Theme Parks: Disney's Passes

Comparison of Disney’s FastPass & Disability Access Service

Revised 4/2021

Craving a break from adulthood, my husband and I visited Disneyland recently.  In addition, my baby sis wanted to celebrate her 60th in the land of make-believe and I’d never skip an opportunity to spend time with her.  Still, I was concerned about standing in long lines, which is a nagging issue due to my Multiple Sclerosis.  Luckily, Disney offers two types of passes to help guests shorten the length of time spent in those ridiculously long lines. 

Note: Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.

FastPass

The FastPass, is available for use by all guests but isn’t available for all rides.  FastPass Distribution signs are near the entrance of attractions/rides offering passes. (These are marked on your Disneyland map.  Ask for a map as you enter the park.)  If the return time listed on the sign suits your schedule, insert your valid Disneyland Resort admission ticket.  The machine then issues a card timestamped for that return time.   Walla, you now have a designated time to return, so your wait time is greatly reduced. 

Return to the FastPass entrance to the attraction/ride at the appointed time, display your card and enjoy!

Please Note

• Everyone in your party needs a pass for the same time (or nearly the same time).
• These passes expire soon after the time stamped on your card. 
• Please visit the Disney website for a list of rides/attractions offering the FastPass. 
• Due to Covid, most every day is different.  Check the website daily before visiting

Disability Access Service (DAS)

This pass/card is available for those with disabilities or health issues that prevent standing for long periods of time.  The Disneyland website states that you can pick up a pass at Guest Relations, situated at the front of each park, which is the Town Hall of Disneyland.  This isn’t exactly how this works.  The bar code on the back of your ticket is your card.  (A bit confusing; I know.) By this code, all Cast Members know who you are and can assign a return time to the code for an attraction/ride.

To use this “pass”, visit any Information Center Guest Relations kiosk in the park—all are marked on a map you will receive from the cast member who issued your DAS card.  (Look for a podium marked with a large I.) Once there, inform the cast member of your attraction/ride choice.  She/he will scan your ticket into their handheld computer (looks like a cellphone), assigning your ticket with a return time—similar to the FastPass.  

The biggest difference here is that your return time expires when you use your ticket to enter the attraction/ride.  Once you use your ticket, you can get another return time for another attraction/ride. 

So, long story short.  Present your ticket to the lovely person behind the Information Center Guest Relations kiosk.  Hand that person your ticket.  State your chosen ride.  She/he will inform you of your entry time.  You use your ticket any time after that stated return time.  Simple.

Which pass is best?

Both passes work similarly, except that the DAS return time doesn’t expire and the FastPass does.  The FastPass offers a narrow window for your return time, while the   DAS offers the disabled more flexibility.  However, both are great tools for skipping those long lines. 

For those with disabilities, I suggest using both, as sometimes the FastPass offers a faster return time. 

For more information contact:

Disability.services@disneyparks.com or (407) 560-2547

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