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Darkbeer
03-18-2003, 08:05 PM
The best place to start is the official Disney description of FASTPASS...

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/guestServices/fastpass?id=FastPassListingPage

Well, it sounds so nice and easy... well, the system is actually quite complex, and keeps changing. The newest change started at the beginning of 2003, with the introduction of a second "tier" of guests with the "Unlimited FASTPASS" option.

So, we have two types of guests in the park now...

Regular guests

and

"Unlimited" guests.

I am going to start with the "Unlimited" guests, since regular guests are everyone who isn't an "Unlimited" guest.

So, how do you get the "Unlimited FASTPASS" option?

Well, you give the Walt Disney Travel more money, of course....

OK, those who book travel packages thru the Walt Disney Travel Company, or the AAA (which actually is the Walt Disney Travel Company packages, just "re-branded" with the AAA name), or those who purchase "Passport Plus", as described in the Disney Travel/AAA brochures for the Disneyland Resort on the bottom of page 18, get the "Unlimited FASTPASS" option. Many Travel Agents and Third-Party Internet Package sellers use the Walt Disney Travel Company.

You are not required to stay at a Disney owned hotel, a "Good Neighbor" hotel package thru Disney/AAA Travel will also give you the special "Unlimited FASTPASS" option. The Passport Plus is a "stand-alone" package, with no need to purchase air or hotel.

More information about these packages are available here...

http://www.mousesavers.com/dlpackages.html

http://www.mousesavers.com/dltickets.html#passportplus

Now, there have been reports of problems with people trying to purchase the "Passport Plus" at AAA offices. The best thing to do is get the brochure, and show the agent the bottom of page 18, and tell them to call their Disney representative if they have any questions/problems. If they refuse to sell them, ask to speak to the "Travel" manager, and once again show page 18, and ask him/her to call the Disney rep.

There are a few tickets that come from the Walt Disney Travel Company that do not have the Unlimited option, so make sure the package (or Passport Plus) comes with the "Unlimited" or "collect FASTPASS tickets for multiple attractions at one time" option.

So, you become an "Unlimited" user by buying a special ticket, that the FASTPASS machines will recognize.

All other folks in the Park are "Regular" users, that is AP holders, single day tickets, Multi-day tickets, Complementary Tickets and any other type of admission that is not specifically come with the "Unlimited" option.

Since the "unlimited" option is the easier of the two to understand, let's start there....

First off, "Unlimited" is a bit misleading, you can't get ALL the FASTPASSES you want, but you can get one for each attraction at the same time.

Well, the Disneyland Resort Passports that comes with the package has a special barcode that tells the FASTPASS machine that you are eligible for the special benefit. (So do NOT upgrade to an AP until the end of the last day, because the minute you switch from the passport to the AP, you lose the Unlimited FASTPASS option!)

Now, how does it work, well, think of the FASTPASS machines as a computer network, with each ride being a "unit" in the network. When a "regular" user attempts to get a FASTPASS, the machine does two things, the first test is that it checks to see if you have a current FASTPASS for the same attraction (that is a FASTPASS whose start time is later than the current time aka not yet valid), and the second test is to see if you have received another FASTPASS in the same park (There are two separate networks, one for Disneyland, and another for DCA). The rule here is you are not allowed to get another FASTPASS until the starting time of the first FASTPASS, or after 2 hours of issuance of the first FASTPASS. The easiest way to check this is to look at the bottom of the first FASTPASS, it will state "Another FASTPASS will be available at XX:XX" Now certain FASTPASS machines have not been connected to the network, Pirates being the best known. In this case, the machine only cares about the first test, do you have another FASTPASS for THIS ride?, and will issue you one only if the starting time has passed. (For example, you go to Pirates, and get a FASTPASS for 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at about 10 AM. The machine will refuse to issue you another FASTPASS until 11:30 AM, at which time, the machine would issue one for say 1:40 to 2:40 PM, once again, you will be blocked out until 1:40 PM, when the machine will once again give you a new FASTPASS for say 3:10 to 4:10 PM....)

Now, with one of the special Walt Disney Travel/AAA passports, when you stick the passport into a FASTPASS machine, it reads the barcode, and will treat the machine as being "disconnected" from the network, and will only apply the first test, do you have a current FASTPASS for THIS ride?, it doesn't care about any other ride. Also, the machine does print either "AAA Travel" or "Disney Travel" on the FASTPASS.

