Guide to the Disneyland FASTPASS Service

A note from Leap: The free FASTPASS service has been retired, and in its place (also replacing Disney MaxPass), a new paid offering called Genie+, is on the scene, as of Dec. 8, 2021. Guests have the option to schedule return times for individual attraction selections in the app and use the Lightning Lane entrance to the ride for $20 per ticket, per day. Initially, 19 attractions are on Genie+ and PhotoPass downloads are included. Guests can make one selection at a time throughout the day. Guests may opt for the additional-cost, individual Lightning Lane selections, which allow the guest to pay for FASTPASS-like access to high-demand rides such as Radiator Springs Racers (but may only reserve a particular ride once per day). Standby lines remain in place. Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane selections are sold separately and can be purchased together, individually or not at all. Hop to our Disney Genie guide for more information. And for all of the details to know before you go, check out our Disneyland reopening post, which we will continue to update with the latest news. 

We're always looking for tips to make the most of our time at The Happiest Place on Earth. One of the best ways to save time and get the most of your trip is through the Disneyland FASTPASS service. It's FREE and available to all park guests!

While it can seem a little confusing at first, once you know how it works, it can mean the difference between a 10-minute wait (or less) and a two-hour wait. We like to think of it as one of our many handy tools for maximizing our time at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! With the information provided in this post, you can too.

The Disneyland FASTPASS service allows you to skip the lines for some of your favorite attractions in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks. Today, we're walking you through all of the ins and outs of the Disneyland FASTPASS service. Let's jump right to it!

How to Use Disneyland FASTPASS Service

A number of Disneyland Resort attractions (listed below) offer FASTPASS, which allows you to skip the regular line or reserve a spot at a show. To use the Disneyland FASTPASS service, all you need to do is:

1. Go to the FASTPASS distribution kiosk at the attraction you want to ride to see the standby and FASTPASS return time (note that you can also check wait times and FASTPASS distribution times on the Disneyland mobile app before walking over).*
2. If the return time works for you, insert your admission ticket into the FASTPASS machine and you will receive a FASTPASS return time reminder ticket.
3. During your return time, visit the attraction's FASTPASS return entrance with your park admission ticket for scanning (this is usually near or next to the regular line).

*Some FASTPASS distribution kiosks are located in a different location than the actual attraction.

So Long, Paper FASTPASS Tickets

Ever since the FASTPASS system was placed inside Disneyland, the printed FASTPASS tickets were your ticket to ride, so to speak. As of June 2017, the paper FASTPASS tickets became simply a reminder of your return window. They aren’t really necessary and may be phased out. The actual FASTPASS is digitally stored on your park ticket, so you’ll scan your ticket (or pass) at the ride or attraction at the appointed return time.

For now, shows such as World of Color and Fantasmic! still use the paper FASTPASS system, so be sure to hold onto those FASTPASS tickets. The show FASTPASSes have recently gone digital, allowing Disney MaxPass users to make FASTPASS reservations for shows through the Disneyland mobile app without having to collect a ticket. Keep in mind that the shows are running out of FASTPASSes much faster each day due to this change.

As we mentioned earlier, Disneyland is piloting a new FASTPASS distribution system that does not use the paper tickets. All FASTPASS reservations have been digitally linked to the park ticket for a while. This new system seems to be the next step in eliminating the paper reminder.

We hopped by to check out the new system being tested in front of Tomorrowland Theater. Besides phasing out paper tickets, the new pilot uses a single location to provide a choice of rides. The pilot FASTPASS distribution kiosk includes four Tomorrowland rides — Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Star Tours and Autopia.

Before you head to the FASTPASS distribution monitors, you can observe a display screen that shows the available rides and the return times that are currently being distributed there. Then, when you head to the FASTPASS distribution kiosks, the screens also display all of the rides and the return windows being distributed. That reminds us of being able to see all of the available times when we choose a FASTPASS through the MaxPass system. It is certainly an improvement over the current regular FASTPASS distribution machines. The old machines do not tell you the specific time before you collect a FASTPASS at the machine. (You usually have to view that time at the ride entrance, which may not be near the machine.) Being able to see multiple choices at once can help you choose wisely and maximize your time.

