DL Fastpass Enforcement Beginning June 15th?

[fctiger]

We were there the 1st-4th and there was no mention of it and we used late FP's many times.

I think if DL is ever going to enforce the FP return time, they are going to have to get their ride closure issue fixed. I can't tell you how many times we either went to get or use a FP at a ride and the ride was closed. Space, Indy, and TM seemed to be closed more than open while we were there.

To be fair though, thats not really a big problem. Usually when a ride breaks down, dont forget it affects the people ALREADY in line as well and not just FP holders. And for those people, if they are far enough in the line when it breaks down are just given a re-admission pass which basically works as a FP and that they can jump ahead of the line if its woking later when the problem is resolved. Same thing can be done for FP holders, just given another ticket to come back at any time of the night!

And usually only a fraction of the people end up coming back anyway since they get busy with other things or simply leave too soon, so it doesnt cause a huge problem with line back ups.

That said I dont think its a huge deal if they keep letting people return after their FP times. I'm pretty sure most show up in the window because remember most people WANT to ride an attraction ASAP and not hold off until later. And frankly if it was that much of an issue, Disney wouldve put the brakes on it years ago!

It looks like with just a few days to go, nothing will change anyway, but it doesnt mean it will never change, just not in the near future it looks like.

 

[Pete W.]

Disney also controls how many FPs are issued, so if guests using FPs after their return time was becoming an issue at a particular attraction, couldn't they just issue fewer FPs? This would seem to be a simpler solution than cracking down on late FP usage which may be a negligible problem with most attractions.

 

[DanT]

In reality, how many folks even know you can use a fastpass beyond the printed window...
Even many folks that frequent this site have little to no knowledge of the ability to use them after the printed window.
Out of all the visitors at DLR on a daily basis, what would you estimate the % of visitors that are aware of the unsaid practice?
1% or 5%, maybe even less.
It can't be that big of an issue, or you would have thought that it would have been dealt with just like WDW...back a few months.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Even if they do start enforcing the time slot, if a ride breaks down I'm sure they will honor the passes for later. It's not like they are out to get us and ruin our day haha.

 

[ValpoCory]

I remember back in 2008, I was at WDW and we overlapped with some family friends. They were DVC members. He opens his wallet and brings out a stack of about 50 unused fast passes (with morning hours printed on them) from previous vacations for every ride. Some were years old. He put his thumb over the date/year, exposing just the morning hour return time. He hands the CM the fast pass and goes right in. Even I thought that was extreme.

Not sure how prevalent that is.

 

[Carolynleanne]

See that I find irritating. It's just abusing the system which is set up to help people.

 

[LoonySeal]

Well, I actually make it like most others, but when I feel tired I just use it late and have no problem. I would be fine either way though.

 

[minniecarousel]

I remember back in 2008, I was at WDW and we overlapped with some family friends. They were DVC members. He opens his wallet and brings out a stack of about 50 unused fast passes (with morning hours printed on them) from previous vacations for every ride. Some were years old. He put his thumb over the date/year, exposing just the morning hour return time. He hands the CM the fast pass and goes right in. Even I thought that was extreme.

Not sure how prevalent that is.

ah..."day-old bread". It's been done before. But I've usually heard of it within a few days, not years old. Kinda kills the spirit of the place, I think.

 

[ValpoCory]

ah..."day-old bread". It's been done before. But I've usually heard of it within a few days, not years old. Kinda kills the spirit of the place, I think.

Yep. I would think the "day-old bread" method happens all the time, with using fast passes you got yesterday.

 

[Lissame]

In reality, how many folks even know you can use a fastpass beyond the printed window...
Even many folks that frequent this site have little to no knowledge of the ability to use them after the printed window.
Out of all the visitors at DLR on a daily basis, what would you estimate the % of visitors that are aware of the unsaid practice?
1% or 5%, maybe even less.
It can't be that big of an issue, or you would have thought that it would have been dealt with just like WDW...back a few months.

I have been saying this for a long time. We get such a skewed view of the "typical" DLR visitor by frequenting these message boards. I have long been curious about the percentages regarding Fastpasses in general.

