Fast Passes, yeah no nay?

[subsonic]

I believe that technically you are only supposed to be able to go to the front of the line once per day per attraction, but I've not seen that enforced. I haven't been in a while, so that might be different now.

The "paid" VIP is supposed to be one used once per attraction while Hotel guests is unlimited. We stayed at their cheap hotel, it was well worth the money. The hotel was very nice.

[davyjones]

I think FastPasses have turned Disneyland into an amusement park rather than a theme park. Being fully immersed in a particular area (which is filled with related attractions and shops and architecture and show elements) has been reduced or removed. The system obviously works if you are running from one thrill to the next, but I don't think that's the point really. I think Disneyland was intended to have loftier goals than that. I think it reduces the quality of time you spend and increases the quantity . And as the old saying goes...

As an example, I'll use DL's Splash Mountain. (I'd love to use Indy's, but I know that's a little unfair, as it has to be one of the greatest queues ever built, and no one should miss it or rush through.) Anyway, if the line starts somewhere near the drop/briar patch, there's an instant sense of excitement and anticipation for what's to come. YOU will be flying down that drop soon. One could argue that you don't need to be standing in line to experience that, which is true, but walking by it because you're five minutes from your 'window' does not hold the same quality of enjoyment. So as you meander down the path to the barn entrance, you catch snatches of music and animal sounds (even animals that talk!). The music pieces are instrumental versions of songs you hear inside the mountain, as if the mountain is whistling its own tune. And the animals you hear talking clue you in to the fact that this isn't an ordinary mountain, but one that's filled with something special, something magical. Once inside the barn you hear more pieces of music, and now that its familiar, you find yourself humming along. You and the mountain have bonded through song. Even the signs along the way, which you've had time to read to yourself or to your family, display the mountain's philosophies, its heart and soul (but maybe not the "You may get wet" ones). You are learning a little more with every step. And now that you are a part of it, you enter the mountain itself. Once you've reached the loading station, you're ready for your journey. And you wouldn't be if you hadn't listened to the birds, hummed the songs, and learned to care what the mountain has to share through music and laughter.

With a FastPass in hand, I think you miss out on all of this. I truly do.

But, hey, that's just me. Based on all the other comments, I know I'm seriously in the minority. And that's okay. I did enjoy reading everyone's reasons.

[Captain Schnemo]

The "paid" VIP is supposed to be one used once per attraction while Hotel guests is unlimited. We stayed at their cheap hotel, it was well worth the money. The hotel was very nice.

Ah, OK, that explains the difference. Thanks. Ever since they created that benny, I've stayed onsite. Their "cheap" hotel is actually my favorite of the three. Walking downstairs barefoot to pick up some sushi and bring it back to the room is badass.

I did have a few issues with the way it was described in the promotional material (I went shortly after it opened) vs. what was actually there, but the atmosphere is great, the pool is very nice, and it's a short walk to IOA. Can't beat that.

(Well, OK, I timed it as six minutes from my room in the Hard Rock to sitting in a car on the Hulk coaster, so the HR has them beat on location...but not by a lot.)

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled Disney discussion...

[HSolo29]

I'm torn on this question and I can't answer one way or the other. I've had both good and bad experiences with FastPass in the past.

It's a wonderful thing to be able to just get a ticket and bypass the entire queue, but then again, it causes a nightmare for those who are stuck waiting in said queue - especially when the FastPasses have run out for that attraction for the day. I had a bad experience with this problem on Rock n Roller Coaster on my last trip. It was during the Extra Magic Hours and the FastPasses were out for the night. It got to the point where they were only taking the FastPass line and the stand-by line wasn't moving at all. I think in all, we stood there for over an hour until we finally got into the building. Needless to say, there were many disgruntled guests and impatient kids.

So, I guess it works both ways but once you hit a bad experience, it really changes your opinion of it.

[Magique]

They used to allow unlimited fastpasses if you used AAA and stayed in the Disneyland Hotel, but I recently went there and found out they don't do that anymore.

[abrcrmbegrl20]

I like using fastpasses. Esp. for Splash Mountain and a few others that are above a two hour wait and you are standing in the sun dying.

[js3901]

I like using fastpasses. Esp. for Splash Mountain and a few others that are above a two hour wait and you are standing in the sun dying.

I agree. not really fun to be in the sun for that long, even in the middle of winter down in FL. back of the neck can get a bit on the red side...

[spaulo]

They used to allow unlimited fastpasses if you used AAA and stayed in the Disneyland Hotel, but I recently went there and found out they don't do that anymore.

Man those AAA Fastpasses were great... I would hold the entire family's allotment of park passes and grab FPs no matter when we passed an attraction. Actually came home with 25+ unused FPs from our last trip.

And I'm probably why the system was shuttered. Well, not just me, but people like me. Sorry 'bout that. My bad.

[AJBARTH]

You have to use this great idea to take full advantage of the more popular rides and if you do it right, you can ride one ride after another without too much waiting and hassel. But make a plan and follow it.

[tmptnr]

I really like how you can use the fast fasses any time after the first time given on your FP until the park closes. So there is no rush.

[sandicinderelli]

I like the fast passes. Just the simple fact that you are able to get a "reservation" on a ride while doing another one is the greatest thing ever. And FPs are free at Disney, which is extra icing on the cake. I'll admit, you kinda have to be creative on how you will fill in the time, but even that is fun.

[Joe90]

Normal line or Fastpass the rides can only take so many people in a day.

I tend to use them on the rides with the less interesting wait areas (eg Buzz Lightyear and Soarin')

Fast passes are there to get us out of the line and back into the parks to spend our hard earned Disney Dollars. Fine by me