I haven't been to Super Soap weekend since they started using the Fast Passes. I had a question- for the people who get there really early in the morning, like 3 am or so, how do they get in? I thought that the park gates only open at a certain time? Are the fast pass ticket kiosks inside the gates? Also, is there parking in the parking lot that early? How does it all work? Any info would really help out!
Thanks!
Hey!
Welcome to the disboards! Well, there is a lot of info above in some previous posts so check those out if you haven't yet.
They do let you park that early as far as I know, but not positive. I just take a taxi over from my room at CBR, no car for me, and buses don't start till like 7am.
But, getting there early, and that's early
!, you still just wait in line until park opening at 8am. You are just in the front of the line so you get in first. I usually try for 6am which is really too early for me, I'm a late to bed, late to rise person, but no choice to get a FP. They have lines for each show out front, so 3 long lines. They have opened early if lines are terrible and they try to alleviate them a bit this way, but then they just continue to keep you in lines for the each show and eventually snake you through the park to that area. They do not just let you run wild to get to the front of the line or to get to the kiosks. The GH one is down around the Indiana Jones area, OL is at the Star Wars attraction, and AMC is back around the backlot or stunt area, I can't remember the name right now, sorry. They have a FP machine for each actor and when you get to the front of the line, the cm asks you which actor you want an auto. for of the actors who are still available and then you go up to that machine to get a FP where a cm is there at each machine so you can only get one FP. They do not let you get a FP with someone else's ticket, each person only gets one for themselves, then you can get back in a line for the actor you want to try for next. They usually put a cover on the machine when it's totally done. For each autograph session, they have about a 100 tickets per actor(don't know the exact number), and then a certain number for standby, where they try to get extra fans in a session depending on how the time goes, but those are not guaranteed. I'm not sure, but I think they sell the regular FPs first, then when those are gone, they start the standby FPs.
Usually each actor has two sessions per day, some have three, sometimes depending on how many other activities they participate in. While waiting in the FP lines, after a while, the cm's will start to update the status on which actors are still available and which time sessions they are giving FPs for or standbys, or when an actor's FP is no longer available. If you have an absolute favorite must have, go for them first!
Fastpasses are usually all gone by 9 - 9:30, maybe 10am approximately. The schedules are found either online shortly before ssw, or in the soap mags they pass out while you are waiting. They have all the info on auto sessions, and all the other stuff going on, and maps of where everything is, including where each actors station is located.
Now, usually getting 2 if you've come early, maybe 3 if really early, is what happens, though not always for your favorites. Some people somehow get more but they must be at the front of the line and, well, I don't know, I haven't figured that out yet! Anyway, although although you may not get each FP you want, you may still get some autos and pic for sure. Some actors will come over the barricade by their station and take a quick pic or give a hug, or give autos, or a combination. Some actors don't leave until everyone who waited gets something, though they have personal cms trying to move them along sometimes, and sometimes they do have places they have to be at a certain time. Sometimes they run over to the fence in between FP fans, sometimes after all fp and standbys. My point is, it often pays to wait if you have a favorite actor and no FP or standby ticket. And, of course you can always take pic while they are giving out autos from the pic taking area. A few I know who do this are Tad(amc), Sam, Logan, Spinelli, Lucky, Patrick, (GH), Cole, Ex-Evangeline, Nash (OL). These are from my personal experience and they were awesome! Actually last year, we didn't even come early for FP on the second day, we just went to different sessions we wanted and had a great time and had great interactions and got some autos and pic w/ actors.
Okay, so I've babbled far too long, sorry! I'd be happy to help if you have anymore questions, so just ask, if you dare!
Hopefully this was somewhat helpful.
My DD17 and I had a great time the last couple yrs and are really looking forward to going again this year! I think you'll love it! It's sort of crazy and crowded but lots of fun!
and her 18. 
