Fast Pass Strategies (culled from "What's up with Busses?" thread)

[JimP]

fast pass is a winner, solutions are out there. I vote we press for change. :thumbsup:

I think Fast Passes actually make things worse for people who know how to "work the parks". However... there is no possible way to convince the GP that FP makes things worse... and besides... true park commandos learn how to adapt.

/Jim

[NYDVC]

I think Fast Passes actually make things worse for people who know how to "work the parks". However... there is no possible way to convince the GP that FP makes things worse... and besides... true park commandos learn how to adapt.

/Jim

INTERESTING? I think that FP's has worked great. certainly inprovement can be made and we should push for that. but it nice knowing we can relax and get on the ride later when there's a 40 min wait or longer. It works great when I have gone. Now part of that may be becasue of we miss something, there is always next time but overall I say I have spent less time in line's since FP which is a plus.

[JimP]

INTERESTING? I think that FP's has worked great. certainly inprovement can be made and we should push for that. but it nice knowing we can relax and get on the ride later when there's a 40 min wait or longer. It works great when I have gone. Now part of that may be becasue of we miss something, there is always next time but overall I say I have spent less time in line's since FP which is a plus.

Rich,

The VAST majority of people believe the same as you... despite the fact that it may not be true. Disney hit an out of the park home run with FP system as measured by perception. People believe they are waiting in fewer lines... and what they believe is the only thing that matters. I give Disney a lot of credit on this system.

/Jim

[NYDVC]

Rich,

The VAST majority of people believe the same as you... despite the fact that it may not be true. Disney hit an out of the park home run with FP system as measured by perception. People believe they are waiting in fewer lines... and what they believe is the only thing that matters. I give them a lot of credit.

/Jim

But like the busses, if there are problem you/we need to speak up. still not sure what your issue is with it? can you elaborate some?

[JimP]

But like the busses, if there are problem you/we need to speak up. still not sure what your issue is with it? can you elaborate some?

Thre is no reason to speak up... the FP system is a huge success. People LOVE it.

In the days before FP... for those who really understood the operation of the various rides... had a good understanding of queueing theory... and acted accordingly... they could easily tour WDW without waiting in any lines. It can still be done... but FP's have put a wrinkle into it... and makes it harder. I am not suggesting that WDW change. It would be foolish for them do to so. I just realize that I need to work harder to go to WDW and not wait in lines.

BTW: We almost always have gone during the busiest times of the year... and still would refuse to wait more than a few minutes in any line.

/Jim

[NYDVC]

Thre is no reason to speak up... the FP system is a huge success. People LOVE it.

In the days before FP... for those who really understood the operation of the various rides... had a good understanding of queueing theory... and acted accordingly... they could easily tour WDW without waiting in any lines. It can still be done... but FP's have put a wrinkle into it... and makes it harder. I am not suggesting that WDW change. It would be foolish for them do to so. I just realize that I need to work harder to go to WDW and not wait in lines.

BTW: We almost always have gone during the busiest times of the year... and still would refuse to wait more than a few minutes in any line.

/Jim

Ok I will bite: how do you do that?!! Even the tour books say if the line is 20 minutes or less get in them. I dont like lines and certainly other then new attractions, dont wait in them? Any of your secreats would be a great help. No lines is certainly better then 20 minutes. :hyper:

[glypnirsgirl]

I think Fast Passes actually make things worse for people who know how to "work the parks". However... there is no possible way to convince the GP that FP makes things worse... and besides... true park commandos learn how to adapt.

/Jim
__________________

For years, I had a certain way that I worked the parks. It was generally based on the Unofficial Guide. I could work the parks and rarely waited in line for more than 10 minutes. Then along came FPs and changed all that. Frankly, the UOG has not kept up --- there are ERRORS in how to use FPs in the UOG that make it less effective to use their advice than it used to be.

This is where TGM is a MUST! He has incorporated FP impact and advice into his touring plans in a much more comprehensive manner. It is just better. It has changed how I work the parks. I now incorporate FPs and, with his park touring advice, I am now waited LESS than I did using UOG advice.

Elaine

[Ransom]

We like the FP system, probably because we go during slower times of the year and stay for approximately 2 weeks. So we're not commando touring the parks all day every day. We just get in one or two biggies right at rope drop, then FP what we can and do whatever else has a reasonable wait time. With lots of breaks in between rides! We like just sitting around, sipping a coffee or diet coke, enjoying the ambiance. :)

[JimP]

We like the FP system, probably because we go during slower times of the year and stay for approximately 2 weeks. So we're not commando touring the parks all day every day. We just get in one or two biggies right at rope drop, then FP what we can and do whatever else has a reasonable wait time. With lots of breaks in between rides! We like just sitting around, sipping a coffee or diet coke, enjoying the ambiance. :)

This is actually what we do now (except just going at slower times)... we have basically stopped being commandos... and just do a few rides a day. Being at WDW for an extended period helps facilitate this approach.... plus we just dont care as much. I think it comes with getting old :)

The times that this approach does NOT work is when we have guests who are making a once-in-a-lifetime (or once-in-a-blue-moon) short (IE 5 day) trip to WDW... and want us to be their tour guides.

