Which Fast Pass First?

[elaw]

Star Tours for sure

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

 

[ZoZo]

I thought they had to used before you could get another one. Wow! I've been missing out on this for a very long time. Do they ever check to see if the FP you have is for the current day? What if you don'tuse them all and want to use them the following day?

Nope, they don't track FP use at all -- you can use them any time you want after the return window opens up, on the same day. You could literally save them up and use them all in the evening, if you wanted! (Just be sure to keep an eye out for the time that you can get another FP.)

And, sorry to say, you have to use them the same day the're printed. They won't let you use them the next day.

BTW, I read a thread last night that said that Thunder Mountain was recently disconnected from the main DL FP system. It issues its own FPs but doesn't take into account whether you have a FP for another attraction. So realistically, you could get more than one FP at a time -- one for Thunder Mountain, then go right over and get another FP for a different ride (like Splash)! This happened about two weeks ago, per the thread. Hope it's true - Thunder Mountain is one of my favorite rides, and I'm going to DL in two weeks!

 

[Tnut]

Do you know if I can be the FP runner for my group by going to DCA and getting FP for WOC while the rest of my group is still in DL? I'm wondering if the PH tickets need to be "activated" in DCA or can I just go in with all the PH and get FP?

 

[HydroGuy]

Do you know if I can be the FP runner for my group by going to DCA and getting FP for WOC while the rest of my group is still in DL? I'm wondering if the PH tickets need to be "activated" in DCA or can I just go in with all the PH and get FP?

You can.

 

[greenkai3000]

Can I take everyone's tickets with me into DL, and get their FPs while they sleep in? Or does everyone's tickets need to be scanned or "activated" at the gate in order for them to be able to get FP's too? If they need to get scanned, can I do it for everyone else, or do they all need to be present/ at the gate with me?

 

[skiingfast]

Can I take everyone's tickets with me into DL, and get their FPs while they sleep in? Or does everyone's tickets need to be scanned or "activated" at the gate in order for them to be able to get FP's too? If they need to get scanned, can I do it for everyone else, or do they all need to be present/ at the gate with me?

The tickets need to be activated by each individual entering either park with them. After that they can leave and one person can get FPs with them from either park for the rest of the day.

 

[rramstad]

Can I take everyone's tickets with me into DL, and get their FPs while they sleep in? Or does everyone's tickets need to be scanned or "activated" at the gate in order for them to be able to get FP's too? If they need to get scanned, can I do it for everyone else, or do they all need to be present/ at the gate with me?

All must be activated, and they will only activate a pass when there is a person owning that pass in front of them.

So no, there's no sleeping in. You could get them to come with you, enter the park, get hand stamps and then they could leave, while you stay and get FP, but you'd need to meet them outside the park to give them the tickets back before they reenter (reentry requires both a hand stamp and a ticket).

 

[greenkai3000]

Got it! Thanks for the help y'all.

 

[gmi3804]

Thanks, HG, for another great guide.

Where does HMH fit into the order of FP collecting?

 

[ArchOwl]

Since the new order has ST first, I would put Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy next, and then HMH when offered.

If Space is back to its regular self, it is a close call between SM and HMH. I would probably lean towards HMH because it does get very busy during the holidays and has the added benefit of being close to BTMRR for a bonus disconnected FP. It would be very likely during busy times that after ST and HMH, Space would be near a 2 hour wait for next FP.

I would definitely put Indy down lower as well as Splash (if visiting in winter, thus HMH). Roger Rabbit is also disconnected, so get one as you are able.

 

[ArchOwl]

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?

I think that Indy is not as high a priority for me anymore. I was routinely able to pick up FPs for Indy very late in the evening during summer and holidays (Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend). Sometimes, the return window for Indy was an hour out even during the evening! And with BTMRR disconnected as well as RR and with both basically available until well into the night, I would say my personal order would be:

1. Star Tours
2. Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy (if available)
3. Haunted Mansion Holiday
4. Indy
5. Splash
6. BTMRR (disconnected and would probably obtain when I picked up Indy, but put here to show how low of a priority it is)
7. Roger Rabbit
8. Autopia (I guess? but honestly wouldn't even get one, doesn't help hardly at all!)

