The Fastpass has been at the center of many debates in the amusement park industry. The simple idea of letting a select few cut in line has been a controversy since its introduction. What are the basic Fastpass concepts and how do they impact your visit to a theme park?

The concept of the Fastpass is mainly known as a Disney invention. Riders scan their park ticket and receive a receipt. With that, they return between designated times and get to basically cut in line. The Fastpass system can cut a two hour wait into a ten minute wait by making you virtually wait. While you are still having fun in the park, your Fastpass ticket is waiting for you.

Then there is the Six Flags style of Fastpass, what they call the Flash Pass. While Six Flags does have some systems in place similar to Disney, most parks use the old fashion Flash Pass system. In the old fashion way, riders simply pay money and they get to cut in line several times. The more modern Flash Pass system is similar to Disney’s, except it costs money.

The Fastpass systems have changed the way the average person visits a theme park. It used to be you would show up, and you’d wait in line. Big lines weren’t that bad, because you knew that everyone else had to wait in the same line. And since nobody was cutting in front of you, the lines moved very quickly.

Things are very different with Fastpass. A visit to your local amusement park isn’t a relaxing day, now it’s a mission: how many rides can you squeeze in while not waiting. When you visit a Disney theme park, you have to map out your entire day around Fastpass. Even the more experienced park goers know that Space Mountain Fastpasses sell out in the early afternoon while Splash Mountain Flashpasses are useless after 10 PM because of the short lines at night.

Then there those of us who chose not to use the Fastpass system at all. Those poor unfortunate souls now wait in lines that crawl. While they are patiently waiting in line, Fastpass riders skip right in front and are on the ride in just a few minutes.

But with all the negative aspects, it is making the experience better for many park goers. At Six Flags and Universal parks, Fastpass systems make the experience better for those with deeper wallets. However, at Disney, any park guest can utilize the Fastpass system for free! Sure, the Disney system may be more limited, but it is a fair system that makes a day at Disney much more enjoyable. Less waits equals more fun.

What are your thoughts on Fastpass systems? Do you like them or do you wish they were done away with? Comment below.