When Will FastPass Return to Disney World?
Wondering when FastPass+ will come back at Walt Disney World or if it’ll be replaced by a paid ride reservation system? This post covers dates free FastPasses could return, how virtual queues reduce park capacity, and the possibility of Premier Access, MaxPass, and the Genie app as replacements that will cost money. (Updated August 12, 2021.)
Walt Disney World suspended FastPass prior to the reopening of the parks. While the official rationale for this was to use the extra queue space for the standby lines, it was actually due to physical distancing. Physical distancing is gone, attendance has increased, and wait times have gone up since then.
Consequently, there has been significant backlash to the elimination of FastPass+ among fans, hence this post. Walt Disney World has not provided any actual updates on FastPass since last year, but the rumor mill has gone into overdrive, and we have all the possibilities and theories for you. (Note: for the August 2021 updates, scroll down to the “Will FastPass+ be replaced by a different system at Walt Disney World?” section above the Runaway Railway photo.)
First, let’s answer a different but related question we’ve been hearing from guests: “Is FastPass+ already back at Walt Disney World?!” This is one we’ve actually heard asked in the parks a lot while we’ve been waiting in lines. No, Disney did not “secretly” bring back FastPass+ and forget to announce it to everyone.
Currently, the physical FastPass+ queues are being used for Disability Access Service (DAS) and select VIP guests. This priority access lane essentially includes tour groups, Golden Oak residents, and Club 33 members. We have noticed a significant increase in the usage of FastPass lines in the last two months, which is presumably attributable to more DAS passes being issued, since the number of VIP guests is relatively static.
With that out of the way, let’s turn to the titular question. Actually, this post essentially poses two different questions–let’s start with when FastPass will return? That’s the more popular topic among readers and an inquiry we’re receiving quite often.
In actuality, FastPass+ was suspended because it reduces the overall attendance limit of the parks. This is actually nothing new. Magic Kingdom, for example, used to have a higher capacity cap in the pre-FastPass days despite having fewer attractions. This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s because the FastPass system effectively allows guests to be in two places at once. With standby lines, when you’re in line, you are always physically standing in line–occupying only one spot in the park.
When guests use FastPass, they aren’t simply skipping the line. The nuanced explanation is that a “phantom version” of the guest is waiting in a virtual line for their turn to ride. (That’s right, virtual queues like FastPass+ are basically lines for ghosts!) This is why standby wait times are longer and that line moves slower when FastPass+ is utilized.
At the same time that ghost guest is in the virtual queue, the actual guest is doing whatever–shopping, dining, or even doing another attraction. Freeing up guests from standing in line was actually one of Walt Disney World’s two goals of the original paper FastPass system. In a nutshell, it would give guests more time to browse stores and eat, increasing per guest spending in the process.
In the past, this was no issue. There were plenty of stores, restaurants, shows, and other lower profile offerings to absorb the displaced crowds. The benefits of increased per guest spending brought about by FastPass coupled with guests perceiving it as a value-added perk outweighed any drawbacks.
The downsides were essentially higher staffing requirements (to support the FastPass infrastructure), reduced overall park capacity, and the need for sufficient alternative things to do. None of this was really a big deal because the parks had plenty of things to do and surplus capacity–it didn’t really matter whether Magic Kingdom had an upper limit of 110,000 or 80,000 guests if the vast majority of days only 60,000 or fewer people were visiting the park.
When Walt Disney World first reopened, the biggest impediment to the return of FastPass+ was physical distancing, which in turn put the upper limit on attendance at 35% of full capacity. If FastPass were reintroduced while full physical distancing was in place, it would further decrease overall park capacity.
However, this is no longer the problem. As noted above, Walt Disney World officially dropped physical distancing and guests have quickly followed suit. If you’ve been in the parks during the last couple of months, you know they look more or less “normal” in terms of guests spacing and congestion. You’ll even hear “please fill in all available space” from Cast Members once again.
