Fast Pass Inquiry

[alicenwonder99]

We were told by a CM at the Pooh ride that we could use our FP anytime after the start time. So, I got our FP on the way to dinner. We showed up using the FP several hours after the time listed on it.

 

[muttngeff]

tick....tick...tick...tick.....

Just waiting for the righteous indignation bomb to go off.

But only because we have been challenged on a late FP for TT; we WERE there at the proper time, but it was not running....definitely not unusual for that ride either. We were told we could use them anytime that day when the ride was back up and running. CM was not very nice when we tried later that day. We were so tired from all the back & forth we just jumped in the (much shorter) singles line & let it go. Vacations are too short.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think this is one of those issues....

The FastPass system is designed to stagger the crowd at certain busy attractions. It's supposed to work a certain way in order to be efficient. It seems as though CMs have let the end time become more and more flexible, and we've gotten used to that flexibility and have started to feel entitled to it. So when we show up and are held up by a CM following the rule, we feel irritated. But the FastPass rule has never changed - it has a start and end time for a reason. If you can find a CM willing to let you use it after the end time, that's great, but it shouldn't become an expectation. I've seen other things like this - remember when we all used to "know" that you could show up early because the "official" opening time wasn't the "real" opening time? Who's been able to do that for the last few years?

I'm not lighting the righteous indignation bomb here, just pointing out that the rule is still in place, even if most of us get to push it for our conveneince.

 

[krismom]

I know for a fact that they (CM's) are told as Disney policy- to always accept fastpasses for the day they are given regardless of the return time. If they give you a problem- ask (politely) to talk to another CM or a lead-

 

[DVCLiz]

I know for a fact that they (CM's) are told as Disney policy- to always accept fastpasses for the day they are given regardless of the return time. If they give you a problem- ask (politely) to talk to another CM or a lead-

krismom - Just curious - how do you know this? If it were officially Disney policy, why go to the trouble of printing a return time at all? Why not just print a "start time" and honor all FastPasses using the start time? Not a slam, just curious - is this PR on Disney's part?

 

[Synonymous]

I know for a fact that they (CM's) are told as Disney policy- to always accept fastpasses for the day they are given regardless of the return time. If they give you a problem- ask (politely) to talk to another CM or a lead-

That's my understanding, as well. We never worry about the return time and we've never once been turned away. At most a CM says "you're late" as s/he lets us in.

So, for everyone worried about following "the rules," relax- there is no such rule.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't think Disney enforces that FP times as well as they should, because like previous posters said, that people using expired FP's will throw off the whole time thing, and if everyone did that FP's would be useless. The one exception I would make would be if a ride broke down earlier, and then it wouldn't be the FP users fault that they missed there time.

 

[terribm]

Seems to me that the purpose is being defeated if you only go by the earliest return time. Why are you allowed to come back prior to your return time? B/c it would cause back-ups in the FP line, right? Wouldn't returning after your window possibly do the same if everyone ignored the time and came back whenever they wanted to? I wish Disney would have a definative policy and enforce it of course with the ability to view things on a case by case basis such as the ride being down or sickness. JMO

Terri

 

[civileng68]

The only time CM's enforce this time period is when they "have" to.

Meaning................because they only issue so many per hour, if everyone comes back 2 hours late, the FP line becomes as long as the stand by line. If there is no problem with the FP line backing up on a particular ride, they will let it slide..............but, when they notice that the FP line starts backing up........they enforce the times to keep it down, which is to keep it's original purpose.

 

[Synonymous]

Seems to me that the purpose is being defeated if you only go by the earliest return time. Why are you allowed to come back prior to your return time? B/c it would cause back-ups in the FP line, right? Wouldn't returning after your window possibly do the same if everyone ignored the time and came back whenever they wanted to?

If that was really a problem, Disney wouldn't allow it. Since they do allow it, it must not be a problem.

 

[Contrariwise]

Hmmmm.... Well I hope my DH never hears about this "return after it's expired" option. Couple of years ago we literally RAN from lunch at Epcot to Space Mountain (thought we had more time- didn't.)
Ran from France to the monorail, quick run to MK monorail... tap tap tap of feet while waiting... burst out upon arrival & ran to ticket place "excuse me, sorry... fastpass... sorry... excuse me..." Finger scanned at amazing speed, DH FLEW through the turnstile, lost his balance, rolled a la Captain Kirk, got up and continued running (man the baffled looks we must've gotten)... then BAM- we hit the parade. Power-walked around it then hit our stride again. Made it with ONE MINUTE to spare and we were so excited!! Out of breath, but GREAT ride.
It was our anniversary, without kids, and we were a tad giddy...
Yeah, we're just going to stick to the within the hour thing...

