Fast Pass usage during 15-minute grace period

[WillAustin]

I felt pretty comfortable if we needed the grace period and we were able to use it all three times we tried over the past week.

On the other hand, they wouldn't let us go in three minutes early, but one minute early was fine.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We used a FP once 5 minutes BEFORE the start of the window, but not after the end of the window, in late April.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Even now with the new policy in place, the horse still has to be beaten. It can't just be let go. That would be much too easy. It's like an argument between spouses. 5 years later, the same argument starts up again.

Just stop.

 

[skier_pete]

Even now with the new policy in place, the horse still has to be beaten. It can't just be let go. That would be much too easy. It's like an argument between spouses. 5 years later, the same argument starts up again.

Just stop.

Haha...I was thinking the same thing. You are probably right that in 5 years people will still be arguing about late FP usage.

It would be nice if they were consistent about the grace period - but since it appears they are not, your best bet is to really use it during the 1 hour window.

 

[Robo]

Those thinking that "the horse" has expired have failed to see that he's still standing and ready to pull the cart into whole new discussions.

A more apt metaphor may be, "Waiting for the other shoe to drop."

That's because we only know what Disney has recently changed.
We do not know why they made the change, and we do not know what
other changes are on the horizon (a horizon directly below all of those dangling shoes.)

Here are just a few of the likely shoes still dangling...

1- We are waiting to see how the new FastPass+ (or whatever) will be distributed.

2- We are waiting to see which attractions will be served by the new FastPass+.

3- We are waiting to see how the new FastPass+ will affect the timing of the standby line.

4- We are waiting to see how the new FastPass+ "window" will be enforced.

5- We are also waiting to see if they will start to enforce the regular FastPass "window" at Disneyland. (They did not change the "use anytime after the printed window on the day-of" policy at Disneyland... even when they DID make that change at WDW.)

6- We may discover that due to substantially more guests actually using FastPass+/FP's, likely many for attractions that previously did not even need a FP, that the complexity of trying to use these increased number of passes creates the need for extended "windows" to allow guests greater flexibility in enjoying their day with fewer "tight schedules" to follow.

OTOH, we might even see SHORTER FP windows!
(Disneyland Paris FP's only have a 30 minute window.
Wouldn't THAT be a conversation starter?!?)

So, the reports of the whipping horse's demise may be long premature.

And, the dangling shoes (horse shoes?) of the "to be announced" are plentiful enough to keep these discussions lively for quite some time.

.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree Robo. I think we're just lined up at the starting gate.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

We just got back from a 10 day trip today. We were able to use FP in the 5 minute before grace period both times we tried. Once we were the full 5 minutes early and the other we were only 2 minutes early.

FYI for everyone this "Early" Grace Period is a myth, it depends on the CM. Attraction CM's are trained the 15, 5 or no GP after the time, depending on the attraction.

Even before FP enforcement I would allow people to enter early if the line was short and they looked bored just staring at me.

It is not a trained thing but has been going on for years.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We were there Memorial Day week, we used late FP's 3 times. Space, Big Thunder and TSM. no issues anytime. But BTMRR shouldn't have been an issue anyway b/c it was down for a good portion of that day.

The rest of the time we made it back in the window. We did see a coupll turned away for late usage and several told to wait for early usage. We even saw a couple told to wait with 1 minute left,they were loudly complaining about it (of course).

 

[fishacura]

As I picked up my fastpasses for Soarin I specifically asked about the grace period and the woman stated they would not honor it for this ride. It was implied (not stated) that it's basically discretionary based on the ride and the park situation that day.

I actually like it a lot. I've never witnessed the old way but I do like the fact that this really forces you to plan accordingly AND make choices. We had to abandon a FP knowing that if we walked to the ride and rode it, we would not be back for show we wanted to see at Hollywood. Stinks a bit but it's more fair for everyone else.

 

[mom2rtk]

I actually like it a lot. I've never witnessed the old way but I do like the fact that this really forces you to plan accordingly AND make choices. We had to abandon a FP knowing that if we walked to the ride and rode it, we would not be back for show we wanted to see at Hollywood. Stinks a bit but it's more fair for everyone else.

So it stinks but you like it? Got it.

