Disneyland FASTPASS Selection Guide

Disneyland Park

Big Thunder Mountain You must be 40 inches to ride this attraction. This is the second attraction, I always recommend trying when your little one finally is tall enough, it is fun and has more twist and turns but is smooth with no big drops, plus it’s easy to hold on tight to your little ones as they enjoy their first thrills. This attraction will sometimes have their FASTPASS distribution station close on slower days, but not always. It’s rare that your return time will exceed the 2-hour wait (which is the longest you would have to wait to get another FASTPASS if your first FASTPASS return time is over 2 hours), this usually only happens on very crowded days. Most of the time you are looking at a 20-min return time.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters the FASTPASS returns for this ride are usually for 20 minutes later which is what all FASTPASS machines are set at, whether they gave out enough pass the last 20 minutes or not. Only time this is not true is during the super busy times.
Fantasmic! This is a night time show, with standing view room. You need to have a FASTPASS or a dining VIP ticket to be able to view this night time show.
Haunted Mansion This FASTPASS is sometimes not worth it during the slower seasons, but is ALWAYS worth it when they overlay the Haunted Mansion with the Nightmare before Christmas. When the overlay is on this is a VERY VERY popular attraction with long waits and long return times, so if you are going between September and the first week in January, I highly suggest getting this fast pass early and expect to have a 2+ hour wait to return to the attraction again unless you are one of the first to grab a FASTPASS.
Indiana Jones™ Adventure this ride is fast and jerky, you must be 46 inches tall, because this attraction is popular, you should grab a FASTPASS early and except over 2 hour before you can return to the attraction with the FASTPASS, exceptions are on slow days and if you grab it early
'it's a small world" has no height requirement and is beloved by all young ones, I have taken babies as young as a month old on this ride and have scene them enjoying it. During the holiday times it transforms into 'it's a small world' Holiday. This ride goes thru phases even through out the day. There are times where the wait time is short and FASTPASS isn't necessary and then there are times where you wish you had one. Of course during holiday times you will want one, but on other times I say check your phone for wait times before selecting this FASTPASS.
Matterhorn Bobsleds This ride just got a FASTPASS system, and is very popular. You must be 42 inches to careen through a snow-capped mountain on a speeding alpine sled while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Abominable Snowman. This ride has no drops but steep down angels and is a bit jerky.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin to be honest, this attraction is not my favorite and I have only used the FASTPASS system maybe a handful of times in the 20 years this attraction has been open, and I don’t know much about it except what I have heard. Most of the time if I walk by and see a 20-minute wait for the attraction I will just get in line, but if its longer I don’t even bother…but I know if this is a once in a life time trip or not often you would want to hit this ride. I would say if the wait is over an hour grab a FASTPASS.
Space Mountain this ride is fast and in the dark, you must be 40 inches tall to ride, this attraction is very popular, and has often distributed all fast pass by mid-day on busier days and late afternoon on medium days. Expect to have to return to this attraction about 2 hours after getting the fast pass unless you get it first thing in the morning, please note this ride has 2 overlays, Ghost Galaxy (where a scary looking ghost chases you thru the dark ride, during Halloween time), and Hyperspace Overlay (same space mountain with X-fighter shown thru out the ride and you destroy a battle cruiser)
Splash Mountain You must be 40 inches to ride this attraction. The FASTPASS return time is based off of the weather…the warmer it is the more popular the attraction is, so the longer return time. I have gone on somewhat warm day with return times 20 minutes later, and then on hot days you can expect 1-2 hours, in the summer, this attraction has been known to distribute all there FASTPASS by late afternoon.
Star Tours-The Adventures Continue motion simulator ride, you must be 40 inches to ride, it is a great first time ride for those that just hit 40 inches, as it is the gentlest of all the BIG rides on Disneyland side. This ride is somewhat popular and you are looking at about an hour return time for a FASTPASS, exceptions of course is if you get one first thing in the morning.

California Adventure

Goofy’s Sky School you must be 42 inches tall for this ride. This is a strange ride, the drops look huge, but most kids I take on this ride who are tall enough love it. Sometimes the return time for this ride is longer than just waiting in line, so unless you want to grab lunch and not wait at all, on slow days its usually easier just to wait in the que of this ride, on busier days this is a good one to get a FASTPASS for.
Grizzly River Run you must be 42 inches tall to ride this ride. Which is strange because my son says its less scary than Splash. This ride is like splash, based on the weather is the wait, the hotter it is the longer the return time would be, and sometimes on really hot days they conclude giving pass for the day.
Gradian of the Galaxy Tower you must be 40 inches tall to ride this ride. This ride is now closed and we will up-date it again if things change when it opens as Gardian of the Galaxy Tower.
Incredicoaster only ride where you must be over 48 inches tall, because of the loop. This attraction usually has a short FASTPASS return time, (about 20 minutes). Again unless it’s a very crowded day then you can see longer wait times but rarely even on super busy days have I scene this attraction be over 2 hours for a return time, and on slow times the wait for the ride is usually faster than the posted return times if you grabbed a fast pass at that point
Radiator Springs Racers You must be 40 inches to ride this ride. This is another great ride for your child that just hit 40 inches to go on, as there are no big drops and except for the race at the end, it’s a very calm ride. This is also a very VERY popular ride. Even on slow days, FASTPASS will conclude for the day before noon, and on busy days within an hour or two of the park opening, so I highly suggest getting Frozen and this fast pass first thing in the morning. Your return time for this ride will more than likely be over 2 hours even if you get it first thing in the morning unless you happen to be in the front of the fast pass line, a line that starts to form even before the park opens.
Soarin’ Over World you must be over 40 inches for this ride. This ride takes you high up in the air so if you have a thing about heights, you might want to skip it but it is so beautiful. This ride is 20 minutes long so the wait is hard because the line doesn’t move for 10 minutes or so (there are two theaters and they try to stagger them) and then it moves a lot as each theater can hold over 100 people. FASTPASS return times for this ride are usually about an hour on low to medium crowd days and can be over 2 hours on busy days.
Toy Story Mania This ride has been super popular since its opening and now that it just got a FASTPASS options, except the lines to be longer and the FASTPASS return times to be long. I would suggest this be one of your top 3 FASTPASS you want to grab. Except to return an hour to 2 hours later or even more on busy days.
World of Color night time show, you need to have a FASTPASS, dining voucher or reservations for the dessert party to be able to view the show.

