Fast Pass...why wait on lines!

Let me introduce you to one of the best inventions at Walt Disney World....Fast Pass!

These wonderful "tickets" allow you to bypass the line for that particular ride. 

Let me start from the beginning....

• Most "well known" rides will have a Fast Pass ticket kiosk to the side of the ride.  There will be a time period posted above the kiosk to allow you to chose whether you want the ticket or not.
• If you think you want to ride this ride during those posted times, insert your park ticket into the kiosk machine.
• Out will come this wonderful ticket that you keep until your time.
• When your time comes, head to the Fast Pass line and bypass the wait time.  Most times you will be on a ride within 10 minutes or less! 

It is fantastic, especially when you have young kids. 

There are some drawbacks.  You used to be able to go to the ride anytime AFTER your posted time.  But this year (2012), they changed this and only give you a grace period of 10 minutes after your time listed on the ticket.  So if you don't plan to be in the area, don't get a Fast Pass for the ride.

Also, if you get a Fast Pass for a ride, you can not get another Fast Pass until after this ticket time has passed.  So for the pass above, I could get another Fast Pass after 3:45pm. 

Special note for Toy Story Mania ride in Hollywood Studios.  Plan on waiting until the park opens and DASHING to the line to get a Fast Pass for this ride.  Otherwise plan on at least a 60 minute or above wait to ride.  I'm not joking.  It is like a marathon-like atmosphere at the beginning of the park day to get on line for the tickets and we've waiting a half hour just to get our Fast Passes for this ride.  But it's worth it!