/Jim

[Ransom]

This is actually what we do now (except just going at slower times)... we have basically stopped being commandos... and just do a few rides a day. Being at WDW for an extended period helps facilitate this approach.... plus we just dont care as much. I think it comes with getting old :)


Good point. ;)



The times that this approach does NOT work is when we have guests who are making a once-in-a-lifetime (or once-in-a-blue-moon) short (IE 5 day) trip to WDW... and want us to be their tour guides.

/Jim

Another good point. We'll be taking my parents this year for their first-ever (and possibly only) trip, so we're going to have to revise things a bit. I think the relaxed part will work for them, but we'll have to make sure we get to everything they want to do. Yet, of course, they won't really know what they want to do until they get there.

It's one thing to read the Passporter, and another to be there. :)

[tomandrobin]

The times that this approach does NOT work is when we have guests who are making a once-in-a-lifetime (or once-in-a-blue-moon) short (IE 5 day) trip to WDW... and want us to be their tour guides.

/Jim

We love playing tour guide to our friends/family going to WDW for the first time.

[JimP]

Ok I will bite: how do you do that?!! Even the tour books say if the line is 20 minutes or less get in them. I dont like lines and certainly other then new attractions, dont wait in them? Any of your secreats would be a great help. No lines is certainly better then 20 minutes. :hyper:

We do not follow the strict plans... but we have learned a lot for them. By understanding the throughput capacity for each type of ride... as well as the loading method... you can sequence through the rides in a manner that allows you to minimize or eliminate waits. I find it more effective to analyze the situation in real time, rather than follow a totally strict plan (although both methods can work).

It is really important to not to simply get onto a ride that has no line. For example… if you see no line at Haunted Mansion at 9:00… keep on walking… because there still will be no line at 9:30. In other words, you want to ride each attraction “just before” a line forms… but NOT earlier.

We would generally get to the parks so we are there for the rope drop (assume 8:00 EMH). This is the single most important thing you can do. The first 30 minutes are more productive than the entire mid-day. For example... if today is your Fantasyland morning... you can complete each of the "carnival rides" in just a few minutes each... with zero wait. Obviously skip rides such as the carousel, philharmagic, etc… they can be done when it is busy. Another very important tip is to never walk past a bathroom during the beginning of the day... and if your DW/DH/DK etc is at risk of spotting one... use vision blocking techniques as well as diversions to get past them without pause. Bathrooms never get busy ;). As the morning progresses... ex: 8:30am... you usually hit and avoid some of the typically long wait lines after the initial surge has passed through (ex: Space, Splash, or possibly even BTMRR (although I like that much better at night). By now it is starting to get busy... but you can still walk onto the high capacity rides such as pirates, haunted mansion, buzz, etc. Then near the end of the day (ex: 10am) go onto a show ride such as Country Bear's (another of CB's namesake)... Philharmagic, presidents, etc providing you happen to be walking by during the last 2-3 minutes of the cycle time. Never go into the pre-show area without asking the CM where they are in the cycle time. Finally if desired... you can do a ride that never has a wait... ex: peoplemover, CoP, etc.

Generally, we are done with the parks by 10 or 11am. Pick up some additional FP’s on the way out… even if you don’t use them today… you can probably use them on a different day of your trip. As you depart, this is also a great time to look at all of the smiley faces just arriving to the parks. You will see them again tonight with miserable looks on their faces, screaming kids, etc when you return to the parks and they are leaving... having ridden fewer rides than you did in the first 2 hours.

Then we will then eat an early TS lunch, resort swim, ride monorails, check out new resorts, drive backstage “by mistake”, etc... then sleep till dinner time... and then tour again after a TS dinner when the parks are thinning. This is where the FP's have really screwed up the day. By now... the FP machines are closed for the day... and they are satisfying 4/5's (or more) of the capacity with FP folks. If FP machines are still open, I will grab them.... but generally we will ride no-wait theater type attractions or other things in the evening. Also… I often have unused, but expired FP’s from previous days that still generally work. I have never been told I could not use a previous day’s FP (nor have I asked).

I have TONS more techniques… but it is time to go back to work. Maybe some other day.

/Jim

[disneyfreak89]

We like the FP system, probably because we go during slower times of the year and stay for approximately 2 weeks. So we're not commando touring the parks all day every day. We just get in one or two biggies right at rope drop, then FP what we can and do whatever else has a reasonable wait time. With lots of breaks in between rides! We like just sitting around, sipping a coffee or diet coke, enjoying the ambiance.

:iagree: We feel more relaxed with the FP because we know if we can't get on a
ride when we get there, we can always 'reserve' a spot for later.....

