FP - allowed returns later than 1, 2 or more hours??

[siskaren]

No doubt... better not make any ADR's now... or try to get to a good spot to watch the parade... or wait in line for a ride for any length of time ... or wait in line for a character. Oh wait, just don't grab a fastpass is the simple answer. I love driving 17 hours... staying for a week... and now only being able to do maybe half or a little more than that of what we were used to being able to do... and for a higher price.

I didn't know it was perfectly acceptable to use FPs after the window until after my last trip to WDW four years ago, and guess what? I made ADRs, got good spots to watch parades, and waited in lines for other rides, and still used my FPs. (Although I'll admit that my ADRs tend to be for dinner at resort restaurants after I'm through at the parks, but I have definitely done lunch ones both in and out of the parks.) There were occasional times I didn't, although since it's been four years since I've gone, I honestly don't remember why.

 

[KellyNY]

I find myself agreeing with you a lot lately as well Kelly. Good post.

 

[Mama Who]

Multiple threads have tried this exact same approach with little result. Bottom line there are many more people asking the question than people answering it.

And I am not disgruntled--I'm very gruntled.

If one is gruntled on the DIS is one DISgruntled?

 

[LilyWDW]

I didn't know it was perfectly acceptable to use FPs after the window until after my last trip to WDW four years ago, and guess what? I made ADRs, got good spots to watch parades, and waited in lines for other rides, and still used my FPs. (Although I'll admit that my ADRs tend to be for dinner at resort restaurants after I'm through at the parks, but I have definitely done lunch ones both in and out of the parks.) There were occasional times I didn't, although since it's been four years since I've gone, I honestly don't remember why.

Shhh... logic does not belong here!

I have been in quite a few FP lines of 15-20 minutes. I don't understand why anyone would get peeved about that. It is simple... DON'T take a fastpass if it may interfere with something else. If you get one too close to an ADR or that overlaps something else (including another fastpass) then that is your problem, not Disney's.

I have always used my fastpasses within the window. Not really in purpose because I knew previously that you could use them after, but because my touring plan worked that way.

And I really hope that people don't start posting "Well, I told the CM this happened and they let me on even though I was 30 minutes late" because that will just start the abuse. We know there is a one hour window with a 15 minute "extra" on the end. That should be the official policy. Anything else is situational, can not be counted on, and should be taken on a case by case basis as needed by Disney.

 

[UNCFanatik]

No doubt... better not make any ADR's now... or try to get to a good spot to watch the parade... or wait in line for a ride for any length of time ... or wait in line for a character. Oh wait, just don't grab a fastpass is the simple answer. I love driving 17 hours... staying for a week... and now only being able to do maybe half or a little more than that of what we were used to being able to do... and for a higher price.

I am sorry, did I miss something here?

You can still make ADRs
You can still use the FP system

Disney isnt stopping anyone for planning properly. I would venture to say that those that have ALWAYS used the FP system and returned in the allotted window were able to do just as much as those that used FPs past their window. And guess what....they also made and were able to keep ADRs and use FPs.

And you have a choice how to spend your vacation dollar.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

I would venture to say that those that have ALWAYS used the FP system and returned in the allotted window were able to do just as much as those that used FPs past their window.

No chance! They may have experienced everything they were choosing to experience, but in no way were they able to do just as much (with anything involving a FP anyway)

And you have a choice how to spend your vacation dollar.

You are correct. I am monitoring this situation very closely as it definitely decreases the quality of experience in the park, quantity of attractions we can now choose to see/ride, and overall experience.

 

[UNCFanatik]

That's the new Disney philosophy, my friend. Get used to it. Guests are now known as "revenue units."

You mean Disney is not a non-profit organization? And they force people to spend their vacation money with them? They need to be stopped!

Exactly my feeling as I sit here after my third day in the parks... THEY can be late getting you seats, THEY can let it take 20 minutes to get through a FP line (like it took today @ Kil. Safari), but YOU better get back within that 1 hour window, potty breaks and meltdowns be d@mned! This new FP rule (and it is a new rule no matter what anyone says) is making our trip more harried and stressful.

ADRs do not guarantee that you will be seated at the EXACT time of your reservation. As I mentioned before, things happen beyond Disney's control that attributes to the time you have to wait to be seated. And more often than not, it is your fellow visitors that are causing the hold up. Maybe you should ask them to compensate you and give up their FPs.

You are complaining about a 20 minute wait for Kil Safari in the FP line? Really??

Those poor stressful people that successfully used FPs in the past within the designated window. They all must be on valium. And who knew that Disney was also responsible for meltdowns??

