Getting the most out of your Fast Passes (FP) is all about knowing which ones to get, and when to get them. If you're visiting the parks during a crowded season, such as summer or spring break, you should try to either ride, or have a FP to ride all the busiest attractions within the first few hours of park opening. That's right, you heard me, park OPENING.
If you're a Disney Newbie, I know what you're thinking right now: What the (insert preferred profanity here) is a Fast Pass. Well a FP is a ticket to experience a specific attraction at a specific time. For example, Splash Mountain between 4:45- 5:45. I will now use my psycho.. hehem.. I mean psychic powers to answer your other questions.
1. What's so flippin great about a FP
2. A gem like this must be expensive
3. Who do I have to (fill in the blank with) to get one of these?
4. This kind of potent substance must be controlled?
5. I am a Disney Master, tell me something I don't already know
1. The great thing is that you get to by-pass the stand-by line, and use the FP line which has no wait, or a significantly shorter wait then the stand-by line.
2. WRONG!! It's free!!
3. Check your guide map to see which attractions offer use of FP (also listed below.) You will find a row of FP machines (usually) near the entrance to the ride/attraction. You simply insert your park ticket into a slot, and out pops a FP... such wizardry!
4. While you are not limited in the number of FPs you can get in a day, you are limited by the time that must pass after getting a FP, until you can get another one. Disney makes this really simple by putting the time you can get another FP on the bottom of your FP. The norm is every two hours, but don't assume that to always be the case. At Animal Kingdom, for example, you can actually get a new FP every hour.
5. Even though the FP has a window of time to return between, they won't turn you away if you're late. I don't just mean 5 minutes late either. Two hours, four hours, six hours, just make sure you use it the same day. Be aware, Disney's laxed policy on coming late, does not apply to coming early. I once tried to use a Toy Story Mania fast pass 30 seconds before my designated time, and the green army men swooped down from the room to barricade the door.
Now that you know what a FP is, and how to use it, lets get back to when and how to use it. Here's a list of the FP rides for each of the four parks:
Green: FP or ride this baby as soon as you enter the park (just follow the mob)
Yellow: FP or ride these next
Red: You generally won't need a FP for these rides, if there's a long line, just try again later.
Magic Kingdom
Splash Mountain y
Space Mountain y
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad y (are you noticing a theme)
Peter Pan's Flight y
The many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh r (while Pooh can actually get a longer line at times, I still don't recommend using a FP since the line is interactive, and have the fun)
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin r
Jungle Cruise r
Epcot
Soarin' g
Test Track y
Mission: SPACE Pavilion y
Captain EO starring Michael Jackson r
Maelstrom r
Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Mania! g
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith y
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror y
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue r
Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safaris y
Expedition Everest y
Kali River Rapids y (hot days)
DINOSAUR r
Primeval Whirl r
*note: For AK, grab a FP for Kilimanjaro Safaris first, then, ride Expedition Everest, followed by Dinosaur. Ride Primeval Whirl, Then, get a second FP for Kali River Rapids on your way back to the Safari.