.....BUT that being said, I think the FP only works well with seasoned park goers, the newbies who are only there for a few

days and/or for only one trip of a lifetime could care less about the system and/or can't be bothered trying to figure it out

only for that short visit.....case in point....a co-worker is going this fall with her family for a once in a lifetime trip (she's only

going for her grandkids, not a true Disney fan :eek:) so when I started telling her about the FP she got all

overwhelmed and said "How does that work? Oh I can't be bothered. I don't care how long we have to wait in line, we'll do

whatever the kids want to do." :sosad: So there you have it.

[Ransom]

I think the FP only works well with seasoned park goers, the newbies who are only there for a few

days and/or for only one trip of a lifetime could care less about the system and/or can't be bothered trying to figure it out

only for that short visit.....case in point....a co-worker is going this fall with her family for a once in a lifetime trip (she's only

going for her grandkids, not a true Disney fan :eek:) so when I started telling her about the FP she got all

overwhelmed and said "How does that work? Oh I can't be bothered. I don't care how long we have to wait in line, we'll do

whatever the kids want to do." :sosad: So there you have it.

:huh: Yeah, spending time before your vacation learning how to make your vacation better is such a waste. :rolleyes:

But on the good side....more fastpasses for us! :thumbsup:

[OttawaWendy]

We do not follow the strict plans... but we have learned a lot for them. By understanding the throughput capacity for each type of ride... as well as the loading method... you can sequence through the rides in a manner that allows you to minimize or eliminate waits. I find it more effective to analyze the situation in real time, rather than follow a totally strict plan (although both methods can work).

We agree. We've read a lot of the Unofficial Guide stuff, and we learned how to think strategically, so we don't need to slavishly follow a plan. We will with lots of guests who we are touring, because that's easier than amending on the run.

We would generally get to the parks so we are there for the rope drop (assume 8:00 EMH). This is the single most important thing you can do.

Amen Brother! :yes:

We use fastpass sometimes, but often don't. We most like to use fastpass when there is a line for an attraction, but the return time is within a window which makes sense given the attraction's location. So if we have a choice of a 30 minute Space Mtn standby wait, or a 60 minute FP wait, we will sometimes get the FP, ride Buzz, COP, TTA (never Stitch :thumbsway) or eat an ice cream, and then do the Space Mtn.

My DW doesn't mind running, so she will sometimes run and get a FP in one area and then run back. So we might get Splash FPs, then move through other attractions early and quickly, and then we can ride Splash later.

We never use FP for TT, because the single rider line moves quickly (because it has 3 seats across, in contrast to R'n'RC which moves slowly).

We rarely get a FP that is for a far distant return time, unless we would be passing by that attraction naturally later in the day anyway. The one exception is probably Soarin, which is DW's favourite by far, and which has longish lines. We've been know to go to the Land, get FPs, ride Soarin', ride LWTL, see the movie, ride on FP's, and then take 2 extras for later in the day.

[nono]

What I like about the FP system though is that I can do exactly as JimP outlined, but then throw in some C or D ticket rides early in the day -- spacing out my favorites/big thrills a bit more with a FP strategy. That way, when I'm having lunch and :beer: at Kona or the Outer Rim (if it's a MK day), I dont' feel this latent need to hurl.

Really, FP was a long time coming from the folks who had developed the old ticket system to smooth out ride/attraction demand.

[JimP]

We'll be taking my parents this year for their first-ever (and possibly only) trip, so we're going to have to revise things a bit. I think the relaxed part will work for them, but we'll have to make sure we get to everything they want to do. Yet, of course, they won't really know what they want to do until they get there.

One thing I do in a situation like this is to be the "FP runner". For example... one time when we entered AK... Debbie brought her brother/sil and the kids to ride the safaris... while I went and picked up FPs to Everest. I have ridden the safari ride enough times to know that Little Red will be saved. :)... and I did not want to start the day off slow for everyone else. Likewise... later in the morning I get everyone 2nd fast passes for a different attraction.

The other technique we do is get our guide to give us some "super fast passes". Usually if I call him in advance... he can set something up. Finally... our DD24 has friends who work at WDW... and they often times will get us some "open" FP's. It doesn't take too many of them to really help a lot. I do not bother with either of these approaches unless I am being tour guide to someone who is unlikely to return.

/Jim

[dsruton]

WE found out something about FPs hat we did not know until this last trip. We were able to use our FP's after the time printed on them. We were getting ready to get in line for our FP time ar RRC at DHS and the FP line was huge. When we ask the CM mannung the FP entrance how long she told us 30-45 minutes. We stated we had dinner reservations for 1 hour from then. She told us to go and enjoy our dinner and to come back when we were finished that they would let us on then and they did. We thought that wa great.

[carolina_yankee]

WE found out something about FPs hat we did not know until this last trip. We were able to use our FP's after the time printed on them. We were getting ready to get in line for our FP time ar RRC at DHS and the FP line was huge. When we ask the CM mannung the FP entrance how long she told us 30-45 minutes. We stated we had dinner reservations for 1 hour from then. She told us to go and enjoy our dinner and to come back when we were finished that they would let us on then and they did. We thought that wa great.

