Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[emmababy]

We are going on Saturday and was curious how strict this new policy was going to be enforced....

 

[bumbershoot]

There's a thread on the Theme Parks board about it.

 

[emmababy]

I'm aware of that. I just read 11 pages of people aRguing with each other and only 2 comments of people actually there... I would rather hear from the calm Dvc world..

 

[ClarabelleCow]

what is the new rule? I assume this is about Fast Passes?

 

[quirty30]

what is the new rule? I assume this is about Fast Passes?

They are actually enforcing the return times (with some minimal allowance for delay - like 15 minutes.)

 

[ClarabelleCow]

They are actually enforcing the return times (with some minimal allowance for delay - like 15 minutes.)

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?

 

[Sammie]

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?

Go read the Theme Park discussion, to some it is the end of life at Disney World as they know it.

As to answer the OP, and I can understand why some do not venture from the DVC forums, it is so much drama over there.

There are signs now posted saying the times will be enforced and it is stamped on your Fastpass.

I also know that executives and vps were in the park today observing.

The policy: You may return up to five minutes before and fifteen minutes after the return time printed on the FASTPASS, making the effective window 80 minutes in most cases.

 

[hakepb]

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?

Some people just accumulated FP and then used them all the last few hours of the day.
Others intended to use them, but then dining, crowds and/or transportation delays resulted in late arrivals.

I caught onto the late arrival technique my last trip and it was nice not having to stress out over making all times (especially when you get a FP for a popular ride like TSM or TT that is not valid for 4+ hours in the future.)

 

[quirty30]

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?

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.

 

[Sammie]

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.

Many feel that the new enforcement is to ready everyone for Next Generation which will let you book in advance Fastpass for certain rides, attractions.

For those that don't read the other forums, they are also testing in March, Fastpass for parades and fireworks, letting them have prime spots to watch from the hub in front of Cinderella's castle.

Here is more info about NextGen. It will be interesting to see where DVC fits in this new program.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/bu...-details-of-1-billion-nextgen-initiative.html

 

[emmababy]

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....

 

[DenLo]

The FPs are now labeled, Not able to accommodate late arrivals.

Until someone is late and tries to enter we won't really know. I'm not sure I would intention sacrifice an FP just to see how it works.

 

[karrit2000]

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....

When they first instituted Fast Pass if a ride was down during your return window the CM's would tell you to check back later & they would let you on the ride even though your window had passed as long as you had your Fast Pass. I don't know if they have a plan in place such as this now that they have decided to enforce the return window but I would expect that they would since that was the original policy before people found out they weren't enforcing the return window and chose to abuse the non-enforcement policy.

Personally I always make every effort to return during my designated window. Since I rarely have ADR's a long running meal causing a delay isn't normally an issue for me. And I wouldn't consider it a reasonable excuse for missing the Fast Pass window since one presumably knows what time their dining reservation is for when they go to get their Fast Pass. If it's too close to the dining time I would either not get the Fast Pass or not be disappointed if I couldn't use it because my meal ran long causing me to miss the window. As for being stuck in a long line elsewhere, I wouldn't consider that an acceptable excuse as once again one knows what the return window on their Fast Pass is and it's that persons responsibility to return during that window.

A ride malfunction/breakdown is Disney's problem for which they will make every reasonable effort to accommodate those affected. The other "what if" scenarios you present are the result of personal choices and not up to Disney to be accommodating about. If one asks & they allow it then that individual should count themselves lucky that they got a one time break. But believe me if they say yes to everyone with a sob story then they shouldn't be bothering to enforce the return window in the first place.

 

[smitch425]

The FPs are now labeled, Not able to accommodate late arrivals.

Until someone is late and tries to enter we won't really know. I'm not sure I would intention sacrifice an FP just to see how it works.

