The best FastPasses in each park largely depends on your travel party and interests. However, the main purpose of using the FastPass+ system is to schedule a time for your choice of rides and attractions to have a shorter wait time. Many people opt to select the most popular rides and attractions, as these often have the longest wait times. When choosing your FastPasses, you will want to consider the popularity of the ride as well as what is most important to your travel party.
Let’s review the FastPass+ System.
When you book a vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, you are automatically given the opportunity to book 3 FastPasses of your choice per park day. There is no charge for this and once you use your first three, you are able to book additional ones based on availability. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will be able to book your FastPasses 60 days in advance. If you are staying off property, you will be able to book 30 days in advance. If you prefer to just grab as you go, there is typically same-day availability for some of the attractions in the parks as well.
Many of the most popular attractions also have height requirements so if you are traveling with small children or not everyone wants to ride a particular attraction, there is the option to use Rider Swap or split the party and do a different attraction.
Here are some recommendations for each park:
Magic Kingdom
(1.) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – this is one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom. With a height requirement of 38″, it is kid-friendly and fun for all ages. When the park opens, you will often see people running to get in line for this ride so it is a very good use of a FastPass and you will likely avoid a long wait!
(2.) The 3 Mountains – I am referring to Big Thunder Moutain Railroad, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain here! These rides all have a height requirement – 44″ for Space Mountain and 40″ for the other two – but are great thrill rides that are very popular.
(3.) Enchanted Tales with Belle – this fun, interactive attraction is a show instead of a ride but is very popular because little ones have the opportunity to be a part of it. There is even a brief meet and greet with Belle at the end!
(4.) Peter Pan’s Flight – this is a classic, slow-moving ride based on the movie and it ALWAYS seems to have a very long wait! This is a good use of a FastPass to avoid a long line and spend time riding other attractions.
(5.) Character Meet & Greets – At the Magic Kingdom, there are a few characters that you will not find in any other parks and the waits to meet them can be quite long. At Princess Fairytale Hall, you will find Rapunzel and Tiana. This is the only place at Walt Disney World where you can meet Tiana and one of only two places to see Rapunzel. As part of Mickey’s Birthday Celebration, Minnie has joined Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theatre for a special meet and greet. They are both wearing special outfits and it’s a great way to meet, and get a picture, with the mouse couple together!
In the other three theme parks, the FastPass+ system is a tiered system. This means that guests can choose one option from Tier 1 and the others from Tier 2.
EPCOT
(1.) Frozen Ever After – If you have young children that are under 40″ tall, this is a great option for your Tier 1 FastPass. This ride has been very popular since opening and is a great way to relive the movie, with music and familiar characters.
(2.) Soarin’ Around the World – This is another Tier 1 option, having a height requirement of 40″ tall. Go on an adventure around the world in a hang glider and don’t forget to look for hidden Mickeys! Avoid the lines by using your FastPass for this ride, as this is one ride that many people head to as soon as the park opens!
(3.) Spaceship Earth – This is a slow-moving ride through time located inside the iconic geosphere near the main entrance of the park. It is a Tier 2 option and a classic that shouldn’t be missed!
(4.) Journey into Imagination with Figment or The Seas with Nemo and Friends – As a third FastPass option, and second Tier 2 attraction, I suggest either of these two attractions located in Future World. While typically you will not find a long wait for either of these attractions, it is dependent on several factors. Both are very kid-friendly with music and fun characters, with areas to explore upon exiting the ride. Besides, who doesn’t love Nemo and Figment?
Hollywood Studios
(1.) Toy Story Land attractions – if you are able to get a FastPass for Slinky Dog Dash, that is definitely the best option! It is one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World and is another kid-friendly option, with a height requirement of 38″ tall. If you are not able to get this, grab one of the other Toy Story Land attractions. Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania are both great and fun for all ages.
(2.) Rock’n’Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith – This popular indoor rollercoaster is a fun option for those 48″ or taller and is a thrill ride that is not to be missed, featuring classic Aerosmith songs and fun inversions!
(3.) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – this classic thrill ride is based on the popular television series and is a must-do while visiting Hollywood Studios.
(4.) Disney Junior Dance Party – one of the newest additions at Hollywood Studios features popular characters from Disney Junior and is sure to be a hit with your little ones!
Animal Kingdom
(1.) Avatar Flight of Passage – This popular thrill ride is one of the newest additions to Animal Kingdom with the opening of Pandora in 2017.
(2.) Na’vi River Journey – If you are not able to get Flight of Passage or if you prefer something that is not as intense, this is the ride for you. It is a great way to experience all that Pandora has to offer and is a kid-friendly option.
(3.) Kilimanjaro Safari – This popular attraction is great for all ages, a fun way to see many of the animals in the park, and you will find many families heading there throughout the day. You can avoid the lines and see all the animals throughout the savanna by using a FastPass for this ride. I have never been on a “bad” safari ride!
(4.) Expedition Everest – This rollercoaster has great theming and a few surprises along the way. With a height requirement of 44″, it may be a bit intense for some but is a thrilling ride that can’t be missed! Use a FastPass for this ride and save time for other popular attractions and shows!
(5.) Festival of the Lion King – this show is, in my opinion, one of the best shows in all of the parks. While you do not need a FastPass for this per se, using one will oftentimes get you a better seat. There is so much to love about this Broadway-style show that is fun for everyone!
When choosing your FastPasses, I highly recommend thinking about what your travel party likes to do and then scheduling the post popular attractions based on that. If you don’t enjoy roller coasters, character meets may be a better option. Also keep in that if you plan to split your party at all, you can book different FastPasses for different people. For many attractions included in the FastPass+ system, Disney PhotoPass is also available. If you purchased Memory Maker, you will find that photos and videos are included from select attractions and are automatically added to your My Disney Experience account. Another tip – when scheduling your FastPasses, you can go to other attractions that are nearby in between, or you can try to move your times up once you scan your Magic Band or card. This will allow you to schedule additional FastPasses sooner and experience more of what the park has to offer.
If you know that you want to experience any of the highly sought after or popular attractions, it is best to be prepared to schedule these as soon as possible so that you have your choice of times and attractions.
Ready to experience all the magic that the Disney Destinations have to offer? Let’s get started planning your next vacation! As an agent with Key to the World Travel, the official travel partner of Chip and Company, I can help you plan your trip to any Disney Destination and beyond! Contact me today at k.greer@keytotheworldtravel.com or fill out the quote request form below. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram too for all the latest news and planning tips.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started Now for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
- How Does Lost and Found Work at Disney World? - December 19, 2021
- What Happens to my Reservation if Disney Prices Increase? - January 8, 2020
- Are There any Buffet Character Dining Experiences at Disney World? - December 30, 2019
Comments are closed.