The SINGLE RIDER LINE -- ask the Cast Members you see on the outside part of the queue.  A single rider line means your party will be separated,but you will bypass the inside queue and waiting time. You will be loaded in vehicles as single spaces become available. You still see the Preshow.

Have you used FASTPASS?  AllEars® readers highly recommend using FASTPASS!

What is FASTPASS??

FASTPASS is Disney's innovative system to help reduce long waits at popular attractions. It was introduced in 1999 and has been very successful.

Can Anyone Take Advantage of FASTPASS?

Absolutely! Any park guest can use FASTPASS. You do NOT have to have any special tickets or be staying at a Disney resort hotel. FASTPASS is available to EVERYONE.

How Much Does FASTPASS Cost?

FASTPASS is included in your admission to the park. There is NO extra charge to use the system.

How does it Work?

When you approach a FASTPASS Attraction you will see 2 clocks. The first one will tell you how long the STAND BY ENTRANCE wait time is, if you got in line right then. The other clock, FASTPASS DISTRIBUTION, tells you what time you should return if you got a FASTPASS ticket now.

Go to the FASTPASS ticket machine and insert your admission ticket. EACH PERSON NEEDS A FASTPASS TICKET! Out comes your FASTPASS indicating what time frame you may return to the attraction. You are given a time frame, or "window," and may return during that period. Note that for some attractions, like Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Epcot) and the Little Mermaid Show (Disney MGM-Studios), there is only a 10-15 minute window.

Once your FASTPASS time has arrived, return to the attraction and get in the line for FASTPASS holders (FASTPASS RETURN)! Be sure to have your ticket out and ready to show the Cast Member. Further along in the waiting area, a Cast Member will actually take your FASTPASS ticket.

Even if you only want to see the Pre-Show and have no intentions of getting on the ride/attraction -- if you want to go with your party through the FASTPASS line you WILL need a FASTPASS!

Persons doing the Child Swap -- Each of you and your child NEEDS a FASTPASS ticket! EXCEPTION:  If you child is under 3 and was admitted to the park for free, you do not need a FASTPASS ticket for them.

I'm a Cast Member, how do I get a FASTPASS since my admission ticket is my identification card? Also, how will my spouse using a Complimentary Pass be issued a FASTPASS?

Cast Member IDs should run through the machines as normal, as long as the Cast Member scanned their ID through the machine at entry. All Cast ID's now operate like Annual Passes, in that the Cast member will need to put there index and middle finger into the biometrics reader just like an annual Passholder.

If there is a problem, show your TDS/ABC/DL ID to the Cast Member at the FastPass machines and they'll give you an override FP. At Disneyland, you can use your ID or Silver Pass right in the machines, but not at WDW.

OK, now technically speaking, how does it work?

FASTPASS is essentially a "virtual" queuing system - guests who obtain a FASTPASS are entered into a virtual queue in the computer which saves their space in line and then (based upon how many guests are in front of them in the virtual queue) calculates the time it would take to come to the front of the line - this becomes their return time.

What about Peak Attendance times? Are the waits longer? Does FASTPASS still work?

If the FASTPASS system works the way it should, wait times to board attractions after returning with FASTPASS should usually be under 5 minutes, but not exceed 10 minutes (unless there was a recent attraction downtime or other unusual situation).

The FASTPASS wait time should not be any longer during peak periods, because the computerized system automatically spreads the FASTPASS guests evenly throughout the day regardless of attendance level. The only thing different during peak periods is that since FASTPASS demand is higher the return time (assigned time to come back) will be longer.

Therefore, during peak periods when there are more guests in the virtual queue the return time gets extended further out into the day. For most attractions the return time is usually between 40 and 90 minutes and rarely extends beyond 2 hours. The exception is Test Track at Epcot, which, because of high demand and lower ride capacity, will sometimes have a return time as far as 6 hours out.

Are there cast members at the FASTPASS machines to handle questions, problems, etc.?

Yes, Cast Members are usually located near the FASTPASS machines to assist you with questions or problems.

 

Can one member of a family get FASTPASSs by carrying everyone's admission tickets for the whole family and running them through the machine or does everyone have to go through the line w/their admissions tickets in order to get their FASTPASS ?

Everyone does not have to go to the FASTPASS machine. However, before you separate from your family/party, be sure to get each person's admission ticket (or resort ID which sometimes includes Park Admission). You can only get ONE FASTPASS per card and EACH person needs one.

My child is 2 years old and won't require an admission ticket.  Does she still need a FASTPASS ticket? 

