Walt Disney World Planning With FastPass +

Here is the most comprehensive and easy to understand list of FastPass + options for Walt Disney World that I have seen to date.  It is exactly what I needed in order to consider what might be our FastPass + selections for our summer trip.

Like many, this will be our first time traversing to the most magical place on earth with our MagicBands and utilizing FastPass +.  This will be different than our previous eleven visits and I am excited about giving all of this technology a try. 

I have two strategies in mind.  One for the current FastPass + system; one park, one day, three FastPass + choices for that day.  With this strategy in mind and knowing that we will have one whole day at each park, along with an evening at Magic Kingdom, let’s start with our evening at Magic Kingdom—if time allows, our 3 FastPass + selections would include Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Wishes fireworks viewing.  Notice how all of these selections are within close proximity of the hub?  Since we will be dining at Tony’s that evening, I wanted to stay close to the hub—not venture too far into the park.  And, the attractions we picked are the same during the day or night—another criteria.  Our whole day at Magic Kingdom would include Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and something that isn’t on the list yet—Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster.   Yep, we would use all three of our selections for these attractions.

A day at Animal Kingdom would include the selections of Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, and another attraction that I’m predicting will be added to the list—Festival of the Lion King—in it’s new location.  If not, DINOSAUR would be our final selection.

At EPCOT, where FastPass + selections are tired, our Group A selection would be Soarin’ as we will ride Test Track when we first arrive at the park.  Our Group B selections—Living with the Land, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends if we have to choose.  But if the boys want Mission: SPACE, then that will take the place of Nemo & Friends.

Hollywood Studios Group A FastPass + selection will definitely be Toy Story Midway Mania, though we will also ride it upon our arrival at the park.  Group B selections would definitely include Star Tours, and if possible that one twice.

Here’s my thinking:  We are going to FastPass + the same attractions we would use the legacy FastPass for.  Another strategy that has worked for us, is arriving at the parks early—when they open and we will continue with that strategy. 

I am still amazed that the FastPass + selections include attractions and experiences that guests have never needed a FastPass for previously.  In all of our trips, we have never seen a long line at Journey Into Imagination or Captain EO or Spaceship Earth for that matter.  Guests who are not familiar with the theme parks are going to select these experiences unknowingly and will either be amazed by their quick access or wonder why they needed to use a FastPass + selection for entry.  It is as if Disney needed to include some “non choices” to give the impression of a variety of selections available. 

One plus in all of this. . . the husband will not be charging after FastPasses after rope drop.  He can leisurely walk with us to our first attraction!