Disney has now fully rolled out its Fastpass+ system at Walt Disney World. With the new system, you make three Fastpass reservations in advance for each day for set times. When you visit a Fastpass attraction for which you have a reservation, you go in a separate entrance and skip the main line.
The system has gotten mixed reviews. While people like the ability to reserve several ride times at once, the limit of three Fastpasses has really put a crimp into planning for many. For example, at the Magic Kingdom, there are a good ten or more attractions that regularly have long lines - it's extremely challenging to avoid all the lines with only three Fastpass+ opportunities. (It can be done - it just takes some heavy-duty planning).
Good news - in a blog post today, Disney announced they will allow people to get additional Fastpass reservations in a day. Here's how it apparently will work:
In essence, this will be a hybrid of the "old" Fastpass system and the new Fastpass+ system. You can make reservations in advance, but after using them, you can get more Fastpasses as before (only one at at time, just like before). And one nice advantage over the "old" system - no trekking to an attraction to pick up a paper Fastpass - just head to the nearest kiosk.
The system has gotten mixed reviews. While people like the ability to reserve several ride times at once, the limit of three Fastpasses has really put a crimp into planning for many. For example, at the Magic Kingdom, there are a good ten or more attractions that regularly have long lines - it's extremely challenging to avoid all the lines with only three Fastpass+ opportunities. (It can be done - it just takes some heavy-duty planning).
Good news - in a blog post today, Disney announced they will allow people to get additional Fastpass reservations in a day. Here's how it apparently will work:
- You'll still make your 3 Fastpass+ reservations in advance (up to 30 days in advance for non-Disney-hotel guests, and 60 days for Disney hotel guests).
- After you've used your three Fastpass+ reservations, you'll be able to make an additional reservation for an attraction at one of the Fastpass kiosks in the park.
- After you've used that reservation, you will be able to make another reservation!
- This will continue on and on, for as many reservations as you'd like to make!
In essence, this will be a hybrid of the "old" Fastpass system and the new Fastpass+ system. You can make reservations in advance, but after using them, you can get more Fastpasses as before (only one at at time, just like before). And one nice advantage over the "old" system - no trekking to an attraction to pick up a paper Fastpass - just head to the nearest kiosk.
What does this mean for planning?
Once again, for the third time in six months, Disney has completely changed the optimal planning strategies (they don't make it easy on people like me, do they?) Since the Fastpass+ system has come into exclusive use, the best strategy has been to schedule your three Fastpass+ attractions for the busiest time of the day you plan to be in the park (late morning or early afternoon usually for Optimal Magic clients). Then you can use the non-busy early morning times for the other long-line attractions.
When this change comes into existence, this strategy will likely get thrown out the window. I'll need to analyze things more, but the new strategy will likely be to schedule your first three Fastpasses as early as possible (likely 9:00-10:00am, 10:00-11:00am, 11:00am-noon). As soon as these Fastpasses are used, then schedule another Fastpass time! You'll be able to get far more Fastpasses this way, and wait in even fewer long lines.
When this change comes into existence, this strategy will likely get thrown out the window. I'll need to analyze things more, but the new strategy will likely be to schedule your first three Fastpasses as early as possible (likely 9:00-10:00am, 10:00-11:00am, 11:00am-noon). As soon as these Fastpasses are used, then schedule another Fastpass time! You'll be able to get far more Fastpasses this way, and wait in even fewer long lines.
Other things to know about this change.
This is all work-in-progress. Things are changing every week with the Fastpass+ system. If you're planning a trip in the next few months, it is absolutely crucial to have the most up-to-date information if you want to avoid the lines and have the most fun on your trip. You can do it yourself, but not with a guidebook - even a brand new guidebook is out of date at this point.
Rest assured that Optimal Magic always keeps completely on top of all the changes occurring at both Disney parks, and any plans we create are 100% up-to-date for the days you'll be at the park. As always, please contact me if you'd like more details either for Optimal Magic helping plan your trip, or for how to do it yourself!
Rest assured that Optimal Magic always keeps completely on top of all the changes occurring at both Disney parks, and any plans we create are 100% up-to-date for the days you'll be at the park. As always, please contact me if you'd like more details either for Optimal Magic helping plan your trip, or for how to do it yourself!
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