Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[Don Disney]

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.

That's what I'm talkin' about!!!

 

[mel&me]

Was going to post but what the heck,
It amazes me how many people are upset that disney decided to enforce the fast pass rules. fact is they should have done it right from the start back when return times where printed on the ticket. All this time up to now, I look at it as a little Disney bonus. As with many things disney, in time stuff changes. Go to the parks and Enjoy your time there. I don't think something as insignificant as fast pass enforcement is going to ruin your trip. The words of Forest Gump That's all I have to say about that.

 

[canoe86]

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.

I don't know, if it was a small percentage of people, why the change?

Speculating here, but wouldn't the number of FP already account for some percentage of non use? I would think Disney would know that say....5%...of the FP given out for a particular hour do not get used. Say Disney has determined they can "fit" 95 FP riders per hour on a particular ride, then for that hour 100 FP will be available. I'm just making up numbers here as an example.

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't know, if it was a small percentage of people, why the change?

Speculating here, but wouldn't the number of FP already account for some percentage of non use? I would think Disney would know that say....5%...of the FP given out for a particular hour do not get used. Say Disney has determined they can "fit" 95 FP riders per hour on a particular ride, then for that hour 100 FP will be available. I'm just making up numbers here as an example.

Again, many of us think they are prepping for xPass.

 

[NLD]

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.

Indeed.

In fact, I suspect the new enforcement could actually mean fewer FPs available. Why?

Because under the old policy, if I grabbed a FP with a return time of 10-11am, but then my time slot came and I was in another part of the park and didn't want to use it yet... I knew I could still use it later.

Under the new policy, if I miss my FP window but still want to FP that ride, if there are still FPs available, I'll just get ANOTHER FP for that same ride.

Enforcement makes it more likely we'll grab multiple FPs for the same ride.

 

[mom2rtk]

Indeed.

In fact, I suspect the new enforcement could actually mean fewer FPs available. Why?

Because under the old policy, if I grabbed a FP with a return time of 10-11am, but then my time slot came and I was in another part of the park and didn't want to use it yet... I knew I could still use it later.

Under the new policy, if I miss my FP window but still want to FP that ride, if there are still FPs available, I'll just get ANOTHER FP for that same ride.

Enforcement makes it more likely we'll grab multiple FPs for the same ride.

Very good point. I absolutely see this happening with us. And it takes away the gifting option as well. I'll want to hold them as long as I can in hopes of getting back to that part of the park to use. And it's not much of a gift if you way "Hey, I have these FP's for Soarin that expire in 10 minutes. I know you're in Italy, but if you want to sprint across the park right now, you can use them!"

Not complaining because Disney can set whatever rules they want. And I'll follow them. But people are kidding themselves if they think this will result in fewer unused FP's.

 

[vacationclub]

Indeed.

In fact, I suspect the new enforcement could actually mean fewer FPs available. Why?

Because under the old policy, if I grabbed a FP with a return time of 10-11am, but then my time slot came and I was in another part of the park and didn't want to use it yet... I knew I could still use it later.

Under the new policy, if I miss my FP window but still want to FP that ride, if there are still FPs available, I'll just get ANOTHER FP for that same ride.

Enforcement makes it more likely we'll grab multiple FPs for the same ride.

But which are you more likely to do? The above scenario only happens if you miss a FP, then want to wait again, for another window. A bit more decision making there. No different than what many people (that didn't know about the loophole) had to do before. It's much easier for you to just grab FPs earlier, and use them as you wish, deciding later. Now it's a bit harder for someone to easily do this. If they missed a FP for legit reasons, and grab another later, so would people who just want to ride the ride again. That's not an exclusive club.

But people are kidding themselves if they think this will result in fewer unused FP's.

It will result in fewer FPs being pulled to begin with as people realize they are only good when they say they are good. They've removed the incentive to take a reservation for a FP return time when you know you won't ever actually return at that time. This leaves potentially more slots for people who would.
And while some may miss a FP return time, then get another, that already happened before anyway, at best it's a net zero. But more likely it's less FPs a person pulls per day because of the restrictions involved.

 

[delmar411]

But which are you more likely to do? The above scenario only happens if you miss a FP, then want to wait again, for another window. A bit more decision making there. No different than what many people (that didn't know about the loophole) had to do before. It's much easier for you to just grab FPs earlier, and use them as you wish, deciding later. Now it's a bit harder for someone to easily do this. If they missed a FP for legit reasons, and grab another later, so would people who just want to ride the ride again. That's not an exclusive club.



It will result in fewer FPs being pulled to begin with as people realize they are only good when they say they are good. They've removed the incentive to take a reservation for a FP return time when you know you won't ever actually return at that time. This leaves potentially more slots for people who would.
And while some may miss a FP return time, then get another, that already happened before anyway, at best it's a net zero. But more likely it's less FPs a person pulls per day because of the restrictions involved.

I don't think it will. Most people used them in the printed window. MOST people. Not even a large portion of the people on here used them outside the window so the regular % of park goers has to be a tiny % on a daily basis who used them outside the window.

What normally happens is people pull the FP and if they don't use it then they toss them. I believe there is a much larger % of people who do this then who used them late.

This change is likely being put in place to 'train' regular park goers so they are able to handle the nextgen reservation system. The nextgen system won't work if people don't show up on time.

 

[Jennasis]

I look forward to the day when this topic dies off just like the monorail stopping during EMH and RFID chips in mugs.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Same here...I have always been a "stickler" for being on time, it was never an issue with me. So for me...nothing has changed.

