Fast Pass Inquiry

[Synonymous]

I'm not sure I completely understand the theory behind Fastpass, but I think it's just about spacing out the crowd. The idea is to delay people's entry so they don't all scrunch up in line first thing in the morning and keep it clogged the whole day. You make them come back later, delaying their entry in the line to keep it flowing more smoothly. The vast majority will come back as soon as they can- witness the big crowd standing around the entrance waiting for each new window to open up. Heck, some people even get their fastpass then sit outside the ride waiting for their time to come up. The key is to get people who would be standing in line to come back later. It probably doesn't matter how much later they come. If it was important, they'd probably require you to comply with the window.

 

[Schmeck]

Synonomous, in one post you say it's not a rule, and in another you say it's a rule that's not enforced...

 

[seashoreCM]

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.... CM was not very nice when we tried later that day. .

If a ride breaks down, you are definitely entitled to come back later at your convenience. This includes times when the fast pass line is very long which normally does not occur except after a prior breakdown. It is appropriate to ask for a supervisor.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastpass.htm

 

[taximomfor4]

well, apparently it IS a rule...because the 2 cm's that told us no, seemed quite sure of themselves. And they had it in writing (o;n our very own fp's).

 

[MommyPoppins]

I always try to get back to the ride in my time frame, but last year once or twice we didn't make it and some time later when we were in the area, I asked the CM if we could still use it and he said it was okay. I think it all depends on what attraction, how busy it is and if your CM is having a good day.

 

[eeyore45]

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.
__________________

And as such I feel it is imparitive to say that our experience was - we missed our return time on the FP - and yes its on the back. "Disney" may not enforce it, but the CM at the return FP checking FP times DID... when I questioned THAT CM I was directed to - - "the manager" who had the same response. Our experience. Not yours. Ours.

It was October, a time I had thought due to reading these "touring advice" forum was SLOW - it wasnt. We were turned away. I didnt yell or scream to get my way to state BUT DIsney doesnt enforce this...

my experience.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

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.

ITA. If people want to break their necks to get back during their one hour window, go for it. I choose to take advantage of the tips I learn here.

One new tip I've learned from this thread is that you may find the CMs at Soarin to be picky about the return time. Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. But, I'll still consider the return time optional on my other FPs. I'll bet that 90% of the people in the park don't know this trick. That's why it works.

The other FP tip I learned here is that you may be able to get a second FP prior to the time listed on your first FP.

 

[Mister Incredible]

The other FP tip I learned here is that you may be able to get a second FP prior to the time listed on your first FP.

Got a "fast pass surprise" at test track the other day. Two fast passes printed out. The first one was for test track. The second was an instant fast pass for mission space. I thought that was pretty cool and added to the magic!

I try to make it back within the hour, but wouldn't run over people to make it back! I have never been "turned away". If it did happen, oh well move on.

It's a chance you take. Most of the fast pass rides are ones you want to be there as early as you can.

Let's not forget about the passes that go unused, or the ones the CM hold in their hands to give out if there is a problem with the machine. I would think they expect a certain percentage not to make it back within the hour.

 

[I'm No Fool]

I don't understand why, discounting emergencies and with just a minimal amount of planning, it's so hard to return to a ride within a 1 hour window. For example, if you have a TS at 1, don't get a FP that expires before 2:30. If it's 12:45 and the FP time is 1-2 don't get in a line with an hour wait for a ride at the opposite end of the park.

 

[dpuck1998]

I didn't read all 4 pages, but I often use my fastpasses well after the time. I'm able to gather fastpasses early in the morning and use them throughout the day. For instance, ride Test Track, get a fastpass also, come back later in the evening to ride it again. The lines are short in the morning, but later at night when lines are long the Fast Pass comes in quite handy. If Disney decides to enforce the rule for everyone the so be it, guess I won't do it anymore. They should not however selectivly enforce the rule when they feel like it, IMHO.

In fact, I have used FP the day after without a problem!!

 

[duckfan78]

The whole idea behind FP is that you get a ticket that tells you to return to the ride between the two times on it. Not to come back after the time is up to get on the ride. And it depends on how busy the ride is. If it is really busy the FP can say come back 2,3,4 hours or even more later. I got a FP for Soarin at like 11am, and the FP return was 7pm.

I think the CM just was doing his job. If everyone came back to The ride anytime they wanted, it would mess the whole thing up.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am 50/50 on using late fastpasses, 1 of 2 tries! First time we were held up due to a horrible situation at Sci Fi and only about 15 minutes late for our FP window at Star Tours in MGM. Not only were we not allowed to use the FP but the CM took them so we "couldn't try again".

The second time (more recently) we returned during the window but as happens, Test Track was down. We were told our FP would be honored any time during this trip. We returned later that same day and were questioned. If we hadn't know TT was down earlier in the day I am pretty sure we would not have been allowed to ride.

I also saw two familes turned away at Soarin for being late and one at the Malestrom just last week. The family at the Malestrom got the FP's without checking the return time only to realize it was during their ADR time for the princess meal. I saw the CM tell them not to worry just to come back after the meal, when they did - they were not allowed to use them.

