FastPass Policy 'Change'?

[Praying Colonel]

What's the line on this thread?

When in doubt, take the over--that's what I say.

To make it more sporting, maybe we should start an earlier-later line on when the next late FP thread will be started. I'd probably set the line at Thursday noon ET.

 

[mesaboy2]

Over/Under = Eternity

Over.

 

[csharpwv]

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.

When the resorts reach near peak, they start checking room keys, and handing out wristbands. They do not police fastpass like that - sure, do some people pool hop to pools off limits to non-resort guests? Sure - some get by with is, especially in off-peak seasons when a few extra people are of no concern to lifeguards.

So - they have a somewhat strict policy in place for pool hopping, however, the do not have a strict policy in place in regard to the use of 'expired' Fastpasses - I guarantee if it REALLY was an issue they would be doing something about it.

If they aren't doing anything about it, it is a perceived problem for very strict conformists who would never DREAM of bending the rules, especially as they park at Downtown Disney to avoid paying for parking while enjoying a day in the parks.

HAHA Give me a break!

The number of people who get fastpasses and then forget to use them, or just run out of time, etc etc balances out any number of people who use their fastpasses after they have 'expired'.

If it's a problem, they'll fix it - and until then.... it isn't a problem!

 

[t_catt11]

When the resorts reach near peak, they start checking room keys, and handing out wristbands. They do not police fastpass like that - sure, do some people pool hop to pools off limits to non-resort guests? Sure - some get by with is, especially in off-peak seasons when a few extra people are of no concern to lifeguards.

So - they have a somewhat strict policy in place for pool hopping, however, the do not have a strict policy in place in regard to the use of 'expired' Fastpasses - I guarantee if it REALLY was an issue they would be doing something about it.

If they aren't doing anything about it, it is a perceived problem for very strict conformists who would never DREAM of bending the rules, especially as they park at Downtown Disney to avoid paying for parking while enjoying a day in the parks.

HAHA Give me a break!

The number of people who get fastpasses and then forget to use them, or just run out of time, etc etc balances out any number of people who use their fastpasses after they have 'expired'.

If it's a problem, they'll fix it - and until then.... it isn't a problem!

Pool hopping and late fastpass use is not an apples to oranges comparison - it's an apples to hyenas comparison.

One item (pool hopping_) is against WDW regs. The other (using fastpasses late) is not - CMs are trained to take fastpasses late.

For the millionth time, you are not "getting away with something" or getting an extra benefit if you use your FP late. Everyone is allowed to do this. It is official WDW policy.

But hey, why worry about silly things like facts? Why not just make something up, and act as if others are morally inferior for not following your made up rule?

 

[LaurenT]

I just wanted to say that Apples and Hyenas are both carbon based life forms - Apples and Oranges are also both carbon based life forms. So, I do believe you could equally compare either.....
However - neither Apples and Hyenas, nor Apples and Oranges would be quite the same as an Apples and Apples comparison.
I guess you could also compare TSM FP and Mickey's Philharmagic FP...

 

[babydoll65]

could someone please explain to me how you can manage to collect
fast passes. When we went to Epoct last year,we got there early,\. I
ran to Sorin in get a fast pass and the time said to come back between
11:30 and 12:30pm. AS far as i know,you can not get another fast
pass till that one expires.So by the time that expires,most fast passes
are either for very late or there are no more left.So how do you
manage to collect them?

 

[mesaboy2]

could someone please explain to me how you can manage to collect
fast passes. When we went to Epoct last year,we got there early,\. I
ran to Sorin in get a fast pass and the time said to come back between
11:30 and 12:30pm. AS far as i know,you can not get another fast
pass till that one expires.So by the time that expires,most fast passes
are either for very late or there are no more left.So how do you
manage to collect them?

if you read the fine print at the bottom of the FP, it tells you that you can get another no later than two hours after that one, no matter the FP window printed.

 

[ses1230]

could someone please explain to me how you can manage to collect
fast passes. When we went to Epoct last year,we got there early,\. I
ran to Sorin in get a fast pass and the time said to come back between
11:30 and 12:30pm. AS far as i know,you can not get another fast
pass till that one expires.So by the time that expires,most fast passes
are either for very late or there are no more left.So how do you
manage to collect them?

You can get another FP at the return time of your previous FP, or in 2 hours - whichever is sooner.

It says right on the FP ticket when you can get another one.

 

[babydoll65]

thanks so much,ill try it.im leaving on october 5 so ill see how it works.

 

[bwilcox]

thanks so much,ill try it.im leaving on october 5 so ill see how it works.

