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
It’s a good question, and I can’t think of an answer that works for the majority of experience-types. My favorite is just having everything be standby like it is right now, as then everyone is waiting in the same queue and has the same expectations. The line might be long, but it keeps moving and that feels like an accomplishment. For those who are familiar with the system, Fastpass might work the best because they know the ins and outs of it…but even so, there seem to be fans of the current system and fans of the old system, and all the systems in-between. I need to read about Maxpass to see how I feel about that, though it strikes me as good for my circumstances (I will ALWAYS pay more to have a more relaxed, quieter, exclusive experience with little stress.) For the same reason, I like Universal’s Express pass. But…both of those can shut out lower income families, and I want to be sensitive to the idea that not everyone can pay their way into the best outcome.
Where the Fastpass is most annoying for me is the idea of scheduling what I want to do months in advance. It’s not just the spontaneity, it’s dealing with a party of individuals who have different wants and needs and health issues who might feel fine going on a roller coaster at 10am but feel queasy at 3pm. Or get hungry at 2pm when we have a 2:30 fastpass, and then we’re either rushing through food or skipping it until after. The joy of the parks for me is exploring and taking my time, and popping on a ride occasionally if I feel like it. I suppose Fastpass doesn’t prevent this, but it does lengthen wait times which makes it less likely for me to invest.
I would love to see the Genie come to fruition. Sounds like more of an a-la-carte experience that I wouldn’t mind paying for (seeing how time is money at DW). We have our next trip planned for late September/first week Oct 2022 and are hoping for the return of MNSSHP and Cruella’s party (since the movie debut). Now, as adults, our take on how to experience the park has changed and we don’t mind splurging for add-ons and such.
They couldn’t replicate Universal Express Pass for all hotel guests — But even at Universal, it’s limited to just 3 hotels.
They could make it deluxe-hotel only, or club-level only. Or not free for anyone, but maybe a discount for on-site guests.
Tom I have read your blog on the disappearing on site advantages of booking a WDW hotel. Short term I dont see a problem because of the pent up demand and 50th anniversary celebrations. But do you think Disney will have a problem with occupancy rates in the future if their on site advantage is just location? I wonder if people will think the premium is worth the benefit in that scenario. Reason I bring it up is Advanced FP booking for hotel guests costs them nothing (unlike EMH and ME). I am hoping they keep some incentive to book other than proximity/transportation to parks
I’ve gone to Disney World three times over the past year but not before that for a long time, so I have never been there with Fastpass in place. From everything I’ve heard it sounds awful, forcing me to make even more plans in advance and removing the magic of spontaneity. The three times I went it was really pretty easy to wait in standby lines that moved quickly, and I could judge how much I wanted to ride an attraction versus how long the wait was. With Fastpass, it seems like the slots mostly go to veterans who might not even really need to ride Seven Dwarfs mine train for the hundredth time, thus forcing anyone who didn’t know or was unable to make reservations at the 60-day mark to wait even longer when they arrive. If it is going to return, I would personally prefer it to change as it’s not really an equitable system as it’s written anyway.
I do really like Universal’s Express Pass and agree that would be a nice way to add a perk for families staying at Disney’s Deluxe resorts. But that doesn’t really even the field either, so somebody would still be left out.
What would be a more equitable system?
Personally, even as someone who loves spontaneity (and seldom scores a SDMT FastPass), I don’t see a problem with a playing field that isn’t level. Those with the resources of knowledge, time, and/or money are always at an advantage. That’s true at Walt Disney World, other travel destinations, and life in general.
What’s so bad about those who do their homework having an advantage? Is it really that different from those who are willing to get up early for rope drop beating the crowds?
There’s got to be a better system to satisfy most peoples needs and wants. I like FP+ because of the advanced reservation feature (we don’t go to parks in the am and would lose out on coveted FP under the old paper ticket system or MaxPass) The drawbacks are that it extends the Standby lines and the advanced planning/lack of spontaneity. It seems to me that Universals Express Pass fixes most of these issues. How do people feel in general about Express Pass? Could it work at WDW? Does WDW need to incentivize hotel guests with advanced booking at the risk of lower occupancy rates?
Walt Disney World has too many hotel rooms to replicate Express Pass. They could do their own take on the system, but it would probably still involve advance bookings of ride reservations.
