Which Fast Pass First?

[Hound 109]

Trey's "FP for Dummies & Smarties" has his usual great info....but also thoughts on how different people "do" FP.

For us, I am the FP & Park Hopper Ticket Holder (& the runner). All FPs & Tickets go in my wallet & I don't LEAVE the FP area until tickets & FPs are returned into wallet & wallet is in pocket. Different people have different processes.

Often my 9 y/o son comes with me to the machine. He's handy to have because as I'm sticking the tickets into the FP machine, he is grabbing the FPs as they spit out. Then we step away from the machine as I put the golden FPs away prior to hooking back up with the family.


There is something very relaxing about putting your 4th set of FPs into your pocket at 10:35am - 11am & having already ridden 12 -15 rides. The rest of the day kind of takes care of itself.

- Relax or don't relax.
- Eat a big meal or don't.
- Hop to DCA or don't.
- Continue to ride rides or poke around doing other stuff (since you'll ride rides that evening).

(but like HG & many here, I like to take the mid day break....even if only a couple of hours. Nothing like a swim, a nap or rest, a fresh shirt & socks to get one ready for a great evening at Walt's Park. )

 

[Vacation Dad]

During out last trip we were in Disneyland and DCA from 8:00am to 2:00pm, when we then headed back to our hotel for a break and lunch. I had 8 fastpasses in my pocket then, mostly by using HydroGuy’s tips: getting Space/Indy/Splash first and then gathering others as we went along. We had a good break and hardly waited in any line the entire evening.

 

[blue donkey]

Does anybody know how early FPs run out for HM when they have them? Or when I should collect it in the FP collecting order?

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[DLR29]

Does anybody know how early FPs run out for HM when they have them? Or when I should collect it in the FP collecting order?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Depends on how crowded it is. If it is a slower time, I doubt they would run out. During busier times, (like when I went the 2nd week of October) they will run out around 7 or 8 probably (assuming the park is open until 12).

 

[blue donkey]

thanks for the info DLR29! I think I'll try for an FP for HM after I get my essential ones then. Looking forward to riding it holiday style for the first time in a week.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Depends on how crowded it is. If it is a slower time, I doubt they would run out. During busier times, (like when I went the 2nd week of October) they will run out around 7 or 8 probably (assuming the park is open until 12).

Now that we are getting into peak holiday season, HMH will run out of fast passes pretty darn early. I've seen them gone by 2:30pm on weekends in December and nearing to Christmas. That line gets up to around 3 hours standby wait on average during those times.

I would use HydroGuy's thought processes to evaluate the return time windows. If you see that the return time is getting into the afternoon and it's only 10:30 in the morning, I would snag one then and there, as it will only get worse.

 

[Malela9]

Thank you for mentioning HMH, and don't forget SWH as well. It has been closed for a year, and I personally am planning to drive down there just to see it! Of course, space is not to be missed, but it is not Christmas without HMH or SWH for me!

 

[blue donkey]

Thanks YellowMickeyPonchos for the possible 2:30 runout time for HM. I think I'll try to get after my Splash FP, but before I go for my Buzz. I just HAVE to see HM in holiday mode but my dh would never wait in a long line to see it, so a FP for that is a must.

IASM doesn't have FPs during it's holiday mode does it?

 

[HydroGuy]

IASM doesn't have FPs during it's holiday mode does it?

No. Only HMH.

 

[kkgunn]

Hydroguy s advice is a WIN for even a crowded day at DL.

We went the Saturday after Halloween (we are from out of state and only had one day at to spend before leaving CA) and had a glorious time. I really wanted to "win" those Year of a Million Dreams fastpass so I could ride the things I wanted and not be in line all day. Didn't win them, but didn't need them either.

We collected FP's and rode rides with none or nearly no wait throughout the morining, took a break for lunch and lounge and then had a lovely evening going on all the FP attractions that we had collected tickets for earlier.

Oh yes, and best to start at Space Mnt. and move counter clockwise.

