As a Disney nut, I always get questions. And I get a lot of Fastpass questions. So I'm answering some popular questions here:

-What is a fastpass?

A fastpass is a ticket that you use to reduce your wait time on select attractions. They are free with theme park admission. Essentially, when you approach a ride with this option, you'll see a sign that has a time slot to come back. You go up to the machine and insert your park ticket. You will get a ticket with the time to come back printed on them. (see the bottom fastpass example)

-Wait, the cost is free?

Yes, completely free, even with the most basic admission

-Is Fastpass available at the waterparks?

No, it isn't practical

-Where do I go to use my Fastpass?

You can go to the line that says "Fastpass Return" right in front of the attraction when your time is valid. A Cast member will be stationed at the front of the line to check your time. Another is stationed later in the line to collect your fastpass. This prevents jumping from standby to fastpass, as well as multiple uses of the same fastpass.

-How many people is a fastpass valid for?

One person per fastpass. Each person should use his or her ticket to receive a fastpass so that you may go on as a group.

-I have a child who is under the age for having a ticket. How may I get that child a fastpass?

If your child does not have a pass, the cast member should still let the child in with your valid fastpass. Most attractions that use fastpass are attractions your child may not be able to ride anyway. Examples of Fastpass rides for young children include Peter Pan's Flight, Winnie The Pooh, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and Toy Story Mania.

-Can I use I fastpass I did not receive using my own ticket?

Yes. Sometimes, people may hand you fastpasses, you may have nonriders in your group whose tickets you can use to get fastpasses for an attraction, with their permission, of course, but this doesn't matter. You can use a fastpass even if your ticket was not the one used to obtain it. They do not scan fastpasses and park tickets, so you can get in with someone else's fastpass.

-Ok, this all sounds really good. What's the catch?

You cannot get a fastpass for the same attraction until the previous start time has passed. Also, on the bottom of your ticket, it will say "Another Fastpass will be availible at ____". This means you cannot get another pass for any attraction in the park until that time has passed. Fastpasses are valid for only one ride.

-Can I use my fastpass early?

Not currently, though there has been talk of letting guests in 5 minutes early.

-But I'm LEAVING!

If you know you will not be in the park for a specific fastpass, then try another attraction for a fastpass time when you will be able to use it, or don't get a fastpass. You will not be able to use it early, so don't even try it. Also, stand away from the entrance so as to not block guest who have an earlier fastpass time. It's rude to block the entrance, not to mention extremely annoying.

-My ride time has passed. Can I still use my fastpass?

Fastpasses expire once your time is up. This is a new policy being strictly enforced (unfortunately). However, if you are 15-30 minutes late, most Cast Members will still let you in. If the weather is bad and you are having trouble getting to the ride or it would be dangerous to do so, they should still let you in as well. This brings up a good point: Never try to go through the park if there is more than just a few streaks of lightning. If you have Fastpasses or dining reservations, they will let you in in case of bad weather. Your safety is more important than getting someplace on time.

-The attraction that I had a Fastpass for is broken down. What can I do?

Though I can assure you the crowd will be huge, wait until later in the day. When the ride is fixed, you will be able to use your fastpass, though the wait will be longer. Fastpasses get first dibs.

-What if the attraction will not be back up before park closing?

Generally, in this case, you can use it at any other attraction in the park. If you are leaving, you can ask to use it at another attraction in the park, though this is no guarantee that you will be allowed to do so.

-I don't see a fastpass sign for an attraction!

Many attractions do not have fastpasses. Consult your guide map or Disney's website for a list of attractions. If the attraction is listed, the fastpass kiosk may be in a different location than the usual spot near the ride (one example of this is Winnie the Pooh. The kiosk is located next to Mickey's Phillhar Magic).

-How do I pick an attraction for which to get a fastpass?

First of all, the parks usually have information boards regarding wait times (Magic Kingdom is the exception). The fastpass times are listed on these. If you arrive early in the day, and the fastpasses are for way in advance. Say you arrive in the park at noon, and one attraction has fastpasses for 8PM or later that night. If you REALLY want to ride that attraction, get a fastpass for it. Don't worry, the timing for getting another fastpass won'tbe horrible. The other thing you can do is skip the fireworks and hop in line at the most popular attraction right before the park closes. You'll still be allowed to ride, and the wait will be shorter. Only do this if you don't plan on doing fireworks or have no plans on rushing out of the park.

-I'm not really sure which ride I should start with.

If you're in the Magic Kingdom, work the park logically. In other words, don't go get a fastpass for Space Mountain if you're planning on being in Adventureland when your time comes. What I recommend is sending one person from your group to get fastpasses (and rotating, if necessary)and the rest of the group enjoying another area of the park. Example: One person goes to get fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain, while the rest of the group enjoys things in Adventureland. Work your way back over to Big Thunder Mountain. Or if you go to Tomorrowland first, get Space Moutain fastpasses and stay in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. You get the idea, right?

Are there any attractions for which I should skip the Fastpass?

Generally, live shows are not worth a Fastpass. Here's why: The show starts at the same time no matter what. A fastpass will not make the show start any faster. It may get you a better seat, but even that is debatable. Even with a Fastpass, the line closes when the show is full. It's not really worth wasting a Fastpass.

-What do I do while waiting for my fastpass?
Enjoy stuff with shorter waits (shorter meaning a half an hour or less). If in Hollywood Studios, enjoy the shows. If in Animal Kingdom, enjoy the animals. If in Epcot, do the countries or innoventions for a bit. Whatever!

Just remember, you don't have to be frugal with your fastpasses. If you can get another one, get another one! That's what they're there for.

About the Author: Hi there. I'm Missy, aka MissE1000. I'm from Baltimore, MD. I travel to Walt Disney World at least twice a year, and have been since I was a baby, meaning that I have been there over 40 times. Along with that, I am a published author and am currently studying Journalism. I am also an honors student with extensive writing knowledge. If you would like help or advice planning your next Disney vacation, or if you have any other questions for me, please feel free to comment on my wall or send me a message. I add back if you add me to your fan list, too.