Fast Pass Return Window Changes?

[btherrien]

I'm not sure if this question belongs here or in the Rumors section but I thought I would start here first. While in line today at MK I thought I heard a cast member tell someone that as of September 1st you will need to stick to the return time on the FP and they will no longer be valid after the time has expired. Has anybody else heard anything like this? It is quite possible that I misunderstood. I personally like the flexibility that they give with the current rules but I can see them changing if they hope to be able to start allowing fast pass requests from home before you even leave.

 

[Finally08]

Wonder how that will work with breakdowns. I can't tell you how often we return to ride SM and BTMRR and they are down down down for hours.

 

[mesaboy2]

Rumor.

And, here we go yet again....

 

[Traveliz]

Daughter CM just walked in from work - she replied, "not that she has heard of."

Liz

 

[kirasaurus]

It's not changing anything if they give you a set time that you must return at... But then again, I am one of those people that makes sure I'm there within my FP window... (sorry )

 

[Robo]

While in line today at MK I thought I heard a cast member tell someone that as of September 1st you will need to stick to the return time on the FP and they will no longer be valid after the time has expired. Has anybody else heard anything like this?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1741740

Just returned tonight from a week at Disney . We used fastpasses as we usually have...get one, move on to the next ride, come back when we can...which is sometimes within the return time and often beyond the return time. However, this time, on Thursday when we showed up at Big Thunder 30 minutes past our return time the CM said "Just so you know...you're a little late on your return time...starting in July they're going to hold you strictly to that time...just wanted you to know". He still let us in, but was very clear that a change was coming.

 

[mesaboy2]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1741740

And you said we wouldn't have to see another one of these until next July.

 

[Robo]

And you said we wouldn't have to see another one of these until next July.

Silly me.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

They will never 100% be able to strictly enforce this. I've had CM's say the same thing to me in years past, I simply reply with "sorry we had dinning reservations during the scheduled return time." It was the truth once or twice

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Hmmmm

 

[stargazertechie]

My vote is for rumor... as always.

Late FP doesn't affect other guests standing in line.

 

[DeaverTex]

It wouldn't surprise me to see a combination of extended time windows and enforcement of cut-off times at some point, since one of the purposes of FP is to spread out the rider load. The key there is "at some point" and I don't think that the current system is that point. If FP are extended so that you can get them before you enter the parks, then...

Come to think of it, that won't increase the total number of FP given out, and that would be the only thing that would make enforced time windows necessary.

Never mind. Until I see some sort of official announcement, I'll just smile and nod. I know ALL about rumors.

 

[Traveliz]

We are here now and I really noticed how often it would have been downright impossible to actually make our return time due to unforseen circumstances. Once we arrived at Splash (actually during the right time) and they had just closed down due to difficulties. We took the train around and then went on it (of course it would have been after our window then). BUT then we were on Splash when it had problems again resulting in us sitting there for a LONG time and we would have missed the next FP we had.

Something similar happened the next day with TT and Soarin having downtimes and longer turnarounds.

It really made me see that enforcing return times would be a huge problem for the guest relations people.

Liz

 

[tkldisney]

One time when I returned for FP time (during my return time) I made comment to CM about missing my time. He said "You can use them anytime that day, after your return time"

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Never mind. Until I see some sort of official announcement, I'll just smile and nod. I know ALL about rumors.

Although I do find it mildly amusing when people beleive the more outlandish ones. Anyone remember RnR retheming to Hannah Montana days? Oh those were a hoot.

 

[seashoreCM]

Being able to use your fastpass anytime later due to ride breakdown has always been official.
Being able to use your fastpass anytime later for convenience has always been informal.

One new idea is worth considering -- Defining certain critical hours such as just after a parade when expired fastpasses would not be honored. Together with "validating" machines at rides that will stamp a fastpass as non-expiring, for use when a ride is down.

 

[magicluvinmom]

Rumor.

And, here we go yet again....

I'm not that busy today.....

 

[KCSherri]

Just got back from a 12-day trip to WDW.

Daughter and I would "collect" our FP's in the morning and only ride the rides with a 10-minute wait or less...

We'd then go to the hotel room in the afternoon to swim or just soak in the blessed a/c (It's August in Florida, after all.)

In the evening, we'd return to the parks and use our FP's from the morning. In the 12 days we were there, we NEVER, EVER, EVER heard a single CM remark on the fact that we were "late" - or refuse us entry - or even give us a "look". EVERY single CM would welcome us on the ride and tell us to have fun.

Which we did.

 

[chuckml]

We'll be arriving on Sept. 2, so if this rumor is true, it should be in practice when we get there.

I'll be sure to use a late fastpass the first day we're there, and let everyone know what happens. Call me optimistic, but I've got a pretty good idea they'll let us ride.

 

[Jestocost]

One new idea is worth considering -- Defining certain critical hours such as just after a parade when expired fastpasses would not be honored. Together with "validating" machines at rides that will stamp a fastpass as non-expiring, for use when a ride is down.

I think that makes great practical sense. Realistically, however, a large percentage of the guest population has trouble understanding how the current system works and more complicated rules are only going to make matters worse in that regard.

Many of us have gotten blank stares when we explain that all you have to do is insert your ticket in the FP machine. I can't imagine the reaction if I had to explain validation machines and return blackout periods.