 

[Bullseye]

Wow, everybody's really in a lather! I don't mind the ops questions but what does it really matter? We all have to do the same thing. So many threads and blather about it. Even if there has been some leniency in the initial days, ...IT'S OVER JOHNNY!! This is played out.

Somebody start a good ole' waterpark etiquette thread so we got something real to debate!

 

[Hieatt]

I am sorry, did I miss something here?

You can still make ADRs
You can still use the FP system

Disney isnt stopping anyone for planning properly. I would venture to say that those that have ALWAYS used the FP system and returned in the allotted window were able to do just as much as those that used FPs past their window. And guess what....they also made and were able to keep ADRs and use FPs.

And you have a choice how to spend your vacation dollar.

I would venture to disagree. As others have already stated... you are forced to give up on getting a fastpass to an attraction if you have anything else scheduled that is within that narrow one hour window. And you have no way of controlling, or even knowing the return time until you get there to claim the Fastpass. No way you can do just as much under the new rule as when you had flexibility to return later.

And, my vacation dollar (or should I say thousands of dollars) will not go to Disney again in the near future... I'm really not feeling like Disney is trying as hard to please, and prices just keep increasing. Disney keeps increasing restrictions, while Universal offers the option of carefree, unlimited priority passes - Harry Potter, we'll see you next year... Too bad... I liked the equality of the fastpass system better than the "2 class" all or none paid system universal uses. But on site at universal will be less money than Disney and less stress... and really isn't less stress kinda a key goal of vacation?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Exactly my feeling as I sit here after my third day in the parks... THEY can be late getting you seats, THEY can let it take 20 minutes to get through a FP line (like it took today @ Kil. Safari), but

From the 2004 Unofficial Guide: "Although FastPass will eliminate as much as 80% of the wait you'd experience in the regular line, you can still expect a short wait, but it's usually less than 20 minutes."
From the 2007 Unofficial Guide: "Although FastPass will eliminate as much as 80% of the wait you'd experience in the regular line, you can still expect a short wait, but it's usually less than 15 minutes and frequently under 10 minutes."

This new FP rule (and it is a new rule no matter what anyone says)

It's enforcement of the original rule, practice, policy, procedure.
FastPass started in 1999; according to the newer book, by 2007 WDW was no longer enforcing the end time of the return window. In 2004, they still were.

 

[disfan07]

I've been to WDW 15+ times and Disneyland about 7 times.

We have always used our FPs during the allotted hour. And we've always been able to do just about everything we wanted to do.

So for us, this isn't going to change anything. But for us, it also doesn't ruin our vacation to miss some rides.

We've gotten FPs that we have not used. We planned on using them when we got them but than things have changed and we end up not using them. Things like meals taking longer (or unplanned meals), needing a break at the hotel, another ride, etc. But for example, we've never used a FP meant for 11AM at 4PM.

I guess this is something else that I just don't understand what the big deal is

 

[Hieatt]

ADRs do not guarantee that you will be seated at the EXACT time of your reservation. As I mentioned before, things happen beyond Disney's control that attributes to the time you have to wait to be seated. And more often than not, it is your fellow visitors that are causing the hold up. Maybe you should ask them to compensate you and give up their FPs.

You are complaining about a 20 minute wait for Kil Safari in the FP line? Really??

Those poor stressful people that successfully used FPs in the past within the designated window. They all must be on valium. And who knew that Disney was also responsible for meltdowns??

You don't get it. I'm not complaining about ADR seating or 20 minute FP lines. The fact that things happen outside of their control is understandable. The fact that they aren't as forgiving of their guests is the problem. Disney isn't responsible for meltdowns (although sometimes they certainly contribute to them), but traveling with kids is not easy - things are not as easily planned or predictable. Disney should know that better than anybody, and should know this new rule just made it that much harder on families to enjoy a day at the parks...

 

[Hieatt]

You don't get it. I'm not complaining about ADR seating or 20 minute FP lines. The fact that things happen outside of their control is understandable. The fact that they aren't as forgiving of their guests is the problem. Disney isn't responsible for meltdowns (although sometimes they certainly contribute to them), but traveling with kids is not easy - things are not as easily planned or predictable. Disney should know that better than anybody, and should know this new rule just made it that much harder on families to enjoy a day at the parks...