To use the new pilot FASTPASS kiosk, insert your park ticket to scan it. The opening is large enough to accommodate either your park ticket/pass or the digital park ticket on your cell phone. You'll use the touch screen to select an attraction if the return time works for you. An image appears on the screen with the attraction name, return window and the time that another FASTPASS will be available to you. Repeat the process for each party member's ticket.

The machine does not print a paper reminder. You'll want to remember this information. We highly suggest you record in one of two easy ways: Snap a pic of it on your phone or digital camera, or link your park ticket to the Disneyland app, and then the FASTPASS will appear under My Plans. (Note: If it does not appear right away, try closing the app and reopening it to get the FASTPASS to appear in the app.) When you go to the FASTPASS return entrance for an attraction, you can scan your park ticket or the FASTPASS from the app.

We suggest downloading the Disneyland app and linking your tickets before your visit. There are advantages to linking your park tickets in the Disneyland app. You can see all of your plans in one place. You can make cancellations. If your ride closes during your return window, you'll be able to see a Replacement FASTPASS in the app and choose from the alternate ride choices — see tips below.

We do not know how long the pilot FASTPASS system will be in place, or when (or if) this new system may expand to other areas of the park. Keep hopping back for updates. In the meantime, the traditional system remains in place for all other FASTPASS rides and attractions.

Key Points of the Disneyland FASTPASS Service

• FASTPASS distribution is now available during early entry, but availability can vary.
• All members of your party must have FASTPASSes to use the FASTPASS return entrance, but it is not necessary for your entire party to enter the FASTPASS distribution line. It saves more time if one person in your group enters the queue and obtains FASTPASSes for your whole party. Your designated "FASTPASS runner" just needs to have all of your group's admission tickets to obtain return time tickets.
• If you send a runner to get the FASTPASSes with everyone’s park tickets, keep in mind that all guests’ park tickets must have been used to enter the park that day. You cannot acquire a FASTPASS for someone still asleep at the hotel. First come, first served. Park Hoppers need to have entered a park for the day.
• You cannot obtain another FASTPASS until the start of the return time for your current FASTPASS, or two hours since you obtained the FASTPASS have passed. It states on the FASTPASS at what time you will be eligible to acquire another FASTPASS.
• If your return time is less than 30 minutes away from when you get a FASTPASS, you will be eligible to get the next FASTPASS after 30 minutes.
• You can get another FASTPASS for a different ride even if you have not used the first FASTPASS, as long as you are eligible.
• When an attraction is closed, the FASTPASS distribution is sometimes closed during that time, but not always.
• The FASTPASS distribution machines at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are on a closed grid, which means if you hold a ticket for a ride in one park and are not eligible to get another ticket for another hour, you won't be able to get a ticket in the other park, either, until that waiting period has ended.

Key Points for Guests Who Use FastPass+ at Disney World

If you are used to FastPass+ at Disney World and are making your first trip to Disneyland, we want to point out a few key differences between the two systems. If you have never used FastPass+, feel free to hop down to the next section. These key points will help FastPass+ users get up to speed and get the most benefit from Disneyland FASTPASS:

• Disneyland has no MagicBands.
• You cannot make advance FASTPASS reservations at Disneyland.
• You'll use your park ticket to collect your FASTPASS from distribution kiosks in the parks (you do need to bring each ticket to obtain a FASTPASS).
• You'll scan your park ticket at FASTPASS return.
• You do not have to use a FASTPASS before making a new selection at Disneyland.
• You can hold multiple FASTPASSes at once.
• There is a variable waiting period (noted on the FASTPASS ticket) before you are eligible to make your next selection.
• With Disneyland FASTPASS, you CAN choose return times that overlap.

