Fastpass policy change?

[surferrat]

You do realize how insignificant this argument is, has or will be?

The Fast Pass system has a flaw...using that flaw to enjoy a vacation is not illegal and there is no immoral mark on you if you return after the window. My family goes to WDW and we use the FP system regularly. There are times when we make it back for the window and times we don't. I don't look at my kids and say "Now we are breaking the law here, but we are going to get on this ride anyway."

There are more important things than chastising those who do things to enjoy their vacation. There are more important laws that should be observed and taught to our children that should never be broken.

So many people call for things like "ENFORCING the RULES of the FAST PASS System because people are taking advantage of it. Tell you what..if you want to dictate everyone's vacation then you pay for it. Until then, there is no reason to get all worked up over it.

WDW will either enforce it by changing it or they will not. I could care less if everyone comes after their window or in between. I would rather enjoy my vacation and if a CM says to me I can not go because I missed the window, then so be it.

Some people go way less than my family and are not able to go again for many years down the road. If getting on rides after the their window ensures them to enjoy their once in a life time stay at the Kingdom, who are we to argue.

These are guidelines, not rules...There is no law breaking going on here, just people taking advantage to insure they can get on a ride. I really don't understand the big deal and we go every 3 months for about 5 days each stay. I would love to see a child smile when he is able to ride Peter Pan for the first time or many times is it is a trip a family can only afford one time. I would hate to see a CM turn down a kid because he was 30 min late, an hour late or two hours late.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyDad]

The ironic thing that I see here is that Disboard implicitly supports returning after the FP time window when necessary...because one of their board sponsors advocates this.

I'm just sayin...

 

[seashoreCM]

There are more important things than chastising those who do things to enjoy their vacation. There are more important laws that should be observed and taught to our children that should never be broken.

All laws are to be obeyed and enforced. If a law is bad it should be repealed.

So Tell you what..if you want to dictate everyone's vacation then you pay for it. Until then, there is no reason to get all worked up over it.

I beg to differ. Disney can make any rules it wants to and charge you for your vacation there .

These are guidelines, not rules...There is no law breaking going on here, just people taking advantage to insure they can get on a ride.

I beg to differ with you here too. These are rules. If the CM's are not enforcing it, it is still lawbreaking.

 

[MissyDVC]

Whenever there are posts like these, I always wonder why some people think that rules are only for others to follow Of course, there are always going to extenuating circumstances but the system is easy to follow and was set up to be used in a certain manner.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

So many people call for things like "ENFORCING the RULES of the FAST PASS System because people are taking advantage of it. Tell you what..if you want to dictate everyone's vacation then you pay for it. Until then, there is no reason to get all worked up over it.

Actually the only people "dictating other people's vacations" are the ones who create wait times longer than should be by saving their fast-passes for peak times.

Yes, when many people save their fast passes to use them at peak times, the ACTUAL wait time for the standby line will be longer than what is posted on the entry to the ride. *THIS* could cause people to wet their pants, miss their ADR's etc....all beyond their own control.

people get *GET* the fast passes CAN control whether their bathroom times and ADR's. When you purposely disregard the wait it's supposed to be done so that you can "enjoy your vacation", you are actually negatively affecting other people's vacation.

And that...is selfish
(and un-disney like)
(and immoral)
(and pathetic)

 

[surferrat]

And that...is selfish
(and un-disney like)
(and immoral)
(and pathetic)

Glad you know me so well

I did not attack anyone like you have done. I just stated my opinion. But all is good...no stress no worries..

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

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.

Ok heck!

I ALWAYS visit the ladies room before riding TOT or Space Mountain...just the thought of all that shaking.......wait.....I'll be right back......

 

[glitterkittyy]

All laws are to be obeyed and enforced. If a law is bad it should be repealed.

But we're not talking about a law here, we're talking about a Disney policy. Their fastpasses at the present time have a window on them, true. But what they say on the back is that early entry is not permitted. It says nothing about late entry. And in practice, Disney has consistently allowed late entry (with some exceptions...one being Soarin'). So if Disney is making a policy change to now make late entry prohibited, fine. That's their right, and I'll follow their wishes. But I think some are taking this entirely too seriously and hurting feelings in the process.

 

[MenashaCorp]

This discussion is scaring me.

Sooo... if I can make an ADR at 180 (+10) days, and a Palo ressie at 75 days...

