When Disney first announced FastPass+, I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical. My biggest complaint with the system was that originally, you could only pick three rides per day. Really!?!? As a long time Disney vacationer, I had prided myself on being good at getting FastPass tickets. Over the years, I learned a system that kept my family moving through the parks even when waiting times were long. I would average between 5-7 FastPasses per park per day. But now I can only pick three?!?
Thank goodness that’s no longer the case (Disney does listen to its customers). You can now book your three rides in advance, and book additional rides after those three have been used (one at a time like the old FastPass system, but without the tickets). When can you book? Disney World hotel visitors can make Fastpass+ reservations up to 60 days before their visit. Annual pass holders and day visitors can make reservations up to 30 days in advance. My advice is to book your rides as soon as you can, then book the earliest possible ride time for each ride. That way, you can still get additional FastPasses at the parks.
Disney’s FP+ gives you more options. You can use one of your FP+ options for a ride, one for the fireworks, and one for a character meet and greet if you choose to do so. When you book a vacation, Disney will send you a booklet with suggested rides for your family (most likely for first time travelers). So, what are the options?
Magic Kingdom (choose 3): Ariel’s Grotto, The Barnstormer, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Celebrate the Magic, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, The Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Main Street Electrical Parade, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess, Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Town Square Theater Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and Wishes Nighttime Spectacular.
Picks from a 9 yr old: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain because the lines for all three of these rides are pretty long. If I could pick four, I would pick the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad because that ride has a long line and there’s no AC (line is entirely outside).
Disney suggested: Journey of the Little Mermaid, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Wishes Nighttime Spectacular.
My suggestion: If you want to meet the Frozen princesses, that should be the first FP+ option. The lines have been 3-4 hours long on some days (and we haven’t even hit the summer months yet so they could be longer). Being new, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will most likely have a longer than usual wait. Peter Pan, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain also have long wait times.
Hopefully this helps with some of your Disney travel planning. What three rides would you choose at the Magic Kingdom?
I would love to see additional Elsa and Anna FP+ options back at EPCOT. Obviously one location isn’t enough and it might help cut down on the wait times. I know Elsa and Anna can’t be in two places at the same time but hopefully over time, this option will get easier for families with children who really want to see them.