disney world Archives - Being Bon Mot

Make the most of your Walt Disney World Vacation by planning ahead and reserving these Pixie Six FastPasses —

1. Avatar Flight of Passage

Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom is THE FastPass to get while visiting Disney World, and it’s a hard one. Soar through the world of Pandora on the back of your very own banshee in a multi-dimensional experience that’s as unique as this new section of the park. (Height requirement: 44 inches)

Beautiful Day in Pandora – World of Avatar

2. Slinky Dog Dash

Wait times for Slinky Dog Dash in the new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can inch towards an hour within minutes of the park opening; therefore, a FastPass is a must. Getting your Slinky Dog fans to wait in line for a two-minute rollercoaster ride is a hard sell, especially in the Florida sun so be sure to plan around ride times if you can. The voyage through Andy’s backyard is worth the wait, but a well-planned FastPass can save time so you can explore all the fun of Toy Story Land. (Height requirement: 38 inches)

Slinky Dog Dash Disney World Hollywood Studios

3. Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is a very popular, Tier 1 ride located in Norway at Epcot that journeys through Arendelle, and all of your favorite residents are here to greet you. The ride is surprisingly thrilling, especially for Frozen’s smallest fans (there’s a small drop and a section where the ride moves backwards). (Height: Any) If you get another Tier 1 FastPass for Epcot, think about an early breakfast at Akerhaus then head over to be first in line for Frozen Ever After at park opening (read more here).

4. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho – it’s past the line you go! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a hit for the entire family and just thrilling enough for big kids too. Be on the lookout for that menacing witch knocking at the door. Bonus: The Photo Pass video and pictures from Seven Dwarfs are always among our favorites. (Height requirement: 38 inches)

5. Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot remains of our favorites, and the long wait times make it a FastPass must. The ride was updated in 2016 and provides an experience unlike any other (the closest thing is Avatar Flight of Passage). You’ll fly over the world’s most impressive landmarks and landscapes aboard a soaring glider, taking in the sights and smells along the way. (Height requirement: 40 inches)

6. Expedition Everest & Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

If you’re a fan of true roller coasters, both Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios should be on your list. Both rides’ lines grow quickly so a FastPass (or two) is always a great idea. I prefer the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster only slightly to Expedition Everest because you can’t beat an indoor coaster that blasts off to a 60 mph start in the first few seconds. Moreover, with the hubbub of Toy Story Land in full effect, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is now a Tier 2 FastPass. Don’t discount the adventure that awaits on Everest though. Expedition Everest is a really fun coaster, and the (spoiler alert!) surprise Yeti encounter is the highlight. (Height requirements: Rock ‘N’ Coaster – 48 inches; Everest – 44 inches)

Mount Everest Disney World — Excited to Zip to the Top of Mount Everest with a FastPass

Honorable Mention FastPass Options

If you don’t have a chance to grab the Pixie Six, here are some other rides worth reserving a FastPass for:

Toy Story Mania (edges out Alien Swirling Saucers in Hollywood Studios Tier 1)
Alien Swirling Saucers (Hollywood Studios, Tier 1)
Test Track (Epcot, Tier 1)
Big Thunder Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Star Tours (Hollywood Studios, Tier 2)
Enchanted Tales with Belle (Magic Kingdom, fun for tots who don’t meet height requirements)
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom)

Kilimanjaro Safari Disney World Animal Kingdom — The Kilimanjaro Safari Savannah

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” -Walt Disney

Big Thunder Mountain Disney World — Big Thunder Mountain Fun

Which FastPass choices are a must for your family? Tell us about your favorite Walt Disney World Rides, and share your FastPass experiences here.

Reservations Recommended

Bust out the autograph books and get your cameras ready! Presenting my Pixie Six Best Character Meals at Walt Disney World:

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Akershus is sometimes seen as the not-so-wicked stepsister of the more grandiose Cinderella’s Royal Table, but Bon Mot princesses prefer the intimacy of Epcot’s regal buffet. It’s also easier to get a decent reservation. Try to get in early for breakfast then skate directly to “Frozen Ever After” to be first in line to ride (located right next door).

