Tag: Fastpass

Disney’s Fastpass+ System Explained

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 2 Comments

*This post has been written with Walt Disney World Orlando in mind*

Disney’s Fastpass+ System is, in essence, a free way to skip the lines of your favourite rides and attractions, that can really enhance the magic of your Disney visit by minimising wait times. The Fastpass+ system is included in the price of your admission, though not all guests are aware of the system, even though it is user-friendly and easy to control with an app on your smartphone.

Read on to find out how to use the Fastpass+ system to make your visit to Disney that much better.

So, how does Fastpass+ Work?

The Fastpass+ system allows guests to preselect a window of time to ride or see an attraction, giving them the opportunity to bypass the general queue and enter the shorter and swifter Fastpass+ queue.

Your selections are made using the Disney app on your smartphone.

So what’s the catch?

There are some restrictions on the Fastpass+ system that you should be aware of

  • It isn’t unlimited.

Each guest receives three Fastpass+ selections. You must use your three selections before you can make another.

  • Your ticket or package can change how you use the Fastpass+ system:

If you have a general ticket to the parks, you can access the Fastpass+ system 30 days before your visit, while guests staying at a Disney Resort can access the system 60 days before arriving at the parks

So how do I use my Fastpasses+ in the Parks?

There are two ways to use your Fastpasses+ and both involve using the Disney app on your phone or smart device.

  • If you have a general ticket or park admission, you will receive a card, (resembling a credit card) upon your entry to the park. This is linked to your park ticket, and thus to your preselected Fastpasses+. When it is time to use your Fastpass+, you simply touch the sensor at your chosen attraction, and enter the Fastpass+ line.
  • If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you will receive a Magic Band, which is also linked to your pre-selected Fastpasses+. When you need to use your Fastpass+, you simply touch your sensor at the start of Fastpass+ line at your chosen attraction.

Our top-tips for Fastpasses+ :

  • Time is of the essence:

Our tip is to take advantage of your Fastpass selections as soon as they become available to you. Whether you have 30 or 60 days to make your choices, it is wise to use the time you have because allocations for your favourite attractions will fill up!

  • Check back!

Checking back on the Disney app after you’ve made your three selections can pay off big time. Slots for the most popular rides and attractions often open up unexpectedly, and you can come across some of the most coveted Fastpasses+ by keeping an eye on the app. This is especially important to do while you are at the Parks!

  • Go in all guns blazing

Have a favourite ride? A character you simply have to meet? Don’t wait, grab a Fastpass+ for it whenever you can, because chances are it’s someone else’s must-do attraction too!

  • Our top-tip for first timers:

Familiarise yourself with the must-do rides and must-see attractions that Disney World has to offer before you even get to the Parks. If you need some help, see our list below of valuable Fastpasses+ to pick up if you come across them.

  • Space Mountain
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Autopia
  • Dumbo
  • Pirates of the Carribean
  • Big Thunder Railroad
  • It’s a Small World

Our Day at Magic Kingdom

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 2 Comments

By Laura Jemetta

Last year we spent a day at Magic Kingdom. Yes, it was just one day, but between our days at Universal Orlando, and the time constraint of our next destination, (San Francisco!) this was all we could fit in! We made the most of our day though, staying from rope-drop to fireworks, and cramming in as many rides and attractions as possible.

So, how did we do it?

We went in armed with the Fastpass+ System, and a plan of attack that included our must-do rides and experiences. Having already chosen our Fastpasses+ we already had a general plan of where we needed to be and when, so all we needed to do was fill in the blanks.

Importantly, we left time for rest breaks and for spontaneity, so that we wouldn’t feel as though we were following a regimented schedule on holiday!

What our day looked like

Our day started as everybody’s does – with a walk down Main Street. We headed towards the Castle, and stopping for some pictures before heading into Fantasy Land. We had our first Fastpass+ at It’s a Small World, so we explored Fantasy Land before boarding our Small World boat, and ticking our first must-do ride off our list.

After riding the Tea Cups, we headed into Tomorrow Land, where we rode Autopia and the People Mover, before stepping back into Fantasy Land to brave the lines for the Carousel. Feeling a little strange amongst all the children with their parents, we made it onto the Carousel, and were glad in the end that we waited out the line. Laura’s choice was Under the Sea – for her favourite Disney film, The Little Mermaid. We were grateful that we applied sunscreen that morning, because part of the line offers no shade from the harsh sun.

Our next Fastpass+ was for the Jungle Cruise, so we made our way over to Adventureland, where we visited Pirates of the Caribbean and explored the Swiss Family Treehouse while waiting for our time slot.

After grabbing some popcorn for lunch, (we were saving our money for a quick service dinner), we grabbed spots for the parade, which were fairly good considering we only got them about fifteen minutes before the parade started. One of Laura’s favourite Disney traditions, the Parade was spectacular as usual.

With the parade done, we were losing stamina after so long on our feet. We trudged back to Tomorrow Land with Space Mountain in mind – another one of our must-do rides. We weren’t to be swayed by the two-hour wait time, instead stopping off at a kiosk to pick up some slurpees to drink while waiting in line. This idea proved to be great – the drinks cooled us down as we waited out of heat, and made the sometimes stagnant line a little bit better. You can read about Space Mountain here.

When we got out of Space Mountain, dusk was approaching and we headed over to our net Fastpass+, The Haunted Mansion, which you can read about here. We found ourselves back in Fantasy Land for an early dinner at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. The food was nice and inexpensive, and we were definitely glad to off our feet for a while.

Fueled up and ready to go again, we walked to Frontier Land to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We found this queue to be the hardest of the day, as it proved to be a colossal wait time in a confined, almost airless space. We both agreed that the wait was worth it, though, for the thrilling rollercoaster that turned out to be one of the best rides of the day.

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By the time we exited the ride, night had fallen, and it was time to get spots for the fireworks. After a little souvenir shopping on Main Street, we took our placed to watch the fireworks. Kate had never seen Disney fireworks, and we both agreed that they were spectacular, and one of the highlights of the day.

We both agreed that after the fireworks were over, it was time to call it a day. We went to the Starbucks on Main Street and got Iced Tea for the ferry ride, and made our way out of the park.

Short and sweet, our Disney was exciting, and full of colour, light and music. Laura got her Disney fix, Kate saw Disney for the first time, and we left exhausted, perhaps a little sunburned and filled to the brim with Disney magic.

What is your favourite Disney memory? Let me know in the comments below!