Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[maxiesmom]

THIS!

I know that I and many of my rule-breaking, fastpass-hoarding, immoral friends, would take FPs early in the morning, with plans to use them later in the day. By the time later in the day rolled around we often were busy doing something else and never managed to make it back. That was our loss, but the people in line's gain.

Now with the new enforcement, we have more incentive to actually use that FP within the window, and adding to the line.

I'm sure I'm not the only one tossing FPs in the trash as I walked out of the park at the end of the day.

If an added bonus of the new policy is that the people who take FPs are going to make every effort to use them, then that makes me even more for the enforcement. I don't think what you were doing was immoral, but if you were kind of "eh" on making sure you got back to the ride, that was taking a FP away from someone who really wanted it and would have loved to have it. Just like the new ADR policy. It leaves those restaurants available for people who really want to eat there, and those spots are not taken by people who kinda sorta want an ADR there, but are not too sure, and may end up elsewhere. There was nothing wrong or immoral with it, but it is nice if ADRs and FPs go to people who are happy and excited to have them.

I will add too that we were just at WDW on the Dining Plan, and didn't find it hard to coordinate meals and FastPasses. If we thought the FP time was too close to meal time, or too soon after (didn't want to ride TestTrack on a full stomach, lol!), we just didn't take it.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

If an added bonus of the new policy is that the people who take FPs are going to make every effort to use them, then that makes me even more for the enforcement. I don't think what you were doing was immoral, but if you were kind of "eh" on making sure you got back to the ride, that was taking a FP away from someone who really wanted it and would have loved to have it. Just like the new ADR policy. It leaves those restaurants available for people who really want to eat there, and those spots are not taken by people who kinda sorta want an ADR there, but are not too sure, and may end up elsewhere. There was nothing wrong or immoral with it, but it is nice if ADRs and FPs go to people who are happy and excited to have them.

I will add too that we were just at WDW on the Dining Plan, and didn't find it hard to coordinate meals and FastPasses. If we thought the FP time was too close to meal time, or too soon after (didn't want to ride TestTrack on a full stomach, lol!), we just didn't take it.

JMO, but I think what you see as an added bonus, in actuality is going to contribute to longer FP lines overall as people make the effort to make the return window

I think by them not using the FP, there is a benefit to those stuck in S/by line, which is always an option if all the FP's for the day run out

THey're not going to be able to control a guest taking a FP and choosing to not use it for whatever reason, everyone has paid park admission and FP is free & available to all, first come, first serverd whether used or not. But I agree with you, it does stink when you can't get one to think that someone else did and didn't use them JMHO, but I really think this is why the early reports are that FP lines are a little longer than usual, because people are valuing them even more. But I hope I'm wrong & it's just because spring break is on its way and the parks are getting buzier

Thanks so much for posting your recent experience. I hear what you're saying, just don't take the FP. It's quite a logical conclusion, but I don't like to think that after spending the amount we all do on a WDW trip - travel, resort, park tickets....that because we choose to spend more paying for a TS dining experince, it MIGHT interfere in the ability to ride a headliner ONCE with FP. Perhaps it really won't, it just bugs me to think that it might. I'll get over it....probably

 

[magicbob]

But I agree with you, it does stink when you can't get one to think that someone else did and didn't use them

I think most everyone who takes a FP intends to use it (of course, there may be the occasional person who wants it for a scrapbook or something, but that's pretty few and far between). Prior to enforcment, it was even more likely that FP would get used because, if the window was missed, they could still be used later. And if, for some reason, someone decided not to use them after they could (and often did) "gift" them to someone else, who then used them. With enforcement, you either make the window or the FP gets wasted. With the exception of a few people who may not take a FP because it conflicts with their ADR, etc., I doubt you'll see much change in the patterns of when FPs "sell out" each day. But, because of the narrow window of validity, the likelihood of FPs not getting used has gone up significantly.

 

[maxiesmom]

The reports of longer FP lines have be a bit baffled, as that is not at all what we experienced in the parks last week. The many times we Fastpassed Splash Mountain we were able to walk right up to the loading area when we returned. Same thing the times we Fastpassed Space Mountain, we walked right up to the loading area. Test Track too, we went right up to the loading area before the pre-ride movie.

Maybe we were just hitting the rides at the right time, but we never had much of a wait using Fastpasses.

 

[magicbob]

The reports of longer FP lines have be a bit baffled, as that is not at all what we experienced in the parks last week. The many times we Fastpassed Splash Mountain we were able to walk right up to the loading area when we returned. Same thing the times we Fastpassed Space Mountain, we walked right up to the loading area. Test Track too, we went right up to the loading area before the pre-ride movie.

Maybe we were just hitting the rides at the right time, but we never had much of a wait using Fastpasses.

