Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[nebo]

YES! I DID IT! IT WAS ME, AND I ENJOYED IT! NOW PUT AWAY THE BAMBOO SHOOTS AND WATERBOARDS!

We'd get to MK for rope drop, ride Buzz and get a fastpass,,by 11 or a little later, we were back on the bus heading to our resort for some pool time, and when we came back to the MK that night, we were armed and loaded with 3 or 4 fastpasses! And we've been doing that exact, same routine for ten years now!

This has not been a problem for Disney,, if it was, believe me, they would have nipped it way, WAY, in the past.
Each ride,,, sorry, attraction,, can hold so many people per day,,,and NOTHING changes!

If you use your fastpass during the given time,,, that means LESS standby people can ride then,,and if you delay in using it,, more can ride during that time, but less can when you DO finally use it,,, that's why there's a finite number of fastpasses.
I know the OP didn 't want to get into this,,, I'm sorry,, but we will take it in stride, go with the flow,,, I'm sure the rules needed to be changed for the next generation of fastpasses,,, change is good, they say.

By the way,,, our Disney bus driver told us again last year that Fastpasses never expire,,, and I have a drawer full of them next to my bed, along with enough room key cards to build the Castle out of cards.

There is ONE other reason for this change that I have not seen brought up yet:
and it's a good one.

If, like us, you went around and collected fastpasses in the morning, to use later or at night,,,, you don't need
Hopper passes!
You can't use them when you are using your fastpasses
at the park you were just at!

Now, since you can't collect fastpasses on Thursday, early entry day to use later at night when it's packed,,, you are better off at another park,,,,,and so you had better have bought the Hopper Pass!

I rest my case, copies of this speech can be obtained in the lobby.

 

[mom2rtk]

You know.... they started an entire thread for DIS folks who won OMDD trips. I think we should start a thread for us DIS members who collected fastpasses for the express purpose of using them late...... with absolutely no remorse.

Who's in????????

Man, it was good while it lasted.

 

[Day-Day]

Really? The FPs indicate what time to return, and that late arrivals will not be admitted. Some attractions (if not all, now) have signs atop the FP machines with the same message. Disneyworld.com and the printed theme park guidemaps all explain FP process. The CMs are verbally telling the guests (as you experienced.) What other communication is needed?

Yes, really. I would not have stated this if it wasn't what I observed. I did not see any signs atop the FP machines that stated that late arrivals will not be admitted. Do you have any photos or links?

I don't think any other communication is needed.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I was at Epcot today and the fast pass machines each had little signs on top of them asking people to "please return no later than one hour after designated time".

Seems pretty fair to me...

 

[blessedby3]

You know.... they started an entire thread for DIS folks who won OMDD trips. I think we should start a thread for us DIS members who collected fastpasses for the express purpose of using them late...... with absolutely no remorse.

Who's in????????

Man, it was good while it lasted.

Im in....count me as a fastpass collector
And I was never remorseful either

 

[Alsobrook]

Yes, really. I would not have stated this if it wasn't what I observed. I did not see any signs atop the FP machines that stated that late arrivals will not be admitted. Do you have any photos or links?

I don't think any other communication is needed.

Like you, I saw no signs. But I did see and hear CMS telling people to note the window on their FPs and that FPs would only be accepted during that window. And I heard, in the days leading up to the enforcement, line CMs explaining the new policy.

Honestly, a few nights ago, in MK, I felt like we had the whole park to ourselves.... no lines for anything....could ride and ride all you wanted. The longest line was at - seriously - Peter Pan.

 

[Day-Day]

Like you, I saw no signs. But I did see and hear CMS telling people to note the window on their FPs and that FPs would only be accepted during that window. And I heard, in the days leading up to the enforcement, line CMs explaining the new policy.

Honestly, a few nights ago, in MK, I felt like we had the whole park to ourselves.... no lines for anything....could ride and ride all you wanted. The longest line was at - seriously - Peter Pan.

Tuesday was very busy during the day in the MK but crowds were light Tuesday night and very light Wednesday night. Seems like Peter Pan always has a long wait.

 

[ncirongirl]

We were in Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom yesterday (March 8) and both were enforcing the new fast pass rule. Both had CMs at the fast pass distribution reminding guests that they would not accept late arrivals. We saw people being turned away at both parks that had arrived too late. Our fast pass window for Expedition Everest ended at 3:35 and we arrived at 3:30 to find the ride temporarily shut down. It opened again about 10 minutes later and we were allowed on. This was our first trip so we really couldn't compare, but it really wasn't a problem for us to get back to the rides in the time window.

