Dislike New FP Enforcement!

[Mkrop]

We just got back last night. We had a blast but the new FP enforcement sure put a cramp in our touring style. We originally saw the new rule and we went with an optimistic viewpoint, saying ok no big deal we will adapt, well...we did not like it at all. We found ourselves hanging out in areas longer than we wanted, making it hard to get things done we had before. We are not shoppers so hanging out in stores until the FP came around was a pain, and you can only stop for so many snacks. When we did return, the FP lines were extremely longer than we have ever stood in before. We would use FPs later in the day but not at the end of the day, usually on our way out for a break, or right when we came back after the break. We always had short waits. We even bagged heading back to Soarin for our Noonish FPs because by then we were already in World Showcase and did not want to circle back, we left around 3, out the IG, and came back for dinner at 7. In the past, we would have come early, hit Soarin, and then gone to dinner.

Flame away, but this is just how we have liked to tour, and we have been going for quite awhile now, and this was quite a disappointment to us. We still had fun and made the best of it, but we certainly were not able to accomplish what we usually did.

So for those who did use the FP during the window, what would you during your wait until the FP came around, or did you find yourself crisscrossing the park a lot??????

 

[rgf207]

We just got back last night. We had a blast but the new FP enforcement sure put a cramp in our touring style. We originally saw the new rule and we went with an optimistic viewpoint, saying ok no big deal we will adapt, well...we did not like it at all. We found ourselves hanging out in areas longer than we wanted, making it hard to get things done we had before. We are not shoppers so hanging out in stores until the FP came around was a pain, and you can only stop for so many snacks. When we did return, the FP lines were extremely longer than we have ever stood in before. We would use FPs later in the day but not at the end of the day, usually on our way out for a break, or right when we came back after the break. We always had short waits. We even bagged heading back to Soarin for our Noonish FPs because by then we were already in World Showcase and did not want to circle back, we left around 3, out the IG, and came back for dinner at 7. In the past, we would have come early, hit Soarin, and then gone to dinner.

Flame away, but this is just how we have liked to tour, and we have been going for quite awhile now, and this was quite a disappointment to us. We still had fun and made the best of it, but we certainly were not able to accomplish what we usually did.

So for those who did use the FP during the window, what would you during your wait until the FP came around, or did you find yourself crisscrossing the park a lot??????

we did not find it difficult at all to return during the FP window.

 

[Mkrop]

we did not find it difficult at all to return during the FP window.

what did you do while waiting???? Give me an example of how you utilized your time. If this is the new rule going forward, we are going to have to adapt and are looking for suggestions for next time unless some other policy is in place by then.

 

[rgf207]

what did you do while waiting???? Give me an example of how you utilized your time. If this is the new rule going forward, we are going to have to adapt and are looking for suggestions for next time unless some other policy is in place by then.

We went on other attractions, had lunch, went to shops etc. All the things we would normally do. We did not find it difficult at all. If you had to sit around and wait for the FP return time, why didn't you just get in the standby line and forgo FastPass all together?

 

[JRoyster86]

We have always "played by the rules" when it comes to fast passes, so I don't even know any other way to tour. We'd grab a fast pass, ride a few other rides, then use the fast pass. If we were in another part of the park, we'd just head back towards the area with the fast pass ride, no big deal.

Just my experience!

 

[Cherinva]

For the most part, we usually were within the FP window...there were a few occasions when we were late, due to having a meal...

What we do is go to another attraction that doesn't need a FP or go to a show....we are shoppers, so we do shopping as well. Sometimes we walk around and take pictures, or do pin trading.

I've really never had an issue using the FP within the window, but I am hearing stories now that the FP return lines are super long....I'm going in September, I'll see how it is then.

Glad you had a good time.

 

[ppony]

We went on other attractions, had lunch, went to shops etc. All the things we would normally do. We did not find it difficult at all.

Same here. Been going since before FP existed and in the beginning when they did enforce the window, so we never got used to doing it any other way. People will survive.

 

[rcraw45425]

I guess we've always been "rule followers" We went back during our window and rode, if we missed the window we said "oh well", never attempted to try to go later. Truthfully we figured it was our fault we missed it.

 

[Violet Parr]

I guess we've always been "rule followers" We went back during our window and rode, if we missed the window we said "oh well", never attempted to try to go later. Truthfully we figured it was our fault we missed it.

Same here! We always went back in our window. I think once we missed our window by 1 or 2 minutes and we were allowed in, but that's once in 3 10+ day trips. This fuss over the enforcement kinda baffles me, just because I never knew they weren't enforced!

 

[ppony]

I guess we've always been "rule followers" We went back during our window and rode, if we missed the window we said "oh well", never attempted to try to go later. Truthfully we figured it was our fault we missed it.

Totally! Oh well sums it up for us quite well.

 

[Hannathy]

We have always "played by the rules" when it comes to fast passes, so I don't even know any other way to tour. We'd grab a fast pass, ride a few other rides, then use the fast pass. If we were in another part of the park, we'd just head back towards the area with the fast pass ride, no big deal.

Just my experience!

Yep we have to. Never had a problem. Always have followed the original rules. If the time doesn't appear to work with your schedule, just don't take it. No one is forcing you to take a fast pass.
We look at the time and if it doesn't seem like it will fit in our schedule we don't take it and go get another one for something else.

You can always do what we did before FP just go from ride to ride and stand in line.

 

[Reddog1134]

Returning during the window is not difficult, but I can see how adjusting to a different touring style would be.

