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.
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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!
Hi Tom,
I agree that no matter what Disney does, there’s always a group that’s against it. However, it seem to me that in recent years, Disney has stopped caring about what guests think or prefer, and covid just arrived to enable them to further their plans to make people pay more for less. Starting with the resort parking charges, the removal of DME, and now fastpass is going too. Disney is obviously confident that people will swarm into Disney World no matter what Disney do to them, so why not maximize the profit? The next few years will see if Disney is right. I, for one, will not step into a park without a fastpass, no way.
I agree why stay on property? Pay more for less.
I HATE max pass!! We make one Disney trip a year and did Disneyland in 2019 to mix it up a bit.
I didn’t mind paying the extra $50 but I hated that you had to be on park grounds to make a reservation. I’m so NOT a morning person!!
I love planning my trips and really enjoy being able to just relax and follow the schedule when we arrive for vacation. Worrying about scheduling once we arrive is too stress inducing. Seriously a deal breaker for me. I won’t be back to Disneyland for the foreseeable future.
I would rather have a system like universal studios if fastpass plus goes away. Where you pay for an unlimited fast pass and no reservations are required.
Not sure if much can be read into it or predicted, but does the added fastpass+ signage for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT signal that fastpass will be returning in some form?
I have had an annual pass for over 33 years, and, while it’s true that back in the day fast passes were not entirely necessary, the Disney crowds of today demand them. I think that they should have virtual queues as the standby option, with fast passes for those who would rather not wait ( like me).
I definitely would not pay $20 per person per day however. That is unreal, criminal even, on top of what we already pay for a family of 6.
However, they could opt to charge for those who want to purchase more than the given 3 in advance.
This is disappointing. As a person with a mobility impairment, Fast Pass + put me on the same playing field as normal people. I got my fast passes 60 days in advance and never had to receive special treatment for my disability. I was just like everyone else and never had to feel guilty for skipping the line because I used the same system as everyone else. Without the ability schedule my rides in advance, it will be a long time before I’ll return to Disney. The glares of judgement by other people presuming I must be gaming the system because I can’t wait in line would be too much for me to go back.
following
Can I ask your source of information? My daughter is a Disney Travel Agent and said she have heard anything official from Disney on this matter. Just wondering where you got your info from.
Thanks
A virtual queue doesn’t have to mean necessarily having to be in the park when it opens. If you live in Florida or vacationing in Daytona, logging in at 8 a.m. and getting something for the late afternoon could be a thing. I personally dislike having to figure out my schedule down for every hour of every day 3 months out. It would be enough to say “I’m going to MK” the night before and get a time slot the morning of while eating breakfast in my hotel. Last August at MNSSHP the line looked long for POC but it moved quickly, showing that not having an FP line is the way to go.
Wonder what anyone’s thoughts are on it being pointless to stay onsite without a return of the Fastpass? We get reasons why during the pandemic but for future trips, I can’t see why we would pay 5 grand to stay onsite without the advance opportunity to secure our favourite rides. I actually can’t imagine even going if there were to be a return to having to wait more than 20 minutes for a ride. We have always used the 60 day in advance Fastpasses plus a rigorous touring plan and we never stood in line longer that 20 minutes….I pretty much hate standing in lines. I know this is all a wait and see thing – we would be happy to pay extra for Fast passes…..but it would likely be at the expense of staying at a WDW resort.
For me personally, I would still consider staying onsite. As someone visiting from out of state, it is nice to not have to worry about getting around thanks to the transportation options. I know I could rent a car and depending on where I stay it might actually be cheaper, but that is still extra hassle to deal with that I personally prefer not having to deal with on vacation (especially the whole parking situation at Magic Kingdom). The theming of the resorts is also a nice perk that you can’t really find in off site hotels. I’d crunch the numbers like I do for any vacation I plan, but for me I’m usually willing to spend a bit more for added convenience. It’s all a matter of perspective and what you consider worth spending money on during your vacation.
