Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[magicbob]

The long lines could be because of the Spring Break crowds too. I would wait until later in April and May to judge the fallout.

I've been to WDW during spring break (including the perfect storm of spring break coinciding with Easter), the peak of the summer, and Christmas week... some of the busiest times of the year.

Sure, the standby times do increase with those additional crowds. But, even during these peak times, I've never seen FP lines get longer like they did on March 7th and in the days since.

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Forgive me ....I have read MOST of the pages in this thread but have not read all of the middle pages yet....

So this may have already been mentioned/suggested ( sorry ) ...


Is it POSSIBLE that Disney may be considering a PAID version of the FastPass for those folks that will not transition easily to this new enforcement? Although MOST people will just readjust their planning, sometimes it may be worth the money to know that you have a "Front of The Line" ticket such as Universal's option. Granted it would stink to have to pay for something that was previously free, and Universal has never handled lines as efficiently as Disney. I LOVE Disney and realize that they are a business for profit BUT they also know that people will pay their 'always skyrocketing' ticket prices to experience their parks. Is it POSSIBLE that they also think that they may find a large market that would PAY for non restricted Fast Passes?


I was just wondering only !!

 

[KellyNY]

Can somebody explain what they mean by longer FP line.
Actual FP line is longer any time of the day or line to get to FP line(line to FP CM).

 

[magicbob]

I can't speak for others, but to clarify my post:

When I said longer FP line, I'm referring to the attraction FP line being longer when you return to ride, not waiting to GET a FP (although those lines could also be longer). Other reports confirm that the FP wait times (time waiting in line to ride with a FP) have increased. In some cases, the FP return line was longer than standby (Kilimanjaro Safari example from last week). I realize that the FP line does "merge" with the standby line at some point. However, in most cases, this is very close to the loading area. Most of the time, there is a minimal wait to get to the "merge" point. Any time spent waiting after the merge is a wash because you would have been waiting in that part of the line if you went standby. If the line is so short that standby only extands to the merge point, then you are probably there during the slow season and FP becomes unnecessary (essentially the same wait whether using FP or waiting in standby and, yes, I have experienced this in the past when we there at slow times). Since last week, reports are that the FP return lines have been much longer than normal (i.e., longer wait to ride using a FP than in the past).

 

[KellyNY]

I can't speak for others, but to clarify my post:

When I said longer FP line, I'm referring to the attraction FP line being longer when you return to ride, not waiting to GET a FP (although those lines could also be longer). Other reports confirm that the FP wait times (time waiting in line to ride with a FP) have increased. In some cases, the FP return line was longer than standby (Kilimanjaro Safari example from last week). I realize that the FP line does "merge" with the standby line at some point. However, in most cases, this is very close to the loading area. Most of the time, there is a minimal wait to get to the "merge" point. Any time spent waiting after the merge is a wash because you would have been waiting in that part of the line if you went standby. If the line is so short that standby only extands to the merge point, then you are probably there during the slow season and FP becomes unnecessary (essentially the same wait whether using FP or waiting in standby and, yes, I have experienced this in the past when we there at slow times). Since last week, reports are that the FP return lines have been much longer than normal (i.e., longer wait to ride using a FP than in the past).

Thanks. That is very strange since right now they only let people on time and lets call it calculated number. In past when people did not show FP line (calculated number) was shorter and when they were extras it was longer but we have reports that FP line in past was never long even at closing times, so how come it is long now. Maybe they increased number of FP, I think someone actually posted that but I do not remember who and where or maybe when someone shows late and CM does "the talk" it backs others who waiting to get in and then FP line should be empty at times and backed up at others.

 

[mesaboy2]

I've been to WDW suring spring break (including the perfect storm of spring break coinciding with Easter), the peak of the summer, and Christmas week... some of the busiest times of the year.

Sure, the standby times do increase with those additional crowds. But, even during these peak times, I've never seen FP lines get longer like they did on March 7th and in the days since.

I know we're usually in the same camp, but unless you're there I don't think you can make this conclusion. There's anecdotal evidence based on a picture or two and "firsthand" reports from an internet message board, and then there's the Mk-I eyeball.

