Copyright by Michelle Jones,editor of BetterBudgeting.com
Well, we finally did it. We took our children to see Disney World, in Orlando, Florida. In fact, we traveled over 2000 miles just to go for one day (don't worry, we spent the rest of the week visiting with family), it was a great trip!
You should have seen the look on the ticket agent's face when he asked how many days we wanted to purchase and we replied "just one." He asked how far we had traveled and that's when his face turned pale, I thought the poor man was going to faint! But after 8 years of postponing to take our kids to Disney World for one reason after another, we were more than delighted to go just one day, and we had a GREAT time.
Of course it did cost a small fortune just to get in the door, but it was all worth it. We made a family dream come true, even on a budget. Although there are no discounts for purchasing a one-day ticket, it still costs a lot less than going for several days, which can run into the thousands for a family of 4. When I was growing up in FL, thirty years ago, Disney was small enough to see in an entire day and all we needed for everything was $20.00!
At the time of this writing, the current admittance price for adults is $46.00 and children (9 and under) are $37.00. We missed our oldest child getting in at the cheaper rate by just 4 months. (Yes, we could have lied and said she was only 9, but we didn't. It would have set a terrible example for our children and that's much more important than saving a few bucks.)
Now, let me get to the main subject of this article, the FASTPASS! Our trip was planned for Christmas week, a very busy time of year for Disney. And for the most part, this is a wonderful idea they have come up with, giving you a FASTPASS ticket for the most popular rides so you don't have to wait in line for hours.
The system is a bit flawed, and there are no instructions anywhere to help you avoid the hassle that you may incur. So that's why I'm writing to let you know what to do in advance.
First, I will tell you what the park guide states. Then, I will explain the other details you need to know before you go. The "All-Parks Guide" reads… "This is the end of long lines. Introducing Disney's FASTPASS guest service. It's like having your own magic wand to take the wait out of waiting in line. It's free. Fast. And easy. Just show your regular admission ticket at the most popular Walt Disney World attractions, and you'll get a designated time to come back later, hop right on, and ride."
In addition, the "Magic Kingdom Guidemap" (that you receive as you enter the park), also states "FASTPASS service is offered at Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. Just insert your Park entrance ticket into the FASTPASS turnstile and receive a designated window of time during which you can return. When it's your time to ride, come back to the FASTPASS return line and hop on the attraction with little or no further wait. IMPORTANT: You must use your current FASTPASS ticket or wait two hours before getting another FASTPASS ticket for a different attraction."
This is great information and seems simple enough. But here's the rest of the details that will really save you hours of frustration and waiting in long lines.
~ The busiest rides may sell out of FASTPASS tickets before the close of the day. This includes Splash Mountain, Winnie The Pooh, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and Space Mountain. So if you want to see these attractions, prioritize which ones you want to see the most, and head straight for the FASTPASS turnstile as soon as you get in the park.
~ The FASTPASS turnstiles are located next to the entrance line of each attraction, and as the guides state, it will be two hours before you can get another one for a different ride. This can be a little confusing at first, so let me explain how this works.
~ When you get your FASTPASS ticket, it will tell you when to return for the ride. These 'time slots' are sold until they are sold out for the day. You do not have to return at an exact time, each time frame lasts for about an hour if my memory serves me correct. Just return to the ride within the designated time frame on your ticket and you will be able to breeze through a special FASTPASS ONLY line with little or no wait.
~ You do not have to use the tickets in order to get another one; the two hours will simply begin at the time your last FASTPASS ticket was issued.
~ Here's the biggest flaw with this system. While you are waiting for your time slot, you can either browse the gift shops, eat some very expensive food (over $3.00 for a single hotdog), or try to see another ride. The later was our first choice. There are many rides to choose from that are not a FASTPASS, but the one we wanted to see the most was Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. The line seemed to be moving pretty well, but wrapped around the side of the attraction so we could not see what was going on up ahead.
Within moments the line came to a dead stop and stayed that way for quite awhile. An hour later, still in line, we snacked on the Nutri-Grain bars I had packed in my purse and tried to wait patiently. Two hours later, as we finally gained entrance to the now infamous 5 minute ride, we discovered what the problem had been.
This was a FASTPASS ride, and on this particular one they were actually holding back ALL of the people in the regular line in order to let the FASTPASS people through! Later we discovered that not all of the rides do this, but my new theory holds true even still...
~ And while waiting for your FASTPASS time slot, either browse the gift shops, eat some expensive food, or see another ride that does NOT offer a FASTPASS. There are many to choose from, and you should have time to see one in-between each of your FASTPASS selections. Have a frugally fun trip, it can be done!
About the author:
Michelle Jones is a frugal mom of 4 and the publishing editor of Living a Better Life, The FREE Money-Saving Tips Ezine. Please visit her at BetterBudgeting.com for a free subscription and bonus gift--Dealing with Debt!
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