This assumes the current situation would be resurrected with the exception of fast passes. Disney is the king of linking their revenue streams together…I cannot imagine they would introduce a new system (of any type) without a strong link to other revenue streams (hotels, dining, even other activities). revamping this fast pass system feels like it could become a part of an even bigger initiative that links all the revenue streams together even closer (maybe even some not located in Orlando?). The main thing holding such an effort back could be the history of Disney IT – they have an exceptionally hard job meeting the high standards of Disney fans but that really isn’t unexpected, and unfortunately there are now multiple examples of how they haven’t really adjusted to those expectations…screwing up a full overhaul really could have a lasting impact (most of the past instances have been rough launches but the Disney faithful have forgiven (maybe not forgotten) quickly).
I’d like to know your thoughts now after they announced the removal of free airport transportation?
I don’t now of any perks left except the PACKED buses (before closure)
Just curious what you think will happen with Disneyland Maxpass. I know it may be a moot point since it’s closed and not reopening anytime soon. We got it when we purchased our APs in February-only used it twice, but we liked it so much better than having to run around for paper passes. Just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks!
Tom,
I’m one of those in the “large contingent of Disney fans who are anti-FastPass”. Sort of. I don’t like the current Fast-Pass system. As an annual passholder, we make last-minute trips. Good Fast-Passes are long gone. Other times, when we might make advance plans, sometimes friends or family want to join us. We either have to redo the Fast-Pass times or cancel because there are no slots to add the additional guests. You also give up a lot of spontaneity and flexibility because you are tied into a particular time slot.
I also don’t like the fact that you can book for only one park per day. I know, using smart park-hopping and Fast Pass decisions can help.
It is very aggravating to be standing in line watching hundreds of people with a Fast-Pass stream onto a ride while the standby line barely moves. I believe that if there were no Fast-Passes, you would spend no more, and possibly, less time in the standby line than you currently do.
I liked the previous paper Fast Passes better. Everyone had an equal opportunity (if you get to the park early), but again, you are tied into a time slot. Is there a perfect solution? Probably not.
I 100% agree. I don’t mind standing in a long line – as long as it keeps moving. The standing in one spot while you watch toms of Fast Pass holders go thru is torture!
Yes! I think all of the lines would move faster without fast pass. It’s not worth it to move quickly through a few lines when it increases the wait time on the majority of the rides we visit.
Here’s some thoughts on how a new virtual queue system could work. Keep in mind this is entirely speculation, and no system will be perfectly fair or acceptable to everyone.
Use a Disneyland style FastPass/MaxPass system. That would mean “day of” only. For WDW make it free to all guests. Eliminate all standby queueing. This would increase the total number of passes available. Release virtual queue spots in batches throughout the day. This makes it possible to arrive later and not be totally blocked out.
The Disneyland style does not let you pick your return time, it gives you the next available. This would keep times in the later parts of the day free for the next release of passes. I can see that there would need to be some overlapping of releases of batches of passes. It wouldn’t be very nice to say have all the 9am to 12 pm passes used up and you can’t get into anything until you can start to reserve again at noon. But if rides had somewhat staggered release times and maybe even randomized then everyone could keep checking when they can book there next and see what’s available.
Magic bands could be used in this scheme. Perhaps even for checking for passes and grabbing them. (My ignorance of magic bands is showing, never experienced them). So you could use kiosks, bands, cell phones to get your passes.
Not a perfect solution and maybe the infrastructure is not there. But it seems it would provide a great deal of flexibility and fairness.
Whatever they come up with next, I hope they will continue to keep their handicapped guests in mind. FastPass+ was a huge boon to people like me who can’t stand long enough to stand in line but have trouble using a wheelchair. This sort of system works great at other parks I’ve been to and it even won me over from the ‘going up the exit ramp’ system. If their answer is “Just rent a wheelchair” or “Just pay more,” I’ll just be going to other parks until they change the system again.
As Tom said, an apples to apples comparison of the virtual queue for ROTR to all FP+ rides isn’t really accurate. ROTR is extremely popular (so probably FoP would also see this similarity), but it is also extremely unreliable which is not the case for other rides. Disney will have a great opportunity here. Much lower crowds and little demand will give them time and ability to test and tweak the system. Personally, one obvious change would be making queues available anywhere on property as a way to bump the waning on-site advantage. The real question is…will Disney actually do the work to make the system work as well as possible for most people? I’d also hope there is still a free and/or non-smartphone required version for people who can’t or don’t want to pay, have smartphone access, or be on their phones constantly while on vacation.
