do they really let you use expired fastpasses?

[rmontgo892]

How is it fair to use a fastpass after the set times/dates? Yea, yea...a little Disney Magic is fine when little Suzy or little Johnny had a "bathroom" emergency or nap etc can we please still use our fastpass and a CM lets you. I don't mind exceptions to the rule. I am the idiot that lets your kids stand in front of me at parades after I waited an hour+ and said family couldn't make it earlier or didn't check the schedule.

This isn't addressed to the OP! For the others, if ya gotta *ask* a CM if it's *ok* to use an expired fastpass when there is a date and time stamped on it...you know it's not policy, period! If they let you go and explain with a wink and no we don't *honor* the fastpass policy of the timeframe window and date then that CM isn't doing the right thing either! If the date has expired...please explain it to me slowly how in a million years you think thats fair and conducive to the whole system running smoothly???

I can tell you that my family missed the window a few times on a fastpass and threw them away. Never even thought of a way to beat the system. How fair is it that my family follows the rules and either makes it back in time or throws them away while other families think they are above the policy?

Unless I am wrong (happens) and the new, new policy is to just get a FASTPASS whenever you want and use it whenever you want.

Needless to say I e-mailed Disney asking if the policy has changed and if I was misinformed. Yea, I am sure I may get a canned response that policy is policy but this inconsistency with CM's and WDW policy is unfair to guests that follow the rules!

If my family can drag our butts back during the time stamp and miss out on something else then so can't yours. Otherwise it belongs in the trash. Unless of course I am wrong and there isn't a time stamp, date, or window of expiration.

 

[Luv4Disney]

We're not trying to "beat the system." This was told to us by a CM with no sly winks or whatever. We specifically asked and they said it's fine. Always after, never before-that is what we were told, by numerous CM's to be exact.

 

[cheerdancer11]

This is good to know for next time! I guess we just were there at a really busy time so they wouldnt use expired ones.

 

[Mandabella]

We never had a problem using expired fastpasses at DL during last July. We've never tried at WDW because for some reason we either make it or just donate our passes to a family nearby.

 

[Mandabella]

We're not trying to "beat the system." This was told to us by a CM with no sly winks or whatever. We specifically asked and they said it's fine. Always after, never before-that is what we were told, by numerous CM's to be exact.

Us too...so you're not the only ones.

As to being fair, aren't there only X amount of fastpasses per day? It's not like there is an endless supply to screw over the stanby line. Sheesh...

BTW...there is a thread for what irks you about WDW. If using fastpasses after the time has expired irks you, go post it there. I think it's the one thing that people have NOT griped about yet over there.

 

[Lawshark]

Roxanne,

Sorry, but I think your extreme dismay at the practice is overwrought...for the most part.

Using a fastpass later in the same day? I simply don't see how that is a big deal at all. Using it on another day? I think you've got a legitimate argument there.

The reason that it wouldn't be a big deal if you use your FP later than your window (and as someone astutely pointed out...the FP does NOT say "thou shalt not return late"...it only says "thou shalt not arrive early") is that the FP simply acts like a "placeholder" for you in line.

Here's the analogy...

The FP you receive acts as your "stand in" who gets in the line at the attraction and starts waiting in line for you. You then get to head off and do something different while your FP doppleganger "waits in line" for you. The number of FPs are limited, so there are only so many virtual placeholders in line during the day.

Now...if your window expires and you come back later...it's really no different than if you really were standing in line...arrive at the front and said to the people behind you, "Please, go ahead of me...you too...you too..." etc. The FP has already saved your place in line for the day...and will only save so many spots. You're not "taking" away anyone's spot in line.

BUT...coming back on a different day? Yeah...you're right on that one. Nobody save your spot in line for that particular day...you're adding an extra person to the line.

btw...I also questioned a CM about expired FPs and she confirmed that they do NOT look at the dates as a general rule...not because they don't care but because the dates are teeny tiny and they're busy trying to get the line moving. Coming back on a different DAY certainly would be at your own risk.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Lawshark beat me to it! That is exactly what I wanted to say! Fast Pass has secured your place in line for that attraction. You aren't taking anything away from anyone else.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I guess I should've explained the "other day." We had FP's for Test Track and that day it happened to rain. We came back the next day and told the CM we had these from yesterday but were rained out. He said they would honor it because we have no control of the weather. If he had said no...fine...no big deal. Please...we don't go to Disney to cheat other people - I would feel too guilty.

And with using the FP's AFTER the "time-frame"...the CM's know what they're doing. Obviously if it wasn't allowed they wouldn't let you on after the time. Correct? The CM's are strict (and so they should be) when it comes to enforcing the rules. They won't even let you on a second before your FP time. And yes, I've given away FP's as well to other people because we were leaving or whatnot. There are only so many distributed, so why not give to someone else to use, rather than throwing them away? I've also been given them and was always very grateful.

