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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
I can't understand the mumbo-jumbo on Disney site...
What's the scenario?
Do you basically reserve your place in line? Or do you avoid the line all together? Also, if I have no idea which rides I would like to go on, would it make more sense not to get those FastPasses at all?
Message edited 1/14/2014 1:07:44 PM.
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Posted 1/14/14 1:07 PM  |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
You basically make a reservation to go on a ride. The fast pass lines are usually short (10-15 minutes at max unless it's a really crowded time of year).
You get an assigned time to ride. Say you want to go on Space Mountain. The regular "stand by" line is 45 minutes long. If you had a fast pass, you would show up at your appointed time (it's an hour-long range - say between 2 - 3 pm for example) and hop on the fast pass line. Instead of waiting on line for 45 minutes, you'd be on line for 5-10 minutes.
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| Posted 1/14/14 4:33 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
FP....you have a standby and a FP line.
The standby line is just that standby. You want to ride something you walk up and get in line.
With the old system...you want a FP for a ride you go and it will tell you what time the "return time" is. You put your ticket in...it spits out a ticket. You tour or do anything you want (eat, ride other rides etc) then when you time comes up (you get a one hour window) you go to the ride, get into the FP line show your ticket and ride. Almost like a front of the line pass. Sometimes you still waited....but say standby was a 70 min wait you might wait 5 or 10 mins or nothing in the FP line. You were limited to one every two hours unless your return time was more than 2 hours away. You could get a new FP once you hit your previous FP return time. This is still partially in effect but is being phased out.
It is being replaced with FP+. Similar philosophy. But some changes. With FP everyone was on the same foot off or on site. Now with FP+ - on site can reserve up to 3 a day in one park. So you go onto disney's site and reserve your FP for times you want now. Off site can reserve day of only. You can switch times or rides if the ones you reserved don't work provided it is available. Advantage....you can switch a time if your meal runs over or you change your plans. The cons...everything you want might be taken, a pain to schedule in advance and offsite might have trouble getting top rides.
It is great to know that say toy story mania has a normal 70+ min wait but hey you can get a FP to ride at x time and not wait in a long line.
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| Posted 1/14/14 6:47 PM |
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MrsH
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/07 766 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
When can you choose your fast passes? We are going in July and I don't know how to go about doing it. Obviously it is way early, but I want to be prepared. Is it something we do before the trip?
Thanks!
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| Posted 1/14/14 8:28 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by MrsH
When can you choose your fast passes? We are going in July and I don't know how to go about doing it. Obviously it is way early, but I want to be prepared. Is it something we do before the trip?
Thanks!
At this time...
If you are on property 60 days out. Off property uses FP+ day of.
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| Posted 1/14/14 9:08 PM |
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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by MrsH
When can you choose your fast passes? We are going in July and I don't know how to go about doing it. Obviously it is way early, but I want to be prepared. Is it something we do before the trip?
Thanks!
At this time...
If you are on property 60 days out. Off property uses FP+ day of.
Wait, I am confused: I am going in the beginning of May and staying off property: when would be the latest I should be getting FP?
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| Posted 1/14/14 10:05 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
As of now if you are not staying on Disney property, you cannot select your fast passes until that day. There are kiosks located in the park where you go and select your ride times. Only guests staying on Disney property are eligible to schedule their fast passes in advance.
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| Posted 1/14/14 10:36 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
I am still trying to get around to writing a blog explaining since this is a really hot topic, but what I want to add to the above is that since the changes this fall with Fastpass+ and the changes to the GAC/DAS (Disability access), I've found the fastpass lines to be very short. On my most recent trip there was pretty much no line at all for every fastpass.
I attribute it to the way fastpass+ works and the addition of more attractions and also the fact that there are fewer people using the fastpass line for disabled access both because for the most part they pulled mobility devices from the DAS program and because the program is really not as attractive so there is less incentive for people to fake their way into getting a card. That's just my opinion/observation though
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| Posted 1/15/14 1:55 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by WhatNow
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by MrsH
When can you choose your fast passes? We are going in July and I don't know how to go about doing it. Obviously it is way early, but I want to be prepared. Is it something we do before the trip?
Thanks!
At this time...
If you are on property 60 days out. Off property uses FP+ day of.
Wait, I am confused: I am going in the beginning of May and staying off property: when would be the latest I should be getting FP?
At this time for May...you will have to wait until you enter the park and then go to a FP+ kiosk and pick them out. Of course things can change but as of now off site can only pick FP+ day of. This is one of the big perks now to being on site. Since they are ending testing they are finalizing things, removing old FP machines from parks and finalizing roll out. That is why I say as of now....anything could change at any minute but for now this is the policy.
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| Posted 1/15/14 10:44 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by JenniferEver
I am still trying to get around to writing a blog explaining since this is a really hot topic, but what I want to add to the above is that since the changes this fall with Fastpass+ and the changes to the GAC/DAS (Disability access), I've found the fastpass lines to be very short. On my most recent trip there was pretty much no line at all for every fastpass.
I attribute it to the way fastpass+ works and the addition of more attractions and also the fact that there are fewer people using the fastpass line for disabled access both because for the most part they pulled mobility devices from the DAS program and because the program is really not as attractive so there is less incentive for people to fake their way into getting a card. That's just my opinion/observation though
See I guess I was lucky. With FP in the past I never waited. We always pretty much walked on...except soarin that they bring you into the line much farther down. But I couldn't imagine a thing faster!
