When should you get a Fast Pass?
You'll probably recognise this. You walk enthusiastically towards a ride, glance at the wait time board and suddenly see: 75 minutes. At that moment the thought crosses your mind: “Shouldn't we have just got a Fast Pass?”
But is a Fast Pass-style pass really such a game changer, or is it disappointing in practice? In this blog I'll take you through it step by step, so you know in advance whether it's worth it for your day at the theme park.
What is a Fast Pass?
A Fast Pass (also called a skip-the-line pass, Express Pass, Speedy Pass, Quick Pass or Premier Access) is an extra service that cuts your waiting time at popular rides.
Instead of only using the regular queue, you get access to a special, often shorter line, or you book a time slot to come back later via an app or ticket.
Why do people choose a Fast Pass?
The main reason is simple: nobody likes waiting for ages. Especially on busy days, waits for headline rides can easily reach an hour or more, and with a Fast Pass system you can often cut that wait considerably.
It also brings calm to your day. You have to juggle your plans less, you know you'll definitely get to do certain popular rides and you feel less pressure to be everywhere as quickly as possible.
Especially if you only have one day in the park or you're travelling with children, that can save a lot of stress.
But what are the downsides?
A Fast Pass-style service is almost always an extra cost on top of your admission ticket. Prices can add up considerably depending on the park and product, from a single ride to pricey “unlimited” passes.
What's more, such a pass is not unlimited: it often only applies to selected rides, the number of rides is limited or there's a minimum interval between two rides.
Also worth knowing: “faster” doesn't mean “no waiting”. The special entrance or time-slot queue is usually shorter, but you may still have a bit of a wait, especially at peak times or when capacity is temporarily reduced.
When is a Fast Pass really worth it?
A Fast Pass really comes into its own on very busy days. Think weekends, school holidays, bank holidays or sunny days when lots of visitors are expected.
Are you short on time, do you want to get the most out of a single day, or is it your first visit to a park you might not return to any time soon? Then a Fast Pass-style pass can make your day much better, because it's easier to prioritise the most important rides.
When are you better off without a Fast Pass?
Are you going on a quiet weekday outside the holidays, with no special events on? Then you'll often already have reasonable wait times without paying extra, especially if you're willing to arrive early, stay late or plan your route cleverly.
Bear in mind that some headline rides can still be fairly popular on quieter days. In parks with a few big crowd-pullers, a skip-the-line pass can be useful even on weekdays if you absolutely don't want to miss those particular rides, but in many cases you'll manage just fine without.
When are you better off without a Fast Pass?
Are you going on a quiet weekday outside the holidays, with no special events on? Then you'll often already have reasonable wait times without paying extra, especially if you're willing to arrive early, stay late or plan your route cleverly.
Bear in mind that some headline rides can still be fairly popular on quieter days. In parks with a few big crowd-pullers, a skip-the-line pass can be useful even on weekdays if you absolutely don't want to miss those particular rides, but in many cases you'll manage just fine without.
Conclusion: is a Fast Pass worth it?
A Fast Pass or similar skip-the-line pass is not a must, but it is a luxury. On busy days or during a short, tightly planned visit it can make your day considerably more comfortable and efficient, whereas on quiet days it mainly costs extra money.
So think of it as a comfort choice: if you want maximum relaxation and as little waiting as possible, a Fast Pass is often a nice extra. If you can plan well, have a bit more patience and visit the park outside peak times, you'll in many cases manage just fine without.
More practical tips:
The ultimate checklist for a theme park visit!
Crowds at Efteling: When should you go?
