FastPass Policy 'Change'?

[BrytEydBelle]

Because pool hopping is against Disney policy. Using a late fastpass is not. CMs are trained to accept late fastpasses because mathematically, it doesn't matter when you use it after the beginning of the return time. There is zero difference between using it in the window or after the window.

The time is there in case they need to unexpectedly enforce the time for some reason. It gives them that option.

Then they should tell you when you get it that you can actually come back anytime that day. Not trying to be argumentative, but it kind of sucks that the only people who benefit from this are the "rule breakers" who first learned it by ignoring the listed times of the Fast Pass. It reminds me of people at restaurants or stores who get a discount or something for free by yelling at people and being disrespectful. Meanwhile the polite people who follow the posted times may assume they cannot use the fastpass and miss out on it. I guess it just pays to do whatever you want because a lot of times, you can get away with it.

 

[t_catt11]

Just out of curiousity, then why does the fastpass list a timeframe? Why not just list "anytime after noon" or something to that effect? Just because a cast member will look the other way to avoid a confrontation, that doesn't make it right. Maybe next trip, I'll try pool hopping and see if a CM kicks me out...if not, I guess it is fine.

Thanks for the polite question.

Why does it list a timeframe? Please re-read my post to see the math of why it doesn't matter if a fastpass is used late. Also read the posts above about psychology and such. As for early - if there was no timeframe at all, then you'd just have two standby lines.

As for why not "anytime after noon", Disney does want most of the passes used within the window - this helps with crowd prediction and the like, but the system is designed to handle late returns. If hige percentages of fastpasses were used late, then sure... they might revise this policy. As is, people DO want to ride ASAP; late returns are a very, very small portion of total usage.

What if you get seated late for a dining time? What if another ride breaks down? What if your fastpass ride breaks down? Add in another half dozen very common valid scenarios why fastpasses might be used late (i.e. not the guest's fault).

CM's do not "look the other way" when they take a late fastpass. It is written Disney policy for CMs to always accept late fastpasses, with some very rare exceptions.

 

[WillAustin]

I would so love a pulling-my-hair-out smiley about now.

Or a "banging my head against a brick wall" would be good too.

 

[Senator Tressel]

the "rule breakers"

Wrong

 

[t_catt11]

Then they should tell you when you get it that you can actually come back anytime that day. Not trying to be argumentative, but it kind of sucks that the only people who benefit from this are the "rule breakers" who first learned it by ignoring the listed times of the Fast Pass. It reminds me of people at restaurants or stores who get a discount or something for free by yelling at people and being disrespectful. Meanwhile the polite people who follow the posted times may assume they cannot use the fastpass and miss out on it. I guess it just pays to do whatever you want because a lot of times, you can get away with it.

Not to be a jerk, but let me be a jerk - you don't really know what you are talking about. CMs will readily tell you that you can return anytime after the pass becomes valid (just ask). There are many, many reported instances of CMs in busy times (such as the mad rush for Toy Story) loudly annoucing to crowds that fastpasses may be used anytime up to the closing of the park. Another time they will do this is if there has been a breakdown and the line is overly long - they will again loudly announce that you don't have to stand in a long line, that your pass is good all day.

This isn't a secret cracked by terrible rule breakers. It's not widely known outside of Disney geeks, but it's not at all protected information.

How did I first learn? The posted fastpass return time was around an ADR that we had. I asked what would happen if we couldn't get back by the end of the window. The CM laughed and told me that while I couldn't come back early, I could come any time after the original return time.

 

[t_catt11]

There, logic done. I fully expect to be ignored. Cue the sanctimonious who choose to follow an imagined rule, and look down their noses at all who do not.

Yep, it took a whole page for this prophecy to come true.

 

[BrytEydBelle]

Not to be a jerk, but let me be a jerk - you don't really know what you are talking about. CMs will readily tell you that you can return anytime after the pass becomes valid (just ask). There are many, many reported instances of CMs in busy times (such as the mad rush for Toy Story) loudly annoucing to crowds that fastpasses may be used anytime up to the closing of the park. Another time they will do this is if there has been a breakdown and the line is overly long - they will again loudly announce that you don't have to stand in a long line, that your pass is good all day.

This isn't a secret cracked by terrible rule breakers. It's not widely known outside of Disney geeks, but it's not at all protected information.

How did I first learn? The posted fastpass return time was around an ADR that we had. I asked what would happen if we couldn't get back by the end of the window. The CM laughed and told me that while I couldn't come back early, I could come any time after the original return time.

Sorry, I didn't ask a castmember what would happen because they post the times of the FP return on signs before you put in your ticket to get one, so I figured that if you know you couldn't come back at that time, you wouldn't take one. I guess I just operate on the assumption that people read the times and use logic to figure if they can get back on time. My bad, I guess I'm the only one who has done that.

 

[NLD]

Why do people who weren't aware of the late-Fastpass policy get upset when they read about it?

Wouldn't it make sense to be happy to learn about this policy? It means that you can have greater flexibility in your touring plans.

 

[t_catt11]

Sorry, I didn't ask a castmember what would happen because they post the times of the FP return on signs before you put in your ticket to get one, so I figured that if you know you couldn't come back at that time, you wouldn't take one. I guess I just operate on the assumption that people read the times and use logic to figure if they can get back on time. My bad, I guess I'm the only one who has done that.

Not at all the only one. Nothing else really to say here that I haven't said in this thread.

I believe that I have answered all of the legitimate questions posed. If I have missed something, please do bring it to my attention.

