The FASTPASS!!!

I absolutely love all the looks I get as I am walking quickly through the FASTPASS line on my favorite Disneyland attractions, while the onlookers in the standby line look at me with anger and disgust!  I always think to myself, "they could have got a FASTPASS too!" 
There seem to be many that do not know that FASTPASSES do not cost money and are fairly easy to obtain.  FASTPASSES are available for many popular attractions such as Space Mountain, Star Tours, Big Thunder Mountain, Soarin' Over California, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and more.  During slower times some attractions will not have FASTPASS since it is easy to get right on.  During busy times FASTPASSES will run out, so get them early in the day. 
FASTPASSES will tell you an hour of the day to come back to that attraction.  The time to come back will be posted at the FASTPASS distribution area.  If you plan accordingly you can hold up to three FASTPASSES at a time.  You will want to obtain your first FASTPASS early in the day and then as soon as that FASTPASS is eligible for use you can get another FASTPASS before hopping on your ride.  If, you end up with times that match up well, and the hours all fall within a short time of each other, you can get a third FASTPASS before you go ride either of your first two.  Now, there is some planning and thought that goes into getting your FASTPASSES and it does require a small amount of running around the park, but we try to obtain FASTPASSES in the same area.  If you are extremely adventurous the rules for the first FASTPASS needing to be ready to use before you get another one do not apply from Disneyland to California Adventure.  So, if you feel like you want a little exercise you could hold multiple passes for both parks all at the same time. I do not personally recommend this unless you are there with just a group of adults or teenagers and you just want to hit all the big attractions and you only have one day to do it. 
Ok, so now you are thinking "this FASTPASS thing sounds awesome, but how do I get them?"  When you come to Disneyland you are given your paper Park Hopper passes.  You take these to the area near the attraction that says FASTPASS DISTRIBUTION, you then put in your PARKHOPPER ticker (one for each person) and it will spit out a FASTPASS ticket for you.  You then give this ticket at the entrance to the attraction that will say FASTPASS RETURN.  It's as easy as that! 
One last thing for those of you visiting the parks with younger kids who are not yet able to ride the bigger attractions, you can use the Rider Switch Pass.  To obtain this pass you talk to the Cast Member at the entrance to the attraction.  You must then show them the child to obtain the pass.  The pass is good for up to three riders.  The first rider(s) will take the pass while the remaining rider(s) stay in the standby line and after the first rider(s) exit the remaining rider(s) access the ride through the FASTPASS line.  You may obtain one rider switch pass that will be good for all attractions on the same day. 
HAPPY RIDING EVERYONE!!!