FastPass+ reservations are the topic of much debate among Walt Disney World guests. Love them or hate them the MyMagic+ system is here to stay and your best tactic is to learn how to navigate the new FastPass options wisely. You can now reserve your FastPasses well in advance, which is handy for snagging a pass to popular attractions, but tricky if you don’t know what the crowds will look like or where you’ll find long lines.
You’ll find ample recommendations for the best rides to snag a FastPass+ reservation for, so this rundown takes the opposite tactic. These are the attractions you shouldn’t waste a FastPass on for various reasons. Cross these off your list and you’ll have a much easier time narrowing down your options.
1. Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Magic Kingdom
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a classic spinning ride where you board a magic carpet and direct it up and down as you circle. While this is a fine attraction, particularly for small children, there’s rarely any need for a FastPass+ reservation. Even at the peak of the day, your wait won’t usually top 25 minutes. Come early, late, or during a parade and you’ll usually find a manageable wait without the need for a FastPass. Other attractions in the area, like Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean are a better pick.
2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Magic Kingdom
Like the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Dumbo is a typical spinning attraction where you board an elephant and take a few spins. While there was once only a single Dumbo ride with a predictably long wait, there are now twin attractions side-by-side, doubling the ride capacity. Another update to Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an indoor playground in the queue. This means you can play while you wait, making your time in line much more manageable.
3. It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Animal Kingdom
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a 3-D show with a fairly sizable theater. While you’ll have to wait for the next available show, this isn’t too bad, particularly when you go early or late in the day. If you’re interested in thrilling attractions, Animal Kingdom has several bigger contenders with predictably long waits, such as Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Kali River Rapids.
The exception to this suggestion is if you have shorter children in your party who can’t ride the bigger attractions. If you’re looking for a FastPass for something anyone can enjoy, this is a fine choice, bearing in mind that It’s Tough to Be a Bug is dark and a bit scary for very small children.
Comments
We go for ten days. That way we are guaranteed two days at each park. We split up the faspasses for the tiered rides. If we are doing Epcot on Monday and Thursday, then we select soarin for Monday and test track for Thursday. That way we can make the most of the system. My only quirk is that I don't like to be on a time constraint the whole trip. Between fastpasses and dining reservations, it can get quite stressful trying to manage the day.
The problem with some of these, such as Indiana Jones and Lights. . . is that foe me they are usually used as throw aways since my family doesn't usually go on ToT, and we can only get one of either Toy Story or Rockin' Roller Coaster, which we usually opt for Toy Story.
My 2 cents: sometimes Journey Into Imagination can get over a 30 minute wait and given the audience is small children a FP+ may not be a bad idea.
I've had cast members working the FP+ kiosk tell me not to waste one on "The Muppet 3D" in Hollywood Studios.