One of the mysteries of Walt Disney World...

[Magpie]

WHY do people get into a standby line that's longer than the Fastpass Return window!?

For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was at 50 minutes the other day. The Fastpass window was opening 40 minutes later. And yet there were STILL people streaming into the Standby line!

Why wouldn't you want to grab a Fastpass and go have a Mickey Ear, or see the Tiki Birds, or shop, or visit the Shooting Gallery, or do just about anything other than stand in line?

Sometimes I really don't understand people...

 

[mesaboy2]

WHY do people get into a standby line that's longer than the Fastpass Return window!?

For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was at 50 minutes the other day. The Fastpass window was opening 40 minutes later. And yet there were STILL people streaming into the Standby line!

Why wouldn't you want to grab a Fastpass and go have a Mickey Ear, or see the Tiki Birds, or shop, or visit the Shooting Gallery, or do just about anything other than stand in line?

Sometimes I really don't understand people...

FastPass is advanced theme-park touring. Lots of people just show up without doing research, and that probably works fine for them.

 

[JDX4]

Maybe they already are holding a fast pass for another ride and are not yet eligible for another one.

 

[AlixaLock]

WHY do people get into a standby line that's longer than the Fastpass Return window!?

For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was at 50 minutes the other day. The Fastpass window was opening 40 minutes later. And yet there were STILL people streaming into the Standby line!

Why wouldn't you want to grab a Fastpass and go have a Mickey Ear, or see the Tiki Birds, or shop, or visit the Shooting Gallery, or do just about anything other than stand in line?

Sometimes I really don't understand people...

Isn't it possible that they just grabbed a FastPass for Splash and aren't eligible for another FP? However, I agree with he PP. Its my experience that a lot of people don't use FP or don't fully understand how it works.

 

[Magpie]

FastPass is advanced theme-park touring. Lots of people just show up without doing research, and that probably works fine for them.

But the signs are right out there, especially at BTMRR. It's not like you have to trek across the park or anything. You actually have to walk right past the Fastpass kiosks to get onto the roller coaster!

(But I'll give you that I could totally see missing the Fastpass option at the new Little Mermaid ride, since it's over by Mickey's Philharmagic.)

 

[mesaboy2]

But the signs are right out there, especially at BTMRR. It's not like you have to trek across the park or anything. You actually have to walk right past the Fastpass kiosks to get onto the ride!

Yep. You assume too much.

 

[CraftyMommy]

There are many people out there who just plan a trip without researching it. I tried to help a friend who was taking her family on their first trip. I tried to give her advice but I could tell everything I was telling her went in one ear and out the other. When they came back she said everyone was miserable, it was a waste of money, and they hated Disney World. They bought the dining plan but made no ADR's. They ate at counter services the whole time because none of the table services had availability. She said they did not buy the fastpass tickets because they felt like they were ripped off enough and wasn't giving Disney another dime. I said, But the Fastpasses are free. She said No, there was a spot to insert your credit card. I tried to explain it to her but she was sure I was wrong. I just ended up saying Ok, I have only been to Disney World 12 times, obviously I have no clue.

 

[Wendimn]

WHY do people get into a standby line that's longer than the Fastpass Return window!?

For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was at 50 minutes the other day. The Fastpass window was opening 40 minutes later. And yet there were STILL people streaming into the Standby line!

Why wouldn't you want to grab a Fastpass and go have a Mickey Ear, or see the Tiki Birds, or shop, or visit the Shooting Gallery, or do just about anything other than stand in line?

Sometimes I really don't understand people...

I really just think that some people don't understand the fastpass..think it costs extra..who knows. Or like others have said..maybe they already had a FP for something else??

 

[Nature Mom]

There are many people out there who just plan a trip without researching it. I tried to help a friend who was taking her family on their first trip. I tried to give her advice but I could tell everything I was telling her went in one ear and out the other. When they came back she said everyone was miserable, it was a waste of money, and they hated Disney World. They bought the dining plan but made no ADR's. They ate at counter services the whole time because none of the table services had availability. She said they did not buy the fastpass tickets because they felt like they were ripped off enough and wasn't giving Disney another dime. I said, But the Fastpasses are free. She said No, there was a spot to insert your credit card. I tried to explain it to her but she was sure I was wrong. I just ended up saying Ok, I have only been to Disney World 12 times, obviously I have no clue.

