Check the MyDisneyExperience app or other sites for park opening and closing times before you go. Know That park opening and closing times can change daily from the posted schedules.
When selecting fast passes, here are some guidelines of high-demand attractions for each park:
1. Rule No. 1: Always be ready at the gate when your chosen park opens
2. Don’t bring a backpack or bag unless necessary – every person entering the park with any kind of bag – regardless how small - will stand in line to have their bags checked.
3. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR MAGIC BAND (room key) and have your PLASTIC TICKET and paper ticket (albeit better in 2 different places on your person)
4. Do the high-demand rides first – know which ones have single rider lanes which you can use to ride again quickly.
5. Don’t plan the attractions around eating. There are plenty of fast food and counter service eateries everywhere.
6. If you lose your hopper pass /ticket and you don’t have the paper version– call or text your direct chaperone.
MAGIC KINGDOM:
7 Dwarfs mine car ride, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear
Not to miss: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, evening parade
EPCOT:
Soarn’, Test Track (has single rider lane), Mission Space (Mars) – has both centrifugal force (orange pass) and simulated (green) side to the ride
Not to miss: Films in countries of China, France, Canada, United States. Indoor boat ride in Mexico, Living Seas fish and dolphins
ANIMAL KINGDOM:
IMMEDIATELY when entering park go straight back to the Kilimanjaro Safari ride or fast pass it in the morning ( but if you get there when the park opens and go directly to it, you don’t have to fast pass it), Expedition Everest – (has a single rider lane that gets you on quickly) Dinosaur! Kali River Rapids (you will get wet)
Not to miss: Finding Nemo the musical, Legend of the Lion King, It’s a Bug’s Life, take the Africa and Asia walks to see the animals.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Star Tours. Not to miss: Indiana Jones, Muppets, Animation tour (see sketches and cells of the unreleased latest Disney movies)
Disney’s info on Fast Passes:
Search for My Disney Experience on your computer
Set up an account
- Pick an easy, quick, memorable password
- You can unclick the box that says they will send you promotional material
WHEN IT ASKS YOU IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE STAYING ON WDW PROPERTY, YOU NEED TO ANSWER “NO”. This is the easiest way to do this, after speaking with the Disney people. They admit trying to do it 60 days out for large school groups is not easy as the set up is extremely complicated.
If you want to link hopper passes with your friends, you’ll need to A. make sure they have set up an account B. know their email address
You can initially set up 3 fast passes each day. You can add one more after you have used up your 3. You will notice that as you pick your 3 choices, Disney initially chooses the time window for you. After you agree to the three choices, you can immediately go back in and try to change, tighten up, or open up the times.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REFERRING TO OUR CALENDAR SO YOU KNOW WHAT OUR GROUP COMMITMENTS ARE AND AVOID SCHEDULING OTHER THINGS ON THEM.
If you download the MyDisneyExperience App to your smart phone, you can change and add from the phone app as well.
STRATEGY ADVICE: Personally, I don’t go for fast passes first thing in the morning because I am there when the gates open and do my favorite 3 rides BOOM-BOOM-BOOM when the lines are the shortest. Then I HAVE my fast passes immediately afterwards, or later in the afternoon when lines are the longest.
Park hours as of 11 Jan 2015
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | (Friday) | |
| Magic Kingdom | 8am – 1am | 8am-1am | 8am-1am | 9am-2am | 9am-12am |
| EPCOT – Future World | 8am – 9pm | 8am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm | 9am – 11pm |
| EPCOT-World Showcase | 11am – 9pm | 11am – 9pm | 11am – 9pm | 11am – 9pm | 11am – 11pm |
| Animal Kingdom | 8am – 7pm | 8am – 7pm | 7am – 7pm | 9am – 7pm | 9am – 7pm |
| Hollywood Studios | 8am – 10pm | 9am – 8pm | 9am – 6pm | 9am – 8pm | 9am – 8pm |
| Disney Marketplace | 10am – 11pm | 10am – 11pm | 10am – 11pm | 10am – 11pm | 10am – 11pm |