LivingTravelWhat is a FASTPASS at Disneyland and Disney's California...

What is a FASTPASS at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure?

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure offer FASTPASS on select games to reduce wait time. But what is it and how does it work?

A date to ride

The lines at Disneyland games can be very long. The FASTPASS system was designed to allow visitors to schedule their travel time at select attractions and shows, to reduce the amount of time they have to wait in line. Unlike “front line” tickets at other theme parks, there is no additional charge for FASTPASS. Everyone has the same access.

The FASTPASS itself is a printed ticket with an appointment to travel on a particular trip at a later time in the day without waiting in the long waiting line. Since FASTPASSES are FREE with your entrance ticket, there is no reason not to use them when the park is busy, or even when it is not. There are a limited number of FASTPASSES available per trip and they stop distributing them when there is not enough time for later appointments, so get your FASTPASSES early.

FASTPASSES are offered only on certain popular trips where there is often a long wait, and the trip can accommodate a separate FASTPASS ticket.

On these tours, a sign will tell you how long the wait is on hold and what time the FASTPASS return is currently scheduled, so you can see if it fits into your schedule.

Follow the FASTPASS distribution sign to find the FASTPASS machines. They are sometimes found in strange places, so you may need to ask a cast member where to find them if it is not obvious. Insert your parking ticket into the machine and receive a date and time FASTPASS ticket with your appointment to return later in the day. You can only get one FASTPASS per park ticket, but to save time, one person can take the whole family’s tickets to get FASTPASSES while the others wait in line on another trip.

At the time indicated on your ticket, return the designated FASTPASS ticket. Your ticket will be scanned when you enter. Sometimes you can walk on the road. At other times, there may be a 15-20 minute wait if all people with FASTPASSES during that hour show up at the same time.

One at a time

You cannot pick up another FASTPASS on a different trip until after your first appointment has passed or after a designated amount of time printed on the ticket. For example, your FASTPASS might say that your appointment to return to this trip is in 3 hours, but you can pick up another FASTPASS in 2 hours. Times are automatically calculated based on projected travel load and pass distribution thus far for that trip.

FASTPASS for shows too

In addition to the attractions, FASTPASS is available for a show at each park. At Disneyland, FASTPASSES are distributed for the spectacular Fantasmic nighttime show at Rivers of America. They give reserved access to specific seating or standing areas. At California Adventure, there are FASTPASSES for the World of Color show. Depending on the night, there may be one or more performances of each show, so be sure to get a FASTPASS for the show you want.

Arrive early

First thing in the morning, the FASTPASS appointment can be in just 15 minutes, allowing you to get another FASTPASS and use them later in the day when lines are longer. That way, you can travel early on trips other than FASTPASS. The FASTPASS provides a printed one-hour time window, but you can generally use the FASTPASS at any time after your start time. I confirmed this with the cast members in the park, but I have heard rumors that they are hardening this.

Using the FASTPASS system, especially in combination with Ridemax, can save you hours of waiting in long lines, allowing you to adapt much more to your day.

Disneyland rides and shows with FASTPASS:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Fantasmic! (near Big Thunder Trail)
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Storytelling at the Royal Theater

California Adventure Rides con FASTPASS:

  • World of Color (distributed in Grizzly River Run)
  • Royal welcome from Anna and Elsa
  • California Screamin ‘
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly river run
  • Radiator Springs Racers (distributed near It’s Hard Being a Bug!)
  • Flying over california
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

FASTPASS trips were accurate in posting but are subject to change at any time.

>> Return to the Disneyland visitor guide

Disneyland saluted 60 years with its diamond celebration

In 2015, the Disneyland Resort hosted a year-long diamond celebration that greeted 60 years of magic. Three new shows will premiere

What to do before leaving for Disneyland

Use this list of things to do before leaving for Disneyland California. We hope you have a great trip!

Gay Days Anaheim 2016 – Gay Days en Disneyland 2016

Started in 1998, seven years after the equally popular Gay Days at Disney World in Florida, the ever-growing Gay Days Anaheim brings

Soarin 'Around the World is one of the best Disney games

An instant classic and one of Imagineering's greatest achievements, Soarin 'Around the World is a fast-paced adventure that engages your senses and

Rules for cigarette smokers at Disneyland

California has strict smoking restrictions and Disneyland is even tougher, so if you're a smoker and planning a vacation to the "Place

More