With FastPass+, you won’t have to wait in the Standby line.One thing that confuses people of all ages who are planning a first Walt Disney World vacation is FastPass+. Chances are that it is not nearly as complicated as you think it is. The best part of all about FastPass+ is that it is free. Here is a quick rundown.
Most rides and shows at Walt Disney World have two entrances. One is Standby and the other is FastPass+. The Wait Time will be listed above the Standby entrance, while above the FastPass+ entrance you’ll see a Return Time. If you have FastPass+ for that attraction, it’s good for one hour. The reason why you’ll want to use FastPass+ is because the line is usually much shorter than the Standby line. Anytime you can wait in a shorter line is a win.
You can book up to three FastPass+ reservations per day ahead of time. They all need to be in one park. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel you can make your reservations up to 60 days in advance. If you’re staying off property, you’ll have to wait until 30 days. In order to make your reservations you will need a My Disney Experience account, which you will sign up for on the Walt Disney World website here. If you have tickets, link them to the account in order to be eligible for FastPass+. When your window for selection opens at 7:00am eastern, you’ll sign in, then go to FastPass+ on the website. From there you’ll pick your party, the date, and the park. Then you will make your selections. You can sort by time, so keep in mind any dining reservations that you might have made. You need to make reservations for everyone in your party who plans to ride, you can’t make them for one person and then expect everyone to be able to get on. You can also book your FastPass+ through the My Disney Experience App on your smartphone or tablet. Believe me, you will want to have this app.
At the Magic Kingdom, FastPass+ is a piece of cake. You can make three choices from over two dozen selections. Keep in mind that there is a limited number of FastPass+ available each day, so some selections might be full.
Things are a little more complicated at the other three parks, but it’s still a simple system to use. All three parks have tiers. You will be able to pick one attraction from Tier One and two from Tier Two. The most popular rides are all Tier One, so grab the one that is most important to you and plan to arrive before the park opens so that you can get in line for something else that is popular.
On the day that you’re in the park you can make a fourth FastPass+ selection after you have used your first three. The most popular rides will most likely have nothing available, but it’s still worth it to not have to wait in line. Also, you need to have used the first three, if you didn’t touch the scanner at the ride’s entrance the system won’t allow you to make another selection. You can pick your fourth FastPass+ on the My Disney Experience App, or look for a FastPass+ kiosk in the park.
If you need to change your plans, it’s easy enough to do. Go onto the website or the app, and find the reservation that you want to change. Follow the prompts. You can change the time, or even change the attraction. Of course, it’s all based on availability. If you have FastPass+ reservations and you’re not going to use them, please cancel them so that someone else will be able to ride.
That’s the basics of FastPass+. If you’re at Walt Disney World and find yourself confused, talk to a Cast Member at the entrance to any ride. They’re more than willing to help you to better understand.
Here are the current attractions that accept FastPass+ at Walt Disney World. Remember that this is all subject to change, especially after the opening of Toy Story Land on June 30.
Magic Kingdom:
No Tiers (choose three)
The Barnstormer
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Haunted Mansion
“it’s a small world”
Jungle Cruise
Mad Tea Party
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Peter Pan’s Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Epcot:
Tier 1 (choose one)
Frozen Ever After
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
Soarin’ Around the World
Test Track
Tier 2 (choose 2)
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Living with the Land
RELAUNCHED! Mission: SPACE
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk With Crush
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Tier 1 (choose one)
Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage
Fantasmic!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Toy Story Mania!
Tier 2 (choose two)
Disney Junior – Live on Stage!
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Muppet*Vision 3D
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Tier 1 (choose one)
Avatar Flight of Passage
Na’vi River Journey
Tier 2 (choose two)
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo – The Musical
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
Primeval Whirl
Rivers of Light