Are they still "relaxed" on Fast Pass return times?

[Jonethan]

The last time we went to WDW, they were fairly lenient on when you returned for your Fast Pass return window as long as it wasn't before the stated time. Anytime after in the same day wasn't a problem except for one time on Peter Pan but the attendant still let us through.

 

[aunt kelly]

We were there in March and we used fastpasses hours after the printed return time had passed. We never had a problem. We did not try it on Soarin' though because I had read on these boards that the Soarin' CMs were very particular about return times.

 

[TastefullyChris]

We just got back last week...we almost always came back after the end of the return time. We even asked the first time if it was okay (since the return time was during our lunch ressie). The CM we spoke to said it was good any time AFTER the first time shown for return until the end of the day.

 

[bicker]

The CM are supposed to be accommodating, within reason, but there isn't a policy saying that FastPasses are good after the end of the indicated period, so don't plan on being able to use old FastPasses.

 

[tjmw2727]

In my experience it seems to depend on the attraction and the CM.

During our Apil trip we were about 10 minutes late for the safari and the CM didn't flinch. On Soarin however a few parties were turned away due to late FPs while we were arranging our baby swap. One family was quite upset and a manager was on hand in minutes, we did not see them in the FP line.

We used expired FP's on TT but only because the ride was down during our window. The CM was not going to allow this until we mentioned the breakdown and he did ask for the day/time of the breakdown.

So, from what I have read and seen many people have been successful using expired FP's and others have not. It seems to me that the CM's "may be" getting more strict about the window. If your legitimately held up then it doesen't hurt to try and use the expired FP. IMHO if you really want to ride the attraction its best to return during the window. I personally don't use it as a touring strategy.

TJ

 

[cvjw]

On a recent boat trip from the BW to Epcot, the boat driver gave us a 15 minute lecture on how you can use FP anytime during the day, after the stated return time. He said that the FP would be honored the rest of the day. I don't personally know this for a fact, because I always use them during the stated return time. It would be nice, because sometimes it is hard to get back to the attraction before your window is up.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I'm sure it will depend on the crowd level, the popularity if the attraction, and the CM at the FP entrance.

I would hope that if you're within an hour of your window's close time, they would accomodate. If your window closed at noon and you showed up at 8PM, you may not be admitted.

I've only gotten Fast Passes when the return window is something I know I can return to. If it's questionable, I skip it and return later, or just wait in the que.

Good luck!

 

[bicker]

On a recent boat trip from the BW to Epcot, the boat driver . . .

As far as I can tell, the boat skippers, the monorail pilots and the bus drivers have an on-going competition regarding who can spread the most baseless rumors and who can mislead guests the most. It's one of the charms of Disney Transportation. I suppose they figure it as a joke, given that so many people ask transportation CMs so many questions that have nothing to do with transportation...

 

[cudworth]

We were there over the busy Easter season this year and we were never turned away even from soaring and it was a 1pm fastpass that we used at 8 at night , maybe we just got lucky.

 

[°O°Joe]

from first-hand experience (just there last week), I missed almost EVERY FP return time, and we got a lot of fast passes... I asked the CM working the FP at the Pooh ride - "I've heard it's one of those unwritten rules that you can use your fast pass anytime after it expires on the same day?"... He said "It IS a rule, we're told to allow guests to come though after the expiration."... I'm paraphrasing but it was along those lines.

So beings we used probably on 20 or more different occasions (including Soarin') fast passes after the expiration, I would say you are pretty safe to use them.

I'm guessing that the reason they have a "window" return time is so that most people think that they do expire if they miss their window. I'm guessing this would make it easier to manage the length of the FP line.

After what the CM told me, I'm suprised anybody has had a hard time with this... He made it sound like it's a sure thing.

--Joe

 

[bicker]

It seems to me that the CM's "may be" getting more strict about the window.

This is pretty normal. They start out pretty flexible, as guests-in-general remain reasonable in terms of their expectations with regard to this. As word spreads that there is flexibility, more and more guests exploit the leniency, abusing it, and so they have to curtail it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Boy, this topic is coming up more and more around here.

Here's just a few threads:

Using Fastpass after expiration time

Using Fastpass Late

Can you use Fastpass the day after you get them?

and my personal favorite one:

Expired Fastpass Refused

 

[°O°Joe]

This is pretty normal. They start out pretty flexible, as guests-in-general remain reasonable in terms of their expectations with regard to this. As word spreads that there is flexibility, more and more guests exploit the leniency, abusing it, and so they have to curtail it.