That's a little known secret - CMs will almost always let people in line after their return time. Disney did redesign the FPs to make the date more prominent since people were getting away with using them days later. Disney won't allow that anymore.

One needs to be careful though, and be prepared for problems. There have been reports that Soarin' strictly enforces the return times on busy days. However, even then, if the FP line was backed up and you had ADRs, I'm sure they would have worked with you - it being Disney and all.

Dirk

[glypnirsgirl]

Our last trip (May of this year) the CM checking FPs announced that she was checking dates. She announced this periodically. It was the first time I was ever aware of them checking dates - but I think that is a good thing.

Elaine

[carolina_yankee]

Our last trip (May of this year) the CM checking FPs announced that she was checking dates. She announced this periodically. It was the first time I was ever aware of them checking dates - but I think that is a good thing.

Elaine
Agreed. I have my very first fast pass ever in my wallet (Hmm, that sounds rather like a teen-aged boy and his . . . Oh - never mind). It's Tower of Terror from 2003. I was tempted to try it this trip just to see what would happened - but it's my first fast pass ever!! I'm not giving that baby up. :)

As for late FPs, I don't think returning after your window gums up the works, especially since CMs are instructed to permit, but I think it takes chutzpah to try to use a FP from another date.

Dirk

[tomandrobin]

Do you guys/girls use Touringplans.com or Tourguidemike.com with your FP strategies?

I 100% agree that being at rope drop is the single biggest edge to seeing the attractions. Or on Dec 30th, staying at MK until 4am!

In our family, we have different runners for the different parks. At MK its me, at AK its Robin, at DHS its usually Robin and at Epcot its Dan. Just a FYI, when Robin is the runner, its more of a walk. At DHS, the kids and I will hit RnR and ToT while she gets fast pases. Robin absoultely hates RnR and ToT. Same thing at AK, we'll hit EE and she will FP the safari.

[jamstew]

I have TONS more techniques… but it is time to go back to work. Maybe some other day.

/Jim

Jim -- I'd love to hear more! I've saved your long post so I can refer to it later and will add whatever you think is important. ITA that rope drop is the single most crucial aspect.

[glypnirsgirl]

Up until February of this year, I always used touringplans.com. Then I decided to try tourguidemike for our September (08) trip. I got so "into" the new information, I bought it for the May trip also. The May trip went flawlessly. Ian and I did 13 rides before 10:30 at MK.

Knowing the queuing strategies really helps. Jim's advice about when to ride what type of loader is spot on. But having the additional TGM advice ramps it up to the next level.

Ian and I have had a tendency to be park commandoes for the first 2-3 hours of each day. He always wants to stay later than I do. Once the crowd starts streaming in to the park, I am ready to leave. Even though I know that I can still ride the high capacity, continual loaders.

If you have not tried TGM for at least one trip, try it.

Elaine

[tomandrobin]

Up until February of this year, I always used touringplans.com. Then I decided to try tourguidemike for our September (08) trip. I got so "into" the new information, I bought it for the May trip also. The May trip went flawlessly. Ian and I did 13 rides before 10:30 at MK.

Knowing the queuing strategies really helps. Jim's advice about when to ride what type of loader is spot on. But having the additional TGM advice ramps it up to the next level.

Ian and I have had a tendency to be park commandoes for the first 2-3 hours of each day. He always wants to stay later than I do. Once the crowd starts streaming in to the park, I am ready to leave. Even though I know that I can still ride the high capacity, continual loaders.

If you have not tried TGM for at least one trip, try it.

Elaine

Isn't TGM a use once and done subscription?

[glypnirsgirl]

You buy it per trip. I believe it is $20. The information is then VERY SPEcFIC for your travel times.


I know, I know, you have to keep buying it for each trip. I figure $20 to not waste even one minute of a 4 day trip is even more critical than one of the long trips.

(It does set off my cheap gene)

Elaine

[tomandrobin]

You buy it per trip. I believe it is $20. The information is then VERY SPEcFIC for your travel times.


I know, I know, you have to keep buying it for each trip. I figure $20 to not waste even one minute of a 4 day trip is even more critical than one of the long trips.

(It does set off my cheap gene)

Elaine

We bought 735 DVC points and four other timeshares for vacations, but the wallet tightens up to spend an extra $20 at TGM. What is that, two less drinks with dinner?

[cheapmom]

I think some people have trouble paying for information- I sure do- but I know there are many happy customers- so maybe I will try tgm someday.

Or on Dec 30th, staying at MK until 4am!
Did you make it until 4am, Tom? We were there but fizzled out just after the faux NYE fireworks. We headed for the exit with the masses. We had taken a 5:45am flight from BWI that morning- and I was pleased that we made until midnight- I was worried about the 4 and 5 year old- but they were still rarin' to go after the fireworks- It was the the 11, 12 and 40 year olds that were ready for bed!

