Fast pass at Disney/Universal
Does the fast pass help a lot at both Disney/Universal? Do you have to pay for them?
From Kara Ford
Posted March 13, 2007 at 9:33 PM
OK, this is my last question. Does the fast pass help a lot at both Disney/Universal? Do you have to pay for them? Thanks!
Disney is free, but you can only get one for one ride at a time. SOmetimes i wish they had the same deal universal has.
Universal you pay AND it includes all the rides at the park you bought it in. It may a tad bit expensive but well worth it on those hot muggy days that the park is packed.
ACTUALLY, if you stay onsite at Universal you get Free Express with your room key. And not only do you not have to make a "reservation" you can go as many times as you like at any time you like.
yeah thats true...great option there.
The lines would be huge for Universal's fastpasses. Honestly, I am not understanding how that system works "so well"
But then again what do I know?
From Kara Ford
Posted March 14, 2007 at 9:03 AM
So, you guys are thinking it is not worth it? I guess since Disney is free, it may be worth it, but Universal sounds sketchy. Do you all know how much extra they are?
$40/person extra-for one park....i guess its not that worth it after all, unless you stay on site...
I'm pretty sure that different days are different prices at Universal. I'm going to Orlando in April and got 4 fast passes for Universal (IOA) for $15 each for April 16th. I'm also pretty sure they allow you to go on each ride in the fast pass line only once, so if you want to ride the Hulk twice for instance you would have to go into the regular line the second time around. They are park specific as well also so you would have to buy another set if you want to go to both parks. I think the way Disney does it is the best way and cheapest too lol.
Just go to universal's website...get to tickets part...find Express pass plus and it says days and prices.
Universals doesnt sound sketchy...its what you have to do if you want to skip the line. If not, just get there early. The FOTL at the hotels is the best.
And Anthony, Express works so well because it is limited. Its not unlimited and reserved by time like some other parks. The line doesnt have a constant flow of people every five minutes.
but i dont still understand with universal hotels thing how is it that u have a free unlimited pass on rides?
When you stay onsite, they let your room key be your "fastpass". You dont have to swipe it in a machine, you just show it to them and go.
but still u can get on more than one ride?
I will admit Erik that its a great perk at Unversal hotels (I mean they can't offer bus service like Disney!). I just do not see how that is considered limited when you can jump the line whenever you feel like it. Disney spaces people "jumping line" and keeps it fair by keeping it first come, first served a fastpass. Maybe I am just not getting the Universal one.
The only bone I gotta pick with the Unversal one is that it costs money.
To answer the question (at least from my side), Fastpasses at Disney are worth it. Just make sure that you have a plan when getting fastpasses and that you space out your time well. Probably the best idea for you would to stay at a Universal resort and get the free express passes and then go to Disney World and get the always free Disney Fastpasses. That might work for you!
yea disney does make sure everyone is fair with getting on rides.did they make that special to have more ppl on there property idk,but i would hate to see that ppl on property get to on any ride they want any time.Them again during year of million dreams ppl are awarded with fastpass badges.
Well, the thing with the passes at Universal is that the rides don't often take you DIRECTLY to the ride itself. There is still some waiting you have to do. Universal's passes are more like a.. shortcut, if you will. Ten minutes is generally your maximum waiting time when you have a pass or any equivilant (like the on-site hotel offers).
To be honest, I'm not sure how that stacks up to Disney's version, because I haven't been to a Disney park since GradNight '04. XD
From Karin S
Posted March 15, 2007 at 6:55 AM
Sometimes Fastpasses are the ONLY way to get on rides without waiting for hours. The wait time for Soarin' is always crazy. This past Tuesday, we got the Fastpass at 10:00 am - the return time on the pass was for 6:45 - 7:45 pm.
I know why fastpasses get crazy when I am there. If you haven't realized already, Disney gets alot of youth groups especially foreign groups. Thier tour guide takes all their 100 or so tickets, parks himself or herself in front of the booth and takes alot of fastpasses. It kinda shoots the time up quite quickly!
Oh heck no...i cant believe i didnt think of the tour guides doing that.Duh... No wonder i have yet to get on soarin. Looks like i'm gonna have to be the first person in that park the day i go....
My advice:
Make a B line right to Soarin when you get there! Then make reservations for dinner/lunch.
While that remains a big problem, its not the sole reason why Soarin is always crowded. Its very very slow loading which I think is a little strange, but it takes a good ten to fifteen minutes to get on the ride even in the fastpass line! The ride is about 4 minutes long. All that time for a 4 minute attaction?
Its defiantly a great addition to EPCOT and worth going on, but it takes so long! Its really good! Something for every age on this attraction!
From Gareth H
Posted March 15, 2007 at 11:17 PM
I've never had to more than 20 minutes for Soarin, even with one screen down (They have 2)
Great ride, worth the wait!!
With or without fastpasses?
If without, I need to go to Disney World with you!
thats why when i go this summer i'll make sure i get up early and get to the parks as soon as they open,even when animal kingdom first open it's gates i'm heading right to asia to ride everest bc many ppl stand in that line for a while even with fastpass.
I'll also make sure that when epcot opens i'll go for soarin.last time i went i didn't have time to ride it bc of the lines.
From Gareth H
Posted March 16, 2007 at 9:13 AM
Anthony, without fastpass, i went later in the evening, around 7pm. You find a lot of people are in the world expo at that time finding a spot for the fireworks and eating at the restaurants!
The test track queues also die at this time because of the same reason!
Gareth, I tried waiting till the end of the day In EPCOT to ride soarin but the line was so long they closed it because it would take until past closing time to ride. So, that doesnt always work. I think the best way to do it is just to be the first ones there in the morning.
