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!
We’ve been in the parks for the past 8 days and the DAS use is out of control. It has gotten worse as the week has progressed. Yesterday waiting for SDMT for 45 minutes, it was obvious throughout the majority of riders were coming through the constant stream in the fastpass line. You can see them streaming in and the standby line barely moves until you get past the merge point. I get that some disabilities might not be obvious, but 99 out of a 100 disabilities are not invisible. These are young healthy adults, families, and teenagers. They aren’t doing rider swaps and not hiding some unknown disability. Many of them are laughing and talking about it as they are walking in. They are way more physically capable of standing in the line than many of the people waiting in standby. I’m very tempted to go get one for my family and contributing to the problem to make it more likely they will have to do something about. What kind of ridiculous thinking thought this system wouldn’t get abused when there are no requirements? This feels like everyone knows it’s a problem, but nobody wants to actually say it.
The DAS pass is absolutely essential for our family to visit WDW. We have been using it for many WDW trips over the last 15 years. Before commenting on its abuses (of which there are, undoubtedly, many) people should know how it is used.
As of our last trip, the DAS WAS linked to the specific person’s magic band. There IS a maximum number of people that can accompany the individual using the DAS (btw, since this was capped at 4 for many rides, including the individual with a disability, this meant that our family of 6 almost never got to enjoy any rides together), so no, 12 people don’t just go through the line on one DAS. The pass gives you a specific return time- generally whatever the posted standby time is for the ride (ie 20 minutes, 45 minutes, etc) at which time you come back and join the fastpass line. DAS does NOT give front of the line access. It functions as a fastpass does- holding your place in line while you are physically elsewhere. You can only hold ONE DAS return time at a time, and cannot get another until you either use it or the time passes- which is even more restrictive than fastpass was. You cannot book DAS return times in advance, or in a different park than the one you are in. Again, like with the old, paper fastpass system, you actually need to bring the magic band to a cast member at the desired ride for them to assign your return time. DAS can also be used in conjunction with fastpass, and WDW cast members encourage people to use both systems.
DAS is far from perfect, both for those who actually need it and because it is open to abuse. But for those of us who cannot visit WDW without accommodations some form of it is truly necessary.
Thanks for sharing your experience with DAS and basic info/facts about how it’s used (and isn’t). DAS is definitely a very necessary service, and it’s unfortunate that some abuse it. Also, I’d remind anyone else reading this that we don’t know someone else’s circumstances and not all disabilities are visible. (I say that because in the past I know some DAS users have commented about getting dirty looks from other guests, which is really sad.)
Appreciate the feedback! 🙂
My grandchildren keep asking when we will go to WDW again (take them about every 2 years- last May was cancelled.) I’m less and less inclined to go again. I know it is expensive but I plan and we used all the perks that where included (paid for in the high price) in staying onsite- which mostly have been taken away. If fast passes go to, there isn’t much left for the magic for me. No magic bands, I will NOT use a cell phone for that, no transportation to/from the airport, no fast passes. Without even looking at the price increase – it will cost at least $2,000 more to pay for what was already INCLUDED in the price of staying there. So now paying double for those things!
The magic is gone. I feel slightly sick thinking about going again.
What about park pass reservations? How long will the reservation process be implemented? When or if will it be gone? Thank you
Yeah I think DAS is a great tool for the guests that truly need it. It just bothers me when you have thousands of other guests that treat it as a Fast Pass and have no problem waiting in a traditional queue and do so otherwise. I realize that Disney cannot require guests to prove they have a disability, but they need to prevent the misuse of the system as a FP, whether it be linking DAS to magic bands or something along those lines so they can track when people are entering rides. If you have an active DAS pass for a ride, you shouldn’t be allowed to go on other rides while you wait. It increases the wait times for everyone else. End rant.
Disney will never go anywhere near the DAS process it’s only downside and no benefit.
As regards FP+ and paid whether it be Max Pass (which is a waste of time WDW – as you’ll only ever get the likes of Dumbo or Pirates) they will get away with charging as their parks and hotels are full of people paying topdollar now with half the benefits missing! We are our own worst enemies! Over a few years they will learn but it will take a few years.
Universal’s Volcano Bay has TapuTapu, you wear a wristband that will hold you in a virtual queue for a ride until it informs you to go queue for the last ten minutes or so in person – this sounds a great system but not had first-hand experience of it, could this work at WDW? Thanks for all your help and info!
Volcano Bay’s system is ambitious and interesting, but not something that’s workable at Walt Disney World. There’s simply not enough space/alternative options for all the guests that would be displaced from queues by that virtual system.
To Dana’s comment, Rider Swap is utilizing the FastPass line. We just got back from a trip a few days ago and I can confirm that this was being heavily utilized. First parent rider/riding children wait in stand-by line first time through. Second parent/riding children go through FastPass line second time through.
Speaking of the DAS system, Disney needs to do something about the large volume of guests that abuse it, since it detracts from the families that actually need it (ie an autistic child or someone with a physical handicap). The purpose of DAS is to provide a ride return time for guests that have difficulty waiting in a traditional queue environment. Rather than wait in the traditional line, they can find somewhere to sit outside of the ride, go for a walk, get a snack, etc, until they are permitted to come back (it is based on the current wait time).
However, many families are abusing the system by using it in the form of a Fast Pass. These guests will get a DAS pass for one ride and then go to other rides and hop in the traditional queue until it is time for them to return to the DAS ride. And rinse and repeat.
