How hard is it to get 4th or 5th fastpass for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain?

[maryj11]

I'm trying to plan out our fastpasses before the day arrives. How hard is to get a 4th or 5th fastpass for the mountain rides after we have used our first 3? It will be on a Saturday with evening EMH in the middle of August.
We would like to get them for in the evening after an afternoon break.

 

[Robo]

Less than a 50% chance.
Could be much less.
Depending on, well, everything.

 

[kadrachb]

We just left, and BTMRR had FP left until about 5pm, granted, it was probably less crowded when we went then when you are going to be there. Splash Mountain was even hit or miss with us. Our first MK day there were none left by 3pm, our second MK day there were some left by 3pm.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Well, there's good news and bad.

First, your odds of getting later FP has some wide variables: How early in the day are your first 3? Crowds? How late is MK open? Weather? But odds of a Mtn 4th FP are probably slim, but it would depend a on timing of FP#3.

The good news is that you probably won't need FP to ride it (late) at night. Well, we never NEED FP, so I'll say there are good odds you'll be able to ride at least BTMRR and Splash with waits under 30min.

In summer heat, many folks get heat exhaustion by 5pm, because they try to tough out the afternoon heat. Summer storms are also common. During and after the storm, parks clear out. But then, summer storms bring torrential rain and lightning. During lightning, all outdoor mountains (BTMRR, EE, Splash, animal attractions at AK, etc) all stop running. I'm not sure about 7D, but it wouldn't surprise me if that one stopped as well.

Also, the later, the lower the crowds ...except that a crowd of folks runs for BTMRR just after the parade and fireworks (also Buzz and Space Mtn). Of the three you mention, we've found that Space Mtn keeps a line the longest. Oddly enough, so does Peter Pan!

In summer, hanging past 10pm is rewarded, especially those who skip the fireworks/parade.

WDW=Choices!

 

[Lucius Best]

Like other have said, it depends on just about everything. If you use your 3 FP+ in the morning, and hit a kiosk at noon, I would expect to be able to get a 4th FP for Thunder or Splash. But the return time could be anywhere from 1 to 4 hours away, so I wouldn't count on a 5th FP.

Previous poster had lots of good points. Tom Sawyer's Island and Hall of Presidents are good places to nap in the afternoon, to help you make it to end of evening EMH when the park starts to clear out and lines get shorter.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Splash Mountain isn't open for evening EMH, so try to hit that one before scheduled park close if you can't get a FP.

The good news is that the Splash line can get very short after dark. I think there is an unconscious fear of getting wet at night that keeps guests away.

The bad news is that they close one of the three loading docks when the crowd dwindles while still operating the same number of boats. This can result in a fairly long wait to get off the boat, even when the ride is a walkon. I've seen backups almost to the riverboat scene waiting to get to the exit.

 

[Lucius Best]

I will add, that on our last visit in April, it seemed like they gave out a ton of FP for certain rides, like BTMRR. Often when we returned to use our FP, there was a long line of 50-100 people waiting to scan their Magicbands at the FP queue entrance. The more FP they give out, the more likely you'll be able to get a 4th and 5th.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Last summer, getting a 4th MK FP was often a hassle = standing in a considerable afternoon line- often in the HOT sun. So guests spent 20min in line at 2pm, for a 9pm FP for attractions that often had ten minute standby lines at 9pm.

January of this year, the kiosk lines were much shorter.

Seems like FP is ever evolving, so this summer could well be different that last.

Last August, afternoon real feel temps were over 100. The year before that, we were shivering at the BC pool at 4pm! The 100 real feel is more typical. Haning out on Tom Sawyer isn't enough of a break from the heat, at least not for us. One option is a long indoor show (American Adventure? Nemo? Ellen's Energy?), but more typically we head to a resort or our room. Most WDW deluxe resorts have comfy seats, AC, and cool beverages of one kind or another.

 

[Pigletpal40]

Every time we've been in August the MK is open late on weekends. During fireworks totally worth it for the views and the short lines. After the fireworks the crowds disperse. Last trip, my son, 14, and his cousin, 17, stayed a couple of nights 'til 12-1am. No lines.

 

[maryj11]

Last summer, getting a 4th MK FP was often a hassle = standing in a considerable afternoon line- often in the HOT sun. So guests spent 20min in line at 2pm, for a 9pm FP for attractions that often had ten minute standby lines at 9pm.

January of this year, the kiosk lines were much shorter.

Seems like FP is ever evolving, so this summer could well be different that last.

Last August, afternoon real feel temps were over 100. The year before that, we were shivering at the BC pool at 4pm! The 100 real feel is more typical. Haning out on Tom Sawyer isn't enough of a break from the heat, at least not for us. One option is a long indoor show (American Adventure? Nemo? Ellen's Energy?), but more typically we head to a resort or our room. Most WDW deluxe resorts have comfy seats, AC, and cool beverages of one kind or another.

Can you get your 4th or 5th fastpass using My Disney Experience ? Or will we have to wait in a line at a kiosk?

 

[maryj11]

Every time we've been in August the MK is open late on weekends. During fireworks totally worth it for the views and the short lines. After the fireworks the crowds disperse. Last trip, my son, 14, and his cousin, 17, stayed a couple of nights 'til 12-1am. No lines.

Sounds good to me !

 

[Robo]

Can you get your 4th or 5th fastpass using My Disney Experience ? Or will we have to wait in a line at a kiosk?

Kiosk only.

Once you OBTAIN the 4th (or the 5th, etc.) at the kiosk, you can make CHANGES for that particular FP+ on the app or website.

 

[tstottle]

If, going by what a PP said, you got one for say 9pm, what are the chances you could log on and move it earlier? Worth a try or 0 chance?

 

[Ocean]

It's been a few years since we've been there in August, but we had really good luck with both Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during the Christmas holidays. We love late nights at Magic Kingdom. A couple of times the lines at Splash Mountain were short enough that the cast members let us just stay in our log for another go. We had a couple of nights when BTMR had a 20 minute posted standby time, but our actual wait time was 10 minutes or less.

 

[Robo]

If, going by what a PP said, you got one for say 9pm, what are the chances you could log on and move it earlier? Worth a try or 0 chance?

The likelihood is very low.
You can only move times to spots that are still available.
Most earlier spots would be filled (or past.)

 

[mesaboy2]

Can you get your 4th or 5th fastpass using My Disney Experience ? Or will we have to wait in a line at a kiosk?

Answers to FP FAQs like yours can be found in the green link in my signature.

 

[Robo]

Answers to FP FAQs like yours can be found in the green link in my signature.

I know it's the right thing to do, but I forgot.

 

[kjs1976]

Granted we went on a Wed the first week of May, but on our 5th fast pass try BTMRR popped up for an 8pm time, like about 20 min from when we made it, when it was not available when we went to make our 4th FP.

 

[savannie]

Chances are good if you try for a 4th one before lunch. Likelihood goes down as the day goes on. If you don't get one, though, just ride during the fireworks show. There's never a wait then, even if the posted times say otherwise.

 

[maryj11]

Kiosk only.

Once you OBTAIN the 4th (or the 5th, etc.) at the kiosk, you can make CHANGES for that particular FP+ on the app or website.

Robo where are your park maps ? I have them bookmarked from last year but cant find them on that page anymore?