How far out may I/do I need to make my Advance Ride Reservations? Is Expedition Everest going to be filled by 9:05 EST? And ABRs for bathrooms? Is there a different booking period for different types of BR break?

ebay listing: #2 ABR at quiet bathroom across from Pirates, choice post-lunch period between 12:30 and 12:45 (entry time).

I'm not attacking anyone, btw. Just being a smart a** (as usual) based on the direction of the thread. I'm OK just so I know the rules in time to plan for them.... Now off to wash my hands 45 more times....

 

[Peepster]

Man, you guys are anal! CM's have told us (upon obtaining fast pass) that it's fine to use the fastpass after the time frame expires. There are exceptions...Soarin' being one of them. The abuse I've heard about was people who have been trying to use a fastpass from a different day or park...meaning someone truly was trying to cheat the system. That being said, I will certainly honor what the CM's request.

I'll leave the fray now and return to my happier musings. Flame away!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

we were last there in oct 06,we were late returning,for TOT.i think we were about half an hour past,the return time.the CM would not let us ride.we made sure we stuck,to the return times after that!!!!

We were there last May and arrived at MGM around 3PM. The line for TOT was about 45 minutes and the FP return time was about the same, maybe a bit more I cant remeber exactly. We decided that instead of waiting in line for 45 minutes we would use the time for something else and then come back. ON our way back, we were about 10 minutes early, one of the famous thunderstorms hit. I swear my DD thinks she would melt in rain. lol. We stood in the Villain's sweet shop to stay warm. It was lightening really badly for about 45 minutes. I wasnt chancing leaving, but we had ADR at GF for later that evening and needed to change because of the rain. I wasnt at all prepared. So we ended up leaving whenthe lightening seemed to stop. We never road.
The next day we went back just to ride it. I asked if i could use my FP and explained the situation. I honestly didnt even think about the regulations. HE was reluctant, but i said that its just the two of us. He let us go in, he exchanged the FP for us. I feel bad because i honestly didnt mean any harm or dishonesty, but i guess thinking abou tit, i was. Sorry!

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

You do realize how insignificant this argument is, has or will be?

The Fast Pass system has a flaw...using that flaw to enjoy a vacation is not illegal and there is no immoral mark on you if you return after the window. My family goes to WDW and we use the FP system regularly. There are times when we make it back for the window and times we don't. I don't look at my kids and say "Now we are breaking the law here, but we are going to get on this ride anyway."

There are more important things than chastising those who do things to enjoy their vacation. There are more important laws that should be observed and taught to our children that should never be broken.

So many people call for things like "ENFORCING the RULES of the FAST PASS System because people are taking advantage of it. Tell you what..if you want to dictate everyone's vacation then you pay for it. Until then, there is no reason to get all worked up over it.

WDW will either enforce it by changing it or they will not. I could care less if everyone comes after their window or in between. I would rather enjoy my vacation and if a CM says to me I can not go because I missed the window, then so be it.

Some people go way less than my family and are not able to go again for many years down the road. If getting on rides after the their window ensures them to enjoy their once in a life time stay at the Kingdom, who are we to argue.

These are guidelines, not rules...There is no law breaking going on here, just people taking advantage to insure they can get on a ride. I really don't understand the big deal and we go every 3 months for about 5 days each stay. I would love to see a child smile when he is able to ride Peter Pan for the first time or many times is it is a trip a family can only afford one time. I would hate to see a CM turn down a kid because he was 30 min late, an hour late or two hours late.

Well said!

 

[skater]

We were there last May and arrived at MGM around 3PM. The line for TOT was about 45 minutes and the FP return time was about the same, maybe a bit more I cant remeber exactly. We decided that instead of waiting in line for 45 minutes we would use the time for something else and then come back. ON our way back, we were about 10 minutes early, one of the famous thunderstorms hit. I swear my DD thinks she would melt in rain. lol. We stood in the Villain's sweet shop to stay warm. It was lightening really badly for about 45 minutes. I wasnt chancing leaving, but we had ADR at GF for later that evening and needed to change because of the rain. I wasnt at all prepared. So we ended up leaving whenthe lightening seemed to stop. We never road.
The next day we went back just to ride it. I asked if i could use my FP and explained the situation. I honestly didnt even think about the regulations. HE was reluctant, but i said that its just the two of us. He let us go in, he exchanged the FP for us. I feel bad because i honestly didnt mean any harm or dishonesty, but i guess thinking abou tit, i was. Sorry!

I really don't think its a big deal and not worth an apology.

