Getting on the Fast Track at Disneyland

Disneyland this week is installing its Fastpass system, which it tested briefly at the Space Mountain roller coaster in August, to cut waiting times for popular rides.

Under the system, park visitors can scan their park admission tickets into a machine that prints out a pass, stamped with a time to return to the ride. When they return, they can use the Fastpass line rather than the regular “standby” line, cutting some wait times to five or 10 minutes from an hour or more, said Disneyland spokesman Tom Brocato. Meanwhile, they can visit other attractions. Signs at each ride will indicate the estimated wait time in the standby line, plus the next available Fastpass time. Fastpasses are free.

The Fastpass will first be used at “It’s a Small World,” from Friday through Jan. 2, when the ride’s holiday costumes and music draw extra crowds, Brocato said. Space Mountain will add Fastpass on Nov. 24, followed by Splash Mountain (Dec. 10), Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Dec. 17) and other rides next year, he added.

Walt Disney World in Florida earlier this year installed the Fastpass on some attractions.