Understanding Disneyland FP

[Frozen2014]

We went to DW in Oct 2014 so I am familiar with their FP+ system. So, I have a few questions about the Disneyland FP.

1. Can you only have one outstanding FP at a time? If not, is there a limit?
2. Can you select your preferred time for the FP window?
   
3. If answer to the above is no, my understanding is you walk up to the ride and take a FP. But how far away is the FP time? e.g. if it is 10am, is it possible you can't use your FP until 2pm?
4. Can you get FP anywhere else such as a central area with booths/machines? Or do you have to go to each ride? This would be a pain if you are at one end of the park but want one for another ride at the other side.
5. Do FPs run out for a ride? If so, then you must need some strategy for the popular rides.

I'm a planner and really like Disney World's FP system where before you even enter the park, you have e FPs booked. Moreover,you can select your preferred times (depending on availability) rather than being assigned a time randomly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tlovesdis]

We went to DW in Oct 2014 so I am familiar with their FP+ system. So, I have a few questions about the Disneyland FP.

1. Can you only have one outstanding FP at a time? If not, is there a limit?
2. My understanding is you walk up to the ride and take a FP. But how far away is the FP time? e.g. if it is 10am, is it possible you can't use your FP until 2pm?
3. Can you get FP anywhere else such as a central area with booths/machines? Or do you have to go to each ride? This would be a pain if you are at one end of the park but want one for another ride at the other side.
4. Do FPs run out for a ride? If so, then you must need some strategy for the popular rides.

I'm a planner and really like Disney World's FP system where before you even enter the park, you have e FPs booked. Moreover,you can select your preferred times (depending on availability) rather than being assigned a time randomly.

Thanks in advance.

1. You can end up with two at a time depending on return times. You pull one and if the return time is later than two hours, you can pull another at the two hour mark. If your return time is less than two hours, you have to use it and then you can pull another one. Some are disconnected, like for WOC, Buzz Lightyear and a few more I can't think of off the top of my head.

2. Yes you get the FP at the ride, or right near it. The return time depends on how busy it is and how many FP's have already been pulled. We once pulled a FP at noon for RSR and the return time was 830pm!!

3. Not currently! Each ride has the FP machines near them. There is talk that FP+ in some form is coming and will include kiosks, but not right now.

4. Yes they do! Depends again on how busy the park is and the attraction.

 

[Frozen2014]

1. You can end up with two at a time depending on return times. You pull one and if the return time is later than two hours, you can pull another at the two hour mark. If your return time is less than two hours, you have to use it and then you can pull another one. Some are disconnected, like for WOC, Buzz Lightyear and a few more I can't think of off the top of my head.

2. Yes you get the FP at the ride, or right near it. The return time depends on how busy it is and how many FP's have already been pulled. We once pulled a FP at noon for RSR and the return time was 830pm!!

3. Not currently! Each ride has the FP machines near them. There is talk that FP+ in some form is coming and will include kiosks, but not right now.

4. Yes they do! Depends again on how busy the park is and the attraction.

Thanks. I'm a little confused on question 1...probably because I don't understand the system. So can you randomly walk around and keep pulling FPs at different rides (or even the same ride)? If these are not connected to your account (e.g. such as magic bands) then how do they know if you've already pulled a FP ticket? You mention if the return time is within the next 2hrs vs more than 2hrs, but still..confused.

 

[tlovesdis]

Well yes, for Buzz Lightyear for example, it is disconnected, so you can have that as well as a parade/show one and a normal one. The connected ones are the ones that you can only get every two hours or after you use yours. There aren't many that are disconnected so it's not like you would have a whole bunch.

I'm sure someone here will know for sure the disconnected ones.

Did that help?

 

[figment_jii]

tlovesdis did a great job answer your questions, so I just have a few other comments.

Can you only have one outstanding FP at a time? If not, is there a limit?

There is currently no limit to the number of FPs you can get in a single day, but it depends on the return times of the FPs you do get. As tlovesdis said, for most attraction FPs, you can get another FP two hours later or when the time window opens, whichever comes first. So, let's say you get a FP for Space Mountain at 9:00 am.

