FP Enforcement

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Really?! We are staying at VGC and I would not have known to try to get in at 9!

Thanks!

I've actually heard that they don't have the 9am opening for onsite guests anymore. Couldn't hurt to ask when you get there though.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

It's actually really quite similar to the FP policy, in my opinion! It is an unadvertised perk, so if you were to ask a CM on the phone before checking in, they are only allowed to tell you that you'll get one MM, and that's what's written online as well. If you were to ask a CM when you get your FP from the machine when you should return, they would only be allowed to tell you to come back during the official window, as that's what's written. Then, the CM checking you into the hotel, and the CM checking your FP, can let you in on the "unofficial" policy after the fact, but they just aren't allowed to tell you about it up front.

Another Diser emailed Disney about this policy and they are now giving it in writing as a response to inquiries that you are allowed MMs for any day available during your stay. She posted the email response in the other FP thread (she also emailed about FPs).

 

[sonnyjane]

Another Diser emailed Disney about this policy and they are now giving it in writing as a response to inquiries that you are allowed MMs for any day available during your stay. She posted the email response in the other FP thread (she also emailed about FPs).

Yes, thank you. I edited my earlier post to say that the website now does not claim that you only get one MM, as it used to. I am glad of that, because that is a question that we get a lot around here! Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, in my opinion, but sometimes their official communications leave something to be desired! WOC planning anyone!?

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I LOVE the example of DCA 9:30 opening. I've discussed my appreciation for using FP later than the stated time on WDW threads and you would think I was committing a felony!

We have always used our FPs late. It's a way to make a Disney vacation more flexible and relaxing. Collecting FPs in the morning, taking an afternoon break, and returning in the evening for FPs, fireworks, and dinner is the routine of many DIS veterans.

 

[bakerudall]

I LOVE the example of DCA 9:30 opening. I've discussed my appreciation for using FP later than the stated time on WDW threads and you would think I was committing a felony!

We have always used our FPs late. It's a way to make a Disney vacation more flexible and relaxing. Collecting FPs in the morning, taking an afternoon break, and returning in the evening for FPs, fireworks, and dinner is the routine of many DIS veterans.

This is completely off-topic, but every time I see your screen name, I automatically start singing Billy Ocean's "Caribbean Queen" with Halloween subbed in for Caribbean.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

This is completely off-topic, but every time I see your screen name, I automatically start singing Billy Ocean's "Caribbean Queen" with Halloween subbed in for Caribbean.

 

[HydroGuy]

I've actually heard that they don't have the 9am opening for onsite guests anymore. Couldn't hurt to ask when you get there though.

I have heard things from yes on 9AM, sometimes at 9:15AM and sometimes just 9:30AM. But usually by 9:15AM.

For other posters' sake, here is some more info that is likely to change by June 15.

"The Official Scoop on DCA's Unofficial Morning Opening Hours" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2680309

 

[pixiewings71]

I just want to clarfiy that i was not trying to have an attitude-at least not until hydro guy brought up such things as speed limits, cross walks, and express lines at grocery stores. I have been to the parks 3 times, in the last 4 years(my first trip ever was in 09) I am 3 days away from another trip. NEVER in all this time until recently when it came out that they were going ot be cracking down on the return times have I read that people could openly ignore the suggested return time and just come back whenever they felt like it. That actually does make me feel stupid for having thrown away perfectly good fast passes on a prior trip because we were way past the window for return time. Had we known about this "perk" we certainly could have tried using them. For what it's worth I am a follow the rules kind of person, but do understand the whole idea of "if Disney isn't enforcing it then why not try it".. I guess part of me hates the idea of potentially being that person who gets turned away for not returning in the time frame, and wasting a ticket when I could have ridden it if I had come back when i was supposed to.... because then not only would I have missed the ride, but also I would have a disspointed kiddo who would probably tell me that I should have just followed the rules, lol. (gee mom, if you were driving slower, you would not have gotten that ticket) Again, not trying to come across with an attitude...just trying to process it all.

Just to clarify, you can't come back anytime, you do have to return after the first time on the FP. So if your return time is 1-3 pm you have to go back after 1. Before 1 they will turn you away. Just fyi. And before I knew that they would take them anytime after the start time we tossed a ton of FPs, don't feel stupid.

This is completely off-topic, but every time I see your screen name, I automatically start singing Billy Ocean's "Caribbean Queen" with Halloween subbed in for Caribbean.

I used to do that too.....

 

[quantumottle]

Why not just use them correctly to begin with?

I agree with farmgirljen, please do not give her a hard time for her opinion. I wish EVERYONE (except my family, of course) would tour the park exactly the way farmgirljen does.

 

[DizFan13]

I agree with farmgirljen, please do not give her a hard time for her opinion. I wish EVERYONE (except my family, of course) would tour the park exactly the way farmgirljen does.

I know that it makes sense, on one level; however, once you have benefited from using late FPs, it is hard to imagine not using them. It becomes a part of the routine. My DH is an extremely high-energy individual, and he sets the timer on his phone for ten minutes before the FP window opens, and he is off to get a new set as soon as that thing beeps! We accumulate them all day while we enjoy the park's atmosphere and enjoy the rides that don't have a wait, and then we use those FPs once everything is busy. We would definitely have to change how we tour if the times were enforced. And we would, of course, but I am extremely glad that we don't have too.

