Fastpass+ & Magic Kingdom Park

Recently, I posted an article about the new Fastpass+ system & Magicbands. If you missed it, please feel free to click here.   As promised, here is more in-depth information specifically regarding Magic Kingdom.

The changes to Fastpass+ mean that planning your day just changed.  No more running to an attraction to grab a fastpass while the rest of your party heads somewhere else!  If you are staying on-site or are a passholder or have a magicband, you get to make those fastpass reservations before you get to the park.  Otherwise, you will need to stand in line at one of the Fastpass+ kiosks located throughout the parks to make your fastpass selections.  During busy times, these lines can be quite long.  Once you have your admission tickets, you can also use the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone.  You can enter all ticket info for your entire party so that making Fastpass reservations, as well as changes, is easier.

There are several Fastpass+ Kiosk locations throughout Magic Kingdom.  Just look for the Fastpass+ kiosk signs located near these attractions:

Stitch’s Great Escape         Pete’s Silly Sideshow                                                                 Mickey’s Philharmagic      The Diamond Horseshoe                                                           Jungle Cruise                        Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Most guests stop at the kiosk located near Stitch’s Great Escape because it’s the first one you can really see as you enter the park.  The line here can be upwards of an hour!  If you see a long line here, I would suggest another location.  I, personally, have had good experience with shorter lines at The Diamond Horseshoe & Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Once at the kiosk, the cast member will scan your ticket media & link your party together.  You will then get to choose your 3 fastpasses for the day.  Here is a list of attractions available for selection:

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
• The Barnstormer
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mad Tea Party
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Wishes nighttime spectacular
• Main Street Electrical Parade
• Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
• Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
• Meet Cinderella & Rapunzel at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Anna & Else with visiting princess at Princess Fairytale Hall

Lots of choices there!  Which ones should you choose?  How should you begin to decide?  Read on!

Just as with the paper system, there are still only a limited number of fastpasses available per attraction per day.  I had an extensive conversation about this with a supervisor of Fastpass+.  I was told that there are a certain number available for advance reservation (i.e. resort guests, annual passholders, etc) thus ensuring that there will always be availability for same day reservations.  However, the popular rides will go quickly.  This could mean that the fastpasses for, say, Space Mountain, could be gone by 10am on a busy day.  If you must make same-day fastpass reservations & you have a must do ride or you anticipate large crowds, you should arrive at the park early to ensure you get that fastpass!

Here are some tips & tricks:

1. When making reservation times it’s important to remember any dining reservations, parade/fireworks times, or other show times & schedule around those.
2. Have a discussion with your traveling party beforehand & come to a consensus on what you must do so that you are ready when you hit the kiosk.  If your little princess absolutely must meet Anna & Elsa, that’s definitely going to need a Fastpass.  Personally, I love the parade fastpass viewing area.  Decide on those 3 must-dos!
3. You can be admitted 5 minutes prior to your reservation time.
4. Your fastpass isn’t “charged” until you scan it at the second checkpoint (parades & meet & greets usually only have 1 checkpoint).  If the little one decides he just can’t brave Space Mountain, exit the queue before the second checkpoint so that you can change that fastpass to another attraction should you choose.
5. If you can’t get a particular attraction, try breaking up your party & going for times that are close together.  For instance, my party of 3 might have times of 3:15, 3:20, & 3:30.  We’re all still within that hour window of each other & can still ride together.  This is very helpful for the more popular attractions & also when attempting to change times during your day!
6. Keep in mind that you can make changes throughout the day.  Should you decide to take that mid-day siesta or change your dining reservations, you can also change your fastpasses, if needed.  Just remember that there are a limited number for each attraction & when they are gone, they are gone.
7. The Fastpass viewing spots for the parades & fireworks are great!  If you don’t want to camp out for your spot an hour early in the 110 degree July heat, this is a great option.
8. Usually, the popular fastpasses (most quickly gone) are Meet Anna & Else with visiting Princess at Fairytale Hall, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, & Splash Mountain.  The others can vary a bit.

Hope this information is helpful to you when planning for your trip to Magic Kingdom!  Be on the lookout for my next article to learn more about fastpasses at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Jason Mayhew

My name is Jason Mayhew, and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not traveling with the website, I own my own marketing and PR company, J Mayhew Marketing. I have the best job where I get to travel the world and showcase the most amazing and unique experiences!