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

[lajspeech]

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

Yup!! That!!

 

[scion5220]

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

 

[WDSearcher]

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?

One would think that if your service was so abysmal as to keep you for hours at a restaurant, Disney will fix that, just as they do now. The fact that there is a new FP policy isn't going to suddenly end the types of exceptions, special ticket issues, FP recoveries and the like that are already done every day.

What I don't get is why people are so darned worried about "what's going to happen if ...." when the situation everyone is arguing about is hypothetical? If and when something unfortunate happens that negatively affects someone's vacation and makes it impossible for them to use their rigidly-timed FP, it will -- as Disney has stated -- be dealt with on a case-to-case basis.

Everyone just breathe, will ya?

And for goodness sake, stop taking the bait.

 

[UNCFanatik]

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?

Its not always Disney's fault that causes problems with how long it takes to eat. If you are looking for people to blame you should also demand compensation from your fellow visitors that contributed to the issues experienced. Are you prepared to rush people out of the restaurant do you wont waste 90 minutes of your very expensive day?

And again..there is a simple solution if you dont want to be stressed out about getting back to a FP return window and also want to experience a character lunch, DONT pull the FP!

"greying" of the rules led to this in the first place. I would imagine if a terrible wrong was committed against you and your family, you would hope the police would live in a black and white rule and not a grey one....

 

[goofyernmost]

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?

First of all...you probably didn't get "abysmal" service. Sit down restaurants, especially the high end that Disney likes to think they have, are places where you go, eat, relax, chat, relax some more and have a cup of coffee or two. Then you leave. To many the restaurant experience is better or at least as good as the theme park experience. If you want to turn one of those places into a drive thru then ask Disney to install a window outside. You are the one in a hurry. If so, there is an alternative, one that I use every time I visit. It's called the counter service. You get in and get out quickly. You don't have to wait for servers. With our fast food culture we have forgotten what a good dining experience is, but that is why those ADR restaurants exist. They are not there just to stuff food in one's pie-hole and push them out.

If you don't want that experience and you feel the need to rush back to the park because you otherwise will miss riding Splash Mountain for the forth time that day...then don't make an ADR...go get some chicken fingers or a cheeseburger, choke it down and run (don't walk) back to the all so precious 7 minute (maybe) ride.

Slow, unhurried service in a high end spot is what is expected. Just because it's in Disney World shouldn't change that fact and ruin the experience for those that enjoy that experience.

 

[UNCFanatik]

One would think that if your service was so abysmal as to keep you for hours at a restaurant, Disney will fix that, just as they do now. The fact that there is a new FP policy isn't going to suddenly end the types of exceptions, special ticket issues, FP recoveries and the like that are already done every day.

What I don't get is why people are so darned worried about "what's going to happen if ...." when the situation everyone is arguing about is hypothetical? If and when something unfortunate happens that negatively affects someone's vacation and makes it impossible for them to use their rigidly-timed FP, it will -- as Disney has stated -- be dealt with on a case-to-case basis.

Everyone just breathe, will ya?

And for goodness sake, stop taking the bait.

People are so worried about the "what ifs" because they think they should be entitled to FP exceptions instead of following the new rules. They think that if they make poor choices in planning and decision making that Disney should ALWAYS take responsibility for their actions.

The FP exceptions should be few and far between and based on REAL emergencies and instances where Disney was TOTALLY to blame. Otherwise, it will lead to abuse and more of the same entitlement and victimhood mentality that you see displayed in this thread.

 

[WDSearcher]

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'm not saying the above didn't happen, but ... who did they ask? how did they ask? Did they ask the CM at the podium while the CM was trying to deal with a dozen other people who were upset at the same problem, or did they go to GR and plead their case? Did they get snippy when the CM they asked couldn't help them and just figure it was a lost cause and walk away, or did they ask politely and get told flat-out "no!" There are all sorts of variables. That's what I meant about not knowing the circumstances and not being able to know if it related at all to future situations.

 

[mom2rtk]

And for goodness sake, stop taking the bait.

But.... but ..... but..... then all these FP threads will just dry up and go away......

Where's the fun in that?

 

[Sammie]

You know living your life, in the "what if" thought process is really going to give some of you high blood pressure.

 

[KellyNY]

People are so worried about the "what ifs" because they think they should be entitled to FP exceptions instead of following the new rules. They think that if they make poor choices in planning and decision making that Disney should ALWAYS take responsibility for their actions.