Similarly, attendance caps are no longer much of an impediment. Walt Disney World was operating at 35% capacity earlier this year. Back at the start of summer, Disney quietly indicated they’d stop providing updates on attendance limits. Since then, Disney has refilled Park Pass reservations on numerous occasions, and there is frequently full availability for all parks every day.
Along with the attendance limits increasing, wait times have been growing. That might be why you’re reading this article to begin with–because you’re visiting Walt Disney World and are desperately missing and wishing for the return of FastPass. We hear you and agree with you. Some of the standby lines are pretty miserable right now, with long waits extending into overflow queues without any shade.
The lack of FastPass+ was definitely more tolerable last year and in early 2021 when lines moved quickly and constantly, and wait times were shorter. (We actually preferred no FastPass when crowds were super low.) Now, it’s a different matter entirely. FastPass cannot return soon enough!
Naturally, the core problem in bringing back FastPass has morphed over time. Like so many other businesses around the United States, Walt Disney World is short-staffed. This labor shortage means Walt Disney World doesn’t have the attractions Cast Members necessary to support the FastPass+ infrastructure. It also means Disney doesn’t have the other Cast Members necessary to reopen enough other experiences that would help soak up the “ghost guests” displaced by FastPass.
This problem is starting to be resolved. In the last month, Walt Disney World has significantly increased dining capacity and also is in the process of bringing back several shows. However, several others remain gone for various reasons, and some–like Finding Nemo: the Musical, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Fantasmic–may not return until 2022. That appears to be more of monetary decision than a staffing one.
That’s a long-winded explanation and maybe you just wanted a one-sentence answer, but we believe understanding the why of FastPass+ being unavailable is important. The point is that the parks are sufficiently staffed and capacity is has been close to fully restored via the reopening of more in the parks. That thus paves the way FastPass being restored or replaced.
With that said, what’s possible and when it happens are two different things. As we’ve said before, think of Walt Disney World like an ocean liner: you turn the wheel slowly, and the big ship pivots gradually. Everything takes time from decision to implementation. There will almost certainly be a lag between announcement and when it’s back. As for when an announcement will be made, we suspect one will come sometime in August 2021–possibly as soon as the Walt Disney Company’s quarterly earnings call.
If you’re looking for a specific date when a version of FastPass will return to Walt Disney World, the most likely return date is on or around October 1, 2021.
This one is based upon the start of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and new fiscal year. While Walt Disney World is gradually bringing back offerings between now and that date, it is the most significant milestone on the horizon, and Disney is waiting to debut a lot–from new entertainment and nighttime spectaculars to early entry and extended evening hours–until that date.
With that said, there’s still a remote possibility that Walt Disney World gets cold feet on the FastPass replacement and doesn’t launch it until January 2022.
Given the latest rumors–which are literally flying in every direction right now–this seems highly unlikely. The only reason it’s presented as an option is because plans can fall through. Based upon the current chatter, the FastPass replacement plans are going to congeal at the last possible minute, with the specifics still being debated and determined. Which brings us to the second question of this post…
Will FastPass+ be replaced by a different system at Walt Disney World?
Probably. Everything is subject to change until officially announced by Walt Disney World (even then, plans sometimes change!), but we’d be willing to put money on the prior incarnation of FastPass+ never coming back to Walt Disney World.
Some form of virtual queue will unquestionably return, but the FastPass+ system and branding could be retired and replaced by something else entirely. Whatever it is, that new ride reservation program will almost certainly have an upcharge component–or be a paid system completely.
There are a couple of possibilities for what paid FastPass will likely look like at Walt Disney World. For the first, see Paid Premier Access Replacing Free FastPass at Disneyland Paris. The new system has rolled out there and essentially combines Standby Pass, which is a free and hybrid virtual and physical queue, with a paid line-skipping option.
This system is now what exists for Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland, and a version of that is rumored as coming to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. While the specifics will almost certainly differ for Florida with tweaks made given Walt Disney World’s unique size, scale, on-site hotels, and status as a vacation destination, the contours could be similar.
