Fast Pass Return Time Enforcement

[iheartdisney]

However, AT WDW, they are removing some flexibility in FP use. I believe ( and no I have no concrete evidence, just logic) that this is a precursor to GIVING BACK flexibility, for a price. Wow, you wish you could get a FP for the time you want? That won't conflict With your ADR or your nap? You wish you didn't have to physically collect your FP? That you can do it all on your phone? Now you can! If you want to pay. And it's not gonna be cheap.

I'm not fussed about this coming to DLR. it's just a different situation. The fact that it's less of a once-in-a-lifetime destination, the high proportion of local and repeat visitors, the minor importance of ADRs......I just don't see xpass or whatever generating a lot of interest here.

I see a big BIG problem if this is implemented at Disneyland! Fastpasses only for those staying in the $300 a night hotels?
Look at the uproar caused by only allowing premium guests to see the Halloween fireworks? (those willing to pay twice to enter a themepark for the "party")
Remember the very heated exchanges when it was rumored that this might apply to the Christmas offerings?
The fact that fastpasses are for all guests is what makes it fair. Implementing a Fastpasses only for the wealthy only serves to remind us that despite the advertising, not all little girls are princesses. The serfs have to wait in line.

Booking your fastpass time months in advance?
Unlike WDW, the majority Disneyland visitors are NOT folks that have planned every meal and bathroom break 6 months before their plane lands. An equal number of Disneyland visitors are California residents who look at each other over the dinner table and say, "hey, wanna go to Disneyland tomorrow?"

I think it will be BIG deal if this awful idea ever comes to Disneyland.

 

[Minuet888]

I've heard from cast member friends of mine that the rule has always been 15 minutes grace period but it had never been enforced and will now start to be enforced. If I do recall I went to Disneyland during my honeymoon right when fastpass started and we were told (and I even believe it used to be written on the fastpass) that you had 15 minutes to show up after your time came up since it was technically saving your place in line.

 

[todzwife]

So do we have a yes/no answer as to whether or not this is going to be enforced March 7? Our family is headed there on the 6th and it will impact the way we tour (but I'm not complaining, it's just going to be a little trickier).

I just need to know if it's happening or not.

Thanks!

 

[coaches24]

It never even occurred to me to try and use fast pass after the time it said. I have always (in the two times ive been to DL since fast pass started) used them in the way they were designed and always get there within the time frame it says on it.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...if the one-hour window must be maintained, then allow guests to choose their own window when they get the FP. So they can have more flexibility to get a window that does not interfere with other fixed time activities thay have planned such as reserved meals or shows.

I suppose the way I view it, guests DO select their window when the choose to get a fastpass. The return time is posted. Before you choose to put your ticket in the machine to get a FP, you know exactly what time you will be getting a FP for later that day. If you have meal plans during that time frame, don't get it. If nap time is during that window, don't get it. If there's a parade at that time, don't get it. Choose to get the fastpass when it's going to be convenient with your plans.
(And just to make it clear in case there's any question, "You" is meant in the generic sense.)

I see a big BIG problem if this is implemented at Disneyland! Fastpasses only for those staying in the $300 a night hotels?
Look at the uproar caused by only allowing premium guests to see the Halloween fireworks? (those willing to pay twice to enter a themepark for the "party")
Remember the very heated exchanges when it was rumored that this might apply to the Christmas offerings?
The fact that fastpasses are for all guests is what makes it fair. Implementing a Fastpasses only for the wealthy only serves to remind us that despite the advertising, not all little girls are princesses. The serfs have to wait in line....

I agree with you, but my understanding (possible wrong?) is that it is not being looked at as REPLACING the current FP system, but being offered as in addition to it for those who wish to pay for it.

- Dreams

 

[DLR29]

I suppose the way I view it, guests DO select their window when the choose to get a fastpass. The return time is posted. Before you choose to put your ticket in the machine to get a FP, you know exactly what time you will be getting a FP for later that day. If you have meal plans during that time frame, don't get it. If nap time is during that window, don't get it. If there's a parade at that time, don't get it. Choose to get the fastpass when it's going to be convenient with your plans.
(And just to make it clear in case there's any question, "You" is meant in the generic sense.)