[tomandrobin]

LOL....We petered out last year. :catchingz

But I am determined that I don't need sleep this year! :coffee1: :tilt:

[dgaston]

Using FP after their expiration is one of our best touring strategies. Just on 5/30 we spent one day at Epcot before viewing the shuttle launch (conned DH into the last Friday of F & G) and were able to use our FP at Soaring at our convenience. We also ask politely to wait for the top row and have never been refused. For us it's worth the cycle wait to not see others' feet!

[NYDVC]

Using FP after their expiration is one of our best touring strategies. Just on 5/30 we spent one day at Epcot before viewing the shuttle launch (conned DH into the last Friday of F & G) and were able to use our FP at Soaring at our convenience. We also ask politely to wait for the top row and have never been refused. For us it's worth the cycle wait to not see others' feet!


Me too!!! I love the front row, ask and always have to wait but never refused. I love the front, you go higher also. dont know why but that cool also!!!:woohoodan

[Colorado Belle]

Reading this thread made me laugh as I kept learning things about myself!!!!!

In the old days we always went commando because we were spending a few days at WDW before or after a major trip, usually cruise or Caribbean. This was before FP, and I hatehatehate waiting in lines. So most often, by sheer physical labor (walking from one ride to another looking for no lines), we avoided lines, saw everything and got a good workout/exhausted ourselves for the next day.

Also, altho I know full well that getting there early is key...I have gotten to the parks early ONLY 1 time that I remember...AK shortly after EE opened. A huge wave of humanity followed the guides all the way over to EE and we all either got in line or got FPs.

Now that I have an AP, I don't need to do commando EXCEPT when I go with someone who has to buy a daypass (even a 7 day pass makes me want to do everything commando so that they get ot see it all). I think what I tend to do is more serendipitous than most of you...I like getting FPs for my favorite rides and if I get to the ride and it has no line, I'm happy to ride it twice.

On recent trip to DL, LC got us some tour guide FPs that can be used anytime. We combined those with our regular FPs and man, it was great!!! I'd read something about always getting another FP before using your previous FP and also learned that in DL...if you have runners...you can use your ticket to FP at each park independently...so think 2 FPs per time slot. Too much running for this ole gal tho!!!

I laughed re the cheap us who don't want to pay for advice!!!!! That must be me. But ya know....there are so many of us who travel at the same time to WDW that I think we could pitch in $3 each and get TGM's advise for kinda cheap...maybe F & W and F & G and early Dec as times when it seems a lot of us head to WDW.

Yep, I'm one who would rather wait and see no feet while flying.

I'm glad that there are FPs, but I understand those who learned how to negotiate without them. Has there been any more talk of giving out FPs to honored guests (and DVC members) ? I found that our tour guide FPs sure made using them brainless and painless. Ahhhhhhhh

[jamstew]

You buy it per trip. I believe it is $20. The information is then VERY SPEcFIC for your travel times.


I know, I know, you have to keep buying it for each trip. I figure $20 to not waste even one minute of a 4 day trip is even more critical than one of the long trips.

(It does set off my cheap gene)

Elaine

If you have more than one trip planned, you can input your later trip date and still use it for the earlier one. Also, if you renew a subscription, there's a discount. The third renewal is, I think, $10.

[tomandrobin]

I laughed re the cheap us who don't want to pay for advice!!!!! That must be me. But ya know....there are so many of us who travel at the same time to WDW that I think we could pitch in $3 each and get TGM's advise for kinda cheap...maybe F & W and F & G and early Dec as times when it seems a lot of us head to WDW.

This is a great idea! Is there a limit to the number of days you can input for the vacation planning?

I'm in for Dec 27-Jan 4 week?

[tomandrobin]

If you have more than one trip planned, you can input your later trip date and still use it for the earlier one. Also, if you renew a subscription, there's a discount. The third renewal is, I think, $10.


I have three trips in the next 6 months....July, Nov and Dec.

[jamstew]

This is a great idea! Is there a limit to the number of days you can input for the vacation planning?

I'm in for Dec 27-Jan 4 week?

It looks like the maximum is 10 days per trip. I have a solo 8-nighter in September and then a 7-night family trip in May. When I renewed my subscription following my solo trip last month, I set up the new planner for my May 2009 dates. That gives me access to everything I need to plan September as well. Plus, if I decide to throw in another one in between, I'm covered :hyper:

Personally, I think his Least Crowded Parks charts are totally worth the cost. I've been using the Unofficial Guide for many years and still refer to their crowd predictions, too, but I like the fact that TGM gives you choices both for morning and evening--like which is the best night for Fantasmic and Spectromagic.

[robinb]

We usually go at very busy times (late Summer, New Year's Eve) and we almost ALWAYS use our FPs at a later time in the day. We pick up our first FP when we enter the park and we keep an eye on when we are "Fastpass eligible" to get the next one. Sometimes we'll have 3-4 FPs at the same time, especially if we have plans to return to the same park that evening.

