Home » 3 Confirmed and Rumored Changes Coming to FastPass+

3 Confirmed and Rumored Changes Coming to FastPass+

Natalie Sim07 mins

Though it is true that the FastPass+ system isn’t perfect, for better or worse this system has become an integral part of the Walt Disney World vacation experience, and as such, Disney is constantly looking for ways to improve and optimize this tool. However, not all of these changes are always accompanied by big announcements, and over the past few weeks, a number of interesting, quiet changes have been made to this system that could impact your next visit! No matter whether you love or hate FastPass+, here are all the small tweaks and adjustments that are being made to FastPass+ that you need to know about, as well as a BIG rumor that could affect how guests are able to book FastPass+ reservations for the new attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

1. FastPass+ early booking window extended to new non-Disney hotels

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Image: Hilton

Back in 2017, Disney expanded its 60-day extended FastPass+ reservation benefit to all seven of the non-Disney owned Disney Springs area hotels, and now it looks like Disney is opening up this benefit to even more non-Disney properties as the 1000 room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and 500 room Waldorf Astoria hotels can now make FastPass+ reservations using this extended booking window. 

In addition to the extra FastPass+ booking time, guests staying at these two hotels will also be able to visit Disney theme parks during Extra Magic Hours, and will be issued special vouchers at check-in that will allow them to take advantage of this additional perk as well. 

2. Another FastPass+ loophole closed

Image: Disney

Just a few weeks after updating the FastPass+ cancellation policy for guests who remove their hotel reservations, Disney has closed another FastPass+ loophole that allowed resort hotel guests to make early FastPass+ reservations by using a ticket that was longer than a resort stay. However, under the new policy, If guests have a ticket longer than a resort stay, they will need to wait until the 30 day pre arrival booking window to make additional FastPass+ reservations, which means that with a 14 day ticket and a 60 day pre arrival booking window, the earliest FastPass+ pre-booking window (for standard hotel stays) is now 74 days. 

3. Rumor: Disney considering adding more paid FastPass+ options for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 

Image: Disney

Though most guests don’t qualify to use it, Walt Disney World currently offers club-level resort guests the ability to purchase three additional FastPass+ reservations to use on a given day of their vacation. These three additional FastPasses cost $50 per day, per person, and can be booked 90 days ahead of a visit, making them extremely valuable for guests who want to make sure they have first access t  the most popular FastPass+ selections. 

However, though this expensive upcharge has been in place for some time, a rumor has popped up in recent days that seems to hint that Disney is considering adding yet another paid FastPass+ option this summer in an effort to give guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this summer the ability to essentially pay to skip the lines at what will certainly be the most popular rides on property. 


Image: Disney

 
While we don’t know what this potential new paid FastPass+ system might look like (or how Disney would separate these additional paid from free FastPass+ reservations), the introduction of a new type of paid FastPass+ reservation specifically for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might not be such a bad idea, as it will allow guests whose one goal is to experience this new land the ability to guarantee access to both new Star Wars rides.
 
As long as a free option still exists (and Disney continues offering Extra Magic Hours, as well as Early Morning Magic and After Hours upcharge events), Disney will hopefully be able to stagger the amount of guests flooding Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when it opens later this year so everyone will get the chance to explore the Black Spire Outpost. Of course, this is just a rumor for now, and Disney could leave the paid FastPass+ options to its deluxe club-level guests. But we’re definitely going to keep an eye out for any developments regarding the expansion of paid FastPass+, especially after the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland this summer. 

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