First, don't take a FP that conflicts (or comes close) with an ADR or other appointment.

Second, when waiting for your FP time to come around, save the activities you have control over for later. For example, when you get your Splash Mountain FP, go to Space Mountain sooner rather than later. When you have 20 minutes or so left, use that time to look around in the nearby shops.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

In the past, I have almost always used FPs during the 1 hour return time, but it was nice knowing that if something happened and we weren't able to get there, we could return later. Just knowing that was no longer an option made our last trip a little more stressful. We also did a lot more walking and back tracking than previous trips.

 

[::danielle::]

Do you follow any sort of touring plan?

We also have always been rule followers so I don't know any other way. We loosely follow a plan which is really more about determining the order in which we pick up a fast pass. Once we know our FP time, we set up a plan for how we'll spend our time from that moment until it's time to ride. For example, if we enter Epcot at 9:30, DH will pick up a Soarin' FP while the kids and I head over to line up at TT. Let's say our return window is 12:30-1:30. While in line for TT,we'll decide if we'll eat lunch early-ish or late-ish and where. We'll also plan where we will go to next (working our way towards Soarin'). We'll visit as many rides/attractions as we can on our way to Soarin'. If we get there before our return time, we'll explore that area. If not, we head to Soarin' and finish up what we missed afterwards.

I can see how the new rule would be frustrating if you're accustomed to having an efficient day or meandering around a park. The new plan requires a shift in how you approach your day but it's not really difficult.

I hope I was able to help you a bit!

 

[rwdavis2]

Having not yet tried, the big change to me would be to NOT get a fastpass too early. From what I've been reading the return windows may be too close to the time you get them. Definitely requires new strategies.

 

[kristie64063]

We just got back last night. We had a blast but the new FP enforcement sure put a cramp in our touring style. We originally saw the new rule and we went with an optimistic viewpoint, saying ok no big deal we will adapt, well...we did not like it at all. We found ourselves hanging out in areas longer than we wanted, making it hard to get things done we had before. We are not shoppers so hanging out in stores until the FP came around was a pain, and you can only stop for so many snacks. When we did return, the FP lines were extremely longer than we have ever stood in before. We would use FPs later in the day but not at the end of the day, usually on our way out for a break, or right when we came back after the break. We always had short waits. We even bagged heading back to Soarin for our Noonish FPs because by then we were already in World Showcase and did not want to circle back, we left around 3, out the IG, and came back for dinner at 7. In the past, we would have come early, hit Soarin, and then gone to dinner.

Flame away, but this is just how we have liked to tour, and we have been going for quite awhile now, and this was quite a disappointment to us. We still had fun and made the best of it, but we certainly were not able to accomplish what we usually did.

So for those who did use the FP during the window, what would you during your wait until the FP came around, or did you find yourself crisscrossing the park a lot??????

So glad they're enforcing the fast passes now ... it was a great system for us!! Never done it any other way before. My first trip since childhood. But DH has been muliple times as an adult, and he always followed the rules of returning within the timeframe!! We never just sit around in shops waiting for fast passes, there are tons or rides in each section, and we just make the most of it, almost never sat in a line for more than 20 minutes, and fast passes were awesome and worked great!!

Totally unfair to take advantage and cheat the system ... defeats the purpose of the system!! Glad they are now enforcing ...

 

[sbell111]

In the past, I have almost always used FPs during the 1 hour return time, but it was nice knowing that if something happened and we weren't able to get there, we could return later. Just knowing that was no longer an option made our last trip a little more stressful. We also did a lot more walking and back tracking than previous trips.

You totally hit on why I'm not a fan of the new procedure. It adds stress to a part of my life that shouldn't have any and it complicates my touring of the park.

 

[Violet Parr]

Do you follow any sort of touring plan?

We also have always been rule followers so I don't know any other way. We loosely follow a plan which is really more about determining the order in which we pick up a fast pass. Once we know our FP time, we set up a plan for how we'll spend our time from that moment until it's time to ride. For example, if we enter Epcot at 9:30, DH will pick up a Soarin' FP while the kids and I head over to line up at TT. Let's say our return window is 12:30-1:30. While in line for TT,we'll decide if we'll eat lunch early-ish or late-ish and where. We'll also plan where we will go to next (working our way towards Soarin'). We'll visit as many rides/attractions as we can on our way to Soarin'. If we get there before our return time, we'll explore that area. If not, we head to Soarin' and finish up what we missed afterwards.

I can see how the new rule would be frustrating if you're accustomed to having an efficient day or meandering around a park. The new plan requires a shift in how you approach your day but it's not really difficult.

I hope I was able to help you a bit!

Exactly. We have always used a Touring Plan (they direct you when to pick up a FP) and they are still very relaxed and flexible and not stressful at all. Lots of unstructured time, too. So we never end up backtracking just to be at a ride during our FP window. It just works out fairly well to tour this way.

VP

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Gee, Disney dares to enforce the rules it has always clearly printed on the Fast Pass and that's an issue! LOL!

This way is just much fairer IMHO and it's a lot less likely to result in the hour long FP wait I experienced at Test Track. MY FP was for around 8:30. Got there and discovered half the park waited to use thier's until they were leaving... line for FP took an HOUR! And the CM said it was often like that... So since I went when I was suppose to I got penalized.

 

[sbell111]

So glad they're enforcing the fast passes now ...

I'm happy that you're happy, but neither your happiness nor my being happy about your happiness has anything to do with the OP.