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When the theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort first began its phased reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, there were numerous health and safety protocols put in place — Including temporarily suspending FastPass+.
FastPass+ allowed Guests to essentially bypass certain ride lines as they were able to make FastPass+ reservations for up to three rides per day. And once those three reservations were used, Guests could make additional FastPass+ reservations, one at a time.
Related: Disney World Increased Capacity, So We Need FastPass Back
What Is FastPass+?
The Walt Disney World website currently states the following regarding FastPass:
As a result of the COVID-19 impact on operations, the FastPass+ service is suspended for the time being. FastPass+ service is not offered with the purchase of tickets or annual passes. We will share future updates at a later date.
Disney FastPass+ service allows you to reserve access to select Walt Disney World theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance.
You can begin making your FastPass+ selections at 7:00 AM Eastern Time up to 30 days in advance of your visit. Planning to stay at a Disney Resort hotel or another nearby hotel? You can make FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in—for your entire length of stay—with your upcoming room reservation at one of the following:
Disney Resort Hotels
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World
- Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel
- B-Hotel Disney
- Doubletree Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Hilton Buena Vista Palace Resort
- Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs Area
- Wyndham Garden Hotel Lake Buena Vista
- Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
- Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek
How to Avoid Long Lines Without FastPass+
But without FastPass+, can Guests still avoid lines while visiting Walt Disney World? The answer is yes! Take these tips before visiting if you want to make the most out of your Disney World vacation.
Rope Drop Certain Disney Parks Attractions
If you have a handful of rides that are absolutely a must-do for you and your family, be sure to get to the theme parks before park opening! By doing so, you can make sure you are on a bus (or other Disney transportation) with enough time to get through security and into the theme park prior to the actual official opening.
Once inside and once Disney opens up the entire theme park for Guests, you will be able to get to your must-do ride and be one of the first in line — Avoiding a possible 90+ minute wait later in the day.
Related: One Type of FastPass Is Still Offered at Disney World
Monitor My Disney Experience
Make sure you constantly check the My Disney Experience app! This is essential when I am at Walt Disney World as it always updates in real-time with the most up-to-date ride wait times.
Let’s say you are at Magic Kingdom and you’ve been dying to ride “it’s a small world”, but it has been sitting at a 50+ minute wait all day. Well, as you probably know, wait times can either cut down or sky rocket up at any given time, so by consistently checking My Disney Experience, you may be able to catch “it’s a small world” at a 20 minute wait, which would save you 30 minutes!
Stay In the Parks Late
We suggested going for rope drop so you can get on your favorite rides as soon as the park opens, but you cold also go the opposite route and close down the park! There have been several instances where Tower of Terror, which tends to sit at an hour+ wait time every day, at a 13-minute wait within a half-hour of park closing.
Many Guests tend to leave the theme parks prior to the actual closing, and Disney does not cut off the ride lines until the actual park closing time — For example, is Hollywood Studios closes at 9 p.m., you can still get in line for rides at 8:59 p.m. By doing so, the ride lines are usually less than they are in the afternoon and you may be able to sneak in one last ride before the end of the day with minimal wait times!
Skip Fireworks
Now that fireworks have returned to Walt Disney World, Guests will be gathering around to witness Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT Forever at EPCOT. If you are willing to skip out on watching these nighttime spectaculars, you can instead go and ride some of the more popular rides as a majority of Guests will be watching the fireworks!
Related: Glitch on Disney World Website Hints FastPass+ Could Return!
What are your tips for avoiding long lines without FastPass+? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you want to visit Walt Disney World on your next vacation? Start planning today!