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

[Sammie]

Thanks for posting OP - I'm curious to hear responses as well. Anyone with responses?

To me it's like the fact that line cutting is against WDW policy...But oftentimes we hear on these boards that it is not actually enforced. So knowing that it isn't enforced (usually) is good information to have when you go forward. NOT to say I want to cut a line - but, rather the opposite, I want to make sure I'm blocking the whole space around my family because I know it will be ME and not the CM to enforce it.

Also - it has been discussed in other threads that there ARE exceptions that CM's are (or will be?) allowing in for late entry. This is the part that i want to hear about - are they even listening to 'reasons' or turning everyone away? Personally I hope the answer is no because I don't think it should be subjective and up to the particular CM to have the 'power' to allow people in with the biggest sob stories. But it is something I want to know about if that is what ends up happening. Because honestly I don't think that certain individuals should be allowed in unless everyone is going to be.

So I am very curious to know the responses to OP's questions. And I think saying 'you have to use it on time - it's a done discussion' is WAY to simplistic. We ALL KNOW that policies are not enforced across the board. And if that will be the case with this - knowing is important to me at least.

It is an exercise in futility though. It is like asking did you get a room upgrade? Did you ask for it, what did you say?

100 people can report they were turned away from being late for Fast pass and one can say they were allowed in.

Unless you are that "one" person at that exact time and place it has no bearing on anyone else.

Even if you plan to be less than above board and "recreate" the same scene there is no guarantee it will work for you.



Basically the rule is no late admittance, it is posted everywhere and on the tickets itself. If you have an emergency then go and explain it and see if they let you in. Knowing what happened before that occurs should have no influence at all on what happens to you.

 

[Jennasis]

It's not being discussed. Thats the problem. Every time some asks for 1st hand info, it turns into debates and accusations. Just like now.

That's it. No more rant and I'm not saying anything else. You all either understand what I'm stating or you don't.

But please, let people be able to report their experiences - which is what was asked - and debate elsewhere.

You haven't been on the DIS very long...you'll get used to how it rolls 'round here. Of course, one could always remind you of the old adage "Be the change."

 

[KellyNY]

Not that I am arguing but what exactly is a purpose of this thread?

 

[LilyWDW]

People have asked and answered these questions over and over and over and over already. These threads should all be merged and kept together.

 

[Sammie]

Not that I am arguing but what exactly is a purpose of this thread?

That is my point. Why ask, the rule has changed.

It just seems so redundant.

I will say this and I know this for a fact. Disney executives, managers and VPs are in the parks seeing how enforcement is going. I think all CMs are doing exactly what they have been instructed to do.

 

[Wadecool]

Not that I am arguing but what exactly is a purpose of this thread?

When you find out, let me know...

 

[Sammie]

If you read the other threads about this, there are plenty of examples. Which is why everyone is asking why start another thread asking the same question?

We were there Fri-Sun. Almost every time we used a fastpass we saw someone being turned away. We found the disney phone app to be very valuable. Being able to check all of the current return windows helped save us a lot of walking and time. Before we occasionally used the app, but not nearly as much as this weekend.

To the OP, The posts are in the long thread in on the TPaS board. One person said they were allowed to enter TSM 20 minutes late but were warned that it was a one-time deal. Another poster said that Ridemax was reporting that they were denied entry to SM with a FP that expired 22 minutes prior. And then the one I spoke of above was a from a poster about her mom being in the park today and being told by a CM at the FP kiosk that she needed to ride within her given time (including the 15-minute grace period) or she would not be allowed to ride.

We were in Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom yesterday (March 8) and both were enforcing the new fast pass rule. Both had CMs at the fast pass distribution reminding guests that they would not accept late arrivals. We saw people being turned away at both parks that had arrived too late. Our fast pass window for Expedition Everest ended at 3:35 and we arrived at 3:30 to find the ride temporarily shut down. It opened again about 10 minutes later and we were allowed on. This was our first trip so we really couldn't compare, but it really wasn't a problem for us to get back to the rides in the time window.

