Disney's FastPass System

(Short Excerpts From the Book)

What is a FastPass?

     Using FastPasses is a great way for you and your family to ride more rides and not waste so much time in line. A FastPass is a special ticket that you can get for free that guarantees you entrance to the ride much faster than if you were to wait in line. You receive a FastPass by going to special machines located outside each of the rides that offer it. You simply place your Ticket/Park Hopper into the machine and it will print out a special ticket that has the name of the ride on it along with a time range in which you will need to return. The time range is typically an hour and the time to come back can be from 45 minutes to 3 or 4 hours later. During this time, you can grab a meal, ride other rides, shop, or whatever you want. The downside to getting a FastPass is that your time slot could be so far out that you might not be in the park when your time rolls around.

Getting a Second FastPass

     You cannot get multiple FastPasses at the same time.  Each ticket can only get one Fast Pass at a time.  You can however, normally get an additional FastPass before your slotted time on your current FastPass.  An example would be if you get a FastPass at noon that has a time slot of 1:30 to 2:30.  You can't use the FastPass until at least 1:30, but if you read the bottom of the FastPass it will tell you when you can get another FastPass for a different ride.  You could possibly get a FastPass for another ride at 1:00.  If this is the case, get the additional FastPass before you ride your 1:30 ride.  This way while you are riding your first FastPass ride, you are not wasting time.  When you are done with the first ride, you will be closer to the time slot of the second.

Should You Always Use FastPass?

     Should you always use a FastPass? Not necessarily. If the FastPass time is several hours away and you are not sure of what you’ll be doing, don’t get one. If the FastPass return time is an hour away and the line wait time is 20 minutes, you might be better off waiting in line. On some rides the FastPass only gets you up to a pre-show area, which could be another 15 minute wait with everyone that waited in the regular line (only saves you about 10 minutes).

Get a FastPass Before Waiting in Line

     Use a FastPass for rides that are near each other. Two great examples are Rock-N-Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, and Mission Space and Test Track. If the wait in line time is 30 minutes and the FastPass time is good in an hour, get FastPasses to one and then get in line for the other. This way after you ride one ride your FastPass time for the other ride will almost be ready. If used effectively, FastPasses can save you a lot of time.

Rides That Offer FastPasses

Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Philharmagic- Fantasyland
Peter Pan’s Magic Flight- Fantasyland
Winnie the Pooh- Fantasyland
The Haunted Mansion- Liberty Square
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- Frontierland
Splash Mountain- Frontierland
Jungle Cruise- Adventureland
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin- Tomorrowland
Space Mountain- Tomorrowland
Stitch’s Escape- Tomorrowland

EPCOT
Mission Space
Test Track
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Living with the Land
Soarin’
Maelstrom- Norway

MGM Studios
Rock-N-Rollercoaster
Tower of Terror
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Star Tours
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Who wants to be a Millionaire

Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur
Primeval Whirl
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
It’s Tough to Be a Bug

FastPass Rides That Might Not Be Worth It

     As stated before, sometimes it might not be worth getting a FastPass.  On some rides a FastPass will only get you past part of the line and then into a common area.  Below are some of the rides that a FastPass should only be used on if the wait in the Standby Line is considerable.

Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Philharmagic- This will get you into a holding area outside of the theatre.
Stitch’s Escape- Unless the wait is extremely long, don't bother with a FastPass.

EPCOT
Honey I Shrunk the Audience- You get access to a holding area outside of the theatre.

MGM Studios
Tower of Terror- A FastPass ticket will allow you to pass the main line and get into the hotel.  You then are merged with the regular line.  You will still have to wait in a small room and then in long lines to get on the ride.
 

Want More Family Tips and Secrets?  Get our free booklet of Tips for Families when you order our book!

Look in the Booklet  for more Family and Group tips on: How to Make Itineraries How to Cope with Weather Relaxing and Taking it in Magical Gatherings Advice "Take a Break" Rides Preparing Your Children Stroller Advice and Tips Finding the "Magic What Can the Kids Ride? Group Planning More "Child Swap" Tips Tips for Infants

Other Topics That Can Help with Families and Groups:

Character Meeting Tips

General Tips for Groups and Families