Expired Fastpasses Refused

[checkwriter]

An FYI: we had two instances during our recent trip where day-plus-old FPs were refused; once on TofT and again on Soarin', and in each case despite our polite but persistent questioning.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Don't the fastpasses change color each day? I thought this was always the case, that a fastpass more than a day old would never be allowed.

 

[Sandi]

Why would FPs that expired ever be accepted? If they're expired -- 5 minutes or a day -- they're no good.

 

[bleeps]

Yes, it IS safe to assume that day old FPs will be refused. The deal is that you can usually use FPs on the DAY they were issued, but after the last time listed on the pass. So, you could get an FP that tells you to return today between 10:00 and 10:45 -- and you could still use that at 11:00 on THAT day. With all due respect to OP, I believe that has always been true (that a day later is too late)....

 

[Sherrypooh]

I was always under the impression that you were to use the times for the fastpass as on the ticket. I can see if you are a few minutes late, but how can anyone think it is okay to use it the next day? I don't get it.

 

[Kick Save]

Why would FPs that expired ever be accepted? If they're expired -- 5 minutes or a day -- they're no good.

It's an unwritten rule that FPs are OK to use after your window has expired. You'll never get in before it opens, but if your FP expired at 12:30PM you can come back later in the afternoon and they'll accept it at 4PM and let you on the ride.

Now, trying to use one the next day? Never heard of those being accepted.

 

[checkwriter]

We almost never used our FPs within the return window, and had no problems.

The Unofficial Guide suggests that FPs could be used after their issue date. I would not count on it, though.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

We almost never used our FPs within the return window, and had no problems.

The Unofficial Guide suggests that FPs could be used after their issue date. I would not count on it, though.

I don't get it, why would you think you could use a FP on a different day? Why is it so hard to go back to the ride within the time frame provided? We have used FP and have always been able to work our schedule around so that we arrive back at the ride within the FP times. I think that WDW should adopt a policy that if you are more than 15 minutes late for the FP that it is null and void and that you must either get another FP or stand in line.

 

[Skwinkles]

I can't say that I'm surprised that you had trouble using the FastPass on a different day. They only give out a certain number per day, so I would imagine that it would cause a significant back up on a particular day if many people were to bring passes from other days.

That being said, we've never had a problem using a pass from the same day later than the noted time frame.

 

[tjmw2727]

Since we return during our fast pass window anyway it isn't a problem for us. I mentioned on a few of my posts after our April trip that the CMs were refusing late FP's on Soarin, EE and Test Track.

Also RnRC was down and we were told we could use the FP anytime that day. When we returned the CM wasn't going to let us on late until we told him the ride was down during our window.

I always suggest that if you really want to ride just return during the window and have no worries.

TJ

 

[bicker]

Why would FPs that expired ever be accepted? If they're expired -- 5 minutes or a day -- they're no good.

That's true, but until people started trying to use old FPs in significant numbers, CMs haven't been too careful about denying them.

It's an unwritten rule that FPs are OK to use after your window has expired.

Hehe... wishful thinking. It was never a rule, written or otherwise. It was what a lot of opportunistic folks wanted to be true, and something many CMs let slide, and may continue to let slide, but the program description is very clear that you must use your FPs during the designated time.

 

[Todd&Copper]

What about in the case of ride breakdowns? Last summer, my mom and sister had FP's for Soarin', but it broke down and was not back up for the rest of the day they were at EPCOT. They went back to EPCOT a couple of days later and were informed that if they had still had the FP's from the other day they would have been able to use them that afternoon. Is this not true?

 

[liamsaunt]

We were able to use day old fast passes on Test Track, but only because the ride was closed during our window because it was raining. It rained all afternoon so we did not have the opportunity to ride that day at all.

 

[bicker]

That offer is often made, on a case-by-case basis. No guarantees; subject to change, of course.

 

[crow11ad]

Why would FPs that expired ever be accepted? If they're expired -- 5 minutes or a day -- they're no good.

Well the reason for 5 minutes or more for that day is like this. Lets say you get a fast pass for TOT and it's for 12-1pm that day. But, you have ADR for 50's or Sci-Fi, for 12. Even though you have an ADR for 12 there might still be a wait. After you eat and by the time you get back to TOT, it's now 1:05 pm. So by your standards and by your thinking, you should be denied to use your fast pass. But, you go back to get a fast pass and they are all gone. It's your last day at DS, and you really wanted to ride it, but you cannot wait in the now 1hr line. Now your day is ruined.

That is why they let you use it for the same day after it has expired, cause they realize that there are other things to do and people have scheduled other things for different times.

 

[ReggieB]

What about in the case of ride breakdowns? Last summer, my mom and sister had FP's for Soarin', but it broke down and was not back up for the rest of the day they were at EPCOT. They went back to EPCOT a couple of days later and were informed that if they had still had the FP's from the other day they would have been able to use them that afternoon. Is this not true?

I can understand that being allowed, because of the circumstances. Obviously CM's would (possibly) know if a ride had gone down. If you had an unused FP for a date and time when a ride had been down, you could hardly have gone on it. However I don't know if that's a policy or not, probably down to Disney's discretion.

It didn't occur to me that you could use FP's outside of the time frame printed on the ticket. But hey I'm Little Miss Law & Order, I can't even slightly dent a rule, without having major guilt issues!!

 

[dwaters]

I agree about the "unwritten rule". We've used Fastpasses after the stated end time and never had a problem. The CM's don't mind at all. If they don't care, then it isn't a problem.
I even had a CM (looked like an important imagineer type) hand me an Everest fastpass to go try the new ride as I was exiting Kali River Rapids.
The pass had been printed out at 9am and it was 6pm (almost closing) at the time.
Of course they won't accept it if you try to use the passes earlier than the time or the next day.

 

[elastigirl]

I always suggest that if you really want to ride just return during the window and have no worries.

I agree with this.

As helpful as they are, fastpasses aren't some altruistic gift from Disney. They are for crowd control and to generate revenue. Using a fastpass later in the day (currently allowed by CMs most of the time) or in following days negates the intended purpose and makes the fastpass line longer than it's supposed to be. I'm fine with Disney refusing access to the fastpass line after the return window.

 

[bicker]

And of course, the sooner after your window, the more likely they'll generously allow you to use the FastPass late. However, it shouldn't be expected, even five minutes after the window.

 

[tjmw2727]

Well the reason for 5 minutes or more for that day is like this. Lets say you get a fast pass for TOT and it's for 12-1pm that day. But, you have ADR for 50's or Sci-Fi, for 12. Even though you have an ADR for 12 there might still be a wait. After you eat and by the time you get back to TOT, it's now 1:05 pm. So by your standards and by your thinking, you should be denied to use your fast pass. But, you go back to get a fast pass and they are all gone. It's your last day at DS, and you really wanted to ride it, but you cannot wait in the now 1hr line. Now your day is ruined.

That is why they let you use it for the same day after it has expired, cause they realize that there are other things to do and people have scheduled other things for different times.

I would have to disagree because I have been in this exact situation and due to a snaffu with our PS and one forgotten meal at Sci FI we were late for our Star Tours FP windiow and were not allowed to ride.

I would also advise that you can plan your FP use around other plans like ADR's and parades since the return time is clearly marked before you get the FP. If you have an ADR for 12 then I would not suggest getting a FP if the return time is during that time frame. This may prevent you from using your FP as well as keeping you from getting another.

Not all CM's allow the use of late FP's and if my April trip is any indication they seem to be enforcing them times more carefully, YMMV.

TJ