 

[rmontgo892]

We're not trying to "beat the system." This was told to us by a CM with no sly winks or whatever. We specifically asked and they said it's fine. Always after, never before-that is what we were told, by numerous CM's to be exact.

I can understand what your saying. That's why I e-mailed wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com. There still had to be a "conversation" about what was on the actual fastpass though and what's the new accepted policy regardless of what's printed on them. If it's different than what is on the actual FASTPASS and ALL CM's are directed to accept them regardless of time stamp or date, then either the FASTPASS needs to be changed or my family still is not gonna break the rules unless I am assured that the time stamp and date are meaningless and I was completely wrong in my assumptions.

I guess I am wrong then that the date on the FASTPASS means something.

For the other poster , this is a thread about whether you can or can't use an expired FASTPASS. If the question starting this thread uses the term *expired* then yea its breaking the rules, period, whether you can get away with it or not, period. Your not alone isn't something someone with ethics uses for an argument or discussion to prove a point.

As I already said, if I am wrong then I am wrong about the "unspoken" policy that contradicts what's on the FASTPASS. It also doesn't make you or anyone else "right" that your getting away with something if others are doing it. Same argument your using has been used lots of times for refillable mugs and/or pool hooping. Just because guests can get away with something doesn't make it right anyway ya look at it! Can ya do it...sure!

Lawshark~ My dismay at the practice is "Overwrought?" Your certainly entitled to your defense/opinion of a "practice" that contradicts what is on an actual FASTPASS. Your logic in your argument is slightly skewed when defending something contrary to quite a few that assumed the term expired was in fact a legitmate term to describe said "practice."

Maybe I am incorrect. If a said time frame is given and at a certain point in the day the FASTPASS machine runs outta FASTPASS(s) then why bother with a stamped time frame or date at all? I assumed a time stamp is read by the machine and allows for a certain number of guests to return at THAT time then moves up to the next start time and so on until the machine runs out.

I have been 30+ times and never knew that a date and time was besides the point. I assumed the machine allows for a certain amount of people at a certain time so the system runs more smoothly.

Questioning a CM in and of itself lends for an interpretation of stated or implied rules with regards to date and window time stamp. Policy is policy. Interpretation is just that and all relative, imho.

I have had CM's tell me to smoke where I want. Could I? Should I? No, I smoke in the immediate designated areas. Is it really going to bother anyone if I huddle behind the Xmas shop in the MK in the corner closer to the Tavern? I still follow the assumed policy regardless of what I am told.

Sorry, but I think any justification is just that...a justification. Call me overwrought but justifying this behavior does lend for further abuses like the "date" scenario. There are always gonna be those that push the envelope.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I don't feel that anyone is "pushing the envelope" by asking if something is allowed. We asked, and then acted upon what we were told. When a CM tells us we can use a FP after the time stamped what should we say? "I don't believe, let me speak to someone higher just to be sure." That would not only be uncalled for but it would be insulting the knowledge of the CM. And if you have ever looked at a FP, no where does it state that it "expires" after this time. It is mearly a window of time. And as I've stated before, obviously if it wasn't allowed, the CM wouldn't let you in. They don't let you in before, so why would they let you in AFTER the time? Now that doesn't make much sense does it? Furthermore, it's not as if some CM's were saying one thing and other saying another...it's universal. Everyone who writes on this board obviously loves Disney, so I would safely bet that no one here would ever "push the envelope" or "cheat" other guests out of something.

 

[MickeyFlirt]

Wow I never knew I was cheating the system for using a fastpass after the time. I mean I was told several times that I could. There are only a certain about of FP given out in one day and once there gone there gone so I don't see how I am cheating anyone else either b/c I will already have had mine. I looked at some of my FPs for previous trips that I couldn't use and all they say is you can't them BEFORE the time and must be used on the same day(which I would do)

 

[Luv4Disney]

Wow I never knew I was cheating the system for using a fastpass after the time. I mean I was told several times that I could. There are only a certain about of FP given out in one day and once there gone there gone so I don't see how I am cheating anyone else either b/c I will already have had mine. I looked at some of my FPs for previous trips that I couldn't use and all they say is you can't them BEFORE the time and must be used on the same day(which I would do)

You never knew you were cheating the system because you're not. I agree what you're saying. What people FEEL and what IS is two different things. I'm with you.

