Making your FastPass+ selections is a crucial part of Disney World vacation planning. When you are vacationing with small children there is added pressure to use those fast passes correctly.
If you are not a frequent Disney World guest then you are at a disadvantage, because you might not know what to expect until you have gone through the whole experience and learned a couple of lessons.
However, here are some helpful hints that will help make your FastPass choices a success. If you have been to Disney World before but this is your first time with children, these FastPass+ kids tips will help you, too.
You Can’t Over Plan
There is such as thing as being too rigid. Just because you plan everything out does not mean you have to follow that plan 100%. You won’t be able to. Planning is more about preparedness than it it is about execution. However, the more you are able to turn plans to action, the better.
Include your children in the plans. Go over maps together and plot out a schedule using FastPasses and dining reservations as dots to connect. This makes planning more fun and builds anticipation for the trip. The options on which FastPass+ kids want most can differ, so let them tell you what they are most excited about.
Stay at a Disney Resort
In general, it’s easier to get to the parks when you stay at a Disney Resort. Even the non Disney hotels on property can offer some of the benefits Disney does. One of those benefits is early FastPass+ selections. Non Disney Resort guests only have 30 days in advance to make FastPass+ selections. FastPass+ kids choices go just as fast as some of the big e-ticket rides adults love, so it’s good to have the additional 30 day advantage that comes with staying at the right resort. Make sure you check for this benefit when you book your hotel.
Expect to Be Late
Getting out of bed, and subsequently out of the hotel room and into the park can take a lot longer than expected. Don’t make the mistake of scheduling your FastPass+ kids selections for too early in the day. If you beat the other guests to the parks you won’t need the FastPasses anyway. Aim for late morning for the FastPass schedule.
Don’t Do Shows
Of course you can watch the shows. There are a lot of good ones; but fast passes for shows are rarely necessary. The theater is most likely not going to fill up. FastPass+ for shows do not allow a separate entry before show time like ride fast passes do. You still are required to wait for the theater to open. Most shows have pretty frequent performances, often within an hour or thirty minutes of each other. It’s better just to know the schedule and show up five to ten minutes before showtime.
Don’t Forget You
If you have a little one who is not tall enough to ride one of your favorites you can always use the rider switch option. This allows someone to wait outside with the kids while another person rides. Afterward you can switch without waiting through the line again. So, don’t think you have to forgo all of your favorite rides when you make all those FastPass+ kids’ selections.
Not sure exactly how or when to make your FastPasses for your family?
No worries!
We’ve got you covered.
Read our FastPass Plus at Walt Disney World guide to find out all of the details for making your FastPass+ kids selections! We’ve got the info for those staying on resort property, annual passholders and even those who only want to buy tickets.
Now all that’s left to do is enjoy the magical time with your family!
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