The FP exceptions should be few and far between and based on REAL emergencies and instances where Disney was TOTALLY to blame. Otherwise, it will lead to abuse and more of the same entitlement and victimhood mentality that you see displayed in this thread.

Stay a bit longer on Dis you will see even more amazing gems, trust me. All this "paid customer" talk is just classic.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm not saying the above didn't happen, but ... who did they ask? how did they ask? Did they ask the CM at the podium while the CM was trying to deal with a dozen other people who were upset at the same problem, or did they go to GR and plead their case? Did they get snippy when the CM they asked couldn't help them and just figure it was a lost cause and walk away, or did they ask politely and get told flat-out "no!" There are all sorts of variables. That's what I meant about not knowing the circumstances and not being able to know if it related at all to future situations.

That's a good point. They could have just asked at the podium.

 

[WDSearcher]

First of all...you probably didn't get "abysmal" service. Sit down restaurants, especially the high end that Disney likes to think they have, are places where you go, eat, relax, chat, relax some more and have a cup of coffee or two. Then you leave. To many the restaurant experience is better or at least as good as the theme park experience. If you want to turn one of those places into a drive thru then ask Disney to install a window outside. You are the one in a hurry. If so, there is an alternative, one that I use every time I visit. It's called the counter service. You get in and get out quickly. You don't have to wait for servers. With our fast food culture we have forgotten what a good dining experience is, but that is why those ADR restaurants exist. They are not there just to stuff food in one's pie-hole and push them out.

If you don't want that experience and you feel the need to rush back to the park because you otherwise will miss riding Splash Mountain for the forth time that day...then don't make an ADR...go get some chicken fingers or a cheeseburger, choke it down and run (don't walk) back to the all so precious 7 minute (maybe) ride.

Slow, unhurried service in a high end spot is what is expected. Just because it's in Disney World shouldn't change that fact and ruin the experience for those that enjoy that experience.

What constitutes bad service is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has a different threshhold. And, while high-end restaurants at Disney do subscribe to the "leisurely dining" rules of other restaurants at that level, the managers are also very aware that the main draw of the property is still the theme park. Servers and managers are supposed to take their cues from the Guests. It's pretty easy for a good server to figure out whether the four-top family they have is in a hurry to get back into the park or if they're more likely to linger over a 42-course glutton/chat fest.

It would be silly for Disney to only want the lingering type to sit in its restaurants and expect everyone else to go for chicken fingers. Just because it's Disney World doesn't mean that only the folks who want a relaxed dining experience shouldn't get ADRs. Just because it's Disney World shouldn't ruin the dining experience for those who want to have a nice meal AND a second ride on Space Mountain.

 

[Sydnerella]

thread hijacking is annoying and I am sure I have done it in the past. I will be more mindful next time to read OP closely.

 

[LilyWDW]

thread hijacking is annoying and I am sure I have done it in the past. I will be more mindful next time to read OP closely.

To be blunt, when you post something on a public message board, you really do not get to direct where the conversation goes. Once it is out there you just get to sit down and hold on tight. Threads will always go where they want to go.

 

[goofyernmost]

What constitutes bad service is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has a different threshhold. And, while high-end restaurants at Disney do subscribe to the "leisurely dining" rules of other restaurants at that level, the managers are also very aware that the main draw of the property is still the theme park. Servers and managers are supposed to take their cues from the Guests. It's pretty easy for a good server to figure out whether the four-top family they have is in a hurry to get back into the park or if they're more likely to linger over a 42-course glutton/chat fest.

It would be silly for Disney to only want the lingering type to sit in its restaurants and expect everyone else to go for chicken fingers. Just because it's Disney World doesn't mean that only the folks who want a relaxed dining experience shouldn't get ADRs. Just because it's Disney World shouldn't ruin the dining experience for those who want to have a nice meal AND a second ride on Space Mountain.

Still...one's Ford Falcon will never be a Cadillac DeVille. You may want it to be but, alas, it will never be one. Same with restaurants...they are what they were intended to be, not a quick pass through. If you can't do the time...don't do the ADR.

In regards to the last statement...true, but you may not be able to control the situation when the place is geared to a different speed. Disney Restaurants are operated in a certain way and FP now has enforced rules. Two completely different departments with two completely different goals. Changing them to fit an individuals desires isn't going to happen real soon, so it is best to find a way to put yourself where you need to be based on what you want most. In a perfect world you might be able to have both...I don't think I need to tell you that this is not a perfect world.

