Simple FastPass explanation, please!!!

[ajgwin]

I guess I am pretty slow these days. I just don't really understand the fastpass concept. Here is what I understand. Maybe someone can tell me if I am right or wrong on this.

You go up to a ride that has a fastpass and the line is really, really long. So you go to another line for getting a fastpass ticket. You put your ticket (is this your park ticket and do you get it back?) in the machine and get a fastpass ticket that tells you what time to come back to the ride. Then you come back at that time and get in the fastpass line and get on the ride quicker. I think an example is better.

I want to ride Space Mountain, but I don't want to wait. It is 10am. I get a fastpass ticket that says come back at 12pm(?). Then I go to Splash Mountain, but it is a long line, too. Can I get a fastpass for this ride also? So, I go back to Space Mountain at 12pm and get in the fastpass "ride" line and don't wait a long time to get on the ride? If I couldn't get a fastpass for Splash Mountain at 10am when I got one for Space Mountain, when can I get one?

I guess I need "FastPass for Dummies". Is there such a book?



Thanks to all the Disney experts.

Allyson

Leaving in 9 days for Disney.

 

[bluejasmine]

Use FP only for rides with wait times 40 min or longer there are alot of times the wait will not really be 40 min. Say you want to do MS and the wait is 65 min get a fp from the machine it might say FP time between 12:30-1:30, and it is now only 11 just go enjoy some other things, the FP will list the time that you can get another FP for another ride, if your FP time is several hours away your time to get another FP will be about an hour or so away, if your FP time is just an hour or so away the time you get your next FP time will be closer to the time you use your actual FP.. See you normally cannot hold more than one FP at a time except in the case of having a FP that is hours away, we once had a FP that was at 6pm and we got it about 1:30 so we had to wait until 6 but could get another FP for another ride around 3pm. Understand? The time for your next FP will always be posted on your FP. Oh and the FP times to return are also posted near the FP and wait times so check them out before getting a FP too

 

[ajgwin]

Thank you. I think I get it now. And I am sure that are always people around to ask. I can't wait to go. Haven't been there since 1986. First time for the kids, too (ages 7, 5, 5). So excited.

Thanks again.

Allyson

 

[jjan]

That hardest thing about FP is that you really have to think ahead. For example, say you want to ride Pater Pan, but there is a 45 minute wait so you get a FP and you go over to Splash Mountain and there FP return times are getting close to the end of the park hours so if you don't get one soon they will run out of FPs so you can kind of be stuck. It is best to get a feel of what rides have the longest time between getting a FP and riding it and what rides have very late return times and also what rides run out of FP's first.

Also, a lot of people report that you can use FPs after the stated return time sometimes by hours so don't throw out 'expired' FP's, try to use them first.

Have a great trip

 

[kellyf2626]

Supposedly not all FP stations are linked and will recognize that you have an outstanding FP - some will let you get another one. A friend who is a cast member told me this.....have yet to see if it works. But, figured I would pass it on!

 

[DISUNC]

I guess I am pretty slow these days. I just don't really understand the fastpass concept. Here is what I understand. Maybe someone can tell me if I am right or wrong on this.

You go up to a ride that has a fastpass and the line is really, really long. So you go to another line for getting a fastpass ticket. You put your ticket (is this your park ticket and do you get it back?) in the machine and get a fastpass ticket that tells you what time to come back to the ride. Then you come back at that time and get in the fastpass line and get on the ride quicker. I think an example is better.

I want to ride Space Mountain, but I don't want to wait. It is 10am. I get a fastpass ticket that says come back at 12pm(?). Then I go to Splash Mountain, but it is a long line, too. Can I get a fastpass for this ride also? So, I go back to Space Mountain at 12pm and get in the fastpass "ride" line and don't wait a long time to get on the ride? If I couldn't get a fastpass for Splash Mountain at 10am when I got one for Space Mountain, when can I get one?

I guess I need "FastPass for Dummies". Is there such a book?



Thanks to all the Disney experts.

Allyson

Leaving in 9 days for Disney.

Allyson,

You have the basics down pat.

Every ride that has the Fastpass option have Fastpass machines near the entrance of the ride. If you dont want to wait on the line, then go to the Fastpass machine and slide your Park ticket in and out comes a paper slip (it looks sort of like a old movie ticket). You must do this for everyone who will be riding the ride with you. So if there is 4 people in your group, you must slide each individuals Park ticket.

The tickets will give you a window of time to come back to that ride. It will not be a suprise since over each and every FASTPASS machine, it tells you what the time frame will be if you get a FASTPASS. They are ususally in hour time frames. Example 12:05 to 1:05!