• Example 1: The return time is for 10:30 pm. This is 90 minutes after you got the Space FP. You can get another FP at 10:30 am because the time window has opened.
• Example 2: The return time is for 1:00 pm. In this case, you can get another FP at 11:00 am (two hours after you got the Space FP). One thing to note is that you cannot get another Space FP at this point (you can only hold one FP for the same attraction at a time).

There are a few other caveats:

• There are a handful of "disconnect" FPs. You can obtain these FPs and they do not limit/impact your ability to get another FP immediately. The only "disconnected" attraction FP is for Buzz Lightyear. WoC is also "disconnected" FPs. In other words, you could go get a WoC FP and then immediately go get a RSR FP. F!, when it was being presented also used the FP system, but it is likely dark for the rest of 2016.
• The two parks are "disconnected" from each other. Meaning you can collect a FP in DL and then immediately hop over to DCA and collect a FP there. For example, if you are in DL and pull a FP for Space Mtn, you can immediately go over to DCA (assuming you have park hopper tickets) and get a FP for RSR.
• Once a park ticket has been used to enter a park, you can obtain FPs in either park. So let's say your party all enters DL in the morning. You can then have one person (aka "the runner") hop over to DCA to get FPs in that park. (It's worth noting, I've only ever done this with park hopper tickets, so I don't know if works if someone had a one-park-per-day ticket). This is one of the biggest differences from WDW when it was still using the Legacy FP system.
• There aren't a huge number of attractions at DLR that use the FP system. Mostly they are the thrill rides and a few of the more popular non-thrill rides. Disneyland.com has a list of the attractions that currently use the FP system: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/fastpass/

Can you select your preferred time for the FP window? If answer to the above is no, my understanding is you walk up to the ride and take a FP. But how far away is the FP time? e.g. if it is 10am, is it possible you can't use your FP until 2pm?

You cannot select your preferred time at this point. You can check the Disneyland App to see the current return time and try to time it so you get the time you want that way, but otherwise you have to take whatever time is currently being distributed when you get to the FP machines. Yes, it's quite possible to pull a FP in the morning and not be able to use it until the late afternoon or evening. This most commonly happens at the more popular attractions (e.g., Space Mtn, RSR). Please note that DLR does not have an official grace period (either early or late), so plan on returning during the time window printed on the ticket.

Can you get FP anywhere else such as a central area with booths/machines? Or do you have to go to each ride? This would be a pain if you are at one end of the park but want one for another ride at the other side.

Currently you do have to go the physical FP machine to get the FPs. So yes, in most cases you will have to go to the attraction itself to get the FP. Most of the machines are adjacent to the attraction. There are a few that are not within the immediately vicinity (e.g., RSR is located near It's Tough to Be a Bug - not even in Carsland), but most are within sight of the attraction.

Do FPs run out for a ride? If so, then you must need some strategy for the popular rides.

Yes, FPs do run out. For the more popular attractions, like Space and RSR, they can runout well before the park closes. I would try to get those FPs within the first hours of the day.

There are rumblings/rumors that a version of FP+ is coming to DLR, but it doesn't not seem like the ability to pre-book FPs is necessarily going to be one of the features they're importing from WDW. There have been some RFID tests at Space Mtn in the last few days, and there are rumors that at some point they might implement the ability to get a FP using the app or a centralized kiosk system, but at this point, these are all rumors and not dates have been announced. They're talking about these rumors over in the FP+ (No More Paper FP) thread.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Here is a sample of a fastpass with the times referenced above:

http://dlrprepschool.com/a-fastpass-guide-for-disneyland-and-california-adventure/

 

[gatorlisa]

Thanks. I'm a little confused on question 1...probably because I don't understand the system. So can you randomly walk around and keep pulling FPs at different rides (or even the same ride)? If these are not connected to your account (e.g. such as magic bands) then how do they know if you've already pulled a FP ticket? You mention if the return time is within the next 2hrs vs more than 2hrs, but still..confused.

