Fastpass policy change?

[bkaz]

Tried to use the search to see if this has already been posted, but can't get it to work today:

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. Later we arrived at Space Mountain 30 minutes past our return time and the CM looked at the time and said "Hmmm...well okay I guess" like he was trying to decide if he should let us in or not. Both of these were on fairly slow days with 30 minute waits in the standby lines...so it wasn't like it was a 2 hour wait...or that we were hours late in returning.

Anyway...this is not meant to start a discussion of whether or not people should try to use fastpasses past their time...because I realize there are several camps out there on that one. I just wanted to let people who are traveling this summer and later know that the policy may be more strictly enforced and they should consider this in their planning!

 

[wilde_oscar]

could be you hit the two CM's that were having a day. could be if they start the rumor now, it will cut down on this practice via the telephone effect. Could be there is a planned change coming. they have been testing a variety of new technologies and policies. my guess is that the CMs at the fast pass entrance are going to get ring scanners to check fast passes.

 

[huge mickey fan]

Thanks for the info. I am surprised it took this long for the policy to change. I would bet several reasons I would think to hold people to their times would cut down on the abusers of the system by either the illegal fastpasses purchased on ebay or the people who collect them throughout the day then at the end of the night ride them all in a row. Not trying to take sides on the topic of fastpass times but I understand why the policy change.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I know this is a hot topic, but I do see a few situations that could be a problem with ALWAYS strictly enforcing the fast pass return time. It's not like you get to pick your return time, so what happens if you have a TS ADR that conflicts w/ the FP return time? Do you need to get a "sorry I'm tardy slip" from the TS restaurant so that they will still let you use your FP?
It seems like if they scanned your park pass at the FP entrance, it would allow them to see the FP return time abusers. However, the down side to that would be it would cause a back-up at the FP entrance. I'm not sure if they would ever find the perfect solution to this situation. But thanks for the heads up for anyone travelling this summer, so that we are not surprised if this policy has changed.

 

[centurythree]

In January I saw a guy get turned back at Soarin' once he got up to the cast member who takes the tickets (which meant he'd stood in line for 15-20 minutes only to get turned back) . . . so I thought that the more strict policy was already in effect.

 

[kirbsam]

you can see your return time when you get your fast pass, so you will know if you have an adr during that time or not.

 

[stitchlovestink]

you can see your return time when you get your fast pass, so you will know if you have an adr during that time or not.

Well Duh....
Let's say your FP says you may return between 4:45 and 5:45. They're not going to let you use your FP early. Your ADR is say for 5pm, you don't have time to wait until 4:45 to use it and still travel to a restaurant that is any distance (even possibly w/in the same park) and you know they're not going to hold your ADR because you wanted to get in one more ride before dining.
... or say your pass says return between 5:30 and 6:30 your ADR might be for say 5pm but that doesn't mean you'll be seated right at 5pm. And depending on the service and travel time to and from restaurant, you can't be sure exactly how long your ADR is going to take. One would HOPE that they would be able to get back to the attraction. But we've have many a TS meal that has taken over 1 1/2 hrs.
It's not like once the FP machine spits out your FP, you can say to it, "Oh I'm sorry this time doesn't work for our schedule. I'm going to be dining at that time. Could you please give a more suitable time that fits my schedule better?"

 

[zippy doo dah]

The only problem I tend to see with not allowing people to ride past their return time (and I'll be the first one to agree that something definately needs to be done about those who abuse the FP system) especially in the summer and busier months...what happens if you miss your return time b/c you and your family were taking a well deserved potty break. On our July 06 trip we were in the MK after SM and waiting to return to BTMRR and us girls were waiting in line for 25 min and by the time we made it over to BTMRR almost 30 min late for our return time. I guess I am just hoping that they allow for some leeway for legitimate reasons b/c they do happen.

 

[janette]

The expected return time is posted so if you do have an ADR that will make it unlikely you can return you can decide not to get a FP. We sometimes opt to wait to get a FP that works for the time we will be able to ride

No real suprise; they probably did it in the past because people just sometimes run late. Now that it's become more widely known too many people are not using the windows as they are assigned and that will throw off the system. I believe it has always been enforced at rides like Soarin that tend to run with higher lines and probably more people not missing their FP window.

 

[DebbieB]

One problem I've noticed with the "use anytime after" fastpass is that the fastpass return lines are very crowded at the end of day. Perhaps setting a time limit, say no more than 1 hour after the return time on the fastpass.

 

[stacy347]

It's not like once the FP machine spits out your FP, you can say to it, "Oh I'm sorry this time doesn't work for our schedule. I'm going to be dining at that time. Could you please give a more suitable time that fits my schedule better?"

No, but the rides do have return times posted above the FP machines and if you know your ADR time is within that time frame, why would you get that FP?

 

[Becky2005]

It will work fine as long as FP given out during tours are still good after their time.

We took a BLANK Tour in 2005 (since this is a bit of a spoiler) and we were given FP to Buzz in the middle of the tour as a reward. The return time was DURING the tour, basically we were still on the tour. As soon as the tour was over, we went and rode it but it was definitely after it's time. It wouldn't look real good to be turned away for those type passes. I don't know if they can get them blank or not (I know I saw our tour guide getting them from the person at the machine, so he didn't have a special ticket for it or anything).

