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Fast Passes! How to use them and make the most of your trip.

FASTPASS

Here are a few things you should know about FASTPASS, a system that can save you a lot of waiting in line:

·       FASTPASS is FREE to anyone who is visiting the Disney theme parks.

·       FASTPASS is available for the most popular rides and attractions.

·       To get a FASTPASS, you insert your park admission ticket into a FASTPASS machine. You will get a FASTPASS allowing you to return at a specific time (usually it assigns a one-hour period during which you can return) to bypass the regular “standby” line. When you return, you wait in the special, much shorter FASTPASS line.

·       The current FASTPASS return time is posted above the machines, so that you can decide whether that time will work for you before you get the FASTPASS.

·       Your FASTPASS will have printed on it the next time you can get another FASTPASS. It’s possible to be holding more than one FASTPASS at a time, if you take advantage of this feature.

FASTPASS Tips and Tricks

It used to be that FASTPASSes were honored from the earliest time on the pass through the rest of the day, but starting 2/18/13 the return times are now enforced.

The FASTPASS systems at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are not connected. Since it is easy to “hop” between the two parks, you can hold and use FASTPASSes at both parks during the day.

Recently California Screamin’ (DCA) and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Disneyland) have not been connected to the rest of the FASTPASS system in each ride’s respective park. So essentially they are like “free” FASTPASSes that you can get anytime, without regard to any other FASTPASS(es) you may be holding. I recommend getting the FASTPASSes you really want first, and then trying for the California Screamin’ or Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin FASTPASS, just in case they have been reconnected to the system.

If you want to experience all the FASTPASS rides in Disneyland in one day, it’s best to collect your FASTPASSes in this order (skip any that you don’t care to ride, of course):

·       Star Tours

·       Space Mountain

·       Splash Mountain

·       Indiana Jones

·       Autopia

·       Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

·       Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

During Halloweentime, the best order is:

·       Star Tours

·       Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

·       Haunted Mansion Holiday (may be a walk-on early in the day – if so, skip the FASTPASS)

·       Splash Mountain

·       Indiana Jones

·       Autopia

·       Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

·       Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

If you want to experience all the FASTPASS rides in Disney California Adventure in one day, it’s best to collect your FASTPASSes in this order:

·       Radiator Springs Racers (FASTPASS for this ride often runs out in the first hour after the park opens!)

·       Soarin’ over California

·       California Screamin’

·       Grizzly River Run (summer/hot days only – otherwise it will be a walk-on most days)

·       Tower of Terror

“…always take advantage of the FASTPASS. On the most popular rides we get a FASTPASS as soon as we enter the parks. Depending on the wait time you may only have to wait for less than 20 minutes [in the standby line] to ride, and then you can use your FASTPASS to ride again.” - Toni K from Bel Air, MD

“Check the FASTPASS times for Big Thunder Mountain Railway and Splash Mountain. If the wait time and FASTPASS time are close together, get a FASTPASS for one and wait in line for the other. When you get off the first ride (that you waited in line for) you can walk right on the next ride.” - Patrick S

“While we were in one line, my husband would [take everyone's tickets and] run to the next FASTPASS ride and get passes. While I waited in line for food, he was running to get the next FASTPASS. While waiting for our time period on the passes, we would do other rides with short lines. If you plan your day around the passes and where you want to eat you can do the whole park in one day.” - Gerry P from Crescent Springs, KY

“If you are with people who don’t ride much (grandparents, wimps, etc.) have them go get a FASTPASS for you with their admission ticket for another ride. This way you wait less time and they wait less time waiting for you!” - Kevin P from Bayport, NY

Special thanks to mousesavers.com for this blog post.

Yummy Treats at Disneyland

There is a plethora of food deliciousness for sale at Disneyland. While we do like to pack our own lunches and snacks because food can be expensive (Disneyland lets you bring in a soft cooler packed with food), sometimes it's nice to have a special treat. One of my favorites is the Dole Pineapple whips at the Tiki Juice Bar right outside the Tiki room in Adventureland.

 These whips are a tropical delight and if you can get them before the line gets long (typically mid-day) you are in for a delicious pick me up. I like the floats even better because you get the whip immersed in a tangy pineapple juice. Here's a little extra tip for our blog readers... a lot of people don't know about the walk up window on the other side of the Tiki Juice Bar (the one facing the Tiki Room waiting area). It's generally a MUCH smaller line. Can't wait until your next trip to Disneyland to taste one? Check out a recipe here from The Detoxinista that will help sooth your craving. Yum! Now we want to hear from you, what is your favorite treat at Disneyland? 

Diapers and Disneyland

I currently have a 6 month old and changing diapers and breast feeding are a part of my daily existence. Taking my littlest one to Disneyland is actually pretty great right now because she can't run away from me and I don't have to pay for her entry to the park! The only problem comes when it's time to change a stinky diaper or if I want to feed her in quiet. Well I recently discovered some wonderful news for moms and dads of little ones. Disneyland has Baby Centers! The centers are every parents dream. They offer changing stations, nursing rooms with chairs, feeding areas with high chairs, kitchens with a microwave and sink, a large TV room with tables and chairs, and a little store with goodies like diapers, formula, wipes, sun screen and more. You can even purchase over the counter medication if your child (or you) get an owie! Baby Centers are located at Disneyland Park at the end of Main Street, USA (next to First Aid) and in Disney California Adventure Park next to Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop across from The Baker Tour in Pacific Wharf. Of course if all you need is a quick place to change your baby's diaper all the bathrooms offer multiple changing stations for just that purpose.

Disneyland:

Disney California Adventure:

FYI: California law states a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private. In case you'd like something a little more private or you need somewhere to heat up a bottle the Baby Centers are for you!

Welcome to our blog

This is our first blog post! We can't wait to share all our tips with you!