FastPass+ reservations are the topic of much debate among Walt Disney World guests. Love them or hate them the MyMagic+ system is here to stay and your best tactic is to learn how to navigate the new FastPass options wisely. You can now reserve your FastPasses well in advance, which is handy for snagging a pass to popular attractions, but tricky if you don’t know what the crowds will look like or where you’ll find long lines.
You’ll find ample recommendations for the best rides to snag a FastPass+ reservation for, so this rundown takes the opposite tactic. These are the attractions you shouldn’t waste a FastPass on for various reasons. Cross these off your list and you’ll have a much easier time narrowing down your options.
1. Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Magic Kingdom
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a classic spinning ride where you board a magic carpet and direct it up and down as you circle. While this is a fine attraction, particularly for small children, there’s rarely any need for a FastPass+ reservation. Even at the peak of the day, your wait won’t usually top 25 minutes. Come early, late, or during a parade and you’ll usually find a manageable wait without the need for a FastPass. Other attractions in the area, like Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean are a better pick.
2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Magic Kingdom
Like the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Dumbo is a typical spinning attraction where you board an elephant and take a few spins. While there was once only a single Dumbo ride with a predictably long wait, there are now twin attractions side-by-side, doubling the ride capacity. Another update to Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an indoor playground in the queue. This means you can play while you wait, making your time in line much more manageable.
3. It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Animal Kingdom
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a 3-D show with a fairly sizable theater. While you’ll have to wait for the next available show, this isn’t too bad, particularly when you go early or late in the day. If you’re interested in thrilling attractions, Animal Kingdom has several bigger contenders with predictably long waits, such as Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Kali River Rapids.
The exception to this suggestion is if you have shorter children in your party who can’t ride the bigger attractions. If you’re looking for a FastPass for something anyone can enjoy, this is a fine choice, bearing in mind that It’s Tough to Be a Bug is dark and a bit scary for very small children.
4. Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Indiana Jones Stunt Show takes place at scheduled times throughout the day and has a sizable theater to accommodate guests. While you do want to show up early, you don’t usually need a FastPass to get into a show.
5. Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The theater for the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show is even bigger than Indiana Jones. The massive space means that you can usually get a seat easily when you show up on time. Shows usually start seating at least 20 minutes early, so head to the venue 30 or even 40 minutes prior to the show time and you can get a good seat without waiting too long.
6. Journey Into Imagination, Epcot
Journey Into Imagination is a great Epcot attraction for small children, but it almost never has a line of any kind. You can usually walk right on and if you do wait it won’t be for more than a few minutes. You’ll probably feel quite cheated if you reserve a FastPass for this attraction since it’s unlikely that you’ll be slowed down by much of a line.
7. Captain EO, Epcot
Captain EO is a show, so you may have to wait about 17 minutes if you show up just after the doors close and find yourself waiting for the next one. However, this attraction rarely gets much of a line anymore. If you’re interested in a trip down memory lane, this is a fine choice, but the film looks as old as it is, so it won’t do much to impress younger generations who are accustomed to higher quality. Save your FastPass for another Epcot attraction and just walk right in to this one.
The FastPass+ system is tricky to navigate, but you can make the most of your reservations by aiming for attractions with longer wait times and using the rest of your day on these picks that have a minimal wait on most days.
