FastPass+ Rules (January 2019)

Getting FastPasses for your trip may seem confusing the first time around, but it really isn't that bad.  I'm going to simplify things my sharing the "rules" for FastPasses in this post.  Before I start, I'd like to clarify for any of you wondering if FP+ cost extra money.  The answer is no, they are absolutely free.  However, they best serve the individuals who spend the most time and money at Disney, as you will see in Rule number 1.

Rule 1:  You are allowed to book 3 FP+ prior to your visit to the park.  After you have used these 3 passes up, you can book more on the fly while you are inside the park.  This is why Disney planners tell you to book your FP+ for the morning if at all possible.

Rule 2:  You can only book your initial 3 FP+ for a single park.  So even if you have a "Park Hopper Pass," you may not, for example, schedule a FP+ for Seven Dwarfs at M.K. in the morning and Flight of Passage at A.K. in the evening.

Rule 3:  If you are staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel (and I highly recommend you do), then you can book your FP+ 60 days before your check-in date.  This means, that the people who stay the longest at a resort (or spend the most money at Disney) get first dibs on the FP+.  The reason being that you get to plan your FP+ 60 days from your check-in date.  So, if you were staying at Disney for a week, then you would get to plan your FP+ for your last day in the park up to 67 days in advance.

Rule 4:  If you are not staying at a resort hotel, you have 30 days from the day you are going to the park to book your FP+.  Staying in a resort hotel gives you such an advantage in the FP+ game and in having a great Disney trip.  My parents and siblings are Florida residents so they have an annual pass and have done many day trips to Disney so they always fall in that 30 day time frame.  They have NEVER gotten a FP+ for the Seven Dwarfs, Flight of Passage, or Slinky Dog.  You can guarantee you won't be getting FP+ for any of the upcoming Star Wars attractions next year at Hollywood or the future Tron or Guardians of the Galaxy rides with the 30 day out option either.  

Rule 5:  There are tiers to the rides in every park, except the Magic Kingdom.  Planning passes at the Magic Kingdom is so much easier than the other parks.  If there were tiers at the Magic Kingdom, all the rides that I told you that you SHOULD get FastPasses for in my post about the Magic Kingdom FP+, would be considered Tier 1.  The others would be Tier 2.  You would only be able to pick 1 of the Tier 1 rides and your other 2 FP+ would have to be for Tier 2 rides.  Here is the current list of Tier 1 and 2 rides as of January 2019.  The ones in bold are the ones you should try your best to get.
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Animal Kingdom 

TIER 1

1. Avatar Flight of Passage
2. Na'vi River Journey

TIER 2

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Expedition Everest
3. DINOSAUR
4. Kali River Rapids
5. Primeval Whirl
6. Rivers of Light
7. It's Tough to Be A Bug
8. Festival of the Lion King
9. Finding Nemo Musical
10. Adventurers Outpost Character Greeting

Epcot

TIER 1

1. Frozen Ever After
2. Soarin'
3. Test Track
4. Illuminations: Reflection of Earth
5. Epcot Character Greeting

TIER 2​

1. Mission: SPACE (Please see my comments on this ride before choosing this FP+)
2. Spaceship Earth
3. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
4. Living with the Land
5. Pixar Short Film Festival
6. Journey Into Imagination With Figment
7. Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

TIER 1

1. Slinky Dog Dash
   
2. Alien Swirling Saucers
   
3. Toy Story Mania!
   

TIER 2

1. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (not for young kids)
2. Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (not for young kids)
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
5. Disney Junior Live on Stage
6. Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
7. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
8. Muppet Vision 3D
9. Fantasmic!
10. Beauty and the Beast

Magic Kingdom

There are no Tiers at Magic Kingdom, but I'm going to list the rides in order of what I would suggest be your priority.  This is based on my experience with wait times and queue lines:
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1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
2. Peter Pan's Flight
3. Space Mountain
4. Big Thunder Mountain
5. Jungle Cruise
6. Meeting Cinderella/Elena
7. Meeting Rapunzel/Tiana
8. Pirates of the Caribbean 
9. Enchanted Tales with Belle (or Meet Mickey)
10. Splash Mountain (if going during the Summer)

Last Rule:  FP+ become available at 7:00 am EST on the day you are allowed to start booking.  So set your alarm, grab a cup of coffee, and log onto MyDisneyExperience at the first possible second.  Good luck and May the Force be with You!