Glad you had a good experience! I hope this trend continues. We will be there SOON!

 

[KellyNY]

The reports of longer FP lines have be a bit baffled, as that is not at all what we experienced in the parks last week. The many times we Fastpassed Splash Mountain we were able to walk right up to the loading area when we returned. Same thing the times we Fastpassed Space Mountain, we walked right up to the loading area. Test Track too, we went right up to the loading area before the pre-ride movie.

Maybe we were just hitting the rides at the right time, but we never had much of a wait using Fastpasses.

That is a very good news!

 

[DisneyDadof3]

I will add too that we were just at WDW on the Dining Plan, and didn't find it hard to coordinate meals and FastPasses. If we thought the FP time was too close to meal time, or too soon after (didn't want to ride TestTrack on a full stomach, lol!), we just didn't take it.

Again... one less thing we are now able to do at the park. If you do not take the fastpass, then you are choosing not to ride (or at least the number of times you ride the attraction). Whereas before, you took the fastpass at the time and were then able to come back a little later and still ride.

If you 'don't take the fastpass' now are didn't in the past, the new enforcement doesn't decrease your value or vacation. For the many of us that took the fastpass, our value has been decreased and our convenience dramatically increased.

 

[maxiesmom]

Again... one less thing we are now able to do at the park. If you do not take the fastpass, then you are choosing not to ride (or at least the number of times you ride the attraction). Whereas before, you took the fastpass at the time and were then able to come back a little later and still ride.

If you 'don't take the fastpass' now are didn't in the past, the new enforcement doesn't decrease your value or vacation. For the many of us that took the fastpass, our value has been decreased and our convenience dramatically increased.

Maybe if you look at is an extra perk you were getting before, it won't seem so bad. What you lost was a bonus that not everyone took advantage of, or knew to take advantage of. Everyone is back on the same level playing field now, having to make the same choices. Yes, it is a bummer, but it is not going to make a trip to WDW a miserable experience.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

It's not the end of the world. Think of it as Disney's way of getting everyone to "relax" after all it is vacation!

 

[dragonflycurls]

The reports of longer FP lines have be a bit baffled, as that is not at all what we experienced in the parks last week. The many times we Fastpassed Splash Mountain we were able to walk right up to the loading area when we returned. Same thing the times we Fastpassed Space Mountain, we walked right up to the loading area. Test Track too, we went right up to the loading area before the pre-ride movie.

Maybe we were just hitting the rides at the right time, but we never had much of a wait using Fastpasses.

Just got done with Magic Kingdom yesterday. We had a FP and had to come back in 2 hours. I think we waited for a max of 15 minutes in the FP line. Space Mountain was about the same. Jungle Cruise was maybe 5 minutes max in the FP line.

 

[g-dad66]

The reports of longer FP lines have be a bit baffled, as that is not at all what we experienced in the parks last week. The many times we Fastpassed Splash Mountain we were able to walk right up to the loading area when we returned. Same thing the times we Fastpassed Space Mountain, we walked right up to the loading area. Test Track too, we went right up to the loading area before the pre-ride movie.

Maybe we were just hitting the rides at the right time, but we never had much of a wait using Fastpasses.

Same experience for us -- yesterday at Test Track and two sets of FPs today at Everest and one round at Kali -- FP line was a walk-on

 

[Jennasis]

Again... one less thing we are now able to do at the park. If you do not take the fastpass, then you are choosing not to ride (or at least the number of times you ride the attraction). Whereas before, you took the fastpass at the time and were then able to come back a little later and still ride.

If you 'don't take the fastpass' now are didn't in the past, the new enforcement doesn't decrease your value or vacation. For the many of us that took the fastpass, our value has been decreased and our convenience dramatically increased.

You know you can still get on the regular line right? Not having a FP does NOT mean you can't ride.

 

[magicbob]

Same experience for us -- yesterday at Test Track and two sets of FPs today at Everest and one round at Kali -- FP line was a walk-on

Just got done with Magic Kingdom yesterday. We had a FP and had to come back in 2 hours. I think we waited for a max of 15 minutes in the FP line. Space Mountain was about the same. Jungle Cruise was maybe 5 minutes max in the FP line.

I hope these positive reports continue to come in. There were some very scary initial reports. It sounds like there may have been some initial confusion on how to handle the new situation that could have led to longer FP lines. Maybe now they've sorted through those operational issues a bit and the transition is progressing more smoothly. I hope this keeps up for our upcoming visit.

Again... one less thing we are now able to do at the park. If you do not take the fastpass, then you are choosing not to ride (or at least the number of times you ride the attraction). Whereas before, you took the fastpass at the time and were then able to come back a little later and still ride.

