Do the Magic Kingdom FastPass+ tiers confuse you?
Disney World is one of the most magical places on earth, and the Magic Kingdom is one of the most popular parks in the world!
If you have ever been, you know that everywhere you look are rides and attractions full of wondrous fun!
Unlike some of the other parks that are easier to do in a day if you want, you can spend lots of time at the Magic Kingdom and never run out of things to do.
The only problem: With so many magical moments to experience, how do you do everything you want to do in the time you have?
This can be especially problematic if you only have a day or so in the park.
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Skipping the Lines at the Magic Kingdom
So how could you get more into your day at Disney?
Bypass the lines and get right to the rides and shows.
While going to Disney and not spending hours upon hours in lines sounds like a pipe dream, it is possible if you use the FastPass+ system that you already have access to with the purchase of your admission into the park.
Throughout this article you will learn everything you need to know to optimize your time in the Magic Kingdom, so you will not miss out on anything you want to do.
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Break-Down of the Disney FastPass+ System
Disney’s FastPass+ is a system that allows you to bypass the lines for the most popular rides in the park.
It is true that you will still have to spend some time in line, but it cuts it down significantly.
For instance, if the regular line is a 100-minute wait time, the FastPass+ line will probably be twenty minutes or less.
Because of this, using FastPasses can allow you to fit so much more into your day at the Magic Kingdom.
Can you use it for shows too?
Yes!
The most popular shows are also a part of the FastPass+ system.
While there is not necessarily a line you are skipping, making a reservation with FastPass+ guarantees your admission into the busiest shows.
If there is a show that is especially important to you, having a FastPass can reserve your seating without having to show up extra early.
This also gives you more time to explore the park.
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How does the Magic Kingdom FastPass+ work?
When you purchase your admissions into the park, you immediately have access to FastPass+. It is of no extra charge to you.
You make your original reservation for the rides that show up to thirty days (or sixty if you book an onsite resort vacation package) in advance.
During this process, you will pick one three rides from a list; there are no tiers to the Magic Kingdom rides. You will pick both the ride and time.
Each ride reservation has an hour window where you can use it, and of course, the show reservations have a specific time for you to see the show.
When you get to the park, you can use your three pre-reserved reservations.
At the time of your reservation, you will go to the ride, and tap your FastPass on the Mickey’s face by the entrance (which a Cast Member can help you with if needed) and enjoy your easy access to the ride.
If you need to, you can move around your reservations through an app on your phone or by approaching a kiosk.
When you have used all three, you can make another one, and then another one, and so on.
Magic Kingdom FastPass+ Kiosks
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Jungle Cruise
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
- Tomorrowland Bridge
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Magic Kingdom FastPass Rides and Attractions
Unlike the other Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom does not have tiers.
This can make the process easier for you, or make it a more stressful task when you are left staring at a giant list of rides, shows, and character interactions.
Before getting into which rides and attractions are the best choices, let’s take a look at your twenty-five options.
FastPass+ Options (All on One Tier)
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
- Barnstormer
- Dumbo
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Haunted Mansion
- “It’s a Small World”
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Ariel at Her Grotto Meet and Greet
- Meet Cinderella and Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Mickey at Town Square Theater Meet and Greet
- Meet Rapunzel and Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater Meet and Greet
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
So which rides should you try to get?
The first one you should consider (and reserve as soon as possible) is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
It is one of the most popular rides, has one of the longest lines, and therefore is one of the hardest FastPasses to reserve. So, if you want to ride it, and can get a FastPass, do so.
After that, some other good options for your pre-reserved FastPasses are Peter Pan’s Flight and Space Mountain.
Hipster Recommendation: Although Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight are the most popular attractions, I still enjoy rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Tomorrowland People Mover.
Of course, the rides you get will range slightly based on what you want, but before you make the reservation, look at the line wait times and consider the tips below.
7 Tips and Strategies for Your Magic Kingdom FastPass+ Reservations
1. Location, Location, Location
Another way to maximize your time in the park is to complete one section at a time.
The Magic Kingdom is divided up into lands. There is Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square, and Main Street, U.S.A.
You should start in one land/section, do everything you want, and then move onto the next — plan for this by getting your first FastPasses in one general area.
Additionally, starting in the back west of the park and moving towards the east and then the front is a great option.
This way, you can keep riding rides without worrying about the time it will take you to get to the parade, see the fireworks, or leave at the end of the day.
2. Timing is Everything
Generally, you want to book your FastPasses one after another, starting at 11 a.m.
This allows you to take advantage of the morning, but still finish your first three with enough time to use more later in the day.
3. The Early Bird Gets the Worm
If you are aiming to get some of the more popular rides, you want to make your reservations as early as possible.
For most guests, this means thirty days before your visit, but if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make your reservations sixty days in advance.
Take advantage of securing your reservations early so you can get what you want.
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4. Rope Drop
Rope drop is the early morning when the park first opens. During this time, lines are shorter, the park is less busy, and you can get more done.
Get to the park before it opens, at least thirty minutes before that is so that you can be one of the first people in the park.
If you are staying in a Disney hotel, on some days, you will be able to get into the park an hour early. Take advantage of that.
During rope drop, you do not want to use your FastPasses. Save your FastPasses for when the park gets busy, and the lines get long.
5. If You Want to Meet a Character, Use a FastPass
Meeting characters can take a long time as the lines are long and there is only one of the characters out at a time.
For this reason, a lot of people skip meeting the characters that are not just out and about.
Nevertheless, it is a really important thing for some people, so if you want to meet a character, use a FastPass, so you do not have to spend as much time in line.
6. Practice Makes Perfect
The Magic Kingdom is one of the most essential parks to use FastPasses. Therefore, you may want to go to another park and use FastPasses first.
Practice using the FastPasses, reserving new ones through your phone, and moving them around.
This way, when you get to the Magic Kingdom, you will already know all the little tricks that you can only learn by doing, to allow you to maximize your FastPass experience.
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7. Know and Use the App
Whether you are moving around pre-existing reservations or making new ones, learn how to use the app.
While there are kiosks where you can do all of that, it takes waiting in another line and working with someone.
If you use the app, you can do everything you need to do when you are waiting in line for another attraction.
While you are using your third FastPass, you can be making your fourth, and so on. This will save you a LOT of time in the long run.
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My Final Thoughts
Disney’s Magic Kingdom is an amazing experience whether you are going by yourself, with another person, or with your whole family, and you will never run out of things to do.
Knowing the ins-and-outs of the FastPass+ system will allow you to optimize your time.
If you follow the above tips, you are sure to have a magical time from the moment you step into the park until the moment you have to leave at the end of the day.
What’s your favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
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