OK - another dopey ? - Fastpasses

[lisagirlyUK]

Hi,

what exactly are Fast passes and how do they work? I have just been readin up on some of the trip reports and as we are heading to Disney, we intend to be well prepared but arent too sure how these fast passes work. We wont be staying at Disney so are we even entitled to them???

Its probabaly detailed in the Brits guide but I havent got round to reading that bit yet!!!!

Thank you!!!!

 

[DCLuvinit]

A FastPass is simply using your park admission ticket on certain rides that are prone to longer wait times. You will see a separate FastPass line for these rides. If you don't want to wait a long time, you insert your ticket into the machine (you get it back to use again on other rides) and it will print you a FastPass receipt to come back and ride between a certain time frame within the next hour or so. Then when you return you have a separate line with minimal wait!

 

[Rob Ford]

Are the machines easy to spot?

 

[DCLuvinit]

Yes, they are usually right in front of the ride next to where you would enter the "regular" line. I am also pretty sure that the park maps have symbols next to the rides that have FastPass.

 

[lisagirlyUK]

Can you get a few fastpasses or is 1 at a time? There are 7 of us in total so I didnt know if we could all get fast passes for each other?!?!

Thanks

 

[Mike Jones]

Lisa - one at a time each - but you can use someone else's if they don't like a certain ride, as they are not personalised - DD and I usually get 4 FPs (ours + DW & DS's) for Coasters, as they don't like them, and then we ride twice.

Once the time slot has 'opened' for your FP, say it's for 1130-1230, you can then get another FP for a different ride.

Take care that you check the return time slot for your FP ride before you get the ticket - some of the popular rides like TestTrack etc dispense all their FPs for the day very early on, due to the demand, and, at 1130am, you might commit to a FP time slot of 5pm or later, thus locking you out of using the FP for another ride for a long time! (although I think after 2 hours from getting the FP you might be able to use it again - not sure - advise anyone?)

Used tactically, they can be very useful. Soooo many visitors never use them.

Mike

 

[keswick1uk]

Mike,

Is there a de minimis length of queue which makes it not really worth bothering with a fastpass (where a return visit is required) but staying there and waiting in line instead?

 

[rsbuxt]

Hi Hope I'm not treading on Mike's toes by giving an answer on this one...I'm a new boy!

I think anything under 25-30 mins is worth waiting in the regular (stand-by) line. Anything above that, get a Fastpass if available.

Also don't be fooled by the length of the queues. Some lines that seem very long can load very quickly (Spaceship Earth at Epcot for example), where as some of the old medway-type rides are incredibly slow (Dumbo at Magic Kingdom etc).

Rich

 

[Mike Jones]

Kes - the best science on this subject, IMO, is in the Unofficial Guide to WDW - they give the advice that, having decided which attractions you want to do, you should follow their plan closely for that park, and only use FP if it saves you more than 30 minutes, as otherwise you will waste more time later backtracking.

In reality, although I have used their Touring Plans for the parks we hit hardest, Universal Studios and MGM for us, you can just apply the principles of where to start, and get up early etc for a more relaxed day. Their range of Touring Plans for MK take your breath away!

Mike

(And Hi Rich - welcome to the DIS!)

 

[KayleeUK]

lisagirlyUK


No question is a Dopey one We always take great advantage of using fasspasses

 

[keswick1uk]

Thanks folks

 

[lisagirlyUK]

hanks for making feel like I am not such a dope after all!!!!

 

[Mike Jones]

'hat's ok!

 

[keswick1uk]

As the only road runner in our family I've tonight been elected family fastpass collector. It'll be good interval training, so coach husband reckons.

 

[Miffy2003]

Originally posted by Mike Jones
Take care that you check the return time slot for your FP ride before you get the ticket - some of the popular rides like TestTrack etc dispense all their FPs for the day very early on, due to the demand, and, at 1130am, you might commit to a FP time slot of 5pm or later, thus locking you out of using the FP for another ride for a long time! (although I think after 2 hours from getting the FP you might be able to use it again - not sure - advise anyone?)

Soooo many visitors never use them.

Mike

Mike's right, even if your FP time hasn't yet come around you can still get a new one 2 hours after the first one you are holding was obtained. I think this did not used to be the case and instances like the one Mike describes above (where you get a FP and then realise it is hours away) caused customer complaints and Disney revised it to the 2 hour rule.

HTH

Thanks

Karen