Radiator Springs Strategy

[jrtoastyman]

OK, here's the situation. We're staying off-site on our upcoming trip, so no early entry to DCA. Our arrival day, a Sunday (5/18), we probably won't arrive at the parks until around lunchtime. The following day is an early entry day for DCA, so I'm concerned that by the time we arrive, FPs for RSR will be gone.

Don't really want to wait until our third day to ride it, but also don't want to stand in a massive line. Any wisdom?

 

[LisaT91403]

It doesn't matter if Monday is an early entry day...you just need to get into the park within an hour or so of official opening time, and go to the FP line. As long as you are in the FP line (which will likely be very short an hour after opening) within the first 1 - 1.5 hours, you shouldn't have a problem getting FP's.

 

[SixteenFeet]

I don't know what the crowds will be like on the days you're going but we were there last week on an early entry day and I didn't get in the FP line until 11:30am (the park opened for EMH at 9 and regular opening at 10am) and there was NO LINE AT ALL for FPs and I got a return time of 5pm-ish.

I think typically by noon all the FPs are gone so I do think that crowds might have been a bit lighter on that particular day for some reason.

 

[figment_jii]

As the PP said, you should be fine as long as you get to DCA fairly close to opening. They do not start distributing RSR FP until the park opens to everyone. The line will start forming as soon as guests are allowed into DCA, but they don't turn on the machines during EMH.

RSR FPs tend to last for about the first 90-minutes of the morning, but it can vary depending on park hours. I've been in the RSR FP line pre-park opening (standing around Playhouse Disney) and it takes about 25 minutes to get a FP once the line starts moving. I've also gone in "line" about 45 minutes after park opening and the line was fairly short (5 minutes). So, if you wait until about 45 minutes after park opening, you probably won't have a super long line to deal with, but your FP return time will probably be in the evening.

 

[jrtoastyman]

OK, this makes me feel a lot better. Thanks much!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Don't know if you're with young kids or not, but if not, single rider is always an option if FPs are gone.

 

[disneyxica20]

just a heads up- when we were there last friday, they did not let people line up for fast passes as soon as the park gates open like they have been doing. instead we had to wait until the park was officially open. we all had to wait *on the street* (and they were pretty strict about people trying to cut through the crowd or standing on the sidewalk) and whoever wanted to get a fast pass was told to stay on the left side of the crowd. once the park opened, they had a cast member lead everyone to the fast pass line and then it was madness. people pushing their way to front, cutting in line...i don't know if this is an everyday thing now or what, but it sucked. it was so much easier the other way. i mean, we still got our fast passes, so it's not like our day was ruined or anything, it was just frustrating and too chaotic.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Where are the fastpass machines for RSR located? I want to try to get a fastpass for the evening.

Thanks!

 

[nikkislaght]

It is near Bugs land.. on your way to Carsland..

 

[adykate]

I went today (Tuesday morning) and was there about 10:30am for a 10am opening. The FP line was almost to the ToT entrance. I was shocked. I didn't stay to see how fast the line went because I had to get back to swap out my husband at the Frozen M&G, but is that considered a typical line length at that time in the morning?? Today seemed crazy busy in both parks for some reason, so maybe it was unusually long?

 

[sandysue]

I went today (Tuesday morning) and was there about 10:30am for a 10am opening. The FP line was almost to the ToT entrance. I was shocked. I didn't stay to see how fast the line went because I had to get back to swap out my husband at the Frozen M&G, but is that considered a typical line length at that time in the morning?? Today seemed crazy busy in both parks for some reason, so maybe it was unusually long?

If they aren't letting people line up in the fp line during EMH, then it probably delays the line getting started. So instead of pulling the first fp at park open , say 10:00, that's when there's the confusion about the line and people don't actually start getting fp for the first few minutes.
This is speculating, so any in park observations would be great!

 

[Marlea98]

just a heads up- when we were there last friday, they did not let people line up for fast passes as soon as the park gates open like they have been doing. instead we had to wait until the park was officially open. we all had to wait *on the street* (and they were pretty strict about people trying to cut through the crowd or standing on the sidewalk) and whoever wanted to get a fast pass was told to stay on the left side of the crowd. once the park opened, they had a cast member lead everyone to the fast pass line and then it was madness. people pushing their way to front, cutting in line...i don't know if this is an everyday thing now or what, but it sucked. it was so much easier the other way. i mean, we still got our fast passes, so it's not like our day was ruined or anything, it was just frustrating and too chaotic.

This I'd what happened to us in the second to third weeks of January. We had to line up to wait to be led to the FP line. Our kids are 12 and 14 and in the end it was easier and quicker for us to do single rider.

 

[sweeteypie1118]

You will probably want to ride more than once. Its so much fun!! Single rider line is a very good option. My son and I used it many times and got to race against each other once. He loved that. Especially since his car won

 

[bellanapoli]

Just want to make sure I'm understanding what's going on with the fastpasses. There's no line anymore for those to wait for fast passes?

I've never gone in for early entry but I have gotten there before rope drop and gone to the left to the line that forms there outside the Carthy Circle restaurant. There's signs indicating it's the fast pass line and about 20 or so minutes later, once the rope actually drops, a cast member escorts the line to the fast pass machines.

What I'm reading makes it sound like they don't do that line anymore. We're heading up this weekend and I may have to adjust my strategy.

Can someone confirm? Thanks!

 

[DLgal]

I was there today (non EMH morning) and also Monday (EMH morning). Today, there was no separation at the rope for people getting FP. You just had to walk on the left and you would end up in the FP line. I was near the front of the rope today and waited under 10 min to get a FP with return time of 11:25am.

On Monday, the FP machines were dispensing FP for RsR during EMH. I got one around 15 min prior to "official" park opening with a return time of 10:45am.

 

[Carolynleanne]

OK, here's the situation. We're staying off-site on our upcoming trip, so no early entry to DCA. Our arrival day, a Sunday (5/18), we probably won't arrive at the parks until around lunchtime. The following day is an early entry day for DCA, so I'm concerned that by the time we arrive, FPs for RSR will be gone.

Don't really want to wait until our third day to ride it, but also don't want to stand in a massive line. Any wisdom?

We just got back from our trip and the fastpasses were gone within 90 minutes each day. First time we got passes for late afternoon, the next day we were too late. That being said, we just did single rider the next time and only waited about 20 minutes.

 

[bayareadisneyland]

I was there today (non EMH morning) and also Monday (EMH morning). Today, there was no separation at the rope for people getting FP. You just had to walk on the left and you would end up in the FP line. I was near the front of the rope today and waited under 10 min to get a FP with return time of 11:25am.

On Monday, the FP machines were dispensing FP for RsR during EMH. I got one around 15 min prior to "official" park opening with a return time of 10:45am.

How long was the line 15 minutes prior to opening?

 

[HydroGuy]

I was there today (non EMH morning) and also Monday (EMH morning). Today, there was no separation at the rope for people getting FP. You just had to walk on the left and you would end up in the FP line. I was near the front of the rope today and waited under 10 min to get a FP with return time of 11:25am.

On Monday, the FP machines were dispensing FP for RsR during EMH. I got one around 15 min prior to "official" park opening with a return time of 10:45am.

Wow, that is a real change for DLR! I am curious if others are seeing this on other days? I heard someone post recently about getting a FP with 5 minutes left in EMH. But 15? That could change things for a lot of people if it becomes a regular thing!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[DLgal]

How long was the line 15 minutes prior to opening?

5 min maybe? Today, I waited about 10. I was very close to the rope at opening.

 

[DLgal]

FWIW, by noon all week, FP have been gone for the day.