The I KNOW that I should get to the parks at rope drop, but moving my family early in the morning is like herding cats. It's especially bad when the MK opens at 7:00 am! We also tend to miss the best bus and even when we're at the stop 30 minutes before rope drop, we end up at the park 10-15 minutes late. *sigh* I think that I will take some advise that I read here to help get us up and out earlier ... I will try to shower before we go to bed so we can just get dressed and go instead of wasting 30 minutes on showers.

[burcs]

I KNOW that I should get to the parks at rope drop, but moving my family early in the morning is like herding cats.

ah, yes. a time honored tradition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmgLtg1Izw

[JimP]

*sigh* I think that I will take some advise that I read here to help get us up and out earlier ... I will try to shower before we go to bed so we can just get dressed and go instead of wasting 30 minutes on showers.

Our kids are older now... but if they are not ready to go... they know they will be left behind and can catch up. We also tell them where we will be for lunch (ex: UK at noon)... and if they are not there at 11:59... we are getting seated (probably at a smaller table) without them... and they are on their own.

Also... believe it or not... we get out of the condo earlier if everyone is responsible for their own breakfast. We have the full variety of options from cold cereal, hot oatmeal, pastries, microwave frozen "artifical food", bacon and eggs etc. It is amazing... but everyone eats what they want... and it is actually faster because people are eating while others are getting ready. I make bacon and eggs for myself every morning... but I cheat and get the microwave bacon... just to make sure that I get my recommended daily allowance of food absorbed, evaporated plastic particles.

/Jim

[JimP]

Me too!!! I love the front row, ask and always have to wait but never refused. I love the front, you go higher also. dont know why but that cool also!!!:woohoodan

I just say "Bravo one" when I get to the front of the queue. Sometimes they will put me there immediately because they have not started boarding it yet... and other times I will wait till the next ride. Bravo (B) is the center of the 3 sets of seats.

Obviously... not only do I want to be "on top"... but I also want to be "in the middle". hmmm after watching Swingtown last night... I guess that can have multiple meanings. LOL

Did you know there is a hidden mickey on the golf ball?

/Jim

[tomandrobin]

We have never used fast passes past thier alotted time slot.........interesting. :scratchch

And then get 3-5 fast passes in the morning for use at night is really interesting. :innocent:

[minniekissedme]

Did you know there is a hidden mickey on the golf ball?

/Jim

You rock! I will absolutely Bravo the hidden Mickey in 77 days, 12 hours, and 39 minutes

[JimP]

You rock! I will absolutely Bravo the hidden Mickey in 77 days, 12 hours, and 39 minutes

You cant blink, because the golf ball moves fast... but there is definitely a hidden mickey on it.

/Jim

[AZDVC]

We usually go at very busy times (late Summer, New Year's Eve) and we almost ALWAYS use our FPs at a later time in the day. We pick up our first FP when we enter the park and we keep an eye on when we are "Fastpass eligible" to get the next one. Sometimes we'll have 3-4 FPs at the same time, especially if we have plans to return to the same park that evening.


Ah, yes, always get another fast pass when you can!:sherlock:
Patsy

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

OK JimP I need to know what a "super fast pass" is. I have never even heard this term before!:scratchch

[JimP]

OK JimP I need to know what a "super fast pass" is. I have never even heard this term before!:scratchch

There are a few different types of "super fast passes".

1) Some parks will give you an "anytime paper FP" if a ride breaks while you are standing in line. Basically... it is compensation for your wait. You can use this at any attraction with a FP... without any time restriction. The ones I have had had an expiration date a month or two out. My daughter had a friend who was working in the MK... and she gave me a stack of them. I think these may have been discontinued... but I am not sure.

2) The best ones I have used are the "credit card" type pass that can be used 3 times on one specific day. Your DVC guide may be able to give you some of these. I received sets for a few consecutive days when I was being "tour guide Jim" for Debbie's brother & SIL. An extra 3 FP's... combined with your daily allotment give you the equivalent of "unlimited FP's" for that particular day. In other words... 3 extra passes is plenty in any day.

3) These I have never received, or used :( but I have learned about them from a reliable source. There is a back door code in the FP system put in by the developers. If you have a "magic card"... you can get unlimited fast passes (just repeatedly insert the card into the machine)... plus the time stamp on the FP will be immediate. I would LOVE one of these... but I have no idea how to get hold of one.

/Jim

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

Thanks Jim, we're heading down for a week this August. I'll try contacting our guide.

We consider ourselves experts at the FP system but it does at times involve one of us being a runner. These super fast passes would be a nice little bonus. :yes:

[JimP]

Thanks Jim, we're heading down for a week this August. I'll try contacting our guide.

We consider ourselves experts at the FP system but it does at times involve one of us being a runner. These super fast passes would be a nice little bonus. :yes:

Just don't ask for #3... because I am sure everyone would deny their existance. It is the 2nd ones that you might get. Ask for one for each person in your party... and you must specify the day of use.

Please report back if you were successful or not.