Also, if you enjoy feeling somehow morally superior by only using your passes within the window, please continue. No skin off my back.

 

[Reddog1134]

Sorry, I didn't ask a castmember what would happen because they post the times of the FP return on signs before you put in your ticket to get one, so I figured that if you know you couldn't come back at that time, you wouldn't take one. I guess I just operate on the assumption that people read the times and use logic to figure if they can get back on time. My bad, I guess I'm the only one who has done that.

I think T-Catt was saying that he wasn't sure if his meal would be over before the FP time was up. So he asked a CM to see if there was any leeway. Guess what? There is.

 

[WillAustin]

Why do people who weren't aware of the late-Fastpass policy get upset when they read about it?

Wouldn't it make sense to be happy to learn about this policy? It means that you can have greater flexibility in your touring plans.

They can still choose to return during the window as if it were an absolute.

There have already been endless posts showing how people using them after the window has no effect on the wait times of others, so I agree that it makes no sense. Maybe it's similar to the people who get upset when others got a discount they missed.

 

[mesaboy2]

Sorry, I didn't ask a castmember what would happen because they post the times of the FP return on signs before you put in your ticket to get one, so I figured that if you know you couldn't come back at that time, you wouldn't take one. I guess I just operate on the assumption that people read the times and use logic to figure if they can get back on time. My bad, I guess I'm the only one who has done that.

You're right. You are much better than me.

 

[Bullseye]

Not at all the only one. Nothing else really to say here that I haven't said in this thread.

I believe that I have answered all of the legitimate questions posed. If I have missed something, please do bring it to my attention.Also, if you enjoy feeling somehow morally superior by only using your passes within the window, please continue. No skin off my back.

Is free dining really free?

 

[BrytEydBelle]

Not at all the only one. Nothing else really to say here that I haven't said in this thread.

I believe that I have answered all of the legitimate questions posed. If I have missed something, please do bring it to my attention.

Also, if you enjoy feeling somehow morally superior by only using your passes within the window, please continue. No skin off my back.

Oh no, I will use my fastpasses this way now that I know about it. What I was saying was that it should be posted that the times are only suggestions and that you can actually return after the posted time. I've read a lot of guidebooks before trips and they never mentioned it, so these boards are really the only place I've heard it. It just did impact my last trip, which sucks now that I know about it...I missed Big Thunder Mountain!

I need to be more self confident and ask things, but I always feel like I am bothering people.

 

[TLSnell1981]

if you miss your time you should have to get another or wait like everyone else.

Why? The first one is still valid.

Not at all the only one. Nothing else really to say here that I haven't said in this thread.

I believe that I have answered all of the legitimate questions posed. If I have missed something, please do bring it to my attention.

Also, if you enjoy feeling somehow morally superior by only using your passes within the window, please continue. No skin off my back.

Did this rumor, really just begin in 2008? I thought, it was wayyyy before that..

 

[Wadecool]

I love the smell of late FP's in the morning!

 

[t_catt11]

Why do people who weren't aware of the late-Fastpass policy get upset when they read about it?

Wouldn't it make sense to be happy to learn about this policy? It means that you can have greater flexibility in your touring plans.

I have no clue. Why do people who think fastpasses cost money get upset when they find out they are free?

 

[Wadecool]

if you miss your time you should have to get another or wait like everyone else.

It's so cute when they swing and miss like that...

 

[Love Tink]

Also, if you enjoy feeling somehow morally superior by only using your passes within the window, please continue. No skin off my back.

Exactly. I see so many threads where you, T Catt, and others (many, many others) patiently and repeatedly try to explain/justify the fact that FP don't expire within the day they are received. And these people are just so unbelievably obnoxious in how they respond to the idea.

I say, stop even bothering to try. You're never going to win with the kind of person who rudely says that a touring strategy is only for "rule breakers" on one page, and then two pages later says, "well I'll do it now that I know about it."

If these people are throwing away their FP, or using them at 9:50am, because that gives them a nice warm little I'm a Disney Teacher's Petfeeling, I say LET THEM. Shorter FP lines at 8:00pm for the rest of us darn rule breakers. Stop bothering to try to convince people of something that shouldn't require any convincing!

 

[t_catt11]

Did this rumor, really just begin in 2008? I thought, it was wayyyy before that..

Probably not, but that's as far back as the search will pull the threads.

Exactly. I see so many threads where you, T Catt, and others (many, many others) patiently and repeatedly try to explain/justify the fact that FP don't expire within the day they are received. And these people are just so unbelievably obnoxious in how they respond to the idea.

I say, stop even bothering to try. You're never going to win with the kind of person who rudely says that a touring strategy is only for "rule breakers" on one page, and then two pages later says, "well I'll do it now that I know about it."

If these people are throwing away their FP, or using them at 9:50am, because that gives them a nice warm little I'm a Disney Teacher's Petfeeling, I say LET THEM. Shorter FP lines at 8:00pm for the rest of us darn rule breakers. Stop bothering to try to convince people of something that shouldn't require any convincing!

You are of course 100% right. So why do I keep posting?

Because there are so many people who legitimately don't know or understand this situation. I have to think that some of them will be helped by the shared knowlegde. I've learned a LOT from the Dis, and I do enjoy helping others out - and it's only right. Circle of life, kinda sorta.

I will grant you that my skin has gotten thinner, and I'm letting more of my natural sarcasm show, of late, but I honestly do try to be helpful.