Disneyland FASTPASS Tips

• Some rides distribute FASTPASSes more quickly than others. Space Mountain at Disneyland and Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure often run out of FASTPASSes early in the day.
• Many rides at Disney California Adventure run through their FASTPASS distribution very quickly, so use them in the morning before they run out. Disneyland Park usually has many more FASTPASS choices available later in the evening.
• Grizzly River Run, Monster's Inc., Goofy’s Sky School, Haunted Mansion (but not Haunted Mansion Holiday), Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (when there’s no fireworks that night) and “it’s a small world” can usually be your lowest priority FASTPASS acquisitions. They are often still distributing return times in the afternoon and evening.
• Download the free Disneyland app. Use it to check ride wait times and current FASTPASS distribution return times before walking over to the distribution area.
• Link your ticket to the Disneyland app to be able to manage your FASTPASSes. You can view FASTPASSes, cancel them, scan in at the FASTPASS return from your phone and keep track of Rider Switch and/or multiple experience/ride closure FASTPASSes from the app. From the app’s home screen, click My Tickets, the plus sign at the upper right corner, then Link Tickets & Passes. Scan the barcode for the pass or ticket. Then, you can manage your FASTPASS reservations. This is such an improvement over the old days where you could not change your mind and cancel a FASTPASS.
• Acquire your second pass (even if you have not used your first one yet). In the morning, plan to use your FASTPASS near the end of the return window (you can arrive up to 15 minutes late) and take advantage of the shorter morning lines for rides that do not offer FASTPASS.
• Don't use FASTPASS if the standby queue is 30 minutes or less. That being said, we sometimes grab a FASTPASS for a short wait anyway because it makes the wait even shorter. We love skipping lines!
• FASTPASS distribution can run out and frequently does during peak times for the most popular attractions.
• The FASTPASS return time is strictly enforced. You will need to return within the designated return time in order to enter the FASTPASS queue. (You can usually use your FASTPASS up to five minutes early or up to 15 minutes late.)
• FASTPASSes only are valid on the day they are issued.
• Always look at your FASTPASS return tickets after you've printed them. Verify that each of your party members has received FASTPASSes for the same return window. If you pull your next FASTPASS too soon after obtaining your previous FASTPASSes, you will be printed a ticket that says you are not yet eligible to obtain the FASTPASS.
• A number of FASTPASS attractions also offer Single Rider lines, which are usually just as short as FASTPASS and do not have time restrictions. If your party members are at least 7 years old and don’t mind being separated on the ride itself, this is the way to go! Keep in mind that if the Single Rider line gets too long, they will close it temporarily. Radiator Springs Racers and Space Mountain are our favorite go-to Single Rider lines. The Matterhorn tops the list too. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a Single Rider line, but the FASTPASS lines are not operating just yet.
• Consider a Buddy Pass for Toy Story Midway Mania (when available) or Monsters Inc. to shorten the wait. The Buddy Pass is similar to a Single Rider line for small parties of one or two guests to fill empty rows for these rides. (Two adults and a small child may also fit.) You do not get special requests for seating and these passes are subject to availability. Larger parties will be separated.
• Pick up a FASTPASS for a show like Fantasmic! or World of Color early. FASTPASS for World of Color is distributed near The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure. This the best (FREE!) way to ensure you get preferred viewing for this popular show. If you are park hopping and want to hop back into California Adventure for the last showing of World of Color, be sure to pick up a FASTPASS for it in the first hour of the day. They may require you to have a valid ticket and FASTPASS to get back into the park, especially if showtime is right at park closing.
• Obtaining a show FASTPASS will not affect your ability to acquire a ride FASTPASS. The systems are disconnected from each other.
• If you have a baby, toddler or preschooler who is under 3 years old but able to see a show or go on a FASTPASS ride, you do not need a FASTPASS for him or her. Children under 3 do not have a ticket to put into the machine. Just tell the ride attendant, and he or she will wave you through as long as everyone else has valid FASTPASSes.
• If you are traveling with a child who does not meet the height requirement for a ride, you can combine Rider Switch with FASTPASS.
• Guests using Disability Access Service (DAS) can also utilize FASTPASS. When traveling with our niece who uses DAS, we schedule rides that don’t have FASTPASS with DAS. We obtain FASTPASSes for eligible rides.
• Some members of your party might use MaxPass. Sometimes one person purchases MaxPass so the group can enjoy the included PhotoPass downloads. If some members of your party use MaxPass while the others use free FASTPASS, you should all use the FASTPASS distribution machines. This will ensure you all get the same return window. The person with MaxPass may have a shorter window to wait before they are eligible to obtain a new FASTPASS. (MaxPass' longest wait is 90 minutes versus 120 minutes for regular FASTPASS users.) Go by the longest waiting period in the group so that you can all obtain the next FASTPASSes at the same time.

