Give me the low down on the fast pass situation...

[Don Disney]

You also forgot the other big question: Will there be a "premium" FastPass option that allows those who are willing to pay a fee to get additional or "better" FastPasses?

Smells of US/IOA "pay to play" front of the line passes ie Express Pass to me! And I think that would stink(putting it extremely lightly)! It's one thing staying value,moderate,or deluxe as a personal choice;but giving those who are"well heeled","dibs"and/or charging a "premium"for quicker access to rides is absurd to me-everyone pays for entrance,so let everyone have equal access as it is now!!!Must the rich get all the advantages?

 

[vacationer1954]

Is there any reason other than likes and dislikes why the "rich" shouldn't get this advantage? It isn't a matter of rich or poor but who wants to pay more or pay less. We could visit for five days or seven days, but we choose five days because that leaves us more money to "plus" our vacation experience each day. It's a personal choice. We probably wouldn't pay extra for this new option, but I don't see any reason why this option should be excluded from the way other premium experiences work. Personally, I think eating is something that is more important so if they're going to even things up for anything I would want it to be dining.

 

[hidingmickey]

Is there any reason other than likes and dislikes why the "rich" shouldn't get this advantage? It isn't a matter of rich or poor but who wants to pay more or pay less. We could visit for five days or seven days, but we choose five days because that leaves us more money to "plus" our vacation experience each day. It's a personal choice. We probably wouldn't pay extra for this new option, but I don't see any reason why this option should be excluded from the way other premium experiences work. Personally, I think eating is something that is more important so if they're going to even things up for anything I would want it to be dining.

Totally agree! We are going for 2 weeks at Christmas which is costing a bundle. We could go at cheaper times of the year for shorter days and totally splurge each day and still pay what we will for the 2 weeks at Christmas. It is called planning and budgeting, pure and simple!

 

[DisneyDudet]

The fast pass return policy should ALWAYS be treated as if it were enforced strictly. There is NOTHING to say that just because you have a fast pass that you can get in anytime after your time. In fact, they say you must return during your window, I believe. Even when they were not as 'strict', they could still turn you away. I'm not quite sure what all the complaining is about. I will admit that I have used FPs after my window, but I also knew that there was a possibility I would not be allowed to use them. Just because some allow you to break the rules, it should not be expected that you will always be allowed to break the rules.

As far as FP+, I'm not quite sure I like the idea, because at is A LOT of planning. It's hard enough just to plan out the few TS meals I do.

 

[Don Disney]

Is there any reason other than likes and dislikes why the "rich" shouldn't get this advantage? It isn't a matter of rich or poor but who wants to pay more or pay less. We could visit for five days or seven days, but we choose five days because that leaves us more money to "plus" our vacation experience each day. It's a personal choice. We probably wouldn't pay extra for this new option, but I don't see any reason why this option should be excluded from the way other premium experiences work. Personally, I think eating is something that is more important so if they're going to even things up for anything I would want it to be dining.

IT is a matter of "rich and poor"!Don't they have enough advantages? Premium experiences are just that"premium";Park entrance is "park entrance",meaning if you pay to get in,you and everyone else can experience the same things WITHOUT having to pay extra!!Besides,why should someone with more means get to"jump"ahead of anyone else because of thier ability to pay more?Thats not right in my humble opinion-not for a theme park;What about those who have saved for years to make the trip?Should they have to wait longer because they can't affor to"plus" their tickets-I think not!

 

[LucyBC80]

You are paying to gain entrance in the park and to ride the rides, period. After that if they want to charge for fastpass (as US does) or give free fastpass but with an option to upgrade your FP for money, yes, they totally can.

It's up to you to decide if it's worth it to you. To me it's not a question of being rich or poor but a matter of planning for what you feel is worth for you and your family.

BTW I'd totally buy FP+.

 

[hidingmickey]

IT is a matter of "rich and poor"!Don't they have enough advantages? Premium experiences are just that"premium";Park entrance is "park entrance",meaning if you pay to get in,you and everyone else can experience the same things WITHOUT having to pay extra!!

