FastPass is a system that was created by The Walt Disney Company and was first introduced in 1999. This system allows guests to skip the long lines at its theme parks. At the rides that offer FastPass, guests can use their park admission pass to get a FastPass ticket with a return time later that day (an hour-long window) printed on it. If the guest comes back to the attraction during the specified return times, the guest can wait in a shorter line and be on the attraction within only ten minutes, and sometimes even much more quickly than that. Keep in mind that the FastPass system only allows a certain number of guest per hour so during the busy seasons you will need to take advantage of this perk early on at the Parks that offer it.

FastPass works like this. Tickets are dispensed by machines outside each attraction that uses them (several machines are usually functioning at once). A guest inserts their park pass and a FastPass ticket is printed with the time slot that they can return to the ride and skip to the front. There is always a cast member on hand in case of any difficulties when going through this process. When first developed, a guest could only hold a single FastPass at a time. In other words, if a guest tried to insert a park pass into another FastPass dispenser before the time shown on their previous FastPass, the dispenser would generate a ticket with a message printed on it stating that it was not yet time to obtain another FastPass. Since the initial launch of FastPass, the rules have been modified a bit, and now additional FastPasses can be had sooner after one another, but still only one per attraction per park pass.

Epcot’s Mission: SPACE was the first attraction that was actually built with FastPass in mind, with a specific queue area built for it. Older attractions were given FastPass by rerouting the queue area to allow a shorter line near the boarding area.

FastPass is primarily used on the most popular park attractions that generate much more traffic. Three examples of this type of attaction would be: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Space Mountain and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The rides that offer FastPass system will constantly change over time as new attractions are installed and as the needs of each ride change. Smaller attractions have no need to utilize the FastPass system due to short or fast-moving lines.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For decades, Walt Disney World guests have dreamed of spending the night in Cinderella Castle — a night when, as the clock strikes 12, the magic doesn’t end. And during “The Year of a Million Dreams,” a 15-month celebration, the dream will finally come true for lucky guests following a magical transformation within the Magic Kingdom landmark.

Unused space originally envisioned as in-park accommodations for the Disney family is being transformed into Cinderella Castle Suite — a place where lucky Walt Disney World guests will spend a dream-come-true night beginning in late January 2007.

Eligible guests will be selected as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway, which began Oct. 1, 2006. For the castle stay, a Walt Disney World guest at a park or Downtown Disney will be selected randomly by early in the afternoon most days beginning in late January. The guest and up to five members of their party will begin their dream-come-true night that evening at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the popular restaurant located in Cinderella Castle. (Because the Castle stay requires same-day use, mail-in winners will be awarded a prize of comparable value.)

After the rest of the Magic Kingdom guests have headed home, these lucky guests can keep the castle lights burning brightly well into the night, wrapping themselves in the cozy comforts of their dream suite — a salon, bedchamber and bathroom off of a private marble-floored lobby some four stories above the surrounding Magic Kingdom, replete with rich details befitting the 17th century fairytale and the French chateaus that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle:

Fluffy feather comforters beneath the regal canopy draping of two queen beds … A cut-stone bedchamber floor inspired by the mosaic art masterpiece that adorns the castle’s breezeway entrance to Fantasyland … … A parlor sofa that invites kicking off the shoes and curling up to read a chapter beneath a vaulted ceiling of the salon … Rich, wood-paneled walls, stained-glass windows, and glimpses of the familiar gray castle stone.

While the idea of having living quarters inside Cinderella Castle dates to the time when Walt Disney World Resort was being planned, until now the space has been a backstage area — essentially a blank canvas for a creative team from Walt Disney Imagineering. In the fashion of a Disney attraction, Cinderella Castle Suite is emerging regally from their meticulous research and design skills.

“The architecture of the castle, the Cinderella story and the suite are all interwoven,” said Stephen Silvestri, the Walt Disney Imagineering show producer/director who is leading a team of designers and craftsmen in the dream makeover. “We want our guests to feel as though they are inside our castle but also immersed within the fantasy realm of the Cinderella story.”

In the lobby of the suite, guests will discover a design of the fairytale pumpkin coach in the marble floor inlay. A memorable artifact from the story — perhaps the famous glass slipper — will adorn a cove. And through the doorway, the bedchamber and salon are appointed with furnishings in the style of the era of “the Louies,” as Silvestri refers to the French rulers of the period inspiring the castle and Cinderella story. Nooks showcase sculpted pieces, clocks and porcelain all befitting the period. Doors are richly detailed; the walls are covered with wood panels and wall coverings. In the bathroom, hand-decorated copper basins sit atop the vanity, recalling a time when fresh water was carried to the bedchamber.

Despite all the careful attention to centuries-old details, the amenities of the Cinderella Castle Suite are definitely 21st century. There’s a lavish garden tub plus a shower. There are also wheelchair accessible bathroom and bedroom facilities and elevator access to the suite. As for a 17th-century-style painting above a regal fireplace: it frames a modern 21st-century flat-screen television.

“We want to balance the practical realities within the fantasy place to make the experience truly a dream-come-true for our guests,” Silvestri said.

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Official Press Release

From an overnight stay inside Cinderella Castle to a visit to Walt Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A. apartment to a Dream FASTPASS badge, dreams big and small will come true at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts as part of the Disney Dreams Giveaway during “The Year of a Million Dreams,” a 15-month celebration of the individual dreams of Disney park guests.