 

[MissyDVC]

No, but the rides do have return times posted above the FP machines and if you know your ADR time is within that time frame, why would you get that FP?

 

[stitchlovestink]

The only problem I tend to see with not allowing people to ride past their return time (and I'll be the first one to agree that something definately needs to be done about those who abuse the FP system) especially in the summer and busier months...what happens if you miss your return time b/c you and your family were taking a well deserved potty break. On our July 06 trip we were in the MK after SM and waiting to return to BTMRR and us girls were waiting in line for 25 min and by the time we made it over to BTMRR almost 30 min late for our return time. I guess I am just hoping that they allow for some leeway for legitimate reasons b/c they do happen.

THAT WAS EXACTLY MY POINT. thank you.

The expected return time is posted so if you do have an ADR that will make it unlikely you can return you can decide not to get a FP. We sometimes opt to wait to get a FP that works for the time we will be able to ride

No real suprise; they probably did it in the past because people just sometimes run late. Now that it's become more widely known too many people are not using the windows as they are assigned and that will throw off the system. I believe it has always been enforced at rides like Soarin that tend to run with higher lines and probably more people not missing their FP window.

No, but the rides do have return times posted above the FP machines and if you know your ADR time is within that time frame, why would you get that FP?

Yes, well we have gotten FPs that the return time did NOT match the time on the 'display board' above the machines. Gee, I wonder how that could ever happen?
And to think, I shouldn't get a FP b/c I might not be able to return at that exact magical time b/c (horror) I am spending even more $ at their restaurants.

 

[iheartdisney]

No, but the rides do have return times posted above the FP machines and if you know your ADR time is within that time frame, why would you get that FP?

I was just about to say that! You do have a choice...BIG sign! If the timeframe doesn't work for you, find a fastpass that does!

 

[RescueRanger]

I was just about to say that! You do have a choice...BIG sign! If the timeframe doesn't work for you, find a fastpass that does!

Exactly! I for one hope they do start enforcing the time window. Also, I would not allow for any excuses except for if the ride broke down during your time slot. Just look at all the excuses people are already coming up with. Sorry, but the restroom excuse is just lame. You have an HOUR window. Don't wait until the last minute to get back to the ride and even if you have to use the restroom you will have enough time. JMHO

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know this is a hot topic, but I do see a few situations that could be a problem with ALWAYS strictly enforcing the fast pass return time. It's not like you get to pick your return time, so what happens if you have a TS ADR that conflicts w/ the FP return time? Do you need to get a "sorry I'm tardy slip" from the TS restaurant so that they will still let you use your FP

Well, no. You would have looked at the display over the FastPass dispensers and determined if the time range fits into your other park-touring plans, including meals.

Let's say your FP says you may return between 4:45 and 5:45. They're not going to let you use your FP early. Your ADR is say for 5pm, you don't have time to wait until 4:45 to use it and still travel to a restaurant that is any distance (even possibly w/in the same park) and you know they're not going to hold your ADR because you wanted to get in one more ride before dining.

Then you don't get the FastPass

Yes, well we have gotten FPs that the return time did NOT match the time on the 'display board' above the machines. Gee, I wonder how that could ever happen?

By how much? Hours? Or minutes? Did you recheck the display as you left the distribution area? Only a certain number of FastPasses are dispensed for each increment. The time could EASILY jump five minutes while you're in line. Heck, some Guests who obtain multiple FastPasses (e.g. one person takes everyones' park tickets) find that there may be different times on their series of FastPasses - but again, only in the distribution increment of, usually, five minutes.

 

[kaytieeldr]

FastPasses have a time RANGE, not merely a start time. While Disney has been lenient with the return times, it's not unreasonable that they expect, and will begin to enforce, the FastPass limitations.

 

[stitchlovestink]

FastPasses have a time RANGE, not merely a start time. While Disney has been lenient with the return times, it's not unreasonable that they expect, and will begin to enforce, the FastPass limitations.

and if they do, they do. but people who are determined, will beat the system. They'll just get a mgr and give them an earful. Most mgrs have 'bigger fish to fry' then someone being 'off' on their FP return time. They'll just tell the CM to let it go. If I had a buck for every time we saw this situation at Soarin', I could stay at the GF. Mgr CM says to other CM to 'let it go', not worth the battle.

So it won't get enforced across the board because they're always be exceptions. So why bother if you're going to make the exceptions.

As a matter of fact, we were given FP's because of a ride breakdown, and they couldn't get enough FP'S fast enough so they gave us already expired ones and said they could be used at any other time that day (provided they were able to get the ride up and running again that day, which they did anticipate being the case). So based on that, we wouldn't get to ride because window was already expired and CM's are the ones who gave them out?! That makes great sense.
I anticipate they'll try enforcing it, but it won't be worth the grief they'll get from people. So they'll let it go. Wouldn't be the first time this has happened. There aren't supposed to be any heelies in the parks, but the CM's do a good job of ignoring them as they 'fly' by the CMs (not all, but many more ignore that 'rule' than don't)

 

[BabyPiglet]

Thank you. It's good to know, because we usually just use them after the return time.

Oh btw, people why are you debating about it again? That's not the threads purpose, she was just informing us of a change that might be coming soon.