Disney FastPass+ service makes your vacation better than ever by allowing you to reserve access to some of your favorite Walt Disney World experiences before you even leave home. With valid park admission and online registration, you'll be ready to start planning the fun. Using the My Disney Experience planning page or mobile app, you can lock in some of your must-do attractions and entertainment experiences—so you can relax and enjoy the moment with your family.
If your plans change, you can update your FastPass+ selections on the go. Make changes with the My Disney Experience mobile app, at your Disney Resort hotel Lobby Concierge or at the FastPass+ kiosks conveniently located throughout all 4 theme parks. How much does FastPass+ cost? It’s included with your ticket, package or Annual Pass at no extra charge. Buy your tickets before you arrive and you can choose your FastPass+ experiences up to 30 days in advance of each day of your theme park visit. When you buy tickets in advance and book a stay at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay. Disney Resort hotel Guests also receive a MagicBand to make their vacation more fun and convenient than ever before. In advance, you can reserve up to 3 FastPass+ experiences per day at one theme park. After you use all of the initial FastPass+ experiences on the day of your visit (or your arrival windows have passed), you can select one additional FastPass+ experience to use that same day (based on availability). The additional FastPass+ experience is a rolling FastPass+ experience—each time you use an additional FastPass+ experience, you can select a new one.Additional FastPass+ selections must be made at a FastPass+ kiosk within the same park as the FastPass+ experience that you wish to select, and they can be made at a different park from your previous selections.
What is Photo Pass (now called "Memory Maker")?At various places around the parks, resorts & restaurants, you'll find Disney Photo Pass photographers, willing to take your family's photo together! At the end of your trip, you'll be able to log-in from home and see all your pictures. You can even make keepsakes like albums, or print your photos with your choice of Disney borders. OR, you can download all the photos in high-resolution for your own printing needs -- if you pre-order before your trip, you can save even more money. Check out this information on the Disney website for details.
What are Extra Magic Hours?
If you are staying on-site at a Disney Resort, you're in luck! You can take advantage of Disney's Extra Magic Hours. Each day, a different park opens an hour earlier to resort guests, while another park stays open 3 hours later for resort guests. Your resort will have a schedule of that week's Extra Magic Hours and which parks are affected. Some believe that the parks offering Extra Magic Hours that day tend to be busier than the other parks, so keep that in mind when planning your touring schedule! In order to get into the park early (or stay late), each person in your party will need to have their resort room keys (with their names printed on them) to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours.
What is a Hidden Mickey?
When Imagineers create an attraction or piece of architecture at Disney World, they sometimes like to slip in Hidden Mickeys. It originally started as a private joke between the designers. Now, it's a fun game that tourists at Disney World enjoy searching for! You can even find scavenger hunt books to seek out these little hidden gems around The World. Basically, a traditional Hidden Mickey is a geometric Mickey Mouse shape that is integrated into anything and everything at Walt Disney World. But there are also Hidden Donalds and more. Kids (and adults) love finding them while waiting in long lineups, in their hotel rooms and in the most unexpected places. There's no "prize" for finding a Hidden Mickey -- it's just a kind of fun thing you might notice on your trip!
I am not purchasing the Park Hopper option. Can I leave the park & come back the same day?
Yes. If you start the day at the Magic Kingdom (for example), then you are welcome to leave at any point during the day, go back to your resort for a nap, whatever. You will be allowed entry back into the Magic Kingdom later that day without "spending" another day on your park pass. You will NOT be allowed to hop to another park in the same day.
What are those finger scanners at the entrance of the parks?When you enter any of the 4 theme parks, you will run your park pass through the machine, but you will also be required you place your finger on a scanner. Don't worry - they're not scanning your fingerprints or retrieving your criminal records! These are "Biometric Scanners" -- they are measuring distinct features of your fingers (size, shape, etc.). The first time you use your pass & scan your finger, your park pass becomes "tied" to you! You become the only person who is able to use that pass for the duration of your trip. That's why it's important to write your name on the back of each pass, so you don't get confused as to who's pass is matched up with who in your party. If you have young children in your group, Mom or Dad can be the official "finger person" for the kids' passes.
What can/can't I bring into the parks with me?
Each time you enter any park, your bags & strollers will be subject to inspection at a security gate. Lockers are available at each park, and you are allowed to bring backpacks on the rides so keep your things close! These are the most frequently asked items:
CAN:
Food - yes, you are allowed to bring food & non-alcoholic drinks into the parks as long as they are in your backpack (no large coolers).
Cameras - of course! Tripods are sometimes frowned upon depending on the Cast Member you speak to, and remember, never use flash photography or external video lighting on a ride!
Cell Phones/iPods/iPads - definitely. There are a number of apps available that can even tell you instantly what the ride lineups are like at any given moment, or remind you when the parades are starting, etc.
Double-wide strollers - no problem. You shouldn't have too much trouble maneuvering anywhere in the parks, since everyone has to park their strollers outside of attractions.
CAN'T:
Wagons - these are not permitted for bringing kids around the parks. Strollers only.
Weapons - I think this is pretty obvious, don't you? But you'd be surprised at what some people think is okay to bring into a theme park!
RECOMMENDED:
Try to travel light. Backpacks are okay, but don't weigh yourself down! Remember the sunscreen, sunglasses & rain ponchos (they are expensive at Disney if you get caught in a thunderstorm, so purchase the cheap ones from the dollar store in advance!).