The first-of-its-kind celebration, which began Oct. 1, 2006, features the debut of an incredible lineup of new attractions and entertainment at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts, plus new ways for guests to customize their Disney park experience.

And for the first time, Disney will award more than a million dreams — both large and small, including many money-can’t-buy experiences — to eligible guests and mail-in participants selected through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway.

“Throughout this incredible celebration, special dreams and unique experiences once thought impossible will be awarded by our cast every day,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Disney parks are always the place where dreams come true — but even more so during ‘The Year of a Million Dreams’. ”

The “impossible” includes the creation of over-the-top, overnight experiences for winning guests at both East and West Coast resorts: a royal suite inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort and a Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Resort, opening late January 2007 and early December 2006, respectively.

A day of royal treatment will end with a night of enchantment inside Cinderella Castle for a different lucky guest most nights throughout 2007. Cinderella Castle Suite, now under construction at Magic Kingdom, will allow the winning Disney guest to stay that night inside the park and enjoy a view shared only by Tinker Bell. The lavishly decorated suite will be located in a space originally planned as an in-park apartment for the use of the Disney family.

And for lucky Disneyland guests, most nights starting in December, the all-new Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Hotel will pour on the Mickey charm including magical views overlooking both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. The day they are awarded this dream, guests will enjoy an extraordinary penthouse decorated in All Things Mickey, with finishing touches by none other than Minnie Mouse herself.

In addition, during the 15-month celebration, other Disney dreams both large and small will be awarded in the Disney Dreams Giveaway, such as:

• Traveling to each Disney resort around the world to serve as grand marshal in a Disney parade.
• A variety of unique Disney vacation experiences.
• Admission to special events and other extraordinary experiences in the Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks.
• A Dream FASTPASS badge to enjoy some of Disney’s most popular attractions.
• Exclusive pin and lanyard sets.

Can’t be in the parks? You may still have a dream-come-true through a mail-in entry (details at disneypark.com/rules). For example, mail-in winners could win prizes such as the Disney Vacation Club membership, grand marshal of a Disney parade around the world, exclusive trading pins or Dream Mouse Ears. Some prizes, such as the Castle and Mickey Mouse Penthouse stay, require same-day use, so mail-in winners will receive a prize of comparable value.

At Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

• Grand Marshal Disney Parks World Tour – Tour to all Disney parks globally, 15 days/14 nights.
• Disney Vacation Club – Disney Vacation Club membership for 48 years.
• Disney Cruise Line 10-day Mediterranean Cruise — Includes bridge tour, VIP chef’s table dining.
• Disney Cruise Line 3-day Bahamian Cruise in the Disney Suite – Accommodation in the Walter E. Disney or Roy O. Disney suite; includes bridge tour, VIP chef’s table dining.
• Disney Cruise Line 14-day Trans-Atlantic Cruise – Atlantic crossing for Disney Magic.
• Adventures by Disney –Exciting new Disney-led soft adventure vacations.
• Private Shopping Spree – At World of Disney store, other merchandise venues; features a $500 one-hour shopping spree.
• Disney Dining – Includes meet-and-greet with chef.
• Dream FASTPASS Badge –Enjoy all FASTPASS attractions in a specific park during that day.
• Unique Pin & Lanyard Set – Exclusive, not-for-sale pins featured.
• Dream Mouse Ears – Exclusive, not for sale.

At Walt Disney World Resort

• Cinderella Castle Suite – Overnight stay on the night of the award, royal dinner, VIP viewing of “Wishes” fireworks.
• Walt Disney World Vacation 4-day, 3-night — Winner also designated Family of the Day and participate in the Magic Kingdom opening ceremony.
• “Finding Nemo-The Musical” Stage Show World Premiere – VIP seats, behind-the-scenes tour.
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival – Includes Party for the Senses, VIP concert seating.
• Holidays – Festive family dinner and photo session with Disney characters.
• Grand Openings – Access to media opening ceremonies, premieres.
• Princess and Pirates Event – Includes photo session, special merchandise.
• ESPN The Weekend – Special meetings with athletes and anchors.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – VIP tour, concert seats.
• Star Wars Weekends Weekends — Special meetings with celebrities; special merchandise.
• Super Soap Weekend – Special meet-and-greets with celebrities; special merchandise.
• Special After-Park Hour – Exclusive magical hour for a select number of winners.

At Disneyland Resort

• Mickey Mouse Penthouse – Overnight stay on the night of the award. Includes dinner, themed gift basket, VIP guide, parade viewing.
• Disneyland Vacation, 4-day, 3-night – Includes Family of the Day honors.
• A Visit to Walt’s Apartment — VIP tour; includes dining experience.
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Grand Opening – Access to media ceremonies and events.
• Walt’s Balcony Dining in New Orleans Square – A specially prepared meal and VIP viewing of “Fantasmic!” show.

For more specific information about the Disney Dreams Giveaway, visit disneypark.com/rules.

During “The Year of a Million Dreams,” there also will be new attractions and shows plus more entertainment than ever before that beckons guests to participate. In addition, those always friendly Disney cast members will be “pixie-dusting” like never before with special Magical Moments — millions of surprises bound to bring smiles to guests’ faces.

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This is video footage of the Spangler family from Randolph, Ohio. All part of the Year of a Million Dreams campaign that Disney is running and the Spanglers were the first family to get randomly picked! Congratulations to the Spanler family for the win of a lifetime! Simply hit the play button in the video below to view.

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