FP grace period

[nutty4wdw]

has anyone been denied entrance during their grace period.

 

[Robo]

has anyone been denied entrance during their grace period.

I've read a couple of posts since the "new deal" of guests not being allowed within the post 15 min. grace period.

 

[North of Mouse]

We were just at Disney, and I never saw them grant anyone an exception. They were looking VERY closely at the FP. I doubt they will grant very many, if any exceptions, because people are so devious, and can lie with a straight face. We didn't realize they had granted exceptions before, LOL, so we were not impacted, though we did notice the lines for return were much shorter toward the end of day. One couple ahead of us in return line for Soarin' said they weren't happy because they collected them all day, then returned in the evening to ride. I had asked them if they did this after a "big wig" was watching the FP line at Soarin' and they asked if it was true (new rules). He said that it was always meant to be, but somehow got away from it and it was messing up the whole system (agree), but they would now strictly enforce the time window. I thanked him profusely, because our FP line waits were much shorter.

 

[Raenstoirm]

There is a sign at each fastpass machine saying that times are enforced. And they mean it! I saw quite a few groups turned away. One guy was VERY unhappy at Splash Mountain. They might have had to get security. We didnt stick around to find out.

 

[PAcpl]

Wow, I am glad I read this. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DebbieB]

Is the grace period also 5 minutes before? We got in on a couple 2 or 3 minutes early last week. One person in line in front of us got in 10 minutes early.

 

[CarolineB]

I had a FP for Winnie the Pooh last week and when I brought DS to the ride, a mom was there with her DD who was maybe 3 years old. The mom's fastpass was expired and told the CM that she was told she could ride later because her daughter was sleeping. The CM told the daughter, "you can ride princess." On the one hand I'm glad that the mom and daughter got to ride, on the other hand, I think the rules should be consistently enforced even though I've been on the receiving end of the mom's experience.

Five years ago, I brought DS who was 3 years old and I had a FP for the day before for Soarin, at first the CM said no and I thanked them and I told my son no, we couldn't ride it. We were walking away and the CM stopped us and said something like "because you were so nice, we'll let you ride." The day before when we got the FP, DS wouldn't go on the ride because he was scared of any new ride (thanks to mom for putting him on scary rides lol.)

 

[HM]

I have never tried to get in early. Have seen too many people sent off to wait for their actual timeframe. If you get to the ride early, just hang out away from the entrances until your time comes up.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Is the grace period also 5 minutes before? We got in on a couple 2 or 3 minutes early last week. One person in line in front of us got in 10 minutes early.

There have been very few crediable reports that the pre 5 min grace period window is open. Many many reports have been made that they had to wait until thier window opens up. That seems to be a part of the FP enforcement coming rumor that did not come true.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

My friend is at MK yesterday and told me they were 15 minutes late for their Buzz and wasn't allowed to ride. I have to say, she wasn't aware of the new fastpass rules and I can't say for sure if it was 15 or 16 minutes if that makes sense.

 

[mom2rtk]

We were just at Disney, and I never saw them grant anyone an exception. They were looking VERY closely at the FP. I doubt they will grant very many, if any exceptions, because people are so devious, and can lie with a straight face. We didn't realize they had granted exceptions before, LOL, so we were not impacted, though we did notice the lines for return were much shorter toward the end of day. One couple ahead of us in return line for Soarin' said they weren't happy because they collected them all day, then returned in the evening to ride. I had asked them if they did this after a "big wig" was watching the FP line at Soarin' and they asked if it was true (new rules). He said that it was always meant to be, but somehow got away from it and it was messing up the whole system (agree), but they would now strictly enforce the time window. I thanked him profusely, because our FP line waits were much shorter.

How would you be able to "see" them grant an exception? Were you able to see over their shoulder to read the time? I *think* the OP is asking if there is the rumored 15 minute grace period, nothing more. The "use later in the day" ship sailed 2 months ago.

 

[g-dad66]

We were just at Disney, and I never saw them grant anyone an exception. They were looking VERY closely at the FP.

I saw quite a few groups turned away. One guy was VERY unhappy at Splash Mountain.

Do you mean they were later than the end time of the 1-hour window?

Or do you mean they were later than 15 minutes after the end time of the 1-hour window?

I was allowed to use a Rock n Roller Coaster Fast Pass 18 minutes after the end of the 1-hour window on March 22. (Probably because I asked so politely. )

 

[kohlby]

The grace period is 15 minutes after it expires. I have heard of one person being turned away. He didn't argue but then went to guest services and was told that the CM was incorrect, that he should have been allowed. They gave him a pass to go on that ride. (This was Josh on the easywdw website. He goes often enough that if he says there's a 15 minute grace period, I believe him that it's not just a rumor).

 

[mesaboy2]

Do you mean they were later than the end time of the 1-hour window?

Or do you mean they were later than 15 minutes after the end time of the 1-hour window?

I was allowed to use a Rock n Roller Coaster Fast Pass 18 minutes after the end of the 1-hour window on March 22. (Probably because I asked so politely. )

I'm with you, I think some are misunderstanding the OP's question. To me they appear to be asking specifically about the 15-minute grace period.

 

[Robo]

I'm with you, I think some are misunderstanding the OP's question. To me they appear to be asking specifically about the 15-minute grace period.

Agreed.

(Which is how I answered in the first response in this thread.)

 

[JMSMommy]

We were told repeatedly "Wow you just made your return time!" when we'd come in with 5 minutes left on the ticket. They were checking closely, so I don't know if they'd have allowed a 15 minute grace period AFTER the end of the hour. We didn't try to test it out, and hit one ride with 1 minute left and were told "Good thing you got back in time or you'd not have been able to ride."

 

[Raenstoirm]

Do you mean they were later than the end time of the 1-hour window?

Or do you mean they were later than 15 minutes after the end time of the 1-hour window?

I have absolutely no idea what the scenario was with the angry gentleman. The cm just kept saying "your fastpass is expired" and pointing to the time above her head.

In a separate incidence, a young asian couple tried to enter Splash as well and were turned away. I did get a glimpse at their passes and they were the "this is not a valid fastpass" ones. I felt bad for them. They didnt speak english (so presumably didnt read it either) and didnt understand they had useless fastpasses.

 

[JDUCKY]

we actually got lucky on a recent visit to one of the parks (probably MK but might have been Epcot) and got to use a set of FPs about 30 min after they'd expired. Sorry I can't remember the details but I know for sure it was after the expiration time because I was wholly expecting to be denied entrance.

 

[g-dad66]

In the bottom right-hand corner of the Fast Pass, there is a time printed in very small numbers. This time is always 15 minutes after the end of the 1-hour window.

So I've just assumed that this is the time which the CM actually checks (the print being so small that this may be the reason why CMs were observed to be checking the FP so carefully....).

 

[Robo]

In the bottom right-hand corner of the Fast Pass, there is a time printed in very small numbers. This time is always 15 minutes after the end of the 1-hour window.

So I've just assumed that this is the time which the CM actually checks (the print being so small that this may be the reason why CMs were observed to be checking the FP so carefully....).

Very bottom right. Tiny type.

The letters "GP" stand for "Grace Period," which is the question that started this thread, AFAIK.