Also at the bottom of this FASTPASS it will say something like "you cannot optain another FASTPASS until ##:##". Then after that time (it changes fro park to park from day to day) you can obtain another Fastpass for another ride.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (i hope I am writing this clear enough...it is rather a simple process) Say at 10:00am you get a FASTPASS for SOARIN. It says you can return to The SOARIN FASTPASS line between 12:05pm to 1:05 pm. You can obtain another FASTPASS after 11:00am.
Then @ 11:00am you can go to MISSION SPACE FASTPASS Box and get a Fastpass for that ride. It may Say "return to MISSION SPACE FASTPASS line beween 12:45pm to 1:45pm".."you may obtain another FASTPASS after 12:30pm.

So now you have two FASTPASSES 1 for Soarin & 1 for MS!

Whenever people are going to WDW..I always urge them to use FASTPASS & drink water. It's a MUST in order to experience all the rides.

Also keep in mind that all the FASTPASS boxes have CM's who can asnwer all your questions.

This is one of those things that is MUCH easier to explain in person, then write it or read it. TRULY!

NOW to really BLOW you out of the water.....Last year when I was there, they were giving out "suprise" Fastpasses....That is, you go to any FASTPASS box and get FP for that ride, and suprise you also got a Fastpass for another ride in that park. This happen to us a few times, IT WAS GREAT!

One more thing....each ride is different! A fastpass for It's a small world will give you a 3 minute wait! A Fastpass for Test track is still going to be a 15 20 minute wait! It varies from ride to ride.

I hope I helped and didn't confuse you more!

 

[KangarooRat]

This sounds complicated, especially for old folks.

Do you need special passes? Or just for the real popular rides.

Are there rides appropriate for oldsters?

 

[DISUNC]

This sounds complicated, especially for old folks.

Do you need special passes? Or just for the real popular rides.

Are there rides appropriate for oldsters?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not complicated at all.

HMMMMM How can I explain this better....It's as if you wanted me to write down how to use a ATM machine. The writing would seem complicated, yet YOU find the ATM easy to use (please tell me you find the ATM Machine easy to use)? Anyhow the Fastpass Machine s MUCH MUCH easier to use.

No special passes or park tickets are needed to use Fastpass! It's for EVERYONE who enters the park.

Most rides are appropriate for oldsters! Just be in good health for Mission Space, Space Mountain...all the "Thrill Rides"!...If you are expecting...DON'T BE ON THESE RIDES!

However you define "oldster"...I'm 45 and some days feel 110...some days 5!..however most days...110!

 

[S. C.]

Always make sure you read on the fastpass what time that you can get another one. We thought you couldn't get another one till the start of the fastpass time. If your FP is for much later in the day than you will be able to get another FP before the starting time of the one that you have.

And like someone else said you can use expired fastpasses. we did this 3 times in the last 2 weeks. first time we used expired FP's the following day, our fastpasses were for 4:30 - 5:30 for splash mountain and we used them the following day at 2:30. The CM said our time was not untill 4:30 and i told her the FP's had been for the day before and we were unable to use them then. She looked at the expired FP's said ok and let us in.

Another time for BTMRR during our FP's time it was raining really hard and they had to shut the ride down. We came back 2 days later to use those FP's and explained to the CM that it had gotten rained out, again no problem they let us in.

 

[Kristina]

It happens now and then that people walk away with their fastpasses but forget their ticket in the machine. I always make sure I keep one hand waiting for my ticket so that I never forget it. Sounds simple, but forgetting things is what I do best!

 

[cjb71870]

Listen ajgwin! You need to know and use the FP concept! I'm a major regular at Disneyworld! I've been there 9 times this year. The first thing I tell people is to use the FP's. But, you have to plan your day to the rides. Be at whatever park your going to that day when it opens!!! Go directly to the ride that is most popular or new. It is hard to explain in writing. You can do alot if you plan right. I wish I could just tell you, but you can get another FP an hour after the first one you received. Have a Blast!!!

 

[betterlatethannever]

OK, now that you've passed Fastpass 101, it is time for the exceptions

At MGM, the new stunt car show has fastpass machines. But they are special in that they are not affected by any other ride's fastpasses. You can get a fastpass for this show even if you just got a fastpass for TOT and the fastpass shows you can't get a fastpass for another hour (for example).

Ed

 

[typod]

the top part was right but you can only have one fast pass at a time

 

[KangarooRat]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not complicated at all.