For another possibility, check out Disneyland’s MaxPass system. The primary advantage of MaxPass is that it allows you to be more dynamic in your plans for the day, making FastPass reservations as you go, adjusting your schedule on the fly based upon your actual progress (and crowds) in the park, rather than making than months in advance. Despite the downside of being paid, MaxPass allows for more spontaneity, which is a breath of fresh air.
As Walt Disney World is a different beast than the other parks, it’s possible the new paid FastPass system cherry picks components of both Premier Access and MaxPass and repackages them under different branding. In practice, this might mean bundle booking access for certain attractions plus a la carte paid FastPass for a handful of select headliners.
What remains to be seen is whether the FastPass replacement is integrated into the Disney Genie app announced a couple of years ago. Disney Genie promised a revolutionary new digital offering that would enhance the way you plan for and experience a trip, with optimized itineraries, real-time tips and updates, recommendations for experiences it thinks you’ll love, and help navigating the theme parks with added convenience and comfort.
It was originally set to debut last year, but that didn’t happen for obvious reasons. According to Walt Disney World, the Disney Genie app is still coming, but it’s unclear when it’ll be released. From the outset, details about Disney Genie were vague to the point that it seemed undefined, so it’s also entirely possible that the paid FastPass system will use the Disney Genie branding, and that’ll be the total extent of Disney Genie (meaning it won’t be a standalone app at all, but rather, a feature within My Disney Experience).
In any case, the debut of that app plus the “temporary suspension” of FastPass+ offers an opportunity for a soft reset of Walt Disney World’s ride reservation system, with the paid replacement coming in Fall 2021 via Disney Genie. Walt Disney World undoubtedly wants a slice of that money-making pie. There have been rumors of paid FastPass for years, and at some point, those will be brought to fruition. If Walt Disney World’s goal is to introduce paid FastPass with minimal guest friction, it’s easiest to go from nothing (standby lines only) to something.
Ultimately, we’re on board with a wholesale overhaul of the FastPass+ system, but not a system that is pay to play only. Hopefully whatever comes to Walt Disney World contains a free option along with added access for on-site resort guests. Again, we should reiterate that this post is almost entirely speculation and rumor. All Walt Disney World has announced is that FastPass+ is temporarily suspended. We’re simply guessing that it’ll be replaced by a hybrid of Premier Access and MaxPass, with Disney Genie being the system and/or branding.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
When do you think FastPass+ will return to Walt Disney World? Or do you think it’ll never back back, replaced by something else instead? Thoughts on the possibility of Premier Access, MaxPass, or a mashup of the two coming to Walt Disney World? Do you prefer fast-moving standby lines only, or the FastPass and standby combo? Interested in how Walt Disney World will implement the new system? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Tom can you tell me what the benefits of staying on property are anymore? Now you pay to park so that negates free parking. No fast passes means no 60 days out to pick your fast passes. No extra magic hours negates that perk. I am trying to figure out if we want to cancel staying on property. It seems like all you get now is a smaller room for more money.
Leslie, you forgot about the Disney bus transportation. The line weights are longer and longer, buses are very late and sometimes, like in the case of Disney Springs, they may not ever even get there at all. Many times we have just hopped in our own personal vehicle and gone to the park. It’s exciting to stay in a Disney park because of all the hubbub. But, with the lag in transportation, the personality taken out of all the newly refurbished rooms, and no transportation and no fast passes, why not just stay in an economical big condo where everyone in your family gets their own bedroom and just drive to the parks.
