Fast passes being enforced

[sissy1]

Just returned from the World from our Mardi Gras trip CM's were definetely enforcing the Fast passes. We were behind someone that was 4 minutes early and was told to come back in four minutes.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Just returned from the World from our Mardi Gras trip CM's were definetely enforcing the Fast passes. We were behind someone that was 4 minutes early and was told to come back in four minutes.

Yeah, that's been pretty universal for over a year now. With the early returns, that's been heavily enforced as long as I can remember.

 

[sissy1]

Yeah, that's been pretty universal for over a year now. With the early returns, that's been heavily enforced as long as I can remember.

I was just there in Dec. and didn't notice it like I did this trip.

 

[amyemann]

You must have gotten lucky in December because last January, June and this past January we saw them enforcing the times...as they should.

 

[deserrai]

I think I read that they were going to stop even allowing the grace period. Is that true?

 

[Robo]

I think I read that they were going to stop even allowing the grace period. Is that true?

It is only an option to the CM's at the attraction.
Don't expect the grace period to be allowed.

 

[Ladcassidy]

Just returned from the World from our Mardi Gras trip CM's were definetely enforcing the Fast passes. We were behind someone that was 4 minutes early and was told to come back in four minutes.

We were there at the same time. Saw some CMs strictly enforcing times, but also appreciated getting a little leeway from others when we returned a few minutes late for one attraction and a few minutes early for another.

 

[PeterPanic]

Just to repeat a message that has been posted about a gazillion times. Over the past few years, from the beginning, they always enforced the "no early times" for admission. It wasn't until recently that the rumor of 5 early was suggested. The grace period after is there to deal with unexpected, legitimate problems delaying ones arrival, but, it is not public knowledge and is done only when a ride can handle it. The fluctuation of CM's may not be the CM's at all but the attraction itself and the supervisor determining if they can be flexible or not without causing a problem.

The only guarantee you have is between the first time on your FP and the last. If you get anything else, you need to say alleluia, have a magical day. I was just Pixie Dusted.

 

[bellaally]

When I was their in january I witnessed a guest with hia family arguing with a cm and a manager about how all these years they have been lax on the times for the return and all of a sudden they start to enforce it. He was at toystory mania all the fast passes were gone. He was really angry they let him get on. Maybe disney should send a disclaimer with everyones packet or tickets. I know but maybe someone that g poo es once every couple of years dont

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I was just there in Dec. and didn't notice it like I did this trip.

Then you got very lucky. Even in my 2007 trip I recall standing to the side while we waited two minutes for our FP's to become valid. The early enforcement has always been pretty universally followed, it was the late return time that they were very flexible with until about a year ago.

I think I read that they were going to stop even allowing the grace period. Is that true?

We were advised of a grace period when we went... We went to claim our Soarin FP's right at the wire, but I was waiting for some cardiac meds to kick in. I went up to the lady at the FP area and told her, not having an emergency, just took meds, not feeling well, wanted a few minutes for meds to kick in, etc etc etc, and if it was Ok if I sat right at the FP gate, I could board a little past our window. She said it wouldn't be a problem and that they apply a 15 min grace period anyway.

I've been told the grace period option varies wildly depending on the CM and the time of day along with the demand of the ride. While I wouldn't plan my day around that 15 minutes, they seem fairly forgiving of it in most reasonable circumstances.

Contrary to popular belief, the CM's aren't heartless folks who sit in the breakroom and try to plan on how they can ruin people's days. When a reasonable request comes along with reasonable people and it's not a blatant attempt to exploit them or their good graces, they're usually more then happy to help. Like on our last night, last ride at MK we went to do the Pooh ride, one of my son's favorites, with our FPs... But the ride was down. My son was crushed and quietly crying, not tantruming, but very disappointed because he'd been waiting quite awhile to ride it again. When we walked by I asked on a hunch, showed the FP guy our Pooh passes and said that my son was genuinely crushed and if we could maybe do Peter instead because it was his second or third favorite ride and he'd been waiting ALL DAY for the gap in our FPs to ride a ride just for him and I felt bad that he wasn't getting the ride he picked for the evening of our last day. The guy looked at my sad son and said that they weren't supposed to, but he let us on. So CMs are reasonable, they do want to help... But that said, I wouldn't plan my day showing up to my FP rides 15 minutes late and just expect you'll get on.

 

[Pier60]

In previous years you could use the fastpass anytime after the start time, all the way to park closing. They obviously put an end to that.

 

[KrazeeK120]

In previous years you could use the fastpass anytime after the start time, all the way to park closing. They obviously put an end to that.

Yeah, they did...in March of last year.

