Just got back and IMHO there are too many fast passes!!!

[Wolfelaw]

My son (now 9) and I have gone to Disney for the past four years. The first year it seems that they were just starting Fastpass (or maybe not, but the CM who sold us our tickets made a very big deal about it and explained it to us in great detail, so I think it was pretty new) and I couldn't believe how cool it was. I had been thinking that we could only go on a few, not so popular rides, because my son is an ADHD posterboy and could not possibly stand in line for more than fifteen minutes without going postal -- with Fastpass, we were able to go on lots of rides.
Every year since then, we have gotten better at planning things out to make the most of Fastpass -- the best trick is to get the Fastpass, look around and ride on not-so-busy rides until you're within the one-hour window, then get another Fastpass, then ride on your original Fastpass ride, then go to your next Fastpass ride -- and just keep doing that.

Yes, there are times when we have simply skipped rides with long lines because we couldn't get a Fastpass -- but that's because I refuse to stand in long lines. Without Fastpass, I'm sure that we wouldn't have been back to Disney every year.

This December we're checking out Universal for three days, on site -- FOL privileges sound even better than Fastpass. But I do think I'll feel a little wierd about that -- like the other posters say, Fastpass is totally democratic and egalitarian -- anyone can get one, assuming they know how -- while FOL is limited to those who pay to stay onsite. But . . . I imagine I'll be able to set my scruples aside for three days and enjoy the perk.

 

[georgina]

Originally posted by Wolfelaw
This December we're checking out Universal for three days, on site -- FOL privileges sound even better than Fastpass. But I do think I'll feel a little wierd about that -- like the other posters say, Fastpass is totally democratic and egalitarian -- anyone can get one, assuming they know how -- while FOL is limited to those who pay to stay onsite. But . . . I imagine I'll be able to set my scruples aside for three days and enjoy the perk.

Last time I was at IOA, they did have a free Express Pass system similar to Fastpass, as well as the express booklet for purchase.

 

[mrsltg]

I imagine I'll be able to set my scruples aside for three days and enjoy the perk.

You should definitely enjoy FOTL access. It's a great perk! That said, don't abuse it. I stayed at Portofino for 2 nights last year to have the benefit of FOTL. I rode most attractions once, and one twice in a row. I didn't have the heart to walk past the same people twice while they were waiting in line for so long. I've read reports of people going on the same ride 5,6,7 times in a row and each time passing the same people - that's something I wouldn't feel comfortable doing!

FastPass, however, I LOVE!!! I feel it's a real time saver and is completely fair to all WDW guests. It's a benefit that anyone can use. I think it's especially helpful to those with little ones who can't do long lines. I was at AK with my then 2.5 year-old in June. She wanted to go on the Safari (me, too!!!), but the line was around 45 minutes -there is no way she would have had the tolerance for that kind of wait. We got a fastpass, came back an hour later, waited on line about 5 minutes, and got on the ride. I really feel it's a great system and look forward to using it in December.

Erin

 

[Synonymous]

You should definitely enjoy FOTL access. It's a great perk! That said, don't abuse it.

I have to disagree. Universal has decided to charge people for this privilege and, conversely, has made a business decision to make the people who don't pay wait. If I paid for this (and I haven't been to Universal yet, but plan to) I would certainly feel entitled to use it as much as I wanted. I will stay at a Universal hotel precisely so my daughter CAN go on Spiderman 5,6 or 7 times in a row (as I know she'll want to.)

 

[punkin]

Don't use fast pass. It's really really bad. Stand in lines instead. That's a much fairer way of doing things.




(I hope these people listen to me--more fast passes left for me then)

 

[Synonymous]

Good point, punkin. I've also heard that fastpasses have been shown to cause cancer. And. . . um, measles! Yeah, that's it. Fastpasses cause measles. People should stay away from them.

 

[Aisling]

I think Fast Pass is a great idea. I have also heard people talking about not being willing to buy a Fast Pass, and were surprised to learn they were free. What a waste of time spent on a line! I would never wait on a line for 45 minutes. FP gives you the chance to get your time, go enjoy other things, and come back and hopefully get right on.

