Tell Me About Fastpass at DLP

[HydroGuy]

I read on a recent thread here that the FP system was changed at DLP on April 1 to be "more like the American Parks". I know the FP system at the American parks really well and would like some feedback from someone who has visited DLP this month.

At DLR and WDW you can get a FP and the time delay until you can get your next FP is always 40-120 minutes away depending on the popularity of the ride and the time of day. Is that how it works at DLP now?

 

[SammieG]

yes.. i think thats how it is working now...although if its quiet when you go, you might not need fast pass..

The other thing hydroguy is that, try as it might.. the fast pass system particularly in busy times does NOT work like its american counterparts! its MUCH slower.. and lines for fastpass entry are sometimes longer than the standby line in the US would be.. (Ive seen fastpass lines over an hour long!)

This I would say is the main difference between the US and Paris parks.. the speed at which people are loaded onto lines.. its just not as efficient .. and they are dealing with considerably less people that the US parks...

However.. it could just have been the times we have been there where the parks are very busy.. you might not experience this on a weekday..

 

[BRobson]

Up until April teh first you could hold one fastpass for each ride in DLP. Now like as in WDW you can only hold one at a time.

 

[HydroGuy]

This I would say is the main difference between the US and Paris parks.. the speed at which people are loaded onto lines.. its just not as efficient .. and they are dealing with considerably less people that the US parks...

I was wondering how true this was so pulled up a recent report I came across. FWIW, here is a link to 2006 attendance: www.connectingindustry.com/pdfs/TEA-ERAAttendance06.pdf

Focusing on MK at WDW, DL at DLR and DL at DLP:

MK: 16.6 million (#1)
DL: 14.7 million (#2)
DLP: 10.6 million (#5)

So you are quite correct that DLP is far behind the top American parks in terms of attendance. But while being physically larger DLP seems to have less rides. And the park hours are so short at DLP. With less rides, less park hours, and less people I wonder what the net effect is as far as how crowded it feels.

I know park hours expand more in July, but DLP is open 9 hours per day and WDS is open 8 hours per day on June weekdays. We are going to DLR California at the end of June on weekdays (Tue-Thurs) and DL will be open 16 hours each day (not counting early entry hours - the rough equivalent of EMH at DLP) and DCA will be open 11 hours.

I guess I will get a first hand experience in June of the comparitive crowds.