I was actually allowed into TSM a few minutes early when I went in January. We got there a few minutes before our FP time and I told the CM I was just going to hang out there until my FP time came (I mean, what was I really going to go do in less than 5 min?). He said I could just go on in. I was shocked! I didn't think they ever let people in early, especially at that particular ride.

 

[PeterPanic]

We were advised of a grace period when we went... We went to claim our Soarin FP's right at the wire, but I was waiting for some cardiac meds to kick in. I went up to the lady at the FP area and told her, not having an emergency, just took meds, not feeling well, wanted a few minutes for meds to kick in, etc etc etc, and if it was Ok if I sat right at the FP gate, I could board a little past our window. She said it wouldn't be a problem and that they apply a 15 min grace period anyway.

I've been told the grace period option varies wildly depending on the CM and the time of day along with the demand of the ride. While I wouldn't plan my day around that 15 minutes, they seem fairly forgiving of it in most reasonable circumstances.

Contrary to popular belief, the CM's aren't heartless folks who sit in the breakroom and try to plan on how they can ruin people's days. When a reasonable request comes along with reasonable people and it's not a blatant attempt to exploit them or their good graces, they're usually more then happy to help. Like on our last night, last ride at MK we went to do the Pooh ride, one of my son's favorites, with our FPs... But the ride was down. My son was crushed and quietly crying, not tantruming, but very disappointed because he'd been waiting quite awhile to ride it again. When we walked by I asked on a hunch, showed the FP guy our Pooh passes and said that my son was genuinely crushed and if we could maybe do Peter instead because it was his second or third favorite ride and he'd been waiting ALL DAY for the gap in our FPs to ride a ride just for him and I felt bad that he wasn't getting the ride he picked for the evening of our last day. The guy looked at my sad son and said that they weren't supposed to, but he let us on. So CMs are reasonable, they do want to help... But that said, I wouldn't plan my day showing up to my FP rides 15 minutes late and just expect you'll get on.

Yes, but you see you were exercising that little perk for exactly the reason that the have them. You weren't trying to beat the system, you were playing within the rules. Even if they didn't have the "grace period" the chances are that they way you dealt with it would have gotten you that favor.

In previous years you could use the fastpass anytime after the start time, all the way to park closing. They obviously put an end to that.

March 8, 2012, almost a year ago, they started to enforce the original rule again, we think in preparation for NextGen. They did indeed, allow that whenever you get there after the window opening for many years, but that has gone the way of the Model T Ford.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We always noticed that they enforced the "early arrival" for the fast passes, but it's only been this past year that it seemed they were clamping down on the ones coming back outside the time limit.
We never had a problem because we weren't trying to get from one side of the park to another to redeem the fast pass, so we never really tried to come back later than we were supposed to.
I did notice that it made a difference in how busy the fast pass lines were -- for Soarin' in particular. We used to be able to walk on to Soarin' during our fast pass window -- often not seeing anyone til we were almost to the boarding area. The last few times it was busy and we weren't there at a busy time.

 

[PeterPanic]

One of the common misconceptions about FP is that it was supposed to get you on the ride immediately. All it was ever supposed to do is to give you a priority so that you would get on it a lot sooner then if you were in the stand-by line.

 

[Pier60]

Yes, but you see you were exercising that little perk for exactly the reason that the have them. You weren't trying to beat the system, you were playing within the rules. Even if they didn't have the "grace period" the chances are that they way you dealt with it would have gotten you that favor.



March 8, 2012, almost a year ago, they started to enforce the original rule again, we think in preparation for NextGen. They did indeed, allow that whenever you get there after the window opening for many years, but that has gone the way of the Model T Ford.

That's funny you know the exact date!

 

[PeterPanic]

That's funny you know the exact date!

That's cause I'm a genius!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

My family got reprimanded by the CM on Space Mountain last week for being ONE minute late. We were actually on the FP return line on time, but it was very long and moving slower than usual. Not sure why, once we got past the CM there was no back up at all, I guess he was just slow checking the tickets and letting people pass.

 

[mesaboy2]

That's cause I'm a genius!

It was actually March 7, Mr. G.

 

[Suzanne74]

My family got reprimanded by the CM on Space Mountain last week for being ONE minute late. We were actually on the FP return line on time, but it was very long and moving slower than usual. Not sure why, once we got past the CM there was no back up at all, I guess he was just slow checking the tickets and letting people pass.

I keep hearing this new uptight way is actually making the FP lines longer? Is this true? I am kinda bummed about this. I never liked to cheat the system but going with a 4yr old this time and we were planning on leaving mid day for a nap. Can you pick a later fastpass time?