Star Tours Fastpass strategy

[mousecrazy]

If I go directly to Star Tours at opening, how long will the line be to get a Fastpass? What will be the return time? And, how long will it take for the Fastpass distribution line to dissipate?

TIA

 

[sonnyjane]

This is still a bit of a wild-card, as it's only been open for less than two months. What we do know is that the FP's run out by about 11 AM, noon at the latest (and sometimes much sooner), so if riding it is a priority for you, make that FP your first one. Recent threads here have said that the line for FP's at rope drop can be up to 15 minutes, but that it is well organized, with a CM leading the group from rope drop. It's hard to say when the return time will be, but I was at the park the week before last on a Thursday and at 8:51 AM, the FP return time was already 4:00 PM. If that holds true, your next FP will probably be available two hours from when you pick up your Star Tours FP, since you can get your next FP's 2 hours later OR after your FP return window, whichever comes first. If you are among the very first to get the FP, you will have less than 2 hours to wait until you can get your next one.

 

[mousecrazy]

Thanks sonnyjane. Do you have an idea of what return time I might expect on Space Mountain fastpass at park opening? Is there a line for fastpass distribution at opening?

 

[sonnyjane]

Argh! Double post

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks sonnyjane. Do you have an idea of what return time I might expect on Space Mountain fastpass at park opening? Is there a line for fastpass distribution at opening?

I haven't gone to ST at rope drop but from what I understand, there is *kind of* a special line for those going to FP or to ST, and that is on the right side if you're facing the castle. Someone else that has done it should be able to tell you better.

As far as Space, I'd say if you make it there right at opening and make THAT your first FP, the return time could be as soon as 8:30-8:45 or so if you're among the very first. Then you could get a ST FP after getting your Space one, BUT, the return time could be as late as 4:00 PM as I said above. Star Tours FP's WILL run out. Space's likely won't, or if they do, as they might on a very crowded day, they will not run out until late in the day.

Also, what day are you talking about? If it is a day that has a Magic Morning, people that are already in the park prior to opening will be the first in line to get those FP's at 8:00, so your return time might be pushed back. If it's just a regular opening day and you're at rope drop, then you would be at the forefront.

 

[eduk8r26]

This past Friday, my niece went over to get fast passes for us at 10 AM and waited in line at least 20 minutes. The return time was between 9 and 10 that night.

 

[camouseketeer]

This is my experience from the last week in June.

I was on Main Street for rope drop both of my non-MM days. The first day I was right at the front of the pack (two rows from the rope). There is no specific line for ST FP. There is a line for ST standby line (on the right hand side walk). The second day I was about 10 rows back from the rope.

Both days I walked with a purpose to the FP machines. They are well controlled by CM's, and there are chains set up for a switch back line. The first day I was the 3rd person to get a ST FP for the day (so I got one at 8:01ish am). My return time was 8:40 am. The second day I waited less than 5 min in line to get my FP (so I got one at 8:05ish am). My return time was 8:50 am.

Both days I sacrificed going to Fantasyland with my family and missed out on Peter Pan, but getting an early return time was more important.

This would be different for a MM day, because, as I understand it, people begin lining up for the ST FP's during MM. They do not start distributing until official park opening time, but if you do not have MM, then you would be behind a lengthy line to get a FP. I did not try to ride ST on that day.

Hope this helps.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Mid July we got ST FPs on 4 mornings of our 5 day trip.

We went on ST 8 times while there- 2 times a day. None on the last day. Our strategy went like this: Arrive at gate by opening. We were not the first in and sometimes it was already open for rope drop by the time we got there. That was ok, and we still had plenty of time. We went stright to ST FP machines and got a return time for around 8:40. (On MMs our return times were about 9:45.) We then rode Buzz (no wait) several times. Then go to another ride like IJ or Thunder while standby line was still short. Then head back to ST FP machines as soon as we were able to get more. The time for the second ST FPs was afternoon. Somewhere around 2 or 3 (or 4 on MM). Of course, by the time we were able to get the next FP, ST was empty. We never stood in line standby to see it.

Our third FP of the day was Space Mountain which we picked up two hours after the second ST FP. The return time was afternoon. Later those FPs ran out also.

Anyway, we were able to get ST FPs twice a day. Even on MM days when we had no MM, we still got two FPs. You just have to be ready to get the second FP the minute you are allowed.

 

[g0lden]

I didn't have MM access but went on a MM (hey, don't judge, I didn't have a choice ). I passed through the turnstiles at 7:40 a.m. and waited with the ST crowd on the Main Street sidewalk. The ST crowd is kinda mixed (standby's and FPs), as camousketeer stated. There was a CM on hand on Main Street if you want to ask to be sure that this is still the case while you're standing there waiting (I didn't ask but should have). Walking at a New York pace, I got my ST FPs at 8:11 a.m., and my return time was 10:15 a.m. There were CMs at the kiosks to expedite, so the FP line moves quickly. I would have gotten to the ST FP kiosks earlier if I trusted that the ST FP kiosks are STILL at BLAB; not ST. So walk briskly to BLAB and look for the ST FP signs there. It helps if you get ST FPs as a solo traveler (as you will weave in and out of the crowd, families with strollers, etc.).

On the FP subject, I'd say that ST, Splash and Indy can have some pretty late return times if you get them too late in the day (with ST selling out early). I got Splash FPs one day at 3ish, and the return time was 7:55 p.m; ugh. Being wet and cold at night is not ideal...but! I bought dollar store ponchos, so it worked out. The Indy FP line was a zoo at 12:00 p.m. one day when I was there, but the return time was 1:30 p.m. The previous day, I went late to get Indy FPs at 5:47 p.m., and the return time was 10:20 p.m.--not the time you want to be at Indy, between Fantasmic showings.

For reference, I got SM FPs at 10:47 one morning and had a return time of 11:25 a.m. My family had ridden SM the day before and wanted to go the next day. We slept in that morning. We never got to ride SM that day because it broke down the three times we came back to ride it.

The point that I'm trying to make is, even if you get ST FPs by 8:15 a.m., you may still have a return time of 2 hours. This was my case on a MM for which I didn't have access. If you get SM FPs around 10:45 a.m., you might just have a return time of 40 minutes (this was on a non-MM). Indy, later in the day, is an hour and a half (if you were to go at noon, for example). My personal advice is, get ST FPs FIRST.

My personal FP order would be: ST, SM, Indy, Splash, BTMRR and Autopia. You can get RR anytime because the kiosks are disconnected from the rest of the FP network (but the family members I know who rode it said it was weird). Other DISers might say to get ST, SM, Splash, Indy, BTMRR and Autopia, probably because you don't want to be wet without a poncho in the cooler California evening. But Indy is so awesome. If you have small kids with you, then yes, follow the DISers' FP order since they may not be able to ride Indy bc of height restrictions, and the priority would be to accommodate them first. Rider Switch/FP lines takes a while at Indy, too.

You don't "need" to get SM FPs first thing in the morning, but you do "need" to get ST FPs in the morning. You can get SM FPs after ST.

 

[mousecrazy]

Thanks for the info.