Fastpasses beyond window...

[Duckiedee]

Does using FP after the printed riding window ALWAYS work, or does it depend on the ride or CM?

Thanks!

 

[Duckyiam71]

We were there last week and used this strategy at all parks and never had any problems at any of the rides. In fact at BTM, the CM was telling people to do this because rain was coming. We did this on BTM, Splash, Tot, Soarin, EE and TSM. I was talking to another guest and they had done the same thing all week long, no problems.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

Have ALWAYS done this and have NEVER had a problem. We'll just keep it as one of our little secrets!!!!!!

 

[robinb]

Does using FP after the printed riding window ALWAYS work, or does it depend on the ride or CM?

Thanks!

No, it doesn't ALWAYS work. In my experience it has worked in 98% of the time. I was denied a return once and I was given a hard time by CMs several times. However, that was all over 2 years ago so I think CMs are now more relaxed about it.

 

[cbg1027]

I've always used FP's beyond the printed time window and never been turned away. I would say 'never say never'.....but I always count on being able to use them later in the day and knock on wood it's always worked fine.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have been using FP since they first came out and never had a problem. that isn't to say I will not, but so far so good. there are times that you just cannot get back there in the window..and rain is one for sure. There are times you get stuck on another line.. there are various reasons why it would happen. I think most of the CM's realize this too...

 

[Kidztheater]

Does using FP after the printed riding window ALWAYS work, or does it depend on the ride or CM?

Thanks!

I had a CM hand me a fastpass for 9:00am when my park pass didn't print out a fast pass. It was already 1pm and he told me- "don't worry, you can use this anytime today". I used Fastpasses after the window most of my trip and was fine

 

[Tomh]

Our first trip, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the information I had read here, and in guide books, and everywhere else, and by the shear size and complexity of Disney World, and it completely skipped my mind that I had ready about using fast passes beyond their return window, so we spent a good deal of energy trying to get to the rides during the return window, until one day, toward the end of the trip, when we returned to Test Track and it was broken down. The CM at the entrance took the time to explain to me that we could use our fast pass, or any other fast pass, at any time during that day as long as it was past the start time for the pass. As she was explaining it, the light went on in my brain that I had read that here, and in UOG, and for the remainder of the trip, and the 11 days we spent in the parks last summer, we didn't worry about the return windows.

We didn't have any problems at any time, including using a BTMRR fast pass from 10:00 in the morning during EMH that night. This, of course, is a hotly debated topic here on the DIS, and is sure to draw some fire, but the important fact is that Disney doesn't stop you from using the fast passes late, so use em when you want, and enjoy.

 

[kymom99]

It took me 4 trips to figure this out, and what a difference it made!!!

 

[MHSweb79]

We've had many CM's post here that it is Disney policy to allow FP's any time after the opening window time until park closing that day. Are there exceptions? Sure:

1. You may encounter a new or uniformed CM. In that case, try again later

2. You may be turned away on a new or extremely popular attraction (Soarin', TSM) that is temporarily overwhelmed. At the CM's discretion, they can turn away late FP's. Again, try later.

3. You are travelling during a peak crowd week (Easter, Christmas) and may be more likely to encounter situation 1 or 2

We've used almost all of our FP's past the return time, and NEVER had a problem, which is more typical.

 

[leahjade]

Doesn't that defy the purpose of controlling the amount of people in a line if people use the fast pass any time they want?

 

[Robo]

Doesn't that defy the purpose of controlling the amount of people in a line if people use the fast pass any time they want?

Not enough to matter.

They only need to keep "walk-up" guests from riding immediately.
So, the EARLIEST Return Time is the important figure.

After that, the possibility of 'all' or even a 'whole bunch' of "late" FP holders showing up at the same time is almost nil.
By far, the most guests who take a FP are wanting to RIDE the attraction, and sooner rather than later.

 

[POB14]

Doesn't that defy the purpose of controlling the amount of people in a line if people use the fast pass any time they want?

Edit: Bah, beaten to the punch by Robo!

Short answer: no.

They aren't trying to control the number of people in a line. They're trying to let you do other things while you wait. It helps me to think of it this way: A Fastpass is a "virtual" place in line. Instead of standing in the queue at Big Thunder, for example, you get to go shop, or eat, or ride something else.

Now, let's say you were actually standing in line. If you decided to wait (maybe you see some people you know way behind you) and let a bunch of people go ahead of you, would that cause any problems? Of course not. People would be happy that they're getting on the ride a couple of seconds earlier.

That's what coming back late with a Fastpass is. Of course, you're probably letting a couple of thousand people in ahead of you, but, same thing. Lots of people are actually riding slightly SOONER because of you!

The only way it could cause trouble is, if everybody who got a Fastpass all day long all decided to come back the last hour the park was open. And that ain't gonna happen.

(It took me ages to wrap my head around this.)

 

[Duckiedee]

Thank you - there is a group of neighbours (maybe including us) going next April and I didn't want to spread partial information. Cheers!

 

[bradk]

i disagree to some extent that late FP doesn't have an impact. my primary example would be imagine every one getting a FP first thing for Splash on a hot summer day and then deciding to redeem it all at 2 pm.

but for day to day, it is fairly negligible overall, but still defeats the purpose. however the alternative is subjecting CM's to guests who complain because of this, or that, made them late despite the hour window.

it's bad enough FP return lines become obstructed with all the guests who show up early

and so it became policy. there have been times, such as when soarin' was operating at half capacity due to a refurb that late fp's were not being honored, but that would be the exception that proves the rule.

 

[Robo]

i disagree to some extent that late FP doesn't have an impact. my primary example would be imagine every one getting a FP first thing for Splash on a hot summer day and then deciding to redeem it all at 2 pm.

How would that get engineered?

Why would nobody use their FP earlier (or later) than 2pm (or any arbitrary time?)

But, yes, of course, its POSSIBLE.

 

[bradk]

it's not a matter of organizing a flash mob to do it, and I don't mean it all has to take place at precisely 2 pm, just that the FP lines can and do occasionally get overflowed.

granted managers can control the FP distribution rate flow to compensate

 

[khertz]

We had no problems with doing this last December, even on TSM. If the CM turns you away for whatever reason, just try again later in the day.

 

[leahjade]

Sounds like blatant rule breaking to me - very akin to holding a table at counter service or cutting in line after taking baby to potty!

 

[torinsmom]

Sometimes the FP line gets crazy when it starts to rain, but it is still a lot quicker than the stand by line.