Fast Pass Return Time Enforcement

[SherriA1]

Hi all,

Over on the Disney World DIS forum, there has been a lot of discussion in recent days of the fact that fast pass return windows are expected to be enforced at Disney World parks beginning in March.

Does anyone know if this is likely to happen at Disneyland and California Adventure as well?

Thanks,
Amanda

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been seeing all the uproar about that too. I haven't heard anything about that happening at DLR. I think one reason they are doing it there is because they seem to be getting ready for some sort of Xpass where you make reservations for your return time- maybe some sort of Deluxe resort perk. I don't see why they would do something like that at DLR since they have many day trip visitors. At least I hope not.

I would also be interested to know if anyone has heard anything one way or the other about this concerning DLR. I just can't see that going over well here. From what I've heard, it sounds like the FP system at WDW has gotten a little out of control.

 

[skiingfast]

Hi all,

Over on the Disney World DIS forum, there has been a lot of discussion in recent days of the fact that fast pass return windows are expected to be enforced at Disney World parks beginning in March.

Does anyone know if this is likely to happen at Disneyland and California Adventure as well?

Thanks,
Amanda

That is only about WDW.

 

[heatherleigh]

Glad you brought this up. I was curious as well. Nice to know it isn't in the works for DLR, so far.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have heard from inside Disneyland CMs are being retrained on the FP system, and that it isn't a "new policy" but retraining on "existing policy". Supposedly it will also roll out March 7th. But who knows, it may take longer, or they may not do it. Maybe a CM who works a FP ride can clarify?

 

[Eeee-va]

Given that several WDW sites have already broken the news for WDW, I would be surprised if they rolled it out to DL without some of the prominent DL news sites reporting it first.

That's not to say it couldn't happen in DL in this timeframe, and there is plenty of time for us to hear some announcements before March. But it would make for a very bad guest experience to spring this on people without warning, even if the warning comes from well-known unofficial sites. And in my opinion, Disney would also be downright cruel, bordering on irresponsible, if they would rather guests vent their anger at and perhaps even abuse the minimum-wage CMs at DL, rather than putting the news out early so many guests can vent about the policy on the Internet instead.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

It's coming to Disneyland but not at the same time that Disney World is getting it. Originally we were told we would be starting the revised policy together but it appears that has changed. I have been in a few meetings regarding changes to fastpass, it should be interesting to see what happens during the next few years.

 

[skiingfast]

it should be interesting to see what happens during the next few years.

Are they waiting until the next generation experiences come west?

 

[Disney Dreams]

I'm not sure why there are people getting upset about an existing policy actually being enforced, as opposed to just being happy that they were able to "get away with" using it in such a flexible way for so long.

It's not as if it's a new policy or news to anyone that it was a loophole.

I just don't get it,
Dreams

 

[Eeee-va]

I just hope we don't get 80 pages of debate over it on this side like they have on the WDW side.

 

[Leofoenget]

I'm not sure why there are people getting upset about an existing policy actually being enforced, as opposed to just being happy that they were able to "get away with" using it in such a flexible way for so long.

It's not as if it's a new policy or news to anyone that it was a loophole.

I just don't get it,
Dreams

Nobody has "gotten away with anything" Disney for whatever reason, choose NOT to enforce it for YEARS. That's not the guests fault. If they choose to go ahead with this, maybe it will help drive the locals away, I know it will most likely keep me away.It's getting too crowded and not as fun anymore. I'm not a local I don't have "anytime cheapo' so cal passes that keep the park packed and the lines uber long. Not my fault Disney choose to ignore their own policy then act like I've been abusing something.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm not sure why there are people getting upset about an existing policy actually being enforced, as opposed to just being happy that they were able to "get away with" using it in such a flexible way for so long.

It's not as if it's a new policy or news to anyone that it was a loophole.

I just don't get it,
Dreams

I completely see your point, but I do think many people plan their trips around this policy, even if it goes against what is officially printed. There are implications to making these types of changes. Think of the other Disney policies that aren't enforced, such as "no outside food" or "one Magic Morning entry with each on-site stay". Those are things that have been officially printed by Disney, but haven't been enforced for so long that them NOT being enforced has become the new rule around which people budget their trips or select their lodging. Disney has every right to begin enforcing their policies, but seeing as we are asked these questions so often on these boards and often encourage people to ignore what's printed because Disneyland lets it slide, I think it's important we find out what's going on as best we can so that we don't lead anyone astray.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Nobody has "gotten away with anything" Disney for whatever reason, choose NOT to enforce it for YEARS. That's not the guests fault. If they choose to go ahead with this, maybe it will help drive the locals away, I know it will most likely keep me away.It's getting too crowded and not as fun anymore. I'm not a local I don't have "anytime cheapo' so cal passes that keep the park packed and the lines uber long. Not my fault Disney choose to ignore their own policy then act like I've been abusing something.

Whoah. No need to get edgy on me. I put "get away with" in quotess specifically because everyone knows that there is a window on the fastpass during which it is designed to be used, but many know that it has not been enforced for many years. Therefore, it's not really breaking a rule, but it IS at the same time. It's sort of like breaking curfew, but mom and dad never say anything. For five years they never ticketed on our street on street sweeping day. Ever. Then, suddenly, they did. To the tune of $35/ticket. And they have never missed a week since. They finally decided to enforce a rule that had always been, but was NEVER enforced. Bummer, but we all knew we had just been lucky that it was never previously enforced. Now it is.

I never said it was the guests' fault. I'm not sure where you got that from at all. It is a policy, however, and if they choose to enforce it, I don't see the point in getting upset over it. Bummed? Sure. Upset? No.