They know you have pulled a fastpass because in order to get a fastpass, you have to scan the barcode on your park ticket. So your ticket is not eligible to pull a fastpass until either 2 hours have passed since the last one you pulled or the window for the one you pulled has opened.

 

[agamble]

They know you have pulled a fastpass because in order to get a fastpass, you have to scan the barcode on your park ticket. So your ticket is not eligible to pull a fastpass until either 2 hours have passed since the last one you pulled or the window for the one you pulled has opened.

In a sense they don't know you pulled the FP, but the ticket used pulled a FP. This can work to the advantage of some if they have small children who cannot ride bigger rides. They can use those tickets to get more FP. Also, people can give others FP if they do not want them. Sometimes guests will hand out unused FP.

 

[gatorlisa]

In a sense they don't know you pulled the FP, but the ticket used pulled a FP. This can work to the advantage of some if they have small children who cannot ride bigger rides. They can use those tickets to get more FP. Also, people can give others FP if they do not want them. Sometimes guests will hand out unused FP.

Yep, they are tracking the ticket not the person. I used to use that to my advantage when I went to WDW with my mom. She didn't ride thrill rides, so we'd get FP with both tickets and I would ride twice while she people watched or rode the People Mover. That's one of the downsides to the new system in place a WDW.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks so much for the replies, and the picture is very helpful. Makes sense.

One other question. Is the FP for your family or for one only? If for one, then how do you ensure that you all get the same FP?

 

[kathy884]

each FP is for an individual person. Just all put your tickets in the FP machines one after another and you'll have FP tickets spit out for about the same time. Because there is a window for your return times it doesn't matter if return times are a few minutes off.

FP is another reason I really like to subscribe to touringplans.com. They recommend for the rides you want to do when to pick up a fastpass and guide you over to the ride when it's time to use it. Super easy and worth $7 to me to start with one of their touring plans, customize it, and optimize it for us, and to get the guidance on when it's worth it to get a fastpass and when to use it.

 

[avalon451]

If you would like to see more info or examples, Hydroguy's tip thread has a couple of great guides on how to maximize your FP use.: http://www.disboards.com/threads/hydroguy-tips-compilation.1520483/

A good way to go is to designate one person to be your "FP runner"-- for us it's my hubby, who likes to break away and do some fast walking now and then, anyway. After entering the park, you hand everybody's tickets to your runner. You can get a snack, take the kids to the bathroom, or wait in a line for something the runner doesn't want to ride while they go pick up FPs for the family.

 

[Frozen2014]

each FP is for an individual person. Just all put your tickets in the FP machines one after another and you'll have FP tickets spit out for about the same time. Because there is a window for your return times it doesn't matter if return times are a few minutes off.

FP is another reason I really like to subscribe to touringplans.com. They recommend for the rides you want to do when to pick up a fastpass and guide you over to the ride when it's time to use it. Super easy and worth $7 to me to start with one of their touring plans, customize it, and optimize it for us, and to get the guidance on when it's worth it to get a fastpass and when to use it.

Thanks...So I assume then, that consecutive FP are always close in time, and not say with 1hr inbetween? I mean, they have to shift to the next time when one sells out. Seems silly as it should at least specify the # that you want when you insert your ticket.

Thanks for the tip about touring plans. I didn't subscribe to it for Disney World (there were enough books and website that I was able to determine 'hot' FPs plus a touring plan / attraction order. But for Disneyland, it may be worthwhile. I'm Canadian but assume I can still subscribe.

 

[Frozen2014]

If you would like to see more info or examples, Hydroguy's tip thread has a couple of great guides on how to maximize your FP use.: http://www.disboards.com/threads/hydroguy-tips-compilation.1520483/

A good way to go is to designate one person to be your "FP runner"-- for us it's my hubby, who likes to break away and do some fast walking now and then, anyway. After entering the park, you hand everybody's tickets to your runner. You can get a snack, take the kids to the bathroom, or wait in a line for something the runner doesn't want to ride while they go pick up FPs for the family.

