FastPasses Questions...

[f16]

I'm planning a visit over spring break, and am trying to understand some of the "quirks" of the FP system.

When I visited WDW a year ago January, I noticed that the CMs would let me use an "expired" FP. For example, they let us ride Test Track several *hours* after the FP expired. Is this "normal," or was this just because the park was fairly uncrowded that time of year?

Also, I understand that sometimes you can get FPs for the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise even if your current FP "ride time" hasn't arrived yet. Is that always true, or do they just do that during less busy times of the year?

Thanks!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by f16
When I visited WDW a year ago January, I noticed that the CMs would let me use an "expired" FP. For example, they let us ride Test Track several *hours* after the FP expired. Is this "normal," or was this just because the park was fairly uncrowded that time of year?

It was because the park was fairly uncrowded. When it's packed, you need to arrive at roughly the time on your FP. Even a half-hour one either side won't really hurt you, but hours later may not get you in, particularly if the lines are long. Always best to use the FP at the given time.

 

[Suzflee]

This site was mentioned on another thread

http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastpass.htm

Very helpful in explaining that not all Fastpass rides are the same

 

[f16]

Thanks for the pointer, Suzflee!

So is this explanation pretty comprehensive? I don't see anything there indicating Jungle Cruise and Hunted Mansion are somehow "special," as I described in my original post. So was I misinformed as to the idea that you can get a Mansion or Jungle Cruise FastPass right after you get one for another ride?

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by f16
I'm planning a visit over spring break, and am trying to understand some of the "quirks" of the FP system.

When I visited WDW a year ago January, I noticed that the CMs would let me use an "expired" FP. For example, they let us ride Test Track several *hours* after the FP expired. Is this "normal," or was this just because the park was fairly uncrowded that time of year?

Also, I understand that sometimes you can get FPs for the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise even if your current FP "ride time" hasn't arrived yet. Is that always true, or do they just do that during less busy times of the year?

Thanks!

I would not count on using an expired FP. Although some have reported success we missed our window by about 15 minutes due to a dining delay and the CM would not accept the FP. This was in Nov of 03 at Star Tours.

They have fixed all the "loopholes" in the FP system and all the FP attractions are now linked to the computers. You will occasionally get a "surprise FP" along with your regular FP esp at Epcot but other than that, no more freebees.

They have improved the FP in that the time you can get a new FP is clearly printed on the bottom of the ticket. It can be 5 minutes after the ride window opens, two hours from the time you got the FP and on slower times even sooner. IMHO its very easy to use and understand.

TJ

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Sometimes you can get another fastpass before the time on your current one , probably on less crowded days. We had this happen with HM last week.

 

[dcmbshafe]

Check out the Unofficial Guide...I recall reading that there are certain Fastpass attractions that have different time windows for obtaining another Fastpass (with some being shorter than others).

 

[tjkraz]

You should ALWAYS be able to get another FastPass before you use one that you are holding. Depending upon the length of the return time, it may be a few minutes before you can use your FP or it may be a few hours.

Even though they call it "FAST" Pass, it can easily take 15-20 minutes for you to get through a ride. Even with the pass you will probably wait in line for a couple minutes. Then in most cases you will hit a pre-show. Finally, you wait on line to board the attraction itself.

So, before you redeem your pass, it's a good rule of thumb to grab another first (as long as you don't have to walk across the park to do it).

Regarding expired FastPasses, the only time they will definitely let you use them is if the ride had a break-down during your return time. Last time we visited Rock N Rollercoaster was down. The CMs were actually steering people toward the FP machines even though the return time was only about 20 minutes away.

We did check-back during the window and the ride was still down.

Later in the day we returned and wanted to use our passes which had expired several hours ago. The CM gave us a look and was about to turn us away. I reminded him that there was a breakdown and he basically said "oh yeah, that's right" and he waved us in.

I've heard people adamantly insist that the "Official Policy" is that CMs MUST still accept FastPasses after they have expired. Yet for each one of those stories I also hear a report of people being turned away.

Play by the rules and you won't be setting yourself up for a let-down.