Which FastPass+ Should I Choose?

Helping clients plan their trips is one of the highlights of being an agent with Guru Travel.  With so many choices in choosing resorts, dining, and now fastpass+, it can be overwhelming for travelers of all experience.

Selecting FastPass+

Seasoned Disney travelers will have a better guess of which fast passes are a better 'value' than others, but where to start?

Well, with the help of a handy list I found at TouringPlans.com I made recommendations for which I think are the better choices and which you can leave for someone who hasn't found this list (or had a great planner to advise them!!)

Magic Kingdom:

• Ariel's Grotto - Possibly worth it, not if doing Princess meals
• The Barnstormer - Anywhere from 10-45 minute waits - I would save FP+ for another attraction
• Be Our Guest Restaurant - Lunch FastPass - YES!! If you didn't get in 180 days out (which happened to me in November), this is a GREAT option!
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Yes
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Rarely a wait during non-crowded times
• Celebrate the Magic - NO. This is a show on the Castle before Wishes - both worth it, but you don't need reserve seating
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant - NO - the indoor playground makes the fast pass unnecessary!
• Enchanted Tales with Belle - YES. lines build quickly
• The Haunted Mansion - Eh - rarely a long wait and there is a fun graveyard to walk around!
• it's a small world - Again, rarely a longer than 20 minute wait
• Jungle Cruise - Not worth wasting a fp+ on! fun if no line if you're up for groan huor
• Mad Tea Party - NEVER a wait. lots of fun with little kids, but no need for FP
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - It's dumbo but on carpets. we've never actually been on it b/c waits are ridiculous, but it's literally the exact same ride
• Main Street Electrical Parade - No need for a special spot. If you want a great viewing area, stand in Town Square near the entrance of the park
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Good interactive queue to keep kids busy while you wait
• Mickey's PhilharMagic - Never a line
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - Rarely a line
• Peter Pan's Flight - Long lines all day - We usually ride this first to avoid any lines!
• Pirates of the Caribbean - Rarely long lines
• Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess  - Skip if you're doing a Princess Meal
• Princess Fairytale Hall: Elsa and Anna - If you want to meet them, YES.
• Princess Fairytale Hall: Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess - Skip if you're doing a Princess Meal
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - YES or - ride it first thing in the a.m.
• Space Mountain (44")- Yes
• Splash Mountain (40") - Yes unless it's raining or cold outside!
• Tomorrowland Speedway - My boy LOVES this, but with a normal wait time of 10-20, there may be better attractions to spend FP+ on
• Town Square Theater Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet - MUST DO attraction but we've often seen 5-10 minute waits during the day
• Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid  - Yes
• Wishes Nighttime Spectacular - Absolutely see the show, but I wouldn't buy into a special area!

EPCOT:

Tiered FastPass - read about this: http://touringplans.com/epcot/fastpass

Choose 1 from Group A and 2 from Group B

Group A

• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth  - Special viewing area not needed
• Maelstrom (FASTPASS and FastPass+) - Not with only 1 from this group! 
• Soarin' (FASTPASS and FastPass+)  YES OR
• Test Track (FASTPASS and FastPass+) YES
• Get Soarin' for 11 am - start at Test Track at 9. Do Test Track then head to other side of Future World for The Seas, Turtle Talk, Living with the Land, Soarin - there is a great counter service restaurant in the Land Pavilion.

Group B 

• Captain EO - Michael Jackson 3d video from 1984 or something. If you like MJ, go for it. It will hopefully be retired soon. For the second time.
• Epcot Character Spot - Yes - if you choose Test Track FP+ and head to Soarin and that side of the park first thing, you can stop in before using your Test Track FP+, so schedule accordingly, as the Character Stop is located near Innoventions in the middle of the park.
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment - While we like Figment, we are usually in there and have a car to ourselves.  Or times, an entire ride (3 cars) to ourselves.  No.
• Living with the Land -  This one gets overflow from Soarin', but rarely has any wait.. 
• Mission: SPACE Green -If you like to feel nauseated
• Mission: SPACE Orange - If you like feeling really nauseating
• Spaceship Earth - don't need fastpass, just don't do this during peak times - not first, not noon.
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends - No need
• Turtle Talk with Crush - Possibly the best option in Group A

Hollywood Studios 

http://touringplans.com/hollywood-studios/fastpass

I find scheduling at Hollywood Studios difficult due to figuring out show times versus touring.  I highly recommend using Touring Plans to help you figure out where to go when.

Group A

• Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage - I don' tthink you need it
• Fantasmic! - Great fireworks show. If you want to see this with guaranteed seating, consider grabbing dinner first and doing the Fantasmic Dinner Package
• The Great Movie Ride - Not usually needed
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Start the day here if want to ride. This is THE best coaster. Or one of the best at WDW.  It's over in about 45 seconds, so always frustrating to wait for, but a great place to start!
• Toy Story Mania! - YES

Group B

• Disney Junior - Live on Stage! - Plan accordingly with show time, queue up 10 minutes prior 
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! - Not needed
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - I'm not sure the theatre is ever filled
• Muppet*Vision 3D - No wait, other than waiting for the next show
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue - Probably the best option
• The American Idol Experience
• The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special - Seasonal and rare
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Often 20 minutes or less wait, but I would still probably get this one
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid - Not needed

Animal Kingdom

• DINOSAUR (40") - This ride scares me. Seriously, I find it frightening. That being said, if you like to be scared, have at it.
• Expedition Everest  (44") - Yes - Amazing coaster 
• Festival of the Lion King - Great show
• Finding Nemo - The Musical - Good stage show
• It's Tough to Be a Bug! - Scary show
• Kali River Rapids (38") - Yes. But, you will get wet.

Want more help planning a Magical Disney Vacation?  How about great swag and incentives for using our free services?  Email me at JennL@thewdwguru.com