Good it to have a runner if a desired FP ride isn't nearby your current location. DH would be more than happy to have a few minutes on his own and "go for a walk". Thanks for hydroguy link. I'll take a look.

 

[mad hatter fan]

Thanks...So I assume then, that consecutive FP are always close in time, and not say with 1hr inbetween? I mean, they have to shift to the next time when one sells out. Seems silly as it should at least specify the # that you want when you insert your ticket.

I assume you talking about if the fastpass time shifts while in the middle of getting fastpasses for your family? I seem to remember it shifting by smaller amounts like 10-15 minutes at a time. It may shift faster later in the day, but there will be a CM nearby to help if you have a problem. Getting the passes goes really quick. In all of our trips I have never had a problem with this and there are 5 of us. Our passes always had either the exact same time or only different by 10 mins or so.

 

[Reepicheep]

I assume you talking about if the fastpass time shifts while in the middle of getting fastpasses for your family? I seem to remember it shifting by smaller amounts like 10-15 minutes at a time. It may shift faster later in the day, but there will be a CM nearby to help if you have a problem. Getting the passes goes really quick. In all of our trips I have never had a problem with this and there are 5 of us. Our passes always had either the exact same time or only different by 10 mins or so.

As I recall, I think the fast pass return times always go up in 5 minute increments. Also, if the machine gives you one fast pass for (say) 10:05am, and three more for 10:10am, then all four of you will be allowed in at 10:05am (by my experience, anyway).

 

[agamble]

Thanks...So I assume then, that consecutive FP are always close in time, and not say with 1hr inbetween? I mean, they have to shift to the next time when one sells out. Seems silly as it should at least specify the # that you want when you insert your ticket.

Thanks for the tip about touring plans. I didn't subscribe to it for Disney World (there were enough books and website that I was able to determine 'hot' FPs plus a touring plan / attraction order. But for Disneyland, it may be worthwhile. I'm Canadian but assume I can still subscribe.

It's only a 5 minute change. So you may get 9:55-10:55 for your first ticket and then the next tickets come out saying 10:00-11:00. But they give out a lot of tickets for each time, so it's unlikely you'll get a third time unless you're just really slow at sticking your tickets in. CM won't give you a hard time if you show up at 9:55 and the other tickets say 10. Also, the FP are always for at least 40 minutes out. So if no one gets the FP (common in the morning) the time will still change every 5 minutes. At 9AM opening the FP machines will all say 9:40-10:40.

 

[3DisMunchkins]

One thing to note which may have been stated but I didn't see it. You do not have to USE your current FP before pulling another. You can pull another FP as soon as your window opens up, then go to the first FP ride any time within your window. This will make your next window sooner.

 

[Frozen2014]

It's only a 5 minute change. So you may get 9:55-10:55 for your first ticket and then the next tickets come out saying 10:00-11:00. But they give out a lot of tickets for each time, so it's unlikely you'll get a third time unless you're just really slow at sticking your tickets in. CM won't give you a hard time if you show up at 9:55 and the other tickets say 10. Also, the FP are always for at least 40 minutes out. So if no one gets the FP (common in the morning) the time will still change every 5 minutes. At 9AM opening the FP machines will all say 9:40-10:40.

Thanks. So basically even if you all get different times, it will be within 5 minutes so at worst, it just shortens your window a bit. Doesn't seem like a big deal. Thanks for explaining.

One thing to note which may have been stated but I didn't see it. You do not have to USE your current FP before pulling another. You can pull another FP as soon as your window opens up, then go to the first FP ride any time within your window. This will make your next window sooner.

Thanks. I think someone above did mention that (or it was in one of the links).

 

[07pilot4me]

i have a fastpass question: how are the return times being enforced, are the CM's pretty lenient? meaning if you return after the designated window, do they still let you in the ride (in the past they have been lenient, but we haven't been in 2 years)