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

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

So what time was your ADR? What time did you arrive at the restaurant? how large was your party? What was the FP return time?

And the one thing that I would disagree with is the time it took to get your bill. You had control over that. If you were planning on being somewhere at a certain time and you didnt do more like go to the manager to get your check, then I would say you share in the blame.

Our reservations were for 11:45. We arrived at CP slightly after 11:30. We were a party of 4. The FP return time was 1:20-2:20.

Ours was an unusual (and frustrating) dining experience, but sometimes unusual things happen through no fault of the guest. All I wish to learn from this thread is how, in the unlikely event that I find myself facing a similar situation, Disney would have me deal with it-- at the restaurant level, the Return FP CM level, or the guest services level. And if someone comes back from the parks and reports that Disney isn't allowing late FP usage under these circumstances, so be it. All I'm seeking is information.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I totally agree with this approach It is the approach that I use.

But I also use the approach of grabbing a FP before an ADR, and it is reasonable to get a FP for 2 hours later. If the restaurant can't get you in and out in 2 hours - then Stamp my FP, or give me a non-expiring one.

Again, there are variables beyond Disney's control. You say, a 2 hr FP return time to go and be on time for your ADR and be back in time is reasonable. Doesnt factor in matters such as:

1. How long does it take to walk to and from the attraction to the restaurant? If the park is crowded or you have a large party of various ages it will take longer
2. How large is your party? Larger parties often take longer to seat. Disney cant control how long guests sit at a table short of throwing them out. If several large parties decide to "camp out" in a restaurant and thus delaying other guests from being seated, how is this Disney's fault?
3. Is the restaurant table service or buffet? You have to factor in this as well.
4. Is it a character meal? If so, how long do you want to spend with the characters? Does everyone in your party want a picture with Tigger? And is it Disney's fault that one family tries to hog the characters from making it to your table?

So if your lunch ADR is 12pm at the Crystal Palace and you pull a FP for Splash Mountain that expires at 2pm. Is 2 hours REALLY enough time? Should Disney make special exceptions for things that I listed above are not their fault?

If Disney does not strongly enforce the new policy, then it will severely be abused by people that refuse to take personal responsibility. I think FP exceptions should be few and far between.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

So if your lunch ADR is 12pm at the Crystal Palace and you pull a FP for Splash Mountain that expires at 2pm. Is 2 hours REALLY enough time? Should Disney make special exceptions for things that I listed above are not their fault?

Yes And Yes. I am in an ausement park - primary object to see attractions - the restaurants should know they need to get people in and out under 2 hours. Especially with the very high cost of eating in those restaurants. If they can't then give me a special FP (or a stamp) - I wouldn't have the restaurant "judge" the reason - it took over 2 hours here is the special FP sir.

If Disney does not strongly enforce the new policy, then it will severely be abused by people that refuse to take personal responsibility. I think FP exceptions should be few and far between.

At least now you think there should be FP exceptions . There is an improvement!

And I would add they should be given by the restaurant CMs, the First Aid CMs, and Guest Relations CMs. Not at the ride itself (unless it has to do with Ride breakdown / closure). Although that is where a lot of arguments will happen. But the ride CM would have the ability to say - please see Guest Relations.

 

[Wadecool]

It's like h-o-e's twin or something. I bet that's a fun party.

Maybe his doppelganger?

 

[brymolmom]

You can probably still do most of that...in January. And just to confirm, you were able to have all those multiple rides only by late FP use?

Yes, after the recommended window...but during the accepted return time of current day.

Even in January - MAYBE able to do 'most' of it (although can't go in January anymore - ds starts middle school next year) - but likely not all of it. Having to disregard any FP's during my ADR times (or waiting around until 100 more people grab FP's to tweak the time til later - thus still wasting time we would normally have been riding other things) and this one is the biggie - Not being able to group some things together easily - if it's 2:35 and we have a FP at Soarin - we need to high tail it over there and not wait until we've finished world showcase. So the walking back and forth I think will also be a significant chunk of time.

 

[WDSearcher]

Our reservations were for 11:45. We arrived at CP slightly after 11:30. We were a party of 4. The FP return time was 1:20-2:20.

Ours was an unusual (and frustrating) dining experience, but sometimes unusual things happen through no fault of the guest. All I wish to learn from this thread is how, in the unlikely event that I find myself facing a similar situation, Disney would have me deal with it-- at the restaurant level, the Return FP CM level, or the guest services level. And if someone comes back from the parks and reports that Disney isn't allowing late FP usage under these circumstances, so be it. All I'm seeking is information.

And, unfortunately, there is no answer to your question.

Disney has stated that they'll handle things like this on a case-by-case basis, so you won't know how it will be handled until it happens.

