Do I really need to run to Toy Story? About This Page:

[elbug10]

Hey, all. Forgive me if this has been asked and answered before. I haven't been to WDW since 2007 and I've never been on Toy Story Midway Mania. I've been hearing on other websites/podcasts that you NEED to get to Disney's Hollywood Studios at rope drop and then run to Toy Story Midway Mania full-tilt to get the Fastpasses before they're gone, or risk having to wait until very late in the day to ride. Is this really necessary? I'm not a runner and I'm on vacation. I'm traveling solo and will also have a Guest Assistance Card, or whatever they call them now, if that makes any difference (due to vision issues, not mobility issues). I can ride single riders line if they have it. I also don't care about riding the other "big" fp rides at Hollywood Studios, like Rock n Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror. What do you think? How late is too late to get there?

[MelissaL]

If you plan to be at Hollywood Studios all day, you can get a FastPass for several hours after the park opens. They do go quickly, though. We have gotten there within a half hour of opening and seen standby times of 45 minutes and FastPass times starting at noon or 1. If you're able to get back later in the day, a FastPast is your best bet. Good luck!
Melissa

[JKnott17]

You don't need to actually "run" right over to TSMM, actually if you do you will be reprimanded by the CMs. It is more like a brisk walk. If you want to ride without having to wait in a long line I would plan on getting over there as soon as possible to get a fastpass, if not right after rope drop. They do go quickly! We were there just a few weeks ago on a day that was not too crowded. By the time we arrived at the park at 11 AM all of the Fastpasses had been distributed. Peak waiting times that day reached all the way up to the 110 minute mark.

[Angileyze1]

If you have vision issues, You might not get the full impact of the ride anyway since the whole idea of the ride is one big video game. You do not need to break out in a full run. A brist walk is all thats necessary for a fastpass. I usually get fastpasses first, then get in line to ride it and then ride it again with the fastpasses.

[skateycat]

GAC's really are not useful on TSMM from my experience. it has been hit or miss with them the times i have been with another guest who uses one. if you will be in the park all day, then you probably don't have to "run" to get the fp. they DO go very quickly from my observations. you will love it...and, looking forward to seeing you!

[elbug10]

everyone! I thought it would be kind of like the FP's for Soarin': don't really have to get there at the crack of dawn, but earlier is better. I like Buzz, even though I'm not very good at it, so I figure this will be about the same for me, vision-wise. It's fun even if I get a low score. I'm trying very hard not to overplan and just relax and enjoy whatever I get to see this trip. It's my vacation and I want to enjoy it.

[Tabitha34]

I was wondering this same thing and was glad to see that we don't have to "run". One more question about the GAC if anyone knows. We will also be using a GAC but will also have a wheel chair. Is the wheel chair access the same as the standby line or is there a different entrance for wheel chairs?

[mom2twingirlies]

No need to run, but I would definitely head over early.

[chezp]

If you have a Guest Assistance Card, you will have no issues whatsoever. That was a huge help for me (I have chronic fatigue and can't stand for long periods of time), as it meant we didn't have to run to Toy Story Mania and could take our time getting there, rather than have me run and use up all my energy.

[Kristy Lee]

You will love TSMM! It's great, the fast passes do go very quickly though. October of 2010 is when i was there last and I never could get a fast pass... one day I was there before 10 and they were already distributed. Maybe things have died down a little bit. Good luck and hope you have a great time!

[HollyH]

Just an FYI -for someone with vision issues, TSMM is unlike Buzz's Spaceranger Spin in 2 important ways. 1. You'll need to wear 3D glasses to get the effects of the ride and 2. The targets are all on projection screens which you view with the 3D glasses. They are not actual, you-can-touch-them objects. I am not sure what your vision issues are, but this may be important info for you. Being able to do Buzz might not mean you can do TSMM.

If you can (and I hope you can, it's a great ride!), I would get to DHS as close to rope drop as possible and head right to TSMM. No need to actually run, but I wouldn't put it off either.

[MichaelF]

Last week we got to DHS about 20 minutes after park opening and went back to TSM. The standby line was 60 minutes and went clear down to the entrance of Backlot Tour. We waited in that line and it went fairly quick since there was not many FP at that time. The line to get a FP was forever long. I think it went back to the Voyage of the Mermaid entrance. We passed by at 11:00 a.m. and the FP were gone for the day.
We went on TSM a second time about 30 minutes before the park closed and waited less than a half hour.

[saibot0001]

We were at DHS last week too before rope drop. They let us in before park opening and everyone quickly walked to the big hat where we were met with more ropes and 5-7 CM's (maybe a few more...I didn't count). There are ropes that keep people from going down the stairs toward TSMM with CM's standing guard. The ropes remained up blocking entrance to TSMM from stairs until 9:15-9:20am. At 9am, about 6 CM's (maybe more) joined arm to arm and all the people had to follow behind them slowly all the way to TSMM. There was NO RUNNING what soever. The CM's dictated the pace of the crowd. Think of herding cattle (LOL..which I thought it was really pretty clever). The CM's said they had to start doing that b/c too many people were running to TSMM, and falling down the steps and getting hurt. So you don't have to worry about running. We grabbed a FP and got in line. The line was VERY long for both FP's and stand by. The FP's went pretty quick the day we were there too...I think well before noon if I remember correctly.

[Tigger25]

With the popularity of Toy Story Mania....YES....you pretty much have to run. That was the only early day we did our week there b/c of that. FP do go quickly and the standby line goes from 5 mins to 60 mins in a matter of minutes. Crazy I know its still new so people still go crazy. However I will tell you a little secret ....if you are there 1st thing in the morning get your FP and then wait just across from the attraction (there will be a line forming) and Buzz & Woody come out for pictures 1st things in the morning. If you are into getting your picture taken its fun photo opt with the 2 of them together ...good luck.

[elbodans]

like others have said, you actually can't run. but you will walk briskly in a giant group. and yes, you should get there at opening and yes, you should go directly there. i was there for morning EMH last march (also solo) and went directly to the ride. i got a FP first, and then rode. when i returned later in the day (i think my return time was something like 11:00, and i was one of the first people at the machine at 8 am!) i spoke with a girl in line. she arrived at regular park opening--9:00--and the fast passes were already GONE for the day. i'm not sure how or why this is possible, but really, i've never experienced anything like TSMM in all of WDW. even soarin is feasible with a fast passs if you arrive a bit after rope drop.

additionally, even with a fast pass, you'll still wait in line. i waited maybe 20 minutes with my fast pass--longer than i wanted in standby at park opening.

it's kind of crazy.