I don't have a problem with the ride I'm waiting for being on the other side of the park. When our time is getting close, my family and I stroll over, taking our time to enjoy the sights and sounds. It makes the ride or attraction more exciting, like it's an event. Having done FOTL at Universal while staying onsight (I would NEVER stay offsite and do without FOTL), we kind of got spoiled with being able to go on a ride over and over again in a row. At first I felt uncomfortable passing all those people 2 and 3 times, and even 5 times for the Hulk, but I got over it. Sorry, but the policy is to give on-siters a perk, and I was going to use it freely.

Anyway, back to the original topic, I don't know if they are giving out too many Fast Passes at Disney, I'll see in July, but no matter how many people are on the FP line, it's going to be better than the regular one. There's so much to see and do while waiting for our FP time, and yes even without spending money in the stores!

 

[w8ting4pooh]

...and SARS. So Stay away from those FP machines!

Seriously, there is a down side to using the FPs for ALL the FP rides. You miss the details in the cueing areas. We spent soooo much time racing thru the cueing! The waiting area for Splash Mountain looked cute. We stopped to read some of the little signs and sayings! We FP every ride where FP is offered. Maybe we should try waiting in a regular line next year...

 

[chi-mom]

Just got back and LOVED fastpass!!!! It enabled us to do alot more and keep the kids happier. If there was a long wait we grabbed a fastpass and ate lunch or shopped. If the fastpass return was a long time we simply visited another area of the park and returned later. My favorite thing was to get a fastpass just before we left and gift it to someone just entering the park. The reaction is fun!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Synonymous
I have to disagree. Universal has decided to charge people for this privilege and, conversely, has made a business decision to make the people who don't pay wait. If I paid for this (and I haven't been to Universal yet, but plan to) I would certainly feel entitled to use it as much as I wanted. I will stay at a Universal hotel precisely so my daughter CAN go on Spiderman 5,6 or 7 times in a row (as I know she'll want to.)

Universal has several different options. They have Express pass machines (similar to fast pass at Disney except you can pick between 2 different times.) These passes are free to anyone even those who are staying offsite. You can usually get only one pass per ticket at a time unless the other pass has expired or within 2 hours of getting the first pass. These free express passes run out usually before noon so if you want one you need to get there early.

They also have express pass booklets you can buy that have all the major rides in them. There is only one ticket for each ride though. These booklets cost around $20 but can be higher on Halloween Horror peak nights.

Then they have FOTL access for onsite visitors. The rule is supposed to be that you can only ride the more popular rides like MIB and Spiderman once an hour but this rule is very seldom enforced.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Before we had kids we didn't mind long lines so much; it was kind of part of the "fun" and we enjoyed spending the time talking to each other, people-watching, etc.

NOW, though, with two very small children, Fast Pass has been a godsend for us! We would never have been able to go in July and enjoy ourselves so much without it. With a little planning (and arriving at the parks early each day) we were able to go on every attraction we wanted to, many 2 or 3 or more times over the course of the week, and we never waited in line more than about 20 minutes. It was so great to be able to grab a FP for, say, Peter Pan, and then take the kids on a shorter-wait ride or two (IASW, Carousel) in the meantime. Yes, it did take some brainwork and maybe a little extra legwork to make our days as efficient as possible with FP, but boy was it worth it! There was no way our 3-year-old and one-year-old could have held up for so long if they'd been standing in lines all day.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

With reference to the OP's question/observation, I would have to say that the FP lines for some attractions do appear to be longer than I have seen before. We are fortunate to be able to go to WDW several times a year, and the trip we just returned from had some relatively long FP lines. For Peter Pan, they actually stopped admitting FP riders for a while because the line was full. This then caused a second line to form (of people waiting to get in with their FPs) which stretched around in front of Mickey's Philharmagic. I did feel bad for those people in the standby line who were barely moving while they tried to work the FP line down. The CM was also surprised. The FP line for Buzz was likewise longer than I have seen before. Having said that, the wait on both was probably not much more than 10 minutes.

Mike

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> fast pass line was full ...

Perhaps the ride had broken down for awhile. Whenever that happens (Test Track at Epcot is a frequent victim) the fast pass line can back up.