 

[fishacura]

So it stinks but you like it? Got it.

Yes because it's fair to all. I can look beyond my own needs to what's fair for everyone. Why should I be able to decide that the one hour period doesn't apply to me? Am I more important or better than others? No. It's crowded, we're all there together and we should all play by the same rules. IMHO

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes because it's fair to all. I can look beyond my own needs to what's fair for everyone. Why should I be able to decide that the one hour period doesn't apply to me? Am I more important or better than others? No. It's crowded, we're all there together and we should all play by the same rules. IMHO

I did play by the same rules as everyone else when I used late FP's. And if you didn't read about a perceived "problem" here, I'll wager you didn't perceive that there was one.

 

[Robo]

Why should I be able to decide that the one hour period doesn't apply to me? Am I more important or better than others? No. It's crowded, we're all there together and we should all play by the same rules. IMHO

We have all been playing by the same FP rules for over a decade.

We are playing by Disney's rules.

They recently changed them only at WDW and not Disneyland.
That, by itself, is of particular interest to me.

They will likely be making more FP changes soon, and we don't know in what way, as yet.

 

[M likes the mouse]

We were in DHS the last day of star wars weekends. We got delayed in Darth Mall because DH could not make up his mind about some stuff he wanted to buy and we got to TSM about 5 minutes late. The lines were huge there,both for the ride and for the character meet and greet and the fast pass line was backed-up. When we got to the CM, we were 10 minutes late and could not get on.
So lesson learned. Do not count on the grace period. I think we would not have been allowed in even if we were there on time but got to the CM 5 minutes late because of the line. During busy times on very popular rides get there a few minutes early.
When we were there, there were there were also really long lines for the Fastpass return at Splash mountain, around maybe 10 minutes to get to the cast member. We were not late there so we did not test the grace period. But I might not want to test it either if I really wanted to ride on a really hot day.

 

[mjp12831]

Yes because it's fair to all. I can look beyond my own needs to what's fair for everyone.

Intentional or not, you are implying that before the change things were unfair - meaning that people were playing by different sets of rules, and that wasn't the case. CM very fairly allowed everyone to return late - you had no reports of this not being allowed. Did everyone know about it? Definitely not, however being uninformed does not mean that it was unfair.

This thread - indicates that the current system is indeed unfair. Based on the responses, the 15 minute grace period is not being consistently applied and a CM from Buzz has acknowledged as much. I'd like to see some consistent policy that I can rely on, either written or practiced - a 15 minute grace period is allowed, or it's not.

 

[WillAustin]

They recently changed them only at WDW and not Disneyland.
That, by itself, is of particular interest to me.

That's interesting to me too. If the recent changes had anything to do with "fairness" I'm pretty sure it would have been changed there too.

If I had to guess, I'd bet it means we'll see FP+ available only at WDW for quite a while once they roll it out.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's interesting to me too. If the recent changes had anything to do with "fairness" I'm pretty sure it would have been changed there too.

If I had to guess, I'd bet it means we'll see FP+ available only at WDW for quite a while once they roll it out.

DING DING DING! We have a winner!

You know, we're considering a trip to DL next year. I wonder what the record is for most late FP's used in one day........

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Those thinking that "the horse" has expired have failed to see that he's still standing and ready to pull the cart into whole new discussions.

Actually, that's a different horse. Worries about what FP+ might be and how it will work, and arguing over the rules on the existing FP system that were not enforced but now are aren't really the same thing.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually, that's a different horse. Worries about what FP+ might be and how it will work, and arguing over the rules on the existing FP system that were not enforced but now are aren't really the same thing.

Actually it is indeed the same horse when you figure out the reason for enforcing FP return times was to prepare guests for the implementation of FP, and so they could milk more FP slots out of the system to maximize the new program.

 

[fishacura]

Intentional or not, you are implying that before the change things were unfair - meaning that people were playing by different sets of rules, and that wasn't the case.

Not at all. My apologies if it was perceived that way but I am not implying anything. I am simply stating that I like the fact that the rules are specific, clear and enforced (unfortunately it seems that parts a bit inconsistent).

Why have a return time if it means nothing. Made no sense to me the old way. I like the new system, a personal opinion, nothing more or less.