 

[TDC Nala]

Wowee! And here all I was hoping for was a report from someone on what the procedure is for dealing with unusual circumstances (that is, do the restaurants have a protocol in place to stamp the FP's or something, do I try to explain to the CM at the ride, or do I go to guest services).

I agree with everyone that it's important to note the FP return times and make sure they won't conflict with ADR's, etc. IMO, a FP window that closes 2.5-3 hours after my ADR time should be reasonable. What is not reasonable or could have been reasonably anticipated (again, IMO) was that we would not be seated until an hour after our ARD time, and that it would also be 45 minutes AFTER we finished eating before our server brought the bill (and yes, we did ask for it several times, from several different servers). I confess that we DID spend 45 or so minutes actually eating. Had either of the 2 Disney-controlled incidents (the late seating or the delay in getting the bill) not taken place, we would have had ample time to return within the FP window. But neither of those were in our control, and we (IMO) could not have reasonably anticipated both delays occurring.

Hence, my hope is to hear actual experiences from those who run into similar circumstances (either with a ride delay or a restaurant delay outside of the park guest's control) so that I may learn the proper procedure for handling the situation. I am aware that the FP enforcement is a new development and that there is a lot of uncertainty as to how things will be handled... which is why I am interested to hear actual park experiences.

If,as they might in the case of a ride breakdown or delay, they don't take care of the situation right outside the ride, the proper procedure is likely to go to Guest Services and give them details and see what they will do for you. If your dinner was late I would bet the restaurant is not set up to reissue your fastpass, and I can't say I would suggest going to the ride and spending time explaining to the CM who checks the fastpasses. Guest Services is at least set up for the guest to be able to spend time explaining why they require an exemption.

 

[mmwalker]

Please excuse the Harry Potter reference, but.......To quote Professor Quirrel "Troll! In the dungeon! Troll in the dungeon! Thought you ought to know....."

 

[famy27]

I know I am going to regret wading into this topic, but have there been any reports of FP rides being down since 3/7? If so, how are FPs from the down time being handled?

On our last three trips, Space Mountain has been down each time we were at MK. On one of those occasions, it was during our FP window. Just curious what would happen today if the same situation occurred.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Yes And Yes. I am in an ausement park - primary object to see attractions - the restaurants should know they need to get people in and out under 2 hours. Especially with the very high cost of eating in those restaurants. If they can't then give me a special FP (or a stamp) - I wouldn't have the restaurant "judge" the reason - it took over 2 hours here is the special FP sir.



At least now you think there should be FP exceptions . There is an improvement!

And I would add they should be given by the restaurant CMs, the First Aid CMs, and Guest Relations CMs. Not at the ride itself. Although that is where a lot of arguments will happen. But the ride CM would have the ability to say - please see Guest Relations.

Its not just 2 hours for the restaurant to get you in and out. Its the time it takes you to walk back to the attraction.

So you should be given special consideration for things that are beyond Disney's control? Do you think every element of what happens in that restaurant is under Disney's total control? If you were Disney, what would you do with those paying guests that decide to "camp out" at a table thus delaying the times it takes others to be seated?

And who will keep track of the time that each party spends in a restaurant?

 

[WDSearcher]

And I would add they should be given by the restaurant CMs, the First Aid CMs, and Guest Relations CMs. Not at the ride itself. Although that is where a lot of arguments will happen. But the ride CM would have the ability to say - please see Guest Relations.

I imagine that there will be a lot of people -- all in some management or lead role of some sort -- who will be authorized to issue "make-up" FPs or "extended" FPs, or whatever.

And I also imagine that Disney won't ever make it public that those people exist or who they are, much like it's never quite clear exactly who picks the Family of the Day.

When things go wrong now, FPs, meal tickets, and other "guest recovery" items are issued when warranted. I can't imagine that this will be any different. If the situation warrants it, the appropriate exception will be made. I'm not quite sure why everyone (not just you, Balt ravens fan) is so worried about "what will happen if something goes wrong".

 

[Twitter]

Maybe his doppelganger?

Its Doppelgänger.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I am sorry.
2) But, the-time-is-the-time.
3) If you miss the permitted FP time, then get another FP.
4) I see no reason to get around the time limits.
5) People need to take personal responsibility.

 

[snoopy352]

1) I am sorry.
2) But, the-time-is-the-time.
3) If you miss the permitted FP time, then get another FP.
4) I see no reason to get around the time limits.
5) People need to take personal responsibility.

So if Disney takes up three hours of your time at a restaurant when it should be half that, do you think Disney should take PROFESSIONAL responsibility? If I spend $350 for my family of four to go to a park for one day, and I have an ADR for 11:30, and I pull a FP for 1:30-2:30, and because of abysmal service I get back to the ride at 2:40, that is my fault?

