Expired Fastpasses

[Max Rebo]

I've heard that it's still possible to use a Fastpass, even you missed the specified "window." In other words, if your SM Fastpass says "11:30-12:30," you can pretty much show up any time from 11:30 until park closing time and still use the Fastpass.

Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[cleo]

Usually the answer is Yes. Sometimes it's No. As with all things Disney, it depends on which CM is manning the station at the time.

 

[Tiffany]

I've heard that it's still possible to use a Fastpass, even you missed the specified "window." In other words, if your SM Fastpass says "11:30-12:30," you can pretty much show up any time from 11:30 until park closing time and still use the Fastpass.

Anyone have any experience with this?

I would not count on being able to do this. The time windows serve a purpose of keeping the flow of people spread out. There have been reports of people beging able to use a fastpass outside of its indicated window but you should not count of being allowed to use a fastpass outside of its window.

 

[valeriekc]

Not to be mean but this topic has been dicussed over and over ad nauseum.
the fastpasses have a starting time and an ending time....in other words a window.
If everyone uses them outside the window, then the fastpass idea collapses and the process becomes slowpass.
I have been turned away with an expired time fastpass and it was most embarrassing for our family, however I have heard about folks using a pass when it was a few minutes late as well.
It really comes down to folks thinking about the process and striving to behave responsibly....when rides are broken the CMs will usually tell you they will honor expired passes, other than that you know the answer, it is your subject line "EXPIRED fastpasses.
Now for everyone that is dying to chime in here and tell me and the OP how you've used passes from 9AM at 8PM in the evening and gotten away with it and even better a CM told you "use them anytime you want"...great you beat the system, but you know as does everyone else does.
If they designed the fastpass to not have a window they would only print a starting time, not an ending or expiration time! Period.

 

[cleo]

Since you don't really want to be holding a FP longer than you really need to, I don't think it's a matter of 'beating the system' or trying to get something you aren't entitled to, it's just a question of IF you can do this IF you have to. If you miss your window you can still (usually) use your FP.

Obviously, flow is good. However, if you're having lunch or on another attraction when your time window ends, it's a fair question to ask if you can still use it.

 

[dizplanner]

However if the pass is for a show such as Little Mermaid, you have to use it for that show. While you can usually use fastpasses after the one hour window, you usually can't use show fastpasses for later shows.

 

[tkitty]

We just spent 6 days in the parks, and I think they looked at the times on the FPs only a few times. We did end up using ours after the window a few time due to having lunch, etc.

 

[dpic]

Looks like someone wants to add Expired Fast-Passing to the list of unforgivable sins that includes mug refilling and pool hopping.

 

[Daryl]

while I've never seen anyone allowed entry to a ride before the fastpass window begins, I've never had a problem using a fast pass past the return time. Never been stopped or questioned. If a cast member did turn me away I wouldn't be embarrassed. In my experience Disney has always been very flexible when it comes to accommodating guests. If you are allowed to use your pass fine, in not move on and continue to enjoy your Disney vacation!

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I've heard that it's still possible to use a Fastpass, even you missed the specified "window." In other words, if your SM Fastpass says "11:30-12:30," you can pretty much show up any time from 11:30 until park closing time and still use the Fastpass.

Anyone have any experience with this?

According to my 2 family members who are Disney CMs, it is perfectly accepable to come after the window, just no time before, and you shouldn't be turned away.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am one of the unlucky ones who has been turned away due to an expired fastpass. First time was me and my two dd's at Star Tours. We had a mixup on our PS at Sci Fi and very very slow service otherwise we would have had plenty of time. Not only did the CM not allow us to use our FP late but she was quite curt about it and took the slips so we couldn't try again later!

More recently I was given a bit of a hard time at TT with a FP that I was told was ok to use anytime that day because the ride was down during our ride window. When we returned later the CM wasn't going to let us use it until I told him the ride was broken during our window at which point he did let us use it.