What percentage of the DLR visitors ever even get a FP for any ride during their visit?
Of the FP that are obtained each day, which percentage of those are actually redeemed? And of those redeemed, which percentage are during the correct hours and which are later?

I'd venture a guess that the percentage, even for the first one, is pretty small and goes down dramatically with each step.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have been saying this for a long time. We get such a skewed view of the "typical" DLR visitor by frequenting these message boards. I have long been curious about the percentages regarding Fastpasses in general.

What percentage of the DLR visitors ever even get a FP for any ride during their visit?
Of the FP that are obtained each day, which percentage of those are actually redeemed? And of those redeemed, which percentage are during the correct hours and which are later?

I'd venture a guess that the percentage, even for the first one, is pretty small and goes down dramatically with each step.

I always wonder how APers figure into this. I mean, there are a lot of us, right? Wouldn't you think a lot of APers would figure out how to use FPs for maximum usage? They go to the parks a lot, so you would think they would be totally screwing up the FP returns. But the FP returns have never been a big issue for me. They aren't unreasonably long, except when things break down or the ride is extremely popular, etc.

If APers haven't figured out the FP system, then I seriously doubt the average tourist knows how to maximize it either. And I think we would be able to tell if they had, because the FP return wait times would be insane if all the APers took advantage.

 

[Carolynleanne]

I think you guys are right. A majority of people I know who go to Disney have NO idea what a fast pass is. They assumed it was something you had to pay for and just expect to wait in hour long lines. It blows my mind!

I was talking to a friend just the other day who said he'd like to go back, but not sure it's worth it due to the lines. I explained the system to him and he couldn't believe it. Now he's planning a trip!

 

[rramstad]

I think you guys are right. A majority of people I know who go to Disney have NO idea what a fast pass is. They assumed it was something you had to pay for and just expect to wait in hour long lines. It blows my mind!

I was talking to a friend just the other day who said he'd like to go back, but not sure it's worth it due to the lines. I explained the system to him and he couldn't believe it. Now he's planning a trip!

This.

Our last visit July 2011 I was amazed at the number of people who I saw at Fast Pass machines who clearly didn't even really understand how they worked... this was largely due to the "two bonus Fast Pass" cards that were being given out with certain packages around that time. I saw two different CM on two occasions with groups of people patiently explaining that the bonus cards were only good for two FP, and that the regular entry ticket needed to be used for regular FP, and then people were complaining about problems with the "get next FP time" concept, it was kind of funny listening to the CMs trying to explain.

FP are not simple. I would have been completely lost without this board and the excellent threads on it. That's even without the wrinkle of being able to use FP outside the return time.

 

[DisneytheKid]

I guess if they do start enforcing it it will be well into effect by the time we go in december...

Has anybody heard anything more about fastpass return times beginning enforced at DL starting June 15th. I know they are doing this at DW. It was posted on a forum coming from a conversation a member had with a TOT CM....can anyone at DL get the scoop on this?

 

[Disney Dreams]

eh - we're long-time breakers of the FP return time rule. We rarely use our fastpass within the allotted time frame. I'm sure we could follow the rules if they started enforcing this. Funny - we're big rule-followers on just about everything, but FP return time isn't one of them.

This is the sentiment that is interesting to me. I removed the s/n because I believe it represents the view of many here on DIS. I am curious (from anyone, not just the poster of this comment) why the FP return time is a policy that is not important to follow, but other rules are? Do we get to pick and choose which rules we follow now, as long as a CM doesn't enforce it --- and if s/he does we will stand there and tell them they are wrong? Are there other rules you (general you) choose to ignore?

Interested...
Dreams

 

[StephNJer]

I think you guys are right. A majority of people I know who go to Disney have NO idea what a fast pass is. They assumed it was something you had to pay for and just expect to wait in hour long lines. It blows my mind!

I was talking to a friend just the other day who said he'd like to go back, but not sure it's worth it due to the lines. I explained the system to him and he couldn't believe it. Now he's planning a trip!

This is us. We've been to DL many times, and have never once used a Fast Pass. There are two main reasons for this: Our kids are very young. Most of the rides we are able to go on with them, do not have FP. DD is now old enough to go on the bigger rides which offer FP, but she is still not "ready" for them. We almost talked her into SM last week when we were there, but she's still a little scared. So we stick with the smaller rides.