I definitely agree with you, but the problem is that there’s no good (and legal) mechanism for Disney to police DAS. The only option would be to further limit its use, but that would only do so much–and it would still be a better option than nothing, in the absence of FastPass.
It’s not a can of worms I wanted to open in the main blog post, but I wouldn’t be surprised if DAS abuse causes Disney to bring back FastPass earlier than they otherwise might’ve.
We have reservations for April 2022. If fast pass or a good replacement is not brought back we are canceling and going to universal (staying at Portifino Bay for free unlimited express line access), then a couple days at Disney water parks. I may be wrong but max pass is better for early risers which we are not. Also I can’t justify spending to stay on site anymore if there are fewer benefits. I love the fast pass system as is and it has always worked out well for us. My only concern is hoping they cancel park reservation system because the combo or the 2 would make it pretty complicated on fast pass booking day.
The constant costs are beginning to weigh badly. I like other commenter feel that planning is essential in a DW vacation. However the fast passes are something I can take or leave. What I find most frustrating at this point are the constant little costs: parking fees at the resorts for example. But now, the magic bands? I am almost more disappointed that they are trying to do away with them. I hate the idea of having to lug my cellphone all over the park and constantly check it. It is bad enough to have to do it for dining reservations but now for fast passes and tickets?? Do we all have to drag our phones about? I want 5o spend time with my kids not have them buried in their phones. If they have to take them along, guess I’ll have to be naggy mom all trip. And some older folks don’t even have smartphones! Guess grandma and grandpa can’t take the grandkids if they want a hope of getting on rise of the resistance. Thanks for taking something that was easy and convenient and got us away from our phones and getting rid of it.
It’s all just getting to be ridiculous. WDW is one of my favorite places and I go quite often, but at some point you feel you’re being taken advantage of. This in conjunction with the “Boo Bash” ridiculousness is a bit too much. I hate it for the families who have to save forever just to get to go once and then either get a sub-par experience to everyone else’s or have to get slapped with additional fees to get the max enjoyment. In addition, if there’s an unlimited option (I don’t see WDW turning down $) for these new fast passes, people will undoubtedly pay for them and there’s the additional issue of the fast pass line being longer than the stand by.
I believe rider swap is also using the FP lane at this time.
Our Disney trip is our one escape from caring for a mentally ill adult son. We NEED to plan because it is a diversion from the monitoring of medications, the constant dealing with delusions that can be dangerous to him or others, the transporting to doctor appointments and so much more involved in caring for a mentally ill individual.
I also have a mobility disability, and spontaneity is NOT on my must-haves. I can walk, but not well nor fast. I have to plan the park to use as few steps as possible. Now that Disney refers those of us to a wheelchair ($12 a day, currently, and you have to have someone to push it), or scooter ($50 a day), planning is essential.
We have a reservation for November, but will have to cancel if WDW has no good option offered.
Sea World is looking good at this point. We used their paid access pass before and it was wonderful.
I cannot express enough how much I despise the idea of “getting” to be more spontaneous in the parks. I like to plan. I WANT to plan, and know exactly (pretty much) what each day will look like. I’m liking Disney less and less.
As we know DW is much bigger than DL. Max pass works well for them. I really hope they don’t change the fast past system. At DL, you have to get to the parks early to get good max passes. What if you wanted to come to the park later? Why can’t they just leave one thing alone!
Whatever system is implemented will be modified and adapted with Walt Disney World guest demographics in mind. They might use MaxPass as inspiration (or backend infrastructure), but it’s not like they’ll take Disneyland’s system and plop it into Walt Disney World with no changes.
Tom, it feels like there are some fairly fundamental differences (that you have discussed on here before) between WDW and Disneyland guests. A WDW trip is more likely to be planned in advance as a vacation, likely to be longer, and less likely to include locals. $20 per person per day for max pass sounds fine… until you think of a 2 week vacation (which is the minimum for many foreign travellers) for 4 people. That’s $1120! Plus, if you already have to book lots of things at WDW in advance (dining reservations etc.) does that gel with being spontaneous given the size of the WDW resort and the challenges travelling?
Our next trip will be in 2023 with a 2 year old and almost 4 year old. Having to replan our days on the fly around fastpass / max pass sounds like complete hell!
I really hope that the fast pass is not another thing taken away. As it is trying to get the experience and rides months ahead can be difficult I can’t even imagine trying to get them the day were in park. First the magical express from airport will no longer be operating after 2021 and now having to pay for transportation from and to airport prices going up and now they may charge for replacement of a fast pass type. Sounds like disney is pushing people away as its sounds like its not so magical anymore.
2 things, kinda negative and I hate to be that way because I always try to find the best in our trips.
First is we saw 12 or 13 people using the DAS system to get on Haunted Mansion. Poor ol granny was barely making it but worth her weight in FastPass’ to those dozen terrible people with her. I feel like we see that too often. There should be a limit. Not for me standing in line but just for good taste.
Second is we love cast members. But some are either over worked or Disney is taking whatever they can get their hands on. We notice more and more rude cast members or some that try and flex authority on us for no real reason. However many are fantastic and make Disney what it is. Say thank you, make eye contact and be kind and appreciative to those who are getting it right.
The other day, I went online to My Disney Experience to tweak some dining reservations and noticed an active tab in ‘my plans’ for ‘reserve your fast pass+.’ I got all excited, but the tab was active but went to a dead link. It fairly quickly disappeared after that. Some webmaster stuck it up there for a couple of hours for some reason.