I have talked to quite a few friends/acquaintances over the years that have said basically the same thing. I tell them over and over that Fastpasses are FREE but they insist they aren't. I give up.

 

[KellyNY]

Many reasons, but basically, you cannot grab FP for everything. If you already have FP for one ride, instead of going somewhere else, it is a good idea to get into SB for another ride near by.

 

[Cinderella1122]

There are many people out there who just plan a trip without researching it. I tried to help a friend who was taking her family on their first trip. I tried to give her advice but I could tell everything I was telling her went in one ear and out the other. When they came back she said everyone was miserable, it was a waste of money, and they hated Disney World. They bought the dining plan but made no ADR's. They ate at counter services the whole time because none of the table services had availability. She said they did not buy the fastpass tickets because they felt like they were ripped off enough and wasn't giving Disney another dime. I said, But the Fastpasses are free. She said No, there was a spot to insert your credit card. I tried to explain it to her but she was sure I was wrong. I just ended up saying Ok, I have only been to Disney World 12 times, obviously I have no clue.

Been there as as well. I once had a guest who was standing in the standby line say to me "It must be nice to afford fastpass". I didn't say anything in return, I just kept walking all the way to the front of the line

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've asked this before. The only thing I can come up with is that people have a FastPass already and can't get another yet. Still, I'd do something else with a shorter line in the meantime.

 

[TeresaNJ]

When I worked at Disney as an Advanced Sales Associate for the DVC, a family walked up to me at my kiosk at one of the All Star Resorts, and said, "okay, we're here!" I was like, okaayyy. She looked at me expectantly. I said "how can I help you?" She said they just arrived, and now, what do they do next. I was dumbfounded. She had no idea about the Disney bus system, how to get to the parks, nothing. I still can't believe it.

 

[Polydweller]

Many reasons, but basically, you cannot grab FP for everything. If you already have FP for one ride, instead of going somewhere else, it is a good idea to get into SB for another ride near by.

Yep, and it has to do also with FP at all attractions. If you notice that FP return at Space Mountain is upto 4pm (and its currently noon) and the wait at BTMRR is 45 min, then get the SM pass since its likely to get even later. Not going to do nothing for 4 hrs so get in a standby line.

Lots of reasons that have nothing to do with not knowing the system. Using FP also means managing which standby lines you'll get in.

 

[disprincess4ever]

A lot of times we would get it the regular stand by line because the fast pass times were for really late at night. For example, around noon most of the fast passes would be for 8pm or later. Now I know I can't ride everything late at night, so we would just suck it up and wait in line. On crowded days, even fast passes may not be the best option.

 

[Schmeck]

When I worked at Disney as an Advanced Sales Associate for the DVC, a family walked up to me at my kiosk at one of the All Star Resorts, and said, "okay, we're here!" I was like, okaayyy. She looked at me expectantly. I said "how can I help you?" She said they just arrived, and now, what do they do next. I was dumbfounded. She had no idea about the Disney bus system, how to get to the parks, nothing. I still can't believe it.

I would have handed them maps of each park, and said "pick one, the busses are over there, have a wonderful time!" OMG!!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

A lot of times we would get it the regular stand by line because the fast pass times were for really late at night. For example, around noon most of the fast passes would be for 8pm or later. Now I know I can't ride everything late at night, so we would just suck it up and wait in line. On crowded days, even fast passes may not be the best option.

The OP is specifically talking about the case where the FP return window begins before the estimated standby time would get you on the ride.

In the cases you mention, riding standby makes perfect sense.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I would have handed them maps of each park, and said "pick one, the busses are over there, have a wonderful time!" OMG!!!!

That's pretty much what I did! Seriously, you have no idea how many people go to Disney without doing any planning. I didn't get it until I worked there. It is unbelievable to me that people would spend that much money, and no time researching or planning.

 

[tjevans]

Yep. You assume too much.

It is impossible to overestimate the limits of human stupidity.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

If everybody planned and knew what was going on it would make it worse for those that do now.