FP enforcement really sucks

[krusty007]

I visited DLR over the last four days. This was my first time making heavy use of FPs, and I didn't like the window enforcement. While I rode plenty of rides, I also have a stack of unused FPs whose windows I missed. I travelled with my DW, DD5, and DD2, and didn't want to ditch them too often, have them sit and wait for me, or sacrifice our afternoon break. However, I'll admit I enjoyed not waiting in long FP lines (the worst was 25 min for RSR after it went down).

I wish they would let you pick a window, and maybe give you a choice of two or three windows.

Also, when I stuck in my ticket, followed by DD5's for Star Tours, her window started five minutes past mine. I didn't ask, but I hope they would at least treat it as a 65 minute window as opposed to 55 minutes.

More detailed trip report coming soon, but I'll be happy to answer questions.

 

[sonnyjane]

Unfortunately that's like saying "speed limits really suck!" Those are Disneyland's rules and so that's what you must do if you want the privilege of using FP's. you always have the choice of waiting in the full standby line instead...

 

[Ingrid0382]

I think we're a little spoiled from having wide open return windows for so long and I was a little bummed out the first time I visited the park with the return times being enforced. That being said, I really feel like lines have been much more manageable lately, especially late at night since people can't stock up on FPs and try to get a bunch of rides in before the park closes.

It takes a little more planning sometimes, but I'm actually a little glad the change was made TBH.

 

[Astylla]

Unfortunately that's like saying "speed limits really suck!" Those are Disneyland's rules and so that's what you must do if you want the privilege of using FP's. you always have the choice of waiting in the full standby line instead...

Not to be a downer..but I agree with this.

Remeber there were years WITHOUT Fastpass..so take your pick

I am glad they have the options now of both FP and Single Rider - while not a perfect system it provides options.
I feel that because everyone has access to this whether it works for them or not personally isn't as relevant as the systems being in place.

Sure we LOVEd when FP could be used at anytime , but in a way that defeated the purpose of having return times which I feel are there to try and not bombard the FP lines.

A good plan is the best defense. We recently took an impromtu trip - as in we left on a Sat. afternoon for DL and left Anaheim Monday afternoon..LOL.
And we still saw plenty and had a blast!

So anything is doable it's just about making the most of what you have.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You sort of have a choice of windows. You can see what the return time is going to be before you put your ticket in. It's your choice if you want that window or not.

 

[Disney Dreams]

You sort of have a choice of windows. You can see what the return time is going to be before you put your ticket in. It's your choice if you want that window or not.

 

[goooof1]

YES, regardless, it still sucks!

 

[Mommy26]

C'mon, we all were thinking it.

 

[krusty007]

You sort of have a choice of windows. You can see what the return time is going to be before you put your ticket in. It's your choice if you want that window or not.

And if you don't, you can wait or come back. If you wait too long, you might get a very late time. If you don't wait long enough, you're spending your energy walking back and forth through the park.

Yes, I grew up going to Disneyland without FPs, so this is an improvement, but could use further improvement.

 

[CarrieR]

I'm with ya, Krusty. I understand that it's Disney's toys, and they can take 'em and go home if they want... but it doesn't mean I missed when it was free play and we could use FPs at our leisure. It made my day much better. (And I never experienced super-long return lines at the FP return, regardless of when I went back.)

 

[bumbershoot]

I agree, and will always agree, that it sucks.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Is this the point where I can point out that there are only about a dozen attractions total in both parks for which FP is even a concern out of everything possible to do at DLR?

- Dreams

 

[Gisele]

Yes, I agree sad days indeed to no longer being able to use fast passes the way you used to!

 

[Capt Silly]

While I rode plenty of rides, I also have a stack of unused FPs whose windows I missed.

Look on the bright side, you now have a stack of Disneyland mementos. We made a beautiful collage using unused fast passes for my wife on her birthday. She's collected them for the past few years (she doesn't do fast rides), so we used them as a background for a collage of other Disneyland mementos she had saved. We even had a super fastpass (use on ANY ride) that we hadn't used....

 

[Gisele]

I love that! That is so cool!

 

[DisneylandFlower]

They're enforcing Fast Pass return times now? Oh Man! Darn!

 

[DisneyBiskit]

Since I just returned from WDW last week, I must say that the planning that goes into fast pass is more of an issue over there. There are more attractions that have fast pass and now its either "this" or "that" when choosing the fast pass.

It is what it is and there's nothing we can do about it...kinda like dealing with price increases!

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

It takes a little more planning sometimes, but I'm actually a little glad the change was made TBH.

Yes

I have returned within my window in the past and had to wait in the FP line for the duration of the posted stand-by line. I'll just look at the return time on the FP display and if it fits in my schedule, I'll get a pass. If not, I'll come back later.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

On the other hand, we were at DL last weekend at FP enforcement didn't seem to bother us one bit! We used to be avid FP collectors. We would hit the rides in the morning while the lines were shortest and collect FPs every two hours. By the evening we had FPs for several rides and would hit them at our leisure when the stand-by lines were at their worst.

Last weekend, we found that we didn't need them much. We rode almost everything at least once without FPs. Then we started getting them later in the day and just watching the return times carefully. It's wasn't a big deal at all. I think the best part was that the FP return lines were much shorter than they used to be. Now the only people allowed in the lines are those with valid FPs. The system is working the way it was designed to work. The longest FP return line was 20 minutes for RSR. For everything else, it was 10 minutes or less.

 

[aan1701]

Think how everyone who hates enforcement feels if Disney did what I wish they would do. Get rid of FP all together.

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