Forget Fastpass+, Fastpass in General Needs a Major Overhaul. Period!

[baldburke]

The current Fastpass system is so ineffective. It makes lines for the regular folks so slow and brings what could be a bearable wait to a grinding halt. They should either just do away with the system completely or offer Fastpasses for everyone. Disney obviously has no understanding of the theory of constraints!

[seanyred]

The current Fastpass system is so ineffective. It makes lines for the regular folks so slow and brings what could be a bearable wait to a grinding halt. They should either just do away with the system completely or offer Fastpasses for everyone. Disney obviously has no understanding of the theory of constraints!

But FastPass is available for everyone.

[Tekneek]

But FastPass is available for everyone.

Yeah, not sure what was meant by "regular folks." I just assumed they meant people who did not get a FP. Ultimately, I think 30+ minute waits for attractions that aren't running at full capacity is bad, personally.

[Reedy Creek Buccaneer]

My question is why do people wait in line when Fastpass is available? I just don't understand the lunacy of waiting!

[gerald72]

If those fastpass people weren't in the fastpass line, they'd be ahead of you in the standby line.
And it is available to everyone.
If you don't like the standby line- get a fastpass. Easy solution.

[joonyer]

Well, I can remember when there was no Fastpass for any WDW attractions. And what was the number one complaint of guests? You guessed it: "The lines are tooo LOOOONG. I don't like waiting so long for one ride."

So what did Disney do? They created a system where you could hold you place in line "electronically" so you could do something else during the two-hour wait (yeah, I know the cynics say it just so you can spend money while waiting your turn). Now they are fine-tuning that system and it remains to see how guests will like it. Still, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, etc. all handle the same number of riders per hour that the did 20+ years ago, before FastPasses. Only so many people per hour can ride, no way around that.

A few people will always complain about anything. But if WDW did away with Fastpasses, everybody would complain. We learned how to effectively used the Fastpass system, and have never waited more than 20-30 minutes for any attraction, even during peak seasons. We haven't used Fastpass+ yet, so I can't comment yet on how user-friendly it will be.

[Disneyfirsttimer]

Excuse my ignorance, but we haven't been to WDW since September 2011. I know they were changing the FP system so you had to use the FP during the actual return time (not hours later).

What exactly is FP +?

Thanks!

[waymickey]

My question is why do people wait in line when Fastpass is available? I just don't understand the lunacy of waiting!

Sometimes you have no choice but to wait if you want to see an attraction. For Example: I want to ride TSM I get a fastpass at 9am for 230pm. I can only hold one fastpass so now if I want to see or ride an attraction before 230 pm I must wait in the standby line.

I also commented on how stinking long the standby lines were when I was there this month. Standby Lines were out of control. I don't want to see Fp to go away just to go back to what worked in the past.

[NewDVCowner]

Sometimes you have no choice but to wait if you want to see an attraction. For Example: I want to ride TSM I get a fastpass at 9am for 230pm. I can only hold one fastpass so now if I want to see or ride an attraction before 230 pm I must wait in the standby line.

I also commented on how stinking long the standby lines were when I was there this month. Standby Lines were out of control. I don't want to see Fp to go away just to go back to what worked in the past.

Correct me if I"m wrong, but the Fastpasses have something on them that says you can get a new fastpass at X:XX time and often that time is 2 hours after you get the first fast pass if the new fast pass return time is longer than that. At least that's the case in Disneyland. So, if you get a fastpass at 9:30 and the return time is at 2:30, you can get another fast pass at 11:30.

[waymickey]

Correct me if I"m wrong, but the Fastpasses have something on them that says you can get a new fastpass at X:XX time and often that time is 2 hours after you get the first fast pass if the new fast pass return time is longer than that. At least that's the case in Disneyland. So, if you get a fastpass at 9:30 and the return time is at 2:30, you can get another fast pass at 11:30.

Not when I was there a few weeks ago. We could not get another fast pass until the time to go on the ride.

[MickeysBestPal]

Correct me if I"m wrong, but the Fastpasses have something on them

1- that says you can get a new fastpass at X:XX time and

2- often that time is 2 hours after you get the first fast pass

3- if the new fast pass return time is longer than that.

4- At least that's the case in Disneyland.

5- So, if you get a fastpass at 9:30 and the return time is at 2:30, you can get another fast pass at 11:30.

1- Correct.
2- It's usually just for the very popular rides.
3- Correct. If the current FP Return Time is longer than 2 hours away, you will be able to get another FP at the 2-hour mark from time of
current FP pick-up.
4- And, at WDW.
5- That is correct.

