Expired Fast Passes.

[doconeill]

Have people been turned away? Yes.

Should it happen? Not normally. At least not per a front-line CM's opinion. They have documentation that tells them to accept late FPs (around here, we tend to use the term "expired" for FPs after the date of issue, as you can only use them the same day).

An attraction manager CAN direct CMs to refuse late FPs, but only under extraordinary circumstances, which rarely ever occur.

There was a recent "test" where they reportedly were announcing at the FP kiosks at a few rides that they would NOT accept late FPs that day - but then they accepted them anyways, although they did ask why. It seems like they wanted an idea of how many people used them late, and for what reasons perhaps to find out how many of those reasons might be correctable. But absolutely nothing has come of it since, except the constant "I heard from a CM they won't accept late FPs soon..."

How Nextgen/XPass might affect things is unknown, but early Nextgen tests involved a "no-queue queue" where you couldn't be late for your calling time, and no one outside of Disney knows how XPass is to be implemented yet and if it replaces FP or is in conjunction with it, but my money is that it doesn't really affect how FP is handled.

 

[doconeill]

Soarin and TSM are pretty much the only 2 rides people get turned away from. Because they are the most popular, they sometimes won't let you use a late fastpass.

There have been no credible reports of that happening at Soarin' in years now, and never consistently at TSM.

 

[kohlby]

Our most recent trip was mid-Nov 2011 and our fastpasses being used after the window was not an issue. No one gave us a hard time. In fact, no one even did so much as to pause or blink. The CM's acted the exact same with our "expired" FP last month as they did on our trip before, in Jan '10.

*We used them late even on Soarin' and TSM. However, we were not there during a busy time. Though TSM and Soarin' lines did get long, most rides had a short wait. (With even SM being a walk-on, TT did get up to 30 minutes).

 

[Lyons Family]

When we go to Epcot, we always get soarin fast passes first, go to Test Track and ride and when it is time usually after we ride Mission Space we get fast passes for test track to do later in the day.

A couple years ago, Test Track broke for the day (surpirse!). Well this past summer when we went I took Fast Passes that were almost 4 years old.
We got in the line for fast passes and when we handed them in the color code was the same, and the time was legal. So they took them and moved us on.

So much for never expiring coupons.

Safe travels.
Sue and crew

 

[mesaboy2]

When we go to Epcot, we always get soarin fast passes first, go to Test Track and ride and when it is time usually after we ride Mission Space we get fast passes for test track to do later in the day.

A couple years ago, Test Track broke for the day (surpirse!). Well this past summer when we went I took Fast Passes that were almost 4 years old.
We got in the line for fast passes and when we handed them in the color code was the same, and the time was legal. So they took them and moved us on.

So much for never expiring coupons.

Safe travels.
Sue and crew

That won't work far more often than it will. Consider it pixie dust and don't brag.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Never had a problem, except from my DH who always insists we can't do it.

 

[Robo]

Never had a problem, except from my DH who always insists we can't do it.

Show him this thread.

 

[larryz]

Unless he's a certain DIS member from Louisiana...

 

[doconeill]

When we go to Epcot, we always get soarin fast passes first, go to Test Track and ride and when it is time usually after we ride Mission Space we get fast passes for test track to do later in the day.

A couple years ago, Test Track broke for the day (surpirse!). Well this past summer when we went I took Fast Passes that were almost 4 years old.
We got in the line for fast passes and when we handed them in the color code was the same, and the time was legal. So they took them and moved us on.

So much for never expiring coupons.

Safe travels.
Sue and crew

You got lucky. The CM didn't look closely enough, as they ARE supposed to check the date. What gets me is if the passes were 4 years old, the CM should have noticed that they were printed differently (about 3 years ago they changed them to put the date bigger and under the return time). They REALLY weren't paying attention.

There is no color code by day. Each attraction has a particular "top" that is colored - it doesn't vary by day, or anything like that. It might change if they change the ticket stock and change the top design, but I can't recall that ever really happening.

 

[Lyons Family]

Oh by the way I wasnt bragging.

I thought this thread was for sharing the wealth of information we all hold.

As still a relative newbie with so few posts over the years since joining, I just wanted to share my experience. And that is what I try usually to do.

I guess thats why so many people are hesitant in posting, because some people on the boards are so judgemental and critical of others. And think they have the skills and ability to interpret the postings of others. Not just sharing vast knowledge.
But, whatever, that is probably how their post count gets so high......analyzing the views of others.
Anyway.

In the Spirit of the Season:

Merry Christmas
May it be special.
Hold the ones you love close to your heart.

Remember:
Piglet once asked----
". . . How do you spell LOVE?
and he was answered.

". . . don't worry how to spell it, it IS something you feel"

All my love............through kind feelings.

To a joyous New Year!

Sue and crew

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh by the way I wasnt bragging.

I know. I hoped the smiley would tell you I was teasing. Judging by the overreaction, I guess not.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Soarin' turned us away this past summer, but our passes were for the day before. Our toddler was not manging the heat well so we left and returned the following day and explained the situation as we were questioned upon entering the que. They thoroughly check every ticket. Every.single.time.

Why are they so strict there and not on any other attractions? Better management?

 

[mom2rtk]

Soarin' turned us away this past summer, but our passes were for the day before. Our toddler was not manging the heat well so we left and returned the following day and explained the situation as we were questioned upon entering the que. They thoroughly check every ticket. Every.single.time.

Why are they so strict there and not on any other attractions? Better management?

They are ALWAYS strict about the day, just not the return time on the correct day, as long as it's after the window opens.

 

[doconeill]

Soarin' turned us away this past summer, but our passes were for the day before. Our toddler was not manging the heat well so we left and returned the following day and explained the situation as we were questioned upon entering the que. They thoroughly check every ticket. Every.single.time.

Why are they so strict there and not on any other attractions? Better management?

There is nothing to indicate that they are any more strict at Soarin' than any other attraction. The CMs ARE supposed to check the dates on the FPs. That's why they made it easier for them to check when they moved the date up and increased its size.