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| Posted 1/15/14 10:46 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
We are supposed to go next month and contemplating not even going to WDW. We would be staying off site on points, since they have priced us out of President's week. The rates are laughable that week. Especially at the deluxes since there is very limited monorail access during the time we are there.
I just read about the fast pass BS for offsite guests, and it seems they often run out of FP and off site guests are stuck with stand by lines. My son with special needs used to get a GAC, which helped tremendously. I accepted the changes they made, and figured it would be great to use in conjunction with the FP, but now....not so sure it will even be worthwhile to go anymore. We've spent so much money going to Disney, it's my son's favorite place in the world! But all of these changes are making it very annoying.
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| Posted 1/15/14 11:57 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by BargainMama
We are supposed to go next month and contemplating not even going to WDW. We would be staying off site on points, since they have priced us out of President's week. The rates are laughable that week. Especially at the deluxes since there is very limited monorail access during the time we are there.
I just read about the fast pass BS for offsite guests, and it seems they often run out of FP and off site guests are stuck with stand by lines. My son with special needs used to get a GAC, which helped tremendously. I accepted the changes they made, and figured it would be great to use in conjunction with the FP, but now....not so sure it will even be worthwhile to go anymore. We've spent so much money going to Disney, it's my son's favorite place in the world! But all of these changes are making it very annoying.
I totally feel your pain. I think the new system stinks. I wonder if in time it will be like adrs. Want TSM you have to log in at 6 am or forget it. We are staying off site. But at a mod with a room discount. I am worried bc my kids have trouble with lines. Anything over 20 mins we pretty much skip. We really planned, got there early and used FP. it is nice to get three but I can't plan that far ahead bc we get sensory overload and some days they won't leave others they are ready to leave at lunch. We need to be flexible. For us we had to skip all but one sit down meal. When they are overstimulated they don't want to do the sit down. While we know in advance ( can tell by 2 or 3 if we will make it) there is no way to tell the day before. I do not want to pay $10pp with a party of 6 bc my daughter says she doesn't want to go and I know won't sit. We never got the pass although her therapists told us we should. Never felt comfortable...should be for those who truly need it. We used to get 3-6 a day. We park hopped and got them at night after an afternoon break. Last trip my DD decided she didn't like any ride that splashed water on her, blew air (JIYI), and others made her motion sick. It is hard to pre-plan when I don't know what she will get on. We ended up splitting up and getting two opposite types of FP there last time. Things she wanted to ride she changed her mind there. I feel for those off site. If you want to do on site perk maybe 60 for on site, 20 or 10 for on site or give on site 4 advance FP and off site 3 advance FP.
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| Posted 1/15/14 4:59 PM |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by BargainMama
We are supposed to go next month and contemplating not even going to WDW. We would be staying off site on points, since they have priced us out of President's week. The rates are laughable that week. Especially at the deluxes since there is very limited monorail access during the time we are there.
I just read about the fast pass BS for offsite guests, and it seems they often run out of FP and off site guests are stuck with stand by lines. My son with special needs used to get a GAC, which helped tremendously. I accepted the changes they made, and figured it would be great to use in conjunction with the FP, but now....not so sure it will even be worthwhile to go anymore. We've spent so much money going to Disney, it's my son's favorite place in the world! But all of these changes are making it very annoying.
Unfortunately, I think you made the right decision not to go. We were there right after Christmas and if we got to the park after 9:30 am, all the fast passes were gone. So if you were staying offsite and didn't have Fast Pass plus, you weren't getting on any rides. I think it would be like that during all school breaks.
Message edited 1/15/2014 7:46:12 PM.
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| Posted 1/15/14 7:45 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Please explain to me the point of Fast Pass in Disney in layman's terms!
Posted by Kate
Posted by BargainMama
We are supposed to go next month and contemplating not even going to WDW. We would be staying off site on points, since they have priced us out of President's week. The rates are laughable that week. Especially at the deluxes since there is very limited monorail access during the time we are there.
I just read about the fast pass BS for offsite guests, and it seems they often run out of FP and off site guests are stuck with stand by lines. My son with special needs used to get a GAC, which helped tremendously. I accepted the changes they made, and figured it would be great to use in conjunction with the FP, but now....not so sure it will even be worthwhile to go anymore. We've spent so much money going to Disney, it's my son's favorite place in the world! But all of these changes are making it very annoying.
Unfortunately, I think you made the right decision not to go. We were there right after Christmas and if we got to the park after 9:30 am, all the fast passes were gone. So if you were staying offsite and didn't have Fast Pass plus, you weren't getting on any rides. I think it would be like that during all school breaks.
Well, our only saving grace would be that we will still have the disability pass, but I just feel like we won't get to ride much even with that if the standby lines are really long (and I'm sure they will be). We will probably do a day at MK and one at AK, and see how it goes. I waiver back and forth. We are still going to FL for the week regardless, and I just know my kids would be disappointed if we didn't go to WDW at all! I'm booking a fun hotel with a waterpark for the couple of nights we don't have points though, and we will also go to Universal. So if Disney sucks this time, at least we have those things!
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| Posted 1/15/14 8:42 PM |
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