So, what is the best strategy if you have one of the special passports.

Well, lets say you are a family, what I would do is gather all the passports after entering the park, and have one designated "runner", let's say Dad, and then have the rest of the family (Mom and the kids) can go straight to Fantasyland. Or if the kids are too old for Fantasyland, or if it is a group of adults, you could go on the Matterhorn (a non FASTPASS attraction) or just go sit down and have some breakfast. The one "runner" will go to EVERY ride that offers FASTPASS and get FASTPASSES for each member of the group. After he collects the entire set, he/she meets up with the rest of the group.

Now, sit down and sort out the FASTPASSES by area (Tomorrowland - Space, Star Tours and Autopia) (Toontown - Roger Rabbit) (Westside - Indiana Jones, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pooh and Big Thunder).

Now, figure out which way you want to start (the starting times of the FASTPASSES might help make this decision for you!). Remember a big rule about FASTPASSES in general, the Cast Members care about two things, the date of the FASTPASS, and the STARTING time, they will not let you use the FASTPASS until the starting time. What they do NOT care about is the ending time, they will allow the use of the FASTPASS after the ending time!

So, lets say you decide to start at Tomorrowland.. it is now 9:45 PM, and you have a (starting time) 10:00 AM Star Tours, a 10:30 Autopia and a 11:30 Space Mountain, well, walk on over to Star Tours, at 10:00, BEFORE you go on Star Tours, get another FASTPASS (this is the key of maximizing your use of the feature) The machine will check, and since your first FASTPASS started at 10:00, and it is now a few minutes after 10 AM, the machine will issue you a new FASTPASS). Ride Star Tours, it is now about 10:15, so go check out the NASA exhibit, and the spinning marble until 10:30. Then off to Autopia, and before riding, get a new Autopia FASTPASS. Now you probably have time to visit Innoventions until 11:30, at which time, you head over to Space Mountain, grab a new FASTPASS and then ride.

Now, you move to the next area you want to go to, and repeat the same procedure. This way you will always have a FASTPASS for each attraction, but save a LOT of walking.

To sum up the best strategy if you have the "Unlimited FASTPASS" option....

Have one person in your group go get a FASTPASS for EVERY ride in Disneyland when you first arrive.

Before you use the current FASTPASS, get a new FASTPASS for the same attraction.



OK, now most of us don't get the "Unlimited" option, so we are Regular users of the system... how does this work....

Well, it is a bit more complicated than the "Unlimited" option, but you can still "collect FASTPASS tickets for multiple attractions at one time", though it is more restrictive.

No wonder that Disney doesn't advertise these "tricks" I am about to talk about. First off, it hurts the marketing of the Walt Disney Travel Packages, and, second, it is hard to explain to a Guest. You will find out that many CM's have no idea about what is a "Stand-Alone" machine, or other information talked about in this post. They do know the information as described on the official website, and the Unlimited basics, since this is what Disney has taught them. They have no idea about the "secrets".

In the Unlimited section, I talked about looking at the FASTPASS system as a computer network, so let's get an overview of the system.

First off, there are TWO networks, one for the Disneyland Park, and a second for Disney's California Adventure. They are totally separate, so you can always get one FASTPASS for each park. Let's look at the Networked machines....

In Disneyland, the following rides are networked

Indiana Jones Adventure
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Autopia
Space Mountain
Star Tours
it's a small world holiday (NOTE: Christmas version ONLY)

At DCA, the networked attractions are

California Screamin'
Mulholland Madness
Muppet Vision 3D
Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!
It's Tough to be a Bug!
Soarin' Over California


Now, not every attraction is part of the network, 4 attractions (at the present, and these attractions have changed many times) don't look at the network.


Independent Machines (AKA Stand-Alone)

Pirates of the Caribbean (DL)
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin(DL)
Star Tours(DL)
Grizzly River Run (DCA)

There is a third set of FASTPASSES, and those are ones that do not require you to place your ticket/Passport into the machine.

Hyperion Theater (Aladdin)
WWTBAM-PI (early show - not always offered)
When the actual FASTPASS machines aren't working (you did not need to insert your passport to receive a FASTPASS)


So, our first problem is that we are talking about different types of FASTPASSES, and there is no easy way to tell the difference..

First off, the easiest thing to get rid of is the two worthless FASTPASSES... MuppetVision and ITTBAB, if you collect FASTPASSES great, grab one, but these shows never have a wait more than one showing, so you can just ignore these two rides.