Our “home” park is Disneyland, so when going to WDW it is a bit of a challenge due to the time zones and needing to be up at 4AM to make Fastpass+ reservations (and since we don’t stay on-site we don’t get the popular ones anyway). Personally, I think Maxpass is great but it does have its pros and cons. Pros: you can make and hold multiple Fastpasses and they are always rolling, no running to kiosks, and it comes with the Photopass pictures. Cons: it’s an extra cost, at $20 per person per day, that’s an extra $100 per person if your there for 5 days, and you can only get Fastpasses for that day, so if you’re a late riser you may not get any good Fastpasses. I think that they could still use the magic band infrastructure to tap in and it would be much more convenient than pulling out your phone or tickets to scan in like you do at DLR.
I am one person who has HATED the idea of fastpass, the paper ones were bad enough.
Vacations were a time where you could get away from your “crazy over scheduled life” So we go on vacation and we ended up running trying to get there on time or to that place on time.
Sorry for going on here and posting it here but I couldn’t figure out how to post my thoughts.
Thank you for indulging me
When we first started going to Disney with our kids we didn’t like fastpass since it was not what I was used to from when I was a kid. But now I like it.
We have been to Disneyland twice and we did NOT pay for MAXPASS. There is NO WAY I think it is right to create a pay system like that. Now you have a family and you have to pay per person per day and you have already paid SO much!!!
I always liked that Disney World was not a pay system!
I agree. You should not have to pay extra for a “fast pass”. I like the virtual queuing system like they have with the Rise of the Resistance.
The FastPass system definitely needs to be revamped. We’re annual passholders and we can never get FastPasses for the rides we want. They’re always booked. However, if we stay at a Disney resort, the Fast Pass availability magically opens up more.
I know many people who make FastPass reservations and then decide they don’t want to go, so now they’ve taken up FastPass allocations from other people. There should be a system in place where you are temporarily banned from making Fast Passes if you don’t show up after like two or three times. Everyone who makes a Fast Pass has the option of cancelling, but most don’t. It’s frustrating.
I don’t understand why disneyworld ap holders don’t refresh the fast pass selection page. Just keep refreshing and you will eventually get the ride you want. It might take 10 mins, but you can do that while you are at a gift shop, or eating a snack. Taking away that system is a huge blow to those who frequent the park, or anyone else who understands to Lee refreshing. Like Dory was taught, Just keep refreshing….
All this sounds confusing to me! I would like to know how does any of this help people who have a disability pass?
Until people understand that FastPass, for the majority, is NOT saving you any time, many people will be up in arms if it goes away. I’d love to see it go away entirely. It’s quite easy to show that for every standby line you wait in it will take 2 to 3 FP just to break even on time spent in queue ( it’s not a queue line by the way, that’s redundant). So please make it go away.
Fats pass saves a ton of time. People that use this argument are so wrong and it’s not even debatable. This logic makes as much sense as the “60 minute moving line is better than a 60 min line where you don’t move”. Makes no sense. 60 min wait is still 60 min wait. And if you don’t have to wait in line for the 3 most popular longest lines then you save time.
Tom, as you mentioned a lot of attractions built separate lines specifically for fast pass. If they do away with fast pass permanently for a virtual queue system then arguably they would have to do something with the space anyway? That would be a huge endeavour that would impact a lot of attractions across all 4 parks! Regardless, I’m for virtual queuing. Thanks for keeping us up to date and informed!
I am going to WDW in September of this year. I was actually thrilled when I heard that they were eliminating FP+! I’ve never liked them. Without FP+, the standby lines are way shorter. Example: the Haunted Mansion wait line before it was put on the FP+ system was at the very most, 30 minutes, usually 20 or less. After FP+, wait times overnight jumped to 45-60 minutes. I’ve been visiting Disneyland and later, WDW for over 50 years so I’ve seen a lot of changes with the ride pass system. Think about it, if your standing in line waiting to get on a ride and there is a constant barrage of people cutting in front of you in line, it takes forever to get there. And having to master plan 2 months from now the exact moment I need to be on an exact ride is a pain. I also feel really sorry for all those little children having to wait in long lines in Fantasy Land. You should not be able to get a Fastpass unless someone in your party is under 10.