The other reason is aside from our trip last week, we almost always go during off peak times. It's never usually been busy enough for us to even consider FP. Now that DD is in school, we'll be going during peak season and the older our kids get, the more we'll ride those "bigger" rides.
I do admit to knowing very little about FP. Maybe we are still missing out despite those reasons I listed above...

 

[chrissiecutie]

eh - we're long-time breakers of the FP return time rule. We rarely use our fastpass within the allotted time frame. I'm sure we could follow the rules if they started enforcing this. Funny - we're big rule-followers on just about everything, but FP return time isn't one of them.

Me too!

We are SO guilty of breaking the FP rules...if it's not enforced, then why worry about it??

I assume Disney knows that lots of people will not come back during the specified time. If they had issues with this, I imagine they would either start enforcing the return times or get rid of FT altogether. Personally, I'm not going to stress about making it back to a ride by a certain time. If we make it, then good...if not & the CM's won't let us on...then no biggie. Just hop in the regular line.

 

[Jennifer2983]

How sad we never knew they DIDN'T enforce the times LOL We always are racing to get back to the ride on time hahahahaa wasn't that hard though we just try to plan a smaller ride near the FP ride and be off in time


http://www.***********************/tickers/g06w4s4ojqonqfxw.png

 

[chrissiecutie]

This is the sentiment that is interesting to me. I removed the s/n because I believe it represents the view of many here on DIS. I am curious (from anyone, not just the poster of this comment) why the FP return time is a policy that is not important to follow, but other rules are? Do we get to pick and choose which rules we follow now, as long as a CM doesn't enforce it --- and if s/he does we will stand there and tell them they are wrong? Are there other rules you (general you) choose to ignore?

Interested...
Dreams

Dreams-
For me, I don't see it as a "rule". Maybe that has something to do with it. Also, if we make it back late for the FP time, we aren't really harming anyone. If the CM lets us go, they would have a much better idea of crowd control, wait times, lines etc then I ever could. I assume that if it's a problem, the CM will tell me so & of course I respect what they have to say.

I can tell you that we don't intentionally disregard the return time. Sometimes we just dont make it back in time. When this happens, we always ask the CM if we can go in the FP line. If they say no (which has never happened) then we are always prepared to wait in the regular line or go on a different ride. FP is totally different then other "rules" because we grabbed our FP's fair & square. They are ours to use....

I personally see it very different then say...the folks who try and sit in the handicap reserve parade spots when they are NOT handicap. The people who choose not to follow this rule, are in fact impacting the folks who use this reserved space. And CM's agree with me because they remove anyone who is not handicap or with someone who is.

 

[GrandBob]

This is the sentiment that is interesting to me. I removed the s/n because I believe it represents the view of many here on DIS. I am curious (from anyone, not just the poster of this comment) why the FP return time is a policy that is not important to follow, but other rules are? Do we get to pick and choose which rules we follow now, as long as a CM doesn't enforce it --- and if s/he does we will stand there and tell them they are wrong? Are there other rules you (general you) choose to ignore?

Interested...
Dreams

Interesting perspective, Dreams. I thought you were going in a different direction with this. For my part, I'm very interested in the perspective of people who consider this "breaking the FP rules." You didn't use that term, but you're welcome to add your $.02.

There are a lot of things that Disney advertise (and tell you over the phone) one way, but have different unwritten rules. For example, MM for hotel guests. Over the phone, they'll tell you that you get one MM with your hopper. It's not until you arrive that you find out that, as a hotel guest, you can use MM every day that it's offered. Or hoppers past 6 (now 5) days. They'll swear up and down on the phone that theres' no way; but when you arrive, nearly everyone is able to extend them to 8 days.

So how is using the FP after the "return" time any different than using multiple MM's when you're a hotel guest? Why is the latter OK, but the former is somehow breaking the (formal) rules?

I truly don't understand. If you're willing to go with Disney's unwritten rules on some things, why are others who are willing to do it on other issues somehow rule breakers?

Inquiring minds want to know,
Bob