Also, the CM issued FASTPASSES are Freebies, since your passport was not used, there is no restriction to getting another FP.....

The independent machines are nice and simple, each of the four rides has it's own machine, and you can get ONE FASTPASS for each of the rides without affecting any other FP.....

PLEASE NOTE : All times are an example, and should not be a reflection of the time you really get on your FASTPASS

The system does require your passport, let's say it is 10 o'clock, the Pirates FASTPASS you get is for 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, Star Tours is for 11:40 am to 12:40 pm, and then at 11 am you get a Roger Rabbit FASTPASS good for 12:50 pm to 1:50 pm.... The system will Not allow you to get another FASTPASS until the Start time on the FASTPASS, so you could get another Pirates FASTPASS at 11:15 am, an Star Tours at 11:40 am and a Roger Rabbit at 12:50 pm....

One trick that is important is that the ending time is not important, the CM does check the start time and the date, but they have been told to be very flexible on the ending time, who knows why you have been delayed, you could have been stuck on another ride, etc.... so they almost always never say anything when you show up late with an FASTPASS...

The trick with the independent machines is to get a NEW FASTPASS prior to riding, for example, it is now 11:15 am, and you want to ride Pirates, before going in the FASTPASS line to ride, pick up another FASTPASS (the window is now open), and you will be given a new Pirates FASTPASS for 2:10 pm to 3:10 pm, this will allow you to come back later, after 2:10 pm for a second ride on Pirates, and get a third FASTPASS for Pirates later in the day.

So, what can I have, PRIOR to even accessing the "networked" machines...

Well, I can have a Pirates, Star Tours, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Grizzly River Run, plus picked up a Aladdin and a Noon WWTBAM-PI.

OK, now to talk about the "Networked" machines, you can have (in most cases) one DL and one DCA networked FASTPASS in addition to the above FASTPASSES...

Once you get a FASTPASS, you are not allowed another "networked" FASTPASS within the same park (either DL or DCA) until the earlier of these two events happen...

1. The time window on the FASTPASS becomes valid

2. Two hours have passed since receiving the FASTPASS

OK, lets look at some examples...

It is early in the day, and you go to get a Splash FASTPASS at 9:15 am, the FASTPASS issued to you is valid from 10:20 am to 11:20 am...

In this case, the next FASTPASS would be available at 10:20 am, and that would be the time printed on the bottom of the FASTPASS

But, lets say it is a bit later, say around 10:30 am, you get a Splash FASTPASS, but now it is good between 2:40 pm and 3:40 pm...

In this case, the next FASTPASS would be available at 12:30 pm. (Two hours after the FASTPASS was issued), and the bottom of the FASTPASS would state 12:30pm... there is one additional rule, you would NOT be allowed to get a Splash FASTPASS, you cannot get a new Splash FASTPASS until the window opens at 2:40 pm, but at 12:30 you could get an Autopia, Space Mountain., etc.....(any networked ride OTHER than Splash)

And one of the most important tricks to maximize your FASTPASS usage is to get a NEW FASTPASS prior to using the current active one, let's say at 11 AM you got an Indy FASTPASS good for 12:35 pm to 1:35 pm, at 12:30, I would head over to Big Thunder, and at 12:35, get a BTMR FASTPASS (say good for 2:50 pm to 3:50 pm), then ride Indy... at 2:35 pm (don't forget the two hour rule), I would pick up an Autopia FASTPASS, then ride BTMR.........

OK, so now you can have a Pirates, Star Tours, Roger Rabbit, GRR, Aladdin, plus one or two DL networked rides, and a DCA ride...

Another thing to think about is the Single Rider Passes available on Splash, Indiana Jones, Grizzly River Run, Soarin', Mulholland Madness, and Maliboomer. If you are willing to use Single Rider Passes (Which in most cases are quicker than FASTPASSES, with the exception of Soarin', which in many cases can have a longer wait than a FP)... you won't need to pick up FASTPASSES for these rides, and can use the FASTPASSES on other rides, such as Space Mountain and Autopia.

With the opening of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, that will be one of the most popular FASTPASSES, and would be one of the first I got. You could combine it with a use of the Single Rider Passes on Splash.

Also, Splash, with its reduced capacity logs has a long wait, so that would be another priority (unless I planned to use the Single Rider Passes), in which case, Autopia and Space Mountain would be my other top choices.

