So what is it?

FastPass debuted in 1999 and was embraced as a brilliant innovation in theme park engineering. This computerized system allows visitors to avoid standing in line for the most popular attractions throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Many guests did not understand the system at the time and some still do not. As a matter of fact, during the three and a half years I was a cast member at the Disney-MGM Studios, I would often overhear guests remark: “Hey, that’s not fair! Those people pay extra and get to cut ahead of us in line!”

How does it work?

The FastPass attraction reservation system is very simple to use and best of all—it’s free. Go to a participating show or ride, locate the FastPass machine and insert an admission ticket for each person in your party who wishes to enter the attraction. The FastPass machine reserves a return appointment for your party and prints a pass for each ticket with a one-hour window (for example, 10:20-11:20 a.m.). From here, you can feel free to explore the less crowded attractions in your selected park. During that one hour time frame, you can usually squeeze in two (maybe three) smaller attractions instead of waiting in that bloated line. Give yourself at least 15 minutes to be able to make it back in time for your designated FastPass time. When you arrive at the attraction, simply hand the cast member standing in front of the FastPass entrance your passes and you’re in!

Wow, that’s so cool! I think I’ll get one for every ride!

Not so fast. In order for Disney’s FastPass system to work properly, they had to implement restrictions on the amount of FastPasses a guest can hold during a given period of time. Each guest may hold one FastPass for one attraction every two hours or after the one hour window expires; whichever comes first. Why? If everyone were able to come in to the parks and get a FastPass for every attraction at once it wouldn’t be very fast, would it?

Great, I’m ready to go!

The most important factor in getting what you want out of your Disney World visit is time management. Now that you know the FastPass system inside and out, you’ll be able to get out there and experience more of what the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer—faster, of course!