No, children who do not require admission media would just enter with the accompanying adult at the appropriate time. There should also always be an attendant nearby the FASTPASS machines if there is any question.

What happens if the ride breaks down or goes off-line?

If this happens, the system should stop issuing tickets. You will have the opportunity to use the FASTPASS you acquired anytime during the rest of that day, once the attraction is operating normally again.

Can I request a specific time to return?

No, you can not request a specific return time. The times are all computerized and you will only be allowed to enter the FASTPASS line during the time stated on your FASTPASS ticket.

If the FASTPASS says 1:00 - 2:00 can it be used after 2:00 or does it expire?

Theoretically, the FASTPASS expires, unless the attraction has gone down for an extended period of time. But frequently Cast Members allow you to use "expired" FASTPASSes.

 

If the FASTPASS says 1:00 - 2:00 can I get a second FASTPASS  at 1:01?

Yes. You can get another FASTPASS as soon your "window for entering the FASTPASS line" begins.

You can get a new FASTPASS up to two hours from the time you actually got your FastPass (it will never be longer than two hours, but can be shorter if it has been programmed into the FP computers to be shorter than 2 hours.)

In all cases the time you can get another FastPass is always printed on all FastPasses (if you received an Overridden FastPass because there was a problem with your admission ticket, it will not show a time).

Can I have multiple FASTPASS tickets at one time?

In certain cases, as explained above.

Let's say I have a FASTPASS for the Safaris at 10 a.m. I ride at 10 a.m., exit at 10:30 and then walk over to Kali River Rapids before 11 a.m. Can I get a new FASTPASS for Kali River Rapids?

Yes, the machine will issue you a new pass.
 

If I have a FASTPASS for Space Mountain for 1:00 to 2:00. Can I ride Space Mountain as many times as I want using FASTPASS in between those hours?

No, you can only ride it once per FASTPASS. A Cast Member will take your FastPass ticket once you are in the queue for the attraction.

Are there FASTPASS machines at other locations in the parks?

The FASTPASS machines for each attraction are only located at that attraction.

What attractions are FASTPASS Attractions?

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Dinosaur - DinoLand USA
Expedition Everest - Asia - FASTPASS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Kali River Rapids - Asia
Kilimanjaro Safaris - Africa
It's Tough to Be a Bug - Tree of Life
Primeval Whirl - Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama

MAGIC KINGDOM  FASTPASS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL AVAILABLE MAGIC KINGDOM ATTRACTIONS

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Frontierland
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Tomorrowland
Jungle Cruise - Adventureland
Mickey's PhilharMagic - Fantasyland
Peter Pan's Magic Flight - Fantasyland
Space Mountain - Tomorrowland
Splash Mountain - Frontierland
Winnie the Pooh - Fantasyland

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Rock N Roller Coaster - FASTPASS RECOMMENDED
Star Tours
Tower of Terror - FASTPASS RECOMMENDED
Voyage of The Little Mermaid

EPCOT

Soarin' - FASTPASS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Test Track - FASTPASS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Living with the Land
The Maelstrom
Mission: SPACE - FASTPASS RECOMMENDED

How will I know for sure what attractions are FASTPASS attractions?

The Park Guide Maps will indicate which attractions are FASTPASS attractions. You can also ask any Cast Member or inquire at Guest Services in your Disney resort hotel.

Do I have to wait at all if I have a FASTPASS?

Yes, FASTPASS ticket holders may have to wait in line for the attraction. The key is, you won't have to wait AS LONG as if you stood in the regular line. (See explanation above regarding Peak Attendance times.)

Are FASTPASS Tickets issued during the entire time the park is open?

No, FASTPASS tickets are not issued all day long. Often the FASTPASS ticket machines may be shut down a couple hours before closing time. During off-peak times, FASTPASS will often be shut down when the standby wait time is under 30 minutes. Also when all available return times have been issued, FASTPASS is closed for the rest of the day. At some popular attractions, this can happen as early as 1 p.m. Keep in mind that technical problems can close the FASTPASS system just as they do the attractions themselves.

What happens if I get a FASTPASS and the time stated is not good, like at the same time as a priority seating for a meal? Can I cancel it so that it won't ruin my ability to get another FASTPASS at another attraction?

No, you can't turn it in, so to speak. You will be able to find out what times are being given out when you approach the FASTPASS Machines. They are indicated on the signs above the machines. If you can't tell, be sure and ask a Cast Member prior to getting your ticket. When in doubt, ask the FASTPASS Cast Member.

I will be using an old Admission Ticket, the kind that is manually date stamped without a magnetic strip. How do I get a FASTPASS ticket?

