Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[Hieatt]

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

That's not always possible, because you can't control the window start time. Our Everest and Safari fastpass return times actually overlapped even though we got the Safari FPs almost 2 hours later, and both overlapped with lunch. Trying to plan the order of attractions was hard enough as it was - now crisscrossing the huge parks even more is now necessary.

Fastpass should take stress out of a day at Disney, not add to it... Again, enforcing the window now when they never have just plain stinks. I will be providing this feedback to any Disney manager that will listen...

 

[KellyNY]

That's not always possible, because you can't control the window start time. Our Everest and Safari fastpass return times actually overlapped even though we got the Safari FPs almost 2 hours later, and both overlapped with lunch. Trying to plan the order of attractions was hard enough as it was - now crisscrossing the huge parks even more is now necessary.

Fastpass should take stress out of a day at Disney, not add to it... Again, enforcing the window now when they never have just plain stinks. I will be providing this feedback to any Disney manager that will listen...

Then wait and do not take FP that overlaps with other things. Try to do something around area and return to pull right FP. I know you are not used to this but I tell you from my experience, it is totally doable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's not always possible, because you can't control the window start time. Our Everest and Safari fastpass return times actually overlapped even though we got the Safari FPs almost 2 hours later, and both overlapped with lunch. Trying to plan the order of attractions was hard enough as it was - now crisscrossing the huge parks even more is now necessary.

Fastpass should take stress out of a day at Disney, not add to it... Again, enforcing the window now when they never have just plain stinks. I will be providing this feedback to any Disney manager that will listen...

But especially now that it's known late FastPass returns won't be accepted, the guest bears some responsibility for not obtaining a FastPass that will conflict with other timed plans - whether those be dining reservations, another FP return window, a tour, or something else.

The display at each dispenser shows the approximate return window being dispensed.
Look at the display.
If you have a dining reservation for 1:30 and an Everest FP for 2:25 and you get to the Safari at 11 to obtain a FastPass and the return time is 1:50 to 2::50 - don't take the FastPass.

 

[keishashadow]

That's not always possible, because you can't control the window start time. Our Everest and Safari fastpass return times actually overlapped even though we got the Safari FPs almost 2 hours later, and both overlapped with lunch. Trying to plan the order of attractions was hard enough as it was - now crisscrossing the huge parks even more is now necessary.

Fastpass should take stress out of a day at Disney, not add to it... Again, enforcing the window now when they never have just plain stinks. I will be providing this feedback to any Disney manager that will listen...

I can't imagine taking disney to task for not enforcing a stated rule.

Yes, disney should've manned up long ago and followed the rules they set forth consistently across the board, but that darn pixie dust must've gotten in the way.

I feel the collective pain here, but it appears that the sudden toeing of the FP times is part of the bigger picture. The new Xpass/paid pass/deluxe pass/whatever pass will be rolling out soon & they likely need to get the existing FP under control before they implement any new version.

Reading all these posts here makes it hard to believe that many of us actually followed the FP return times. My take is for those who returned at will over the years with 'expired' FPs, consider it a gift while it lasted.

 

[Hieatt]

But especially now that it's known late FastPass returns won't be accepted, the guest bears some responsibility for not obtaining a FastPass that will conflict with other timed plans - whether those be dining reservations, another FP return window, a tour, or something else.

The display at each dispenser shows the approximate return window being dispensed.
Look at the display.
If you have a dining reservation for 1:30 and an Everest FP for 2:25 and you get to the Safari at 11 to obtain a FastPass and the return time is 1:50 to 2::50 - don't take the FastPass.

So after I literally run the entire length of the park to get the Fastpass, I find out it's not a convenient time, so then what? Yes, I know, just keep coming back until the time is suitable.... but at what point is it more trouble and stress than it's worth?

 

[KellyNY]

So after I literally run the entire length of the park to get the Fastpass, I find out it's not a convenient time, so then what? Yes, I know, just keep coming back until the time is suitable.... but at what point is it more trouble and stress than it's worth?

But then if you do not wait and get the right FP you end up running with kids across the park because you are late and you were just lucky they let you in, next time you may not get same result and then what? Of course you can always use SB line but you can do it right way and enjoy. Just giving advice here, I do it for years.

 

[Hieatt]

I can't imagine taking disney to task for not enforcing a stated rule.

Yes, disney should've manned up long ago and followed the rules they set forth consistently across the board, but that darn pixie dust must've gotten in the way.

I feel the collective pain here, but it appears that the sudden toeing of the FP times is part of the bigger picture. The new Xpass/paid pass/deluxe pass/whatever pass will be rolling out soon & they likely need to get the existing FP under control before they implement any new version.

Reading all these posts here makes it hard to believe that many of us actually followed the FP return times. My take is for those who returned at will over the years with 'expired' FPs, consider it a gift while it lasted.

