We LOVE this and it has made touring ESP on crazy busy days SO much easier!

The only bad part is he gets a little TOO obsessed LOL with getting one every possible moment the next window is open and sometimes that means leaving our party in the middle of lunch or another ride to run get more passes. When mom and I go we take a MUCH more laid back approach. We get them if we are NEAR something but don't go out of our way

 

[bnbheartdisney]

I often wonder though how many people throw them away because the time is well past and they don't realize you can STILL use them.

I have to admit, I am guilty of not knowing this! We use FP, but didn't know the specifics - thought you could only use them during the times on the passes.

He gets them EARLY in the day when you can get them like every 40 minutes or so and continues all the way till he can't get anymore and we learned that trick LONG ago about using them till the end of the day.

I thought you could only get one FP at a time???

I understand now that you can use them later on in the day, does it matter how late in the day you use them? Would it be possible to grab some before we leave for the afternoon and use them when we return in the evening?

 

[kelmac284]

Nope, see now the others on here are going to get mad at me for giving away the secret LOL.

But if you look at the pass it tells you when you can get the NEXT pass. So in other words if you get your first pass at say 9 and it says to come back between 9:30 and 10 to use it there will be another thing at the bottom that says you can get your NEXT fast pass at X time. Early in the day the times are fairly quick. I think possibly even within a half hour. I think that is the shortest time. My dh is the one who usually always gets them but look the next time you get one and it will tell you.

That is what we do. We get our first set and then dh keeps track of when he can get the next ones and does this pretty much most of the morning and into the afternoon until he either has his "fill" or they run out. We save up quite a few that way and then use them throughout the day. Then WHILE we are collecting them for later we try to ride as many rides early as we can. And as people have stated if the pass says come back between 10 and 11 you have to use the pass no EARLIER than 10 but you can use it ANY time after that up till park closing.

Good luck and hope you try it next time you are there.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Nope, see now the others on here are going to get mad at me for giving away the secret LOL.

I'm a fellow DISer, aren't we supposed to stick together?!?! Don't worry, I won't tell anybody outside of the DIS circle!

Good luck and hope you try it next time you are there.

Thanks and I definitely will!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Nope, see now the others on here are going to get mad at me for giving away the secret LOL.

Once posted on online it is not a secret anymore. It is a sticky at the top of MiceChat and in my Tips which are a sticky here. Both of these have been around for over 5 years now.

"The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets" www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

The only secret part of it is that most people will not take the time to learn about it. No matter how far and wide the secret is published, the large majority will not pay attention.