I think Hydroguy meant that he was in favor of "choosing" as in selecting a specific time window that fits with your pre-planned meals, breaks, etc; not just choosing between "yes" and "no" for a given window.

I think what you say, Dreams, is an ideal situation, but if I get to Space at 1:00pm to a 60 min line and a FP return time between 6 and 7 (right in the middle of dinner), I don't want to have to stand around waiting for the window to change to one that fits my schedule better. I might go ride a couple things, come back and the FPs will be for way later than I expected! I know I'm talking a lot of hypotheticals, but I hope you get what I'm trying to get at.

 

[HydroGuy]

I suppose the way I view it, guests DO select their window when the choose to get a fastpass. The return time is posted. Before you choose to put your ticket in the machine to get a FP, you know exactly what time you will be getting a FP for later that day. If you have meal plans during that time frame, don't get it. If nap time is during that window, don't get it. If there's a parade at that time, don't get it. Choose to get the fastpass when it's going to be convenient with your plans.
(And just to make it clear in case there's any question, "You" is meant in the generic sense.)

In the days before smartphones this would have been a pain because you don't know when the FP window is until you walk all the way there to the ride to check. Now with smartphones it makes it less of an issue (for those with smartphones) because you can get an idea of the FP window before deciding to walk to the ride to get a FP and discovering the window conflicts.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I think Hydroguy meant that he was in favor of "choosing" as in selecting a specific time window that fits with your pre-planned meals, breaks, etc; not just choosing between "yes" and "no" for a given window.

Right. And what I was saying is we can choose whether to take the current available window or not. No one MAKES someone accept a FP for the current window. You can choose to come back at a later window offering.

...I might go ride a couple things, come back and the FPs will be for way later than I expected! I know I'm talking a lot of hypotheticals, but I hope you get what I'm trying to get at.

Yep, I get what you are saying.

I guess to me FPs are nice to use, but they are not the end all / be all that some seem to make it sound like they are. If the system changes/gets enforced/whatnot, it is what it is.

- Dreams

 

[HydroGuy]

Right. And what I was saying is we can choose whether to take the current available window or not. No one MAKES someone accept a FP for the current window. You can choose to come back at a later window offering.


Yep, I get what you are saying.

I guess to me FPs are nice to use, but they are not the end all / be all that some seem to make it sound like they are. If the system changes/gets enforced/whatnot, it is what it is.

- Dreams

I agree in a sense but in another sense I don't. And I guess it depends on how you think about FP. If you think of it like a dining reservation, then FP is like calling at 10AM with hopes of getting a 6PM reservation and being told you can't make reservations by phone and have to come in person to the restaurant to make it.

Further, they have a policy of only booking reserations starting with the opening time and then in 5 minute increments thereafter. So if you want a reservation for 6PM the only way to get it is to drive down to the restaurant multiple times until they are ready to take 6PM reservations. Or just accept whatever time they have available. Or go without a reservation and risk a 90 minute wait for dinner.

At least with smartphones it is like being able to monitor with some degree of accuracy what the current reservation time is at the restaurant and then only having to make a single trip to get your 6PM.

So, yes, there was Disney life before FP. But there was also life before cell phones too and I can't dream of not having one now.

 

[cymbaldiva]

So, yes, there was Disney life before FP. But there was also life before cell phones too and I can't dream of not having one now.

To each their own. I still dream of the days at Disney before fastpass - I can honestly say that if fastpass went away it would not bother me in the least.

 

[AndyLL]

To each their own. I still dream of the days at Disney before fastpass - I can honestly say that if fastpass went away it would not bother me in the least.

I don't.

I remember how bad lines always were (expect at opening) for the e-ticket rides.

That is why we started going in the off season years ago.

Now there is no off season.

These days off season is busy and on season is painful.

I'm going next week. Traditionally this would be slow. ( between presidents day and spring break)

I'm guessing even pirates will be running 30 minute waits after 12:00.

ANdy

 

[Disney Dreams]

I agree in a sense but in another sense I don't. And I guess it depends on how you think about FP. If you think of it like a dining reservation, then FP is like calling at 10AM with hopes of getting a 6PM reservation...