HMMMMM How can I explain this better....It's as if you wanted me to write down how to use a ATM machine. The writing would seem complicated, yet YOU find the ATM easy to use (please tell me you find the ATM Machine easy to use)? Anyhow the Fastpass Machine s MUCH MUCH easier to use.

No special passes or park tickets are needed to use Fastpass! It's for EVERYONE who enters the park.

Most rides are appropriate for oldsters! Just be in good health for Mission Space, Space Mountain...all the "Thrill Rides"!...If you are expecting...DON'T BE ON THESE RIDES!

However you define "oldster"...I'm 45 and some days feel 110...some days 5!..however most days...110!

LOL - I am terrified of ATM machines and telephones. Old = 65+

Does WDW have something like a tilt-a-whirl? That is probably as exciting as I could manage with my wife. (we first met on a tilt-a-whirl back in the early 50's - I was trying to get a different girl to ride with me, but that is another story that invaribly turns out badly for me when I bring it up.) I am sure we could manage to ride the tilt-a-whirl if for no other reason than to give her an excuse to verbally abuse me again just kidding.

btw - we are NOT expecting. just wanted to make that clear.

We are both in excellent health, but are both a bit out of shape for strenuous exercise. I would love to ride anything there, but she will draw the line a the tilt-a-whirl level of excitement.

From further reading = I gather that FastPass means a way of not having to stand in line for the more popular rides. I will probably be able to sort it out when we get there = as long as it doesn't resemble an ATM. We will have our granddaughters with us - probably for as long as 10 or 13 minutes - to explain the process to us. After that we will have to just rely on the generosity of strangers for advice. Sounds like there will be lots of good strangers there to help us.

THanks

 

[seashoreCM]

The fast pass machine does resemble an ATM that stands in the middle of a shopping mall floor but there are no buttons on it. There are only three steps, (1) insert your park ticket, (2 most important) take back your park ticket, and (3) take the fast pass from the other, lower, opening.

Does WDW have something like a tilt-a-whirl? That is probably as exciting as I could manage with my wife. (we first met on a tilt-a-whirl back in the early 50's - I was trying to get a different girl to ride with me, but that is another story that invaribly turns out badly for me when I bring it up.) I am sure we could manage to ride the tilt-a-whirl if for no other reason than to give her an excuse to verbally abuse me again just kidding.

From further reading = I gather that FastPass means a way of not having to stand in line for the more popular rides. I will probably be able to sort it out when we get there = as long as it doesn't resemble an ATM. THanks

I think the ride that comes closest to Tilt A Whirl is the Mad Tea Party at the back of the Magic Kingdom park. Other amusement parks may have the Mad Tea Party itself, without the little mouse in the center teapot (nobody rides inside).

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

The come back time for using your fast pass is posted overhead near the fast pass machines. The time you can get your next fast pass is not posted in advance but is never more than two hours five minutes later from when you got your last fast pass.

Various experiments are ongoing and change from week to week regarding fast passes notably when you can get the next fast pass. If the park is not so busy, the maximum time for next fast pass might be one hour away instead of two. The time for getting a Lights Motors (at MGM) fast pass after getting another fast pass is unadvertised, roughly ten minutes after you got the other fast pass, but the time for getting a third fast pass would depend on your first fast pass, not another ten minutes later.

If no fast pass comes out of the machine, try putting in your park pass backwards or upside down. If still nothing, or if you get an error message (on a piece of paper) the second time saying you succeeded the first time and nothing came out, find a cast member nearby and ask him or her for a fast pass.

 

[KangarooRat]

I think the ride that comes closest to Tilt A Whirl is the Mad Tea Party at the back of the Magic Kingdom park. Other amusement parks may have the Mad Tea Party itself, without the little mouse in the center teapot (nobody rides inside).

Disney hints:
*****

The come back time for using your fast pass is posted overhead near the fast pass machines. The time you can get your next fast pass is not posted in advance but is never more than two hours five minutes later from when you got your last fast pass.

Thanks, that will be our first stop - sentimental journey and all.

I think I will have to figure out the fastpass plans once we get there. We may not even need them if they are for the real popular rides like tower of terror and such.

Question - do you have to actually "stand" in line or is there a way to 'reserve' your spot in line while you sit down?

