The Fastpass system at Walt Disney World is an amazing tool developed to help you wait less at the parks. In its second iteration (Fastpass+), many more attractions were added to the list of Fastpass options. But in my opinion, there are some attractions you should never Fastpass.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom park has by far the most attractions that are available as Fastpass options. It can be overwhelming to choose – especially if you are a first time visitor. I suggest looking over a list of attractions and highlighting all the attractions you think that you and your family would enjoy. You may have to do a little research (YouTube is great for this), so make sure to start this process well before your Fastpass booking window opens.
Once you’ve got your list, consult my Fastpass suggestion guide. I’ve put the attractions in order of priority with regard to Fastpass usefulness. This means that using a Fastpass at the attractions towards the top of the list will save you a lot more time than using them on attractions towards the bottom of the list.
This is usually due to the popularity of an attraction which causes it to develop long lines quickly. But sometimes it is because of the limited amount of passengers a ride can handle at a time. For example, Tomorrowland Speedway isn’t necessarily extremely popular, but it’s fairly slow loading, so the line tends to back up.
Sometimes an attraction can be popular, but because of the large capacity, the line never tends to back up.
This is the case with my recommendation at Magic Kingdom: NEVER Fastpass MIckey’s Philharmagic. Not because it’s unpopular or not worth doing. It is (justifiably) popular – and I think you SHOULD see it. But because it is a show with a large seating capacity, you’ll almost never have to wait for more than the length of the show before you. Fastpass won’t get you in any quicker.
I would also almost never suggest to Fastpass Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. If it is very very crowded, you MAY have to wait through more than one showing in the standby line. Which is why I don’t say never. But this would rarely be a good choice – mainly because there are so many other options at Magic Kingdom. And if Laugh Floor has a long line, then you’ll definitely need those Fastpasses at the other attractions even more.
Once you’ve got your list, consult my Fastpass suggestion guide. I’ve put the attractions in order of priority with regard to Fastpass usefulness. This means that using a Fastpass at the attractions towards the top of the list will save you a lot more time than using them on attractions towards the bottom of the list.
This is usually due to the popularity of an attraction which causes it to develop long lines quickly. But sometimes it is because of the limited amount of passengers a ride can handle at a time. For example, Tomorrowland Speedway isn’t necessarily extremely popular, but it’s fairly slow loading, so the line tends to back up.
Epcot
Epcot has fewer choices for Fastpasses and they are grouped into tiers. When making your Fastpass picks in advance of your trip, you can only make one selection from the first tier and the other two must come from the second tier.
The attraction you should definitely NOT pick as one of your three choices is the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. Now, this is a great attraction – and you should see it if you have time, but it’s in a really large theater that never fills up. So use this as a way to get out of the heat and off your feet for a while, but don’t waste a Fastpass on it.
This next suggestion might be controversial for some, so I don’t say never pick this – just almost never. I almost never suggest you pick Illuminations as one of your advance Fastpass choices. Why? There are three reasons.
First and most importantly, since the show doesn’t happen until the end of the night, you won’t use that third Fastpass until the end of the night – so you’ll never have the opportunity during the day to select a 4th or 5th or 6th Fastpass.
Secondly, there are so many fine vantage points from which to view the show all around World Showcase Lagoon. Sure, you may have to stand behind other people if you don’t want to stake out a spot at the rail 30-45 minutes before showtime, but that’s usually not a big deal for most people.
The last reason you don’t want to choose Illuminations is that it is in tier one – which means by choosing Illuminations, you cannot get a Fastpass for Soarin, Test Track or Frozen Ever After or the Epcot Character Spot. I’m sure you want to do at least ONE of those, right?
If you don’t care for the rides or you are just at Epcot for one of the seasonal events and to visit the World Showcase, then you may want to top off your evening with the reserved viewing for Illuminations. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense for most people.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios Fastpasses are a little trickier because there are so many shows there and not a ton of rides. In general I don’t recommend using Fastpasses on show because it just doesn’t give you much advantage, but based on the limited choices at Hollywood, you may find yourself including a show.
One show you don’t want to waste one on is Muppetvision 3D. It’s cute, and if you really enjoy the muppets or just need to kill time, then give it a whirl – but you’ll never face a long line there.
For the same reason I recommend not using a Fastpass at Epcot’s Illuminations, I also rarely recommend using one for Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom has some great shows, and you should try to see them all. The exception is “It’s Tough to be a Bug.” This is a 4D movie that it pretty cute if you liked A Bug’s Life, but there are some startling special effects that tend to scare the preschool and under set.
Anyway, if you do choose to see it, you definitely won’t need a Fastpass for it.
Additionally, I would rarely recommend using one for Finding Nemo – The Musical. This is a great show, but it is such a large theater that it isn’t difficult to get good seats without a Fastpass.
Just sign up with your email if you want to download my free Fastpass planning sheets and other printables. If you’re looking for more information about how the system works and how to actually make Fastpass reservations, read my FASTPASS PLANNING page. Interested in planning a trip? Contact me at rebecca@magicaltravel.com or use my CONTACT form for a no-obligation quote. What attractions would you NEVER use a Fastpass for? Leave your comments below!
