Disney FastPass + is a system for rides at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort parks. This is great for planning out your daily itineraries and saving valuable time instead of wasting it in long lines. Essentially, it’s skipping the line with no questions asked. Disney is a place to be a kid again, what takes you back to the elementary school cafeteria more than cutting in line?
However, having to know which rides you want to ride at what time of the day up to 2 months prior to your trip can be a little overwhelming. In this post, we will be covering everything you need to know about Disney FastPass + so you get the most out of your vacation.
What is Disney FastPass +?
It’s a reservation system that allows you to skip the line multiple times a day. All of this is done digitally through the My Disney Experience app. You just have to create an account and connect everyone in your party’s park ticket to that account. Through the app, you’ll be able to schedule your FastPasses before your trip and also during your trip. The Disney FastPass + system links directly to your magic band, so you’ll just need to scan your band when you get in line. You only have a 1-hour time frame to use your FastPass. Also, be sure to get in the line marked “FastPass.”
How much does Disney FastPass + cost?
Many people come to Disney World and don’t even know that FastPass + is a thing. Some also think that a FastPass cost extra money. Disney FastPass + is actually included with all types of park admission.
How many FastPasses can I get?
Each person who has admission to the park gets 3 FastPasses to use per day. After you use the 3 alotted FastPasses, you can then get additional FastPasses one at a time. You can do this until all of the FastPasses are used up.
The first 3 FastPasses have to be used in the same park. After using those 3, all parks are fair game. So, if you are going to park-hop, make sure you schedule 3 FastPass reservations in the first park you enter.
When can I schedule my Disney FastPass + reservation?
If you’re staying in a Disney owned resort, you can make your FastPass reservations up to 60 days in advance starting at 7:00 AM ET. Guests staying off property can make reservations up to 30 days in advance starting at 7:00 AM ET.
Which rides are worth using a FastPass on?
Not all attractions at Disney World are part of the Disney FastPass + system. The ones that are a part of it are also not created equal. Some rides aren’t worth using a FastPass on and won’t really save you any time. If you have reserved a FastPass for a ride and you see that it has a wait time of 15 minutes or less, you may want to change that reservation to something better if available.
Three of the four parks have a tiered system. You may choose one from Tier A and two from Tier 2 making three total FastPasses. The parks that have this system are Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Epcot
At Epcot we recommend using your Tier A FastPass on Frozen Ever After as it is the hardest one to get. If this ride is unavailable, go for Soarin or Test Track next. For Tier B, you would benefit most by getting Spaceship Earth and either Mission Space (if you enjoy simulators) or The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
For Disney’s Animal Kingdom Tier A, Avatar Flight of Passage should be your main priority as we think it is the top attraction on all of Disney World property. Booking this ride as far in advance as possible is a must. (60 days in advance at 7:00 am ET if staying on Disney property; 30 days in advance at 7:00 am ET if staying off property). Tier B needs to be Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Finally, Tier A at Disney’s Hollywood Studios includes Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania. Here you can’t go wrong, however, we would take Slinky Dog Dash as the first pick. Tier B favorites include Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Magic Kingdom
With the number of quality rides Magic Kingdom has to offer, a tier system was not needed at this park. The most sought after FastPasses are Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight. With that being said, there are still a couple we would not waste our FastPass + on altogether. Those rides include Mad Tea Party and The Barnstormer.
When booking your first three FastPasses, you can’t book the same attraction more than once. For example, you couldn’t book the combination of Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom. They must be three different attractions. However, once the first three have been used, you’re free to enjoy your favorite over, and over and over again if available.
What’s the best time of the day to schedule my Disney FastPass + reservations?
The best time to book your FastPass reservations is always going to be as early as possible. This way, you can get more FastPasses for the remainder of the day. Also, lines are typically shorter in the morning, meaning people with a FastPass will also get to experience the attraction quicker. Just be sure to reserve your FastPasses as much in advance as possible.
How can I reserve a FastPass while I’m in the park?
There are 2 options for making Disney FastPass + reservations while inside the parks. The best option is to reserve them directly through the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone. This is the quickest and easiest way. The second option would be to go to one of the FastPass kiosk locations throughout the park. You may have to wait in line if you go this route.
Video credit to TPMvids
These tips should include everything you need to know about Disney’s FastPass + system. We have utilized them over and over. Let us know what are some of your favorite rides to use FastPasses on. Do you have children? We want to know what the best kids rides are to utilize FastPass +. We look forward to hearing from you.
You may also like:
Featured image credit to Undercover Tourist