If you 'don't take the fastpass' now are didn't in the past, the new enforcement doesn't decrease your value or vacation. For the many of us that took the fastpass, our value has been decreased and our convenience dramatically increased.

You know you can still get on the regular line right? Not having a FP does NOT mean you can't ride.

I think what DisneyDadof3 is trying to express is that he will now HAVE to use standby lines more than in the past and it will be more time spent in line which equals less number of attractions he's able to experience for that day. I think he meant to say "our INconvenience dramatically increased." I do agree that the new system is less convenient, although I wouldn't go so far as to say dramatically so. I might change my mind in a few weeks when we are there trying to make it work, but I think I've done enough research and planning to compensate for the additional complications that FP enforcement brings to the equation.

Maybe if you look at is an extra perk you were getting before, it won't seem so bad. What you lost was a bonus that not everyone took advantage of, or knew to take advantage of. Everyone is back on the same level playing field now, having to make the same choices. Yes, it is a bummer, but it is not going to make a trip to WDW a miserable experience.

This is how I see it. I've been a vocal defender of late FP users not ignoring the rules, etc. But, as I've also posted, I considered late use a courtesy that Disney extended for which I was extremely grateful. Now that it's gone, I am a bit disappointed, but we will adapt and utilize the current practice to our maximum advantage and enjoyment.

 

[doconeill]

Has there been any sense that the overall crowds may have abated somewhat yesterday or today? I don't know typical spring break travel plans - wondering if there is more spring breakers leaving before the weekend, and that might have improved things.

 

[Sammie]

Has there been any sense that the overall crowds may have abated somewhat yesterday or today? I don't know typical spring break travel plans - wondering if there is more spring breakers leaving before the weekend, and that might have improved things.

Based on what friends have shared that work there, they don't expect the crowds to slack off until after Easter. They say they are having a very busy Spring Break season.

 

[doconeill]

Based on what friends have shared that work there, they don't expect the crowds to slack off until after Easter. They say they are having a very busy Spring Break season.

I know Spring Break runs a couple more weeks at least...I was thinking more in terms of daily volume.

 

[magicbob]

Based on what friends have shared that work there, they don't expect the crowds to slack off until after Easter. They say they are having a very busy Spring Break season.

TP still has 9's and 10's for the week leading up to Easter (but at least the day we're planning to be at EPCOT is projected to be only moderately crowded). That said, I've seen a lot of indications that the bullk of schools will have already had Spring Break by then, so maybe it will subside at least a little from what it was these past few weeks. I know it will still be crowded (and maybe even as bad or worse than Christmas this year), but I'm optimistic we will still be able to "outsmart" the crowds as we have in the past. It will just be slightly harder to do given that our FPs will dictate times more than they did in the past.

 

[mesaboy2]

Did DHS today. FPs for RnRC, ToT, and Star Tours only. Sailed through ToT and ST, but took probably 15 minutes to get through RnRC's up to the recording studio preshow video. ST standby wasn't bad though either, only 10 minutes standby during our FP window in early evening, ToT was posted 40. Crowds not quite as heavy today compared to MK yesterday, but still pretty bad.

Sweated getting to all of them before the windows expired, windows for all three overlapped a bit, and immediately followed Characterpalooza which we had to hit. Definitely a more rigid approach to touring and more stressful than I like. I know plenty did it this way unnecessarily in the past, but I didn't. Oh well--it's not like I'm gonna quit going.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Did DHS today. FPs for RnRC, ToT, and Star Tours only. Sailed through ToT and ST, but took probably 15 minutes to get through RnRC's up to the recording studio preshow video. ST standby wasn't bad though either, only 10 minutes standby during our FP window in early evening, ToT was posted 40. Crowds not quite as heavy today compared to MK yesterday, but still pretty bad.

Sweated getting to all of them before the windows expired, windows for all three overlapped a bit, and immediately followed Characterpalooza which we had to hit. Definitely a more rigid approach to touring and more stressful than I like. I know plenty did it this way unnecessarily in the past, but I didn't. Oh well--it's not like I'm gonna quit going.

It's nice for you to post during your trip how things are going - thanks so much!

It's too bad to hear touring WDW described as stressful BTW, did you skip TSM for any particular reason, just wondering??

 

[mesaboy2]

It's nice for you to post during your trip how things are going - thanks so much!

It's too bad to hear touring WDW described as stressful BTW, did you skip TSM for any particular reason, just wondering??

It was 12:30p when I eventually got my group in the gates. That'll do it every time. At one point the posted wait was 150 mins. No thanks.

I know of course that all these rides have standby queues, and that many others used FPs inside the window religiously. But when you knew you didn't have to and recognized how much freedom that allowed, you really miss it in practice.