Are there lockers at the parks?Yes. At all 4 theme parks, as well as both water parks, there are various sized lockers available to rent. But be warned: they are usually located at the entrance of the parks, so if it's something you think you'll need several times a day, it's not always convenient to walk all that way to get it! You might be better off bringing a small backpack to carry your essentials. And yes, backpacks are allowed on the attractions.
What is a Resort Refillable Mug? Can I use them in the parks? Can I reuse an old mug from a previous trip?
Each resort (except for Fort Wilderness) has a Refillable Mug program. This means, you purchase a special souvenir mug for approximately $14.00, and then you are able to refill it as often as you like at your resort for the duration of your stay! Drinks include tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fountain soda and juices. Unfortunately, you cannot refill your mugs at the parks - just at your resort. And no, you cannot reuse an old mug from a previous trip. In late 2011, Disney began testing special scanners at their drink fountains that require you to "scan" your new mug each time you want to refill it. It can tell whether your mug is from an old trip, or if you purchased it on this current trip. So far, these scanners are only installed at the All Star Sports resort. But regardless, you are not allowed to use your old mugs on a new trip. (Note: mugs are included with all the Disney Dining Plans now)When are the parades & fireworks and other shows at each park?
The schedule varies at different times of the year and is always weather permitting. At the entrance of each park, you'll find paper schedules of the day's activities: parade & fireworks times are listed there.
- The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have really cute shows at the entrance of the parks if you're there first thing in the morning as the parks open. The Animal Kingdom one is called "The Awakening" and the Magic Kingdom one includes a train rolling into the station with Mickey & the gang... lots of confetti, music and fireworks!
- At different times of the day, there will be short stage shows with fireworks in front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom.
- There are parades at the Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom every day (usually around 3pm), as well as sporadic ones at Hollywood Studios.
- The Magic Kingdom also has a nighttime parade where everything is covered in twinkling lights! Right now it's the "Main Street Electrical Parade", but it occasionally changes to "Spectromagic".
- Newest to the Magic Kingdom is "The Magic, Memories & You" where the castle itself becomes a giant movie screen where you might see your family's PhotoPass pictures projected on the building's walls!
- The Magic Kingdom also has "Wishes" fireworks (which if you don't want to be crammed on Main Street USA to watch, this can be seen equally as well in Fantasyland - not many people know this so it's usually empty back there!).
- Epcot has a wonderful fireworks & laser show called "Illuminations" every night at 9pm.
- Hollywood Studios has a nighttime theatre show called "Fantasmic" on certain nights, with fireworks and lasers and fire, but it is recommended that you get to the theatre at least an hour in advance to get seats.
What is a "Pin Code"?
Some people are lucky enough to receive Pin Codes from Disney, either via email, or a letter in the mail. These are special offers for you and you alone. The email/letter will be specifically addressed to you, and it will include a special code number that is only allowed to be used by the recipient. Often, it will have enormous discounts on Magic Your Way packages, or room only reservations, so if you ever get an email from Disney or a letter, be sure to read it carefully! It could be a Pin Code! Nobody knows for sure how Disney decides who to send these discounts to, but many believe that if you create a log-in on the Disney website, or order one of their free Vacation Planning Videos, you'll get on the list. Either way, it's a great way to save! BONUS: even if you've already booked your trip, you can still apply a Pin Code and get the discount!
What is a "Bounceback Offer"?
If you're having such a great time on vacation at Disney World, and you think you might want to come back again (and I bet that you will!) there's a great way to save on your next trip! Before you leave from your current vacation, you can book your next vacation at a discount. There will be cards in your resort room with instructions on who to call, or you can ask at the front desk of your resort. Often, the discounts are 25-40% off your next room reservation! But you can only take advantage of these savings if you book your next vacation before you leave. Then you can "Bounce Back" and save!
Where can I enjoy some adult beverages on site? (aka, "Where's the booze at?!")
There are a number of restaurants and lounges all over Disney World's parks and resorts that serve alcohol. In fact, every year in the fall, Epcot hosts the Food & Wine Festival that specializes in sampling alcoholic treats from around the world! But there is one place that absolutely, positively does not have any alcohol at all: The Magic Kingdom. You can not get any alcohol in that entire theme park. Also, all Disney venues selling alcohol have a limit of two beverages per sale per person to limit overindulgence on property.
Where can I smoke on property?
All resort rooms at Walt Disney World are officially non-smoking. All resorts and parks have designated smoking areas (off the beaten path slightly) so check your maps and be courteous to other guests and children.
I am "Winnie The Pooh" sized! I'm concerned about fitting on the attractions.
Whether you're shaped like Pooh, or as tall as Chewbacca, you'll be able to enjoy Walt Disney World. Check out Intercot's Large & In Charge page for stories and advice from other guests.
I'm travelling with someone who has special needs. Help?
Disney is very accessible for people with special needs. The Guest Relations office at any of the parks & resorts can offer assistance if you have someone who requires additional hearing or closed captioning devices for the parks. Translation for most attractions is also available. If required, wheelchairs ($12.00 per day) or ECV's ($20 key deposit + $50 rental fee per day) are available at each park, but you are welcome to bring your own from home. All methods of Disney transportation can accommodate wheelchairs and ECV's.
If you are travelling with someone with Autism or similar needs, you might be eligible for a Guest Assistance Card. First, you'll need a note from your doctor stating your loved one's needs. The Guest Assistance Card is a special pass designed to allow you to wait in a separate, un-crowded holding area apart from the regular queues at most attractions. Speak to a cast member at Guest Relations.
For more information on visiting Walt Disney World with special needs, click here to visit All Ears.