FP grace period

[LaurenT]

Here is some common sense for you:

The FPs have a FP return window on them.

Return to the attraction within the window.

Yep.
Very black and white.

 

[Sydnerella]

Since I am apparently one of those "annoying" people that have the nerve to call it the way I see it, I guess I fall into that same annoyed with the testers category.

A few weeks ago, while I was in WDW my group had the occasion to be given something that I didn't ask for and really is against the established rules. It was done as a Pixie Dust action and it was a very nice thing for them to do. You know what, since I am a annoyingly active person on these boards I have not talked about it at all. Not because I wasn't appreciative of the action, but because I knew that if I posted the action here, there would be a number of folks that would think to themselves...well, if they did it for him maybe they will do it for us. Then instead of "magic" it is now an entitlement. I didn't attempt to get this perk, in fact it was the furthest thing from my mind. It was just given, possibly because I didn't ask, I don't know what the thought pattern of the CM was. (Nothing to do with FP, BTW) I wouldn't hesitate to tell my close friends about it because it was a very nice thing, however, I wouldn't ever repeat it, especially in this type of thread, to a certain group of people that are only trying to find a way around the rules. Not a chance!

To intentionally attempt to go early or late just to see what would happen and then when someone was given a bit of magic, it becomes a "let me tell everyone that they did this". Humans, being human will give it a try and before to long the magic will be taken away because it has become a hassle. I guess that makes me a Cop of some sort but it is because many of us can see beyond this minute and know that certain actions although successful at the time, can eventually, with enough momentum, become the end of it happening to anyone.

So if my "stick to the rules" unless there is a real reason like ride breakdown or slow meal (even though that is controllable) stance is annoying, it is no more annoying then someone that is constantly trying to get more than someone else is to me. So I guess we're even!

If you are human, which I think we can agree you are, and you state that you are above such behavior - why is it your assumption that no other human is as honorable a human as you appear to believe that you are?

Your choice to share, but it seems cynical to think "If I tell them about my awesome pixie dust experience they will just ruin it for everyone else!" Yep - some people take more advantage of situations than others... but focusing SO much disdain on them reads as bitter.

Sydnerella's Mama

 

[JennyDrake]

I just got back. IN 3 trips/year for the last 7 years I have never been allowed in early nor have I seen anyone else allowed. Last week they were strictly enforcing the return times and I saw several, VERY unhappy people turned away. We were late once (2 min.) and were let in, so yes the (short) grace period is being used.

 

[g-dad66]

Say it's 10:00 and our FP window ends at 10:10. The grandkids want to make a bathroom stop.

Should I
(a) say, "No, that has to wait. We have to make our FP window"?
(b) let them make the pit stop and tear up our FPs?
(c) relax, let them make the pit stop, knowing that we have a 15-minute grace period.

My answer is (c).

Other folks' answers may be (a) or (b).

Different strokes for different folks. (Hey, that's kinda catchy. Somebody ought to make a song out of that... )

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Say it's 10:00 and our FP window ends at 10:10. The grandkids want to make a bathroom stop.

Should I
(a) say, "No, that has to wait. We have to make our FP window"?
(b) let them make the pit stop and tear up our FPs?
(c) relax, let them make the pit stop, knowing that we have a 15-minute grace period.

My answer is (c).

Other folks' answers may be (a) or (b).

Different strokes for different folks. (Hey, that's kinda catchy. Somebody ought to make a song out of that... )

Everyone really just needs to wear a diaper at WDW. It would solve so many problems. they should send them with the luggage tags.

 

[g-dad66]

Everyone really just needs to wear a diaper at WDW. It would solve so many problems. they should send them with the luggage tags.

 

[Loftus]

Say it's 10:00 and our FP window ends at 10:10. The grandkids want to make a bathroom stop.

Should I
(a) say, "No, that has to wait. We have to make our FP window"?
(b) let them make the pit stop and tear up our FPs?
(c) relax, let them make the pit stop, knowing that we have a 15-minute grace period.

My answer is (c).

Other folks' answers may be (a) or (b).

Different strokes for different folks. (Hey, that's kinda catchy. Somebody ought to make a song out of that... )

I would say (c) providing you replace "knowing" with "hoping".

 

[ironz]

When in Epcot over Easter my son and I lined in the single rider line for TT. Posted wait time 30mins. Actual wait time 1 hour 10mins! Now we were off to MS afterwards and had we had an FP we would have missed that window, because we were relying on the posted wait time being accurate. It wouldn't have been our fault. If we had been refused our grace period and denied entry I might have been sore. As it was we were lining in the regular line so it wasn't an issue but it's an intersting hypothetical dilemma.