You must not have small children. Well I do, and I can tell you it's not always easy to return back in an hour window and try to meet the demands of your children at the same time.

I would have missed most of my FP returns if not for this unwritten rule.

And like I said, I was just there last week and did not even get so much as a look when returning hours later. I don't think they are curtailing it. JMHO.

--Joe

 

[beattyfamily]

I have little kids and have always been able to make my Fastpass window. Weird.

 

[LISAMWDW]

In my experience, yes they are for times that have passed. However, one time we tried to get in line about 5 minutes early and the CM made us wait! Also, we are a family of 5 and we lost one of our fast passes. The CM didn't even count our fastpasses, we just handed her the pile of 4 and she let us in! Whew!

 

[°O°Joe]

I have little kids and have always been able to make my Fastpass window. Weird.

Yeah, well judging by the time you've spent on here - and looking at your signature, you've probably been there 100 times and have it down to an exact science... Well I'm not that fortunate.

All I'm saying is that (at least in my case, everyone's different) unexpected naps occur (children are 2 and 5 and don't take naps at the same time), they get hungry at unexpected times, etc... Children aren't typically on a schedule like most adults.

Obviously there must be others that are with me on this one... Otherwise why would Disney have made this an unwritten rule? Weird.

--Joe

 

[phamton]

I suppose they figure it as a joke, given that so many people ask transportation CMs so many questions that have nothing to do with transportation...

I totally agree. You don't ask the school busdriver about the grading sytem of the school is or what reading program the 1st grade teachers use. I see the same thing at other themeparks. The guests ask the person letting them in the gate how much an upgrade on a certain ticket is and then get upset if they don't know the answer. 'Don't you work here?!" they ask. So many cast members just make something up or make an educated guess, unfortunately, the guest gets even more upset if they are quoted the wrong price.

Unless your monorail driver is now accepting fastpasses, he/she will just be repeating something they heard once, not necessarily the facts.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yeah, well judging by the time you've spent on here - and looking at your signature, you've probably been there 100 times and have it down to an exact science... Well I'm not that fortunate.

All I'm saying is that (at least in my case, everyone's different) unexpected naps occur (children are 2 and 5 and don't take naps at the same time), they get hungry at unexpected times, etc... Children aren't typically on a schedule like most adults.

Obviously there must be others that are with me on this one... Otherwise why would Disney have made this an unwritten rule? Weird.

--Joe

Well, you judged wrong. I've been to Disney less then 10 times and how many times I've been or how often I'm online have nothing to do with my ability to get back to the ride for my Fastpass window.

 

[°O°Joe]

how many times I've been or how often I'm online have nothing to do with my ability to get back to the ride for my Fastpass window.

I would strongly disagree. Are you telling me someone that's been to WDW 10 times in the last few years and that spends countless hours on this message board planning - doesn't have an easier time making the FP window than someone that's never been to WDW??

If so that's a ridiculous argument IMO.

Either way, who cares? The fact is they allow it and in my opinion it's a good thing for certain people. It made my trip a lot more enjoyable and I think that's the idea... to give people a chance to still use FP that otherwise might miss the chance to do so. No one's perfect. If you don't like it so be it. To each his own.

--Joe

 

[beattyfamily]

I would strongly disagree. Are you telling me someone that's been to WDW 10 times in the last few years and that spends countless hours on this message board planning - doesn't have an easier time making the FP window than someone that's never been to WDW??

If so that's a ridiculous argument IMO.

Either way, who cares? The fact is they allow it and in my opinion it's a good thing for certain people. It made my trip a lot more enjoyable and I think that's the idea... to give people a chance to still use FP that otherwise might miss the chance to do so. No one's perfect. If you don't like it so be it. To each his own.

--Joe

I really don't want to argue with you. Obviously, we disagree. You seem to have a major attitude, not sure why. You voiced your opinion and I did the same.

I find it very easy, with little kids even, to get back to a ride for my Fastpass window and if I realize I won't be able to get back in time because of an ADR or whatever then I don't get the Fastpass, or if I did get the Fastpass and realize I can't make it back in time, I forget it and do something else. That's my opinion and how I handle it.