 

[pezpam]

If that was really a problem, Disney wouldn't allow it. Since they do allow it, it must not be a problem.

That just means it's not a problem *yet*.....

I've never had a problem making my FP time, but I'm comfortable with occasional exceptions for people like the poster who mentioned that they were ill and in the bathroom during their FP window. If too many people take advantage of the fact that CMs will let you through outside of your window, sooner or later they'll have to tighten up the enforcement of the system and people like that poster will wind up being turned away. I'd rather keep the Magic for folks with an unavoidable or unexpected problem than lose it for everyone.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

On occassion we show up late to use our Fast Pass. It has never been a problem. In fact we were a few hours late using ours on ToT on Saturday.

That said, I wouldn't try it with Soarin, Test Track and possibly Space Mountain.

 

[SunshineOR]

This is completely just my opinion based on speculation...

But I can understand why Disney doesn't get into strictly enforcing the time except during back up times or on certain rides. There are so many reasons that people can be held up in the parks and miss their times. Rather than having a lot of angry people storming CMs with their reasons, it's probably just easier have a policy to accept late fastpasses. I think it's been established here that when there is an issue of a fp line backup, CMs will be strong and turn people away, so those of you who are totally honest and return in your window are doing the right thing. Those of us who come late are taking a risk that we might be turned away.

Also, I believe the main thing for Disney is that rather than having people stand in lines not spending any money, the idea is that people are at restaurants and stores spending their money. It makes sense then not to strictly enforce fastpass return windows because you don't want guests dropping their purchases and running for an attraction to make a fastpass window because then the park isn't maximizing profits.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The reason they don't enforce it consistantly is on many rides at many times, it's not going to make too big a difference. And in such cases, since it's really not a problem, I have no problem with them letting people through. But if the fastpass line is backing up, they will indeed tell you no or write a different time on your FP's. And they have every right to.

 

[eeyore45]

At which attraction did you have this problem? I ask this because the only attraction I've read that people have had problems using fastpasses AFTER their time window was at Soarin'. For some reason they seem more strict there.

Yep it happened to us last October at Soarin, and like others had posted we usually always made it bake within the posted return time - but occassionly we didnt, and would ask the cm at the attraction, and were assured that it wuld be ok to return later than the time listed...

until that fateful Soarin... I too understand, the FP return lane at some of the attractions can be long - the reason FP run out is only a certain number are issued... for a reason,

I try and follow rules, I really truly do!! I like being a part of WDW magic, I dont want to be a trouble maker, or feel "entitled"...

that being said I've never been to disney when it wasnt CROWDED!! I'd much rather go like on those days of old - e ride nite pay extra... them there were the days!!

 

[jade1]

I always make sure everyone in the group makes it in the time slot just to avoid a possible let down.

 

[Synonymous]

I try and follow rules, I really truly do!! I like being a part of WDW magic, I dont want to be a trouble maker, or feel "entitled".../QUOTE]

See, this is what bugs me- it's not a rule. I'm not a trouble-maker or a rule breaker when I follow Disney's own policy. Maybe some people think it shouldn't be Disney's policy. Take that up with Iger or something.

If Disney made it a rule that you have to be back during your window, then I would make sure I'm back during the window. But they haven't. So I won't. That's not selfish, feeling entitled, or anything else. If there's ever a problem, Disney will make a rule, and I'll follow it.

This board is for park touring advice, and people deserve to know the truth- Disney does not enforce the end of the return window. It's a great tip, and it's exactly the kind of inside knowledge people come to this board for.

 

[markwake]

Couple of years ago we literally RAN from lunch at Epcot to Space Mountain (thought we had more time- didn't.)
Ran from France to the monorail, quick run to MK monorail... tap tap tap of feet while waiting... burst out upon arrival & ran to ticket place "excuse me, sorry... fastpass... sorry... excuse me..." Finger scanned at amazing speed, DH FLEW through the turnstile, lost his balance, rolled a la Captain Kirk, got up and continued running (man the baffled looks we must've gotten)... then BAM- we hit the parade. Power-walked around it then hit our stride again. Made it with ONE MINUTE to spare and we were so excited!! Out of breath, but GREAT ride.
It was our anniversary, without kids, and we were a tad giddy...
Yeah, we're just going to stick to the within the hour thing...

What a great Anniversary memory. You two are just the kind of people I'd like to go "commando" through the parks with. I wonder if we could set some sort of land speed record to hit all the major rides . . .

 

[boatboatboat]

So if the time isn't important, why even have a "fast pass"?

Heck just get a return ticket that says "yall come back any time ya want"