 

[skater]

Isn't it also against the rules to bring snacks and water bottles into the parks?

 

[DISPrincessMom]

I almost hate to jump in here but...isn't it an official policy at Disneyland that you can use FP anytime after the return time?
Why is WDW so much different?
Just curious...hold back the flames...

 

[CanadianGuy]

I read a very interesting internet article musing on the Fastpass system that analyzed how it works from someone with a background in economics and that whole "supply-demand" thing... he actually looked at this all from an scientific perspective... He used big words and talked about the 'supply-curve' and such. Of course I can't FIND it now that I need it.

In the article, he indicated that something like fifty percent of all fastpasses were used within their listed time window. Thirty percent were used "late" and twenty percent were never used at all. If what's being reported here is true, that I suspect those percentages might have shifted.

He further explained that using a Fastpass late really wouldn't affect the system because if you didn't use your FP during the alloted 1 hour window, then that meant that at least one rider from the standby or fastpass line (or depending on the size of your party - BOTH) got to ride "sooner" than they would have, had you been there to take your spot. And then everyone in line BEHIND them got to ride sooner too.

It's a zero sum game. It's worth noting that they don't send around an empty ride vehicle just because you didn't show up.(You're not royalty you know.. only Cinderella gets that treatment.)

So.. regardless if you show up or not, the ride still runs at full capacity.

Therefore.... for example, if your family of five wasn't there between 11:05am and 12:05pm .. then there are five people who FOR SURE got to ride sooner than you did.. and an untold number of people who were behind them in line who ALSO got to ride sooner than they would have otherwise... up til the moment you arrive to redeem your FP.

Another way to think of it is this .. Think of the queues like a clock... If you aren't there to fill your spot, the clock starts running fast. We don't perceive it as running fast because we don't see the numbers to tell us that "X" number of FP holders SHOULD have redeemed their rides by now but haven't. When a FP is used late, the clock starts to correct itself.

To the untrained eye standing impatiently in the stand-by line -- it might appear that those darned late-arriving FP users have delayed their riding... when in reality the standby folks would have likely ended up on the ride at the exact same time had the people used their FP's within the alloted window -- they just would have PERCEIVED it differently.

When you followed the math to its logical conclusion -- the Fastpass system doesn't really break down unless every FP holder on a given day wants to use their FP's at the exact same 15 minute window at the exact same attraction.

Perhaps that has been happening around meal times, parades and park closings?

Disney had made no secret of their liberal policy on return times.. so much much so that I think that the change to a firm return time policy might be very problematic for them in the near term.

Anyway you look at it.. it's certainly not worth name calling and such. Let's just take this opportunity to remind ALL posters to treat each other with respect and courtesy. Thanks.

Knox

 

[RescueRanger]

Isn't it also against the rules to bring snacks and water bottles into the parks?

Apples and oranges. Someone brining in water or snacks doesn't effect other guests experiences. Someone abusing the Fastpass system does. My family always returns during the window. If we can't, we just don't go or we get another fastpass. Our choice. I just hope Disney starts making the rest of the guests start observing that window.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Isn't it also against the rules to bring snacks and water bottles into the parks?

No. The list of prohibited items does not include sealed snacks or beverages (non-alcoholic) of your choosing. A previously opened container might be checked for alcohol smell or whatever... But realistically... snacks and drinks from outside are just fine.

I almost hate to jump in here but...isn't it an official policy at Disneyland that you can use FP anytime after the return time?
Why is WDW so much different?
Just curious...hold back the flames...

It's the exact same 'loose' policy at both parks. Up til now you could use a FP late without penalty.. the exception being Soarin' and one or two other 'headliner' attractions. Disney hasn't exactly wrote this in skywriting ... or 'advertised' it.

I would expect *IF* they start a new policy of a firm return time at the parks in Florida you will see the same policy roll out in Anaheim.

Time will tell.

Knox

 

[DISPrincessMom]

THANKS, CANADIAN GUY!! As usual, you have arrived as the voice of reason and your analysis of the situation makes so much sense!

 

[netposer]

CanadianGuy is on the money. By not using your fastpass on time you are giving the person "behind you" your place in line and everyone else moves up accordingly...so any ride that loads one person after the other (or groups) should not be affected by late FPers.

The only exception would be shows. And only if hundreds of late FPers decided to show up at the same time and cause hundreds of people to wait for the next show.

I think Disney realizes that you can only stay somewhat on schedule during your visit.