The Least Useless HS Show FP

[rexmism]

Hi everyone,
Since the Toy Story Mania FP is still not up for 6/6, I'm trying to decide on a decently useful third FP, after Star Tours and ToT (we aren't doing RnRC). I know shows typically don't seem to be a good use of FP, but I might as well use one, so what's the least useless of the show FP? I'm probably planning on doing Frozen at 10:30 and Indy at 3:15 (I'm leaning towards Indy), but would like to hear about anyone's experience using a HS show FP and if it's ever helped at all.
Who am I kidding, let's do a poll!
I was going to add Muppets and Little Mermaid, but they don't give you enough choices for that, so just post if you have an experience with that. If only I could include time of day and crowd level analysis...

 

[hiroMYhero]

Well, after all your other polls and threads, I’m going with the most useful show FPs are the ones you link to the correct people without needing to switch MBs.

I’m voting Fantasmic because I go in mainly to watch my CM friend and her request is that I sit at the very front of the Beast section (FP Area)...I can watch her in a canoe and on Steamboat Willie without an obstructed view.

 

[only hope]

Fantasmic is useful on busy nights when you need to show up earlier than the end of the fp window to get a seat in the bleacher. Indiana Jones is totally pointless- all views are good and I’ve never seen it fill up til just before showtime. Beauty and the Beast does give you a better view, but it’s still easy to get an excellent view without one. Little Mermaid can be helpful if the park is so busy that you wouldn’t be able to get into the next show without a fp. Otherwise, it’s pointless- everyone waits in the lobby for the show to start. Same with Muppets.

 

[Linkura]

I haven't actually used FP for any of these but based on what I have read:

Muppets is 100% useless.

I have heard The Little Mermaid can be useful as it's a smaller theater than the other shows.

I've heard Disney Jr is pretty useless as the viewing area is right up front with no actual seating.

BATB and IJ are useful at very busy times.

Fantasmic is a good 4th+ FP but getting it as one of your first 3 means you can't get a 4th.

 

[rexmism]

Well, after all your other polls and threads, I’m going with the most useful show FPs are the ones you link to the correct people without needing to switch MBs.

I'm pretty sure one of my 3 year olds is going to freak out with me when I try to take his magic band to go on Thunder, but you know, you gotta do what you gotta do. ;-)

I’m voting Fantasmic because I go in mainly to watch my CM friend and her request is that I sit at the very front of the Beast section (FP Area)...I can watch her in a canoe and in Steamboat Willie without an obstructed view.

Gotta get in on that unobstructed canoe action! I'm guessing Fantasmic will be the clear winner, but we probably won't be there that late, so it's not really in play for me.

 

[only hope]

Oh, yeah, I agree with above poster, Fantasmic as a prebook is a bad idea unless you’re only going to be in the park a short time in the evening with no opportunity to book additional fp. You save more time by using multiple additional fp than prebooking Fantasmic.

 

[rexmism]

Oh, yeah, I agree with above poster, Fantasmic as a prebook is a bad idea unless you’re only going to be in the park a short time in the evening with no opportunity to book additional fp. You save more time by using multiple additional fp than prebooking Fantasmic.

True, although what additional FP options do you have in HS these days that are any good? Star Tours, and maybe ToT if you're lucky? That's probably it, unless we decide any of these other show FPs are useful.

 

[kwdw]

I ranked Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones as useful - but ONLY on super busy days. If its a really busy day - those theaters can fill up and you can get turned away. With the FP - I can get there just as the FP entry time is expiring and still get into the theater for sure. IN general - none of the show FP's at HS are needed on an average busy day. Disney Jr. can be useful if you have a little one who is hard to keep contained - and then again - you only have to be there 15 minutes in advance to know you will get in.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The only useful show FP is Fantasmic even though, as pointed out by a PP, it ties up a Tier 1 FP for the whole day. Optimally, it should be booked as a 4th or 5th FP.

A Fastpass for F! gets you reserved seating in the stadium. The other show FPs just let you wait in a shorter line to sit down.

 

[only hope]

True, although what additional FP options do you have in HS these days that are any good? Star Tours, and maybe ToT if you're lucky? That's probably it, unless we decide any of these other show FPs are useful.

But who can go on those rides just once? After my initial three are used, I get second fp (and maybe third) for the same rides.

 

[rexmism]

But who can go on those rides just once? After my initial three are used, I get second fp (and maybe third) for the same rides.

True, but you could use the method I used last year. Have kids who can't ride, get a swap pass, and then become more and more surprised as they keep letting you in without taking your swap pass from you.

 

[rexmism]

So Fantasmic is the best (as expected). Indy and Beauty may be useful, Frozen is mixed, Disney Jr is useless. Interesting results, thanks for voting!

 

[tlmadden73]

That is the main problem with DHS -- so many shows with fast passes that aren't really needed since you don't really "skip" any line. There isn't a significant time savings as you still need to wait for the show to start.

In my experience, I've never felt Fast Passers have special seating or anything, so just not sure the point of Fast Passes for shows (besides just helping the Fast Pass system not be jammed at DHS).

Only time I found a FP for a show useful was for Festival of the Lion King - knowing I had a FP, we shopped and use restrooms, taking our time until 5 minutes before show time to walk in. But I didn't have to do that .. I could have just got in line a few minutes before and sat down with the regular crowd.

 

[Princess_Lisa]

I haven't done all of those. For Frozen, FastPass gets you in line a little sooner I think, so a possible advantage there. As a PP said, Muppets is completely useless. Everyone just waits in the same big room. Not sure about VotLM. I didn't feel I needed it, but YMMV. For the most part, shows don't really require FastPasses at any park. There are a few that might get you in first or better seating, but some like Muppets, Pixar Shorts at Epcot, and Bug at AK are only useful for burning a FP to get to #4 so you can do another Tier 1 or reride something else.

 

[FSU Girl]

I like using the fast pass for Indiana Jones. You get a more centered view. If you need to use a FP on something I find it helpful for a good view. Fantasmic is also a really good one to have, but I wouldn't book it as an original three. You will be stuck with only 3 FP for the whole day, so only do that if you are spending a late day there

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I have a prebooked Muppets FP but it's "use" was to get my 3rd FP done as soon as possible so I can try for another RNR or Star Tours. Therefore, not 100% useless. Only like 95% percent useless.

 

[djc9699]

With Frozen and Beauty and the Beast you get better seating with the fastpass. Makes a difference to me to get to sit closer and more center as I have poor vision even with glasses.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I got Fantasmic! as a fourth or fifth FP. It was useful because it meant that I didn't have to show up an hour before the show. I think I got there a half hour before, and easily got a seat near the front.

On our second to last trip to WDW, we tried to get into Fantasmic! on our first night at DHS, but no dice. Completely "sold out" (on a weekday). On our second visit during that trip, we went in an hour before, to make sure that we got a seat. So I do think Fantasmic! FPs are useful.

On Touring Plans, they claim that fast passes for the Mermaid show are useful. I forget why, exactly, but you can read the explanation on their site. Look up touring plans for DHS.