Questions from Someone Visiting Soon

[canadianmickey]

Hey!

We're visiting Disney on the 23th of August to the 25th of August (3 days), and we just had a few questions. I was hoping some of you on this forum could help us with them.

I have some fastpass questions first. I've read all the threads, and I'm going to try and use HydroGuy's strategy as it seems the most time efficient. I was just wondering whether Roger Rabbit and Grizzly River Run were still disconnected. Also, are DL and DCA not connected as well? So we can get fastpasses at DL and then some more at DCA without waiting? I've also heard that most CM's won't care about the return time. Is this true even if you arrive several hours after when you should have?

Secondly, we're buying the Southern California City Pass. I don't know if any of you have experience with this, but it's basically 4 attractions (Universal, Disney, Seaword, and San Diego Zoo) in one. We're buying it at Universal, since that is where we are going first. Do you know if they give us tickets for all these attractions, or whether we have to get back in line everytime we go to a different park.

Thanks in advance!

 

[avalon451]

Hey!

We're visiting Disney on the 23th of August to the 25th of August (3 days), and we just had a few questions. I was hoping some of you on this forum could help us with them.

I have some fastpass questions first. I've read all the threads, and I'm going to try and use HydroGuy's strategy as it seems the most time efficient. I was just wondering whether Roger Rabbit and Grizzly River Run were still disconnected. Also, are DL and DCA not connected as well? So we can get fastpasses at DL and then some more at DCA without waiting? I've also heard that most CM's won't care about the return time. Is this true even if you arrive several hours after when you should have?

Secondly, we're buying the Southern California City Pass. I don't know if any of you have experience with this, but it's basically 4 attractions (Universal, Disney, Seaword, and San Diego Zoo) in one. We're buying it at Universal, since that is where we are going first. Do you know if they give us tickets for all these attractions, or whether we have to get back in line everytime we go to a different park.

Thanks in advance!

Re: the fastpasses: Last I heard, Roger Rabbit is still disconnected, but they have connected GRR up again. Too bad.

Yes, DCA and DL FP systems are not connected. The other sweet thing about this is that once you enter one park, you are "activated" for both parks. So, theoretically, a "fastpass runner" in your group could grab all the tickets, hop over to DCA and grab a fastpass there for everyone before coming back to DL to join back up with your group. Works well if everybody is eating lunch or going on a ride the FP runner is not interested in. The runner can put that time to good use.

As far as return time: late return is absolutely Disney policy, although unofficial. CMs are instructed to take the FPs until the end of the day. I have heard people rail against this as unfair, etc. but at this point in time it's a known fact, and I've even heard CMs explain to people that it's ok. The use is commonly accepted in guidebooks and Ridemax strategy. Percentage-wise, so few people actually know or bother to use this info, that it doesn't have a major effect on ride times.

I'll keep mum on the Citypass, since that's outside my area of knowledge! Good luck on your trip and have a great time!

 

[canadianmickey]

Re: the fastpasses: Last I heard, Roger Rabbit is still disconnected, but they have connected GRR up again. Too bad.

Yes, DCA and DL FP systems are not connected. The other sweet thing about this is that once you enter one park, you are "activated" for both parks. So, theoretically, a "fastpass runner" in your group could grab all the tickets, hop over to DCA and grab a fastpass there for everyone before coming back to DL to join back up with your group. Works well if everybody is eating lunch or going on a ride the FP runner is not interested in. The runner can put that time to good use.

As far as return time: late return is absolutely Disney policy, although unofficial. CMs are instructed to take the FPs until the end of the day. I have heard people rail against this as unfair, etc. but at this point in time it's a known fact, and I've even heard CMs explain to people that it's ok. The use is commonly accepted in guidebooks and Ridemax strategy. Percentage-wise, so few people actually know or bother to use this info, that it doesn't have a major effect on ride times.

I'll keep mum on the Citypass, since that's outside my area of knowledge! Good luck on your trip and have a great time!

Thanks a lot for your help!

The whole runner thing is what I plan to do. Although I'm assuming I couldn't have the remainder of my family hold my spot in line while I go get fastpasses, correct?

 

[ter-moo]

We were there August 3-8 and Grizzly River Run was NOT connected to the FP system. Has it since be re-connected????

 

[avalon451]

It's unconnected again? Very cool! I'm out of the loop these days, don't listen to me.

 

[avalon451]

Thanks a lot for your help!

The whole runner thing is what I plan to do. Although I'm assuming I couldn't have the remainder of my family hold my spot in line while I go get fastpasses, correct?

Well... look at it this way... if you were in line at Haunted Mansion with a 30 minute wait, and you just happened to need to use the restroom, and you hopped out of line to go use the restrooms by the Hungry Bear restaurant... which happens to be right across from the FP distribution for Splash Mountain... and you just happened to grab FPs for Splash as you were going by... nobody is going to look at you funny for rejoining the line with your family after going to the bathroom, right?

It's perfectly ok for one person to jump out of line for a couple minutes, or a parent who is obviously taking a young child to the bathroom. But it depends on the ride how easy it is to get back in. You can do it with Matterhorn, Nemo, Haunted Mansion, probably... to name a few... because the line is mostly outside and just over a chain barrier.

 

[canadianmickey]

Alright, I was just scared that people in the lines would make a fuss or that the cast member would not be happy.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Alright, I was just scared that people in the lines would make a fuss or that the cast member would not be happy.

With the kids, I would just take one of them and if anyone made a fuss I'd say "Should I have just changed the poopy diaper right here?"

 

[canadianmickey]

The kids are 15 and 17 though...

I think we'll probably have to wait till all 4 of us get there and then get into the line.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We were there August 3-8 and Grizzly River Run was NOT connected to the FP system.

Woo hoo!!

 

[gatorfreud]

We were there Aug 15-16 and Roger Rabbit was DISCONNECTED and Grizzly was definitely CONNECTED. Bummer.

Kim

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

With the kids, I would just take one of them and if anyone made a fuss I'd say "Should I have just changed the poopy diaper right here?"

The kids are 15 and 17 though...

That might give you some extra elbow room in line!