 

[magicbob]

I know we're usually in the same camp, but unless you're there I don't think you can make this conclusion. There's anecdotal evidence based on a picture or two and "firsthand" reports from an internet message board, and then there's the Mk-I eyeball.

I'll concede that it's still early in the process and the jury is perhaps still out. But there ARE reports that the FP lines are longer than usual. In all the years I've been going to Disney, we've never had ANY significant wait when using a FP, even during peak crowds. So, I do think there's some indication that what's different now is FP enforcement. Maybe it's not enforcement, per se, but the fact that there is uncertainty by CM how to alter line management to adjust to the change. Perhaps it will straighten itself out in time. We'll be there in a few weeks. I'll report back what my Mk-I eyeball observes.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'll concede that it's still early in the process and the jury is perhaps still out. But there ARE reports that the FP lines are longer than usual. In all the years I've been going to Disney, we've never had ANY significant wait when using a FP, even during peak crowds. So, I do think there's some indication that what's different now is FP enforcement. Maybe it's not enforcement, per se, but the fact that there is uncertainty by CM how to alter line management to adjust to the change. Perhaps it will straighten itself out in time. We'll be there in a few weeks. I'll report back what my Mk-I eyeball observes.

I'll be there in less than 48 hours.

 

[stargazertechie]

I'll be there in less than 48 hours.

How long are you in Disney? I'm going down Tuesday. I'll be rocking my lime green mickey head, and probably wearing an incredibly gaudy sequined baseball cap- stop and say hello if you see me!

 

[mesaboy2]

How long are you in Disney? I'm going down Tuesday. I'll be rocking my lime green mickey head, and probably wearing an incredibly gaudy sequined baseball cap- stop and say hello if you see me!

Alas, we're heading back Sunday.

 

[whitneyNC]

Thanks. That is very strange since right now they only let people on time and lets call it calculated number. In past when people did not show FP line (calculated number) was shorter and when they were extras it was longer but we have reports that FP line in past was never long even at closing times, so how come it is long now. Maybe they increased number of FP, I think someone actually posted that but I do not remember who and where or maybe when someone shows late and CM does "the talk" it backs others who waiting to get in and then FP line should be empty at times and backed up at others.

I don't think its strange at all. I thought fp ONLY worked so well because people were able to come back as late as they wanted. The mathematical figures don't work as well as natural crowd patterns. I bet before March 7th over 70% of people used their fp within the stated window. All the late fast pass users were letting the on time fast pass users ahead of them in line. If you are holding a fastpass you are waiting in a virtual queue. I am still in that virtual queue if I use my fast pass late, I've just let others go ahead of me. At least I use to be...

 

[Love Tink]

I don't think its strange at all. I thought fp ONLY worked so well because people were able to come back as late as they wanted. The mathematical figures don't work as well as natural crowd patterns. I bet before March 7th over 70% of people used their fp within the stated window. All the late fast pass users were letting the on time fast pass users ahead of them in line. If you are holding a fastpass you are waiting in a virtual queue. I am still in that virtual queue if I use my fast pass late, I've just let others go ahead of me. At least I use to be...

And I'll add (and I know this has been said before) - as habitual late FP users, many, many were the times that we arrived at an attraction in the evening and entered the FP line, only to find that the FP was basically useless. As the stand-by lines decrease after dark, so the FP lines become unnecessary. Sometimes we were told that the FP line had even been shut down for the night.

But now we'll be there at 9:50am, and 11:05 and 2:30, and 4:55...clogging up the busy FP lines with five more bodies.

 

[Sammie]

I'll concede that it's still early in the process and the jury is perhaps still out. But there ARE reports that the FP lines are longer than usual. In all the years I've been going to Disney, we've never had ANY significant wait when using a FP, even during peak crowds. So, I do think there's some indication that what's different now is FP enforcement. Maybe it's not enforcement, per se, but the fact that there is uncertainty by CM how to alter line management to adjust to the change. Perhaps it will straighten itself out in time. We'll be there in a few weeks. I'll report back what my Mk-I eyeball observes.

or maybe there are simply larger crowds this year or Fastpass is under the microscope.