If no Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, then it is a close call, but I lean toward HMH because of its popularity and the fact I can easily pick up a disconnected BTMRR.

1. Star Tours
2. HMH and disconnected BTMRR
3. Space
4. Indy
5. Splash
6. Roger Rabbit (disconnect, so you can pick up at will)
7. Autopia (again, probably wouldn't bother)

 

[gmi3804]

Thanks - very helpful. So that's an objective list of what should run out of FPs, in order?

It's amazing to me, a WDW guy, that HM gets so popular with the holiday overlay. Not that I'm complaining; I think HM is one of life's ten great pleasures. But it's just not nearly as popular in The World, or maybe I'm just an efficient park tourist and hit it when it's a walk-on. (The new queue there is way cool!)

 

[ArchOwl]

Thanks - very helpful. So that's an objective list of what should run out of FPs, in order?

It's amazing to me, a WDW guy, that HM gets so popular with the holiday overlay. Not that I'm complaining; I think HM is one of life's ten great pleasures. But it's just not nearly as popular in The World, or maybe I'm just an efficient park tourist and hit it when it's a walk-on. (The new queue there is way cool!)

Generally speaking, yes. Things can change if a ride (say ST) goes down for awhile. Folks will then grab a SM FP because it is so close. Also, the first or last day an overlay is available will probably make it more popular that day.

You can walk on to HMH first thing in the morning with a 5-10 minute wait. But normally I am riding the slow loaders at this time and don't want to ride then. So grabbing a FP makes more sense for less waiting in line overall. Also, I prefer to ride at night when it is much busier. So I like to have a FP for that.

When I was just there this past Saturday, HMH had a later FP return time than Indy, BTMRR, Splash, and was tied with Space in the first couple hours of the park being open. And this was with Space Mountain with the overlay.

Total WDW newbie question: does the WDW HM do an overlay for the holidays?

 

[gmi3804]

Thanks for the FP info.

Total WDW newbie question: does the WDW HM do an overlay for the holidays?

No, they don't; none of the rides at MK do. Which is why I'm a bit skeptical about DL's HM overlay, never having seen it. Guess I'm a purist. For now at least.

During MNSSHPs, they do add stuff like fog machines outside, and there's a woman dressed as one of the ghosts sitting on a bench on the front lawn adjacent to the queue and she interacts with the people waiting in line. She's an absolute hoot!

And all year 'round, the new "graveyard" queue is rather amazing, though I'm usually not in line long enough to take my time to appreciate it. Lots of interactive games, sights, etc.

 

[bakerudall]

Hydroguy, you are my hero. You must have great children to be able to get them in the right place at the right time for shows and park openings and such. Thank you so much for organizing this fastpass info. I have been planning a DL trip and thinking that I would be lucky if I saw 12 attractions per day. Now that I understand FP, I am confident I will be able to ride all the rides I want and leave plenty of room for the shows at night.

 

[mom23boyz]

We will be in DL the week before President's week (Feb 15-18). Any idea on how crowded it might be then and how important the need for Fastpass strategies?

 

[skiingfast]

We will be in DL the week before President's week (Feb 15-18). Any idea on how crowded it might be then and how important the need for Fastpass strategies?

That isn't a bad time to visit. 15th and 16 will be quiet, you can pack in the rides then if you choose to. Friday you should get some as the days goes to use in the evening when it's busy. Saturday you will want to use FP all day if you want to go on the big rides again.

 

[AngelStitch]

I would say Space Moutain, it always runs out very early, and later on the lines are over an hour, sometimes 2 hours. Splash Mountain doesn't run out that fast. It rarely does.

 

[Realmousefan]

HydroGuy, can you update the FP list for 2012 now that the holidays are over?

Thanks!

 

[greenkai3000]

Yes, Hydroguy, could you please keep us posted now that they're being a bit more strict on FP return times? What's a good FP strategy for the 2012 Holidays, and with Cars Land now being open?