O.C. BUSINESS PLUS : HEARD ON THE BEAT / TOURISM : Bypass Long Lines at Disneyland

Disneyland park officials are privately expressing hope that the FastPass ticket program, which eliminates long waits for popular rides, will be in place by Christmas at the Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and It’s a Small World attractions.

Last year’s Christmas season, including a holiday-themed version of the Small World boat ride, was a smash, and Disneyland plans to promote its winter good cheer even more heavily this year. FastPass, which assigns riders times later in the day when they can return and bypass the long regular lines, would be a major additional draw.

Officially, FastPass’ debut is scheduled for early 2000, Disneyland spokesman Thomas J. Brocato said recently.

But Magic Kingdom operations director Paul Yeargin has told employees “they want it up and running on Indy, Splash, Space and Small World Holiday by Christmas,” one well-connected source said. “Indy and Splash will be closed in November to convert the queues to FastPass”--at least if the current plans stick.

Another change involves the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, a Frontierland summer fixture and a favorite of employees who compete in canoe races before the park opens. In a break with recent practice, Disneyland Executive Vice President Cynthia Harriss has decided to keep the canoes operating past the end of summer, said a worker who a year ago had feared the attraction would be closed forever to save money. “We were all completely floored” by Harriss’ decision, the employee said.