I will indeed take them to task - gifts given and then taken back do not reflect well on the gift giver. Let's face it, the "rule" was that the return time has NEVER mattered. Make no mistake - they have taken away a significant portion of the benefit of FP... and it has negatively impacted our trip in a material way... so much so it may tip the scales against coming back. Here's hoping this is just a transition phase to a better system... we'll be planning our trip to Universal next Spring Break... unlimited fastpass at any time sounds a lot better, and Harry Potter looks fun.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

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.

Thanks for posting your experience. Just wondering at MK when they gave you the "stern" warning, was it within or after the 15 minute grace period? Or was it just a tad over time, like your Safari 20 minutes late but allowed to ride.

It sounds like you were lucky with the mgr at EE to get the rider switch tickets - I'm only guessing here but the CM probably couldn't make the exception due to the amount of time past the window & was only following "orders".

It doesn't matter but I agree with you, the time is too restrictive. Suggestions to go do something else, don't take the FP, etc. etc. though well intentioned advice, doesn't always provide the solution you seek.

As excellent a job as Disney IMO does with customer service, hearing reports that CM's are now "stern" or turn away guests from riding an attraction makes me wonder how great genX really is going to be, so great that it is necessary to have CM's handling guests this way

Things happen and they're going to happen, difference now being there won't be the exceptions. I think you posted later about writing Disney about what you think about the policy and that's probably a good thing to do. It may change nothing, but then again, nothing will change for sure if they don't hear from the guests. If enough guests express an opinion, who knows, maybe they might consider extending the window. Anything really to cut back on the blisters you get walking those parks!

Hopefully we'll hear some more encouraging news of FP lines not being as long & CM's not having to be "stern" with guests. Those of you leaving in a few days, please come back to post your experience

 

[ladeedeb]

I will indeed take them to task - gifts given and then taken back do not reflect well on the gift giver. Let's face it, the "rule" was that the return time has NEVER mattered. Make no mistake - they have taken away a significant portion of the benefit of FP... and it has negatively impacted our trip in a material way... so much so it may tip the scales against coming back. Here's hoping this is just a transition phase to a better system... we'll be planning our trip to Universal next Spring Break... unlimited fastpass at any time sounds a lot better, and Harry Potter looks fun.

I don't know if it will be in addition to or instead of what they have now, but Universal is going to be rolling out something along the lines of attraction reservations, similar to what we have been hearing about possibly coming to WDW. It will be a paid option, but I do not know how it will affect what they have now. I believe that this is coming at some point, but now sure when. This is why I believe it: Yesterday or the day before, I received an online survey from Universal. They were not asking about the possibility of this reservation system, they were asking which name I thought would be best for it. This leads me to believe that they are going to be using this system and are now trying to decide what they should call it.

Not happy about these reservation systems at any of the parks, but I guess we will have to see. If they make things better without too much more than the enormous cost we are paying now, then I will be fine. If they make things worse or the cost is so prohibitive we cannot use it and not using it makes things worse, we may have to think about adjusting our annual vacations to something different. It will make me sad, but I want to enjoy my vacation and if I do not or it's too stressful, it's not worth it. I am crossing my fingers that it all works out at all of the parks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's actually wrong. I'm sitting here with the 2004 and 2007 Unofficial Guides. Yes, unofficial - arguably the best printed source for WDW information including bonus tips.

One noticeable change in the FastPass section between the two editions is the newer one includes, "In practice, Cast Members are not very strict about enforcing the return window. They won't let you in before your window begins, but they'll usually admit you after your return window expires1".

From the introduction in 1999 until some time between 2004 and 2007, guests were expected to adhere to the return window.

That's why the window is given, no? Would anyone in this thread expect to come upon a door but expect to get through the adjacent wall, instead? Or encounter a window but be able to see in via the space next to the window?

1Source: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2007

 

[magicbob]

So after I literally run the entire length of the park to get the Fastpass, I find out it's not a convenient time, so then what? Yes, I know, just keep coming back until the time is suitable.... but at what point is it more trouble and stress than it's worth?

This is where smartphone apps come in handy. You can check the return time being distributed from where you are rather than traipsing across the park only to find out the FPs being distributed don't work for you.

Hopefully, Disney will also put up displays in various locations around the parks to provide this information. That way, ALL guests can benefit and you won't have to be a smartphone owner to get this information.

 

[mesaboy2]

This is where smartphone apps come in handy. You can check the return time being distributed from where you are rather than traipsing across the park only to find out the FPs being distributed don't work for you.

Hopefully, Disney will also put up displays in various locations around the parks to provide this information. That way, ALL guests can benefit and you won't have to be a smartphone owner to get this information.

