Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Except as discussed below, there's no reason to use Fastpass during the first 30-40
minutes a park is open. Lines for most attractions are quite manageable during this
period. In addition, this is the only time of the day when the Fastpass attractions ex-
clusively serve those in the regular line. Regardless of time of day, however, if the
wait in the regular line at a Fastpass attraction is 25-30 minutes or less, we recom-
mend joining the regular line.
Think about it. Using Fastpass requires two trips to the same attraction: one to
obtain the pass and one to use it. This means that you must invest time to secure
the pass (by the way, sometimes there are lines at the Fastpass machines!) and then
later interrupt your touring and backtrack in order to use your Fastpass. The addition-
al time, effort, and touring modification required, therefore, are justified only if you
can save more than 30 minutes. And don't forget: Even in the Fastpass line you must
endure some waiting.
Tricks of the Trade
Although Disney stipulates that you can hold a Fastpass to only one attraction at a
time, it'spossible toacquire asecondFastpass beforeusingthefirst.Let'ssayyouob-
tain a Fastpass to Star Tours at Disneyland Park with a return time slot of 10:15-11:15
a.m. Any time after your Fastpass window begins (anytime after 10:15 a.m.), you will
be able to obtain another Fastpass, for Splash Mountain, for example. This is possible
because the Fastpass computer system monitors only the distribution of passes, ignor-
ing whether or when a Fastpass is used. Finally, don't forget that you can obtain a
second Fastpass 2 hours after the time of issuance of the first Fastpass if that's sooner
than the return time on your first Fastpass.
When obtaining Fastpasses, it's faster and more considerate of other guests if one
person obtains passes for your entire party. This means entrusting one individual with
both your valuable park admission passes and your Fastpasses, so choose wisely.
Fastpass Runners
If you've ever taken a walk with a dog that runs and darts all over the place while
you plod along in a straight line, you'll appreciate the concept of Fastpass running.
First you choose a high-energy, inexhaustible member of your party who is quick on
his feet and mature and responsible enough not to lose everyone's admission passes.
Second, you give him all the passes and dispatch him to the first attraction to obtain
Fastpasses for the whole group. Then, about once each hour the Fastpass runner will
split from the group to get the next Fastpasses. Rinse, repeat. In Disneyland Park, for
example, he would speed off to Space Mountain. Because the return time is usually
1 hour or less, it won't be long until he can scoot off again to obtain Fastpasses at
Splash Mountain. And so it goes. You can even send the runner across the Esplanade
