I don’t remember when Disney starting using the FastPass, but it is one of the best theme park ideas ever!
Here is a brief description of the FastPass from the Disney website.
Disney’s FASTPASS® Service
The complimentary Disney’s FASTPASS Service allows you to enjoy the rest of the Theme Parks while Disney’s FASTPASS Service saves your place in line for an attraction.
To Use Disney’s FASTPASS Service:
- Look for the Disney’s FASTPASS Service distribution area near the entrance of an attraction.
- Check the Disney’s FASTPASS Service “Return Time” display to learn the span of time during which you can explore the Theme Parks before returning to experience an attraction.
- If the Return Time is sufficient for your plans, just insert your Walt Disney World Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport into the Disney’s FASTPASS Service machine.
- A Disney’s FASTPASS Service ticket will emerge with your Return Time printed on it. Now you’re free to go and enjoy the rest of the Theme Park.
- Go back to the Disney’s FASTPASS Service “return” queue when your printed return time rolls around, show your Disney’s FASTPASS Service ticket to the Cast Member at the entrance, and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.
Here are a few FastPass tips I have learned of my last several visits.
- Getting a pass takes hours off your wait times. For rides with notoriously long waits, like Space Mountain, Toy Story Mania and Peter Pan, getting a pass means the difference between waiting 10 minutes or an hour and ten minutes.
- All members of your party do not need to be present when getting the pass, but you do need to have their tickets, passport, or keycard for each FastPass.
- When getting a pass you cannot pick your return time, whatever the clock shows is what you get. While you cannot return before your time you can return after your time as passed and still get in the FastPass line.
- Once you get a FastPass you cannot get another FastPass for a different ride for a specific amount of time. This time will be printed on your pass and is not the same as your return time for the ride. Basically this means you can’t run through the park getting FastPasses for every ride in the first hour. You have to stagger your passes throughout the day.
- Finally, don’t wait too long to get a FastPass for an attraction you really want to ride. When we were at Epcot the FastPass for Soarin’ stopped distributing for the day at around 3 pm even though the park was open until 9pm. You can still ride, you will just have to wait with everyone else.
You’ll want a FastPass for Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios.
