Hello, Rebekah!
Congratulations on booking your first Walt Disney World vacation! Disney's FastPass+ service will help you and your family enjoy even more magic when you visit, and I am happy to help you get started with your planning.
The first step in planning your FastPass+ experiences is to select which theme park your family will visit for each day of your vacation. You should be able to make up to three initial FastPass+ selections at one theme park per day in advance of your visit. What you choose --and when-- is completely up to you!
The second step is to choose which attractions or experiences are at the top of your family's wish list, and then check to see if these are available for FastPass+. You can read more about each attraction, including
ride duration and
FastPass+ availability, on the 'Attractions' and 'Entertainment' pages of the
Walt Disney World website. I recommend using the filters up at the top of the pages to narrow down the results by theme park, age interest and more.
The third step is to decide what order you would like to experience your FastPass+ attractions in. Most (but not all) FastPass+ selections will give you an hour-long window in which you are able to visit the attraction. Check the arrival window on each of your FastPass+ selections to confirm all times before your visit. I typically leave at least an hour between FastPass+ selections that are not located near each other to avoid rushing from one attraction to the next. It helps if you have a general touring strategy for each day, so you know where you're heading when you arrive.
I hope you and your family make many magical memories on your first Walt Disney World vacation, Rebekah! If you have any other questions before your visit, please do not hesitate to stop back by the Moms Panel. We'd love to hEAR from you!