To Sum up the "Regular" guests FASTPASS system....

Think of the systems as DIFFERENT, and that there are SIX sets of FASTPASS machines, Pirates, Star Tours, Roger Rabbit, GRR, the DL networked system, and the DCA networked system....by thinking in this manner should help you make the most use out of the FASTPASS system.....

rexfarms
03-18-2003, 08:38 PM
Thank you for that I know it will help many people!

Laffite
03-18-2003, 08:40 PM
:crying: :crying: so long a post :crying: :crying:

can't I just stick my card in and see if it works?? :(

MonorailMan
03-18-2003, 09:52 PM
Originally posted by Laffite
can't I just stick my card in and see if it works?? :(

LOL! :D

I've found the same also, sometimes I get lost in the Jumbo, is HM disconnected, why do I have to machine WWTBAMPI!, or Huh! It's 1:30, and Soarin' has a --:-- in the display!?

Ahh, yes, a science of itself, sounds like a project coming on! :)

jslivinski
03-27-2003, 03:50 PM
To.... much.... information...., must.... rest.... brain....:D

Darkbeer, Thank you for an informative post.

Christiii
03-27-2003, 04:55 PM
soooo annual passholders are outta luck on the unlimited fastpass huh?? I wish they had another tier of the AP..like a gold member or something...Id pay more money for more features...like a front of the line pass...early admission... you know...more extras...:cool:

Christiii
03-27-2003, 05:01 PM
ok Gusy, Im coming on April 8th..then on Aprill 11-14, and I would love tips on the best, closest viewing for Tinkerbell..also..any other tips, tricks..adivice for that time (if ya have any)..I come to the park about 10 times a year, but Im always willing to learn some new tricks!! I havent been since Christmas..so Im in withdrawl...I am soooo busy at work right now..I just have tunnel vision until the 8th...hey by the way...I run a company that sets up conventions and trade shows..and Im coming down for a Harvest Festival in Pomona on April 11-13. they are really fun craft conventions with really newat things..(i always buy something)..anyway..if anyone is near Pomona..Ill be happy to send you some tickets!! Least I can do for my fellow Disney geeks huh? Ive got lots more of these coming up in the fall..anaheim, Del Mar, Pomona again, and some others...so just let me know and I can pop em in the mail:D

Darkbeer
06-15-2003, 07:34 PM
Update....

Of course, you can remove Space Mountain from the list.

But the news is that the Haunted Mansion is back to being an Independent (Stand Alone) machine.

So the current list of Independent Machines are...

Haunted Mansion (DL)
Pirates of the Caribbean (DL)
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin(DL)
Star Tours(DL)
Grizzly River Run (DCA)

MonorailMan
06-15-2003, 08:34 PM
Originally posted by Darkbeer
Update....

Of course, you can remove Space Mountain from the list.

But the news is that the Haunted Mansion is back to being an Independent (Stand Alone) machine.


Wehn will the people get is through thier mind that in DCA, the disconnected list should include:

It's tough to be a bug!
Muppet*Vision 3D
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire! :) :rolleyes:

jazzjunkie
06-15-2003, 09:02 PM
So how do you get the FP for Aladdin? :confused:

DisneyFan25863
06-15-2003, 09:03 PM
Originally posted by jazzjunkie
So how do you get the FP for Aladdin? :confused:

You don't. You get there early and bribe your way in.


Just kidding. You actually get there early and get a ticket to the show of your choice :)

stagedoorjonny
06-16-2003, 10:50 AM
I was at DCA on Father's Day and they wheren't doing FP for Aladdin, it was first come first serve. I've heard of them doing this before. Is there some reason that they do this?

Lashbear
06-16-2003, 06:12 PM
....so the pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon, and the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true ??? :confused:

Icy Bacon
06-16-2003, 06:32 PM
Darkbeer, (or anyone else who knows their stuff about Fastpass machines) what is the deal with the little button on the back of each one? I remember being a misguided high school student when the whole system first came out and on rare occasions a machine would cough up a free pass (Yes, sorry to anyone who my friends and I cheated out of a fastpass, we're all nice guests now), but there was no clear purpose of why the button was there in the first place. Is it some magic CM override to deal with unhappy guests or what?

tod
06-16-2003, 07:02 PM
Originally posted by Lashbear
....so the pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon, and the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true ??? :confused:

Danny Kaye flashback!!

