So far, Doctor Disney has gone ahead and explained to you all about the overall FASTPass+ system and also making sure that you get your Key to the World cards upon check-in. If you haven’t read those yet, make sure you catch up:
There is some more that I’m going to end up explaining in other articles such as the number of FP+’s you can get and even the idea of the BONUS options, but that won’t be here. No, this article is going to deal with some rumors regarding the new FASTPass+ system and what could come.
Reminder: Until Disney officially announces something, it is not…I repeat, NOT guaranteed to happen. Things change all the time, especially with this brand new FASTPass+ that is still in the testing phases along with the MagicBands. Some of these rumors could happen, but until Disney gives the word…they are rumors.
The main thing at hand here today is that many people have been saying that the original FASTPass machines will be going away, and that they will be going away by the end of September.
The first part of that rumor is actually something that I’ve heard about ever since FASTPass+ came into existence. Actually, it makes perfect sense that the original ticket FASTPasses would get the heave-ho since FASTPass+ is the way that Disney wants it all to be.
Right now, FASTPass+ is only available to those guests staying at Walt Disney Resorts, and make that…select WDW Resorts. It is expanding every couple of months to make sure all the bugs are worked out of it so that a much talked about full roll-out can possibly happen by the end of the year.
Once FASTPass+ is in full swing for all Disney Resorts…why keep the old FASTPass machines around? Ahh, that’s the loaded question.
You see, word has it that Disney wants FASTPass+ to eventually be unique to those staying at WDW Resorts and possibly Annual Passholders as well. Some may call this unfair, but it’s Disney’s way of trying to get more guests to stay on property. Don’t forget, they are a business, people. They want to make money too.
Nothing wrong with that at all. This could happen, and personally, I think it will.
But with that being said…let’s take the second part of that rumor floating around – All original FASTPass ticket machines will be gone from Disney Parks by the end of September.
This is something I find hard to believe and I’ll tell you why.
FASTPass+ is only available if you have a MagicBand or choose to use a KTTW card at one of the selected test resorts. If Disney is looking to have FASTPasses unique to WDW Resort guests, they can’t take out the old machines until all the resorts have MagicBands in place. Even with the expansion that started just yesterday, only nine Walt Disney World Resorts are in the testing phases.
That second phase is set to run through October, and if all FASTPass machines are gone by the end of September…boy, there are going to be a lot of angry WDW Resort guests that don’t have access to FASTPasses at all.
Doesn’t make sense, does it?
In turn, I see the original paper ticket FASTPasses and machines going away for good some day, but I think it will still be at least a few more months.
Again, we have no idea what could happen and this is a rumor I’ve seen on a number of sites and heard from various sources as well. Personally, I just don’t see the logic in it…but we never know.
Excellent rumour dispelling. But one minor correction/addition. FP+ won’t be available *only* to those with MagicBands. They will also be available to those who prefer not to use MagicBands and who will choose the plastic RFID cards as well and those cards will work the same as MagicBands.
~Mark.
Thanks Mark, and added.
Some of the rumors swirling around also say that Annual Passholders will not get magic bands as previously told to us. Any truth to that?? I have 2 magic bands now (from 2 different testings) and various cast members have told me that will turn into my annual pass.
I also heard a rumor on a blog post that Disney plans on limiting FP+ to 1 staying on value resorts, 2 at moderate, and 3 at deluxe. I think that sounds like a totally far stretch
There is no confirmation as to the number of FP= reservations you’ll be able to make depending on what resort you stay at, but I have heard that rumor.
As for APs, they will get MagicBands. It is all over the official Disney site and Cast Members connected directly with the project have already advised me they will be coming in the near future.
In regards to AP’s, my wife and I are AP holders and we were able to order our Magic Bands last night for our trip in Oct for the ToT 10 Mile race. We are staying at POP. Our first trip with the AP’s was in Aug when we stayed at BCV before the Villas were part of the testing.
Yes, they are available for APs if staying in a Disney Resort, but not just yet for all APs. Enjoy your trip. 🙂
For me FP+ makes a great “add” to the FP kiosks. I don’t love it as a replacement. I’m sure non resort/non AP visitors would also be unhappy to have access to neither.