Views like this and UNC are so rigid -- I would hate to live in such a black and white world - the world is shaded gray, and there are exceptions in life that happen. If I am going to give Disney a pass for bad service and costing me 90 precious minutes of my very expensive day, then I expect a reciprocal attitude from Disney when I am 10 minutes late in the example above. Who wants to spend a VACATION stressed out during lunch over whether the FP will be honored? Not to mention practically running to the attraction thanks to the awful service?

 

[KellyNY]

I get current practice might not be a good gauge of the future - but I leave in 11 days as I said in the thread topic so that is why I am asking for the details now

I appreciate the additional scoop for recent experiences - brettcw23! And to Corwin for trying to get back on topic!

Time's a tickin' guys and I appreciate the spirited debate but wanted to avoid that here. Like anything else, some people will utilize info for the light side and others for the dark. And the definition of either is an entirely new debate that I dont want to start.

I'm just trying to plan some smooth park days for the 5 people I am playing tour guide for next week! I am so excited to be there soon!

so many emoticons for me today - i am happy!

THANKS!
Sydnerella's Mama

Then plan to be on time. You will have no problems if you show during return window. However, if you late and even if you use excuse that worked on someone you are not guaranteed to get in. Of course if something happened by all means try to reason with CM but so far people had no luck, so do not plan to be late, it will not work.
Time is ticking, so adjust your touring plans and have fun.

 

[Wadecool]

Its Doppelgänger.

Very good. Gold star for you!

 

[Albytaps]

I had a FP for Space Mountain that had a window of 12pm-1pm. I showed up at 2:00pm and was denied. I started asking about exceptions when all of a sudden 3 men in black suits showed up out of nowhere and grabbed me and put a bag over my head. They took me into an office where there stripped me down and searched me. They gave me a full body search and probed me in places I don't want to talk about. The last thing I remember is a large man wearing Mickey ears punching me in the face.

When I woke up, I was on Small World. I was handcuffed to the boat and they made me ride it for the rest of the day. Whatever you do... SHOW UP TO RIDES DURING THE FASTPASS WINDOW THEY PROVIDE!

 

[electricsoup]

The sense of entitlement of some people in this thread is not only off-putting in general, but disappointing in terms of humanity. That being said.

 

[LilyWDW]

So if Disney takes up three hours of your time at a restaurant when it should be half that, do you think Disney should take PROFESSIONAL responsibility? If I spend $350 for my family of four to go to a park for one day, and I have an ADR for 11:30, and I pull a FP for 1:30-2:30, and because of abysmal service I get back to the ride at 2:40, that is my fault?

Views like this and UNC are so rigid -- I would hate to live in such a black and white world - the world is shaded gray, and there are exceptions in life that happen. If I am going to give Disney a pass for bad service and costing me 90 precious minutes of my very expensive day, then I expect a reciprocal attitude from Disney when I am 10 minutes late in the example above. Who wants to spend a VACATION stressed out during lunch over whether the FP will be honored? Not to mention practically running to the attraction thanks to the awful service?

Honestly, I do think what Rusty said needs to be the OFFICIAL STATED POLICY. To say anything else would be to open the system up for abuse and people finding ways to work around things.

That said, Disney has always had ways to deal with guest recovery. I am sure there are some of those out there for extreme situations. However, it should not be STATED that this is what is going to be done. It should be behind the scenes and something only specific CMs can do in specific situations... and those situations should not be announced or explained. This will protect the system from additional abuse.

Note, there is often a difference between the OFFICIAL STATED POLICY and what can be done if the situation requires it. You always tell the customer the stricter of the rules because you WANT them to follow the rules. Then, you have leeway to work with a customer if the situation warrants.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree. But without knowing any details of why someone was waiting for an hour at a Character meal (was the restaurant overbooked? were the Characters late arriving? were the guests late?) it's hard to know whether allowing a CC release was appropriate or not. If it's truly a Disney problem (overbooking, kitchen issues, etc), I imagine that getting a deposit back is a lot easier than if it's a guest issue (tried to get on one more ride before lunch, lost track of time, etc).

If it becomes a major issue and FP times are consistently smashing up against Character meal times with lots of complaints, Disney will develop whatever sort of "FP forgiveness" stamp or ticket or whatever is needed. And they may already have that in a contingency plan somewhere. I don't, however, think they necessarily need to announce that such a plan exists at this point.

You mean you don't think they'd....say... announce it here????

I'm just going off of very scientific (not) anecdotal reports of people being backed up waiting for an ADR (in the neighborhood of an hour) asking if they can just go on but not be charged the $10 fee. They were told no. If that's true, they really need to fine-tune that. Now the possibility of missing a FP return would just be adding insult to injury.

I will say it's really nice of all these other DIS'ers to go test out the waters and help fine-tune all these policies before I make it back later in the year!