All about Fastpass+ With Disney doing away with the old paper FastPasses I recommend all my guests log into the My Disney Experience website and select their 3 (sometimes 4) FastPass+ rides. You can start this 60 days before your arrival. I recommend not starting your FastPass+ selections until after 11am. Unless you are visiting during a HIGH crowd time like New Years, or Spring Break. How to make FastPass+ reservations On-site guests can make FastPass+ reservations (3 per day in 1 park) using the My Disney Experience app or website up to 60 days in advance. On-site guests can also make use of the kiosks in the park. Off-site guests can make FastPass+ reservations (3 per day in 1 park) using the My Disney Experience app or website up to 30 days in advance. Off-site guests can also make use of the kiosks in the park. You will have to make 3 FP+ reservations, even if you only want 1 or 2 The only exception to that could be if you arrive at Animal Kingdom less than 3 hours before it closes, in which case you could be limited to just 1 or 2 FastPass+ reservations. You can t make your first 3 FastPass+ reservations for the same ride twice. Your first 3 FastPass+ reservations must be for all different rides. However, you can get more FastPass+ reservations after you use the first 3. Once your first 3 FastPass+ reservations are used or expired, you can then go to a kiosk and get a 4 th Once your 4th FP+ is used, you can go to a kiosk and get a 5th. These additional FastPass+ reservations can be in the same park or a different park and can be for the same ride over and over, if you want. There are plans to add this functionality to the My Disney Experience app but for now, you must go to a kiosk. Don t use FastPass+ reservations unnecessarily If you arrive at an attraction to use a FastPass+ reservation and the standby line is short (5 or 10 minutes), skip the FastPass+ line, get into the standby line and then change that FastPass+ to something else to use later. You can make the change on your phone or at a FastPass+ kiosk. If your plans change, you can update your FastPass+ selections on the go If you re at Walt Disney World Resort, you can make changes with the My Disney Experience mobile app, at your Resort hotel Lobby Concierge or at the FastPass+ kiosks conveniently located throughout all 4 theme parks.
Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom touring has changed with the addition of New Fantasyland. There was always a lot to do at Magic Kingdom and now there s even more, making it preferable to spend at least 2 days at Magic Kingdom. You will have to make 3 FP+ reservations, even if you only want 1 or 2 (if you choose 2 attractions, the system will automatically pick another for you so you ll end up with 3). However, if you arrive to Magic Kingdom less than 3 hours before the closing time, you will likely be restricted to making just 1 or 2 FastPass+ reservations. FYI these are priorities, NOT tiers. Tiering is only in effect at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Top priority for MK * Enchanted Tales with Belle * Space Mountain * Peter Pan *Big Thunder Mountain Railroad *Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall* *Splash Mountain *Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Second priority *Meet Rapunzel and Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall *Buzz Lightyear s Space Ranger Spin *Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh *Haunted Mansion *Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid *Barnstormer *It s a Small World *Meet Ariel at her Grotto *Pirates of the Caribbean *Jungle Cruise Third priority *Dumbo *Mad Tea Party *Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor *Magic Carpets of Aladdin *Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater *Main Street Electrical Parade (reserved section near the hub) *PhilharMagic *Wishes (reserved area in the Rose Garden) *THE longest line in all of Disney World and very difficult FP+ reservations to get. If you re staying on-site, you might want to visit Magic Kingdom on an Extra Magic Hour morning and go right to see them This is not a great park where you could easily arrive late, and the increased number of attractions makes me want to suggest 2.5 days here for people on a 1 week trip. One idea would be to spend the evening at Magic Kingdom on your arrival day doing a few things that you ve reserved ahead of time. That will allow you to visit all of the popular attractions without long lines.
