Disney's Fastpass
Current Fastpass logo (not Fastpass+)
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| Type | Virtual queuing system |
|---|---|
| Launch year | 1999 |
| Company | Disney |
| Availability | Yes |
Disney's Fastpass, FastPass+, and MaxPass are virtual queuing systems created by the Walt Disney Company. First introduced in late 1999 (though the idea of a ride reservation system was first introduced in world fairs), Fastpass, FastPass+, and MaxPass allow guests to avoid long lines at the attractions on which the system is installed, freeing them to enjoy other attractions during their wait. Disney's Fastpass and FastPass+ services are available at no additional charge to all park guests, while MaxPass costs US$10 a day.
Each attraction inside a Disney theme park has a maximum number of guests that attraction can handle in a given operating day. For example, a ride-through attraction like the Haunted Mansion may be able to carry 2,000 guests per operating hour. During a 12-hour operating day, 24,000 guests can experience this attraction. Similarly, a live theatrical show with a theatre capacity of 3,000 guests that has five shows during the day has a capacity of 15,000 guests. When Fastpass is installed on the attraction, a certain number of those seats (in the theatre, on the ride vehicles, etc.) are set aside. The remainder are made available on a "stand-by" basis to other park guests. At the beginning of the operating day, the enabled attraction's wait is pre-set at a given time (for example, 45 minutes). The number of Fastpasses available is evenly divided into time intervals (usually five minutes, but sometimes three minutes). As guests obtain Fastpasses for the attraction, time intervals are depleted, moving the return time to later in the day. For an average attraction, the Fastpass wait will generally stay near this initial pre-set time. In the case of very popular attractions, such as Splash Mountain or other major thrill rides, time intervals are depleted quickly, resulting in longer virtual waits. Sometimes, all the time intervals will be depleted early in the day, at which point Fastpasses are no longer obtainable for the given attraction during that day.
Disney currently operates a paper ticket Fastpass system at its parks in Anaheim, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Walt Disney World in Florida has eliminated the paper ticket system to implement a FastPass+ system of reservations made in advance via computer, app or in park kiosks. On December 18, 2013, Disney's Animal Kingdom eliminated the legacy paper Fastpass system in favor of using FastPass+ for all guests, followed by Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios on January 14, 21, and 23 respectively.
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