I agree. It’s funny that people don’t understand any sort of fast pass system makes all lines longer. It would be so much easier to just wait in line for 20 minutes. But as Tom said, the system is in place to benefit disney, not the guest. Disney simply spins it so that the average Joe who takes marketing at face value sees it as a gift from a benevolent and magical company.
Yes but if you only had to wait 5 mins in line w a FP at 7D when the line was 120 min wait then 5 mins in space mountain when it was 100 mins and then 5 mins on thunder mountain when that was 90 mins wait you save WAY more time by skipping those 3 then you give up waiting on the next 10.
I would welcome any idea or system that meant you could visit a park and go on a ride with minimal queing. Fast passes ran out too quick so meant only option was to use stand by and with popular rides was not an appealing thought. I love the spontaneity rather than a military plan so hope this plays a part for the future. Cancelling this years holiday but look forward to 2021 or 2022 .
No fast passes and we will not be coming back. We need some kind of assurance we don’t have to stand in lines for hours. Some days we got up to 8 fast passes.We have cancelled our annual membership for a cash refund and don’t intend to renew it anytime soon. fast passes and the free transportation from the airport were two of the reasons we stayed on Disney for our motels. We are retired and can vacation anywhere so Disney may loose us as a customer.
FP makes lines longer, not shorter.
MaxPass at Disneyland is so monumentally better than FP+ it’s not even close.
It’s the fairest way to do it.
My son and I were there for two days last year and had zero stress about riding all the rides we hoped to.
Can you even imagine having zero stress at WDW?
It’s one of the main reasons to choose DLR over WDW at this point.
What if we don’t get into the parks until 3pm and can’t get a FP for any of the top 6 rides because they are gone? Is that better than having FP+? Nope. Not even close.
Not sure about the Genie system, but did read an article about a new scan system on WDWNT. Know anything about that? They also mentioned the employee who did check a bag, was not sanitizing between guests?! Any word about that?
We get to the parks once every 3+ years, mostly because of the high cost for a family of 5. We spend 1 day at each park, maybe 2 at MK. The idea of FP+ going away permanently, meaning we’d have no idea whether we’ll get to ride our favorites and when, is disappointing. That doesn’t even take into account the extra $75 a day for 5 days. FP reservations are the #1 reason we stayed on site. I wonder how they’ll incentive people to pay their hotel prices? I’m sure they’ll find another park if they do away with the FP advantage.
That should be “another perk”
The big change point for WDW came when they changed the FP system to selecting 60 days out for resort guest. This together with easy access back to your resort are the reasons why my wife and I always stay at Disney. Disney’s focus is always on keeping and improving the rate on filling up the rooms on property. With that said Disney will not continue to allow those rooms to remain empty. We will have to wait and see what they do.
From what you have told us, Disney is not sure what they are doing for all this. I understand we are in post-covid-19 world and we must adjust. But going back to standing in a large queue is not the right answer. As you pointed out, converting FP queues won’t work. A virtual queue or something akin to what they do in WDW with Dumbo ride where your child plays with games near the ride till your beeper goes off. But again – we can’t interact with anything. I don’t envy the Disney folk that have to figure this out. We would have been there this week, if they had opened. I am kinda glad we aren’t as it would have been a hassle, not magical. I can’t see paying for a Fastpass. I cringe when I see they added paid extra magic hours. I don’t mind paying for something special. But you give someone a free donut for years and then suddenly ask them to pay $100 for that same donut they had free all this time.
One thing that I think hasn’t been considered enough is that changing to the virtual queue system will result in some people needing to be in the park longer. Families with little kids who typically don’t last long at the parks for example. Waiting for our turn in a line or virual queue, even a relatively short wait like 30 minutes, is no fun with 4 small kids who are hot, tired, crying, bored and sick of waiting. So we usually go in the afternoon, arrive right as our first FP window is ending, and get our 3 FP rides in back to back in about 2 hours. We grab dinner, walk a bit, and head back to the hotel after maybe 4-5 hours in the parks. Especially on a hot day in the middle of a long trip. With virtual queue we will likely feel pressure to arrive at rope drop (as will everyone else…) which means…crowds….I mean ROTR crowd photos in the AM honestly made me anxious just to look at. Even if queue spots are released throughout the day, popular rides like FOP are going to be hard to get so everyone is going to want to be there to be able to try as many times as they can.
