Throughout all of your research into Walt Disney World the word “Fastpass+” is going to keep popping up. But, you’re going to need to know what it is, how to get them and how to use them. One of the biggest mistakes first timers (or even frequent visitors) make is not using and making the most of this facility. Honestly, Fastpass+ really will enhance your park experience. So, hopefully you’ll find this guide helpful and it will make your holiday even better.
What is Fastpass+?
Fatspass+ is a system that Walt Disney World use so that guests can reserve a time slot in which they can arrive at an attraction, show or character meet and greet in advance of their trip. This means that when you arrive in your selected time window you’ll be able to join the fastpass line you’ll be able to ride the attraction with a much shorter wait time than the stand-by queue. This then frees up more time to enjoy everything else the park has to offer. All you need in order to use this facility is a valid park admission for the day you’re booking the fastpass.
How do I book them?
Before being able to book any fastpasses you need to have already bought your park tickets and make sure you have your reservation or reference number to hand.
Step 1: To book a Fastpass+ before your trip you need to make a My Disney Experience account on either the Walt Disney World website or on the My Disney Experience app and link it to your reservation or park ticket.
Step 2: Next link your tickets with your account by following the instructions on screen. You’ll need to have your reservation or reference number near by ready to fill in.
Step 3: You now click the Fastpass+ option and select the guests in your party who you want to book the fastpasses for or if you want to add people to your party follow the link provided.
Step 4: Next, pick a date, theme park and time of day and all the attractions with fastpasses available in that window will show up. All you need to do then, is click the time and confirm your booking.
If you don’t make you’re Fastpass+ reservations before you get to the park, you can still use the My Disney Experience app on you phone or tablet or visit a Fastpass+ Kiosk where a Cast Member will be available to help you.
You can make up to 3 fastpasses per day, then once you’ve used them you can make more, one at a time. So you can book another, go and ride the attraction and book another, and so on.
Can I book fastpasses for any attraction?
Well, yes and no. You can book fastpasses to any ride that uses the system.
In Magic Kingdom, you can book a selection of any 3 of their rides or character meet and greets.
However, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios use a tiered system. If the attraction is in Tier 1 then you can only hold one fastpass to any of these attractions and then you select your other two fastpasses from the attractions in Tier 2.
Usually the attractions in Tier 1 are the most popular ones, such as the new rides over in Pandora or Frozen Ever After. Then the rides in Tier 2 are slightly less popular, but don’t think that these fastpasses aren’t worth while, some of these attractions can still have over an hours wait.
When can I book them?
If you are staying in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel then you can book them up to 60 days in advance of your check in date and book them for the entire length of your stay.
If you are staying off property, then you can book them 30 days in advance of the day you’ll want to use them.
How much does Fastpass+ cost?
It’s FREE! Well, when I say free, it’s included in your valid park admission so you don’t have to pay anything extra.
Do I have to use the fastpasses I’ve booked?
No. It’s best that you do, but you can cancel or modify them at anytime. However, please know that once you’ve cancelled one, it’s available for someone else to book so you might not be able to get it back.
How do I use them?
Once you are inside the allotted time window, go to your attraction and join the Fastpass+ queue and tap either your magicband or park ticket on the Mickey tapstiles, walk on and enjoy the ride/show.
Can I go on an attraction or see a show I don’t have a fastpass for?
Yes, all it means is that you have to join the stand by line and will probably have to wait longer. Stand by wait times can vary from 5 minutes to 4 or more hours. But,you can see how long the line is on the sign outside the attraction or on the My Disney Experience app. This way, you can decide whether or not you are willing to wait.
Are they really that important?
Are they important? ARE THEY IMPORTANT??
Short answer, YES.
They are very important. On our last trip to Walt Disney World, my family and I were there for 3 weeks and the longest we ever had to wait to get on a ride or in a show was 20 minutes. We even managed to walk straight on to Avatar Flight of Passage when the stand by wait was 4 hours long.
One day we used our 3 pre-booked fastpasses in the morning and while we were sat having lunch I checked the My Disney Experience app. I found a fastpass to an attraction for 15 minutes later. We finished up eating, headed over to the ride and walked straight on, avoiding the 30-minute queue everyone else was waiting in. So, basically using this free system means that you can make the most of your day in the park; more doing and less waiting.