Skip to Content

Epcot to test further restrictions on Fastpass+ usage

Epcot to test further restrictions on Fastpass+ usage


For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.


In what is sure to prove to be a very unpopular move, the Fastpass+ team is moving forward with a test that will restrict Fastpass+ usage in EPCOT for specific dates (listed below) for Fastpass+ bookings between November 4 and December 29.  This test is in line with what Disney originally announced for the FP+ system, but will make touring EPCOT even more difficult.  They are testing within the range of the most expensive hotel dates that Walt Disney World offers, so I’m not sure I’d be terribly happy with this sudden change during my stay that is costing me $602 to $748 for regular accommodations at the Grand Floridian.

Guests using the FP+ system will be allowed to book only ONE headliner attraction and TWO not so necessary attractions per day.

Level one: Headliners as listed in the test (Choose ONE):

  • Illuminations:  Reflections of Earth (Only select dates available)
  • Maelstrom
  • Meet the Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
  • Soarin’
  • Test Track presented by Chevrolet

Level two:  Other attractions listed in the test (Choose TWO):

  • Captain EO
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission Space
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Click on an image for larger view

Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (3)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (4)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (5)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (1)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (7)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (8)Fastpass+ Epcot Testing KennythePirate (9)

The current dates (as of 8:00 am on November 1) that I found for this test from researching this site are:

November 4, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29

December 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29

UPDATE:  9:25 am and now the same rules are applying to EVERY November and December date beginning November 1!  

Attraction availability and dates for the testing are subject to change.

NOTE:  I’ve already been asked numerous times, “What happens if I already booked FP+ for those dates at Epcot? ” My recommendations are:

1.   Don’t change them!

2.  Screenshot them in case anything wonky happens and you can prove you had those reservations before this test began.  

It shouldn’t cancel your current ones, but there’s no guarantees!

What do YOU think about this type of usage for Fastpass+?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Amanda t

Sunday 17th of November 2013

If you had to choice a FP+ between soar'n and test track. Which one would you go with?

kennythepirate

Sunday 17th of November 2013

I would walk to test track at rope drop and ride it once or twice, head to sum of all thrills, then mission space. Use a Fp+ for Soarin about noon. And do everything else on that side of the park around that fp+ time.

Jennifer

Wednesday 6th of November 2013

Hi Kenny, I'm new to your site, but have a question. My family has owned 6 Magic Your Way non expire tickets since 2005. Normally we stay on Disney's properties, but we are planning a trip late next year for our family, and plan to stay off property. How will non expire tickets work with fp+ off property? I know our last trip to Epcot the wait lines everywhere were about 90 minutes. It kind of sounds like unless you can book fp+ months ahead your out of luck. Do you have any advice?

kennythepirate

Wednesday 6th of November 2013

You'll need to stay on property or wait until general public is brought into system. Use rope drop and you'll still have fun

Kevin

Tuesday 5th of November 2013

Hey, Kenny - any idea how and when all of this will get solidified? Working out a few crazy plans for a twentieth anniversary trip in LATE spring - and trying to arrange my insanity. Also - do you have a page devoted only to the FastPass/Plus and updates?

kennythepirate

Tuesday 5th of November 2013

I haven't built one specific page, but I recently added a fastpass area to the lower left bar. Still doing extensive testing before writing a how to. Disney is trying to shoot for early spring for full roll out, but they aren't guaranteeing anything. They are way behind schedule

Leatha

Monday 4th of November 2013

Very informative post! Thank you!

L Banks

Sunday 3rd of November 2013

Thanks for the reply Kenny, I hope they do change it after the November test! When I booked on the first possible day, I already wasn't able to get a lot of the times I wanted. If it wasn't me planning the trip, we wouldn't be going. I have spent at least 2 hours over the course of planning on the phone with Disney IT trying to get various glitches resolved.

We are AP holders and go multiple times a year. We always do rope drop and plan, and this has always worked beautifully. If this changes the ability to ride the headliners like we did before, I know I'm going to have a lot of trouble convincing DH not to go elsewhere this May. He keeps saying the "U" word (Universal)!

Looking forward to your updates, I going to need them!

kennythepirate

Sunday 3rd of November 2013

Universal isn't a curse word here. I go there at least once a month. A lot to enjoy there, just a totally different feel

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.