Then we get our queue, wait to be called, get the next queue, wait to be called, get the next one…no way are we getting out of the park in only a few hours. The time needed to do what we usually do is going to balloon so we will be there longer. Which just doesn’t seem like it will help crowds.
What I think it comes down to is the pre-planned, resort-favoring FP method helps families, people who travel in large groups, people who take long and rare vacations and those who stay at Disney resorts. A virtual queue method is beneficial to locals, passholders who visit frequently, experienced Disney fans who want to be able to be spontaneous, people without kids. And honestly Disney probably would prefer to fill the park with the latter right now. They are certainly more likely to keep their damn masks on then my toddlers are.
Dear Brynn,
I’m not sure if you know this, but you can actually ride more than 3 rides a day with Fastpass. You need to finish your first 3 rides and then you are eligible to get more, one at a time. You can do this during the queue. I don’t know if you will need this advice in the future, but in case you do, I suggest that you get more than 3 Fastpasses a day!
What system would work best for a family group of 11 people wanting to ride attractions at the same time?
Personally, I’d hate the permanent removal of FP+, though I know it obviously makes sense temporarily. I’m a planner, and we visit once every few years for two weeks at great expense. Ensuring in advance we’ll have a set time to enjoy our favourite rides with minimal wait is a big weight off our minds, and I’d probably find it to be more stress than it’s worth to sort things day-of. Right now, between rope drop, park close and FP+, I can basically ensure we can ride whatever we want on any given day. I doubt that’s the case if FP+ leaves.
I’m guessing your view on FP+ will be inverse to how often you go to the parks. The more you go, the less you’ll like it, as you’re more likely to not be booking 60 days in advance and thus unable to utilise it effectively.
I should say, I’d be fine with them altering the dates for booking. 180 is too many for restaurants. Say 60 days for restaurants and 30 for FP if you’re on site (15 if off site) might be a better compromise.
As someone who has never been to Disneyland. Can someone (without injecting extra personal opinions) simply explain how Maxpass is different than Fastpass, and why does it cost $ – yet the California park goers love it? Please and thank you.
Once your ticket is scanned at either park entrance, you can look for a FP. Once you get in line using that FP, you can get another one. This continues all day and you can even leave the parks and get FPs while dining or taking a nap at your hotel. We love it but don’t have to pay for it separately because it is included in our pass. It do hear understandable griping by people with big families who have to pay $15 per person per day. But you can also just pick up paper FPs at no charge! You can also hold extra FPs for shows like Fantasmic and World of Color.
I was there and used Maxpass about 2 years ago. To me it felt more fair because there was no advantage to anyone – nothing was booked in advance and no one could get a pass until they scanned into the park. So everyone had a chance to get a pass for the most popular rides. As I recall, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, the duration of time to get your next pass depended on the length of the queue for the ride you picked. So if you chose a less popular ride you could get another sooner than if you chose one of the most popular rides. And you didn’t necessarily have to use one to get another – if your reserved ride was 4 hours out you could still pick another in maybe 2 hours. Again it’s been awhile so maybe someone can confirm this. Regarding the fee, well it’s not pleasant especially if you have a large group, but at least there is an alternative for free as well. The way I look at it, Disney collects their extra $ from WDW guests when they stay in a Disney hotel to get earlier FPP. In Anaheim there are far fewer Disney hotels so they collect the extra by directly charging for Maxpass. Another thing about Maxpass was, since you did not know what passes you would have or when ahead of time, the meticulous planning we do for WDW was unnecessary and when I tried to have a detailed plan it fell apart quickly. With Maxpass we could be more spontaneous and go with the flow, which was a bit refreshing.