But then by your definition of premium and park entrance, it is just that. It would be a "premium" experience not a "park entrance". A park entrance gives you access through the gates, it does not pay for food, drinks, photopass, photopass +, arcade games, souvenir items (these are all things you purchase separately based on what you can afford in your budget) after you have "entered the parks"! Remember, there used to be a time when you had to purchase tickets to ride attractions? If you couldn't afford a day of E tickets well then you weren't going to ride E ticket rides all day! Simple as that.

 

[LisaBi]

This is different. If someone with more financial means chooses an expensive restaurant, it doesn't impact my ability to eat at a less expensive one. If someone pays more for a deluxe suite, it doesn't impact my ability to book a standard room. If they pay for other extras, it doesn't impact my ability to buy the perks that fit me. But if they pay for ride access, that DOES impact my own ride access (assuming that if there were more takers on extra fast passes or paid FOTL, that makes for less free fast passes and longer lines.)

 

[levenhopper]

I know the probable answer, but what if you get a FP with a return time during an ADR you have?

I'm assuming that I'd just need to wait for the FP return window to go later before getting the FP, right? Or are they allowing exceptions for a slightly extended ride time if you can prove you were eating a meal?

 

[tony609]

I know the probable answer, but what if you get a FP with a return time during an ADR you have?

I'm assuming that I'd just need to wait for the FP return window to go later before getting the FP, right? Or are they allowing exceptions for a slightly extended ride time if you can prove you were eating a meal?

You should only grab a FP you think you can make .. No ADR exceptions.. However I have heard some Cms at restaurants giving out FP for extremely late seating or errors.. Not the norm. Again plan for your FP after meal of before. If after Allow plenty of time for "life".

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I know the probable answer, but what if you get a FP with a return time during an ADR you have?

I'm assuming that I'd just need to wait for the FP return window to go later before getting the FP, right? Or are they allowing exceptions for a slightly extended ride time if you can prove you were eating a meal?

There's a large sign over the FastPass machine that tells you the time that's going to be printed on the ticket. You should consider your ADRs and other commitments before getting the FastPass.

 

[PeterPanic]

I know the probable answer, but what if you get a FP with a return time during an ADR you have?

I'm assuming that I'd just need to wait for the FP return window to go later before getting the FP, right? Or are they allowing exceptions for a slightly extended ride time if you can prove you were eating a meal?

There's a large sign over the FastPass machine that tells you the time that's going to be printed on the ticket. You should consider your ADRs and other commitments before getting the FastPass.

The above quote covers the ADR question. If you are going to be eating during that time, just don't take one for that time. Wait a few minutes and the time will probably line up right for you. There is an allowable 15 minute grace period being followed but there are a lot of maybe's connected with it. If they are not too busy or are unable to accommodate for some other reason, they will say no and have been pretty consistent on not going over the 15 minutes. It would be a big risk considering factors such as, how quick the ADR service is. Really not worth the risk.

The second scenario happened to me on my last trip. After getting my Fastpass, I found that the time conflicted with another activity that members of my party had set up (while I was getting the Fastpasses). I simply went back to the kiosk, which by then was windowing at a time that would fit, found a group with the current workable window time collecting the same number of Fastpasses and I approached them and asked if they wanted to swap theirs for an earlier time. First people I asked, gladly swapped with me and we were all happy. It took about 5 minutes out of my time and saved probably an hour of standby time.

 

[WillAustin]

I simply went back to the kiosk, which by then was windowing at a time that would fit, found a group with the current workable window time collecting the same number of Fastpasses and I approached them and asked if they wanted to swap theirs for an earlier time. First people I asked, gladly swapped with me and we were all happy. It took about 5 minutes out of my time and saved probably an hour of standby time.

I did that a couple of times on my last trip too. Worked well.

 

[levenhopper]

You should only grab a FP you think you can make .. No ADR exceptions.. However I have heard some Cms at restaurants giving out FP for extremely late seating or errors.. Not the norm. Again plan for your FP after meal of before. If after Allow plenty of time for "life".

