On my recent trip to Epcot I spoke with people who loved FastPass+ and people who hated it. I will admit that the system, while not perfect, is growing on me. The thing to keep in mind is that the system is still growing and evolving. Disney is systematically rolling out new features to the state-of-the-art vacation planning system. as I stated in my recent post about the recent Upgrades to Fastpass+ things get better with each upgrade.
The Tiered System
When booking FastPass+ for Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios you run into a very frustrating problem. This problem has existed in one form or another since the beginning of the original FastPass program. In the old days we would enter DHS at rope drop and run to Toy Story Midway Mania to get FastPasses and then run to get in the hopefully still short early morning line at Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. Unfortunately, we have not ridden Toy Story Midway Mania in over 2 years because we have been unable to get Fastpasses by the time we arrive. 🙁
With the new FastPass+ system you can choose 1 “Premium” attraction and 2 other attractions.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios FastPass+
“Premium” FastPass+attractions:
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (I have never not gotten into this show, I’m not sure why it is listed here)
- Fantasmic (We used FP+ here and had the worst seats we’ve ever had for the show. Not worth wasting a premium FP+ on)
- Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
- Toy Story Midway Mania
Regular FastPass+ Attractions:
- Disney Junior Live on Stage (IMHO this is a must FastPass+ attraction-standing in that long hot line of whiny pre-schoolers is killer)
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Lights Motor Action Extreme Stunt Show
- MuppetVision 3D
- Star Tours the Adventure Continues
- The American Idol Experience
- The Great Movie Ride
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
No FastPass+ Available Attractions
- American Film Institute Showcase
- Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
- The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow
- The Magic of Disney Animation
- Studio Backlot Tour
- Walt Disney One Man’s Dream
Epcot FastPass+
Premium FastPass+ Attractions
- Illuminations Reflections of Earth
- Maelstrom
- Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
- Soarin’
- Test Track
Regular FastPass+ Attractions
- Captain EO
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Living with the Land
- Mission Space
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Turtle Talk with Crush
No FastPass+ Available Attractions
- The American Adventure
- The Circle of Life
- Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
- Impressions de France
- Innoventions
- O Canada!
- Reflections of China
At Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom their is no tiered Fastpass+ in place. Why? Well, one of the guests I spoke to said, that if a park is well-rounded with a good assortment of attractions, a tiered system isn’t needed. I agree 100% with her. Both Epcot and DHS need to be fixed. Disney’s Hollywood Studios lost its focus years ago and in my opinion it doesn’t know what it is anymore. It was a working studio with both animators and television production being done daily for guests to see. Unfortunately, those things that made The Studios unique are both gone and have been for a long time. I think Disney Parks leadership needs to figure out what it wants DHS to be and then work hard to get her there. Magic Kingdom is the perfect park, it is well rounded and there are plenty of attractions for all types and ages of people. Animal Kingdom is a close second, though I feel the upcoming AvatarLand may tip the scales in the wrong direction for that park.
I just hope Disney guests do their homework and plan ahead to make sure they have a magical vacation at Walt Disney World.
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