Orginially posted by Alsobrook Last weekend and first part of this week, most CMs at rides were explaining to people that starting (I think Wednesday) the FPs would be enforced. They took the time to explain to anyone who had questions. On Wednesday, they began enforcing them. The CMs in the FP obtaining areas were constantly telling people that the FPs were being enforced.

I watched many people turned away if they attempted to use the FP early or late. I watched a large group turned away who were about 2 hours late. They pitched fits, the CM didn't budge. The CM remained calm and explained the FP rules again.

I watched a family of 6 turned away at 5 minutes late.

All CM's have been made aware of the new changes and they are enforcing it. My daughter works at HS in the college program and was telling me how most people are okay with it, the rest are grumbling when they are sent away.

Have been in the world since 3/3. They are enforcing FP times. I have seen people turned away for being too early and too late. They have also had cast members near the FP machines stating, "You must return in the time on the FP, no earlier or later." The FPs also stated "Not able to accomodate late arrivals on them."

It never affected our experience, but it seems as if they are enforcing things.

Came home last night. Wednesday they started with fast pass enforcement. We were at magic kingdom that day and the CM at the FP machine stated the rules. The CM's in line checked the times at return. I overheard some CMs talking and one was telling the other that overall it was going very well but that the few who got upset were "fighting mad". It never occurred to me to break the rules or arrive outside the window so it didn't bother my family at all. The fast pass return time for Soarin clashed with dh's dive at Nemo and Friends so we got fast passes for test track and stood in line for Soarin. It worked just fine.i see no reason to try and be "special" and assume that rules/guidelines do not apply to me. I guess we just plan on the fly to work it all out

We just got back. The last 2 days were FP enforcement days. They were firm and I saw numerous guests turned away for being there both early and late. A few, but not many CM's were warning people at the attractions days before the actual enforcment was to begin. They also put signs up on all of the FP distribution machines.

No changes other than the CM's are enforcing the times on the FP ticket. So you can get a FP, then get another one after the start time on your FP has expired or 2 hours from when you got the FP. Whichever somes first.

So if your FP for TSM (let's say 9:45 am) and the return time is from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, you can get antoher FP at 11:45 am (2 hours after you got your original)

I am here now... and NO - they are not letting us in past the FP time at all.

I actually had a FP for ToT on the day we were at DHS, I had returned to the FP line as soon as my window opened, got to the end of the actual FP line - realizing that I wouldn't make it to my ADR on time if I chose to ride - nor would I make it back in time for my window, I asked the CM what to do - and she said I had to get another set of FP, because they wouldn't honor my FPs at all. I was quite annoyed and upset, because the FP landed at a time that it would be acceptable, normally, to get in the FP line and ride, but the FP lines have been so huge this week.

I will also say, because there is no leway in the return times, it is very difficult to plan your day. It would be better, if Disney was going to enforce this, to make the window a bit longer (like 2 hours) - then you could actually leave the area and come back - plus a 2 hour time window would at least allow someone with a valid reason for being late, an opportunity to make it back to the ride on time.

Then, because of the return times, these areas where people normally get a FP and leave - can't leave, they must stay in that area - so top attractions are way more congested than normal. IMO.

D~ <--- who has not read a single thing on this thread except the very last page, so please forgive me if I am repeating.

 

[KodakFigment]

I would have liked a real response myself. Here's how I handled it today. We had Soarin' FP for 5-6pm window. Went to DS for the afternoon and left there at 4:55 expecting to take the launch and arrive back at Soarin' well before 6. Usually plenty of time.
Not today! We didn't even get off the launch at EP until 6:15 - yes that's right! One hour and 20 minutes in transit. With the stand by lines being over 2 hours, I was not willing to give up the fast pass. I made a beeline to guest services when we got off the launch, explained the situation turned in my expired FPs and was given a no time limit fast pass. I did it that way so I wouldn't be putting a Soarin' CM on the spot.
It's a shame we have to have these issues when FP seemed to be just fine, And to the poster who asked if FP lines were less?? NO WAY! Still waited 20 minutes at Soarin'.

 

[KellyNY]

When you find out, let me know...

I promise...