 

[Lawshark]

Luv4...confession here too...we did use one of our FPs on a different day too. We had a child who simply had enough and needed to go back to the hotel before our FP window opened for Test Track. We ended up back at Epcot for just a couple hours later in the week and thought, "what the heck, might as well ask". I explained that we had to leave early and the CM said that we could go ahead and use it...but it was clearly an accomodation in that case...similar to yours.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Luv4...confession here too...we did use one of our FPs on a different day too. We had a child who simply had enough and needed to go back to the hotel before our FP window opened for Test Track. We ended up back at Epcot for just a couple hours later in the week and thought, "what the heck, might as well ask". I explained that we had to leave early and the CM said that we could go ahead and use it...but it was clearly an accomodation in that case...similar to yours.

I mean, it's not like we tried to trick the CM or anything. We explained our situations and asked. Obviously if it wasn't okay, they would've said so. I wouldn't have been a big deal but what's the harm in asking? It's not "against the rules" or anything and CM's aren't obligated to make such an accomodation. They were simply, shall we say, spreading the magic. We were honest and asked permission.

 

[Lawshark]

How is it fair to use a fastpass after the set times/dates? (snip) I am the idiot that lets your kids stand in front of me at parades after I waited an hour+ and said family couldn't make it earlier or didn't check the schedule. (snip)

For the others, if ya gotta *ask* a CM if it's *ok* to use an expired fastpass when there is a date and time stamped on it...you know it's not policy, period! (snip) please explain it to me slowly how in a million years you think thats fair and conducive to the whole system running smoothly??? (snip)

How fair is it that my family follows the rules and either makes it back in time or throws them away while other families think they are above the policy? (snip)

unfair to guests that follow the rules!

If my family can drag our butts back during the time stamp and miss out on something else then so can't (sic) yours. Otherwise it belongs in the trash.

Gee...I have noooooooo idea where I got the impression that your reaction was a bit "overwrought". Sorry...I misinterpreted you calm examination of the issue. Mea culpa!

 

[Alice Sr.]

I think it was just the 1st year that they were anal about the expiration time. After that it probably became apparent that there are going to be a million and one legitimate reasons for not getting back in time. The 1st time we used F/P we also had PS's for 50's and the service was way, way slow obviously not our fault, we couldn't make it in time, it's hard to turn people away for situations like that (although they did ) I think it's great you can use them later, it keeps you from running around the park like a chicken with it's head cut off.

 

[valeriekc]

I have found that the cast members are pretty accomodating if you are a somewhat late and have let us in.
However we have seen SEVERAL FAMILIES TURNED AWAY on many occasions because they were trying to use fast passes from the day before. They were all extremely embarrassed and rightfully so.
Just because people have been able to use expired fastpasses DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT.
If expiration was not an issue...they would not print dates or ending times.
You would agree if you think logically about it, if everyone starting using expired passes from any older time that would make the entire system backed up.
They carefully alot a certain number of passes for each time frame and if you throw in expired passes that would turn fastpass immediately into SLOWPASS.
I have seen it happen at Space Mountain after the ride has broken and they honor all the passes from earlier. We had passes and the fastpass line was almost as long as the standby. It made it incredibly slow for both lines. Bad deal I say.
Also we try to plan carefully our times and FP choices and use them promptly or have handed a few away when someone in our party didn't want to ride at that time.
That can be a real fun treat and makes for some nice Disney magic for everyone invloved. So in conclusion I have welcomed the careful checking I have witnessed by CM's to keep the system working as intended. remember just don't come early and jam up the entrance for people who are on time!
Have fun!

 

[disney4me4ever]

You would agree if you think logically about it, if everyone starting using expired passes from any older time that would make the entire system backed up.
They carefully alot a certain number of passes for each time frame and if you throw in expired passes that would turn fastpass immediately into SLOWPASS.
I have seen it happen at Space Mountain after the ride has broken and they honor all the passes from earlier. We had passes and the fastpass line was almost as long as the standby. It made it incredibly slow for both lines.

You are exactly right. We saw this very thing happen a couple weeks ago when we at the World. Splash Mtn. was down all morning. People continued to obtain Fastpasses for when the ride came up, which it did, but not til early afternoon. Both lines at that point were so backed up, it was ridiculous.

 

[geek457]

However we have seen SEVERAL FAMILIES TURNED AWAY on many occasions because they were trying to use fast passes from the day before. They were all extremely embarrassed and rightfully so.

I think that most of us agree that trying to use a FP from a prior DATE is sort of "pushing" the system beyond what the CM's intend, but when was the last time you saw someone turned away on the SAME DAY for a FP whose one-hour window was over?

 

[Lawshark]

Exactly right Geek...those who are working themselves up into a fine frenzy seem to be losing sight of the context here. I have yet to see anyone on this thread advocating using FPs from a different day as being ok and part of the normal course of using FPs. I have also yet to see anyone muster a valid rebuttal to my point that if CMs are allowing the use of FPs after the "window" on the same day it does not add extra people to the ride load for the day. It flat out simply doesn't increase the overall line for the day...each and every FP for the day has already been accounted for.