Show your admissions ticket to the Cast Member at the FASTPASS machines and they will print out a FASTPASS ticket for you.

What have Guests said about FASTPASS?

Fast pass was the best thing Disney has come up with -- it was great getting a set time for coming back-then being able to see other things waiting for that time to come around. (Karen)

*****

Yes, the Fast Pass at Disney seems to work fine on must rides...as long as you get them before about lunchtime. Otherwise all the time slots are already allocated and you could find yourself having to wait about 4 hours for your slot (Particularly on Test Track. I got my fast pass on this ride at 10.30am and was allocated a time to return at 9.55pm!!) I used the fast pass system last year and found that I didn't have to queue for anything even during the busiest periods. This year people seem to know more about it and so it isn't quite as good. Unbelievably though, many people still line up for about 2 hours convinced that you have to pay extra for the passes. (Phil Tomlinson)

 
*****

I have a couple of suggestions that I want to pass along about FASTPASS. You may want to suggest that people coming to WDW think about how they are going to carry their park admission ticket. With the FASTPASS system, people may need to get out their ticket several times a day while in the park to get a FASTPASS. It was frustrating to stand behind people in the FASTPASS machine line who could not find their park pass! Also, people need to remember to get both their ticket and FASTPASS back out of the machine. We saw someone leave their park admission ticket behind! We carried a thin waterproof ID wallet in our front pockets and it worked out great. It helped to keep our tickets dry and easy to find. We just put the FASTPASSs and admission ticket together in the ID wallet. It was quick to find when we needed it and the ticket stayed dry and did not get bent.

We have mixed feelings about the FASTPASS system. When you get to a ride that has FASTPASS and look at the two clocks remember that the standby line time is an ESTIMATE of how much time you will need to wait to ride. We found that on some rides the time was way off and the line was much shorter that the clock said. We also found that on some rides the standby time estimate was to short because a lot of fast pass riders came in and their line backed up. The CM let the FASTPASS riders on and left us standing in line even longer when this happened. It was frustrating to be in the standby line for longer than the time estimate said on the clock and have the FASTPASS riders cut in front of you. FASTPASS made it hard to predict how long the wait for a ride would REALLY be.

We found that FASTPASS changed the way we toured the parks. We went to the ride in each park that we really wanted first. If the stand by line was not very long we would get a FASTPASS first and then get in the standby line and ride it. By the time we got through riding it would be time for our FASTPASS. This let us ride 2 times in a row early in the day. FASTPASS did not work as well for us as the parks got more crowded. We would get a FASTPASS when we could for a ride, but the return times were usually a couple hours away. We found ourselves waiting around for a FASTPASS time to come up rather than moving to a different area of the park or walking more to go back to a ride that we were holding a FASTPASS for. I'm not sure if the this system is worth it. Maybe it was better when everyone had equal rights in line? (Julie)

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FASTPASS may also be used to your advantage if you really like a particular ride and want to ride twice in a row. Having ridden Test Track earlier in our trip and seeing how crowded it was all day, we decided to try to ride it twice in a row on our next visit to Epcot. We got to the park early enough that the regular line was not very long. Seeing that, we got our FASTPASS tickets and then got in the regular line. After a pretty reasonable wait, considering that they were having "technical difficulties" with the ride, we had our turn on Test Track. As soon as the ride was over, we went to the FASTPASS return line ( our FASTPASS time window opened while we were in the regular line ), and got right back on. - (Willie Geoghegan)

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We were at WDW over the Easter holiday and successfully used FASTPASS in each of the theme parks. First thing upon early entry we would go get a FASTPASS for the ride we most wanted to go on. We would then go do other rides and/or shows and wait for our time. Most of the lines for FASTPASS moved quickly with the exception of Test Track which probably took over 30 minutes. Overall, the FASTPASS works very well and we would recommend using it whenever possible. (Richard Wolff) 

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The FASTPASS works great. We never had to wait in line. When we wanted to ride things the kids could not ride we did not feel that we invested much time away from things they could do. We just got our fast pass for the roller coasters while one of us was with them in a show and then rode them quickly later. A good idea is to get the fast passes as soon as you enter the park. After 2:00 they seem to say times after 5 or even 7! Always check the standby lines even if the wait times say 45 min. it could be only 5. We had this happen late afternoon and evening. The times take into account the fastpass's that have been given out. A lot of the time people have already left the park or decided not to ride. We were told a 90 min. wait for test track one evening and only waited 5 min. We tried to tell the cast member that they had to be wrong by looking at the ride, but they must have strict orders not to guess and stay with the project times on the sign. I hope this may help someone. (Roxanne)