Disney to increase the number of FastPass+ entitlements per day and include park hopping

Apr 02, 2014 in "MyMagic+"

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Posted: Wednesday April 2, 2014 10:51am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that they will begin allowing more than 3 FastPass+ entitlements per day, and are working towards incorporating park hopping into FastPass+ selections.

Tom Staggs, Chairman Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said in a blog post, "As expected, most of our guests think that securing times to ride our attractions is one of the best ways to maximize the fun of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. We’ve heard from a number of guests that they would like the opportunity to add additional FastPass+ entitlements during their visit, in addition to the three they can plan in advance. So, we’re working on providing them with the ability to add and enjoy additional entitlements on the day of their visit. Once they’ve used the three they’ve booked, we’ll enable them to select another at kiosks in the parks. And once they’ve used the fourth, they can select another, and so on. We also heard that other guests liked the fact that with the FastPass+ service they could use FASTPASS when they park hopped. So we’re working on a service enhancement to add that feature to FastPass+ as well."

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cw1982May 05, 2014

So, apparently today was extremely busy at HS. I wonder how the 4th, 5th, etc fastpasses worked out for people who were there today? Anyone heard anything? @aladdin2007 ?

RSoxNo1May 04, 2014

I'm seeing many situations where 2 FP+ reservations are available but 4 are not. I don't believe they are currently doing this.

lentestaMay 04, 2014

Ent Entirely possible. I'd be surprised if they didn't already do this.

RSoxNo1May 03, 2014

Another one for @lentesta... We've always assumed that the number of Fastpasses in a given hour window was fixed. I have no reason to believe that isn't still the case, but I think that could and should change under the new system. Under the old system if a family of 4 wanted Fastpasses and there were only 2 left in the interval it would just go into the next interval and there would be 55 minutes of overlap (often times this would be overlooked as well). Under the new system with Fastpasses being scheduled instead of next available this is a much more difficult process and sometimes not available at all. My recommendation is to create a range of Fastpasses per interval instead of a set number. So if each 5 minute interval of a particular attraction is locked to 50 Fastpass+ reservations, have that modified so that it's 48-52. Once the number of reserved spots is in that range then the range is no longer available. In theory, this will create a bit more flexibility.

kylewr86May 02, 2014

No problem. It will be busier in June but if you fastpass things "smartly" you should be fine and see that this is better than the paper fastpass system. I saw people using fastpass all week for rides like Imagination that had a 5 min or less wait. If that were me I would have done standby and changed my pass to another attraction since its easy to do now and thats what I did a few times. Think it was for Everest. It was down and when it started running I ran to it and there was only a 10 min wait so I changed it to Dino which was busy all day long strangly. Its usually not that busy on my previous visits at this same time of year.

cw1982May 01, 2014

I agree that they "should" eventually update the system to allow the extra FP's to be booked through the app; I was moreso curious if you had been told that this was coming. Thanks for clarifying. I'm excited about the changes! It sounds like this is going to mean I'll be able to get more in during our trip in early June; I might actually only need one day at HS if things go that well! *fingers crossed*

kylewr86May 01, 2014

To answer the above questions. You can add your while family to the new fadtpass from one wristband. The kiosk shows your entire party on it and u can select any one person or all of them. I used it again today for just me. Waited for 15 min to ride rockin roller coaster. I rode tower of terror while I waited. I rode by myself since my wife is 8 months preggo. I like this system. Answering the last questions I would believe they would allow you to make the additional selections from the app but they will have to update the software first and issue an update to the system.

durangojimApr 30, 2014

I found it actually allowed me to have less planning and get to the parks later than I have in the past (especially DHS when I got to go on Toy Story with a FP in the afternoon, something that hasn't happened in years!)

cw1982Apr 30, 2014

Techinically, now that you can PH after using your first round of passes (or wait for their time to expire), this puts the new system in about the same playing field as the old system, in that regard. Honestly, everyone is acting like FP+ requires oh so much planning, but I can't say I agree with this. I already had an idea of which park I wanted to do on which day, and I know what my favorites and my goals are for each day, so deciding which attractions should be my first three FP's wasn't that big of a deal. I understand that this may feel more restrictive at first, but frankly, I enjoy the fact that DH and I don't have to be at the park at RD to know that we will be able to get the rides we want the most. I do have other gripes with the new system, but the addition of park hopping is definitely an improvement IMO.

MasterJediApr 30, 2014

I know Im a day late and a dollar short, but this new FP+ annoys me. Now you have to plan your "Disney Side" around all the FPs you set up. It makes planning a family vacation more difficult. I think that they should all be PH so you arent so RESTRICTED to one park. Sorry Mickey but this is my first beef with you.

durangojimApr 30, 2014

One other question. If you manage your family's FPs, can you still do that from a kiosk without them having to be standing there with you ie. Can I make a FP for me and then copy it to my wife and kids at the kiosk?

cw1982Apr 30, 2014

So is there information out there to indicate that plans are in the works to update to allow app usage for the extra FP+'s? I haven't seen that, other than speculation here.

JakesterApr 29, 2014

Personal Observation from Yesterday: I saw a lot of smiles on Hispanic/Spanish speaking guests when I introduced them to the Multi-Language interface at the Kiosks. I'll have to try out an Open-Close at Magic Kingdom soon to try this new update out.