 

[TaraPA]

I just returned last night. During the week I saw CM's posted at every Fast Pass Return checking times carefully. I did not see anyone turned away, but then again I didn't see anyone try to get in past their hour window. One thing I did witness was that the FP Return line at AK for KS was longer than the Standy-by line at one point. They quickly brought out a few CM's with ropes to make a queue line & then they held up signs that said "Fast Pass Return." This queue line snaked all the way back past the exit of Maharajah Jungle Trek. I have never seen a FP Return line that long, so I'm not sure if something backfired, or there was a ride malfunction or what. Maybe this is normal on very busy days, I had just never seen it before. The CM's were calling out "Fast pass return 12:55 - 1:55 ONLY" and were emphasizing the "ONLY." Then they'd change to "1pm - 1:10 ONLY." Here are 2 pics from that massive, chaotic queue:

 

[Brit_Jude]

Im in....count me as a fastpass collector
And I was never remorseful either

I too was a Fastpast collector. I have no remorse. While collecting Fastpasses we would ride other attractions with little or no wait or wait in the lines for the rides without Fastpasses, have lunch etc. I am sad that we can't collect and save them up and tour the park enjoying the other rides, taking our time to eat, then ride all the busy rides without wait.

I also love the on-site guest express pass system at Univeral. There it is I have no shame.

 

[mom2rtk]

Im in....count me as a fastpass collector
And I was never remorseful either

I too was a Fastpast collector. I have no remorse. While collecting Fastpasses we would ride other attractions with little or no wait or wait in the lines for the rides without Fastpasses, have lunch etc. I am sad that we can't collect and save them up and tour the park enjoying the other rides, taking our time to eat, then ride all the busy rides without wait.

I also love the on-site guest express pass system at Univeral. There it is I have no shame.

Woo hoo! That makes 3 of us. Surely there were more....... or they wouldn't be having this big crack down!

 

[magicbob]

There is ONE other reason for this change that I have not seen brought up yet:
and it's a good one.

If, like us, you went around and collected fastpasses in the morning, to use later or at night,,,, you don't need Hopper passes!
You can't use them when you are using your fastpasses at the park you were just at!

Now, since you can't collect fastpasses on Thursday, early entry day to use later at night when it's packed,,, you are better off at another park,,,,,and so you had better have bought the Hopper Pass!

I rest my case, copies of this speech can be obtained in the lobby.

I have not seen this point either and it IS very insightful. We never used park hoppers because we could go back after midday break to the SAME park and use the FPs we had collected from RD until lunch. Putting an end to this practice does provide more incentive for purchasing the park hopper add-on. Pretty shrewd thinking if you ask me.

 

[tony609]

It doesn't matter to me either way..use late, don't use late. EVERYONE tours differently. I would get fastpasses and go do other things BUT I always returned within the window. If I knew I was having a meal or wanted to see a parade I just wouldn't get a FP until the time worked for me. BUT I also don't go during summer, spring break, christmas vacation or thanksgiving week. If I did I am sure that would change how I toured.

 

[scrappinmom]

We're here now, spent the day in MK. There were little signs up by Peter Pan that read something to the effect of...please use your fastpasses within an hour of the time window. Wednesday at Epcot the Soarin CM's were checking each & every fast pass- We had dinner reservations and wanted to ride after dinner....I asked if we would be allowed in late & the CM told me he couldn't promise that.

 

[magicbob]

please use your fastpasses within an hour of the time window.

I've seen several posts that referred to using FP within an hour of the window. Do they mean within THE hour of the window (i.e., within an hour of the START time of the window)? As worded, it seems to imply you could use them up to an hour AFTER the window ends (i.e., late). That would pretty much contradict the news that they are enforcing the time window. Can anyone clarify? Thanks.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Woo hoo! That makes 3 of us. Surely there were more....... or they wouldn't be having this big crack down!

Count me in!! We used fast passes past the time quite a bit. Things come up like meals that take longer than planned, kids napping, getting caught in a show on the opposite side of the park, etc and sometimes you just can't get back within that hour window. Plus, we also used our FP's later in the day on purpose as well just to maximize our park touring.

 

[mjp12831]

not how they are handling late people, but how is this enforcement effecting the SB lines.

The people waiving pom poms over this enforcement generally have the idea that late FP arrival affected the SB wait times.

 

[mom2rtk]

Count me in!! We used fast passes past the time quite a bit. Things come up like meals that take longer than planned, kids napping, getting caught in a show on the opposite side of the park, etc and sometimes you just can't get back within that hour window. Plus, we also used our FP's later in the day on purpose as well just to maximize our park touring.

Welcome to the club!

 

[glaserjm]

Have been in the world since 3/3. They are enforcing FP times. I have seen people turned away for being too early and too late. They have also had cast members near the FP machines stating, "You must return in the time on the FP, no earlier or later." The FPs also stated "Not able to accomodate late arrivals on them."

It never affected our experience, but it seems as if they are enforcing things.

 

[hookedonears]

Woo hoo! That makes 3 of us. Surely there were more....... or they wouldn't be having this big crack down!

I think you need to start a new AA, I mean LFPAA (Late FP Arrival Anonymous) chapter. I'm sure that there're plenty here that will join.