Park Hopper:how does it work?

[pdchris]

We normally don't get the PH added to our tickets but this year we got it for free. So, I was wondering just how it works now that they use fingerprint scanners (they still do that, right?), do the scanners at the other parks access the same database so they know you've got PH?

 

[Robo]

We normally don't get the PH added to our tickets but this year we got it for free. So, I was wondering just how it works now that they use fingerprint scanners (they still do that, right?), do the scanners at the other parks access the same database so they know you've got PH?

As an aside: the scanners don't read finger PRINTS, they check finger "measurements".

Every ticket reader and finger scanner does, in fact, have access instantly to the central information about your ticket and finger "measurements".

Every time you use your ticket, its recorded as data. That's how they know how many TIMES you use it, WHERE you used it, and WHEN you used it.
Every FastPass machine accesses the info as well so it "knows" if your ticket and finger scan where validated at the entrance gate.
(Nobody can use a ticket to get a FP if that person did not come through the gate with that ticket and a finger scan.) The FP machines are all "connected" so that you can't just go from FP machine-to-FP machine and "collect" FPs for ALL the FP attractions at once... its a sophisticated system.

So if you used a NON-hopper ticket at MK, the ticket scanner at Epcot would reject a use of that same ticket later that same day.

Or, if you HAD hoppers, the Epcot reader would display and record that you were using a ticket that was used earlier at MK, but its OK to allow you access into Epcot on a "hop". And to allow a FastPass (one at a time, usually) to be issued from this ticket.

 

[bicker]

I believe, however, that in that scenario the FastPass machines at Epcot would not prevent you from getting a FastPass before the FastPass return time on your previous MK FastPass.

 

[pdchris]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if we'll take advantage of PH or not. We usually hit the a park first thing in the morning and don't leave till it closes. But, it was free so we may take advantage of it this time.

 

[Robo]

I believe, however, that in that scenario the FastPass machines at Epcot would not prevent you from getting a FastPass before the FastPass return time on your previous MK FastPass.

I'm tring to figure out a possible scenario where what you said would ever come into play.

10am Splash Mountain FP distrib.
Issues FP with return time of 11:20am
(But you suddenly decide that INSTEAD, you'd rather ride Test Track, SO...)

You head straight out from Frontierland all the way to the MK front gate.
10:13am Exit and walk to MK Monorail Station
Monorail to TTC
10:24am Exit at TTC and board Monorail to Epcot
10:47am Arrive at Epcot Monorail Station
Walk down ramp to Epcot Security.

11:02am Clear security enter Epoct

Sprint to Test Track FP Dist.
11:12am Get FP for Test Track.

Yep, I guess if you did this, it just might work...

But WHY??

And what made you think of it?

 

[Ted and Holly]

On busy days, Fast Passes can be issued for times hours ahead. In such cases, when are the next passes available?

If I were at MK and it was so busy that (for instance) Splash Mountain FPs were issued 5 hours ahead, I might be inclined to get the heck out of there and try a different park. I suppose this could put you in that situation.

I think Bicker was asking if the FP machines were linked to the central database along with the turnstiles. Curiosity maybe?

Ted

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm pretty sure, but not positive, that the Fastpass systems are on a park-by-park system. I don't think they're all tied together.

 

[bicker]

On busy days, Fast Passes can be issued for times hours ahead. In such cases, when are the next passes available?

If I were at MK and it was so busy that (for instance) Splash Mountain FPs were issued 5 hours ahead, I might be inclined to get the heck out of there and try a different park. I suppose this could put you in that situation.

I think Bicker was asking if the FP machines were linked to the central database along with the turnstiles. Curiosity maybe?

I wasn't asking -- I was saying. The admission systems are linked together, of course, and the FastPass systems are linked to the admission system of the specific park, but the FastPass systems are not linked together. If you decide to leave a crowded park because of the crowds, you don't have to worry about not being able to get a FastPass at the park you hop to.

 

[seashoreCM]

On busy days, Fast Passes can be issued for times hours ahead. In such cases, when are the next passes available?

If I were at MK and it was so busy that (for instance) Splash Mountain FPs were issued 5 hours ahead, I might be inclined to get the heck out of there and try a different park. I suppose this could put you in that situation./QUOTE]
Maximum time between fast passes is about two hours, sometimes less during less busy days.

Occasionally you can get a fast pass for a specific ride well in advance of the time for next fast pass shown on the fast pass you just got. This is not advertised. Example: Lights Motors at MGM allows getting a fast pass about 5 minutes before or after getting your previous fast pass.

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