Even if they can’t literally use the space of the separate FastPass queues, they will be able to increase the velocity of the single standby line. This certainly won’t replicate the FastPass+ experience but 100% of ride seats going to standby should make that a considerably better experience than a traditional standby queue.
We just have to hope that sanitation protocols do not slow things down too much, and that rides are staffed appropriately (which I doubt they will be). Watching a recent vlog from Universal, there were a lot of hour + waits despite the park looking like a ghost town. Hopefully Disney can keep everything running smoothly.
That’s really sad because the virtual line was an awful experience for rise of the resistance. I had to leave me house at 3am to make the 2.5 hour drive to get there super early. It was jam packed and not something I would want to do again. So if I wanted to ride flight of the passage, I have to get the AK right at opening? Thats no different than if there weren’t any any fast passes and you get there early to beat the crowds. Personally, I liked going to the park with no fast passes to start the day and just refreshing the app till I find what I want. This is a horrible way to go about it and I really hope Disney doesn’t get rid of it. I don’t understand what Tom is talking about when he says he likes the spontaneity that Disneyland has. You can have the same thing just be refreshing the app at Disney world. I can’t tell you how many times I found a flight of the passage fast pass the day of simply by refreshing. Now I have to get there at the crack of dawn? Wow this is really bad.
I agree. We haven’t used the virtual queue yet, but I’m not really looking forward to having to do this at the start of a park day – having the stress of trying to get on a ride while I’m in the park already doesn’t sound appealing at all. I saw a video of this where everyone was on their phones trying to get into a virtual queue instead of enjoying the park. And then, some people screaming in excitement that they got a time with others right next to them disappointed that they didn’t. What a way to ruin the magic for guests if you don’t get a boarding pass & others around you do. Under normal circumstances, I’d rather get up early 60 days ahead of time, schedule my FP & have that pre-set before I go on vacation. If I’m not able to get a particular FP, at least I’m at home and can “process” this ahead of time instead of being in a park with others excitedly screaming around me! I know that right now is not normal and that we have to go with however the ride system will be. But, I really hope that if/when things return to normal that wdw does not go to a virtual queue for any more rides than they already have.
I would miss fastpass if it goes away for good. I have come to enjoy the challenge of doing as many fast passes in a day as I can, and the excitement that happens when we wait in line, refresh and that hard to get fast pass opens up. Anxious to see what happens
After first visiting in 1972, staying in Kisseme next to the rodeo at a brand new Holiday Inn, and over 40 visits since, we are most likely done. Just glad we were there in March. Got our first week in, 2nd week was cancelled due to shutdown. We had so many fun trips but we watched them give less and charge more every visit. We always enjoyed Disney and the feeling of a carefree vacation. Stayed af all the resorts over the years and did all the shows with the kids. That magic seems to be vanishing but we will always look back at the good times we had, just time to remember it as it was, not what it has become.
Bob, you sound just like our family and I so agree with your thoughts. It’s hard to believe after being what feels like a lifetime member of Walt Disney World trips, first with my kids and now my grandkids, that we may have to end at all just because it’s getting so expensive and ridiculous. It’s truly a shame.
Yep, same. Have already warned the kids to suck up every last bit of Disney magic they can on this one, it’s been a lovely cruise but feels like the time has come to move on. Doesn’t feel like we’ll be missed, tbh.
@ Terri, I totally agree!! And when you add in system crashes, it makes even less sense. I wish they could figure this out better. Keep fast pass and distribute virtual line places throughout the day, not just all at once at the beginning and keep regular stand by lines too. Not sure about logistics, but many people cannot fight the crowd of the morning rush and wait till evening to ride, if at all. Everyone would not hop into a line all at once, so why on earth is the virtual line opening all its time slots at once? The point is to wait elsewhere, so I’d like to have one virtual line I’m “waiting” in, while physically waiting in another. But if it were up to me, just give me 180 day window to plan everything and I’d be happy. I don’t need spontaneity- an unexpected pandemic is enough “winging it” for me. Please, no surprises!
It seems the virtual cue will encourage all park goers to arrive at opening, to try to get passes. And if anything like Star Wars, those who arrive a few minutes late will be out of luck. This seems as though it will create more congestion and crowding at opening. Not a fan of this idea.