 

[disneymom23]

Thanks YellowMickeyPonchos for the possible 2:30 runout time for HM. I think I'll try to get after my Splash FP, but before I go for my Buzz. I just HAVE to see HM in holiday mode but my dh would never wait in a long line to see it, so a FP for that is a must.

IASM doesn't have FPs during it's holiday mode does it?

Just got back and the line was very short for HMH early in the morning. We would grab a FP for later and ride in stand-by. My kids loved it so much we had to ride it several times. We rode it 6 times while we were at DL. My DD8 spotted a very cute Hidden Mickey. It is in the ballroom scene, on the floor when you first enter. There is snow shapped like Mickey. And a wonderful gingerbread scent in that room.

 

[aggie94]

So now for DL the order is:

1. Star Tours
2. Space
3. Splash
4. Indy
5. BTMRR
6. Autopia

And at DCA:

1. Soarin
2. Screamin
3. GRR
4. ToT
5. Goofy's sky school


Is this all still correct? Also, does it make sense to hop over to DCA and back (as FP runner) at 10:30 or so and collect the first fastpass while group is still in DL. Group would probably hop around noon.

Our trip is next week.

Thanks!

 

[ludari]

Star tours would be the first FP I would get.

 

[HydroGuy]

So now for DL the order is:

1. Star Tours
2. Space
3. Splash
4. Indy
5. BTMRR
6. Autopia

And at DCA:

1. Soarin
2. Screamin
3. GRR
4. ToT
5. Goofy's sky school


Is this all still correct? Also, does it make sense to hop over to DCA and back (as FP runner) at 10:30 or so and collect the first fastpass while group is still in DL. Group would probably hop around noon.

Our trip is next week.

Thanks!

For summer, and if you are there at rope drop, I would say yes to the above. With the caveat that GRR does not open FP until maybe 1PM because of WOC and so you will need to change that.

 

[greenkai3000]

So now for DL the order is:

1. Star Tours
2. Space
3. Splash
4. Indy
5. BTMRR
6. Autopia

And at DCA:

1. Soarin
2. Screamin
3. GRR
4. ToT
5. Goofy's sky school

Does this strategy work for DL, the Sunday before Halloween 2011 , with MM access. And is there MM on that day for sure?

 

[GenGen22]

I always was told I should get a Fast Pass for Splash Mountain first but lately everyone says Space Mountain. Which one should I get first? The dilemma's in my life! Also what time would be a good time to run over to DCA for fast passes? Thank you

Out of the several times I have gone to DL and went to try and ride Splash Mountain all the fast passes were all out by noon and the lines were like 90 minutes, so we decided to go early the next day and we did get our FP for splash where as space mountain hasn't run out the times we have been there. good luck

 

[HydroGuy]

Does this strategy work for DL, the Sunday before Halloween 2011 , with MM access. And is there MM on that day for sure?

Yes, that would be it. Apparently BTMRR is now disconnected from the FP system and you do not have to wait to get FPs for BTMRR.

 

[scrappingpickle]

Is HM on the fp system now?

 

[smiles33]

Is HM on the fp system now?

Yes because it's HMH but normally it isn't.

From my TR (where I have more details):

 

[Hound 109]

Since this thread is referred to often, I would ask Hydroguy to Edit Post 4. (at his convenience) to include Star Tours (& when in the order to pick up a ST FP) & possibly BTMRR updated info.


Also, because lots of folks will be visiting during the "holiday" season, I would guess there would be a special holiday FP pickup order (which would include Holiday HM). This would be my guess of the best order to pick up FPs (given the season & the weather):

1. Star Tours (at least thru the end of the year).
2. SM
3. HHM (or Indy)
4. Indy (or HHM)
5. Splash
6. BTMRR (if operating) But isn't connected, so it could be picked up anytime.
7. Autotopia (putt putt cars)
8. Roger Rabbit (not connected, so it could be picked up anytime).

What do you all think the FP pickup order should be (in DL) thru the end of the year?