Even though Disney World has been open since last July, there are many things that have yet to make their return to the parks, including certain restaurants (we still miss you, Casey’s Corner) and experiences, like nighttime shows and fireworks.
At least we have rides!
We only JUST got park hopping back in January, and we’re still missing things like preshows for certain attractions due to social distancing. One thing that we hear about a LOT from readers is an experience that has been absent since the summer — FastPass+.
FastPass+ is Disney’s system that allows guests to reserve a specific window of time to ride an attraction without having to wait in the full line. FastPass+ has been suspended since reopening due to capacity and social distancing, but recently we caught a glitch that gave us some false hope.
FastPass Kiosks Closed in Magic Kingdom
On My Disney Experience, we saw the button show up that prompted us to select our FastPasses, right next to where we would make our other reservations — huh?? This feature had been gone for a while.
Time to investigate ?
We assumed this was just a glitch and it wouldn’t be any more than an image, but when hovering over the icon, the FastPass+ option became clickable! A button popped up that said “Make a Selection”.
Curiouser and curiouser
We clicked the FastPass+ button and…it led back to the park information home page. ? Some of our team members see this option in their account, but most don’t, so it’s unclear who this glitch is affecting.
It was worth a shot!
Since there hadn’t been any official announcement from Disney about the return of FastPass+, we didn’t get our hopes up, but that was still a pretty sad glitch! This also isn’t the first time the Disney website has made us think FastPass+ might come back soon…TBT to last September when they accidentally published 2019’s webpage!
Also…FastPass signs have gone missing??
With Disneyland Resort set to reopen next week, also sans FASTPASS, it could still be a bit before we see the return of FastPass+ to Disney World. However, we will continue to keep our eyes out for the REAL return so we can keep you updated!
You can still hit up ALL your favorite rides, even WITHOUT FastPass!
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When we were there too weeks ago we also saw guests using the fast pass lanes at several rides. Do you know anything about this?
Heather, Disney has been using the FP lines for Disability Access Service guests as well as Rider Switch returns since the Parks reopened. There may be other guests who use it for other reasons, but those are the two we know for sure.
I am missing Disney so bad right now, but I absolutely will not go back until Fastpass + is restored. To me Fastpasses just give me so much peach of mind that no matter how crowded the parks, we will be able to get on our favorite rides and attractions.
@Heather, one of the rides we were on broke down and they gave us a “fast pass” to come back later and not wait. When the ride was fixed, they let us use the fast pass lane to bypass the long line.
Oh boy. Now you’ve got my hopes up. With young kids and grandparents, this is the magic we need for our June trip!
Fingers crossed! 🙂
Golden Oak Residents still get Fast Passes
When doesn’t a glitch occur when using Disney online platforms? I love Disney, but you can almost always count on issues with either My Disney Experience or the DVC site. It is rare that they function without an issue of some kind. I’d like to see the organization invest more in improving systems like this rather than some of the other projects that occur. I don’t know if it is IT architecture or is a staff issue, but there is a lot of opportunity for improvement.
We were given a FP for Rise of the Resistance because when we got to the front of the line, it went down.
Also, I’m probably in the minority but my family loves no fast passes! We were there about 3 weeks ago now, and we liked not having to be places at certain times. But even more so, it was seriously great not being stopped to let what seems like a mile long group of Fast Pass people ahead of you! The lines just flow so much better without them.
I think fastpass should glitch itself away ?
I hope FastPass+ NEVER comes back….because I want MaxPass at Walt Disney World!
Now that resort guests get early to all parks, they have that advantage (which is totally fine) and can get 1/2 MaxPass before everyone else.
Do not eliminate THE MAGICAL EXPRESS
I first thought FB lines were going to be used for extra space for social distancing. I was surprised when that was not the case. They are being used for Rider Switch, Disability Access and Club 33 members. Since more people are returning to the parks the lines and waits at most rides are long. With the summer heat and sun increasing I hope FP returns soon. It’ s going to be welcomed by all the people I have talked to lately.
One other use for this lane is when you’re granted a return pass if you were in line during a ride breakdown. I had this happen on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in October. Was almost my turn to board when the ride ended up having a shutdown. The cast members would scan our magicbands for a return pass as they cleared the line. Not sure how far up the line they did this. But it was nice for those of us almost there. So this is one more thing the FP line may be used for.
Those FP lines used for folks with diability access may get longer when those with back problems who have issues with standing for long periods begin asking for medical accessibility. Please bring fast pass back for seniors.
Thanks for sharing, Heidi!
We are hoping for the FPs return with the increase in capacity. Summer is going to be BUSY and HOT. It’s bad enough to not get on ROTR when you go to HS but when you cannot guarantee getting on ANY rides at ANY of the parks, it starts to make you 2nd guess spending money on the trip. I’m a Disney FREAK and have a trip planned at the end of July/early August with my husband and 2 sons before they head to college. It pains me that I’m thinking about cancelling if we don’t have the FP option. But bottom line, I want to enjoy these last 5 days with my sons, quality time before they leave for college, but I can’t help but think it’s not going to be enjoyable standing in ALL 60+ minute lines for every ride; I think my boys will be very frustrated. It really changes the trip and I remember how hard it is for a parent with younger kids. When you can sprinkle in a FP ride in between the long lines, it really helps everyone stay Happy and in their magical mindset. Hope they come back soon.
P.S. The DFB Team is AWESOME!!!!!
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
I agree with Linda S. Kimel. I don’t see how waiting 40 to 60 minutes in line ,in the hot and humid summer weather is better then the Fast Pass system. Sun beating down on you. Sweating through your clothes. Standing on sore feet waiting to get on each ride . Where is the magic in that? If the afternoon rain starts while your in line you will also be wet (if your not prepared for Florida’s wet afternoons ) And it’s not as if the rain cools things down it only becomes more humid . Unfortunately , summer is when school is out and families with children are able to travel. Coupled with the parks raising capacity this summer I worry about if it’s worth going. Love WDW but looking at recent videos and reading the latest blogs have me concerned. I’m going in June with mega sunblock, sun umbrella, fan/spritzer , cooling towel and water bottle attached at my hip. If I could bring a portable seat I would.
The disproportionate number of people let through from the fast pass lines in comparison to the standby lines is exactly why the standby line takes so long. The other parks in the Orlando area don’t have a fastpass as standard and even when they’re really busy, the standby lines are bad but for the most part they’re tolerable……because they’re not waiting for hundreds of people to meet their timeslot to go ahead of them……I used to love fastpass back in the day where you used to go to the attraction, if it was too busy go to the kiosk and get a fastpass printed with a time and come back later. But its just gone crazy now. And it’s exactly the point that it feels like if you don’t have fastpass, you won’t be riding anything for most of the day. Problem is It’s not even like it’s easy to get fastpass for the big attractions especially if you’re not staying at WDW. I definitely agree something needs to be in place I just don’t think fastpass+ is it.