Count me in as well. We stay in the window too, so this won't impact me.

 

[origin62]

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.

I apologize if I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying that the FP communication was insufficient, but now I see that you were just commenting on what you saw. Sorry.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

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

From the few who are there & posted, it appears the enforcement is being adhered to strictly, sounds like they are not making exceptions beyond the first day of 3/7

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 would like to hear from someone there too - how is it going?
Are you noticing any difference in the stand by lines?
Do you suppose the FP lines to be any longer, the same, no difference?

Is the strict enforcement 100%, have you observed any exceptions for breakdowns or any other issues?

Anyone who is there now or since 3/7 have anything more to add to the OP topic? Not the interesting opinions about the subject, just the facts of what you are observing happening in the parks since 3/7. Thanks!

 

[Day-Day]

I apologize if I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying that the FP communication was insufficient, but now I see that you were just commenting on what you saw. Sorry.

No problem.

 

[EugeneFitzherbert]

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.

That's really helpful information, was the weather also sunny to rainy? Were the lines long to short? Was the food expensive to cheap? Was the temperature hot to cold?

 

[vacationclub]

I don't think it will. Most people used them in the printed window. MOST people. Not even a large portion of the people on here used them outside the window so the regular % of park goers has to be a tiny % on a daily basis who used them outside the window.

What normally happens is people pull the FP and if they don't use it then they toss them. I believe there is a much larger % of people who do this then who used them late.

I agree. But what does that have to do with FPs being even less available now that they will enforce return times and not allow "collecting"? Wasn't that your original point?

This change is likely being put in place to 'train' regular park goers so they are able to handle the nextgen reservation system. The nextgen system won't work if people don't show up on time.

It's very possible.

 

[emsmommy323]

We went to Disney in February for our first trip and from reading about people "hoarding" FastPasses, my perception was that you could go from ride to ride first thing and collect them. I learned immediately that this was untrue, there was often a 2 hour waiting period before you could get another FastPass. I don't get how everyone ended up with these "hoards" of FP's to use later in the day. We maybe had 2 at the same time, but never anymore than that and we were in the parks all day.

 

[magicbob]

It amazes me how many people are upset that disney decided to enforce the fast pass rules. fact is they should have done it right from the start back when return times where printed on the ticket.

I think there are actually VERY FEW people who are truly upset that Disney has decided to change the practice of allowing late FPs. What makes this issue a hot button topic is the disagreement that ensues when people liken late FP users to "the millions of people who feel the rules don't apply to them." In reality, we only did so because we were told by CMs, touring plans, the Dis, etc. that FPs did not expire until park closing. There was never any attempt to "disregard the rules." Those were the rules as we understood them (and as Disney CMs verified repeatedly). Had Disney enforced the return time "right from the start" then we would not have just "done whatever we wanted" and shown up late. Now that they are no longer allowing late usage, we will use them on time or forfeit our spot. It's as simple as that. There's hardly any outrage over the policy change. It's all just residual debating over the propriety of late FP usage in the past.

And I'll be the first one to admit that I have been very vocal about this topic of late because I consider myself to be one of the most moral, ethical, non-entitled, rule-following people you'll ever meet. I (and other members of the LFPAA and/or IOC) have been pretty severely vilified and had our morals/integrity questioned. This has been going on for years and some of us just got to the point where we felt it was time to speak up and defend ourselves from this unfair criticism.

So most of what you are perceiving as people being upset by this change is really just the aftermath of the "FP Wars." Hmmm.... maybe there's a spin-off opportunity for George Lucas in there somewhere.

 

[vacationclub]

We went to Disney in February for our first trip and from reading about people "hoarding" FastPasses, my perception was that you could go from ride to ride first thing and collect them. I learned immediately that this was untrue, there was often a 2 hour waiting period before you could get another FastPass. I don't get how everyone ended up with these "hoards" of FP's to use later in the day. We maybe had 2 at the same time, but never anymore than that and we were in the parks all day.

They did what you hinted at. They would get one every 2 hours or so, and after being in the park for only 4 hours, they had 3 FP's in hand, and left. Then they come back later and use them as they wish, whenever it was convenient.

Your story of only have 2 FP's....after being in the park all day....lends credibility to the notion that those who knew it could be used anytime were taking more FP's early than those who didn't. I don't think I've ever pulled more than 2 FP''s in one day.

 

[emsmommy323]

They did what you hinted at. They would get one every 2 hours or so, and after being in the park for only 4 hours, they had 3 FP's in hand, and left. Then they come back later and use them as they wish, whenever it was convenient.

Your story of only have 2 FP's....after being in the park all day....lends credibility to the notion that those who knew it could be used anytime were taking more FP's early than those who didn't. I don't think I've ever pulled more than 2 FP''s in one day.

Well, that and we used them when our window came up. And we didn't have them at the end of the day, it was more like we were walking by a ride, grabbed a fast pass on our way to use our previous FP.

 

[amikelee]

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.

Actually the rules were that you could use them anytime after the start of the window. It just wasn't printed on the FP but just about every website on Disney would talk about it. Many times I asked the CMs if that was the Disney policy and they would say yes. Just because someone did not know all of the the Disney policies for FP does not mean that FP hoarders were breaking "rules". They just made the effort to know the rules.

But I do have to agree that Disney enforcing the FP times is being blown way out of proportion. They have every right to do it and a few folks will have to adjust their touring plans (myself included). I will just have to plan a little more each day and I am sure the kids will not even notice the difference.