Characters: Belle greets you at the door. Other princesses include Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, and others as schedules permit.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Disney Dining Rapunzel

Tusker House

The Tusker House buffet serves some of the best food in the park, and the venue is perfectly themed for its Animal Kingdom (Africa Village) location. Look for reservations featuring the River of Lights Package which includes access to reserved seating for the evening event at no additional charge (If you weren’t able to get a package reservation, I recommend asking the hostess about seating vouchers at check-in because sometimes they have extras.).

Safari Chic Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy

Tusker House Dining Disney World Mickey — Safari Mickey always gets a thumbs-up!

Hollywood & Vine

Hollywood & Vine has two different character meal offerings at Hollywood Studios. Breakfast features a traditional buffet with popular Disney Junior stars. Minnie hosts the lunch and dinner buffet and seasonal themes vary throughout the year. The diner-style restaurant is centrally located and features a photo-worthy background at the entrance. We prefer breakfast because we still have a huge Disney Junior fan in our midst, and morning reservations mean early access to the park to rush to Toy Story Land or to get in line for Jedi Training.

Breakfast Characters: Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Sofia the First, and Goofy (Fancy Nancy is joining the party in March 2019).

Lunch & Dinner Characters: Minnie (the hostess with the mostess), Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy.

Hollywood & Vine Disney Dining Doc McStuffins Breakfast — Starting the day with her favorite toy doctor.

Garden Grill

Chip and Dale host meals at the Garden Grill in The Land pavilion at EPCOT. It’s one of my family’s favorite character meals for two important reasons. First, the meal is served family style and includes some of the park’s most delicious dishes (We’ve done breakfast, lunch, and dinner here and prefer the unique lunch/dinner menu as the breakfast offerings aren’t much different than those offered in other restaurants.). The absence of a buffet is also a welcome change of pace. Second, the restaurant spins! Your table slowly floats above the “Living with the Land” ride sets and makes for a fun and ever-changing ambiance.

Characters: Chip & Dale, Farmer Mickey, and Pluto.

The Crystal Palace

At the Crystal Palace character buffet at the Magic Kingdom, the characters are the star. Your favorite Hundred Acre Wood Characters reside here and spend ample time entertaining their fans of all ages. The glass-domed restaurant is centrally located just off of Main Street USA. The menu is pretty standard fare, but the garden greenhouse-esque atmosphere provides a refreshing respite from the theme park chaos. And did I mention you get to meet Tigger?

Characters: Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare

This character breakfast is, well, supercalifragilistic. It’s worth the trip over to the Grand Floridian Hotel to join Mary Poppins and friends for a meet and greet. 1900 Park Fare is a great option for arrival day or a non-park day. Try to make some time to explore the resort after your meal; you won’t regret it. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is fun for the Cinderella purists and fans in your family and includes a buffet of world flavors. (Tip: Use a Lyft Minnie Van or other private transportation to avoid the chaos of bus transfers, etc.)

Breakfast Characters: Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Pooh

Dinner Characters: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drisella (a.k.a. the wicked step-mother and -sisters), and the Fairy Godmother.

Garden Grill Epcot Disney World Chip & Dale — Chip signs an autograph for his adoring fans.

Character meals are one of the best ways to meet characters without having to wait in lines at Character Spots throughout the park. And I think it’s the ultimate in vacation multi-tasking (you’ve gotta eat, right?). We tend to maximize our Disney Dining Plan by cramming as many character meals as we can into our visit, but even if you’re not on the Plan, I strongly recommend finding time for just one. It’s always a great idea to make reservations as early as possible when traveling to Disney World (start making them six months in advance if possible), especially at the park’s most popular restaurants.

Visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/ for more information on these and other dining options for your visit. Please note that characters are always subject to change.

It’s always hard to Pixie Six, especially when there are so many great dining options at Disney World. What are some of your favorites?

Looking for more Walt Disney World planning tips? Check out my Pixie Six FastPass Choices!

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Best Disney FastPass Choices – Skip the Line!