Fastpass policy change?

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

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.

Bingo!!!!

 

[darlak]

For those of you who use them "whenever", have you ever really thought about the whole intention of the FastPass system and the intention behind having return times staggered?

For the record, we generally use ours within the return time window. There are a lot of people in my family, so therefore many potty breaks and we always have at least one ADR each day, but somehow we manage to make the FastPass times work for us in spite of those difficulties.

 

[goofy4tink]

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?

It's very easy to see the return time and decide if it will work for you. Because it isn't a 15 min window return time, you should have plenty of time to plan accordingly....snacks, potty breaks, whatever.

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)

The 'squeaky wheel' is always going to get greased...that's just the way life works. Doesn't make it right, but that's the way it it.
Most people have tried to return within their FP window. But, because of internet forums, people have started to return whenever they choose. The return times are plainly written on the FP...but, still, people ignore it and return when it suits them. You know...there are special passes, given out due to broken down attractions, etc., that allow you to return at any time, no window. If Disney wanted you to be able to do this with FP, they would word it the same. But, they don't. So now, because of much abuse, it would seem that they are going to go back to enforcing the return times. I don't see why that's such an issue.....it's the stated rule. Disney seems to be full of folks that wish to tailor the perks to meet their own specific needs and the heck with everyone else or the stated rules.

 

[zippy doo dah]

Just to clarify...since it has been called lame (nice btw )...my family and I do return during the time alotted...this just happened to be the one time we didn't make it - we were perfectly prepared for the CM to say we couldn't use them and would've gotten a FP for a later time, but the CM was nice and allowed us on. I didn't plan on being on line for the ladies room for 25 min - had it been like the men's room, we'd have been fine. So sorry we can't all be perfect like everyone else who apparently can plan for everything...

 

[RMulieri]

It may just depend on the CM...but I got turned away in early December on both Splash and SM and the park really wasn't busy.( I was 5 min late on one and 15 mins late on the other)

 

[goofy4tink]

Just to clarify...since it has been called lame (nice btw )...my family and I do return during the time alotted...this just happened to be the one time we didn't make it - we were perfectly prepared for the CM to say we couldn't use them and would've gotten a FP for a later time, but the CM was nice and allowed us on. I didn't plan on being on line for the ladies room for 25 min - had it been like the men's room, we'd have been fine. So sorry we can't all be perfect like everyone else who apparently can plan for everything...

There are always going to be extenuating circumstances.....life happens. My beef is with those who pick up a FP, with the intention of returning when it suits them, not within the window given. I would think that if you were within 15-20 mins of the window they would cut you some slack. But those who return several hours after the time, should not be allowed on. There have even been cases of people being able to use FPs from other days, weeks, years!!!

 

[RMulieri]

There are always going to be extenuating circumstances.....life happens. My beef is with those who pick up a FP, with the intention of returning when it suits them, not within the window given. I would think that if you were within 15-20 mins of the window they would cut you some slack. But those who return several hours after the time, should not be allowed on. There have even been cases of people being able to use FPs from other days, weeks, years!!!

Agreed.

 

[bigAWL]

What if they could let you choose your fastpass return window? You could put in your desired time and they would give it to you or, if that time slot was already "sold out," the machine would suggest the closest time available.

If I'm the first one in line at the fastpass machine in the morning, and I want to ride Soarin' right before leaving for my dinner ADR later that day, I don't want to have to keep checking back throughout the morning in order to grab a pass that suits my needs? And it frees up one fastpass in that earliest time-slot for someone who does want to ride as soon as possible.

The problem I see with this is a much longer process at the fastpass machine.

 

[zippy doo dah]

There are always going to be extenuating circumstances.....life happens. My beef is with those who pick up a FP, with the intention of returning when it suits them, not within the window given. I would think that if you were within 15-20 mins of the window they would cut you some slack. But those who return several hours after the time, should not be allowed on. There have even been cases of people being able to use FPs from other days, weeks, years!!!