Disneyland Park FASTPASS Attractions

• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
• Fantasmic! (disconnected from the FASTPASS system; distributed near Frontier Landing in Frontierland)
• Haunted Mansion
• Haunted Mansion Holiday (at Halloween Time and Holiday Time)
• "it's a small world" (distributed near the Matterhorn)
• “it’s a small world” Holiday (at Holiday Time, distributed near the Matterhorn)
• Indiana Jones Adventure (also offers Single Rider line)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds (also offers Single Rider line)
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (coming soon!)
• Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain (also offers Single Rider line)
• Splash Mountain (also offers Single Rider line)
• Star Tours - The Adventures Continue (also offers Single Rider line)

Note that the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge rides, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (both now open) did not initially offer FASTPASS. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting FASTPASS soon though! In the meantime, enjoy the Single Rider line at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. But be sure to wait in the regular queue at least once for cool scenery and elements that are key to the ride's storyline.

As for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, there may be a virtual queue in place for that ride when you visit. While the virtual queue is in use, there is no standby line available. Be sure to hop over to Tad's Galactic Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland for the latest updates on how to access that ride, including the deets on how to join a Boarding Group (if necessary).

If you hold a FASTPASS, but the ride is temporarily closed until the end of your return window — breakdowns do occur — then your FASTPASS becomes a Replacement FASTPASS. Present your park ticket at another FASTPASS attraction in that same park to use it in place of your missed reservation. This is the only way you can use your FASTPASS outside of your one-hour window. You can use it any time that same day in that same park until park closing.

There is a new tiered system in place for Replacement FASTPASS. If you have a FASTPASS for a Tier 1 ride, such as Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Toy Story Midway Mania or Radiator Springs Racers, you can use your Replacement FASTPASS for any of those rides (in the same park) OR for any other FASTPASS ride in the same park. All other FASTPASS rides are considered Tier 2. If you hold a FASTPASS for a Tier 2 ride and it breaks down, you can only use the Replacement FASTPASS to ride another Tier 2 ride in the same park, not Tier 1 rides.

Disney California Adventure FASTPASS Attractions

• Goofy's Sky School (also offers Single Rider line)
• Grizzly River Run (also offers Single Rider line)
• Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark (at Halloween Time)*
• Incredicoaster (also offers Single Rider line)
• Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (offers Buddy Pass at times for up to two riders, plus a lap sitter)
• Radiator Springs Racers (NEW DISTRIBUTION LOCATION behind Ramone’s House of Body Art and Flo’s V8; also offers Single Rider line)
• Soarin' Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania! (sometimes offers a Moving Buddy Pass for one to two riders, plus a lap sitter)
• World of Color (disconnected from the FASTPASS system; distributed near The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure)

*Note that during Halloween Time, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission BREAKOUT! runs from park opening until about 4:00 p.m. (Keep in mind that everything is shifted an hour earlier for Oogie Boogie Bash party nights). The ride closes for about an hour and then reopens at 5:00 p.m. as the Monsters After Dark version. Keep your eye on the FASTPASS distribution that day. FASTPASS return windows until 3:00 p.m. are for the daytime version. FASTPASS return windows beginning at 5:00 p.m. are for Monsters After Dark. However, all FASTPASSes for that ride will say Guardians of the Galaxy.

We hope you've found this information on the Disneyland FASTPASS service helpful as you plan your visit to Disneyland. Have a FASTPASS tip or question we haven't covered? Share it in comments below! 

Related: Disneyland MaxPass Guide

Related: Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland

Related: Getting the Scoop on Disneyland Mobile Order

Keep hopping!