Has Fast Pass Inspired You

[danny1649]

To go to WDW during time frame where crowds are larger than when you have visted WDW before?We have for last 12 years have went first part of December,low crowds and all the holiday happenings make it a great time to visit for us.This year we are also making a trip in late June in part due to with Fast Pass I think we can do what we want with the increased crowds.I would like to hear if you have done this?How was your experience?Thank's Danny

 

[HaleyB]

It was DisneyLand, but I will tell you anyway...

Last July we went to Disney Land on a Wednesday. It was the 3rd week in July. This should have been heavy crowds in DL, and it was. Lots of traffic jams and stroller wars. BUT using Fast Passes to our best advantage we made it on every FP ride and most of the others (we skip a few that we do not enjoy). We never waited more than 30 minutes for any ride and no more than 15 for any FP ride. This was with a large slow group too- a 4 year old (no stroller) a 7 year old, a 16 year old, two 30-somethings, and a 54 year old Grandma.

I grew up in DL and know the FP system very well. Several FP machines are disconected from the main system, and actually there are two systems that control the FP machines. If you know which rides are on which system and plan well you can get multiple FP at the same time.


Edited to add:
As you can see from our counter we will brave WDW in June. We are betting on FP's helping us a great deal, that and touring plans from the Unofficial Guide.

 

[tcfdick]

I went to WDW in July 2003 and used FP's. We never waited longer than 20-30 min. for any ride and no longer than 5-10 min. on a FP ride. It's the only way to go, but you need to be at the park's opening because the FP's go fast on the most popular rides like SpMt., Spl.Mt., BTM, Pooh, and Buzz at the MK and the same goes for other parks and the favorites there.
It's very doable (is that a word?) without being frustrated with standing in lines for 1-1 1/2 hours.

 

[dreamalittledream]

HaleyB
just a note on the 2 FP systems, I heard from CM that the Jungle Cruise may operate in the same way and not be hooked into the main FP system. We did not need it for ourselves when we were there but you may want to try it and let us all know.

I wish we were going back!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

We try to be creative using our Fast Passes. For instance we get a Fast Pass at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and actually wait on the regular line. After we get off we then use the Fast Pass to get right back on.

Only half my family likes Splash Mountain. (Chickens.) So we have the entire family get Fast Passes and then go do something else. When it's time, those of us who like Splash Mountain come back and use it. When we are done, we still have the Fast Passes from the other half of the family and ride again rather quickly. Just a few idea's.

 

[danny1649]

For some great tip's,idea's and suggestion's I appreciate them and I think they will help with our June trip.

 

[GEM]

I have to say no, it hasn't. We love Fast Pass, but we still wouldn't want to go at a crowded time. For us, it isn't so much the long lines for the rides, as it is the crowds in general. We hate having to push and shove our way down the sidewalks as we try to navigate the throngs on Main Street, etc. We don't like having to find our parade and fireworks spots hours in advance. We can't stand fighting the hordes to find a chair by the pool or waiting half an hour in line for our ice cream. So, even though Fast Pass would reduce the wait times for rides, it would still be too crowded for us. We stick with October, early December, and early May. We've been a few times during the high attendance periods (spring break, for example) and we probably won't do that again!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

let me tell you after last summers CROWDS, and i mean CROWDS we certainly got our use of FP. lol. it was still amost un-bearable though between the HEAT<CROWDS and RAIN.. but would we go back. yep in a minute..... esp . after the winter we have had this year. lol