While CM's do make excpetions for late FP's I think counting on it can lead to dissapointment. IMHO its not a good idea to base your touring strategy on it or advise others to. I have seen them denied to many times. My advice especially to new visitors is to check the return time before you get the FP and if its something you really want to ride just return during the window.

TJ

 

[dpuck1998]

I'm very surprised by all the people turned away. I've done this countless times and have never even recieved a second look. If they do enforce it I understand, but they should enforce it across the board.

 

[HydroGuy]

I don't understand why, discounting emergencies and with just a minimal amount of planning, it's so hard to return to a ride within a 1 hour window. For example, if you have a TS at 1, don't get a FP that expires before 2:30. If it's 12:45 and the FP time is 1-2 don't get in a line with an hour wait for a ride at the opposite end of the park.

I have been lurking this thread for a few days and decided to jump in.

First, FWIW, my perspective on this is highly influenced by my experience at Disneyland. I've been to DLR dozens of times, and am planning a first trip to WDW for May. DLR accepts late FP as a matter of policy. If a CM questions you on a late FP, it is because they are not familiar with the policy. They have had this policy for at least the last 3 years. It is well known on the DLR internet forums, and everyone who knows about it just uses it. Last summer I picked up FPs for Space Mtn at 8AM and used them at 11:50PM that night (when the standby lines were 120 minutes, BTW!). No problem.

So I am a bit surprised by how many people here on a WDW forum take exception to using late FPs, almost as if it is unethical. If WDW accepts late FPs past their window, IMO it is a bit like the state trooper letting you slide for doing 70 mph in a 65 mph zone. Yes, it is technically wrong, but it is rarely enforced.

BTW, the DLR FP system has other loopholes that apparently don't exist at WDW. But that is a discussion for another time.

Second, in a park as large and complex as WDW, I can see many reasons why someone would have trouble getting back within a one-hour window. Part of the problem is how Disney has laid out FP and, in a sense, restricts information about it. For example, say you are in the hub and want to grab a FP for Space Mtn. You have to walk all the way over to SM to find out when the return time is. Maybe the return time is when you have an ADR or are planning a 3-hour break in the afternoon. If the one-hour window is strict, then you do not get your FP for Space Mtn because you can't make it back. So what next? You walk all the way over to Frontierland to pick up a FP for Splash Mtn because it is the next highest priority for you that day. Ooops, the return time is again inconvenient. Now you've just wasted 20-30 minutes, and have no FP.

My point is that if Disney wants to have a strict one-hour window, it would be much more reasonable to locate multiple FP dispensers around each park where you can get a FP for any attraction that supports FP. The return times would be posted for each attraction, and you could get your FP with full knowledge of the trade-offs of return times and your own schedule.

Third, I agree that accepting late FPs defeats the purpose of the system, and is technically unfair. However, the system as it exists now is flawed. Some people argue that it should be scrapped. Some people argue that even having FP at all is unfair and "unDisney".

I see FP as something one can use to maximize their experience. Sort of like this forum. If it is "unfair" to have FP (I have seen this on other threads - not this one), there are a host of other things that are unfair (such as gaining tips on forums such as this).

In conclusion, I don't think FP itself is unfair, and I don't think using a late FP is unfair if it is accepted by the CM and/or is Disney policy.

 

[jenrose66]

I believe there are return times on the FP's for a reason. If I can't get back during the designated return time, then, unfortunately my pass has gone to waste.

 

[AJMlovesRLM]

My only experience is at DL. There we would get fastpasses with no intention of returning within the 1 hour window. In two trips we never ever had anyone question this practice. It may also surprise you that it never created line ups at the fastpass entrance. It is a little known fact (coming back later) which I originally learned about from reading internet boards. I'm really hoping when we go in December we will be able to do this because it cuts down on back-tracking tremendously.

It is my understanding that you are only allowed 1 fastpass at a time (canot get another until the time window on your fastpass expires) so I'm curious how you were able to do this.

 

[AJMlovesRLM]

..................My point is that if Disney wants to have a strict one-hour window, it would be much more reasonable to locate multiple FP dispensers around each park where you can get a FP for any attraction that supports FP. The return times would be posted for each attraction, and you could get your FP with full knowledge of the trade-offs of return times and your own schedule.....................

I TOTALLY AGREE - you should not have to go to the attraction to pick up a FP!!!!

 

[zenshome]

Got a "fast pass surprise" at test track the other day. Two fast passes printed out. The first one was for test track. The second was an instant fast pass for mission space. I thought that was pretty cool and added to the magic!

I admit I like when this happens also! I believe the reason why Disney does this (just a guess) is to direct traffice to other areas of the parks. Kind of reversing the normally righthand flow and sending it to the left.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

It is my understanding that you are only allowed 1 fastpass at a time (canot get another until the time window on your fastpass expires) so I'm curious how you were able to do this.

Another misconception. No one has this totally figured out yet, but the system will sometimes give you a second FP for a different attraction earlier than the time listed on your first FP. I remember reading where somone got a FP for SplashMt and the FP said you could get another FP in 1hr 40mins. The person then tried to get a second FP for POC 45 mins later and was successful. I think it depends on crowds and demand. Your mileage may vary.

 

[kmkja1]

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

Just waiting for the righteous indignation bomb to go off.