FastPass Guide to the Disney-MGM Studios

There are a total of 5 (five) attractions at the Disney-MGM Studios which offer the FastPass service. While the Studios is the smallest theme park on Disney World property, it can easily drain a lot of your time if you don't know how to maximize your game plan.

First, if you arrive at the park just as it opens; head straight for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Don't get too excited, you shouldn't ride it just yet. Present your admission ticket at the automated FastPass machines and collect your FastPass. Now, head next door to the Tower of Terror where the stand-by line is more than reasonable this early in the morning (no more than 15 minutes).

By the time your party enters, rides, and exits the Tower of Terror, the time should be just right for you to return to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster entrance with your FastPasses.

Voila! You just rode the two, most popular thrill rides at Disney World in no time! That's two attractions down; three to go.

Now, head back down towards Echo lake (look for Gertie, the giant green dinosaur) and get a FastPass at Star Tours about 25-30 minutes before the next Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show is set to begin.

Next, you'll want to catch that showing of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. This show offers FastPass but you WILL NOT want to waste one here. As long as you arrive about 20-25 minutes before show time, you will walk right in and get a great seat. That might sound like a long time in advance but about 10 minutes before show time, there is a great pre-show that you won't want to miss.

The Indiana Jones theater houses over 2,000 guests who make a direct bee-line next door to ride Star Tours after the show is over. But you already have a FastPass! You will be in and out of Star Tours in no more than 15-20 minutes, while the stand-by line outside grows to the usual 30-45 minute wait.

There's one FastPass enabled attaction left and believe it or not, it proves to be the trickiest to plan for: The Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

The best advice I can give you if you're planning on staying for Fantasmic! is to wait until the last Little Mermaid show of the day, as it tends to be the least crowded. By that time in the day, you can afford to use a FastPass here since you've already done the other four FastPass attractions. This way, you'll guarantee yourself a great seat no matter what.

After the show, you can take a stroll back down towards the Tower of Terror and get in line for Fantasmic! well ahead of time.

To put it your time savings into perspective: The 5-6 hours between the time you experience Star Tours and the Voyage of the Little Mermaid can be used to see the rest of the park and for lunch.