I do find it interesting that Paris Disneyland, has always had Fastpass enforcement and it was never a problem there.

 

[Corwin]

I don't think its strange at all. I thought fp ONLY worked so well because people were able to come back as late as they wanted. The mathematical figures don't work as well as natural crowd patterns. I bet before March 7th over 70% of people used their fp within the stated window. All the late fast pass users were letting the on time fast pass users ahead of them in line. If you are holding a fastpass you are waiting in a virtual queue. I am still in that virtual queue if I use my fast pass late, I've just let others go ahead of me. At least I use to be...

Also, before FP enforcement, if I came back to a ride and found the FP line to be long for some reason, I could just choose to try again later. Now, with FP enforcement, many people have no choice but to get in the FP line if they are near the end of their FP window, even if the line is long, or forego using their FP.

 

[KellyNY]

I don't think its strange at all. I thought fp ONLY worked so well because people were able to come back as late as they wanted. The mathematical figures don't work as well as natural crowd patterns. I bet before March 7th over 70% of people used their fp within the stated window. All the late fast pass users were letting the on time fast pass users ahead of them in line. If you are holding a fastpass you are waiting in a virtual queue. I am still in that virtual queue if I use my fast pass late, I've just let others go ahead of me. At least I use to be...

It does not matter how we view late FP right now but if number of FP distributed did not change it is strange to see increase. Lets say particular attraction distributes 1000 FPs a day to be used 100 per hour even so we know next window is not in hour but we will simplify it here. Now if first 5 hours 20 people did not show, 80 per hour used FP line and 120 used FP line last 5 hours. Now that we were told FP line was never long with 120, how it can be long with 100. Something is not right. As I said either #of FPs increased or FT line moves in emty/full pattern because of all the talking.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

Someone posted in another thread that they did increase the # of FP given out per hour.

 

[mom2rtk]

Someone posted in another thread that they did increase the # of FP given out per hour.

Do you have a link for that? I recall the speculation about them wanting to add capacity when they roll out Xpass. But I don't recall a specific confirmation that's what they did now. Although it would certainly be an interesting way for them to test that out.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think what we are going to see is a more consistent wait of 10-15 minutes in the FP line. Before, sometimes you hit a short FP line, and occasionally you ran into a longer one. Now that you have to return in your window, you are guaranteed to be in line with a certain number of people, people who many have chosen to use their FP at different times before.

 

[Hieatt]

We're here now. Magic Kingdom did not enforce but gave us stern warnings that we might not get so lucky next time. Animal Kingdom let us on the Kil. Safari about 20 minutes after window without saying a word. But Expedition Everest was a different story. We were 45 minutes after window and it was an absolute no: "read the ticket". I tried to convince him that we had been delayed at Safari ride (FP line took 20 minutes or more) and that we had rushed back to Asia (with 4 kids) to ride. He didn't care and was just a tad bit terse. There was a manager there, so I appealed my case with him, and he traded me for rider switch tickete that got us on... thankfully.

I think the new rule stinks bad. A 1 hour window is too hard to plan around when rides can be a 15-20 minute hike across the park, and days with kids do not always go according to plan. It's just WAY too restrictive, and the old rule worked great. BAD call Disney.

 

[KellyNY]

We're here now. Magic Kingdom did not enforce but gave us stern warnings that we might not get so lucky next time. Animal Kingdom let us on the Kil. Safari about 20 minutes after window without saying a word. But Expedition Everest was a different story. We were 45 minutes after window and it was an absolute no: "read the ticket". I tried to convince him that we had been delayed at Safari ride (FP line took 20 minutes or more) and that we had rushed back to Asia (with 4 kids) to ride. He didn't care and was just a tad bit terse. There was a manager there, so I appealed my case with him, and he traded me for rider switch tickete that got us on... thankfully.

I think the new rule stinks bad. A 1 hour window is too hard to plan around when rides can be a 15-20 minute hike across the park, and days with kids do not always go according to plan. It's just WAY too restrictive, and the old rule worked great. BAD call Disney.

Aim for the beginning of return window, this way you have more time if something comes up, always works for us.