FASTPASS: the short version
- FASTPASSes are free
- FASTPASSes must be used within the time stamped on them
- You can find the time to get a new FASTPASS at the bottom of your last FASTPASS
Everything you need to know about FASTPASSES but were afraid to ask
It is amazing to me how many people do not know about how the FASTPASS system works. I guess it shouldn’t be. If you haven’t been to a Disney Park before, why would you know about how to use the FASTPASS?
While the parks are experimenting with other ways that the system could work. Disneyland still has the FASTPASS system that most people know and love. For select rides, there is a special place filled with themed machines that give out the FASTPASSes. There is usually at least one cast member on hand to help if the need arises.
FASTPASSes are free! When has Disney ever given anything away for free? Point in fact, the FASTPASS isn’t really free, but it comes with your admission ticket. Go to the Star Tours FASTPASS kiosks put your park admission ticket into the machine and a FASTPASS should come out.
The only times when you wouldn’t get a FASTPASS are:
While the parks are experimenting with other ways that the system could work. Disneyland still has the FASTPASS system that most people know and love. For select rides, there is a special place filled with themed machines that give out the FASTPASSes. There is usually at least one cast member on hand to help if the need arises.
FASTPASSes are free! When has Disney ever given anything away for free? Point in fact, the FASTPASS isn’t really free, but it comes with your admission ticket. Go to the Star Tours FASTPASS kiosks put your park admission ticket into the machine and a FASTPASS should come out.
The only times when you wouldn’t get a FASTPASS are:
- If the machine malfunctions – just slide over to another machine
- If the FASTPASSes are all gone – this will actually be noted at the location where the FASTPASSes are given out and at the attraction itself. The World of Color and Radiator Springs Racers typically run out of FASTPASSes within a couple hours of park opening.
- If you already have a FASTPASS and the time to get a new FASTPASS hasn’t come around yet – If this is the case, you will get a card that looks like a FASTPASS but says that it is not. It will also say what time you can expect to get another FASTPASS.
FASTPASSes must be used within the time stamped on the card. It used to be that you could use a FASTPASS any time after the start time printed on the pass. Disney changed that policy a couple of years back, so now the FASTPASS acts like it was originally designed to. It holds your place in line, allowing you to experience other attractions. If you do not return when your turn would have happened, you get skipped and cannot jump back in line.
You can get more than one FASTPASS during your visit. You just get them consecutively and about once an hour though sometimes that span is a little longer. You do need a FASTPASS for everyone who wants to go on the ride. If you are traveling with people who are not going to go on the attraction, get a FASTPASS for them anyway because another person in your group can use it. The time when you can get your next FASTPASS is printed out on your most current FASTPASS.
Whether or not the FASTPASS system is a good thing is a different discussion that is partially addressed in the blog post “The Disney experience goes beyond the rides.”
You can get more than one FASTPASS during your visit. You just get them consecutively and about once an hour though sometimes that span is a little longer. You do need a FASTPASS for everyone who wants to go on the ride. If you are traveling with people who are not going to go on the attraction, get a FASTPASS for them anyway because another person in your group can use it. The time when you can get your next FASTPASS is printed out on your most current FASTPASS.
Whether or not the FASTPASS system is a good thing is a different discussion that is partially addressed in the blog post “The Disney experience goes beyond the rides.”