If you’ve ever been to Disneyland or Disney World, or even if you haven’t, you probably know that waiting in long lines is part of the game. However, it doesn’t have to be that way if you use the FastPass+ feature wisely. How do Disney FastPasses work, and why should you use them?
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It’s All in the App
If you haven’t been to Disney in a while, you may not be familiar with the My Disney Experience app. Gone are the days of printing Fast Passes from kiosks in the park. Now, each ticket you purchase comes with three FastPasses. You link your tickets to your app account, and select FastPasses right in the app.
How to Link Your Tickets
The easiest way to link your tickets is to purchase them directly from the app. Open the My Disney Experience app and click the plus sign (+) on the bottom navigation bar. Then, click “Buy Tickets and Passes.”
Tickets purchased in this way will automatically be linked to the account you used to sign in to the app. Then, click the Menu button (three horizontal lines on the bottom navigation bar) and click “Tickets and Passes” to view your tickets. You can assign tickets to different members of your travel group by clicking “Reassign Ticket.”
If you purchase your tickets by other means, you should receive a confirmation email with a M1KE number. To link the tickets, navigate to the Tickets & Passes Page (Menu>Tickets and Passes), then click “Link Tickets and Passes.” Enter the M1KE number, and your tickets will appear in the app.
Build Your Group
If you’re traveling with friends and family, you will likely want to ride some of the same rides at the same time. Anyone whose ticket you are managing through your app will be available to be part of your FastPass group. If someone bought their ticket independently, you can still link your accounts. Here’s how:
Click the Menu Button on the bottom navigation bar, then click “My Account.” My Account will automatically open to the “My Profile” tab; use the top navigation bar to switch this to the “Family & Friends List” tab.
Next, click “Add a Guest.” Here, you can add guests to manage via your account or you can invite another account. You’ll be asked for their name, age, and email address. They’ll get an email alerting them to the invitation. Once they accept, you can include them in your FastPass+ group.
If you need help like I did, visit the Guest Relations desk at Disney Springs or any of the parks, or visit the Disney desk at your hotel. The Cast Members will be happy to assist you.
How to Claim Your FastPasses
On the My Disney Experience app, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the page. Select the top menu button, “Get FastPass+.” Then, click “View FastPass+ Options.”
On the next page, “Create Your Party,” select the group members you’d like to claim a FastPass for. Then click “Continue.”
On the next page, select the park you plan to visit. Then, scroll through available FastPasses. You can toggle through the times at the top of the page to refresh the options. Select your passes, and click to confirm.
How to Use Your FastPasses
Before your visit, make sure that you have a card or a MagicBand linked to your My Disney Experience account. Guest Relations will be happy to assist.
When approaching a ride or attraction, you’ll see two lines – “Stand By,” typcially to the left, and “FastPass+” to the right. Enter the FastPass+ line, touch your card or MagicBand to the Mickey Mouse-shaped sensor, and you’re in.
You’ll still have to wait in line with other FastPass users, but your wait time will be a fraction of that of the Stand By line.
It’s All About the Timing
Fast Passes are literally about the timing – ensuring you spend less time in line so you’ll have more time for fun. But getting the FastPasses you want is also about the timing.
If you will be staying at a Disney Resort, you can begin selecting your FastPasses 60 days in advance of your arrival. All other ticket holders can do so 30 days in advance.
Before this time arrives, select the park or parks you wish to visit and the attractions you most want to see. Pay attention to the wait times as shown on the app – your FastPasses will be most valuable when used on the rides with the longest wait times.
Secure your FastPasses as soon as you can. The closer you get to your visit, the fewer “good” FastPasses will be available.
Help! I Don’t Have Any FastPasses Yet
If the time of your visit is drawing near and you haven’t reserved your FastPasses yet, don’t worry – there is still time.
Check the FastPass+ page of the app several times a day to see if passes for the rides and attractions you want to experience have been released. As people’s plans change, they often release claimed passes, even up to the day-of.
On my most recent trip to the Animal Kingdom, for example, we waited until the day before our visit to claim our FastPasses. The four rides with the longest wait times were Expedition Everest, Avatar: Flight of Passage, DINOSAUR, and the Kilimanjaro Safari. We were able to secure passes to all but Flight of Passage.
Remember, even if you can’t claim last-minute passes for the rides with the longest wait times, any and all FastPasses will help you save a little time to spend on making memories.
Check out our guide to making the most of your Disney World vacation.
One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.