Tips for Creating a FastPass Strategy at Disneyland

Photo Credit: Loren Javier / Disneyland FastPass / Flickr

When the folks at Disney created the FastPass, they came up with a way for you to save a place in line at a Disneyland ride or attraction without you actually having to be there! For parents with young children, this has been a game changer. Read on for more information about the Disneyland FastPass and tips for creating a FastPass strategy.

What is a FastPass and where do you get one?

A FastPass is a paper ticket issued at certain attractions at Disneyland at no extra charge that reduces the amount of time you wait in line. FastPasses essentially save time and allow you to experience popular rides and attractions without a long wait.

To get a FastPass, look for a sign at the entrance of select Disneyland attractions (see list below). The sign will display a Return Time. If that time is suitable, insert your Disneyland ticket or Disneyland Passport into the machine and a FastPass ticket will be printed. Simply go back to the attraction when your Return Time comes around, give your FastPass to the Cast Member and you will be able to ride the ride or see the show with a minimal wait.

You can also get FastPasses at designated distribution kiosks.

Currently, the following 8 attractions at Disneyland offer FastPass Service:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Fantasmic!
Indiana Jones Adventure
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Storytelling at Royal Theatre

The following 9 attractions at Disney California Theme Park currently offer FastPass Service:

World of Color (distributed at Grizzly River Run)
Anna & Elsa's Royal Welcome
California Screamin'
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Goofy's Sky School
Grizzly River Run
Radiator Springs Racers (distributed near It's Tough to Be a Bug!)
Soarin' Over California
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

 

Tips for creating a FastPass strategy

The first step in creating a FastPass Strategy is to download a Disneyland app that provides real-time wait times for rides and attractions. This will help you to know exactly how long people are standing in line to ride Big Thunder Mountain or Splash Mountain, for example.

Use your FastPass during peak ride times. Do not use your FastPass early in the morning when the park is not crowded. Save your FastPass for when the park has a bigger crowd and the wait times will be longer. Easy tip to remember: Do not use a FastPass if the wait time is 25 minutes or less.

You can only print one FastPass at a time. Your FastPass will tell you when you are allowed to get another one. The exception is that you can have one FastPass for Disneyland Park and one for California Adventure Park at the same time. These parks are so close to each other, it’s easy to go back and forth and create/collect your passes.

One thing to remember is that if you want to ride a ride or see a show with your group, everyone in the group must have a FastPass for the same return time. One person can obtain the passes for everyone, as long as that person has all the admission tickets/Disney Passports for the group.

Another important thing to remember is you must adhere to the Return Time.

Disneyland Park guests have had success getting a FastPass from an attraction entrance and then another FastPass soon after from one of the kiosks. (*We cannot confirm this actually works, but it may be worth a try.*)

In addition to using your FastPass for popular rides, you can also use it to get a good spot for the World of Color Show at Disney California Adventure Park. A limited number of FastPasses are available for this show and there is a specific viewing area just for FastPass holders. For more information on using a FastPass for World of Color, please click here.

My Castle House

After a fun-filled day at Disneyland, head back to relax in your beautiful Disneyland vacation rental home by My Castle House. We offer 14 wonderful properties in the Anaheim area, all convenient to area attractions. All of our Disneyland vacation rentals are well-appointed offering the comforts of home and the ability to prepare your own meals in fully equipped kitchens. Relax in the pool – all of our castles have one – and get a good night’s rest in any one of our incredible themed rooms.

Photo Credit: Loren Javier / Disneyland FastPass / Flickr