What it is:
FastPass is Disney's "virtual queue system". What this means is that instead of physically standing in line you can use a computer to make a reservation and it "holds" your place so you can return and wait in a minimal line.

You basically get a piece of paper that tells you when you can ride the line and the idea is to have a wait time of less than 15 min for you. Pictured on the left is a FastPass for Pirates of the Caribbean.

After deciding to get a FastPass you must next walk to the distribution machines (shown in the picture on the left).

Once you select your machine (which by the way all machines distribute tickets for the same time so it does not matter which one you get your FastPass from, and your group can spread out and use several machines at once).

The machines are clearly marked on how to insert your ticket. If you are having problems, there is usually a cast member around to help you out.

• A FastPass is good for a one hour block of time to return to that attraction, note the unwritten rule here is the Fastpass is good any time after the starting time, Disney has not enforced the end time ever... but it is technically at the disgression of the CM...
  
  
• As a general rule, you are currently allowed to hold only one fast pass at a time (unless the Fastpass system is backed up, then you are allowed to get a new FastPass after two hours of issuing the first one, for example if your return time was between 6:00-7:00pm and you got the FastPass at 1:00pm under this system you could get another FastPass at 3:00pm)
  
  
• You are allowed to get another FastPass after the start of your posted return time (meaning if your return time was between 2:00-3:00 you could get another FastPass at 2:00pm even if you have not used your first one yet) or after two hours from the time your current FastPass has been issued.
  
  
• If you try to get more than one FastPass at a time you will get a FastPass that says you already have one FastPass and it tells you when you can come back (see image on the right).
  
  
• You are able to have an active FastPass at each park. We were able to have one for Soarin' Over California and were able to get one for Indiana Jones at the same time.

• You need a FastPass for each person in your party (but you can send all your tickets with one person to pick up the FastPasses, so you all do not have to be present at distribution time).
  
  

Disneyland:

• Adventureland: Indiana Jones Adventure
• New Orleans Square: Haunted Mansion Holiday (not the regular version)
• Critter Country: Splash Mountain
• Frontierland: Big Thunder
• Toontown: Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
• Tomorrowland: Space Mountain, Autopia, Star Tours

Disney California Adventure:

• Paradise Pier: California Screamin', Goofy's Sky School
• Golden State: Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Run
• Hollywood Pictures Backlot: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• World of Color (Note this does not count as an attraction Fastpass)
  

Discontinued Fastpass Offerings:

• Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters (Discontinued in 2010)
• Star Tours (Discontinued in 2005 restarted in 2010)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Discontinued in 2004)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Discontinued in 2004)
• It's Tough to be a Bug! (Discontinued in 2004)
• Muppet Vision 3D (Discontinued in 2004)
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play it! (Discontinued in 2004)
  
  

FastPass is a wonderful thing if used wisely. There is a large debate occurring in the Disney usergroups about the value and effectiveness of FastPass. The Geek's firsthand experience is that the system works ok. For AP people like myself its wonderful on days when the park is moderately crowded. We can get on our favorite attractions without having to wait in line. This does mean longer lines on some other attractions, but overall its not bad that bad most days. For the average "day guest" I am not sure how much it actual helps. If used wisely I think it will allow for you to get on more attractions in the same amount of time, but that means planning ahead and optimizing timing, which very few people want to do on vacation. For most average visitors it means you can get on one or two of the "E-ticket" attractions with a minimal wait and very little planning. This is worth it for most people.

There is one problem with the system though. At times it can create quite a bit of congestion in front of an attraction with people entering the FastPass distribution area, the standby line, the FastPass Line, people just waiting around, and confused people. The picture on the left shows Pirates on a day with average attendance. For this reason (and others I am sure) Fastpass was reworked in 2004 and several Disneyland Attractions were removed from the list.

The lazy approach: As you wonder around the park you come upon an attraction you wish to visit. The standby line is 2 hours long and you see people getting FastPasses, and decide to go for it. You get your FastPass and then look at your group and say, "Now what??"

The two-for-one approach: You send a member of your group to get a FastPass for an attraction (ex. Splash Mountain), while the rest of your group heads to Space Mountain to get in line. Your other member joins you in line at Space Mountain with your FastPasses. You wait and go on Space Mountain together, then all walk over an use your FastPasses to go on Splash Mountain. You get to go on two rides with the wait time of one.

The Geek's approach: This is a much different approach than the Geek uses at WDW, mostly because at WDW the Geek gets a week or two every couple years, where as with Disneyland I get to go about every three weeks or so. What I usually end up doing is getting a fastpass for an attraction and then either wander around the park and watch some entertainment, or go see a classic attraction that usually has a small line (like the Tiki Room, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, or even just ride the train around the park.