And I totally agree...those are the ones who are ruining it for everyone else and that's when they shouldn't be allowed on the FP line - they should either go to the stand-by line or get FP for a later time. It's like a dinner reservation, (not at Disney) but if you are more than 15 min late than the reserved table is lost and given to another party...prefectly acceptable and this allows for those enexpected twists and turns

 

[Eeyore1925]

I am all for enforcing the stated return times on FP. You know before you get them when the return window will be. Plan accordingly.

I think Disney does a good job trying to calculate how many FP per hour to distribute per ride. If everyone is holding them in anticipation of returning whenever they want, it just clogs up the standby lines more later in the day.

 

[photobob]

I've always arrived during the window, I honestly didn't know you could get in later. I guess I've hurried my family for no reason..

 

[bicker]

I'm glad to see that they're finally getting their act together on this issue.

 

[patsal]

The system only works as well as it is managed. To prevent back ups and delays and run smoothly people need to follow the designated times on the fastpasses. I am glad they are enforcing it. I have heard they were going to bar code readers for the fast passes--if this is true then peak time backups could be a thing of the past.

 

[tinawv]

There are always going to be extenuating circumstances.....life happens. My beef is with those who pick up a FP, with the intention of returning when it suits them, not within the window given. I would think that if you were within 15-20 mins of the window they would cut you some slack. But those who return several hours after the time, should not be allowed on. There have even been cases of people being able to use FPs from other days, weeks, years!!!

I so agree with this statement and think this is where most of the abuse comes from; not the extenuating circumstances. Disney could accomodate the extenuating circumstances by allowing a 15-30 minute window. Anyone trying to use fast passes outside of that window period should be turned away.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Just FYI, the times posted on the FP Return time are not always correct. We went to EE at about 9:30am and the FP line said return time @ 3ish -4ish, we skipped the FP for that ride because we didn't want our FP's to be tied up all day with that one ride. We toured the park did a few attractions and when we were back around by EE, the FP return time was now 1ish. And the arguement about choosing not to get a FP because you have ADR's is not valid in my opinion. ADR's are a constant that you have set at least 180 days in advance, FP return times are not. Alot of people touring with children and large groups would miss out on a whole bunch of attractions if they had to strictly abide by the time slot. Some people do not know how to work the fastpasses and as my example of EE would have gotten a FP thinking this was the way to go, and then went on to the next ride and tried to get another one. Of course they would have been declined due to the time frame. So in that case the poor unknowing family who has spent their hard earned money is now basically out of luck all day. They have to stand in the standby lines for every single ride. The FP system is great, I think it is very helpfull when touring. But I disagree with the strict enforcement of the time slots. There are too many variables that cause a person to be late. If Disney is willing to ignore those variables I think it would be a sad day, because it would then be truly only a money making business with total disregard for the "family" mentality. I was told that if a FP line starts getting too full, they just start letting more FP people through to thin down that line.

 

[fan1080]

Just to clarify...since it has been called lame (nice btw )...my family and I do return during the time alotted...this just happened to be the one time we didn't make it - we were perfectly prepared for the CM to say we couldn't use them and would've gotten a FP for a later time, but the CM was nice and allowed us on. I didn't plan on being on line for the ladies room for 25 min - had it been like the men's room, we'd have been fine. So sorry we can't all be perfect like everyone else who apparently can plan for everything...

If you can stand in line at the ladies room for 25 minutes, why can't you just go ahead and use your fastpass first and then go to the ladies room?

That way you get to use your fastpass during it's "legal" time frame, and get to go to the ladies room. Probably not much more of a delay for the ladies room if you were to ride first.

