FASTPASS Explained!

To beat the very long queues in the rides and attractions, Disneyland had to come up with a solution quickly. And so the Fastpass was conceived.

In a nutshell from Wikipedia: Fastpass allows guests to avoid long lines at the attractions on which the system is installed, freeing them to enjoy other attractions during their wait. The service is available at no additional charge to all park guests.

Ok, here's what you do. The moment you enter Disneyland, make a beeline straight to your most desired ride/attraction. There is no time to dilly-dally and go "oh-ah" admiring the sceneries of Main Street. Grab a map and locate your first ride! For our case, we wanted Indiana Jones. So send the husband to Indiana Jones to quickly get a Fastpass for your group (don't forget to give him your Disney tickets!!!). The reason for all this hassle is that the wait time for a Fastpass return can easily go later ... and later. For example, when you enter Disneyland at 10:00am, you will be lucky if your Fastpass tells you to return between 12:00nn to 1:00pm. I have seen Fastpasses asking you to return at 4:00pm!

As soon as you get a Fastpass, you can now relax and browse your merry way around the park. Remember that you cannot get a new Fastpass for a different ride until the Fastpass return window arrives. That is, there is a 'one Fastpass at a time' virtual policy. However, as soon as your return time lapses, e.g. it is now 12:01nn, you can get your 2nd Fastpass even if you haven't used the first one yet! Yes. The system does not check if you have used the first Fastpass. And if your brain is working overtime, this means that you can actually go back to your ride long after your Fastpass window has elapsed. Say for example you cannot get away from another show or you are having a lunch break. You can still go back to your ride even after the Fastpass window has elapsed. This last statement is just something that dawned upon me and which RideMax has confirmed. I, personally, have not proven it. As we would always go back to our Fastpass ride during the return window.

If I am wrong, please do let me know!

I am amazed at the long queues despite this Fastpass being available. Once you show your valid Fastpass, you are waved through a different line. It is quite exciting to leave behind all those people patiently waiting. It boggles my mind why on earth everybody else wait for long minutes and not take advantage of the Fastpass!