/Jim

[BJFOSS]

i've gotten the #3 JimP is talking about. We went to see the overview of the dvc when we were in orlando a few years ago. as a gift for listening to the presentation. it was great. If we would have been smart we would have only used 1 pass and kept the other 2 to use this next trip. but alas we were not too smart that trip. oh well.

[JimP]

i've gotten the #3 JimP is talking about. We went to see the overview of the dvc when we were in orlando a few years ago. as a gift for listening to the presentation. it was great. If we would have been smart we would have only used 1 pass and kept the other 2 to use this next trip. but alas we were not too smart that trip. oh well.

I think that you are talking about #2 (whew... whats that smell?). These are the ones that the guides can hand out. To the best of knowledge... they are only good for a fixed day... so if I am right (not sure I am)... and you waited, then they would not have worked on your next trip.

Our guide gave us a total of 10 passes (five each... for two specific days) for my party of five. This... combined with the stack of the #1 (whew... smells like the subway station) tickets my DD's friend gave me... allowed us to be park commandos for 3 separate parks. It worked out great!

/Jim

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

Just don't ask for #3... because I am sure everyone would deny their existance. It is the 2nd ones that you might get. Ask for one for each person in your party... and you must specify the day of use.

Please report back if you were successful or not.

/Jim

I haven't been successful so far but I haven't even got a call back from my guide. I called on Monday and he was not in but his message said he'd be back yesterday. I'm wondering how hard I should push for these super fast passes? If I don't hear from him by the end of today, I'll try him again tomorrow.

Wish me luck, I really want these, it will be a nice bonus!.

[Baltosam]

After reading through this post I wanted to post what happend to us just yesterday 6/17. We were at DHS a park given the green code by TGM. We were there at rope drop. My son who is 13 wanted to be the "runner" so we cave him all four passes and he was off to get FP's for Toy Story Mania. The rest of us got in line to ride Toy Story Mania first thing with the plan being to do Tower of Terror and Rock and Rollercoaster right after and having a later in the day ride on Toy Story in the bag so to speak.

Not a bad plan. So we were over at Toy Story and the ride and the Fast Pass machines were still closed it was 8:55 the official opening was 9:00. We could see the Fast Pass machines were working from where we were in the outside que area of Toy Story. My son was no where to be seen, we had walked past him on the way and he was 3rd in line at one of the machines. 5 mins or so went by still my son was no where to be seen.

I got out of line to go see what was holding him up, when I got to him I see he is still 3rd in his line. The woman in front of him was getting FP's for her whole tour group!. She had admission tickets in rubber banded bundles that she kept pulling out of her fanny pack. By this time the lines for FP's were very long so getting into another line was not a good option. While I was standing there I counted and this woman got 47 FP's, my son said she had easily already gotten that many before I came over to see him.

I think it is crazy that there is not some sort of limit placed on how many FP's one person can get at a machine. I know everyone with a ticket is entitled to get FP my beef is that a person has no way of knowing that the person they just got in line behind is actually 90 people! I know most people get 4 to 6 FP's at a time thst is pretty normal but with all the tour groups that go to WDW during the busy season Disney needs to do something about this. At the busiest attractions ie Toy Story, RnR, EE they already have one or two CM's at the FP machines what I think they could do is have one machine for people getting 10 or more FP's. If the CM sees someone with stacks of tickets at one of the "general use" FP machines they should instruct them to get in line at the other machine.

I know there is no easy solution but it sucks if you are unlucky enough to get behind one of these inconsiderate people.

This incident did have the effect of messing up our game plan and increasing our wait times through out the whole day. As an aside this TGM top listed green day sure got busy quick and the 10 to 15 minutes this woman cost my group had an impact.

However we are no longer comandos so we just said the heck with this and went back to OKW and had a great day at the pools and I was introduced to Ramona at the Gurgling Suitcase :)

[burcs]

I know there is no easy solution but it sucks if you are unlucky enough to get behind one of these inconsiderate people.


dude, i feel for you, i really do, but as a runner she was working the system for her group just like your son was for yours. while i agree it sucks that your son was unlucky enough to be behind her, i don't think that she was inconsiderate, any more than your son was.

i don't know what the loading times for Toy Story are like, but i'm curious if your son was able to determine the difference in fast pass return times as a result of the wait? or, what was your fast pass return time?

in any case, i'm glad you were able to salvage the day. hope today was better.

[Baltosam]

burcs, Believe me I fully understand she was maximizing for her group same as we were. My beef is not with her its with Disney. I was suggesting that they have one of the machines set aside for people getting 10 or more (or some other number) fast passes. What is inconsiderate is not saying anything as people fill in behind you. The machines were not up yet as everyone got in line. She could have warned people that she was going to monopolize the machine for the next 20 or more mins.

I don't think it is inconsiderate to get multiple passes it is however inconsiderate to get so many that you impact other people. The whole point is that when you get in a line with 100 people you can see 100 people. When you get in line with 10 and one of them has 90 passes to get you have no way to know.

