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!
1. Disney fixes FastPass+ early booking window loophole
It is well-known that guests who are staying on-property at a Walt Disney World hotel enjoy an extended, 60-day FastPass+ booking window. However, some nefarious guests have been taking advantage of that perk by reserving rooms, making FastPass+ reservations, and then cancelling the reservations (while keeping the FastPass+). However, beginning this week, FastPass+ reservations created with a then-canceled resort reservation will be removed, fixing a long-standing loophole just in time for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which will certainly be a huge magnet for FastPass+ reservations when it opens later this year.
Guests who change their resort reservation should not see any changes to their FastPass+ reservations due to this new policy, as only guests who cancel plans will have their FastPass+ reservations removed. However, guests should know that as soon as the resort reservation is cancelled, FastPass+ reservations will also be removed immediately. So if you are thinking about cancelling a reservation and then waiting a week to re-book, be aware that you will definitely be losing any FastPass+ reservations you have if you find yourself in this situation.
New FastPass+ queue entrance coming to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Disney has been redeveloping parts of Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the past few months, and as we inch closer to the March 31st opening of Lightning McQueens Racing Academy at the Sunset Showcase theater, a little bit of housekeeping is going on at the far end of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Queue near where the temporary berm separates this attraction from the Sunset Showcase Theater.
In an effort to keep traffic flowing freely once this new attraction is open, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster FastPass+ queue entrance on the far side of this attraction is being moved towards the center of the ride entrance area, where the old paper FastPass distribution machines used to be, and the current FastPass+ awning on the far side of the queue will be removed. Installation of the FastPass+ readers in this new part of the queue is happening now, and we should see the line permanently altered in just a few weeks.
3. Guest Experience Team sticking around through the spring
Image: Disney
Over the holiday season Disney deployed a new Guest Experience Team at the Magic Kingdom, which was a special team of Cast Members who were stationed throughout the park to help guests make the most of their day by proactively assisting guests with booking, modifying and recovering FastPass+ selections, navigating the My Disney Experience app, and using MagicBands.
And though this was originally designed to be a limited-time support addition, it looks like these special Cast Members in the blue shirts will be sticking around through the end of the spring, as guests continue to flock to the Magic Kingdom during the Spring Break season.
If you should need them, these special Cast Members can be found in the following locations around the park
- Main Street, U.S.A. – Castle Hub
- Tomorrowland – Near Stitch’s Great Escape
- Fantasyland – Along castle wall, near Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Frontierland – Across from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe (Golden Oak Outpost side)
- Adventureland – Near Jungle Skipper Canteen
Though Walt Disney World regulars might feel like the FastPass+ system is established enough after being in use for several years, the expansion of this amenity shows that there is at least still some need for additional Cast Members to continue to help guests with this system.