There's a large sign over the FastPass machine that tells you the time that's going to be printed on the ticket. You should consider your ADRs and other commitments before getting the FastPass.

The above quote covers the ADR question. If you are going to be eating during that time, just don't take one for that time. Wait a few minutes and the time will probably line up right for you. There is an allowable 15 minute grace period being followed but there are a lot of maybe's connected with it. If they are not too busy or are unable to accommodate for some other reason, they will say no and have been pretty consistent on not going over the 15 minutes. It would be a big risk considering factors such as, how quick the ADR service is. Really not worth the risk.

The second scenario happened to me on my last trip. After getting my Fastpass, I found that the time conflicted with another activity that members of my party had set up (while I was getting the Fastpasses). I simply went back to the kiosk, which by then was windowing at a time that would fit, found a group with the current workable window time collecting the same number of Fastpasses and I approached them and asked if they wanted to swap theirs for an earlier time. First people I asked, gladly swapped with me and we were all happy. It took about 5 minutes out of my time and saved probably an hour of standby time.

I did that a couple of times on my last trip too. Worked well.

Thanks! Like I hinted at, I was expecting this to be the answer, and it makes sense to me. I just wanted to double check, to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

 

[KellyNY]

It is enforced and it has positive effects. People grab FP when they actually can use them during the window. As a result FPs last longer and window opens sooner with very few exceptions. We enjoyed it a lot. On our previous trips we constantly waited in SB line since we arrive to parks in afternoon. This trip over 4th of July we were able to get FPs later in the day and did much more rides.

 

[mom2rtk]

It is enforced and it has positive effects. People grab FP when they actually can use them during the window. As a result FPs last longer and window opens sooner with very few exceptions. We enjoyed it a lot. On our previous trips we constantly waited in SB line since we arrive to parks in afternoon. This trip over 4th of July we were able to get FPs later in the day and did much more rides.

We have no idea why fastpasses are lasting longer. My hunch is it has to do with the reports we've heard from CM's here on the boards saying they have added more FP's into the system every day in anticipation for FP+.

 

[Suellen]

I agree that enforcement is very strict. I don't know if this is directly related but on our recent trip, several fastpass lines were very long. The fastpass line for the safari extended out into the African village and required several CMs to keep the line straight. It took about 20 minutes to get through

This seems pretty common on the safari lately. I *think* and I don't know for sure... but my guess is it has something to do with the way they cross strollers over mid way through the line. I have no concrete theory except this seems to hold up the FP line.

 

[Melodious]

This seems pretty common on the safari lately. I *think* and I don't know for sure... but my guess is it has something to do with the way they cross strollers over mid way through the line. I have no concrete theory except this seems to hold up the FP line.

But safari wasn't the only fastpass line on our trip that was coming out the front (so to speak). Waiting much longer in fastpass lines didn't seem like an improvement to me, but I eagerly await what will happen next

 

[hidingmickey]

We have no idea why fastpasses are lasting longer. My hunch is it has to do with the reports we've heard from CM's here on the boards saying they have added more FP's into the system every day in anticipation for FP+.

They would last longer if a FP for a family who was able to get the time of say 10-11 but had an ADR at 10 did not take one since they could not use it, then it was left for a person who could use it. So instead of people snatching them all up regardless of time in the am actually had to wait to take one because a time did not work for them, vs the grab n go without consequences. I mean I can see it stretching it out some what but I don't know about all day...

 

[mesaboy2]

We have no idea why fastpasses are lasting longer. My hunch is it has to do with the reports we've heard from CM's here on the boards saying they have added more FP's into the system every day in anticipation for FP+.

I'm not convinced they are lasting longer.

They would last longer if a FP for a family who was able to get the time of say 10-11 but had an ADR at 10 did not take one since they could not use it, then it was left for a person who could use it. So instead of people snatching them all up regardless of time in the am actually had to wait to take one because a time did not work for them, vs the grab n go without consequences. I mean I can see it stretching it out some what but I don't know about all day...

You assume that enough people knew about the return-anytime-later-that-day policy to have an effect. I'm even less convinced on this particular point.