Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[nkereina]

didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this has been addressed...

I guess I didn't know they didn't, why is this an issue? I always thought if you missed your time, you were out of luck, never thought to try to go after the time on the ticket? Was this really a problem?

The way we toured, was that we liked to get to a park at RD, collect FPs and ride stand by while lines were short, take a mid-day break, and then come back at night for dinner and use the FPs from the morning. We will now have to change our touring style, or wait in long lines.

It MUST have been a problem for Disney management to have changed the enforcement policy. I knew it was possible to use FP's later than the designated time, but more often than not, we used them as soon as we could. I guess for people who use planning websites like Ridemax and Tour Guide Mike, collecting FP's and saving them for later in the day was a critical part of the plan. I am way too laid back to ever plan our park days like that...and since we bought DVC and visit often, I don't ever feel the need to "tour" in that manner. We just like to roll with the flow.

Much to the contrary, IMO. We didn't follow a touring plan but as I said above, we would ride stand by in the mornings and collect FPs along the way, take a break, and then use our FPs at night. Now, we will have to strategically plan when to ride which rides and at what times so this new policy actually forces us to become intense planners, rather than the laidback style we were used to.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I was just hoping to hear from someone there, not another discussion of the changes.No disrespect, but please don't respond to find out more information. I just want to know the response.

My concern is- how they handle the what if's of life in a themepark- breakdowns, stuck in a long line, ADR took too long- those type of things....

I am going to start banging my head against a wall!!!!!
These questions have been answered and debated over and over on two other threads....

Could SOMEONE PLEASE give us some actual feedback from the park!!!!!

 

[LJD2143]

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.

My name is Laurie and I am a Late FastPass Arrival user........


We collected FastPasses all day long....every 2 hours or at the time stated on the FastPass....the minute our window opened, we would grab another...without any specific plan for using them....just to have the option later.

 

[g-dad66]

Now, we will have to strategically plan when to ride which rides and at what times so this new policy actually forces us to become intense planners, rather than the laidback style we were used to.

My name is John, and I too am a Late FastPass Arrival user.

I also am doing more intense planning for our upcoming trip, since previously we never had to worry about scurrying back to an attraction in time to use our Fast Passes for it.

 

[canoe86]

So let me get this straight, all these trips to Disney, I've been going to get a FP, and they've been gone, and some people have been collecting them all day and the NOT using them at the prescribed time???

From one of the people who has followed the rules, thanks.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Are they going to post FP return time boards in more areas of the park now? I would like to be able to make an informed decision whether I want to wander all the way over to the other side of a park to get a FP only to discover that the return time is when I have an ADR scheduled for.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I was always a fastpass collector too! I enjoyed having a whole pocketful of fastpasses to use throughout the day/evening. No matter where I was in the park, we could always jump right on a ride that was closest to us because we had a FP for it!

This enforcement thing makes me a bit sad. I hate being tied to certain times.

 

[Senator Tressel]

So let me get this straight, all these trips to Disney, I've been going to get a FP, and they've been gone, and some people have been collecting them all day and the NOT using them at the prescribed time???

From one of the people who has followed the rules, thanks.

Huh? What does them being gone have to do with when people use them? You can still get a new one at the same time regardless of whether you've used your previous one.

 

[mom2rtk]

My name is John, and I too am a Late FastPass Arrival user.

I also am doing more intense planning for our upcoming trip, since previously we never had to worry about scurrying back to an attraction in time to use our Fast Passes for it.

Woo hoo! Welcome to our group John!

I agree it's going to require more intense planning. I'll do it, I'd just rather not. I'm fighting a losing battle though apparently. It seems like the addition of XPass will make things more intense in the planning department.

 

[origin62]

Huh? What does them being gone have to do with when people use them? You can still get a new one at the same time regardless of whether you've used your previous one.

I think he crossed his complaints. It sounds like he's frustrated because, in the past, he has gone to get FPs, only to find that there are no more available. Now he has learned that "collectors" had scooped up multiple FPs, and may or may not have ever used them, essentially wasting them, while at the same time depriving him the opportunity to get one.

 

[canoe86]

Huh? What does them being gone have to do with when people use them? You can still get a new one at the same time regardless of whether you've used your previous one.

Maybe I need to analyze this more, but, when we have gone in the past, I've been amazed at how fast some of these get gobbled up. Now, I understand some of the biggest rides....TSM. The way we go to a park, since we have 4 kids, ages 3-14, is park hop and leave the first park by noon or one. Back to the room for a break, then out later for dinner and possibly something else.

SO, if there are a large number of people grabbing say a 10 am FP with the intention of using it at 10 PM, wouldn't that result in a FP shortage for early times?

 

[canoe86]

I think he crossed his complaints. It sounds like he's frustrated because, in the past, he has gone to get FPs, only to find that there are no more available. Now he has learned that "collectors" had scooped up multiple FPs, and may or may not have ever used them, essentially wasting them, while at the same time depriving him the opportunity to get one.

Yes.

 

[vacationclub]

Maybe I need to analyze this more, but, when we have gone in the past, I've been amazed at how fast some of these get gobbled up. Now, I understand some of the biggest rides....TSM. The way we go to a park, since we have 4 kids, ages 3-14, is park hop and leave the first park by noon or one. Back to the room for a break, then out later for dinner and possibly something else.

