On this topic, site that must not be named just published an article saying that Standby Passes are only active during certain times of the day, although it's usually only the first hour of the day or last two hours before closing when they're not active and standby lines return. Only exception is Soaring, which is 100% standby pass-only.
but let me tell you this, and heres my overall thoughts about standby pass, When the first phase of standby pass began on october only few attractions were implemented and yes, Its mainly for rope drop guests if you want to ride the most popular rides(soaring and TSM).
Yes the system is convenient IF the daily rate of guests are low, ITS FUN IF you got the opening tickets, and if you indeed got the opening pass, You get a standby pass for soaring for 30 mins prior to opening of TDS with a wait time of 5 mins to 15 mins if you reserve fast enough, me and my partner managed to snagged and wait only for 5 minutes, and the weird thing is that when people were trying to fall in line for standby pass attractions, They didnt know about the new system, about lets say 92% or so guests didnt knew about the system, Especially the foreigners, I saw some of them trying to queue for toy story mania and they surprised when they were asked for a standby pass and at that time Toy story mania and Soaring had ran out of Reservation pass.
About our experience using the pass, TDS didnt had any entertainment offerings besides greeting shows and fireworks which are very short, We have managed to move around the park for only 6 hours, We had done everything from rides to an hour lunch time, But then again I realized that before the new system were introduced it was normal for guests to wait for hours to get into a ride, or watch a show and consume all day to do so much things as much as possible, but you cant finished all of them even with regular fastpass.
But with standby pass yes its fast its convenient, But It kinda feels sad and lonely if there are no entertainment offerings or meet and greets, Imagine going to a beautiful disney park you want to meet your favorite characters, I mean its normal to see them for free without any hassles, But in TDR You have to win a lottery in order to see them in person.
I feel like TDR/OLC are neglecting so much out of their annual pass holders, That when you think about it , You loose that spark of excitement and JOY when youre visiting a DISNEY park. If you look at OSAKA USJ They offer so much for there annual passholders and regular TDR fans envy the USJ fans because of the offerings that they give to their costumers and annual passholders.
And one more thing if you dont have a Disneyresort app or dont have a smartphone ask a cast member to imprint you a standby pass,
They will help you obtain Lottery pass and Standby pass for attractions just show them your QR code passport and they will help you get it.