Also, in my experience, some parks are better for collecting FPs than others. MK has more FP rides than Epcot, and depending on the time of year, FP for many of MK's rides are still available long after they have all been taken at Epcot or HS.

 

[Melodious]

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.

Someone on an earlier version of this thread said it was because most disers are horribly afraid that someone, somewhere, is getting away with something

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.

Disney's policy of accepting late fastpasses is spelled out in the Unofficial Guidebook, which I believe is a rather popular guide to WDW

 

[LaurenT]

thanks so much,ill try it.im leaving on october 5 so ill see how it works.

You also say you got there early...
you couldn't have gotten there that early if the return was 11:30. An 11:30 return time sounds like a 9:45 to 10:30 arrival time.
Next time, get to the park at 8:45 am (non emh day). Stand at the rope on the right hand side. When they drop the rope, walk briskly right behind the CMs to The Land Pavilion and down the stairs to the FP machines. Your FP return time will be about 9:45. Then get on the standby line. You should have about a 15 minute wait. By the time you ride and walk over to Test Track, it will be around 9:45 and you'll be able to get a FP for it. Get one and then go to Mission Space and ride stand by. By that time you'll have a FP for both of the most popular Epcot rides and will be able to slow down and take in the smaller attractions - riding the big ones whenever it's convenient for you.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

Golly!!! I don't respond for two days and I get pool-hopping and bickering when I asked if the other thread I saw was a rumor! Gee whiz, I asked a simple question!

I do quite enjoy this....

 

[JimmyV]

TO THE MODERATORS:
Threads on "tipping" and "ways to cheat Disney" are instantly shut down. Can we please apply the same treatment to threads on "rumored changes to the FP system", unless and until there is a published policy change by a verifiable Disney source? No good can come of these, and they always devolve (quickly) into arguments, insults and nonsense. Just my $0.02.

 

[Jo*Mama]

FWIW, The FP attendant at Kali this morning was announcing to everyone to check the time on their FP and make sure they come back during that time. Hadn't seen that before but maybe he was just trying to be especially helpful?

 

[mesaboy2]

FWIW, The FP attendant at Kali this morning was announcing to everyone to check the time on their FP and make sure they come back during that time. Hadn't seen that before but maybe he was just trying to be especially helpful?

Posts like yours are one of the reasons why it's been such a topic of discussion of late. Seen quite a few reports of CMs announcing this, but I can't recall any reports that the window is actually being "enforced" later when the guests return. Very interesting.

I'm assuming you "behaved" and came back within the window?

 

[Robo]

Posts like yours are one of the reasons why it's been such a topic of discussion of late. Seen quite a few reports of CMs announcing this,

I've counted up to 4 (count 'em, 4) separate reported "incidents" in the past 3 weeks.

Not exactly a "trend."

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

At least two sizeable threads per week. The "fastpass is changing" rumors have had threads posted all the way back to at least 2008.

I'll do a quick summary of WHY using a fastpass late is not "bad".

1. As a PP stated, a FP is not an agreement to come back at a given time. It is a reservation in a virtual queue. If you come back late, you do not impact anyone, though the uneducated might believe so. Don't believe me?

Say you have a pass with a 12:00-1:00 return time, and come back at 2:00. At 2:00, you get in line behind 30 people. The guy behind you sees your supposedly expired pass and grumbles that you have made the line longer... but had you come back during the window, you'd have still gone before him - he just wouldn't have known it.

Using a FP late is exactly like getting in the standby line but letting others go ahead of you. The impact is completely invisible unless a very large number use their passes at one time (most succeptible - end of the day). The periods prior have gone quicker... it's a net sum of zero.

2. Disney's written operational policies do not allow for guests to use fastpasses early - but ALWAYS allow for them to be used "late" (unless specific operational criteria are met, where the attraction manager can refuse them - but this is exceedingly rare).



The point of fastpasses is to spread out some of the line throughout the day. There is a ton of math involved, but suffice it to say that while early passes break the system, late ones do not (and are factored in).



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.

Clear and concise as always!

 

[mesaboy2]

I've counted up to 4 (count 'em, 4) separate reported "incidents" in the past 3 weeks.

Not exactly a "trend."

Where'd that rug under me go?

I suppose you're right.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I've counted up to 4 (count 'em, 4) separate reported "incidents" in the past 3 weeks.

Not exactly a "trend."

yet those 4 "incidents" have spawned about 4 dozen threads on the Dis alone, not to mention all the other threads on other Disney fan sites and chats.