Updated 1/27/15
With FastPass+ and every one wanting to learn as much as they can about this new system (if you don't know all the details of FastPass+, make sure to read
this post), many people keep asking, what attractions should I schedule my FastPass+ selections for?
It's a tough question, with many different ways to do it.
Overall, it's obvious that you're going to want to schedule FastPass+ reservations for the major popular attractions. These are the ones that most people are going to experience and for good reason. Something you may not know though is that choosing shows for your FastPass+ options are usually never a good idea. If you show about 15 minutes before showtime, you'll almost always get a seat somewhere in the theater. (Show up earlier if you want a particular seat, but don't use FastPass+ because you'll be seated in the same location that someone who didn't use FastPass+ would be.)
Also, unless you absolutely HAVE to, in my opinion, it's a poor idea to obtain a FastPass+ reservation for a parade or fireworks show. You should always be able to obtain a spot somewhere where you will be able to see well if you stake your spot at least a half hour before. (You may not get your choice spot on Main Street for the 3:00 parade, but if you head to Frontierland, you'll likely be able to get a spot with a good vantage point.)
Another wrinkle in the system is that both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios are on a tiered system. Which means that major attractions are placed in Column A and you only get to choose one attraction from that column and minor attractions are place in Column B and you get to choose two attractions from that one.
Disney has just allowed for the opportunity to gain more FastPass+ reservations as you continue your day. This means that you will use your three already scheduled FastPass+ times and then you will have a fourth rolling FastPass+, where you can continue to make FastPass+ reservations until they run out for the day. This is very helpful, because you now have the opportunity to have more options available to you. In addition, guests will now be able to hop from one park to another and be able to make FastPass+ reservations for the other park. For more information about these changes and how they will work, visit this
post.
So, here is my best list of which attractions you should consider obtaining a FastPass+ time for and which ones you should not at each park. (I have also color coded this list to make it even easier.):
Red: Absolutely should consider getting a FastPass+ reservation for the attraction, if it's a must do for your family
Blue: Get a FastPass if you can with the rolling fourth FastPass+ reservation, otherwise, ride it in the morning or evening.
Green: Don't need to make FastPass+ reservations for that attraction.
Magic Kingdom
Ariel's Grotto
Unless you have a little one who absolutely loves Ariel, skip FastPass+ reservation.
The Barnstormer
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Celebrate the Magic/Wishes
Skip FastPass+
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
If this is on your list of an attraction you want to experience, YES, obtain a FastPass+ reservation. It typically has some of the longest lines of all Magic Kingdom attractions.
The Haunted Mansion
With the introduction of FastPass+, lines here have grown exponentially. Get a FastPass+ reservation or ride in the morning or evening.
it's a small world
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+.
Jungle Cruise
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Skip FastPass+
Mad Tea Party
Skip FastPass+
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Skip FastPass+
Main Street Electrical Parade
Skip FastPass+
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Skip FastPass+
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Skip FastPass+
Peter Pan's Flight
If you want to experience this one, FastPass+ it
Pirates of the Caribbean
Lines here have grown exponentially here due to FastPass+. So ride in either the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Cinderella and Rapunzel
Consider obtaining a FastPass+
Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Anna and Elsa
Absolutely FastPass+, if you can get one. This ticket goes FAST! Otherwise you'll be waiting hours to meet these two.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Obtain a FastPass+ reservation
Space Mountain
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation
Splash Mountain
Consider obtaining a FastPass+, unless you want to ride in the morning or evening
Tomorrowland Speedway
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation
Town Square Theater Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet
Skip FastPass+
Town Square Theater Tinker Bell Meet and Greet
Skip FastPass+
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Ride either in the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
The Magic Kingdom is probably the hardest one to schedule out FastPass+ options because there are so many attractions and you only get to start with three. (Though now Disney has added the ability to obtain the fourth rolling FastPass+ reservation that I previously mentioned.) Your choices will also likely depend on if you have kids or don't. So, my top three choices for those with little kids are: Enchanted Tales with Belle, Peter Pan's Flight, and Princess Fairytale Hall - Meet Anna and Elsa
or Meet Cinderella and Rapunzel,
or Buzz Lightyear, depending on if your little one wants to meet the princesses. For those who don't have kids or have older ones, my three choices are: Peter Pan's Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Enchanted Tales With Belle (if you don't want to see that, then Space Mountain.) Of course, the Magic Kingdom is the major park where the rolling FastPass+ option will be extremely vital. So, once you use up your three, make sure you go to a kiosk to make additional FastPass+ reservations from those choices marked in red or blue above.
Epcot
Group A (Choose 1 attraction)
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
Skip FastPass+
Living with the Land
Ride in either the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Soarin'
Consider obtaining a FastPass+
Test Track
Consider obtaining a FastPass+
Group B (Choose 2 attractions)
Captain EO
Skip FastPass+
Epcot Character Spot
Skip FastPass+, experience it in the evening with minimal wait
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Skip FastPass+
Mission: SPACE Green
Consider obtaining a FastPass+
Mission: SPACE Orange
Consider obtaining a FastPass+
Spaceship Earth
Lines have grown exponentially here thanks to FastPass+. Obtaining a FastPass+ reservation, or ride in the evening with minimal wait.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Consider obtaining a FastPass+, or ride in the evening with minimal wait. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Turtle Talk with Crush
Skip FastPass+
So, Epcot is more interesting, because of the tiering and the fact that most attractions don't really NEED FastPass+, especially those in the second tier. But, since Disney is making you choose three and the two attractions that ACTUALLY need FastPass+ are in the top tier, you have to pick something. My three choices are: Soarin (Test Track you can always do single rider, if your family doesn't mind being split up), Mission: SPACE - especially if you want to do the Orange (spinning) version, and Spaceship Earth (especially if you want to ride it when you first enter the park.) If you don't want to ride Mission: SPACE, then choose The Seas With Nemo and Friends as your Group B attraction choice.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Group A (Choose 1 attraction)
Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage
Skip FastPass+
Fantasmic!
Skip FastPass+
The Great Movie Ride
Ride in either the morning or evening, skip FastPass+. Or use a rolling FastPass+ reservation.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
Toy Story Mania!
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
Group B (Choose 2 attractions)
Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
Skip FastPass+
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Skip FastPass+
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Skip FastPass+
Muppet*Vision 3D
Skip FastPass+
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Skip FastPass+
This one was easy to choose. FastPass+ Toy Story Mania!, The Tower of Terror, and Star Tours.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
DINOSAUR
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation.
Expedition Everest
Obtain a FastPass+ reservation
Festival of the Lion King
Skip FastPass+
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Skip FastPass+
It's Tough to Be a Bug!
Skip FastPass+
Kali River Rapids
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Obtain a FastPass+ reservation
Meet Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost
Consider obtaining a FastPass+ reservation
Primeval Whirl
Ride in either the morning or evening, skip FastPass+
Here, there are two attractions you absolutely WANT to FastPass+ and those are Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris, as far as the third attraction, I would choose Kali River Rapids. Unless you have little ones or really want to meet the characters, then consider meeting Mickey and Minnie.
Keep in mind, these are just suggestions and more of a guide to start with based off of my own personal
experiences and observations while touring the parks. My suggestions are absolutely the attractions I would certainly consider getting a
FastPass for on my Disney vacations. Of course, choices will depend on your particular family's make-up.
No matter what you decide, you will have a wonderful time and as of right now, it appears that you can change reservations on the fly, day of quite easily. (Let's hope that continues as time goes forward.)
What are your thoughts? Am I on point or way off base?
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