How early are the Fastpass machines running?

[mom22boys]

Do the Fastpass machines start working right at opening? Or do they wait until a line builds to turn them on? I am working on our touring plans for our November trip. UG just updated our days to a crowd level of 7. Yikes! I thought we might be able to have a laid back trip, but now I am feeling the pressure to have real touring plans. Anyway, I was just wondering if you were able to grab Fastpasses right at opening. For example, could you grab a Fastpass for Test Track, ride Mission Space, then ride Test Track using your Fastpass. There are alot of side by side rides and I was wondering if this strategy worked.

Much thanks!

 

[Robo]

For example, could you grab a Fastpass for Test Track, ride Mission Space, then ride Test Track using your Fastpass. There are alot of side by side rides and I was wondering if this strategy worked.

Much thanks!

THIS particular plan has been used many times.
These two popular rides do have Fastpass and the machines are usually open right from the day's beginning.

BUT, there are MANY attractions that don't have/need Fastpass and there are many that are very far apart from each other.
And, as you suspected, many FP distribution areas are not open at the top of every morning, but are activated as the crowds thicken.
Big Thunder Mtn. and Splash Mtn. are FP attractions and side-by-side but generally are not crowded (or have the FP vendors going) until later in the day. You can ride early almost every morning with short cues.

So "just grabbing a FP first" and riding another ride 'til the Pass is valid will not always be possible or necessary.

One important thing to remember is that even though you are never allowed to ride BEFORE the earliest time stated on the FP... you generally ARE allowed to use that FP LATER than the "end time" printed on the Pass.
So, if you get caught on the other side of a park, or decide to watch a parade or show and "miss" your FP window... just go back later THAT DAY and you should be allowed in the FP line with no hassles.

 

[mom22boys]

Thank you!

 

[jann1033]

off season if fast pass opens at all it is usually later ( afternoon) and only for things like tot or rnr