Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[Hermacdady]

Maybe by enforcing the end time on the fastpass, they will be able to extend the return times on the tickets? Just sayin....

 

[MVC1225]

We're talking tomayto tomahto here. My point is that current policy is that they are good for the period I stated.

agreed. I'm just nitpicky

 

[StephSalyer]

I just wanted to share what happened to me last week re: Fastpass

We arrived at RnR at our specified time window to ride RnR and much to our dismay, about 30 seconds before we got there, a VERY large tour group arrived. There were literally over 100 people in this group and they all had a Fastpasses. When I asked the CM how long the wait would now be she said over 45 minutes (standby was only 30). I asked how they all managed to get a Fastpass for the same time she replied "They didn't, it just so happens all of their return times have already occurred and they hold on to them knowing that most of them can arrive late and ride together." The CM also informed me that one leader from the group will take all of the tickets and get Fastpasses for all of them at the same time.

Sooo as far as my experience goes I am in favor of the enforcement. I admit that I too have held on to Fastpasses knowing we can show up late with no problem but really, is that fair?? We would never expect to arrive 2 or 3 hours late for an ADR and expect to be seated, why is the Fastpass system any different? Personally, I think enforcement will better regulate crowd control and make everyone's experience more magical.

 

[mesaboy2]

agreed. I'm just nitpicky

It's all good. For some reason this debate fascinates me.

 

[doconeill]

I just wanted to share what happened to me last week re: Fastpass

We arrived at RnR at our specified time window to ride RnR and much to our dismay, about 30 seconds before we got there, a VERY large tour group arrived. There were literally over 100 people in this group and they all had a Fastpasses. When I asked the CM how long the wait would now be she said over 45 minutes (standby was only 30). I asked how they all managed to get a Fastpass for the same time she replied "They didn't, it just so happens all of their return times have already occurred and they hold on to them knowing that most of them can arrive late and ride together." The CM also informed me that one leader from the group will take all of the tickets and get Fastpasses for all of them at the same time.

But if that one leader took all their FPs and got them at the same time, they are going to have FPs that are the same time or close enough that they completely overlap. So they could very well have been within their return window times, and STILL had the same effect on the lines they did then. And if they were actually all late, well then - all the standby riders got to ride 100 people sooner than they would have otherwise.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just wanted to share what happened to me last week re: Fastpass

We arrived at RnR at our specified time window to ride RnR and much to our dismay, about 30 seconds before we got there, a VERY large tour group arrived. There were literally over 100 people in this group and they all had a Fastpasses. When I asked the CM how long the wait would now be she said over 45 minutes (standby was only 30). I asked how they all managed to get a Fastpass for the same time she replied "They didn't, it just so happens all of their return times have already occurred and they hold on to them knowing that most of them can arrive late and ride together." The CM also informed me that one leader from the group will take all of the tickets and get Fastpasses for all of them at the same time.

Sooo as far as my experience goes I am in favor of the enforcement. I admit that I too have held on to Fastpasses knowing we can show up late with no problem but really, is that fair?? We would never expect to arrive 2 or 3 hours late for an ADR and expect to be seated, why is the Fastpass system any different? Personally, I think enforcement will better regulate crowd control and make everyone's experience more magical.

Can you imagine what the response would be if they made everyone else return during the window but still let the tour groups come late so they could all enter at once?

 

[Senator Tressel]

Fastpass would be useless to me if I had to return during a specific one hour time. I do not pay attention to what the return time says (other than to know when I can get my next one) and I have no desire to start. I am on vacation, I do not want to worry about getting somewhere at a specific time, especially when it's not making anyone wait longer. I'd still get them, I'd just keep them all as cheap souvenirs.

I'll believe this when I see it. And when I see it, I'm pretty confident any strict enforcement won't last long. There's just no benefit and the outcry from unhappy customers will be overwhelming.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for this thread, OP. I needed something to make the NFL offseason go faster.

 

[Goofy4]

That's mathematically incorrect. Enforcing the Fastpass window will have a very little affect on the standby times. Remember, Fastpass is, simply put, keeping your virtual spot in line.

I can't really see an upside to this new Fastpass enforcement.

That assumes that there is a line. For example, I've observed people obtaining FPs for Mission: Space even though CMs told them there was currently no wait (15 minutes after park opening). Presumably they later used the FPs when there was a line. I found it interesting because they were just learning "the system" and told the CM they were saving them for the evening. The CMs didn't understand it .

For other attractions were there is a wait, obtaining multiple FPs early holds your virtual place in line freeing you ride the same attraction stand-by and/or other non-FP attractions, restaurants, etc. By becoming a virtual copy of yourself, you are able to hold more than one spot in line.

Lastly, holding an invisible virtual spot in line skews the the expected wait time for both FP and stand-by riders late in the day. For example, when you're attempting to ride RnR one more time before you leave because you see a short stand-by time, you know what I mean -- the late FP riders keep coming and coming.

But I believe what really gets Disney are the "professional" FP collectors that either sell them or collect them for use for large tour groups.

 

[doconeill]

Thanks for this thread, OP. I needed something to make the NFL offseason go faster.

I can channel my football anger into this thread

 

[cigar95]

Thanks for this thread, OP. I needed something to make the NFL offseason go faster.

This thread will still be active when we get to the first pre-season game next August.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The article says they will give a 5 minute early and a 15 minute late cushion. Stuff happens - a ride goes down and you get stuck in line or get poor service in a restaurant. .