 

[fan1080]

Just FYI, the times posted on the FP Return time are not always correct. We went to EE at about 9:30am and the FP line said return time @ 3ish -4ish, we skipped the FP for that ride because we didn't want our FP's to be tied up all day with that one ride. We toured the park did a few attractions and when we were back around by EE, the FP return time was now 1ish. And the arguement about choosing not to get a FP because you have ADR's is not valid in my opinion. ADR's are a constant that you have set at least 180 days in advance, FP return times are not. Alot of people touring with children and large groups would miss out on a whole bunch of attractions if they had to strictly abide by the time slot. Some people do not know how to work the fastpasses and as my example of EE would have gotten a FP thinking this was the way to go, and then went on to the next ride and tried to get another one. Of course they would have been declined due to the time frame. So in that case the poor unknowing family who has spent their hard earned money is now basically out of luck all day. They have to stand in the standby lines for every single ride. The FP system is great, I think it is very helpfull when touring. But I disagree with the strict enforcement of the time slots. There are too many variables that cause a person to be late. If Disney is willing to ignore those variables I think it would be a sad day, because it would then be truly only a money making business with total disregard for the "family" mentality. I was told that if a FP line starts getting too full, they just start letting more FP people through to thin down that line.

If the fastpass you recieve is for a later time frame, you are allowed to get another fastpass before that one'e time comes around. I believe the rules for fastpasses are somewhere in the vicinity of about 2 hours, meaning you can get another fastpass after the return time on your current fastpass or in 2 hours, which ever comes first.

I'm sure someone can clarify the exact time allowance for me.

 

[tinawv]

Just FYI, the times posted on the FP Return time are not always correct. We went to EE at about 9:30am and the FP line said return time @ 3ish -4ish, we skipped the FP for that ride because we didn't want our FP's to be tied up all day with that one ride. We toured the park did a few attractions and when we were back around by EE, the FP return time was now 1ish. And the arguement about choosing not to get a FP because you have ADR's is not valid in my opinion. ADR's are a constant that you have set at least 180 days in advance, FP return times are not. Alot of people touring with children and large groups would miss out on a whole bunch of attractions if they had to strictly abide by the time slot. Some people do not know how to work the fastpasses and as my example of EE would have gotten a FP thinking this was the way to go, and then went on to the next ride and tried to get another one. Of course they would have been declined due to the time frame. So in that case the poor unknowing family who has spent their hard earned money is now basically out of luck all day. They have to stand in the standby lines for every single ride. The FP system is great, I think it is very helpfull when touring. But I disagree with the strict enforcement of the time slots. There are too many variables that cause a person to be late. If Disney is willing to ignore those variables I think it would be a sad day, because it would then be truly only a money making business with total disregard for the "family" mentality. I was told that if a FP line starts getting too full, they just start letting more FP people through to thin down that line.

WDW has not always had the FP system, and everyone did stand in the standby lines for all rides. The system would simply not work if everybody obtained a FP and used it anytime they wanted. The only reason it is still working now with the abuse, is because there are people who are using it the way is was intended for.

 

[zippy doo dah]

If you can stand in line at the ladies room for 25 minutes, why can't you just go ahead and use your fastpass first and then go to the ladies room?

That way you get to use your fastpass during it's "legal" time frame, and get to go to the ladies room. Probably not much more of a delay for the ladies room if you were to ride first.

That would have been fine for me - if it was for just me - but it was for my 7 year old DD, who at the time had a pretty bad kidney infection and even holding it for those 25 min was excruciating for her.

 

[sassyat30]

If the fastpass you recieve is for a later time frame, you are allowed to get another fastpass before that one'e time comes around. I believe the rules for fastpasses are somewhere in the vicinity of about 2 hours, meaning you can get another fastpass after the return time on your current fastpass or in 2 hours, which ever comes first.

I'm sure someone can clarify the exact time allowance for me.

You are correct. Your fast passes aren't "held up all day" with one fast pass ~ once about two hours have passed, you are able to obtain another fast pass for another attraction.

It says right on the fast pass when you're able to get another one.