FastPass Tidbit

[GrandBob]

OK, here's another little vignette from our trip 9/27 to 10/1.

Our day of arrival, 9/27 was a Sunday, and the only day my niece, who lives in LA near Santa Monica, could join us. Being Disney-savy, thanks to prior trips and tips from the DIS, we arrived at opening. Being a local and having to drive an hour to get there, DN arrived around 11AM.

When she got there, we had already done numerous rides, including Indy, Matterhorn, and Splash. We had also gotten FPs to SM:GG (Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy) shortly after opening.

So when DN called to say she was in the parking lot, I told her to hoof over to Space, get a FP, and meet us at Blue Ribbon Bakery. Of course, our FPs were for 11, and by the time she got hers, they were for 3:30 or so. "No problem," says she, "you guys use your FP and I'll go single rider."

Now all the DISvets out there are saying to themselves, "But there is no single rider line for SM." Correct. But we didn't know it. So we arrive at SM:GG and find out this disappointing piece of information.

While we're discussing what to do, the CM says, "That's OK, you can use your FPs now." She claims that it's policy that if a group has FPs with different entry times, they'll accept them at the time listed for the majority of the passes. Two were timely, one wasn't, so she took them and we all got on.

So, did we get another dose of pixie dust from a sympathetic CM? Or is this really policy? If so, I could think of ways to exploit it; but I wouldn't want to contribute to getting a good policy killed by exploiting it.

-Bob

 

[DLR29]

I'm pretty sure that this is an unwritten policy. However, I don't think a "majority" would mean exactly 1/2. I think it would mean all but one or two people probably.

 

[glendalais]

This is most certainly not a standard operating policy, but is rather an example of a Cast Member providing the Legendary Guest Service that our Guests have come to expect from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

I probably would not assume that I'd be able to do this on a regular basis.

 

[GrandBob]

This is most certainly not a standard operating policy, but is rather an example of a Cast Member providing the Legendary Guest Service that our Guests have come to expect from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

I probably would not assume that I'd be able to do this on a regular basis.

Thanks Glendalais. Yep, that's what I meant about getting a dose of pixie dust. Disney certainly is famous for having their CMs go out of their way to make their guests feel special. I really appreciated this CM going out of her way to solve our dilemma. I only wish I had gotten her name.

-Bob

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[karylrocks]

That is a great tip! Just knowing that it might be possible to get on early in this circumstance makes planning for my upcoming trip (when there may be some people arriving at different times) a little less stressful. Good to keep in mind that it is a subjective decision for the CM and not to get upset if it doesn't work.

 

[FourOrchards]

I would like to think that would be common courtesy to let a group go together even if their FS didn't all match times. Either way...a rule or a compassionate Cm...I'm glad you were all able to go together!

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks for the tip!

You mean I came up with a helpful tip for Hydroguy? Woohoo, my day is complete!

I would like to think that would be common courtesy to let a group go together even if their FS didn't all match times. Either way...a rule or a compassionate Cm...I'm glad you were all able to go together!

Thanks FourOrchards. We were prepared to ride other rides while waiting for DN's FP to be ready. Indeed, we were just discussing which part of the park to hit. But it was a real bonus to ride it immediately while we were there. As I said, pixie dust.

-Bob

 

[HydroGuy]

You mean I came up with a helpful tip for Hydroguy? Woohoo, my day is complete!

I try.