From what I have understood, the main reason why park goers in California love the max pass is because it is not heavily advertised to foreigners, like Walt Disney world is. It makes sense that people who visit multiple times a year enjoy this system, but I don’t think that it will work with people who are overseas.
While it seems logical to be outraged that Disneyland is charging for MaxPass–which is primarily a convenient electronic version of the paper FastPass system as Tom and others have described–it does include all Photopass photos. I believe the inclusion of the photos is how Disney justifies the “upcharge.” Frankly, if you take a lot of photos with park photographers or really like collecting ride photos, the cost is worth it for that feature alone. Many parties will have one person who buys MaxPass each day just for that reason, while still using the free paper FastPass system for everyone else. I was skeptical when it first launched (back when it was a “bargain” at $10 day), but the convenience of picking Fastpasses from anywhere as soon as you’re scanned in (rather than at 4am Pacific time 60 days out as we do for WDW), as well as the photos, made me a believer.
Replying to ST comment about time between when you can get the next FastPass, it has nothing to do with the length of a queue. It’s 2 hours after the time you pulled your current fp, or when you have used it (if less than 2 hours). That’s the paper system. For max pass it’s 90 min delay or when you use your current pass, whichever comes first.
For many, the Max pass system is worth it for the convenience of making your next one from wherever you are, the shorter time between passes, the photo pass, and ride photos. If it’s not worth that to you it’s still possible to just use the paper system.
If Disney World makes us pay for Fastpasses for each member of our family it will ruin the fun. I won’t pay it, Disney prices are already so high, which would make every line a standby which would suck. Don’t think Walt Disney wanted this to be a place only the rich could enjoy.
I have mixed feelings about FP+. FP+ works well with me because I typically book at the DVC 11 month booking date therefore I have ample time to plan FP+. I generally know which days of the week I will be at a particular park and my attraction habits (example: I love Splash Mountain at night or 1PM to cool down from FL heat). I love planning my vacation including FP+. The things I dislike about FP+: (1) various WDWMagic members including Marni1971 provide useful information showing FP+ causes horrendous stand by wait times for most attractions including high capacity rides like Pirates or Haunted Mansion; (2) I dislike committing a FP+ Day to DHS, Epcot, or AK because of the tier system. Most of these second tier FP+ attractions are not worth or do not need at FP+ reservation; (3) bad weather can disrupt your plans. At first I was skeptical about DL’s MaxPass System and I dislike using my Iphone while in the parks but when I utilized it, I enjoyed it. We typically arrive at the parks at rope drop so MaxPass worked perfectly. I had been to DL many times before MaxPass was introduced and I always failed to do Radiator Spring Racers because FP always ran out fast and the wait times were too long. Luckily with MaxPass, I was able to go on RSR multiple times.
I agree with pretty much everything you said, except that with Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Railway at DHS I think DHs might now have the strongest FP+ lineup of the 4 parks.
When did animal kingdom go to a tier fast pass system last time I was there it was not as far as I can remember?
I LOVE Disneyland’s Maxpass system! it would be a dream come true if Disneyworld adopted the same system. I am a spontaneous person by nature and I love not knowing what, when, and where. It takes a lot of stress out of my day because I struggle with getting anywhere “on time.” We also can schedule our day around weather, how we feel, etc. PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE IT MAXPASS!
I could arguably see how disney could utilize the fastpass queue space with no additional “pass”–they could just have someone at the entrance directing some guests to go in the fastpass entrance (perhaps with some roped off pathway from the standby entrance to to the fastpass entrance where they are spaced apart, like at Splash mountain). E.g., like the do when you reach a “fork” in the line and they ask how many in your party and then tell you to go to one train car/boat or the other. If they adjust the ratio to account for the fact the fastpass queue is shorter (e.g., one in every 10 guests use fastpass line, 9 in ten use standby), they could make use of that extra space.