--T
who thought sure thet the pellet with the poison was in the chalice from the palace.
:fez:

DisneyFan25863
06-16-2003, 07:04 PM
Originally posted by Icy Bacon
Darkbeer, (or anyone else who knows their stuff about Fastpass machines) what is the deal with the little button on the back of each one? I remember being a misguided high school student when the whole system first came out and on rare occasions a machine would cough up a free pass (Yes, sorry to anyone who my friends and I cheated out of a fastpass, we're all nice guests now), but there was no clear purpose of why the button was there in the first place. Is it some magic CM override to deal with unhappy guests or what?

I believe it is there to help clear paper jams :)

superjocko
08-09-2003, 12:12 AM
What a great post!

I'm leaving with the family for 5 days at Disneyland and DCA starting Sunday the 10th of August. We booked our package at the Disneyland hotel through a travel agent. She explained the unlimited FastPass to an extent, but this is a much more comprehensive view of how to maximize the benefits. I've been searching the net for just this info and I'm so glad to have found it before we left.

I now feel very confident that the unlimited FastPass will greatly enhance our visit. Thanks a million!


:D

Cadaverous Pallor
08-09-2003, 11:11 AM
Originally posted by superjocko
I now feel very confident that the unlimited FastPass will greatly enhance our visit. Thanks a million!Wow, I love it when our minutely detailed info actually helps someone! Plus I love the fact that you did a search instead of just posting a question. Newbies, take note! :)

superjocko, have a great time with your family at the Resort.

Tiki Junki
08-10-2003, 07:42 AM
I too was looking for this kind of information. We just learned my in-laws are joining us. Hooray! The problem is, that FIL has never been to DL. It's a bit of a family disgrace. 5th Generation Californian and has never gone. We are correcting the error but it means having the competing desires of a adult never-been, a 4 year old now tall enough for the Moutain Range (or what will be left of it) an infant, and three adults to guide, cajole and cope.

Question: On top of the unlimited fast-pass strategy, we will be using the Baby-swap option. On rides with fast pass, it is worth getting fast passes for the whole party? Or only for two or three of the party, then using the baby-swap pass to get the remainder on. What line to baby-swappers go in?

scaeagles
08-10-2003, 08:37 AM
Originally posted by Tiki Junki
What line to baby-swappers go in?

Fast pass line. At least thats true on Splash Mountain. I think on IJ you still go in through the exit.

I was spoiled this last trip, so much so I don't know if I'll ever be able to wait in line again. My 4 year old son and wife didn't want to ride GRR or CA Screamin' or Splash or any such thing. We had the unlimited fast pass thing. So not only did my 9.5 year old daughter and I use unlimited fast passes, we got 2 sets for everything. So we'd ride it with fast passes, and get right back on with our second set. That was really cool when GRR standby was running and hour in the midafternoon, or Splash was running 90 minutes.

hbquikcomjamesl
08-11-2003, 09:04 AM
....so the pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon, and the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true ??? But what about the vessel with the pestle?

Allison
08-11-2003, 09:37 AM
Thanks Darkbeer!
We leave Friday morning, and since these three days are weekend days this info is really going to come in handy!

Besides, I love to get inside info I don't know.

Thanks again, even though I will have to print this out to absorb all that info.

danyoung
08-11-2003, 09:45 AM
I noticed your sig line. Are you referring to Dallas area voice talent John Galt, or some other John Galt?

disneymeimei
08-11-2003, 10:33 AM
Good Morning,
We just returned from out trip to DL and DCA. Unlimited fastpasses were the best. Several times the afternoon stand-by time at Splash was 180 minutes!! I was the official fastpass runner and did exactly what Darkbeer suggested: They went to Fantasyland or Mattahorn and I collected tickets. We always picked up the next ride ticket when our window opened. I was so efficient that sometimes I ended up with more than we could use; those tickets were given to people we met in lines (made their day!), so that the fastpasses were never wasted. I am very thankful for the fastpass system, without it we would not have been able to do as much as we did.

SacTown Chronic
08-11-2003, 11:28 AM
Hey, I tried to give away unused fastpasses but because the time was after the return "window" time, people would just look at me like I was trying to play a joke on them. I would explain that the CM's didn't sweat it if it was after the return time but nobody was buying it.

By the end of the week, I was just throwing them away. What a waste.