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You are here: Home / Travel / Orlando / Disney World / Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

January 31, 2020 by @Modlifeisgood Leave a Comment

Launched officially in 2014, FastPass+ was Walt Disney World’s attraction reservation system. FastPass+ allows you to book attractions in advance of your arrival at Walt Disney World.

Important Information: FastPass+ will not be returning to Walt Disney World. In its place will be a new paid service called Disney Genie+. Read our guide to learn the latest information on Disney Genie+.

Your FastPass+ reservation allows you to join a much shorter line so you can experience the ride quicker. If you don’t use FastPass, you will spend a more extended period in standby lines. In busy periods this will mean you will experience fewer attractions.

FastPass+
An Essential FastPass+ Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

How does FastPass+ work?

You can reserve up to 3 FastPass+ selections per day in advance of your visit. You can only book reservations in advance for 1 park a day.

Once your first three reservations are used, you can book an extra pass. You can continue booking additional selections after each attraction until the end of the day or until no more FastPass slots are available.

You do not have to wait until you ride your 3rd attraction. You can make extra FastPass reservations as soon as you join your 3rd attraction line.

When can I book my FastPass reservations?

To use FastPass+ before your visit you must have either:

  • Valid Ticket or Annual Pass
  • Walt Disney World Resort Hotel reservation plus theme park tickets

Guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort(and select other non-Disney onsite hotels) can book 60 days in advance plus the number of days of their stay. 

Guests not staying at a select resort have a shorter 30-day reservation window. It is essential if you do not have access to the 60-day window, you book your FastPass reservations as soon as they become available. Many of the most popular attractions will already have limited availability.

Fastpass Slnky Dog Dash at hollywood Studios
Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios attracts big crowds

Where do I book?

You can book online or by downloading the My Disney Experience App.

Great! How much does it cost?

FastPass+ is free for all guests.

Can I pay for an extra FastPass+?

For the majority of guests, the answer to this question is no. However, there have been rumors that this may eventually change. Universal Orlando has charged for its Express Pass for many years.

However, guests staying in Club Level and select Suites do now have the option of purchasing three additional FastPass Reservations. Guests must buy this option for a minimum of 3 days during their vacation. The cost of the extra three Fastpass reservations is $50 plus tax per guest per day. The promotion also includes preferred viewing locations for one nighttime spectacular a day.

FastPasses can be booked up to 90 days in advance. You are not allowed to repeat the same FastPass+ attraction during a single day. Also, there are no FastPass Tiers, and you can book for more than one park.

Test Track Fastpass+
Test Track at Epcot

I’m going to book Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Toy Story Mania & Soarin.

It does not work like that, unfortunately. For a single theme park per day, you can make up to 3 FastPass+ selections in advance of your visit.

Once you have used your first set of FastPass+ selections, you can make another FastPass+ choice. Assuming you have a park hopper ticket, this can now be at another theme park.

You can continue booking one additional Fastpass until park close or they all have been distributed. Do keep checking as late availability does often occur.

Grab a Fastpass+ for Space Mountain
Space Mountain Magic Kingdom

Can I always get a FastPass for my favorite ride?

No! The most popular rides do run out of FastPass+ selections. On busy days the majority of FastPass selections will run out late in the day.

Resort guests do get an advantage by being able to book with a 60-day window. Guests who buy tickets on the day might find their only option is to join a standby line.

I don’t have a FastPass what should I do?

For the most popular attractions, do not expect one to become available later in the day. Joining the line at rope-drop, during parades & late evening often result in shorter standby waits.

Your best opportunity is always on opening but make sure you arrive early & not on Extra Magic Hours days if you are not staying at a Disney Resort.

Our blog post on how we Beat the Crowds at the Magic Kingdom has useful tips on what to do on a hectic day.

Buzz Lightyear worth getting a Fastpass due to regular long lines at the Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

I want a FastPass for the attractions at Pandora – World of Avatar

You can only pre-book one Fastpass for either Navi River Journey or Flight of Passage. Do not expect to get an extra FastPass later in the day for the other attraction. If you are only visiting for one day, make Flight of Passage as your first choice.

I’m going to Epcot to ride Soarin, Test Track & Frozen Ever After

You might be, but you won’t be doing it through FastPass+ in 1 day. Epcot and Hollywood Studios have tiered their attractions. You can book 1 Group A ride & 2 Group B. At Epcot Soarin, Test Track, Epcot Forever, and Frozen Ever After are all in group A.

Once you have used your first selections, you can always try for another FastPass. Alternatively, the options are the standby line or returning on another day.

Soarin. Guide to mistakes to avoid at Epcot
Soarin at Epcot

What about Hollywood Studios?

Due to new attractions, there have been regular changes to FastPass at Hollywood Studios recently.

The latest changes were announced on the 23rd of January and include the addition of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Expect further changes to be announced shortly with the upcoming opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. 

You can choose one Tier 1 attraction before you visit. From February 19th attractions in Tier 1 at Hollywood Studios are:

  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Slinky Dog Dash 

All other attractions are in Tier 2 including Toy Story Mania, Alien Swirling Saucers, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Fantasmic! and more.  

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will continue to not offer FastPass+ but we expect this to change later in the year.

Fifty menacing First Order Stormtroopers await guests as they arrive in the hangar bay of a Star Destroyer as part of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

What if I’m late for my FastPass slot?

A few minutes late you will be fine — more than that it will be at the Cast Members discretion.

If you are going to be more than a few minutes late and it isn’t linked to a failure elsewhere, you should rebook.

Are there any attractions that do not need a FastPass?

You must make the best use of your FastPass+ selections. Some attractions rarely need a FastPass, even on the busiest day. We discuss which attractions you should not reserve FastPass+ for in this recent post.

Animal Kingdom FastPass+ Hacks 2020
Expedition Everest

Do you have any FastPass Hacks?

Yes, we do.

Check out out Top FastPass+ Hack nobody else has ever told you.

Should you have a FastPass+ strategy for each park?

While there are similarities, your strategy should be based on what park you are visiting. We have published plans for each theme park, and we recommend you read them before making your reservations:

Magic Kingdom FastPass Strategy

Epcot FastPass Strategy

Hollywood Studios FastPass Strategy

Animal Kingdom FastPass Strategy

Anything else I need to know?

Changes to FastPass+ happen regularly, and we expect there to be further changes in 2020. FastPass+ tiers do change when new attractions open and close. We will update this guide when new changes are announced.

Tower of Terror Hollywood Studios
Tower of Terror

Read More

If you want to find out more about Disney World why not start at our Beginners Guide to Walt Disney World.

Filed Under: Disney World, Orlando, Travel Tagged With: disney world, walt disney world

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Welcome to Modern Life is Good we are a Family Travel site specialising in Walt Disney World Planning, Universal Orlando, Orlando Attractions & Cruising.

We are family of 4 based in the United Kingdom who have become Orlando Fanatics and Enthusiastic Cruisers. We hope this website will help you plan the perfect Family Vacation.

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