P.S. IMHO, 20 minutes or more is too long for a FP line... it should be the exception, not the rule. Similarly, you should be seated within 10 minutes of your ADR if you arrive on time as a rule. I don't think that Disney should give themselves as much leeway as they want to cram more people in at the expense of wait times of their guests. That generally has been my experience too, so I am concerned to read posts reporting longer FP wait times under the new enforcement regime.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I would venture to disagree. As others have already stated... you are forced to give up on getting a fastpass to an attraction if you have anything else scheduled that is within that narrow one hour window. And you have no way of controlling, or even knowing the return time until you get there to claim the Fastpass. No way you can do just as much under the new rule as when you had flexibility to return later.

And, my vacation dollar (or should I say thousands of dollars) will not go to Disney again in the near future... I'm really not feeling like Disney is trying as hard to please, and prices just keep increasing. Disney keeps increasing restrictions, while Universal offers the option of carefree, unlimited priority passes - Harry Potter, we'll see you next year... Too bad... I liked the equality of the fastpass system better than the "2 class" all or none paid system universal uses. But on site at universal will be less money than Disney and less stress... and really isn't less stress kinda a key goal of vacation?

Since you have been on Dis for quite a number of years now, why do you seem surprised that they started enforcing FP return time windows? Did you not read on the Dis that they were planning to start on March 7th? And if you were aware of it, did you think Disney wasnt serious about it? Did you not think that you should alter your plans based on this knowledge?

You are not "forced" into giving up on getting a FP. You can get one any time of the day provided they have not run out for the day. And there are ways that you can know what the FP wait times are. There are several smartphone Apps that will give you that info.

So the grass is really greener at Universal? You do know that it is hard to get into the Harry Potter World and its overcrowded and they will limit the number of guest allowed in during peak times. AND that the more popular Harry Potter attractions are not on their Express Pass system? Let me know how this works out for you.

And as far as stress is concerned, proper planning ahead of time can alleviate much of that

 

[KellyNY]

You don't get it. I'm not complaining about ADR seating or 20 minute FP lines. The fact that things happen outside of their control is understandable. The fact that they aren't as forgiving of their guests is the problem. Disney isn't responsible for meltdowns (although sometimes they certainly contribute to them), but traveling with kids is not easy - things are not as easily planned or predictable. Disney should know that better than anybody, and should know this new rule just made it that much harder on families to enjoy a day at the parks...

Yet many families with kids, strollers, people with disabilities were able to do it.
I'll tell you what contributes to meltdowns, spreadsheets, spreadsheets with exact number of rides, shows, meals, breaks people want to do by any means possible, so much for relaxed vacation.

 

[UNCFanatik]

P.S. IMHO, 20 minutes or more is too long for a FP line... it should be the exception, not the rule. Similarly, you should be seated within 10 minutes of your ADR if you arrive on time as a rule. I don't think that Disney should give themselves as much leeway as they want to cram more people in at the expense of wait times of their guests. That generally has been my experience too, so I am concerned to read posts reporting longer FP wait times under the new enforcement regime.

20 minutes is too long for a FP line and you think it should take only 10 minutes to be seated for an ADR? No wonder you are so stressed out.

I hope the land of milk and honey over at Universal will treat you better and as you feel you deserve.

 

[Belle0101]

You know, none of this will matter come December 21 anyhow. Only 9 months and 7 days left to beat this dead horse.

 

[juliebug1997]

You don't get it. I'm not complaining about ADR seating or 20 minute FP lines. The fact that things happen outside of their control is understandable. The fact that they aren't as forgiving of their guests is the problem. Disney isn't responsible for meltdowns (although sometimes they certainly contribute to them), but traveling with kids is not easy - things are not as easily planned or predictable. Disney should know that better than anybody, and should know this new rule just made it that much harder on families to enjoy a day at the parks...

So, where do we draw the line on meltdowns? Adult meltdowns vs. kid meltdowns? Why should you and your kids be allowed to enter the FP line late just because you possibly pushed them too far into the day to get one last ride in?

We hardly ever used ours late because we always wanted to be able to get our next one ASAP. Every now and then, we'd hold on to one for later, but we won't do that now. Know why? Because I'm a rule follower. Disney can make the rules--it's their place.

As a PP said, things have changed and you're not going to be let in late any more. Why don't we have a nice discussion about the refillable mugs now?

 

[Bullseye]

As a PP said, things have changed and you're not going to be let in late any more. Why don't we have a nice discussion about the refillable mugs now?

Thats fine but I want to move on to waterpark etiquette directly thereafter we've beat refillable mugs to death...again!

 

[KellyNY]

You know, none of this will matter come December 21 anyhow. Only 9 months and 7 days left to beat this dead horse.