Technically speaking, the Disney FASTPASS system is a virtual queuing system (alternately called a ghost queuing system). Instead of waiting in a physical line (queue), the FASTPASS system allows park visitors to secure their place in a “virtual” line.
Each attraction at a Disney theme park has a maximum number of guests that it can handle in a day. Based on this number and other factors, a set number of seats are reserved for park visitors in the virtual line.
This number of seats is equally divided into five-minute intervals, sometimes referred to as time slots. The very first person to obtain a FASTPASS for the attraction is assigned the first time slot as their reservation/return time. As more and more users obtain FASTPASSES these time slots are depleted and the return time is moved to later in the day.
As an example, on your desired attraction:
- There are 100 seats set aside for each five minute time slot.
- 10:00 a.m. is the first time slot available.
- The first 100 FASTPASSES printed will be printed with the 10:00 a.m. time slot. The next 100 the 10:05 time slot, the next 100 the 10:10 time slot and so on and so on.
What does this mean to you? Simply, as more and more people get ahead of you in the virtual line (i.e. obtain FASTPASSES), the more time it will take for you to get to the front of the line (the later return time). But unlike an actual line, you need not physically stay there to keep your spot. You can leave and return when it’s your time to be at the front.
The number of reserved seats is not important to you as a FASTPASS user. We are only using it here to better explain how the system works behind the scenes. Additionally, 5-minute interval is only used for this explanation and will not affect how you use your FASTPASS.
Comments