Do Fastpasses expire?

[jmsvss]

Is my Fastpass good after the return time?

For example if I have a return time of 12:10-1:30 pm and I return at 5:00 pm will they honor it?

I always thought I had to return within the designated time but then I read posts about "collecting" Fastpasses throughout the day and I am not sure.

 

[lovmy2girls]

When we were down there some CMs checked the times and others didn't.

I made a 5 min mistake early on my fast pass time and the CM made me wait the 5 min till my time started.

 

[Mellie0119]

I think the general rule is that you can't come early (they are fairly strict on this in my experience) but late is not a problem most times.

 

[crzy4mk]

Very rarely can you get in earlier than your printed fastpass time, but I have never had a cm turn me away for showing up after my window expired. I was just there last week, and at several different times had collected up to 5 fastpasses and used them in the last hour I was in the park.

 

[tjmw2727]

While a CM "may" allow you to ride after your FP ride window its pretty much hit or miss. If you really want to use the FP you should just return during your fast pass window.

We once missed our ride time window by only about 20 minutes and were not allowed to use the FP. It was just me and my 2 dd's then 7 and 9at MGM for Star Tours. More recently, Dec 05, we were behind groups at two separate times on two separate attractions that were not allowed to use "expired" fast passes.

If you legitimately miss your window it can't hurt to try and use an expired FP but I would not recommend this as a strategy especially on an attraction you really want to ride.

TJ

 

[ktglads]

Technically you are not able to use a fastpass after the time is up, but we've never been turned away. We try to use them close to the actual window, but there have been times where we've been several hours off due to one thing or another. It really depends on the CM at the entrance if they will allow you to use it or not. I would say that majority look that your time is after the current time and you will be fine

 

[DisneyDotty]

We once missed our ride time window by only about 20 minutes and were not allowed to use the FP. It was just me and my 2 dd's then 7 and 9at MGM for Star Tours. More recently, Dec 05, we were behind groups at two separate times on two separate attractions that were not allowed to use "expired" fast passes.

If you legitimately miss your window it can't hurt to try and use an expired FP but I would not recommend this as a strategy especially on an attraction you really want to ride.

TJ

Wow--I've never heard of using an "expired" fastpass as being a problem!
I think CM's give you some lee-way over FPs--after all, rides can be down, crowds can make it difficult to get from one attraction to another, etc. We use "expired" FP's all the time without any response from the CM. I will not take this for granted anymore...

 

[zagafi]

Wow. We were told by more than one CM that FPs were good until the park closed, but could not be used "early".

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You won't be able to use your Fast Pass earlier than your window. DH and I have used several Fast Passes past their times without ever having a problem.

 

[Skroops]

Well these theories of collecting fast passes during the day and then using them well after the expiration kind of bugs me. The whole idea of the fast pass is to regulate the people in the line to reduce wait time. If everyone starts using the fast passes whenever they want, this idea will not work and it will just be two lines of waiting. I am sick of this society that thinks rules are for everyone else's family, not ours. I mean, this whole fast pass idea is a great idea. Why do the few morons insist on ruining it for everyone? Go ahead, use the fastpass whenever your heart desires. You deserve it! You should be ahead of everyone else. Go! Go!

Sorry to the families who by accident make it to the other side of the park 20 minutes after thier fastpass to get to the attraction. I'm not talking about the honestly I'm late type.

 

[Lawshark]

There have certainly been a TON of stories on the DIS relating how late FPs were NOT accepted by a CM. Pretty much everytime someone posts information on using a FP late, you'll have 3 or 4 people on DIS chime in with a story about how it didn't work. That's what you've seen here already.

 

[Schmeck]

The more crowded a park is, the better chances are that your expired FP will not be accepted. If the FP lines get too long, then what is the use of FP anyways?

 

[Keebles]

I couldn't even get a CM to let me keep one as a souvenir!! I had to get another fastpass just to keep!! I don't think missing the window by 20 minutes should have been a big deal, but it kind of negates the use of the system if you use it six hours later.

 

[jarestel]

Technically, they do expire. But as with most things Disney related, different CMs do things in different ways. If you show up after your FP has expired, one CM may not care and let you ride anyway, while another CM may take the rules a bit more seriously and deny you access. It doesn't hurt to try and use expired FPs, but it wouldn't be right to complain if you're turned away.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Well these theories of collecting fast passes during the day and then using them well after the expiration kind of bugs me. The whole idea of the fast pass is to regulate the people in the line to reduce wait time. If everyone starts using the fast passes whenever they want, this idea will not work and it will just be two lines of waiting. I am sick of this society that thinks rules are for everyone else's family, not ours. I mean, this whole fast pass idea is a great idea. Why do the few morons insist on ruining it for everyone? Go ahead, use the fastpass whenever your heart desires. You deserve it! You should be ahead of everyone else. Go! Go!

Sorry to the families who by accident make it to the other side of the park 20 minutes after thier fastpass to get to the attraction. I'm not talking about the honestly I'm late type.

Well we don't collect numerous fast passes throughout the day. Most days we get all of one fast pass. I don't think I am entitled to go later, if a CM tells us no, we won't complain. And I am not a moron. The morons are the people who never use Fast Passes and then give people dirty looks as they breeze through the FP line.

 

[beattyfamily]

Well these theories of collecting fast passes during the day and then using them well after the expiration kind of bugs me. The whole idea of the fast pass is to regulate the people in the line to reduce wait time. If everyone starts using the fast passes whenever they want, this idea will not work and it will just be two lines of waiting. I am sick of this society that thinks rules are for everyone else's family, not ours. I mean, this whole fast pass idea is a great idea. Why do the few morons insist on ruining it for everyone? Go ahead, use the fastpass whenever your heart desires. You deserve it! You should be ahead of everyone else. Go! Go!

Sorry to the families who by accident make it to the other side of the park 20 minutes after thier fastpass to get to the attraction. I'm not talking about the honestly I'm late type.

ITA!

I think that if this practice continues, it will contribute the demise of the current Fastpass system. Something's gotta give. Coming back hours, days and even weeks later is not how Fastpass was intended to work. Of course, those who do it think there's nothing wrong with it as long as the CMs are letting them through.

I've read the rumors that at Universal, they've closed all their 'free' Express Pass machines at the rides and now only those who purchase the Express Pass ticket and also onsite guests can use Express Pass now. Not sure if it's a permanent thing but who knows.

Wouldn't surprise me if similar changes happen at WDW. (there was already a rumor going around that someday Fastpass might only be offered to Deluxe Resort guests).

 

[DisneyDotty]

Coming back hours, days and even weeks later is not how Fastpass was intended to work.

I'm pretty sure people aren't allowed to use a FP the day after it expired...An hour after, yes.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm pretty sure people aren't allowed to use a FP the day after it expired...An hour after, yes.

Hey, I'm just quoting what many on the DIS have claimed they've done. I've read many many threads on this subject...just do a search. I'm certainly not making it up.

 

[puffkin]

We have never had a problem using fast passes after they expire (same day). We generally go in June (busy season) and December (slow time).

 

[UrsulasShadow]

You know, I got dumped from TGM's program for suggesting he might be wrong to tell people they can return ANY TIME after their FP time. So, as long as there's these "experts" out there telling people they should do this, people are going to do it. No need to call them "morons", though...they're only doing what the "experts" are telling them is acceptable.