Hmmm, but it's NOT a reservation. Fastpass is designed to be a placeholder. It holds your place in line while you can have the freedom to go do other things instead of standing in line. In using your analogy, I would liken it more to a restaurant wait list more than a reservation. You show up, leave your name, and they tell you it's going to be 45 minutes. You can then go wander around, do whatever you like, and come back in 45 minutes. At that time, every attempt is made for your table to be ready. You don't have to stand there and wait 45 minutes, but you DO have to return within a reasonable time period of your expected wait time or your table will be given to someone else. That's how I view it. It's not meant to be, "Come back anytime before we close and your table will be waiting for you."

...I'm guessing even pirates will be running 30 minute waits after 12:00....

But --- scratches head --- but, Pirates doesn't have fastpass so how is that, eh, nevermind. Have a great visit next week. I'm guessing you may encounter some crowds due to the Cheer Competition that's in town, but hopefully it's not too bad.


- Dreams

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmmm, but it's NOT a reservation. Fastpass is designed to be a placeholder. It holds your place in line while you can have the freedom to go do other things instead of standing in line. In using your analogy, I would liken it more to a restaurant wait list more than a reservation. You show up, leave your name, and they tell you it's going to be 45 minutes. You can then go wander around, do whatever you like, and come back in 45 minutes. At that time, every attempt is made for your table to be ready. You don't have to stand there and wait 45 minutes, but you DO have to return within a reasonable time period of your expected wait time or your table will be given to someone else. That's how I view it. It's not meant to be, "Come back anytime before we close and your table will be waiting for you."

I still think it is more like a reservation than a wait list. It has a time to return - even if that time is many hours away - which a wait list does not. In the end, it was a shot at an anology - which is always imperfect.

In any case, I was not advocating for the "come back anytime" approach and have not done so anywhere in this thread. What I was advocating for was an approach which allowed you to choose your window - or in my analogy, your "ride reservation" time. Or, if it is not workable to choose your own window, just have a larger window than an hour.

Should Disney drop FP altogether? Some people think so. But there is a reason why restaurants take reservations - to better serve customers and limit their wait time - which hopefully results in a better customer experience and a return visit to that restaurant. I think FP has many of these characteristics.

Dreams I respect what you are saying and am more than willing to agree to disagree if it comes to that. Mostly I am happy that this thread on the DLR forum has not degenerated into the name-calling, morality-tinged travesty that the WDW thread has turned into.

 

[AndyLL]

But --- scratches head --- but, Pirates doesn't have fastpass so how is that, eh, nevermind. Have a great visit next week. I'm guessing you may encounter some crowds due to the Cheer Competition that's in town, but hopefully it's not too bad.


- Dreams

That quote was in response to someone posting they'd be happy if FP would go away.

If the highest capacity ride has lines in the off season then low capacity e-ticket rides will still have huge lines whether or not FP is present.

The nostalgic idea that if Disney would just get rid of fastpass all of a sudden the lines will be shorter is foolish.

If Star Tours has a hour wait with Fastpass it will still have a hour wait without fastpass.

The number of people in a hour long line is not the number of people that want to ride the ride... it's the number of people that are willing to wait for an hour to ride the ride.

More people are processed through the standby line but that doesn't matter when you walk up to the end of the line... it's still a hour wait.

 

[DLKiwi]

This is causing everyone a bit of uncertainty, but since I'm going in April I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on this thread in mid-late March and see if FP return times start getting enforced.

 

[Gisele]

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.

Very well said, and I agree.

`

~~ I love you Phil, and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[jimsocks]

What's been anyone's experience mid-March? Are Fastpass end times enforced strictly now?

 

[skiingfast]

What's been anyone's experience mid-March? Are Fastpass end times enforced strictly now?

No, this is 100% rumor. Nothing real about any changes in DLR.

 

[jetskigrl]

What's been anyone's experience mid-March? Are Fastpass end times enforced strictly now?

We were there on Friday night. We had a BTMRR FP for 6:35 - 7:35 pm. We didn't get done with dinner until about 8:15. We had no problem using the FP at that time.

 

[jimsocks]

No, this is 100% rumor. Nothing real about any changes in DLR.

Great. Thank you.