Yes. I found this feature by far the most valuable part of my new DMM app for iPhone last week. I bet I use it extensively over the next few days.

 

[popsynic]

This is where smartphone apps come in handy. You can check the return time being distributed from where you are rather than traipsing across the park only to find out the FPs being distributed don't work for you.

Hopefully, Disney will also put up displays in various locations around the parks to provide this information. That way, ALL guests can benefit and you won't have to be a smartphone owner to get this information.

.....unless the next gen of fastpass offers acquiring fastpasses via a smartphone, avoiding machines completely, and you simply show the fastpass on your screen at the attraction?? Just a thought

If they did this, they may offer some sort of kim possible kimmunicator version to those resort guests who do not have such a device.

Legoland uses this sort of system for any guest to purchase as an addon - its more basic than what I am suggesting above, but its efficient. You literally carry around a little device, and can 'book' your next ride time through it, without having to go to a special location. They call it Q-BOT, and here in the UK they charge about £25-70 per person ($20-$120) extra for it depeding on the version you have. They have limited number available per day

They have three versions at different prices.
Q-Bot Regular: With Q-Bot Regular your virtual queue time reflects the same time as the actual queue length, leaving you time to explore the Resort while you wait!

Q-Bot Express: reduces your waiting time by 75%.

Q-Bot ULTIMATE: cuts your queue time down by up to 95%, making access to rides virtually instant.

How It Works


A Q-Bot allows you to reserve a place in a virtual queue line for your favourite rides without having to actually stand in line!

• Rent your Q-Bot.
• Select your ride using the Q-Bot buttons.
• Receive your ride time on the Q-Bot screen.
• Explore the Park, visit our shops and restaurants or, if you have time, ride a different ride.
• Go to your chosen ride on or after your allocated time.
• Enter via the Q-Bot entrance.
• Enjoy the ride!
• Repeat this simple process for your next ride.

The Q-Bot allows you to reserve one ride at a time.


more details about their system here

 

[teentoddlermom]

I think the problem would be solved if the fastpass return time was just made to be a 2 hour window. The parks are BIG and crowded, and I don't think anyone will have a problem with a 2 hour window. Spell it out in large letters on the fastpass that no late arrivals will be honored. I was in Disney in late Feb and noticed a few stern and pretty unfriendly CM's at the fastpass return lanes. The magic is slipping a bit for me.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

Yes. I found this feature by far the most valuable part of my new DMM app for iPhone last week. I bet I use it extensively over the next few days.

Does DMM = Disney Mobile Magic?

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the problem would be solved if the fastpass return time was just made to be a 2 hour window. The parks are BIG and crowded, and I don't think anyone will have a problem with a 2 hour window. Spell it out in large letters on the fastpass that no late arrivals will be honored. I was in Disney in late Feb and noticed a few stern and pretty unfriendly CM's at the fastpass return lanes. The magic is slipping a bit for me.

I agree. This change would go down much easier if they had a 2 hour window. It almost negates the ADR issue, and it will keep most people from having to criss-cross the park repeatedly. And I can't imagine it would do anything to the traffic flow. People are pretty good at regulating themselves. If the FP line looks huge and you have another hour left in your window, then do something eles and come back.

Of course, having a shorter cancellation window for CC held ADR's would have made that change go down better, and they didn't do that either (last I heard you had to cancel by day's end at least 24 hours prior, so by Monday night for any Wed ADR).

Maybe there are operational reasons they need to do these things this way, but it just seems like a more reasonable approach.

 

[nhl66pens]

I think the problem would be solved if the fastpass return time was just made to be a 2 hour window. The parks are BIG and crowded, and I don't think anyone will have a problem with a 2 hour window. Spell it out in large letters on the fastpass that no late arrivals will be honored. I was in Disney in late Feb and noticed a few stern and pretty unfriendly CM's at the fastpass return lanes. The magic is slipping a bit for me.

I don't think you can ever please everyone. If it was a 2 hour window, then people would want 3 hours, then 4, ....

 

[CandleontheWater]

I admit, the experiences of the new FP enforcement are not encouraging and are pretty much in line with what I imagined. I encourage people to not only write to Disney guest communications and let them know how you feel, but stop by guest relations and tell them about how the new policy negatively effected your day.

Disney will not know about guest dissatisfaction if we don't tell them.

I encourage everyone to be polite, but constructive criticism, even if it is negative, is helpful for Disney to understand how the new policy is working.

 

[mesaboy2]

Does DMM = Disney Mobile Magic?

 

[csm101]

Really members come on, You have a set 60 min time to return and enter the line. Whats the issue? Do you want to come back at any time and come and go as you please? Do you believe that's your right for paying you days ticket? Rules are the rules, change is change, work with it or get buried under it.

Now enjoy your vacation