Friday, May 1, 2009

Disney FastPass Tips

Tired of standing for 2 hours straight waiting to ride Space/Thunder/Splash Mountains? Wait no more and use a Disney FastPass. An ingenious solution to Disney’s long wait times, FastPass was introduced in 1999 and is offered at the most popular attractions at Disney theme parks to curtail wait times and control crowds. It allows the holder to bypass standby lines and enter rides with little to no wait time. It’s a VERY simple process which is often underused. The following is information on how to use Disney’s FastPass to avoid lengthy wait times and confusion when at Disney theme parks.

For starters, anyone can get a FastPass. There are no age restrictions for FastPasses. All you need to use the FastPass system is your park admission ticket. This is the ticket that is issued to you at the park gates (before riding the ferry or monorail to the Magic Kingdom.)

There is also no charge for using the FastPass system. Leave it to the folks that cornered the market in magic to offer their guests this service for FREE!!! That’s right, a FastPass will cost exactly ZERO dollars and cents as it’s a courtesy that Disney offers!

When arriving at the busier attractions, if the FastPass system is offered for it, you’ll likely see three lines: the FastPass distribution line, the FastPass entrance and the standby entrance. Each line will feature a listed time. The FastPass distribution line will feature a clock displaying what times the FastPass tickets are being issued for; a clock with the current time is displayed outside the FastPass attraction entrance; and lastly, the standby line will display the current wait time without a FastPass.




The FastPass distribution line is where you receive your FastPass. Just walk up to the machine and follow the instructions. Basically, just stick your park admission ticket into the slot as instructed. Make sure everyone in your party gets a FastPass as it’s collected. The machine will return your park admission ticket and issue a second ticket.

This second ticket is your FastPass. It will list a return time for you to return to the attraction. Don’t worry about rushing back or missing your return time. Guests are given a one hour return window to return in so they can enjoy other park features and then return to skip the line. You can only use the FastPass during the listed times.


When it’s your FastPass return time, simply return to the attraction and enter the FastPass line. Make sure everyone in your group has a FastPass as it will be collected by a Disney cast member prior to entering the attraction. There is still the occasional wait, but usually it is no more than 10 minutes.

You are able to get multiple FastPasses however you are limited to the amount you can get. Your next FastPass can be issued at either at the start of the "return time" for your current pass or two hours after your current one was issued.

It’s best to use the FastPass system to your advantage to avoid having to walk the park the multiple times. Ride less congested attractions in corresponding areas while you wait for FastPass return times. This way you can ride more attractions in less time.

Not every attraction will offer a FastPass. Below are the attractions which do.


Magic Kingdom

Discontinued attractions

Epcot

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Discontinued attractions

Disney's Animal Kingdom

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