 

[SpaceMan5]

IMHO I find it refreshing that a large corporation like Disney does not alway operate within the black and white rules/procedures. I am a GM for a small company and I operate in those "gray" areas which makes our customers feel special and unique. It definitely pays off in repeat business and customer loyalty. I appreciate the fact that Disney will do the same thing such as letting us bring in food, early entry into DCA etc.

 

[fairytalelover]

Why not just use them correctly to begin with?

Because it's not always an option to go at a certain time when you have kids. You have to go when you can. We just wait until after the time on the FP and go after that time whenever we can fit it into our schedule that day.

 

[WpgGal]

When we were there last month, CM's on three different occasions told us we were welcome to use our FP's any time after the return window opened. I never got the impression it was some kind of secret or that it was an inconvenience for them or anybody else.

 

[farmgirljen]

Because it's not always an option to go at a certain time when you have kids. You have to go when you can. We just wait until after the time on the FP and go after that time whenever we can fit it into our schedule that day.

Are you suggesting I don't have kids? because I do...and as a professional childcare provider i am a master at coordinating schedules with small children (granted, not at Disneyland, but certainly plenty of other places,lol)

 

[heatherleigh]

Are you suggesting I don't have kids? because I do...and as a professional childcare provider i am a master at coordinating schedules with small children (granted, not at Disneyland, but certainly plenty of other places,lol)

No one is suggesting anything. I take it exactly the way she said it (no hidden meaning). I totally agree with it too- I have small children (not implying you don't), and this is a huge reason why we choose to utilize the tickets this way. I am not a master at schedules or organization for that matter. Wish I was, but I'm just not. Any little thing helps- and this perk is one of them.

 

[kelmac284]

And not to beat a dead horse LOL but for us we usually travel with my mom who is older and can't get around real well or quick. She probably should use a scooter which is a whole other issue LOL but for now she doesn't want to and thus it takes longer for us to get from one side of the park to the other. We need to take more "rest" breaks as well so for us it is SO nice not to have to hurry here and there and to waste a pass because we ended up far away from the area when the pass came available. I think it is a GREAT perk which makes touring SO much easier and more relaxed and enjoyable. For the last few years I knew that even if we went at a SUPER busy time like it will be this summer with cars opening we knew that we could just get a pass and come back later and not have to worry about them being all gone or have to "hover" in that area.

I agree with whoever said if you had taken advantage of it I think you would realize just how nice it is.

 

[Huff]

I've ended up with 2 or 3 FP's with approximately the same return times. In our case we went to SM to get FP's at noon. Return time 6PM. At 2pm we got FP's for Indiana Jones, return time 6:10pm. At 4pm we got FP's for Big Thunder, return time 6:05pm.

It gets worse if you have an ADR during your FP return time. Yes, CM's will allow late returns if you have an ADR but what if your ADR is near park closing? Would they allow early return to use FP? So far people have said no but I have not had this issue at WDW.

 

[fairytalelover]

Are you suggesting I don't have kids? because I do...and as a professional childcare provider i am a master at coordinating schedules with small children (granted, not at Disneyland, but certainly plenty of other places,lol)

Defensive much? Who said you dont have kids? All I said is that having kids creates a situation most of the time for most people that you can't or won't necessarily run your schedule in a strict fashion and always be at a given place at a given time. In our experience with our son, we organize our day, and yes I said organize our day by what time we go to get a specific fast pass and which ride runs out of fast passes first (i.e space mountain etc...) After that in between when my son gets hungry etc... we go to the rides we accumulated fast passes for. No big deal.

Also, when on vacation, we like to take it easy and not stress out about a military fashioned schedule we have to keep.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have been to the parks 3 times, in the last 4 years(my first trip ever was in 09) I am 3 days away from another trip. NEVER in all this time until recently when it came out that they were going ot be cracking down on the return times have I read that people could openly ignore the suggested return time and just come back whenever they felt like it. That actually does make me feel stupid for having thrown away perfectly good fast passes on a prior trip because we were way past the window for return time. Had we known about this "perk" we certainly could have tried using them.

I'm just bummed that the info wasn't somehow gotten to you.

While we never create a touring plan specifically to use old FPs, it's nice when we've gotten way off track, or have painful feet, or DS has wanted to play in the water play area in DCA for an hour, etc etc etc, and we can still use the FP (if we can get back to wherever it was). And I never take it for granted that I can use it; I always give an apologetic look and say "is that OK?" when handing the FP over.

It's a matter of what's in writing vs. what is in actuality.

When you check in, they give you a typed and copied sheet of paper on official letterhead telling you that you can go in to the MMs. Sometimes the CM will write out the MMs during your stay. It cannot get more written than that!



And FWIW I can't find where food isn't allowed. In fact, they tell you that coolers OVER a certain size aren't allowed, but that tells you that coolers UNDER a certain size ARE allowed, and what are coolers for but for food and beverages?

It also says that "Coolers/lunch boxes" are "subject to inspection before entering Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park".

Food's allowed.

 

[Malcon10t]

And FWIW I can't find where food isn't allowed. In fact, they tell you that coolers OVER a certain size aren't allowed, but that tells you that coolers UNDER a certain size ARE allowed, and what are coolers for but for food and beverages?

From Disneyland's website:

"Can I bring food into Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park?

If you wish to bring your own food and enjoy an outdoor meal in an ideal setting, there is a complimentary Picnic Area conveniently located outside the Main Entrance to Disneyland Park.

With the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, food or beverage items are not permitted into either of the Disneyland Resort theme parks."