Do Fast Passes Cost Money

Today, the Disney Parks Blog officially announced that the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are retiring their free version of the FastPass/FastPass+/FASTPASS system and introducing a new, paid system within the Disney Genie platform in the Disneyland and My Disney Experience apps.

However, Disney fans aren't happy that soon you'll have to pay for FastPasses at Disney theme parks. The new system will be introduced this fall, and already reactions are pouring in.

Related: Disney Genie App Confirmed to "Reimagine Guest Experience"

The FastPass systems present in Disney Parks worldwide came with issues, but overall allowed Guests vising a Disney theme park to decrease their wait times for popular attractions, such as Space Mountain in Tomorrowland or the Haunted Mansion, significantly.

Coming out of the COVID-19 era and introducing a flurry of new upgrades coming to both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort this fall, The Walt Disney Company unveiled theDisney Genie+, a new, paid iteration of the original FastPass system.

Here are the specific details for released by the Disney Parks Blog regarding how the new system will work:

Disney Genie+ service (available for purchase): For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day – from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). This convenient option is the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort. Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort.
Individual attraction selections (available for purchase): Schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance – like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch.

Related: BIG Changes Coming to Disney's Disability Access

Boiling down the information above, the free FastPasses at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and all four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, including the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, will be a thing of the past.

Instead, future Guests visiting the Disney Parks and wishing to make FastPass selections from their mobile devices can purchase the Disney Genie+, an integrated system that is part of the free Disney Genie planning platform within the Disneyland app and My Disney Experience app. Disney Genie+ allows Guests to decrease the wait times at attractions for $15/day at Walt Disney World and $20/day at the Disneyland Resort. For a flat rate, you can make Lightning Lane (formerly called the FastPass line) selections for a variety of rides at the theme parks.

However, not all attractions fall under this new program. More popular attractions, such as Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure at Disneyland Resort, will be available for purchase as an a la carte option. These attractions will cost an additional fee, and you can only plan ahead for two attractions a day.

Related: Disney Confirms Guests Can Soon Pay to Ride Rise of the Resistance

In wake of this news, Disney fans are voicing their frustrations and disappointments with the upcoming paid version of FastPass at Disney World and FASTPASS at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California.

Inside the Magic readers shared their comments on our recent Facebook post about Disney retiring the free FastPass system.

Samantha wrote:

I am so disgusted and upset.

Another reader, Karen, stated:

Sad. Just sad. No longer a destination for middle class families. Walt would not be pleased.

Kyle wrote:

I feel bad for families, I'm sure many can't afford a Disney trip anymore

rise of the resistance stormtrooper room with r5 unit in foreground — Credit: Disney

Another Disney fan, Christina, shared:

Soooo wrong! We pay enough money just to come there!! No one wants to pay more than they need too!

Jennifer is looking to the bright side:

I loved Maxpass at Disneyland. It was awesome. I'm curious to see the list of rides available. We will definitely be using this in the future.

All in all, Disney fans are voicing their opinions about the coming changes to their favorite Disney Parks in Southern California and Central Florida. In the end, Guests can still enjoy magical experiences, but they'll be a bit different going forward. It is also important to note that while Disney Genie+ will be an available paid option starting this fall, standby queues will still be available for Guests to use.

CEO Bob Chapek has not made an official comment about the new system at the moment. There is also no news concerning the new Annual Passholder system in Anaheim, the Disney Magic Key Program, and how it will be integrated with the Disney Genie+.

Annual Passholders at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando can look forward to further information coming about adding the Disney Genie+ to their pre-existing park ticket plan.

FastPass/FASTPASS has been suspended at both Disney World and Disneyland since the theme parks reopened amid the pandemic, but are now coming back in a brand new way that hopefully gives guests the most magical experiences possible.

What are your thoughts on the paid FastPass program? Let us know in the comments below!