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Disney World gives all guests 3 FastPasses included with each ticket. But, did you know there are ways to get extra FastPasses at Disney World?
There are a few paid ways to get extra FastPasses, but I’m not talking about those.
I’m talking FREE!
And I’ve done it – so I’m speaking from experience.
You can get extra FastPasses to Disney World by taking a Disney Vacation Club tour.
WAIT! Hear me out before you brush off a timeshare tour. These tours are DIFFERENT than the average timeshare tour.
Do you think Disney wants a bad rap?
Specifics of how to get extra Fastpasses for Disney World
1. Stop by any Disney Vacation Club kiosk
They are everywhere – every park, every hotel, Disney Springs. They also give kids stickers every time they ask if you weren’t already aware (we have tons!).
The DVC kiosk at Port Orleans French Quarter
2. Talk to the cast member about the tour
The cast member (aka Disney employee) reserves a time that works best for you. She said we would receive 3 extra FastPasses per person. Validity is four days including the day of your tour.
Cast members could offer you extra FastPasses, a Disney gift card or a combination of the two.
3. About the tour
Here is the Disney difference. I own 5 timeshares through Vistana (Sheraton and Westin brands), so I can spot the differences right away.
First, the tour is one hour. This is short compared to the 90-120 minutes other companies require from you.
Second, you only talk to one cast member and one only!! For those of you that have taken other timeshare tours, usually, the protocol is to talk to about 3 people after you say ‘no, thank you’ to the first person. They keep coming back with different ‘deals’.
Third, you take the reference material home and can decide there. Did you read that correctly? You are not pestered or pushed to make a decision. Other timeshare tours require an answer immediately or if you are lucky, while you are still on vacation.
Finally, your spouse does not need to be with you. Again, quite different than other timeshare companies. Earlier this summer, I stayed at one of the Sheratons I own and the representative didn’t give me the time of day once she inquired where my husband was (she actually looked at my ring and asked where he was) and I said he wasn’t with us. AND I OWN THERE!
4. Getting there
My daughter loved this! Our tour was at Saratoga Springs – close by to Port Orleans French Quarter where we stayed.
A dedicated Disney van picked us up at the scheduled time and we were off! Five minutes later, we pulled up to the DVC entrance.
Little K loved this van!
5. Disney kids club
Little K preferred to stay in the kids club where there were others her age, Disney movies, crafts and a whole bunch of games.
I signed her in and was the only person that could check her out as well.
6. After the tour
Once I received the Disney Vacation Club information, my dedicated cast member, Brandon (who was very fun to talk to) took me to pick up Little K. We visited the ice cream parlor specifically set up for those visiting the DVC preview.
Three extra FastPasses were added to our magic bands and we were done! By the way, both my daughter and I received three extra FastPasses – not just me.
In addition, we had the option of being driven (again in the private van service) anywhere on the Disney resort.
However, we opted to walk since we were only going next door to Disney Springs.
Extra FastPasses at Disney World
These FastPasses are a little different than the ones you can schedule 60 (if staying onsite) or 30 (non-Disney hotels) days in advance.
You don’t schedule these FastPasses. Instead, they are like ‘ad-hoc’ FastPasses. Use them as you want them.
Our already scheduled FastPasses had to be used during the exact time window. If we were one minute early or late, one of our new FastPasses would override it which is something we didn’t want to happen.
One caveat is these extra FastPasses cannot be used on all rides – that may detract some, but don’t let it. Plenty of rides still exist in which to use these.
Restricted rides (from what I remember):
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
- Rivers of Light (Animal Kingdom)
- Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
- Na’vi River Journey (Animal Kingdom)
- Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
- Toy Story Mania (Hollywood Studios)
- Frozen Ever After (Epcot)
With new park areas opening up, I’m sure new ride restrictions will be added, but there are still plenty of options available.
DVC kiosk at the Magic Kingdom
Extra FastPasses, anyone?
What do you think? Would you take a DVC tour for extra Fastpasses? A gift card?
I would do it again in a heartbeat, but maybe I am in the minority. I’m hoping I’ll be allowed to do it again sometime in the future, too. Personally, I enjoy viewing the suites and seeing how they are decorated. Maybe I just like seeing other the other half lives!
Did I buy?
I did not. But, it’s not because I didn’t want to. In the past 2 years, I bought my 4th and 5th Vistana timeshare (both resale and through the developer).
It is on my bucket list to continue to watch the Disney Vacation Club. We visit every year anyway, but 90% of those stays are on points.
If it works for you great, but know that there is NO pressure. I did it to compare these villas with what I own… and also for the extra FastPasses!
Speaking of FastPasses, check out these posts for more information:
- How to Choose Your Epcot FastPasses for the Best Day Ever!
- How to Choose Your Magic Kingdom FastPass Rides
- 15 Disney Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
- How to do Disney on a Budget
Let me know in the comments if this is something you would consider! Would you do it for extra FastPasses?
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