Anything spontaneous is likely going to be pay-to-play, IMO.
I disagree with Adam and Jared. Fastpass allows ALL who go to the parks the opportunity to wait in a shorter line to ride. We are all paying outrageous prices to go to the parks and having this perk is a nice advantage. I have been to Universal several times and their Express pass(paid pass) is crazy expensive and the price changes based on the amount of people at the park. Low crowds, cheaper price. Large crowds, you are looking at over 200 dollars a person to skip the lines. Plus this does not even out the crowds or make the standby lines shorter. It actually makes the standby lines longer. I know from multiple experiences. At Disney they try to keep the lines balanced, letting some fast passers go and the standby line go. At Universal and Six Flags, which both offer a paid service, you will sit in the standby line as they empty the paid service line. So if a wait time says 20 minutes in Standby you could be waiting 40 minutes or more as the parks empty out the paid service line. Yes the fast pass takes a little more effort to plan, but as I said above, I have had multiple encounters with both systems and I wait less time in the Standby line where fast pass is available.
I agree with Adam, I’d rather wait times be more even across attractions. I think a lot of Disney fans (especially readers of blogs like this one) are attached to FastPass+ because it’s what they’re used to and they have invested a lot of time in figuring out how to make the system work for them. But any system that requires multiple blog posts on how to use effectively, necessitates having to get up early 60 days out from your vacation to hopefully get useful reservations, and prompts 2+ hour lines for people who those who aren’t lucky enough to score a FastPass is objectively not a user friendly system. There is definitely room for improvement and I hope Disney has been using this time to brainstorm improvements to the old system.
You’re right. FastPass+ is absolutely arcane, which is why people who read blogs like this one like it–because they have the requisite knowledge to leverage the system and gain advantage over others. (That, and they don’t realize what it does to lines elsewhere.)
It’ll be interesting to see what changes are made, but I wouldn’t hold my breath that Disney will simplify the system. They’ve had chances over the last decade-plus, and have chosen to make it more convoluted at every turn.
For now, at DHS especially, there aren’t even enough attractions for the old FP+ system. Without Indy, Beauty and the Beast,and Little Mermaid, I don’t think there are even enough spots to give every guest 3 fastpasses.
I may be in the minority, but I wouldn’t mind an expensive Universal Express Pass system, with limited passes being sold. It would keep the standby lines moving, since few people would be using the expensive paid system. While the option exists for true line skipping on one or more days.
The problem with any “free system” used by “everyone” — for every minute you save on your FP ride, you pay it back with longer lines elsewhere.
Janell,
I have a disability pass and go to the Fastpass area to get in. Lots of people assume those in wheelchairs are the only ones with disability passes. Perhaps your friend saw people that can walk, like me. Also Club 33 members go through this area too.
My friend was there 6/4 and 6/5 and thought people had fast passes again. Is this true?? I asked if it was the disability line and she said no, it is fast pass because she asked… I’m still skeptical. Has anyone else heard this?? Thanks!
I don’t think any form of Fastpasses can return until everything is open. The crowds need to be dispersed via shows, parades, meet and greets, and restaurants. As of now, most are on lines for rides, shopping, or finding a place to eat. With this situation, fastpasses would be taken up quickly.
And keep in mind, that the water park, Typhoon Lagoon is still closed which keeps even more people in the parks.
When the time comes, I would like to see some way to have something like Fastpasses. We can only wait and see.
Oh and by the way, as a passholder who visits frequently the parks are way above 35%. And many cast members think so too. The parking lots are filling up, the traffic is increasing rapidly, and especially on the weekends the parks are pretty close to what it used to be. Even getting walk up food is a challenge.
So until everything is totally open, I don’t think we’ll be seeing those Fastpasses or whatever it may be titled.
Hey, Tom and Sarah: Beth has some good points. Yahoo Finance just covered a poll where the majority of interest to visit WDW fell to the “middle class” yet many felt they could no longer afford a WDW visit. Conversely. those who could more afford that visit were the least interested demographic. Please don’t price them out, Disney.
Right, now everyone is dreaming and starving for the “classic normal” not the new normal. For that reason the FastPass system should exist. The FastPass system has existed for over a decade! It should return at the appropriate time – when dean safe to do so.