SO, if there are a large number of people grabbing say a 10 am FP with the intention of using it at 10 PM, wouldn't that result in a FP shortage for early times?

Yes, it would. I would cause FP to sell out earlier than if those return times were enforced. If you now can't use it at any time you want, people are less likely to take it unless they actually plan to use it when it supposed to be used.

It would be no different that if people called and were only offered reservations for a restaurant at 2pm, but many of them decided to show up at 6pm. That means many people trying to get a 2pm reservation can't get one even though there would have been plenty of room, and those showing up at 6pm have to wait longer.

 

[delmar411]

Maybe I need to analyze this more, but, when we have gone in the past, I've been amazed at how fast some of these get gobbled up. Now, I understand some of the biggest rides....TSM. The way we go to a park, since we have 4 kids, ages 3-14, is park hop and leave the first park by noon or one. Back to the room for a break, then out later for dinner and possibly something else.

SO, if there are a large number of people grabbing say a 10 am FP with the intention of using it at 10 PM, wouldn't that result in a FP shortage for early times?

No, it wouldn't. The FP times are set by the machine not the users. Whether the person rode, gave it away, saved it for later, or just pocketed the FP for a souvenir, that FP is gone. With the new rules, the person who'd collect it is now using within the window so it's still not available for you.

Taking a FP doesn't mean you are required to use it, nor is it taking away from someone else's experience. Every park goer is entitled to take FPs no matter what they are going to do with them.

 

[origin62]

Yes.

That's a valid concern. With the new enforcement, it should happen less than before.

 

[ftballfan7]

Maybe I need to analyze this more, but, when we have gone in the past, I've been amazed at how fast some of these get gobbled up. Now, I understand some of the biggest rides....TSM. The way we go to a park, since we have 4 kids, ages 3-14, is park hop and leave the first park by noon or one. Back to the room for a break, then out later for dinner and possibly something else.

SO, if there are a large number of people grabbing say a 10 am FP with the intention of using it at 10 PM, wouldn't that result in a FP shortage for early times?

No because they would still have gotten them, just used them between 10 am and 11 am. When they chose to use them (when late use was allowed) had no affect on how long the fastpasses would last. It is possible that a few people may forgo a fastpass if the current return return time is during an ADR or something, but it is unlikely to be enough to make a noticable difference.

 

[vacationclub]

No, it wouldn't. The FP times are set by the machine not the users. Whether the person rode, gave it away, saved it for later, or just pocketed the FP for a souvenir, that FP is gone. With the new rules, the person who'd collect it is now using within the window so it's still not available for you.

I think you're saying exactly the same thing and in fact agreeing with the pp. FP times are set by machines, yes. They would, presumably, have a limited amount for each time period, and as more get gobbled up, the return time gets further out...until they are completely sold out. This would cause FP to sell out early and/or show later return times even though many earlier return times slots won't be used. They were taken by people who planned on simply returning whenever they want. FP enforcement take cares of this problem and only people who plan on returning at the printed time would be inclined to get a FP.

Taking a FP doesn't mean you are required to use it, nor is it taking away from someone else's experience. Every park goer is entitled to take FPs no matter what they are going to do with them.

Actually, it would take away from another park goer if they wanted to get a FP for, say, 1-3, but they were all sold out due to a number of people snagging them with no intention of using them at that time, and instead using them later. Removing that incentive may result in less FPs being pulled since people can't use them anytime they want, only at the posted return time.

 

[Day-Day]

...



Actually, it would take away from another park goer if they wanted to get a FP for, say, 1-3, but they were all sold out due to a number of people snagging them with no intention of using them at that time, and instead using them later. Removing that incentive may result in less FPs being pulled since people can't use them anytime they want, only at the posted return time.

This is what we did on March 7. We were leaving MK and planning to return later. The FP available was for the time period that we knew we would be in EPCOT so we passed on getting a FP. Prior to March 7, we would have taken the FP and used it when we returned later in the evening.

 

[Don Disney]

We collected FP as availability arose also.Sometimes we made the window,sometimes not-wether because of ADR'S,kids having meltdowns,me or DW having meltdowns,too tired to trek to other side of park,took a resort break etc.... More times than not though,we would give them to another family that had'nt rode the attraction if we didn't use them,and they were greatful to have them.So,I guess we'll have to reform."The Man",once again has to put us all"back in line".Just another"freedom"being taken away-what,s next,limits on how many attractions you can enjoy each day-SHEESH!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think you guys are vastly overestimating the number of fastpasses people "hoarded" under the old system with no intention of using. Really...... the collecting part of fastpass use is not that much fun! If I went to the trouble of getting one, I almost always used it. If there was an odd occasion I didn't, then we made a point of gifting it to someone else in the park, who in turn......... shocker here........ probably USED it.

We always used them late, but that's just how we did our touring. We spent the early part of the day meeting characters, seeing shows and watching parades. Then later in the day we made a circle of the park using whatever we were able to accumulate. No criss-crossing needed.

We'll still get our fastpasses, but we'll use them during the window. If it makes you feel better that we'll be criss-crossing the park more, then so be it.