How you managed to turn this into a local vs. non-locals thing is beyond me and I am not going to enter into that beyond to say how ridiculous and inconsiderate it is to say, "maybe it will help drive the locals away." Locals aren't virus-carrying rodents that infest the Parks. They are people who enjoy Disney, just like you.

Again, I never said that anyone was abusing anything or at fault. (And I don't believe that to be so.) No need to infer anything that wasn't stated.

...but seeing as we are asked these questions so often on these boards and often encourage people to ignore what's printed because Disneyland lets it slide, I think it's important we find out what's going on as best we can so that we don't lead anyone astray.

100% agree. And this is why, regarding the discussion of ignoring FP return times, I have often said "COULD Disney CMs turn you away? Yes. Will they? Most likely not unless it's a crazy busy day." Others (who I will not call out by s/n) have quoted me, said that I am wrong, and that Disney will not enforce it.

- shrug -

It IS a policy. If they want to enforce it, they will.

- Dreams

 

[PinkBudgie]

Just to clarify, when I said I didn't see it going over well here, I meant the their next gen of FP- making the reservations for a FP not the enforcing of return time windows. (Although, I have been taking advantage of that too)Of course, no one knows exactly what they intend with this but at DLR we can walk up to most TS places and get a seat sometime that day. I just hate for DLR to become a place where you have to know what you want to do each day 6 months ahead of time. On the other hand, maybe I'll end up liking what they do. Just have to wait and see what happens.

 

[kelmac284]

I agree with those that think it would be a bad idea. Policy or not they have been doing this for awhile and as others have said it has become the "norm". I know not EVERYONE knows about this so I don't know how much it affects it overall but we only learned about it a few years ago and it is not a widely spread thing as far as I can tell. Sure if people come on here they may be told but for all the millions of people that go there how many come to this or any other website and find that out?? I was JUST there in Jan with a gal and her daughter who had been several times and they were not aware they could do this and in the past if we had gotten FP's and then been unable to use them we gave them away and most of the time if they were "expired" people would look at us like we were nuts and throw them away.

I can say that with the new additions to DCA and all the different celebrations and such the parks have certainly gotten a lot busier and this is ONE policy esp during the holidays or summer where it has been a life saver. We do the same thing and collect some in the mornings AS we go on that or another ride and then use them later in the day. Splash to me is a perfect example. I don't want to go on and get wet in the morning so we collect one early and use it later in the day when it is warmer.

Many times in the past we couldn't make it back to the ride in the window and thus they go to waste. I know everyone has their own opinions but I think it will only make the standby lines and the park in general MORE crowded because people will be forced to do this rather than always be able to go during the fp time.

Just my opinion but I really hope it doesn't stick at least here.

 

[tlev]

Maybe I am missing something here. I never knew that the FP time window meant nothing and you could just go whenever you felt like it. Perhaps it is the fact that many people on these and other boards pass on information like "the CM probably won't stop you" that leads to mass abuse of the system, which forces Disney to change policy, which seems to anger only the people who were abusing the system in the first place. I hope they enforce this rule fully. The system was put in place to 1) give guests a chance to get on rides without too long a wait and 2) to help control the regular wait line. If the CM is forced to let an extra 50 people in the FP line during any given time period even though they have expired passes, it slows down the wait for the people in the regular line, hardly fair to them. However, I will say that there will need to be a VERY large announcement made somewhere, or the poor CM's will be getting an earful all day long from disgruntled guests.

 

[hookem81]

This would be very disappointing and could change the entire experience for the worse. Think of all the people that go to the parks early, take an afternoon break, and return later. This could really dampen the enthusiasm of those accustomed to the system.

 

[skier_pete]

We are having our first trip to DL this summer and was curious if it would affect DL. I have no intention of starting/continuing the "late-FP" debate, and actually, while I like being able to use them late @ WDW, I don't really care whether the policy changes to enforcement or not. Either I can use them late or I cannot - I just want to be able to plan accordingly - because my strategy would differ if I can use them late than if I can't.

I will say this, it seems about 2-3 times a year it is delared somewhere on the internet that late-FP allowance will stop on X date, and then it doesn't...so until it actually happens, I wouldn't put too much stock in it.

I'll also be interested to hear which of the Cars-land rides will be FP-enabled, I haven't seen that yet either. (I assume Radiator Spring Racers...but that may be it.)

 

[iheartdisney]

Nobody has "gotten away with anything" Disney for whatever reason, choose NOT to enforce it for YEARS. That's not the guests fault. If they choose to go ahead with this, maybe it will help drive the locals away, I know it will most likely keep me away.It's getting too crowded and not as fun anymore. I'm not a local I don't have "anytime cheapo' so cal passes that keep the park packed and the lines uber long. Not my fault Disney choose to ignore their own policy then act like I've been abusing something.

While I hate to argue with someone who is on my side in the Fastpass debate, your post might be the most hateful thing I have read all month!
Sorry, but locals have just as much right to a Disney Day as tourists. My California money is just as green as Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Japanese, Australian or otherwise.
In fact given the difference in park attendance during peak and non-peak season, I would have to say it is not all locals packing the parks and keeping the lines long. In fact during the summer when all the "cheapo" passes are blacked out and the line for Space Mountain is 90 minutes I wonder if you will be in favor of Disney "driving the tourists away."

 

[ArchOwl]

I'll also be interested to hear which of the Cars-land rides will be FP-enabled, I haven't seen that yet either. (I assume Radiator Spring Racers...but that may be it.)

As far as I have seen, Radiator Spring Racers will be the only new ride in Carsland that has FP.