Fast Pass

[snoozn]

What are fastpasses and how do they work? Haven't been to DL in 11 years, so they are new to me.

 

[tinagirl]

Basically, when you get your park ticket for the day, hold onto it tightly. To use fast pass, you need to go to the Fast Pass machine near the ride that you want (Say splash mountain, so that you don't have to wait in that killer line during summer). The Fastpass stations are almost always adjacent to the entrance to the ride (except Splash Mountain which is to the side a bit) so just head to the ride and if you don't see the machine ask a CM.

Now it's time to pull out your handy park passport (ticket) that you used for admission. Stick it in a machine, barcode side up (there's a diagram on it, in case you forget) and the light will turn green and will pop out a Fast Pass for you. (Don't forget to take your park passport again after you get your FP.)

The Fast Pass will have a designated time frame on it, usually an hour. (For example, Return between 4:45 & 5:45) When you come back to the ride at that time, simply show your FP and you will go in a special line which will have less than a 20 minute wait (Fastpass should never have more than that, but it is almost always less than that (barring ride breakdowns or something of the sort) - usually about 3 - 5 minute wait.

The Fast Pass line never gets too crowded, as the time frame is constantly shifting. For example if you go to a ride and get a FP first thing in the morning, the first set of people (varies by ride) will have one saying 9:00 - 10:00, then the next set of people will have one saying 9:05 - 10:05, then on to 9:10 - 10:10. For some rides (i.e Splash) it goes really fast and for others (HM and Pirates) it goes rather slow, as it is based on the # of fastpasses given out to that point.

Once you have a fastpass, you need to either wait 2 hours or use the pass before you can get another one (but if you are going soon, it seems as though HM & pirates ones are allowing you to have one sooner, but it may change soon, and it isn't official). You can have one pass going at both parks at the same time so if you can hop and feel really energetic, you can do that too.

What to do while waiting for a FP time to roll around if it is close to the time you get it? Eat, Shop, Take Photos...just have fun while the other folks wait...or go to rides which don't have any FP's.

I hope this fairly LONG oration helps, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

All my best
~Tina

 

[snoozn]

Thanks! That was very helpful. That is a great feature. I was wondering how it would be waiting in l-o-n-g lines in the heat with two kids!