Rides with the longest lines w/o FastPass system? And a FastPass Question

[imjen]

We're going to DL mid-April. Which rides tend to have the longest lines that don't have the FastPass system? We are planning on hitting Dumbo & Peter Pan first thing as I know that those lines were CRAZY when we went the last time three years ago. I don't remember which other rides also had long lines that moved really slow. We've also never been to CA so which rides should we head to first over there? We're mostly going to be going on family/kiddie rides since we have a 6 & 4 year old and an infant but we will be hitting the rollercoasters at least once I'm sure. My soon to be 6 year old is already talking about it and she has little fear of that sort of thing so we'll have to take her on a few of them (& there will be 3 adults in our party).

I think I read somewhere that the FastPass tickets often run out. Does one of us need to go around in the morning and get our FastPass tickets or do you think it will be okay in April to get them as we go? When do they typically run out?

Thanks!! :thewave:

 

[msteddom]

Dumbo and Peter Pan were the two that jumped in to my mind when I read your question. Matterhorn can also get very long. I'm not sure about Small World. I haven't ridden it in quite a while.

In my experience FastPAsses don't usually run out until late afternoon or early evening. IT's been a while since I was there on a super crowded day though. I'll be there tomorrow and I'm sure it will be packed, so I might have some fresh observations to share.


Melissa

 

[CalGal]

My experience is that the non-FastPass rides that usually have the longest lines (in terms of time, not necessarily size) are Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Gadget's Go-Coaster, and Astro-Orbiter. (The last may not be as bad as it once was). I haven't noticed any problem with Small World since it has a high flow rate, except during the Holiday season. The slow flow rate of many of the "kiddie rides" can result in long lines for most of the Fantasyland rides. If you have one of the new (again) Early Entry options, use it and you should be able to ride a lot of these rides before the park even opens. The very longest lines are usually for the newest attraction, so it you are really lucky, Buzz will open early and should have the very longest lines with or without FP.

April could be fairly busy depending on when you are going. Spring break varies throughout the state and country, so many kids will be off for a week sometime in April. For example, our schools are closed 4/18-22 this year.

FastPasses for some attractions can run out during mid-day depending upon the crowds. Most will run out during the busiest times. Unless you have one of the special muti-fastpass packages (only available on some AAA packages?), you usually can't collect a FP for a second attraction until your time comes up for the first. (Example, if you have a 9:15-10:15 slot for Splash Mountain, you are unable to collect a FP for Splash, Indiana Jones, or most any other DL attraction until 9:15). If you aren't fully up on how FastPass works (which attractions are linked, when you are able to collect a second FP), read up on them on these boards before you go.

When you do find that you just must ride Dumbo and the line is an hour long, try to bring snacks and make some new friends while you wait.

 

[LucyKate]

We were there in early December when crowds for most rides had small or non-existent queues.

The only rides where we queued for any length of time were Peter Pan, Dumbo and Gadget's go-coaster. Small World had a queue when we arrived, but at that point they opened up a 2nd loading ramp and it disappeared within minutes.

 

[HaleyB]

Also called disconnect. This is stuck up at the top of this board under the FAQ thread (I think).
You can easily get a few FP's at time if you learn the system. Splash Mountian FP's do run out if you have large crowds, I have seen them gone before noon on really busy days.

Also learn about the 'child swap' if you have not already.

 

[jlima]

Casey Jr. and Storybook boats can have a ridiculous lines . . . Peter Pan & Dumbo are also outrageous and I would recommend you visit all of Fantasyland the first hour you are in the park!!

I personally have only seen FP run out for Indy and for Soarin'. I would do Soarin' first at CA.

On one night when there were no FPs left for Indy, DS & I used the single rider line, and the CM sat us together! Couldn't believe we walked in the exit & didn't wait at all & we got seated together. DS was only 8 at the time and I psyched him up to ride alone, and then we were sat together. Weird.