All Disney parks now operate a FastPass system which is FREE OF CHARGE to use and we highly recommend taking advantage of this.
The more popular attractions have the FastPass option and you will find a list of these in the maps/time booklets you pick up from the park or at local supermarkets or restaurants etc.
How to use them : Each FastPass attraction will have two displays of time, the first an approximate waiting time if you were to enter the attraction right there and then. The second display of time indicates the window of time for a return visit if you were to take advantage of the FastPass. Now you have to make a choice, if the wait is acceptable then go ahead and enjoy the attraction. If the wait is longer than you feel you want to wait, then go to the FastPass machines and insert your park admission ticket into the machine and receive a FastPass coupon with a time range to return. Most give you about a half hour slot to return but more popular attractions only give 15mins. Most of the machines are near the entrance and easy to spot, there is usually a Cast Member around if you get confused or into difficulties.
Unfortunately, you are not be able to request a specific time. The time you are assigned and is printed on your FastPass coupon is the time you will be admitted to the FastPass line for that attraction. Go to the FastPass queue at your allocated time and you generally only have a 5 minute wait at best and you pass by all the poor people in the normal queue! Funnily enough, they never wave to you as you breeze passed! Each FastPass coupon equals one admission to that attraction so each member of your family must get one if you are going to ride together. Your FastPass will be collected as you enter the attraction so have it ready to pass to the Cast Member. (If an attraction breaks down during the time you were to return you will be admitted to the FastPass line anytime later on during the day once the attraction is back up and running).
Your FastPass expires after the time printed on your FastPass coupon. For example, if your coupon states a return time of between 1:00pm and 2:00pm and you arrive at 2:10pm you will not be admitted to the FastPass line.
The computer system has recently been upgraded to allow guests to be issued a second ticket within 45 minutes of the first one depending on guest demand. It is now possible for a guest to be issued two FastPass tickets within the space of an hour and attend both rides within that timeframe. Apparently, processing power prevented the previous system from keeping track of what tickets had been already used.
You really have to take advantage of this system and this will ensure you enjoy all the rides you want to during the day. However, if the parks are quiet, the FastPass option does not operate, so if there are no FastPass times showing, this indicates you have picked a nice quiet day to visit!
What attractions are using FastPass?
Animal Kingdom
- Dinosaur
- Kali River Rapids
- Kilimajaro Safaris
- It's Tough to be a Bug
- Primeval Whirl
Disney Hollywood Studios
- Rock 'N' Roller Coaster
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Star Tours
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
- Muppet Vision 3-D
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play It!
Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Jungle Cruise
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Haunted Mansion
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Philharmagic
Epcot
- Test Track
- Honey I Shrunk the Audience
- Living with the Land
- Maelstrom
- Mission: SPACE
(all the above are subject to change)