 

[Sydnerella]

Traveliz, Missyrose, Kodakfigment - Thanks for helping out with info about how things are playing out in the parks - exactly what I wanted and it is APPRECIATED

Sammie - While it seemed you were slow to see my point you were ultimately very helpful, posting scoop from other threads I was exhausted by and frankly, lunch is too short to get through all the debate to the experiences. Again, much appreciated!

Goofyrnmost - I LOVE that name, wish you understood my point better and didnt assume the worst of me.

KellyNY - if you are not clear as to the point of my questions, they are to get info of what has been happening if people show up super late out of my own curiosity as I had yet to hear what's occurred in those instances. And second, with a trip in a few days and trying to make tour plans with Ridemax, I wanted to learn how all of this affects lines. I am questioning the RM results without late FP arrival and am curious about how I could/should compensate while using RM and once in the parks over Spring Break. Now that I have explained myself to you, I would appreciate the same courtesy from you and ask that if you have nothing nice to say... until then you can fill in Wadecool.

Just interested in recent park experiences, futile as it might be.
Sydnerella's Mama

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

And to the poster who asked if FP lines were less?? NO WAY! Still waited 20 minutes at Soarin'.

20 Minutes is a regular wait for Soarin around that time with fastpasses. But was it 20 minutes to the merge or 20 minutes to the ride?


On another note. The rides I have seen the past week, RnRC and ToT have clipboards with white pieces of paper on them. It is a spreadsheet that the CM writes if a FP is returned late and let in, the time and reason.

 

[Sydnerella]

Thanks much! Interesting stuff.

 

[KellyNY]

Traveliz, Missyrose, Kodakfigment - Thanks for helping out with info about how things are playing out in the parks - exactly what I wanted and it is APPRECIATED

Sammie - While it seemed you were slow to see my point you were ultimately very helpful, posting scoop from other threads I was exhausted by and frankly, lunch is too short to get through all the debate to the experiences. Again, much appreciated!

Goofyrnmost - I LOVE that name, wish you understood my point better and didnt assume the worst of me.

KellyNY - if you are not clear as to the point of my questions, they are to get info of what has been happening if people show up super late out of my own curiosity as I had yet to hear what's occurred in those instances. And second, with a trip in a few days and trying to make tour plans with Ridemax, I wanted to learn how all of this affects lines. I am questioning the RM results without late FP arrival and am curious about how I could/should compensate while using RM and once in the parks over Spring Break. Now that I have explained myself to you, I would appreciate the same courtesy from you and ask that if you have nothing nice to say... until then you can fill in Wadecool.

Just interested in recent park experiences, futile as it might be.
Sydnerella's Mama

 

[brettcw23]

I am over the debate, only curious what people experience now in the parks.

Last week FP times were enforced with a light hand in most instances. So many late comers were allowed to use FPs. However, I did not notice any posts that stated whether exceedingly late use was allowed last week (over an hour or more).

So four questions for people ACTUALLY in WDW THIS WEEK (or those who can report 2nd hand) Question 4 is most important to me:

1. Anyone try and get turned down to use a FP an hour or more after the window and how long after?

2. Anyone try and get on the ride with a FP an hour or more after the window and how long after?

3. For either situation can you provide some circumstance/context? i.e. sailed through NQ asked, you explained an acceptable reason, you were warned or you were told sorry but no dice.

4. What changes have you noticed in FP queues/SB queues and wait times. Lines app seems to say FPs are still gone by the typical times of day.

THANKS! Planning a trip for 12 days out! Cannot stomach the debate threads anymore even though they begin with good intentions! My clock is tickin and I am just looking for some good ol fashioned DIS help!
Sydnerella's Mama

Quick points as I have been there since the "enforcement" went back into effect.
I saw people turned away in the FP for BOTH early and late arrivals on several rides.
I personally stayed within the times noted on my FP.
Here is what I did notice amngst thwe queues...for rides that we used FP, they were slightly longer than usual in some cases...barely noticable though. I'm talking 3-5 minutes max not like an extra 15-20 minutes. The other interesting thing was rides where standy wiats would normally be >60 minutes, were way down. I suspect that it's due to balanicng the lines out.