From Gareth H
Posted March 16, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Always a good option, either way, its a great addition to the park, well worth the wait!
Thats very intersting! I never realized that and I have been going to EPCOT all these years and never knew about it!
You also claimed that you did all the parks in one day? Did you ever write a report about it?
Anthony, soarin has been in EPCOT for only about 2 years...if that long. So dont worry, you havent been missing it too long. I Have been to all four parks in one day too. Trust me, the only way to get that done is to start in Animal kingdom and get there at least an hour before the park opens(since it closes first) and if you are not alone, then you have to be with people that want to strictly go on only the major rides at each park and absolutely no shopping in between. Trust me, it can be done.
Yeah. It can be done, but why rush yourself? :P
Universal has just announced something they are trying for the Spring Break season. A one ride express pass for 5 dollars, and a three ride express for 10. If it works out well enough they just may keep it, though no plans are known at this time.
From Gareth H
Posted March 17, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Do I detect a sarcastic tone there Anthony?
Yes I did make all the parks in 1 day!
No I didn't end up writing a report. Why?
Because it would have been so long and boring I dount many people would have sat in front of their PC's long enough to read it all..
Its a disney thing G. They love the reports of every painfully excruciating detail. I saw a report on another board once that had a lady going on and on for 5 pages...5....about her stuffed animals, and pictures of them from every possible angle...in her car on the ride to MK. I dont get it, but disney folk love them some trip reports.
oh Erik you got me rollin on the ground with that last response. I needed that laugh, thank you. :-)
The real funny thing is...I'm not joking. Try the Disboards
Considering that the actual Express Passes go for 25 to ride all the rides atleast once, I'd imagine that offer'd be targetted towards the people that really want to go on specific rides.. so much they wouldn't fork out the actual twenty five or so (not completely sure on those numbers, too tired to care) to get shotcutted through all the rides once.
The thing that I really hate about Universal...and yes I will gripe Anthony....they dont have a set price on Express. It all goes on how busy they are. On a slower day you can get it for as little as 5 bucks, on the really busy days you go as high as 60. Its really insane.
From Gareth H
Posted March 18, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Well I will summarise just for you Anthony.
My weekend trip to Disney, including all parks in 1 day was fantastic.
Customer service well exceeded expectations and Universal could really do with taking a note of Disneys outstanding customer service through out the parks.
The rides were all good, especially Everest and Soarin. Mission Space is a bigger version of a ride I went on in Brighton, England (That was a 2 seater, designed by Nasa, plagued by Breakdowns and the ride itself lasted 4 weeks before it was sent back to its maker) but it is still a clever ride..
Test track is great, a re-theme would be good in a couple of years time.
DINOSAUR in AK is brilliant, but that park, compared to Busch Gardens, still lacks a lot. (It is still a new park though so expansion is inevitable).
MGM is actually quite a boring park. Apart from 2 rides (Tower and Rock'n) I really lost interest in it. I will say that the new stunt show was closed this weekend so that may have helped if it was open.
EPCOT, as I said, a couple of good rides. A few older rides here quite entertaining. World areas OK. But too small to really elaborate on any cultares!
MK, you know, its great the first time, maybe the second, but because its so busy all the time it can get quite boring. Even for kids its tough as there's so much to do, but kids don't want to be there from 9am until 10pm or later, being dragged on every ride due to time constraints!!
OVERALL, great parks, lots to do BUT all the decent stuff's spread out over 4 parks. Its like a compilation CD when it has a lot of fillers you don't want to hear!
Customer service is the best. Far exceeds anything anywhere else.
Transportation is brilliant. got to ride the front of the Monorail without asking.
Food, same as other parks. Nothing special but a good selection. The exception is Epcot where you can choose from many countries cuisines.
Overall, 4 out of 5..
From Kara Ford
Posted March 18, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Gareth, What did you think about Universal and IOA?
I would read about your trip! I am just interested!
I have been on Soarin many times, just never without fastpasses!
without an fastpass i wasn't able to ride soarin
From Gareth H
Posted March 19, 2007 at 2:08 PM
Maybe I was just lucky, but it really is a fantastic ride.
Regarding Universal & IOA??..
Love em both, my favourites...
Oh, btw, 80 minute queue for Duelling Dragons yesterday (Sunday)... I have NEVER seen the queue that long before. Apparently all the coaster trains were on as well...
80 MINUTES??? ARE YOU KIDDING? That is just insane.
From Kara Ford
Posted March 19, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Was that 80 minutes with the express pass or without? I am hoping without.
From Karin S
Posted March 19, 2007 at 4:25 PM
I was told by a Disney rep the other day it seems Spring Break started early this year. She said it's been incredibly busy since the beginning of March and expects it to continue until the end of April. Get those Fastpasses, folks!
From Gareth H
Posted March 20, 2007 at 2:27 PM
80 minutes without, obviosuly. Ridiculous time, the highest I've ever seen for DD..
wow!! 80 mins i never had to stay that long in any ride
From Kara Ford
Posted March 20, 2007 at 3:31 PM
I think I will be getting those fast passes!
LOL
Oh yes Kara, you definatly need fastpasses or express passes if you want to keep your sanity! Speaking from Disney World, I wouldn't be able to go on Splash Mountain, Everest, Soarin, or Test Track without this!
If you've never had to wait 80 mins for any ride Javion, then you havent been to disney any time lately. :)
From Gareth H
Posted March 21, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Yeah, especially in the summer. Disney gets very hectic then.. Space Mountain is always around the 90 minute wait mark in the busy periods!
Point is that you can do Universal without express during a normal day...its very hard to do it at disney. During the busy season, its hard to do it at Universal and impossible to do it disney without express/fastpass.
It does serve a purpose, but without it, things would go a lot faster.
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