Not when I was there a few weeks ago. We could not get another fast pass until the time to go on the ride.

You must not have been looking very closely.
The "2 hour rule" is how the "regular" FP system has worked for over a decade.

[Mickey91]

Sometimes you have no choice but to wait if you want to see an attraction. For Example: I want to ride TSM I get a fastpass at 9am for 230pm. I can only hold one fastpass so now if I want to see or ride an attraction before 230 pm I must wait in the standby line.

Actually, when you get a fast pass with such a late time on it from the time you received it, it will usually give you an earlier time to get another one. We a lot of times get to DHS around 9:30 - 10:30 and TSM already has passes timed anywhere from 2:00 - 7:00PM depending on the day. When this happens there is a note on the bottom that reads "your next fast pass will be available after 11:30" or about two hours after the issue of the TSM fast pass.

[Opus X]

Sometimes you have no choice but to wait if you want to see an attraction. For Example: I want to ride TSM I get a fastpass at 9am for 230pm. I can only hold one fastpass so now if I want to see or ride an attraction before 230 pm I must wait in the standby line.

I also commented on how stinking long the standby lines were when I was there this month. Standby Lines were out of control. I don't want to see Fp to go away just to go back to what worked in the past.

Whoa.....not true. You will get another fast pass at 11 am. Or 2 hours after the other fast pass...unless the return time is less than 2 hours.
Its printed at the bottom...when you can get another..often, it will not be the same time as the return time on the ticket.
I.E. your 230 return time when you got it at 9 am. You dont have to wait untill return time. You can get another at 11 am by your example.

[Opus X]

I keep reading this thread and an amazed at the lack of understanding how to get the most out of fast pass..It is a GREAT tool..and everytime we goto WDW/DLR it is used to the max. It appears though that alot simply dont understand it or read on the bottom of the ticket as to when they can get another one.
In my little world of Disney friends...we all LOVE it.
Im looking forward to FP+, it will be nice to book in advance. Also, get to the parks at rope drop. Most of the time...FP isnt needed. We rode S.M. 4 times..within 30 min..
There is this devilish part of me that likes the fact some folks choose not to use it..or doesnt know how...It allows more for the rest of us....I know thats bad..But FP is incredibly simply and works flawlessly.
YMMV- I love it.

[baldburke]

But FastPass is available for everyone.

At certain attractions a full day of Fastpasses are gone within an hour of the park opening. What's the sense of that?

[Zippy 1]

We have been to DW 3 times. In 2003, 2007 and 2012. In 03 and 07 we went in November. In 2012 we went in February. We have never waited more than 30 minutes in any line. I did my homework before we went and learned all about fast pass and which rides were important to use it on. In 2003 we were there for Thanksgiving, it was our first trip and we had no problems with long wait times. We just did a little planning before we went. I love FP and can't wait to try out FP+.

[joonyer]

At certain attractions a full day of Fastpasses are gone within an hour of the park opening. What's the sense of that?

If the alternative is to do away with fastpasses for that attraction, then those guests who get to the park early will still enjoy the shortest wait times. Early bird gets the worm! Either that or wait until right before park closing when the lines may finally get short again.

[DisneyDawgette]

The FastPass system, which is available for everyone, works fantastically if used correctly. And I don't understand the logic behind standby lines being longer if people have FastPasses- we use FastPass like it's going out of style and really only wait in one or two standby lines a day. And I'm perfectly fine waiting for 30 minutes or so twice if I'm not waiting for anything else.

Trying FP+ in October- excited to see how it works.

[Opus X]

The FastPass system, which is available for everyone, works fantastically if used correctly. And I don't understand the logic behind standby lines being longer if people have FastPasses- we use FastPass like it's going out of style and really only wait in one or two standby lines a day. And I'm perfectly fine waiting for 30 minutes or so twice if I'm not waiting for anything else.

Trying FP+ in October- excited to see how it works.

Agreed.

[seanyred]

At certain attractions a full day of Fastpasses are gone within an hour of the park opening. What's the sense of that?

That's about logistics and capacity. There has to be a limit of fast passes otherwise the benefit of the fastpass would be nullified. What I mean is that everyone has the opportunity to participate if they choose to do so and there is no additional cost. Now it might require getting to the parks early but that comes with each person choice.

With FastPass+ theoretically late starters will be able to get the Fastpasses they want assuming they are willing to use MyMagic+.