I have also seen a few parties of people with expired FP's turned away from Soarin - this was in May 06. I noticed because we were behind them with valid FP's and it was taking alot of time and the guests were not quiet!!

Honestly, I have read so many accounts of those who have no problem using the FP late that I wonder why I am so unlucky, LOL So my personal rule of thumb is going to remain the same, try and return during the ride window. If for some reason we miss the window I may still try and use the FP but I am not going to count on it or use it as a touring strategy. If we really want to ride the ride, esp Soarin or EE we will return during the window, YMMV.

TJ

 

[MagneticxBoy]

We used Fast Passes past the time like two times on our recent trip.. Both times they let us in, but gave us a look like they were about to say something to us.. I didnt feel comfortable about it and I didnt like the fact that I was worried they might not let us in.. So next time I'm never going to be "late"

 

[MickeyP]

I asked a CM at Peter Pan when he thought I would be able to get a FP for say, 8:00 pm, he said "Get one now (for 2:00) and come back tonight with it. You can use them anytime until the park closes and I said, "Does everyone at this ride know this?" he said, "Everyone in the park knows this." So I loaded up with Peter Pan, 1/2 hour later Space MT., 1 hr. later Big Th. Mt. We went at night and no problem. Although I will say, Fastpass lines are getting longer. Peter Pan's wait was maybe 25 minutes.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I can't think of a time when I've tried to use a late FP, but I might. UOG has a story about someone using an FP 3 years after it expired . I don't think its in the same category as pool-hopping and mug refilling because using an FP past its designated is merely a request that the CM may or may not honor. No such request is made with the other two issues.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wouldn't suggest planning one's park touring with the intention of using a Fast Pass after its expiration time, and I wouldn't expect to be able to use an expired one on the REALLY popular rides as indicated in post # 11; other than that, it's at the CM's discretion. However, if a Guest does miss their window and a Greeter doesn't honor the expired FP, oh well...

 

[BeautyNBeast]

From what I was told by a CM, during non busy times, you can use fast passes after the time allotted on the ticket. During busy times, like the week between Christmas and NY's, this would not be allowed. From My experience, most CM's just look to make sure the time on the ticket is after the actual time.

 

[Cruz91]

Not to be mean but this topic has been dicussed over and over ad nauseum.
the fastpasses have a starting time and an ending time....in other words a window.
If everyone uses them outside the window, then the fastpass idea collapses and the process becomes slowpass.
I have been turned away with an expired time fastpass and it was most embarrassing for our family, however I have heard about folks using a pass when it was a few minutes late as well.
It really comes down to folks thinking about the process and striving to behave responsibly....when rides are broken the CMs will usually tell you they will honor expired passes, other than that you know the answer, it is your subject line "EXPIRED fastpasses.
Now for everyone that is dying to chime in here and tell me and the OP how you've used passes from 9AM at 8PM in the evening and gotten away with it and even better a CM told you "use them anytime you want"...great you beat the system, but you know as does everyone else does.
If they designed the fastpass to not have a window they would only print a starting time, not an ending or expiration time! Period.

Here we go again... They also post speed limits on freeways, arrows showing the appropriate ways to travel in many parking lots, and countless other 'rules' meant to create a harmonious existance. If you've never broken any of those guidelines, kudos to you and you'll get an extra jewel in your crown. If you HAVE ever bent a rule, then don't look down your nose at those using FP's outside of the window.

Example - if I get a FP for Pooh's ride and my kids need a nap during that FP window, I will use the FP later. I've never been told no. FYI - Disney Land's official policy (as of a couple of months ago, anyway) was to accept any FP after the open time. I haven't found any official policy for WDW yet.

 

[Mariposa]

I haven't found any official policy for WDW yet.

I've been told repeatedly that the policy is that FPs are to be accepted anytime after the start of the window, as long as it is the same day. (So, it's the same policy as DL.)