If they allow it they will do it (my own axiom). What I was saying is that Disney needs to fix this problem. As long as it is allowed I know that technically people are doing nothing wrong. But like my grandmother used to say "just because you can do something doesn't mean you should"

[burcs]

The whole point is that when you get in a line with 100 people you can see 100 people.

this was sooo not true for me the first (and to date only) time i went into mickey's house in toontown, DL.

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

That really stinks for your son. :thumbsway But I bet Disney would prefer that 1 person shows up at a FASTPASS terminal instead of the 100 individuals. They probably don't want the perception to be that FASTPASS is just as bad as waiting in line for the actual ride.

[dizhoni]

I got in FP line for Mount Everest last year and realised that the line was being held up by a person getting many passes. A CM came right over and told her she had to get back in line to get any more. Having a separate line would be a good idea, but of course no one would use it unless caught.

[burcs]

A CM came right over and told her she had to get back in line to get any more.

this is good in the sense that there's hope for us should we ever be in the same situation.

on the other hand, this is bad because it seems that the CM is supporting cutting in line, albeit a virtual one. like noreen said, what if it were 100 individuals waiting? the CM surely would not split the group up so that a runner with 4 tickets can get 4 FP's.

if i was chaperoning a group of 100 kids, was their runner for logistical reasons, and there were only 100 fastpasses left, and i waited in line to get my fastpasses, i think the greater injustice would be if i a CM forced me to let someone else cut in front of me, and then have me not get FP's for my whole group.

[Ransom]

if i was chaperoning a group of 100 kids, was their runner for logistical reasons, and there were only 100 fastpasses left, and i waited in line to get my fastpasses, i think the greater injustice would be if i a CM forced me to let someone else cut in front of me, and then have me not get FP's for my whole group.

To play Devil's Advocate:

By being the "runner" for 100 kids, you're giving yourself an advantage. And that's fine. But you're also giving a disadvantage to anyone who gets in line behind you, not knowing you represent 100 other people. Whereas if you had those 100 kids in line with you, everyone would know to choose another fastpass machine.

This happened to me at Soarin'. I went to the farthest machine, because there were only two people in that line. The first guy did his thing and got going, then the second guy pulls out this huge stack of tickets. It took me a minute to realize what was going on, but then I looked around and got into a line with 4 people in it. Lo and behold, one of those people ended up having a huge stack of tickets as well. So I went to a third line with 6 or 7 people in it, and finally was able to eventually get my fastpasses (2).

So those people with their stacks of tickets wasted my time in order to save their own groups time. That's not fair.

So either there should be one fastpass machine for the folks with huge numbers of tickets, or they should require people to be present in order to get a fastpass.

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

I've been behind 1 person who is trying to get 1 FP and it takes a while because they don't know what they are doing. They grab a CM and ask about how to insert their park pass and then ask what to do with this FP once they have it! Now these are the people I have a gripe with.

And I have been behind a 2 person team who is getting FPs for a bunch of people and because they have it down to a science there is very little wait. One is placing the park pass in the machine and the other is grabbing FP out of machine and organizing. :bowdown: A little pre-planning goes a long way at WDW. And this 2 person FP team obviously figured out how to get in and out of a FP line without much time or disruption to other people.

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

Just don't ask for #3... because I am sure everyone would deny their existance. It is the 2nd ones that you might get. Ask for one for each person in your party... and you must specify the day of use.

Please report back if you were successful or not.

/Jim

I'm reporting back, no luck! :blech:

My guide told me these FPs were originally given to people who had taken the DVC presentation. These people were given the FPs so they would be able to recoup some park time that they had spent with DVC guides.

Apparently at some point, DVC members were making appointments with their DVC guides just to get the FPs. So he told me no more handing out the super fast passes unless you have just taken the DVC presentation.

[Daitcher]

I'm reporting back, no luck! :blech:

My guide told me these FPs were originally given to people who had taken the DVC presentation. These people were given the FPs so they would be able to recoup some park time that they had spent with DVC guides.

Apparently at some point, DVC members were making appointments with their DVC guides just to get the FPs. So he told me no more handing out the super fast passes unless you have just taken the DVC presentation.


I'm glad your Guide told you no. As soon as I read about people going to their guides for these FP, I cringed. These people have a job to do and handing over FP's isn't one of them. At least your guide kept the can of worms closed. Could you imagine the calls the guides would have gotten if you reported back successful?


DAVE

[Noreendisfourdisfour]

Yeah, in the long run I agree.

As long as all the guides are saying no. Then I say fair is fair and I'm fine with it.:judge:

[Daitcher]

Yeah, in the long run I agree.

As long as all the guides are saying no. Then I say fair is fair and I'm fine with it.:judge:



Exactly. I feel bad YOU missed out but opening this can of worms just isn't correct. Kind of reminds me of the recent Gblast123 comments in the renters collecting taxes or whatever it is called thread. Talking about getting these bennies is NOT a good idea. If you get something, keep it to yourself and don't ruin it. In that thread (taxes) even dicussing that stuff is crazy, IMO.


DAVE