Dear Disney: Where Are Our FastPasses?

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

Disney FastPass entrance signs

All Images Credit Inside the Magic

The time has come, the visitors said, to talk of many things. Okay, really, just one thing: FastPasses. With both Disneyland and Disney World able to operate at full capacity — even though they are not quite there yet — wait times are on the rise. They will most likely get worse as the East and West Coast theme parks enter their busiest season, summer.

Disney World crowd
Credit: Inside the Magic Rebekah B.

Related: What’s Going On With Disney’s FastPass Kiosks?

That leaves one very important question: When will Guests see the return of the much-loved and now, much-needed, FastPasses?

Incredicoaster Fastpass entrance sign
Credit: Bailee A. Inside the Magic

Before the pandemic forced the theme parks to shut down, Walt Disney World offered Guests what they called FastPass+. This system allowed Guests to book FastPasses up to 60 days in advance if staying on Disney property, 30 if you only book theme park tickets. Guests could book up to three FastPasses per day in advance and one FastPass at a time after that.

Disney FastPass entrance sign
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.

Related: New Paid FastPass System Launches TODAY at Disney Park

Disneyland decided to stick with the original FASTPASS system, where Guests could book one FASTPASS at a time at recognizable kiosks found near attractions that had FASTPASS availability. However, in 2017, Disneyland introduced the MaxPass — which, for an additional fee, allowed Guests to book a FASTPASS on their phone. MaxPass would show Guests which rides had FASTPASS availability, and they could select which one they wanted.

MaxPass Disney app
Credit: Disney

Now that the theme parks are reopened and gradually increasing capacity, many fans, including myself, believe it is crucial that FastPasses be brought back as soon as possible. Wait times have been steadily increasing at all Disney theme parks, and Guests may soon become impatient with having to wait hours in line with no other alternatives. It is probably safe to assume that Disney does not want that.

Jungle Cruise entrance
Credit: Inside the Magic

The return of the FASTPASS system may be especially needed at the Disneyland Resort. Disneyland is considered a “locals Park” and, before the shutdown, many of those who visited The Happiest Place on Earth lived in the area and a high number of them were Annual Passholders. Disneyland canceled their Annual Pass Program during the COVID-19 shutdown, and now all Guests must pay for a ticket each time they want to visit.

Disneyland passport tickets
Credit: Inside the Magic

With increasing capacity and wait times, it doesn’t seem that it would be worth it to spend around $150 for one day in one Park during Peak Season and only be able to go on a handful of rides because of the high wait times. It may be even less worth it to spend over $200 on a Park Hopper ticket during Peak Season if rides are your goal and wait times are averaging an hour or more.

Disneyland line
Credit: Inside the Magic

When Disney World, and then Disneyland reopened, maintaining physical distancing on rides as well as in ride queues was extremely important as they tried to keep Guests safe. However, both theme parks are now filling rides to full capacity and no longer enforcing social distancing. That means that ride vehicles can be filled to capacity and ride queues can be filled. Since keeping the lines moving for physical distancing is no longer a priority, it leaves many of us wondering just how long it will be until amenities like FastPass will return.

People riding Incredicoaster
Credit: Disney

Neither Disneyland nor Disney World has announced when they will be reinstating FastPass+, MaxPass, or basic FASTPASS systems in the theme parks. However, summer is almost upon us and that means peak travel season for Disney. Hopefully, Disneyland and Disney World will make these hot weather months more bearable by giving Guests what they really want — the ability to book FastPasses and maximize their theme park experience.

Do you think it is about time Disney brings back its FastPasses? Let us know in the comments!

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Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Inside the Magic overall.

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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