Newbie to wdw fastpass - need info please

[amjl]

hi,

The last time I went to WDW the fastpass did not exist. I've read that you can only get a fastpass every 2 hours - so if the park is open 12 hours that's about 6 fastpass rides - right? I keep reading on the boards that people use the fast pass all day - is there more to the fastpass? Thanks for your help.
Laura

 

[elemusing]

You can get a FP once the time printed on your ticket to come back BEGINS. (If the ticket says come back between 12:00 - 1:00, you may go get another FP at 12:05. )

Last time I went, most rides also had printed right on the ticket what time a new one would be available.

 

[rangebob]

At the min it is 50 min and the max is 2 hrs.

 

[DebbieB]

The 2 hours comes into play if the park is very crowded and you get a fastpass more than 2 hours away. For example, if you get a fastpass at noon for Space Mt and the return time is 3:00pm. You can get another fastpass at 2:00pm.

If the return time is less than 2 hours away, then the next fastpass time is 5 minutes after the return beginning time. For example, if you get a fastpass at noon for Space Mt and the return time is 1:00-2:00, you can get another fastpass at 1:05.

 

[Safari Steve]

One at a time or one every two hours, whichever comes first. Also, as elemusing mentioned, most FPs will tell you when you can get another.

 

[amjl]

thanks for the info! It sounded a bit complicated but I think I've got it now!

 

[SueM in MN]

Fastpass is great, but remember is to look at the wait time for the standby line. Sometimes you don't need fastpass.
When DH and I went over New Years, the Fastpass return time for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show was for the last show of the day. We saw people getting fastpasses and then trying to figure out what they would do for the next 2 hours. The standby time said 30 minutes, but that was actually the time until the next show. We walked in and got seats in the center section about 6 rows from the front.
We've seen the same thing at other rides. Last March during Easter week, the CM at Bug's Life was literally begging people to use the standby line. It was like people didn't register what she said at all. They were putting in their passes for fastpass when they could have walked right into the next show like we did.
So, fastpass can be very helpful, but don't forget to keep your eyes and ears open.

 

[QuickGold]

You should also consider going to http://www.mgmstudios.org/fastpass.html for more info on Fastpass