The fast pass line is supposed to be managed according to a formula that may vary with day and hour and ride. Typically it is four fast pass riders for every regular rider. If the ride attendant takes 80 fast pass riders and then 20 regular riders, the formula is the same but a few fast pass guests waiting will start wondering why so many non fast pass guests are being taken and a moment later regular guests are wondering why so many fast pass guests are being taken. Some rides such as Big Thunder have two loading platforms and one is used for fast pass. I am guessing that the formula there is 50/50 much of the time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastpass.htm

 

[Lswilmot@aol.com]

We have used Fast Pass on occasion, and admit it does cut down the wait, but we did have a major problem with it last August.
A small group (about 10) entered the regular line at the Land boat ride. The posted time was 20 minutes, so we figured no need for fast pass. The fast pass return time was over 1 hour away, so we waited. And waited and waited. They only let fast pass holders in due to the extreme number of FP ticket holders. We waited in the regular line over 1 1/2 hours and then the FP holders from when we entered the line were admitted. Needless to say we were not happy campers then. All the CM loading the boat would say is, leave the line and get a FP (now set for 2 hours ahead).
Again, we think the idea behind FP is good, there are still problems with the system.

 

[t2simon]

I have to agree that while Fastpass is a good idea, it is very poorly managed by SOME CMs.

When we arrived in WDW on the 4th, we decided to hop in to MK to do a few rides and hang out in the evening. Of course, DS wanted to go on Buzz immediately. We stroll over and the stand-by time says 25 mins. Not too bad, so we get in line. Chat with some people, etc. finally get in the building. That is where we stop. They were taking only fastpass people and NO standby. We were in there an hour and a half - went in when it was light, came out it was dark. A riot nearly ensued. Some one toward the front started chanting "let us in, let us in" and we all promptly joined in. My son couldn't understand why were not getting in to see his friend Buzz.

As another poster mentioned, there is a formula they are supposed to follow, but it obviously wasn't working that night!

We went on several days later, used fastpass that time. It was the same CM at the head of the line, and she was doing the same d**ned thing!

It is a great idea, they just need to make it a little more equitable.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> The posted time was 20 minutes ... we waited. And waited and waited. They only let fast pass holders in due to the extreme number of FP ticket holders. We waited in the regular line over 1 1/2 hours.

They should not have had the posted wait time at 20 minutes, or if there was a sudden change in the ratio of fast pass riders to regular riders, an announcement should have been made.

Incidents like this create unnatural behavior, in this case unnecessary fetching of fast passes which means more waste paper.

To me it is not a question of making it more equitable but rather making it (the posted wait) more truthful. For this reason you do have a very valid complaint. Nothing wrong with having the sign say "Wait time unpredictable" if a breakdown had occurred.

 

[TammyC]

Originally posted by goofyernmost
I do not wish to get into another discussion about Fastpass so I will just say that it is the most rage inducing, discriminatory and unnecessary thing ever introduced in any theme park.

Bring back the good old days when it was first come first served and everyone had an equal wait for the same attraction. We all paid basically the same price for admission, no one should have special treatment under those circumstances.

Perhaps you can tell I don't like it. I've heard all the arguments in favor and I will never be convinced. Use them if you must, but I hate them.

Do you also believe that the restaurant PS system is discriminatory?

 

[kilee]

FP is a lifesaver, timesaver, and all around great!! It being free to everyone, puts everyone on level playing field. However, we don't use it that much. We usually don't have a need to. However, if it were busier we would.

I do believe that the system could be "tweaked" just a bit though. Too often people have been in "20 minute stand-by lines" only to have them increase to 1hour+ due to the large return of fastpass users. In that case, they should attempt to figure out a slightly better solution.

I have honestly avoided US/IOA because of the FOTL thing. We are making our first day trip back there in quite some time. If I personally find myself waiting due to too many people utilitzing this-- then I most likely won't go back. It's on an unfair perk. We all pay the same admission to get in. Stop trying to "milk" us for more money.

 

[Alex]

Lest anyone think that Disney is doing something wonderful, they realized that people standing in lines are not spending money! That was the main reason they put fastpass in. You get your ticket and you wander around the park, a soda here, a mickey bar there, a few things in the shops. Those fast pass machines pay for themselves and more.

 

[candleonwater]

I gave up on FP two years ago when I had one for Test Track and the wait time in the FP line was an hour! Since I'm a morning person, I'd much rather get to the park early - head straight for the rides I HAVE to ride... and then spend the rest of the day just wandering.