 

[Corwin]

This is the wrong thread for this question, because if anybody attempts to answer it, someone else will disagree with them, and the thread will quickly get derailed into another pointless debate, which the OP specifically did not want.

Apparently any differing opinions are not welcome in your presence. If one did not see the potential problem with the thread it would never have been discussed.

I have absolutely no problem with differing opinions, and I don't understand how you got that erroneous impression from my entreaty to people to stay on topic. Especially when the same thing has happened in every other FP thread, even those in which the OP has specifically asked people to not debate and argue, but to please simply report on their experiences in the parks.

From the OP:

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

...So four questions for people ACTUALLY in WDW THIS WEEK (or those who can report 2nd hand)...

...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!

Of course after 11 pages of debate, the OP just left the thread here. Is it really so hard to answer the OP's questions and stay on topic in this thread, and to start another thread in which to debate?

thread hijacking is annoying and I am sure I have done it in the past. I will be more mindful next time to read OP closely.

To be blunt, when you post something on a public message board, you really do not get to direct where the conversation goes. Once it is out there you just get to sit down and hold on tight. Threads will always go where they want to go.

I respectfully disagree. The OP started the thread, and they should be able to direct the topic of discussion. That's why redirecting the conversation to a different topic is referred to as "hijacking." After all, if you don't like the topic of discussion, you are free to start your own thread.

And I also think that blatently ignoring the OP's request to limit the debate is rude and disrespectful. Of course, I'm doing the same thing myself now.

OK, I'm done hijacking this thread, now.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

She said for her attraction today the FP line at times was way longer than she has ever seen it and moving slow. She had people leaving the FP line to move over to the standby line. She realizes this is not how it is suppose to be but due to some miscommunication and not being able to see the end of the lines the person moving people through was not getting FP people through fast enough. She also said she is hearing this from other busy FP attractions.

I don't understand how forcing people to go in their designating times is causing longer fastpass lines than before. It doesn't make any sense.

Is it because of the time of year? Was the ride down earlier? Is there a bug that was introduced with this change in the number of FastPasses being distributed for a time span?

 

[larryz]

All I have to say is...

I tried to stop this train wreck. I saw the truck on the tracks, and set off the flares and called the tow truck but...

The train hit the truck anyway.

 

[labdogs42]

As a past "abuser" of the system, I have to say that Disney made it CLEAR to me that I wasn't to come back late on Wednesday. It was on the times guide, written ON the Fastpasses, and they had CM's at the fastpass machines at TSMM reminding us. I knew they meant business. As interested as I might have been in finding out how they were going to handle things, I couldn't bring myself to risk not getting on a ride like Soarin' or Toy Story, so I never tried! Sorry! I may not like the new way, but I adapted quickly!

 

[goofyernmost]

I have absolutely no problem with differing opinions, and I don't understand how you got that erroneous impression from my entreaty to people to stay on topic. Especially when the same thing has happened in every other FP thread, even those in which the OP has specifically asked people to not debate and argue, but to please simply report on their experiences in the parks.

For one thing, talking about the thread one is in, is not off topic. It is, in fact, completely on topic. My objection was about having a thread where we basically were inadvertently going to fuel the tank of inappropriate justification. The public is good enough at that as it is.

I didn't report the thread or put in a formal protest, I merely expressed my concern about it. I thought from the beginning that the OP was just curious, but I also thought that it was a very counterproductive can of worms.

It is neither possible or appropriate to think that people will not express their opinion. In the case of this one...there was a REAL question about motivation, not necessarily of the OP, but of what would follow. It isn't really important what worked for one person because since it is looked at on a case by case situation. If someone thinks they have a reason to ask for an extension of FP times...then they should go to the appropriate place and plead their case. If it is deemed to be justified, I'm sure Disney will take care of them.

You saw, however, how this thing blew up with a barrage of "what if's". It was ripe for heated discussion because there are a lot of angry people out there that now have to change their way of touring. The never ending FP was great while it lasted...but it is gone now. We now need to come up with constructive ways to work planning to make it a good park visit.

Since I hardly ever use FP's I will have to leave that chore up to those that live and die for them. Blaming restaurants, transportation, walking distance and so on for the situation is not going to help anyone. They are out of everyone's control including Disney, who can hardly be expected to anticipate every possible scenario that the fertile minds of the public will undoubtedly come up with.