If you think about it, Disney has an algorithm on FP distibution and it's based on guest throuput and volume. So when people don't come back in thier FP window, the numbers go all out of whack and then the standby line increases exponentially.

What you're likely to see from the enforcement is that the standby line wait will go down and the FP line will in th short term increase in duration but eventaully improve.

I know most people are upset by the enforcement but what you'll find is that you'll be able to ride many of the popular rides without the ridiculous waits.

Yes, there will be some growing pains as the kinks are worked out and folks adjust their "park strategies" but in the long run, things will even out. Yes, the unfortunate part is that people goingt to the parks will have to limp through the FP enforcement while the kinks are worked out.

 

[brettcw23]

One more thing...I spoke to no less tan a dozen CM's just picking their brains on the FP enforcement, what they knew, what they were being told to do, etc.
At least 5 of them confirmed that they will accept a FP 5 minutes early and 15 minutes late. But they all were very adamant that it was an "unwritten rule" and that the CM's were being asked to perpetually remind guests to return in their respective windows.

So I suspect if folks start making it a habit to show up in those 2 time frames, the unwritten rule will go away quickly and the 60 minute time frame will be strictly enforced. One CM alos noted that the enforcement depends on one CM to another. The one that I talked to the longest was working Soarinn' and she herself cited a few exceptiosn that she'd made...a mom that took her duaghter to the bathroom, a type I diabetic that became hypoglycemic. So it seems that the CM's at least are not being absolute. So it's kind of like a cop not ticketing you for going 5 mph over the speed limit or pulling you over and giving you a verbal warning.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I would have liked a real response myself. Here's how I handled it today. We had Soarin' FP for 5-6pm window. Went to DS for the afternoon and left there at 4:55 expecting to take the launch and arrive back at Soarin' well before 6. Usually plenty of time.
Not today! We didn't even get off the launch at EP until 6:15 - yes that's right! One hour and 20 minutes in transit. With the stand by lines being over 2 hours, I was not willing to give up the fast pass. I made a beeline to guest services when we got off the launch, explained the situation turned in my expired FPs and was given a no time limit fast pass. I did it that way so I wouldn't be putting a Soarin' CM on the spot.
It's a shame we have to have these issues when FP seemed to be just fine, And to the poster who asked if FP lines were less?? NO WAY! Still waited 20 minutes at Soarin'.

Why should they have given you an exception for this? It was YOUR fault that you werent at the attraction within your allotted return time. YOU didnt give yourself enough time to get to the attraction. How is this Disney's fault?

I hope Disney makes VERY few exceptions when this all settles down. Its ironic when you say you didnt want to wait 2hrs in the standby line but spent 1 hr and 20 mins in transit and then 20 minutes in the FP line not to mention the time you spent in Guest services.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I'm sure this has been asked, but I don't want to rake over 300 fp threads,
but why in the world wasn't the fp enforced in the first place? I'm not trying to "stir the pot", just seriously curious.
Was it just oversight? Or was it meant originally to be just a suggestion of time return?

 

[Sammie]

I'm sure this has been asked, but I don't want to rake over 300 fp threads,
but why in the world wasn't the fp enforced in the first place? I'm not trying to "stir the pot", just seriously curious.
Was it just oversight? Or was it meant originally to be just a suggestion of time return?

I don't think anyone here can truly answer that, it will all be speculation based on whether they want it enforced or don't want it enforced.

I know but I was sworn to secrecy.

 

[KellyNY]

I'm sure this has been asked, but I don't want to rake over 300 fp threads,
but why in the world wasn't the fp enforced in the first place? I'm not trying to "stir the pot", just seriously curious.
Was it just oversight? Or was it meant originally to be just a suggestion of time return?

If answer was that easy we would not have 300 FP threads.

 

[popsynic]

I guess this debate is going to get even more heated when they bring out the next generation of fastpass, rumored only to be available to resort guests. (and even then it may be only deluxe resort guests?).

The rumor is 2013, but I spotted some interesting photos on another site, showing something new at the entrance to Star Tours and Tower OF Terror. My total guess that these are related to beginning to test out the new next gen fastpass schemes very soon -

here are the photos of what I'm talking about