Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
When visiting Walt Disney World during the busy season, it is important to have a plan. There are different levels of planning – some guests choose to map out their week and visit the least busy park each day (based on the predicted crowd levels from TouringPlans.com), other guests go even further and map out what order they will do rides and shows in the park each day, attempting to maximize FASTPASSes, and wait times. Personally, I am a fan of the more relaxed itinerary. I like to map out where I will be each day, identify a few "Must Do" items, and take it from there.
Using the FASTPASS system can make or break your touring plans during the busy season at Walt Disney World. Guests can get a new FASTPASS every two hours, or when your current FASTPASS window opens – whichever comes first. So for example, if the first FASTPASS you get when you arrive to the park at 9:00 am is for a 1:00 – 2:00 pm return time, you can get another FASTPASS at 11:00 am. But if your FASTPASS return window is 10:15 – 11:15 am, you can get a new FASTPASS at 10:15 am!
I recommend identifying the one ultimate "Must Do" in each park and making that your first stop of the day – either to ride or to get a FASTPASS. Don't forget – in order to get a FASTPASS, your admission must have been used to enter the park that day. So no sending someone ahead to get FASTPASSes for later in the day when you will meet up with them. If you have not used your admission to enter the park, the admission will not work in the FASTPASS system. That said, as long as everyone is in the park, it is perfectly acceptable for one person to gather the tickets and go get FASTPASSes for the group!
More next week!
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
The lines at Be our Guest earlier this week! (Photo courtesy of Leslie Henson)