*as of July 2020 Disney World reopened after being closed due to covid-19 without it’s popular fastpass option. In October 2021 they switched over to an additional fee program calling this line the Lightening Lane.
One thing I could do without on our Disney vacations is standing in line. There seems to be a line for just about anything; transportation to the park, getting into the parks, ride lines, bathroom lines, lines for food. You get the idea. But Disney has come up with a system they call Fastpass to help decrease how long you have to wait in line for a ride or attraction. Now not every ride will have fastpass available but most of the popular rides will, those are the ones you will want to snag as the wait time for these can easily go over an hour even in the off season.
- Disney World and Disneyland each have their own FastPass system.
- The line to the Fastpass entrance is separate from the standby line.
- Having a Fastpass does not guarantee no wait just a shorter wait time.
Over at Disneyland they have fastpass included in your ticket price or for an additional fee you can now purchase MaxPass. For the MaxPass you must first download the Disneyland app and link your tickets on the My Disney Experience. You will then have to purchase the MaxPass, as of August 2017 the cost is $10 per ticket/per day. For those with an anual pass you can add this on for the year for $75. Included in the price you will also get a download of the pictures you take with the Photopass photographers. Once everything is linked you can make your fastpass selection. Fastpass can only be booked and redeemed on the same day where at Disney World they can be made up to 60 days in advance. A fastpass is not guarantied with the purchase and Disney advises that you check the availablity before buying as no refunds are given.
The do still offer a no extra cost option that is is included in your ticket. You will find a machine in front of select attractions. Above it you will see a sign with a return time if that time will work for you just insert your park ticket and a return ticket for that ride will pop out along with your park ticket (don’t forget this at the machine). Your return ticket will have an hour window for which you will need to return and enter through the fastpass line. Each member of your party will need a ticket if they want to ride. On the return ticket it will also show the time you can get another fastpass.
Disney World rolled out FastPass+ a few years back. Before then they had the old paper ticket system Disneyland uses. Around the time they introduced the Magic Bands they also upgraded the fastpass systems. This is included in the price of admission. With Fastpass plus you will need to link your park ticket to your My Disney Experience. If you have a magic band this will also need to be linked. Then you are able to book your fastpass up to 60 days in advance. If you are not staying at a Disney World resort than you can only book 30 days out. Your fastpass can be booked online though the My Disney Experience site, on the Disney World app and at kiosk inside the parks.
The rides and attractions (including parades and fireworks) fall into different tiers and this means you can only choose one from the popular rides at each park. The other down side is that you can only select rides/attractions from 1 park per day. So if you are planning to park hop you will need to pick which park you will benefit the most from a shorter line. But once you have used your 3 choices you have the option to add extra fp at a different park.
Each person with a ticket (under 3 will not need since they don’t need a ticket) will need a fastpass in order to get in the fastpass line. Once at the ride there will be a Mickey sensor you will tap your ticket or magic band to confirm both at to enter the line and just before boarding. Each fastpass will have an hour window for you to use it. Most rides are fairly strict about no admittance before or after your time slot so watch the clock. I would suggest the Disney World app if you don’t already have it to help keep track and to make changes if needed.
The Fastpass system can really help make your vacation great. When we visit between the extra magic hours and Fastpass we never wait for more than 15 minutes in a ride line. I am amazed how many people do not take advantage of this added Disney perk. Make sure you use Disney’s Fastpass on your next Disney trip and you will be glad you did!