Earlier this week Disney announced that they would be rolling out new admission technology in the form of the smartphone powered MagicMobile service, which will be available later this year and will let guests use their mobile devices to gain entry to the parks, instead of MagicBands. However, though Disney it pitching this as an alternative to MagicBands, there is one functionality that was not mentioned in Disney’s initial announcement: whether this new technology would work with FastPass+.
Though Disney has been steadily increasing capacity since they first reopened last July, and have also been adding shows and entertainment back to their roster, the resort has yet to bring back FastPass+ service. Though no official reason has been given, congestion in queue lines where social distancing is still being practiced could be a big concern, but will vaccines rolling out to all Americans in May, the ability to get back to “normal” at Disney Parks has never been closer. However, there is still no word on when, or if, FastPass+ service will return just yet.
Planners have long enjoyed the ability to schedule their vacation time down to the moment with FastPass+ reservations, but many have wondered if this system has actually made wait times worse around the resort. And with Disney already using virtual queue technology at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, some have wondered if virtual queues could eventually replace FastPass+ some day.
Of course, such a change would require some investment and development on Disney’s behalf, while the infrastructure for FastPass+ still exists in the parks, just needing to be “turned on”. Even the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction has signage for a FastPass+ queue, even though this attraction isn’t scheduled to open until October.
Right now the only official word on FastPass+ on Disney’s official website is that this service “is suspended for the time being” and future updates will be made “at a later date”. But with the end of the COVID-19 Pandemic now in sight, many guests are likely wondering if FastPass+ will be returning later this year when the resort is able to return to full capacity. What do you think? Would you like to see FastPass+ back in the parks?