People have reported being turned away. Also, someone reported this morning that CMs are standing next to FP machines and telling guests they will not accept them outside of the 15 minute grace period. The grace period time is listed at the bottom of each pass as "GP xx:xx"

 

[emmababy]

People have reported being turned away. Also, someone reported this morning that CMs are standing next to FP machines and telling guests they will not accept them outside of the 15 minute grace period. The grace period time is listed at the bottom of each pass as "GP xx:xx"

Where are you reading that people are being turned away? That is what I would like to read.

I am not trying to spark a debate about the fast pass, simply wanting to read info on the experiences of those there now. Thanks!!

 

[jimaok]

Just got back from our trip 2/22 thru 2/28. Used fast passes for Yeti ride at AK- 2 hours past last entry- no problem. In fact we stopped and asked the CM if we could still enter- no problem (8 of us). Used fast passes for RRC- about 1/2 hour past last entry time- no problem. Space mountain- 1 hour past last entry time- no problem. We were not turned away nor did we see anyone turned away.

CMs did look at passes but let us right through. Crowds were heavy to light.

 

[smitch425]

Just got back from our trip 2/22 thru 2/28. Used fast passes for Yeti ride at AK- 2 hours past last entry- no problem. In fact we stopped and asked the CM if we could still enter- no problem (8 of us). Used fast passes for RRC- about 1/2 hour past last entry time- no problem. Space mountain- 1 hour past last entry time- no problem. We were not turned away nor did we see anyone turned away.

CMs did look at passes but let us right through. Crowds were heavy to light.

The new FP policy took effect yesterday, so that is why you were allowed late entry with no issues.

To the OP, The posts are in the long thread in on the TPaS board. One person said they were allowed to enter TSM 20 minutes late but were warned that it was a one-time deal. Another poster said that Ridemax was reporting that they were denied entry to SM with a FP that expired 22 minutes prior. And then the one I spoke of above was a from a poster about her mom being in the park today and being told by a CM at the FP kiosk that she needed to ride within her given time (including the 15-minute grace period) or she would not be allowed to ride.

 

[mjc2003]

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....

A friend who is there now told me last night that they are making people very aware at every turn that this change will be enforced. So if somebody reports some leeway today, that will not be the case going forward. He said they mean business with this change, but were being a bit forgiving yesterday with the caveat that any forgiveness was going to be very temporary.

They didn't institute this new policy to not enforce it, so the reality is that FP's will be usable 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the alloted time. It's that simple. I would be leery to base any future plans on feedback you get today or tomorrow; any answer you get today is not going to be how things are handled one week or one month from today. They will delicately institute this, with the eventuality being that this will be concrete. So, if your trip is in 6 months you can plan on having to adhere to this.


Common sense would dictate that unique scenarios will be handled accordingly. I am sure they will have a system in place should something out of your control keep you from returning during your alloted time, and whatever that system is won't allow for beguiling CM's until they let you on the ride; there will be some form of documentation should a circumstance beyond your control keep you from returning during the alloted time.

 

[smitch425]

A friend who is there now told me last night that they are making people very aware at every turn that this change will be enforced. So if somebody reports some leeway today, that will not be the case going forward. He said they mean business with this change, but were being a bit forgiving yesterday with the caveat that any forgiveness was going to be very temporary.

They didn't institute this new policy to not enforce it, so the reality is that FP's will be usable 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the alloted time. It's that simple. I would be leery to base any future plans on feedback you get today or tomorrow; any answer you get today is not going to be how things are handled one week or one month from today. They will delicately institute this, with the eventuality being that this will be concrete. So, if your trip is in 6 months you can plan on having to adhere to this.


Common sense would dictate that unique scenarios will be handled accordingly. I am sure they will have a system in place should something out of your control keep you from returning during your alloted time, and whatever that system is won't allow for beguiling CM's until they let you on the ride; there will be some form of documentation should a circumstance beyond your control keep you from returning during the alloted time.

Any confirmation from your friend about being allowed to actually enter 5 minutes early? There have been multiple reports that people have NOT been allowed early entry. Only the 15 minute grace period after the expired time and nothing early from the posts I have read.

 

[CarolMN]

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