Fast pass times...is Disney strict about the return time?

[DisneyDreamer0610]

We went as a family last year and rarely used the FP system bc my hubs is disabled so we used alternative entrance pass. My understanding is now everyone just gets fast passes and you wait for your window. What if your time runs up and you miss your window by 1-2 hrs? Is Disney super strict about return times now or as long as its within that half of the day you can still use it? TIA for all the helpful knowledge!

 

[Disneylover99]

From my experience they will let you in five minutes before the beginning of your FP window and they will allow a grace period of up to 15 minutes after your one hour window is over.

 

[Robo]

We went as a family last year and rarely used the FP system bc my hubs is disabled so we used alternative entrance pass. My understanding is now everyone just gets fast passes and you wait for your window. What if your time runs up and you miss your window by 1-2 hrs? Is Disney super strict about return times now or as long as its within that half of the day you can still use it? TIA for all the helpful knowledge!

Strict.

But, if you miss the time, with FP+ you can RESCHEDULE.

 

[apicozzi]

My experience from last week was also being allowed to enter 5 minutes before the time. Not sure about after.

 

[Cloudless Nights]

Back in the old, old days of paper FP, they used to be lax about return times. Now that the system is RFID-enabled via the magic band, it is strict. You can scan your band at the ride 5 minutes in advance of your hour return time and you have a 15 minute grace period at the end. Period.

 

[Honor]

From recent experience, Disney has been strict with FP+ return times. I am guessing this is because of the Magic Bands having to be scanned.

 

[lizard1]

We went as a family last year and rarely used the FP system bc my hubs is disabled so we used alternative entrance pass. My understanding is now everyone just gets fast passes and you wait for your window. What if your time runs up and you miss your window by 1-2 hrs? Is Disney super strict about return times now or as long as its within that half of the day you can still use it? TIA for all the helpful knowledge!

Are you referring to the FP+ system or the DAS system? If you are able to get a DAS (if your husband's needs are not mobility related), you will get a return time that will allow you to enter the FP line any time after the time marked on the card. The FP+ is like the others have said, you have a return window and they are pretty strict with the return times for that.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

and from what I've read (not tried it myself) the 15 minute late "grace period" can vary by CM so IMO don't test it.

When Robo says you can reschedule - you can IF there is availability for that ride/ attraction. So you can reschedule an unused FP for another attraction if the one you had is no longer available.

 

[andyman8]

My experience with the FP+ system (not the DAS system, which I cannot speak to considering I haven't used it) is that you get to can enter up to five minutes before or 15 minutes after your return window. That is the MickeyReader will glow green 5 mins before and 15 mins after, so it's not up to the CM. Beyond that, on both ends they are very strict. We arrived at Star Tours 17 minutes past the end of our return window and were told that we needed to go standby cause we were late. Period. No ifs ands or buts.

 

[mlittig]

As previous posters have stated, the FastPass+ Magic Bands need to be read by the Mickey head so the CM's have no leeway with the time frame any more One time I was 6 minutes early and the CM told me to just wait 1 more minute and the machine would allow entrance You can arrive 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Good to know about the 15 mins grace period. I didn't know about the expired FP until it was not allowed anymore. All the damn running and good pass wasted!!

 

[Robo]

Good to know about the 15 mins grace period.

But, as has been mentioned, don't COUNT on that.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Thanks. Will not bet on it. Just in case, I would walk instead of doing a crazy run. I want to leave the power walk to the past with the new system.

 

[purple figment]

If you are asking about the return time on a DAS card, I have read that you can return any time after the start of the window, but you cannot get another return time until you use/cancel the one you already have. You can go to the disABILITIES board for more info on the DAS.

 

[goofy4tink]

But, as has been mentioned, don't COUNT on that.

According to a CM at the front of MK on Monday morning, 15 mins is acceptable. My dd had an issue with her MB (not the right park passes were being picked up), so we had to go over to a manager type CM. He said it would just be a minute...well, we had a FP+ for Anna and Elsa in 20 mins! And the park was already mobbed at 10am!!! He told me not to worry...FP+ is accepted up to 15 mins past the stated time.
As to the arrival time? 5 mins before your FP+ return time is the earliest...I saw a ton of guests being turned away at the 6 min mark!!!

 

[nkereina]

According to a CM at the front of MK on Monday morning, 15 mins is acceptable. My dd had an issue with her MB (not the right park passes were being picked up), so we had to go over to a manager type CM. He said it would just be a minute...well, we had a FP+ for Anna and Elsa in 20 mins! And the park was already mobbed at 10am!!! He told me not to worry...FP+ is accepted up to 15 mins past the stated time.
As to the arrival time? 5 mins before your FP+ return time is the earliest...I saw a ton of guests being turned away at the 6 min mark!!!

We were about 8 minutes early for a FP at Test Track on a slow November afternoon last year. We scanned our band and the CM said we had to wait. We literally stood next to the entrace for three minutes until we asked to try again, and then were allowed through. It seemed as though the scanner is programmed to turn "green" with the 5 min/15 minute windows added onto the time frame. This is considering that the CM stopped us at 8 minutes early, but let us in at 5 minutes early.

 

[Burnedout]

We were about 8 minutes early for a FP at Test Track on a slow November afternoon last year. We scanned our band and the CM said we had to wait. We literally stood next to the entrace for three minutes until we asked to try again, and then were allowed through. It seemed as though the scanner is programmed to turn "green" with the 5 min/15 minute windows added onto the time frame. This is considering that the CM stopped us at 8 minutes early, but let us in at 5 minutes early.

Lol you all are the folks who get there early and block the entrance aren't you?

 

[ampc3]

recently returned from 10nights.. we used the 15min grace period ALOT (had to with small kids something was always coming up) and always flashed green, the CMs we asked all said yes.. 5 min before and 15 min after.. I suppose that could change at anytime.

 

[nkereina]

Lol you all are the folks who get there early and block the entrance aren't you?

No. We're not Brazilian

 

[SueM in MN]

We went as a family last year and rarely used the FP system bc my hubs is disabled so we used alternative entrance pass. My understanding is now everyone just gets fast passes and you wait for your window. What if your time runs up and you miss your window by 1-2 hrs? Is Disney super strict about return times now or as long as its within that half of the day you can still use it? TIA for all the helpful knowledge!

All guests can use Fastpass Plus and can schedule 3 Fastpass Plus attractions.
When those have been used, you can schedule additional Fastpass Plus attractions.

If you are asking about the return time on a DAS card, I have read that you can return any time after the start of the window, but you cannot get another return time until you use/cancel the one you already have. You can go to the disABILITIES board for more info on the DAS.

DAS (Disability Access Service) replaced Guest Assistance Cards, which the original poster used previously, in October 2013.

You hacpve it correct; DAS does work basically the way that you mentioned.
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, then look near the top of that board for a WDW DAS thread. The first post in that thread is DAS FAQs.

It is important to know that not every person who got a GAC will get DAS because the programs are quite different. GACs had a large number of different stamps that were put on the card to give a little information about the guest's needs - for example, avoiding stairs or being seated near the front in shows.
The stamps were confusing, and sometimes contradictory. Most of those needs are now taken care of at the attractions without DAS.
DAS has one accommodation - providing an alternate place to wait outside of the regular line for guests who have difficulty because of their disability with waiting in the line.