Anyone hassled for using expired FASTPASS?

[thesoldtrain]

Wondering how strict WDW is with people using Fastpasses ON THE DAY ISSUED but after the time posted? DLR allows people to use their fastpasses even past the time printed on the ticket. Has anyone done this? Anyone been turned away? I am concerned due to PS reservations possibly coinciding with Fastpass times. We have always been able to use our FPs later in the day at Disneyland, as long as they were used on the same day issued. Thanks!

 

[232271]

as long as the time has passed we have never been given a hard time.

 

[Horizons16]

i would say there is a 10 to 15 minute window after the ticketed time that they would let you come back. Thats about the time that i have noticed that they turn you away.

 

[Momof5cubs]

I asked the CM this very question at Splash Mtn on our trip last year and he told me that anytime that day after the assigned time is fine.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have been denied using an expired fast pass in April at Star Tours. We were about 20 minutes late due to a mix up with our PS at Sci Fi dine in. I was not really expecting to be able to use it but figured it was worth asking about.

TJ

 

[twinmomto3boys]

We just got back from Disney and this is what 2 CMs told us: You can use the fastpass anytime AFTER the start time, but not before. The window is just a suggestion. They have to be used on the same day though. We asked about this at Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain.

 

[lomillerin]

Is this true? I have passed up fastpasses because the time for return was during another thing we wanted to do. I could just get it and then back later anytime. There have been many times I had fastpasses to go back at 4:00p.m. but I was napping at hotel and I could have still used them later that evening?

 

[snyderla]

Easter Week 2004 we had 3 FP for Kilamanjaro Safari's for 9:30-10:30AM that we weren't able to use at that time, so at 2PM we asked the CM at the FP return line if we could use them even though they had expired and she said yes! As we were going into the park, someone coming out had given them to us and I didn't think we would be able to use them, but decided to ask and see. Sure didn't hurt to ask.

Lori

 

[wannabee princess]

Our experience has been that we have been able to use the fastpass any time that day after the printed start time. The end time is just a suggestion.

We have never been denied using a fp for that day as long as the first time has passed.

 

[mbelec]

Hi - just returned June 7. We ran into this ourselves - got fastpasses, then ended up leaving the park before using them (rain one day, too hot another - 102!, wheelchair person had to leave early because of pain on another). We returned later that week, and were able to use the fastpasses we obtained earlier in the week.

The first time we tried to use them (Primeval Whirl), the Cast Member told my girls (when they explained about the date, because the time was much later in the day on the Pass) that Disney prefers you use them that day, but go ahead and ride. The second time we were told (Safari ride, AK) to just come back during the time on the FastPass and ignore the date - time was in 15 minutes anyway. The third time we were after the time on the FastPass and they just let us in without even looking at the date (TestTrack).

Of course, after the first few days we accummulated other FastPasses that we never used at all for other reasons (it's hard to tour with 10 people!). I guess we have some souvenirs now!

 

[kmc]

i have to say this--there is a reason that there is a time limit for fast pass and that is to keep the lines to a minimum--if eveyone came whenever they felt like it--it wouldn't work-that line then could be just as long as the other one that is why ther is a window they issue so may per hour but if people came after it expired they would be in somone elses window leaving "fast pass" useless--with that said i have seen people turned away at winnie the pooh and rock n roller coater but like all things disney you will get a different answer from every cm you ask. people will do what they want but i wouldn't go after my time expired for the reasons stated above-also has anyone ever been in fast pass line and waited for a really long time and you hear people saying "i thought this was supposed to be fast pass??"

 

[CarolA]

All I can say is that maybe a CM will let you in with an expired fast pass, but regardless of what they may have told you they don't have to. The passes clearly state a beginning and ending time. You won't have a leg to stand on if you are late.

I would think like all things it just depends. On a really busy day like July 4th or Christmas they probably have to go right by the times, but at slower times they can be more forgiving.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

I agree that the times on the fastpass need to be there to keep them working like they were intended to work. If everyone disregarded the times, why have them at all? That being said, I have used fastpasses after the expired time and have never been turned away. But if I were, that would be just fine. I understand that they don't "have" to let me use it late. I thank them every time, because it is a courtesy, not an entitlement.

Laura

 

[Poohbear123]

Thanks for the "tip."

 

[kmc]

Originally posted by wannabee princess
Our experience has been that we have been able to use the fastpass any time that day after the printed start time. The end time is just a suggestion.

We have never been denied using a fp for that day as long as the first time has passed.

although you have never experienced a problem the end time is definitely not just a suggestion--the times are in place so the system works..if it was just a suggestion there would be no point to having fast pass

 

[DrKnow77]

Wow, I could see this turning into a debate similar to the "Resort Refillable Mug" questions. "The CM told me I could do this, but the rules say this... which is right?"