Epcot Epcot plans have changed a bit since Test Track was revamped. Although the ride is basically the same that it was before, people are curious about it and it s more in-demand than it used to be. That makes it a higher priority now than before but not more important than Soarin. Kidcot Fun Stops: World Showcase See the Cast Member at any Kidcot Fun Stop to get a complimentary cardboard Duffy the Disney Bear for your child to decorate and personalize with the supplies provided at each station. Your friendly Cast Member will share insights about his or her native land, such as how to say hello, and give your child a stamp of Duffy in each country. Visit each Kidcot Fun Stop to collect them all! Those wanting a more elaborate keepsake can purchase a World Showcase Passport to house their stamps. Each passport comes with a Mickey Mouse button and stickers for each country. FastPass+ attractions are split into tiers at Epcot. You can pick one from Tier 1 and two from Tier 2. You can t pick 3 things from Tier 2 as an alternative. You will have to make 3 FP+ reservations (reservations are in 1 hour blocks of time, except for shows which are a shorter period of time), even if you only want 1 or 2 (if you choose 2 attractions, the system will automatically pick another for you so you ll end up with 3). However, if you get to Epcot with less than 3 hours before the closing time, you will likely be restricted to making just 1 or 2 FastPass+ reservations. Here s the thing about Epcot: I m not sure you ll need a FastPass+ reservation for anything other than a top tier ride (Soarin or Test Track). In other words, the Tier 2 items are not really needed unless you plan to show up later or you re visiting during a really busy time. However, the FastPass+ system will require you to pick two Tier 2 reservations. Tier 1 (Choose 1) -Soarin * -Test Track* -IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth*** -Living with the Land*** Tier 2 (Choose 2) -Mission: Space* -Turtle Talk with Crush* -Spaceship Earth** -Maelstrom* -Character Spot*** -Captain EO*** -Journey into Imagination with Figment*** -The Seas with Nemo & Friends*** * Best use of a FastPass+ reservation, top priority ** FastPass+ not usually necessary, second priority *** FastPass+ not recommended, lowest priority If you want to arrive to Epcot a bit later in the day but still want to do nearly every attraction, just make sure you have a FastPass+ reservation for Soarin and then ride Test Track in the single rider line. The only thing you ll probably have to miss by showing up late is Sum of All Thrills which doesn t have a FastPass+ option.
Hollywood Studios Hollywood Studios touring plans have mostly stayed the way they always were. One change to touring Hollywood Studios is the fact that the park opens early now. You can expect to see it open between 8:15 and 8:45 on days when the posted opening time is 9. Arrive at Hollywood Studios by 8 or 8:15. Also, be sure to check the Times Guide to see where you want to fit each show into your day. You can see the current week s schedule at WDWent.com. The Times Guides are also available at the parks and in various apps. Jedi Training is a first come, first serve deal that kids LOVE. You will want to be at Hollywood studios before opening at 9, probably 8:30-8:45 to make sure you can get in right away. When you go in the first street to the left will be the direction you want to go. You will see the flock of people. FastPass+ attractions are split into tiers at Hollywood Studios you may choose one from Tier 1 and two from Tier 2. You can t pick 3 things from Tier 2 as an alternative. 1 from Tier 1, 2 from Tier 2. You will have to make 3 FP+ reservations (reservations are in 1 hour blocks of time, except for shows which are a shorter period of time), even if you only want 1 or 2 (if you choose 2 attractions, the system will automatically pick another for you so you ll end up with 3). However, if you arrive less than 3 hours before the closing time, you will likely be restricted to making just 1 or 2 FastPass+ reservations. Tier 1 (Choose 1) -Toy Story Midway Mania* -Rock n Roller Coaster* -Fantasmic!*** (NOTE: in the early stages of FP+ testing, this gave people prime seats to watch the show. Now it gives people the ability to skip the standby line but the prime seats are given to people who book the Fantasmic Dining Package) -Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage*** -The Great Movie Ride*** Tier 2 (Choose 2) -Tower of Terror* -Star Tours* -Voyage of the Little Mermaid** -The American Idol Experience*** -MuppetVision 3D*** -Disney Junior Live on Stage*** -Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!*** -Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show*** * best use of a FastPass+ reservation, top priority ** FastPass+ not usually necessary, second priority *** FastPass+ not recommended, lowest priority If you want to visit more than 1 park in a day, I would suggest Hollywood Studios as a good park to do during the first part of the day because you can usually do everything without any FastPass+ reservations (unless crowds are heavy) if you show up early and hit the busiest attractions within the first 2 hours.
Animal Kingdom FYI these are priorities, NOT tiers. Tiering is only in effect at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Top priorities for FastPass+ at Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest Kilimanjaro Safaris Second priority for FastPass+ at Animal Kingdom Festival of the Lion King Kali River Rapids DINOSAUR Primeval Whirl Finding Nemo The Musical Third priority for FastPass+ at Animal Kingdom It s Tough to Be a Bug Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost Want to arrive late? If you want to sleep in or hop to Animal Kingdom from another park, it s pretty easy to do as long as you have FastPass+ reservations for both Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest plus 1 other (like DINOSAUR or Kali River Rapids).