FastPasses running out?

[clydenora]

We hope to arrive at WDW about 1:00 pm and are planning to visit MGM that evening, after we check-in at OKW.

My question is, would it be foolish to stop by MGM and try to secure a fastpass for one of the rides to use later, before we even check in to OKW?

I have read that FPs run out by noon, and I've also read that FPs usually don't run out until 3 or 4 pm. Which is more likely true?

 

[Robo]

We hope to arrive at WDW about 1:00 pm and are planning to visit MGM that evening, after we check-in at OKW.

My question is, would it be foolish to stop by MGM and try to secure a fastpass for one of the rides to use later, before we even check in to OKW?

I have read that FPs run out by noon, and I've also read that FPs usually don't run out until 3 or 4 pm. Which is more likely true?

Depends on the RIDE...
Depends on the DAY...
Depends on the CROWD...

"Foolish" is not a word I'd use here.
Maybe "hopeful"...

Remember,
you must have your ENTIRE PARTY enter the gates (scan their tickets and fingers) before the FP machines will issue FP for those other guests' tickets.

If you think its worth the extra time, try it.

The other thing to do is enter the park, and only YOU go to CHECK IN while the others are enjoying the park.
(Or just WAIT to check-in LATER as a group.)

 

[valeriekc]

We hope to arrive at WDW about 1:00 pm and are planning to visit MGM that evening, after we check-in at OKW.

My question is, would it be foolish to stop by MGM and try to secure a fastpass for one of the rides to use later, before we even check in to OKW?

I have read that FPs run out by noon, and I've also read that FPs usually don't run out until 3 or 4 pm. Which is more likely true?

What time of year are you visiting??
And what rides are you wanting to fastpass.
It is pretty rare that fastpasses are gone for RNR and TOT until late afternoon or evening and that is only on crowded days.

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

Another thing is that if you are planning on staying until park closing and especially if you won't be taking in Fantasmic...the waits on RNR and TOT (which I assume are the rides you would be reffering to) are usally pretty minimal. At that time of night TOT will often have only a 5 minute wait or so. Just something to think about.

 

[bettyann29]

I dont think it would be foolish at all to go to MGM at any time.. Depending on when you're going, the crowds,etc... it might not be that difficult to ride some rides.. as someone else stated, during Fantasmic you run a really good chance of riding the rides you want as so many others will be at Fantasmic..

 

[Vijoge]

For the most part we found that there usually wasn't more than an hour or two wait from the time we got our fastpass until it expired. It wasn't like we could get a fastpass at noon and come back and ride at 6. It was get the fastpass at noon and ride between 1:05 and 2:05. I don't think you'll have much time to go anywhere after you pick up the fastpass.

 

[clydenora]

Thank you for your responses thus far.

We will arrive 3/26/06, a Sunday. It is the busy season. I was thinking all of us would scan our passes into MGM, then one of us go secure some FPs while the others check into OKW. Whoever goes to get the FPs can catch a bus to OKW and meet up with the others to help unpack the car, and after resting a bit, head to MGM about 4:30.

We plan to see the later Fantasmic show...there are two scheduled that evening...I checked. I was hoping that, because there are evening EMH at MK and also because there will be an earlier Fantasmic show, we'd be able to do at least one of the "biggies", (RnR or ToT) and with grabbing FPs earlier in the day, even do both (or one of them twice) and still be able to get to the 9:00 Fantasmic. I'm even hoping that there will be time to catch one of the other, less popular attractions.

So, flaws in my logic??

 

[lizanne]

Are you aware that check-in time at OKW is 4PM. There's always a chance that you will get your room earlier than that but no guarantee.

I think that if someone picks up a FP sometime between 1PM and 2PM, that by the time they ride back to OKW on bus, join up with the rest of your party, they ride back to MGM that your fastpasses would have expired.....but please don't take my world for it, I guess you won't know for sure if you don't try.

 

[aunt kelly]

Based upon my experiences during busy season, I think the fastpasses for TOT and RnR will be gone by mid-afternoon. However, I think it sounds like a lot of work to go to MGM just to get fastpasses to use later in the evening. I would almost rather stand in line for an hour than make a seperate trip to MGM for fastpasses.

 

[Vijoge]

\ However, I think it sounds like a lot of work to go to MGM just to get fastpasses to use later in the evening.

The thing is, you're not going to be able to pick up fastpasses in the afternoon to use in the evening. You may have a two hour window, so picking then up at say 1PM and use them between 2-4. They have a time limit that does expire. It's not like it's a ride reservation where you go at noon and reserve a 7 PM TOT or an 8:15 PM EE. I just think don't the OP can do what they planned.

 

[Robo]

The thing is, you're not going to be able to pick up fastpasses in the afternoon to use in the evening. You may have a two hour window, so picking then up at say 1PM and use them between 2-4. They have a time limit that does expire. It's not like it's a ride reservation where you go at noon and reserve a 7 PM TOT or an 8:15 PM EE. I just think don't the OP can do what they planned.

Don't worry about missing a FP end-time.

Fast Passes do have a window that does "expire" but they will be honored at ANY TIME later in that same day. (If the FP expires at 2pm, you can still use it at, say, 6:45pm).
This is one of those "rules" that is true 99% of the time.
The only time there MIGHT be a problem is on the very "hottest" and busiest attractions like Soarin' or EE.

But, I just used "expired" FP this last January, two different times, for Soarin'... the CM checked the time and waved us through.

 

[clydenora]

lizanne- Yes, check in time is 4:00. I am hoping for an earlier check-in, but not counting on it. I realize they have to have time to clean and restore the rooms. If we have to wait until exactly 4, we may not get to MGM until 5:30.