I agree with another poster... The CM has the ability to let you on a ride after the time has expired, but they don't necessarily have to.

I admit, we have had some fastpasses that we didn't think we could use because the time had expired. We weren't able to get back to the ride for varying circumstances, and it would have been nice to still be able to use them.

I also understand kmc's point about the function of the times on the fastpass tickets.

I imagine that if this becomes a problem, with many people taking advantage of this, Disney will have their CMs cut back on the "mis-use" (just like the refillable mugs )

 

[twinmomto3boys]

I don't think anyone here is trying to cheat or mis-use the FP system. I think the OP asked because of a PS conflict. We were told by 2 CMs that the end time is a "suggestion." We were surprised by this because we thought... what's the point of having an end time printed? After hearing this we did notice that the later the day got, the longer the FP lines were. We only used FP past our window one time due to a PS conflict - the restaurant was running behind schedule - something that cannot be predicted. I think we were no more than 10 minutes late. I think it is nice that the CMs understand that there can be conflicts (PS, bathroom emergencies, being stuck on a broken ride, etc...) We think the FP is a nice perk - one that we are grateful for.

 

[bridgettesmom]

Ok, I have a story for you .... On November 2002 ,we were at DW with my best friend and her family. We had fast passes for Peter Pan , but, the kids wanted to ride Buzz again. There was no line for Buzz ,so, we rode it twice. We still had 30 minutes to make it to Peter Pan, so, we started walking towards Fantasyland . At that time, the 4 yr old had to go to the bathroom, she takes her to the bathroom , then, my niece and my nephew decide to go too. DH and my friend's husband decide to go get an Ice cream while everyone goes to the bathroom. When they come back to meet us , my friend's 6 yr old has spilled the ice cream all over his shirt and she takes him into the bathroom to clean him up. Needless to say, by the time we get to Peter Pan our FP window has passed by 10 minutes We go into the regular queue and after 5 minutes the line is not moving and I leave evryone in the line while I go to talk to the CM at the FP entrance. I get there, I showed him our Fast passes, I tell him they are expired by 15 minutes and I also tell him my family is waiting in the regular line and that we are 4 adults and 4 kids. He tells me to get everyone over to the FP entrance that he would let us thru. I tell him we are 8 again and he tells me no problem. I get everyone out of the line and when we get to the Fast Pass entrance he tells us he cannot let us thru , because, our fast passes were expired . I could not believe what he was saying, I told him that I not only told him, but, I actually handed him all 8 of our fast passes and he looked at them and he said no problem. He tells me lady your fast passes expired 15 minutes ago and I tell him that I had told him that. He denies that I had told him and that he had seen the FP's. At that point DH tells him that he had seen him look at the FP's and he tells DH he cannot let us thru with expired FP's. We decided to walk away ,but, at that point my magical day was ruined . I stopped at City Hall on our way out of the park, later that night. I spoked, well honestly cried , to a wonderful CM and told her what happened to us. She told me that the CM has the authority to let people thru with expired FP's in every ride. She immediately spoke to the CM supervisor to advised him of what happened and he was in shock. They did give us a Fast pass for each of us for any ride we wanted. My now 12 yrs old niece has now developed a Fast Pass phobia and I have to convince her that what happened to us once will never happen to us again. Also, she refuses to ride Peter Pan , last time I had to literally drag her in . Yes, now we have a 12 yrs old scared for life thanks to this wonderful CM , he certainly created a wonderful memory for her

 

[kmc]

wow bridgettesmom sorry to hear that--that is definitely a strange one.hopefully with enough good experiences at disney it will wash away this one....like i said i have seen people turned away both at winnie the pooh and rock n roller coaster for expired passes..it also doesn't make sense that they are going to give each cm at the rides the authority to say yes or no(depending on what they feel) on who to let pass and who not to..i say its either a rule or its not.

 

[hyzdufan]

We got hassled for using a valid fastpass. Ya know how there's always 2 people that check them, and the second person always takes it? Well, for some reason on Star Tours, the lady outside took the fastpass from us. When we got inside, there was an obnoxious little man who was not going to let us on unless we could tell him the name of the CM that took the FP, along with where she was from (both listed on nametag). I guess it wasn't enough for him that the 20 people behind us all confirmed our story, and lacked FP's as well.

I understand he was just doing his job, but he could have been a lot nicer about it. Right before we were getting on the ride, I looked to back to see him talking to another CM about how we 'lied' to him get on the ride. I just wanted to slap him.