Fast pass window-set in stone?

[SBdisney]

Just got back from Disney. I was a little disappointed because it seemed really crowded and we went on Monday and Tuesday.

Just a question about fast passes. Is the time frame that they give you set in stone? If you are late by like 5 hours will they still let you on the ride? I had Splash Mountain fast passes that I didn't use during the day and thought about it later but the people in my party said the time window was there for a reason.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

I have never had any trouble using them beyond that window...however, I just read a trip report last night where the poster wrote that a CM commented that the Fast Pass Time Window had already passed. If I remember correctly, the poster was still allowed to use the Fast Pass. This is the only time I have heard of this happening - usually not a problem.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Just got back from Disney. I was a little disappointed because it seemed really crowded and we went on Monday and Tuesday.

Just a question about fast passes. Is the time frame that they give you set in stone? If you are late by like 5 hours will they still let you on the ride? I had Splash Mountain fast passes that I didn't use during the day and thought about it later but the people in my party said the time window was there for a reason.

The rule is the same with every Fast Pass in both parks. You cannot return to use your FP before the 1st time shown on your FP. You can return at any time after the first time until the Park closes on that day. The second time is NOT enforced.

What a lot of people do is collect FPs all day long and then use them one right after another in the evening.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[blackjackdelta]

Hydroguy's explaination along with other is very accurate. Anytime after the first window time in that day.

Jack

 

[LuLusApple]

I collect them all day then go back at night. They don't know why you are late it could be because you were in another line I never have had anyone say anything.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too get them early in the day and use them later. Never have had a problem using them after the end time.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I collect them all day then go back at night. They don't know why you are late it could be because you were in another line I never have had anyone say anything.

^^I do that too. However, on several trips during peak holiday season, I've had CMs point out that I am at the ride well after the return time and they have suggested that next time I should use the FPs sooner. I just say okay and play dumb. Again this was when the park was packed to gills during Christmas season though. So I'm guessing if someone in a TR reported they were told the same/similar, it must've been crazy busy when they were there. Must be from all the buy 3 get 2 free and 2 fer deals contributing to the masses!

 

[Leofoenget]

I was 12 hours late for Indy once. A newbie in training said "uhh NO this has expired" I said "Uhh NO" and her supervisor came over and told her "no see as long as it's after the time she has all day" and let me go.

so the answer is not set in stone

 

[avalon451]

It's Disney's unofficial policy that once a FP return window has begun,the FP is good all day. I've never had a problem, I've even heard CMs tell people this fact. If anybody ever gives you grief, ask for a lead CM.

Some people are uncomfortable with using late FPs, feeling like they're "cheating" or whatever, but I've also heard it explained by a CM that it's Disney's way of saying thanks for using FP-- so many people don't bother to understand the system or use it. A small enough percentage of people use it, that late FP returns are no problem.

It's too bad you didn't know about this FP strategy before you went-- it's standard strategy for the Unofficial Guide and Hydroguy's tips (which you might want to read before you go next time-- they're excellent! : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483) Using this FP strategy, you can go on the busiest day and never wait in line more than 15 minutes.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

One problem would be if everyone did it. In that case the FP line would be empty in the middle of the day and really crowded later in the evening. If that happened you would probably see a reversal of policy on accepting late FP's. Fortunately the amount of people on these boards account for a relatively small percentage of the Disney population. I would assume that a significant majority of people have no idea Disney allows this.

 

[pixiewings71]

I too get them early in the day and use them later. Never have had a problem using them after the end time.

^^I do that too. However, on several trips during peak holiday season, I've had CMs point out that I am at the ride well after the return time and they have suggested that next time I should use the FPs sooner. I just say okay and play dumb. Again this was when the park was packed to gills during Christmas season though. So I'm guessing if someone in a TR reported they were told the same/similar, it must've been crazy busy when they were there. Must be from all the buy 3 get 2 free and 2 fer deals contributing to the masses!

I've never had any CM tell us we were too late and that we need to use them sooner. We use them when we use them and we've been there during every peak season except Christmas. I don't think we will ever go during Christmas, not after the horror stories we hear on this board. LOL

 

[PHXscuba]

Yeah, I don't think even very many seasoned DLR vets know about the no-expiring-FP rule. I was having lunch with a dear friend (who grew up in SoCal and has probably been to DLR 5 times in the last 10 years) and we were discussing our trips this year (hers in June, mine in Oct). I mentioned using FPs past the hour window and she had never heard of it. She was surprised and excited to learn this!

DH gives me a little grief about the time I spend here on the DIS, but the time I will save us in the parks will be more than worth it.

PHXscuba

 

[LifeIsTinkIsLife]

Just got back from Disney. I was a little disappointed because it seemed really crowded and we went on Monday and Tuesday.

Just a question about fast passes. Is the time frame that they give you set in stone? If you are late by like 5 hours will they still let you on the ride? I had Splash Mountain fast passes that I didn't use during the day and thought about it later but the people in my party said the time window was there for a reason.

Well when we went there a few months ago, we would show up sometimes ten minutes early and they would still let us, and if the ride was broken down at those times they let us with no hassle. It may depend on the CM and the time in which you go there. You probably couldn't go get a FP and use it right after, but it just depends on situations and what they will let you do.

 

[joeysmommy]

We were told once last September that we could not use an expired Fastpass while trying to get on Splash Mountain.
He seemed to be a new CM, I didn't argue even though I knew getting a lead CM to come over would have worked. I didn;t feel like getting wet one more time that day so I told my kids "oh well."

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I've never had any CM tell us we were too late and that we need to use them sooner. We use them when we use them and we've been there during every peak season except Christmas. I don't think we will ever go during Christmas, not after the horror stories we hear on this board. LOL

Actually, this happened to me at least 2 or 3 times; usually on Indy, but once (surprisingly) on BTMRR. After looking at the FP return time, the CM said something like, "Your FP return time was at 3 o'clock. Next time try and use it a little earlier, okay?" But they always let us on. Again, I just played dumb and said okay. If they were adamant about it, I would have asked them to call a Lead. The parks were oppressively busy when this happened and it was only once per trip right before Christmas about 3 years in a row. I know one of the years was the 50th anniversary year. Holy cow! It was insane right before Christmas! A couple of times that this happened, Indy was completely out of FP by 1:30pm or so. It was nuts!
This was back when we used to do the park commando style. I am way more relaxed about vacations nowadays. Of course, getting so sick from the cold weather the last couple years is probably why I had to relax! The insane crowds is one of the biggest reasons we started going after Dec 31. It was too stressful to be in such oppressive crowds. Once the kiddos get out of school for Xmas break and up through NYE is insane; it gets worse and worse as each day goes by! I've seen where people post they were there on Dec 20 or Dec 22 and it wasn't that bad, and all I can remember is how insane it was when we used to go at that time. I wonder if it's a little better now? One thing I did notice is that it seems colder in January than it does in December. Either that or the crowds caused enough body warmth to be generated that it didn't feel as cold in December!
Sorry I just went off on a tangent big time...

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm going to guess that it was because the park was so busy. Indy was out of FP by 1:30?? Holy cow!!!!! Even when we go in July it's not that bad! lol I would do the same thing you did, play dumb and then if they refused us I'd ask for a lead or go to City Hall.