Discover 2 Ways to Enjoy Disney FASTPASS Service

Your Mobile Device-MaxPass
When you purchase the Disney MaxPass feature, you’ll be able to make FASTPASS selections right from your phone using the Disneyland app. Please check the day’s FASTPASS availability and park details before purchasing. (Disney MaxPass currently cost $10 per person per day)

How to Use

Link your tickets to your Disney account.
After entering Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park, tap “Get FASTPASS” to make your Disney FASTPASS selections (availability is limited and not guaranteed). You may make FASTPASS selections only for the tickets in your Disney account that have the Disney MaxPass feature.
When it’s time to enjoy the attraction, head to the FASTPASS Return entrance and hold your mobile device up to the scanner so it can read your Disney FASTPASS redemption code.

If your plans change, no problem. You can easily cancel or change your selection on the My Plans screen (based on availability).

Please Keep In Mind

Guests are strongly advised to check the day’s FASTPASS availability and other park details on the Disneyland app before purchasing Disney MaxPass.
FASTPASS selections for popular attractions may not be available at the time of Disney MaxPass purchase as FASTPASS selections are limited and availability is not guaranteed.
Disney MaxPass is nonrefundable. No credit will be given towards any ticket upgrade for the amount of the Disney MaxPass feature purchased through the Disneyland app after Park entry. If a ticket with Disney MaxPass is upgraded to a ticket without the Disney MaxPass feature, you will no longer be able to make FASTPASS selections from your phone—please plan your upgrade accordingly.
An experience that does not have Disney FASTPASS availability at a physical FASTPASS service machine will not be available using the Disney MaxPass feature.
Guests can only obtain same-day FASTPASS paper entitlements for World of Color and Fantasmic! by visiting the designated in-park FASTPASS Distribution points and scanning theme park ticket or Annual Passport to collect a paper ticket with a Return Time and Viewing Location. Digital selections via the Disney MaxPass feature are not available at this time.
FASTPASS selections available through Disney MaxPass are subject to change without notice.
After a FASTPASS selection has been made, another FASTPASS selection will not be available until the time stated in the Disneyland app.
The Disney MaxPass feature is valid only on the day of purchase if purchased after park entry, or only on the day of theme park ticket use if purchased as part of the theme park ticket. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

In-Park FASTPASS Distribution Points You can utilize FASTPASS Distribution points near the entrances of select attractions at both parks. FASTPASS entitlements are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed.
How to Use

Look for the Disney FASTPASS Distribution sign near the entrance of a participating attraction.
Check the Return Time displayed on this sign.
- If the Return Time works for you, insert your valid Disneyland Resort admission ticket or Annual Passport into the FASTPASS machine.
- The machine will generate a FASTPASS receipt with your Return-Time window.
When you arrive at the FASTPASS Return entrance, make sure to scan the same Disneyland Resort admission ticket or Annual Passport you used to obtain the FASTPASS entitlement.
Enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

Please Keep in Mind

FASTPASS entitlements are valid only during the Return Time printed on the FASTPASS receipt on the day of issue.
Everyone in your party using the FASTPASS Return entrance must have a FASTPASS entitlement.
FASTPASS Service machines will not issue another entitlement until the time stated on your current one.
FASTPASS selections are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
A valid Disneyland ticket or Annual Passport that has been used for park admission is required to obtain FASTPASS entitlements.
Other restrictions may apply. Subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Toy Story Midway Mania!FASTPASS entitlements for Toy Story Midway Mania! are distributed near The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

Fantasmic!Disney FASTPASS tickets for Fantasmic! are distributed along the Rivers of America, adjacent to Frontier Landing.

World of ColorDisney FASTPASS tickets for World of Color are distributed near The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

Radiator Springs RacersFASTPASS entitlements for Radiator Springs Racers are distributed near the entrance to "a bug's land."

"it's a small world"
FASTPASS entitlements for "it's a small world" are distributed near the entrance to Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Disney FASTPASS Service is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. Valid theme park admission is required.

Somethings to keep in mind

FASTPASSES are on a first-come first served bases. I noted some attractions which often disturbed all their FASTPASSES for the day. Disney released so many FASTPASS PER 20-minute window, and when they reach the time for the end of the day for that attraction they stop giving out FASTPASS.
Note when your FASTPASS expires, Disneyland has been extremely strict lately with not allowing people to use expired FASTPASS, exceptions are if the ride broke down during your FASTPASS window. (now when a ride breaks down they give you a Multi-experience FASTPASS that expires at the end of the day, that can be used on most rides that have FASTPASS. (note there are sometimes restrictions to which attraction they can be used for and it will be noted when you are given the MULTI-EXPERIENCE whether it is given thru Disney app (using the MAXPASS) or because you showed up at the attraction with your FASTPASS and are given a paper MULTI-EXPERIENCE FASTPASS.
Little ones (age 2 and under) of course will not have a FASTPASS as they don’t have a ticket, but since children under the age of 7 always needs someone over the age of 14 to ride with them, they except everyone else to have a FASTPASS.