Simply replacing the fast pass system with a new alternative with a different name would be very vindictive of a millennial move of rebranding an already existing function to re-educate the public to only be reflected in my vacation cost not my experience. Call me old fashion but that sounds much like reinventing the wheel. Is Mickey next? To some degree the fast pass system and the Genie system combination has already been in existence.
It is very evident by the very first post on this blog that there is still a portion of the general public that doesn’t even understand how the fast pass system works. The fast pass system is available for any person to be able to use given that they make a reservation during normal operating standards.
Disney World and Disneyland, certainly will be returning to normal operating standards. I’m certain that time will be sooner rather than later! No corporation wants to be the one to lead the way back. Additionally, there is danger that lurks in the future of any corporation that chooses to drag their feet into a World That can not sees beyond this pandemic.
The FastPass system has become a welcomed addition to everyone’s experience. Just as character greeting areas. It is a necessary evolution with the time. Make the bands evolve… so there is was that rare classic – much like the pins.
Hi. I didn’t see anyone respond clarifying that with no fast pass they are using that queue too. A regular person does NOT get to use the fast pass lane. So I am in line for 50 minutes while tons of disabled people are using the fast pass lane. Currently standing in the park right now. Very frustrated as it was explained to me by DVC that they would be using both lanes so lines wouldn’t be long like this
I think that the Fastpass and Maxpass should definitely return in some form. Not sure about the situation in Florida, but in California, a lot of restrictions are being lifted all over the state. Disneyland has the chance to fully open, or at least increase capacity significantly starting June 15th I believe. If they extend the capacity, while still having to set limits to the amount of people allowed on one ride, everything would be chaos. Longer lines for rides leading to horrendous wait times, and more people piled up. I don’t want to spend half of my day in line for one ride. Even only at 35% capacity at Disneyland right now, the lines are already getting very long VERY quickly. That is why it would only make sense to bring Fastpass or maxpass back. If we have the chance to maximize the fastpass, it would be way more convenient for everybody. It could even possibly lead to less bunching up in lines. While waiting for your fastpass, you don’t have to be sitting around tons of other people and you can actually go out and get food and make the most of your day, which is a good way Disney likes to make money. Even if the whole system is modified, it would still make sense. Maybe they could make the fastpass process fully online so you don’t have to wait at the booths surrounded by people. I’m planning on going to Disneyland during the last week of June, and if Disney decides to extend capacity to 50% or even fully open, it would be chaos without the help of FastPass or MaxPass. Especially knowing that Avengers campus is about to open up, imagine the wait time of the new SpiderMan ride. Of course, it would be a whole different story if they applied the Virtual Queue to that ride also, but if not, the line would be HOURS long, maybe even impossible to get onto without the Fastpass. Sorry for going on a whole rant, I just really want Maxpass to return by June 15th, or even asap, if you can’t tell! haha
Surely there is a way to stand in a line without physically being there. We all have phones. It would really cut down on the suffering of small children (heck everyone). At least use the lines form 20 minutes only. Disney could make even more money freeing up guests to shop and eat, or funnel us into some entertainment . You could even have activities to kill the time. Please, I’m begging you! Somehow figure out a way that we can stop being tortured in the Florida heat.
The great thing about the MaxPass is that you can buy it to make things easier, but you don’t have to have it to get a FastPass, you just have to put in the leg work to hoof it over there and get one. So it’s fair, and doesn’t put people with less money at a material disadvantage.
Obviously, the MaxPass is infinitely more user friendly that FastPass+, because you can plan your day on fly. Insider tip: one you physically go in the park, you can book through MaxPass for the rest of the day. So if you’re like me and go back to the pool for a drink or three, you monitor the return times and book it before you even leave the pool.
Good lord, please bring back FastPass before August Disneyland!! I can’t spend all day in stand by lines!!!!
Bring it back and bring it back June 1st… Let’s make this a great summer!!!! C’mon Disney!!!!
I would like to see free fast passes continue in some form. I like to know that we will get to ride ‘that one ride’ at each park if we are going to drive 12 hours+ to get there. We always stay in a Disney resort for the perks and the FP are a big reason. Along with the transportation to and from the park and dining plans (which will hopefully come back in some form soon also). I like the idea of getting a place in line for a ride in real time also-maybe they could offer a combination of the two ideas. I don’t like the idea of paying more for it if staying in a resort though. Family oriented means cost effective— profit as the main focus is going to hurt PR with Disney.