| Walt Disney World's FastPass is a wonder of crowd | | | | FastPasses for your group. |
| control (for Disney) and time management (for you). | | | | Since there is no Stand By line, either go directly onto |
| Instead of waiting on the traditional Stand By line for | | | | Splash Mountain (and use your FastPass for a 2nd |
| hours to go on a single ride, FastPass allows you to | | | | ride later) or go to The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. |
| visit other less crowded attractions, eat, or simply rest, | | | | During peak attendance times (summer) the park will |
| and not lose your place on line. | | | | get crowded very quickly so get your FastPass first. If |
| With a little bit of planning, you can greatly increase not | | | | you're visiting during off-peak times, and the park is |
| only the number of major attractions you go on, but | | | | less crowded, go on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder |
| also how often. Here are a few tips on how to | | | | Railroad one or two times each, then get your |
| optimize use of your FastPass at The Magic Kingdom. | | | | FastPass. This way your Return Time will be at least |
| The night before you go to the Magic Kingdom, | | | | 90 minutes away, giving you time to head over to ride |
| answer these few simple questions: | | | | the Walt Disney World Railroad over to Mickey's |
| - What is our "Must Ride" attraction? | | | | Toontown Fair (the closest station to Space Mountain). |
| - Where is it located? | | | | Since our 8 year old twins think they know how to |
| - What's the best route to get there? | | | | drive (I blame the Wii Mario Kart) when we arrive at |
| - Do we want to ride it more than once? | | | | Mickey's Toontown Fair, we walk straight through and |
| - What other major attractions do we want ride? | | | | head for the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. This ride |
| - Are they near or far away from the "Must Ride" | | | | has no FastPass so it is best to arrive early because |
| attraction? | | | | this line will get long and hot. If you have younger |
| - If traveling with a group (family) is everyone going on | | | | children, head over to Dumbo, again before the line |
| the same ride(s)? | | | | gets too long and too hot. Do not get on line for Space |
| With answers in hand, or written down, grab your park | | | | Mountain. |
| map and let's have some fun. | | | | Still in Tomorrowland, we love Buzz Lightyear's Space |
| For my family, the 'must see' attractions are Splash | | | | Ranger Spin which is continuous loading so if it's not |
| Mountain, The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and | | | | too crowded you might be able to get two rides in. |
| Space Mountain. | | | | Now, check your FastPass return time, since once it |
| Hint: If traveling with a group, once you enter the park | | | | starts, you can now go and get a new FastPass at |
| give all of your park passes to one person who can | | | | Space Mountain. It's now time to head back to Splash |
| go ahead and get the FastPasses for the group, then | | | | Mountain for our 3rd soak of the day. Depending on |
| meet everyone else after. | | | | our return Time for Space Mountain, we will either go |
| To improve crowd control, Disney now has Cast | | | | to the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, |
| Members walk in front of the crowds to the major | | | | It's a Small World, or Mickey's Philharmagic. |
| attractions to eliminate running, etc. With that in mind, | | | | Again, check your FastPass Return Time, and head |
| arrive at least 20 minutes before the park opens as | | | | over to Space Mountain. We typically get on all of our |
| you will need to get through security and want to be | | | | favorite rides (multiple times) before lunch (I |
| as close to the gates when they open as possible. | | | | recommend Cosmic Rays in Tomorrowland), and now |
| Now, as soon as the Magic Kingdom opens, head | | | | have the rest of the day to see shows, shop, and go |
| straight down Main Street, and turn Left at the end (in | | | | on the less crowded attractions (still getting |
| front of Casey's Corner, not in the circular walkway in | | | | FastPasses to return to our favorite rides). |
| front of Cinderella's Castle). Follow the path and go | | | | Of course you can always just keep getting |
| straight (not left) over (2) small bridges towards Liberty | | | | FastPasses for your favorite Attractions in order to go |
| Square. Around here is where you will run (walk) into | | | | as often as possible. It's up to you. |
| the Cast members who will escort you to Splash | | | | Next time you're at the Magic Kingdom, don't neglect |
| Mountain. If you're lagging behind, pass the Liberty Tree | | | | to use the FastPass service. It's free with any theme |
| Tavern, go left and head straight for Frontier land. The | | | | park ticket and you'll spend more time screaming with |
| FastPass distribution for Splash Mountain is to the right | | | | joy on the rides, then sighing with frustration on line. |
| of the Stand By and FastPass entrance. Get | | | | |