Well, this just gives me one more reason NOT to dine in Disney's overpriced, subpar restaurants.

I can just imagine the poor CMs having to deal with all of the conversations about why people came back late. For us, we have used ours later in the day and this is definitely an UGH as it will cause much more criss crossing of the park.

The current policy allows "late FPs", no need for any conversation.

The subtlety is that the return time is actually from the beginning of the window until the end of the day. So, I do use it during the return time.
Time to whip this out again, and is at least the current policy. Note the third situation/action.

Lately, Disney seems to be "stuck on stupid". I can't wait for more of the "new and improved Disney".

Semantics. If the policy is to allow it to be used until the end of the day, then it is good until the end of the day. You may not have used it during the return time stated, but it does not mean the FP is not "good".

Concise and to the point.

 

[conniehar90]

Now I am officially stressing out over our trip on 3/22! This stinks!

 

[MVC1225]

Fastpass would be useless to me if I had to return during a specific one hour time. I do not pay attention to what the return time says (other than to know when I can get my next one) and I have no desire to start. I am on vacation, I do not want to worry about getting somewhere at a specific time, especially when it's not making anyone wait longer. I'd still get them, I'd just keep them all as cheap souvenirs.

I'll believe this when I see it. And when I see it, I'm pretty confident any strict enforcement won't last long. There's just no benefit and the outcry from unhappy customers will be overwhelming.

Considering that most people are not aware that they can return late, I really don't know how much outcry there will be. I mean you may be right but I've read that the great majority of people return within the stated time so I would guess that most people would not even know there was a change. The people that do know the internal policy are usually those on these type of boards and will therefore also know it has changed so after an initial period of complaints that too will die down. If they need to do this for NextGen, as is the rumor, I bet they will stick with it.

 

[Traveliz]

That CMs appear to be hearing this internally makes it seem more likely that it is happening - yet some things don't make sense.

Why allow 5 minutes early AT ALL? What problem does this solve? And why not just make the return time 5 minutes earlier on the pass (and that still doesn't make sense...) And why have the late leeway, why not extend the window? It's like Disney is saying, "We're going to enforce it...sorta...mostly..."

What is it about X-Pass that makes FP enforcement a requirement?

What is a valid "exception" to be allowed to use them late? And how late? If an exception is made, wouldn't that mess things up?

As far as the wait in the standby line goes, if they start enforcing FP return times, you should actually expect the standby wait times to go UP by some degree. Why? Because FP holders who otherwise would have waited until later will now be in the FP line earlier, pushing back the standby line by the appropriate number of guests. It won't be until the end of the day that a positive effect on the standby line will be seen.

The number of FPs refused entry will likely not be a significant change, as people will only likely obtain the FPs where the window is good for them.

The one bright spot? It might allow FPs to not get gobbled up so soon, as people may choose not to get them if the window is too far out of their plans...

The CM I know is hearing these things internally also. My guess on the 5 minutes early is to alleviate all the people that get there 3-2-1 minute early (maybe their time pieces vary) and are clogging up the front of the FP entry area (driving the CMs crazy as well as those who are in the time frame and want to get through).

I have also heard that there is going to be a coordinator or manager assigned to the FP entry area to handle all the problems (exceptions) due to ride problems elsewhere.

I will say that if I am coming off a ride that has delayed me or a meal that has run late I would not go to Guest Services (why add time to my problem?) and I would ask for a manager at the problemsome location to give me a no strings attached pass...it would be easy for him to verify you actually have FPs that you missed out on as you can show them to him/her right there.

Liz

 

[twob4him]

I will tell you - this will probably mean the end of doing Disney every year for me. We use the late arrival almost exclusively. We ride standby all morning, collecting fast passes, then we go back to the resort and relax, returning later in the day to ride using the fast passes we've collected. They certainly are within their rights to do this, but for me, it will take away from our enjoyment enough that the money we spend to go to the parks will no longer be justifiable. I'll just go to the beach instead!

Yaaa what she said. I have a trip coming up in 9 days. Not sure about Disney after this with all of these crazy policies.

 

[doconeill]

I will say that if I am coming off a ride that has delayed me or a meal that has run late I would not go to Guest Services (why add time to my problem?) and I would ask for a manager at the problemsome location to give me a no strings attached pass...it would be easy for him to verify you actually have FPs that you missed out on as you can show them to him/her right there.

Liz

Yeah, I think the "no strings attached" passes are going to become prevalent...and then it begs the question, "why don't those affect return times?"

I wonder if we'll see new pre-printed NSA passes...

 

[disneydad1]

This is absolutely horrible - i can only hope it isn't true - as a family with small children who often travel with grandparents, I know that we wouldn't be able to experience as much of the parks if we had to return within the 1 hour window - will really limit what we can do at night - doubly disappointing is the fact that we can only travel during busy park times b/c my wife and i both teach......so, so disappointing.....say it isn't so....

 

[goofyredraider]

I just feel sorry for the CMs that have the unfortunate job of enforcing it. People are not going to be nice.

 

[Bettie]

Well, if true, that's really too bad. I was just thinking, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to go at spring break again. But there is absolutely no way I would go at a high-volume time if they were enforcing FP return times. I just love that you can plan it out without having to cross-cross the parks endlessly. I hate having to fight the crowd to get somewhere at a certain time when you can go in a much more orderly fashion and not have to put so many miles on the ol' feet. Ugh. I don't like it at all.