 

[Martha7]

Just to cover a few points that weren't explained yet: You go up to the fastpass machine and put your entrance ticket in. A few seconds later, it will return both your fastpass slip and your original ticket. In the event that you have any trouble, there are Disney employees standing nearby. Don't walk away from the fastpass machine without those 2 things: park entrance ticket and fastpass slip. When you return at the time stated on your fastpass, there will be two entrances. You want to go to the Fastpass Return entrance, where an employee, (CM: cast member) will check to make sure that you're not trying to slip in before the time stated on your fastpass. Keep the fastpass out and handy, since you'll most likely have to show it again as you get closer to the actual boarding area of the ride. If you find that you're holding a fastpass slip that you're not going to use, (if the return time is for later, and you want to leave the park and not return for the ride), you can give it to someone else, and they'll be happy, unless they're leaving too, of course. If you're not going to ride the faster rides, you may want to use the fastpass system for things like Mickey's Philharmagic in the Magic Kingdom. Do a little research on the rides, so that you know what you want to see ahead of time; you'll do a bit less walking, and your wife won't have any unfortunate ride experiences! Have a great trip!

 

[Martha7]

I'm not aware of any way to reserve a spot while you go and sit down, but I think you're right that since you won't be doing the thrill rides, your waits should be much less. In the Magic Kingdom, you should plan on doing: Peter Pan, (get a fastpass right away for this one!), It's a Small world, Mickey's Philharmagic, and anything else you see right there in Fantasyland, since none of the rides there are bad. In Tomorrowland, you could ride Buzz Lightyear, (also popular), the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and maybe Stitch's Great Adventure if there's no long line. Most people on this board don't care that much for the ride...In Adventureland, you should ride the Jungles Cruise, and go into the Tiki Room. On your way to Frontierland, you should ride Pirates of the Caribbean, and make your way around to the Haunted Mansion. You'll probably also enjoy Hall of Presidents, the Steamship Columbia. Does anyone want to tackle what they should see in EPCOT? I'm worn out now! Also, did I forget anything that they shouldn't miss in the Magic Kingdom? I tried to list my favorites, taking out the coasters.

 

[DISUNC]

LOL - I am terrified of ATM machines and telephones. Old = 65+

Does WDW have something like a tilt-a-whirl? That is probably as exciting as I could manage with my wife. (we first met on a tilt-a-whirl back in the early 50's - I was trying to get a different girl to ride with me, but that is another story that invaribly turns out badly for me when I bring it up.) I am sure we could manage to ride the tilt-a-whirl if for no other reason than to give her an excuse to verbally abuse me again just kidding.

btw - we are NOT expecting. just wanted to make that clear.

We are both in excellent health, but are both a bit out of shape for strenuous exercise. I would love to ride anything there, but she will draw the line a the tilt-a-whirl level of excitement.

From further reading = I gather that FastPass means a way of not having to stand in line for the more popular rides. I will probably be able to sort it out when we get there = as long as it doesn't resemble an ATM. We will have our granddaughters with us - probably for as long as 10 or 13 minutes - to explain the process to us. After that we will have to just rely on the generosity of strangers for advice. Sounds like there will be lots of good strangers there to help us.

THanks

lol!

I SEE THAT mARTHA7 HAS ANSWERED ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.

Really you will be fine! Plenty of rides (it's a small world, Carosel of progress,and shows ...etc.) that you can do! Or you can just sit on the benches and watch all the rest of us go nuts running around!!!!

I am going down in 2 days, If I think of anything or see anything I think you might enjoy, I will let you know on my return (beginning of August). Otherwise these Boards are great for information, and everybody is extremely helpful.

PS If you can figure out how to sign onto the internet & use these boards....YOU CAN HANDLE FASTPASS

See you real soon,
Andy

 

[RevBob]

the top part was right but you can only have one fast pass at a time

This information is incorrect! YES YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE FASTPASS AT A TIME. Several scenarios will allow this. One as other posters have said is when you get a LMA fastpass, it will allow you to get another FASTPASS while you still have it. The other scenario has also been stated, that if you get a FASTPASS that has a much later return time, at the bottom it will tell you at what time you may get another FASTPASS, usually two hours after obtaining the first FASTPASS or when your first FASTPASS return time arrives, whichever is earlier. So several scenarios would allow you to hold two or more FASTPASS's. You could get a FASTPASS for Space Mountian at 10:00 a.m. with a return time of 11:00 a.m., obtain a FASTPASS at Splash Mt at 11:05 a.m. and then head back to Space Mountain to use your first FASTPASS. Or if the first FASTPASS you got for Space Mountain had a return time of 3:30 p.m., and said at the bottom that you could get another FASTPASS after 12:00 noon, you could get another FASTPASS for any other FASTPASS ride after 12:00 noon, which would be before using your first FASTPASS.