Actually, you did have a choice: you could have left the TT line to go make your MS window; or stay and ride TT and miss the MS window. Just like I had to do the night I had an ADR at CRT: we were in line for Space Mountain and the ride went down. We waited as long as I felt like we could, and since the ride didn't come up (we would have been next to ride, so if it had come up, we'd be out of there in no time), we exited the building without riding and went to make our ADR on time.

Not criticizing your choice, mind you...I would have stayed in the TT line, too....have never been to WDW at a time when the line for MS was more than 15-20 minutes, except when MS first opened.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually, you did have a choice: you could have left the TT line to go make your MS window; or stay and ride TT and miss the MS window. Just like I had to do the night I had an ADR at CRT: we were in line for Space Mountain and the ride went down. We waited as long as I felt like we could, and since the ride didn't come up (we would have been next to ride, so if it had come up, we'd be out of there in no time), we exited the building without riding and went to make our ADR on time.

Not criticizing your choice, mind you...I would have stayed in the TT line, too....have never been to WDW at a time when the line for MS was more than 15-20 minutes, except when MS first opened.

But wouldn't your evening have been much better if there had been even a small amount of flexibility available to you so you could still accomplish BOTH?

And if you had spoken with a CM, I bet they would have given you a FP to return to Space after dinner. Believe it or not, the folks at Disney really do care about helping achieve good outcomes.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you are human, which I think we can agree you are, and you state that you are above such behavior - why is it your assumption that no other human is as honorable a human as you appear to believe that you are?

Your choice to share, but it seems cynical to think "If I tell them about my awesome pixie dust experience they will just ruin it for everyone else!" Yep - some people take more advantage of situations than others... but focusing SO much disdain on them reads as bitter.

Sydnerella's Mama

Reading this thread, and similar threads, I completely understand why goofyernmost would be reluctant to post any personal "pixie dusted" experience. He explained his reasons very clearly: human nature. He knows his friends won't expect the same treatment, but based on what he reads here every day, he senses a large percentage of DISers will do exactly as he describes: go whining to various CMs, "You did ____ for goofyernmost, now you MUST do it for me!!!!!"

 

[mesaboy2]

Pixie dust isn't printed on FP tickets like GP +15 is. I think it might even be in black and white.

 

[ironz]

But wouldn't your evening have been much better if there had been even a small amount of flexibility available to you so you could still accomplish BOTH?

And if you had spoken with a CM, I bet they would have given you a FP to return to Space after dinner. Believe it or not, the folks at Disney really do care about helping achieve good outcomes.

Actually, no. The ADR was THE focus of the evening, and really, for the whole trip, as it was my birthday. I'm a 49 y/o princess wannabe and had never dined in the castle. Plus, I was with my very own Prince Charming who I have fallen in love with in the past year. Having a special dinner with my sweetheart, holding hands while watching the fireworks through the castle windows....that was priceless!

I've been to WDW about 30 times. One ride on Space Mountain, when we didn't know if it was even going to come back up soon from the shutdown, meant very little. We had been having other flight issues that day, including a cancelled flight out to MCO, a change of flights to make up for the cancelled flight, but that all worked out and I was surprised we had time for any rides at all before our ADR. We just laughed and said that we were having bad lucks with flights that day, whether to MCO or to Space! LOL. Now, if we had been e-stopped on the tracks and missed our ADR, then of course, I would hope the CMs could have made sure that the people at CRT knew so I wouldn't lose my reservation completely.

 

[North of Mouse]

I just dont understand why people are still trying to game the system. Why come back 10 minutes before your FP window and try to be admitted in?

It is pretty simple now that enforcement has begun. You FP window is CLEARLY printed on your FP. No need to show up 7 minutes early or 20 minutes late and try to use your FP just to test it out and hope they arent enforcing it strictly.

And if you miss an FP window because of the CHOICES that you made then just accept responsibility for your actions and move on.

Some people like to push the "envelope" and don't like to follow rules. If we teach our children to follow the rules, the best thing we can do is to set an example. If we can't fit into the "hour" window then we are trying to cut things too close - not really any reason to plan that closely if you really want the FP to begin with. We missed one of ours by 10 min. because we forgot, but didn't even try to use it - were just frustrated at our own selves.

 

[Mommyofthreewchicks]

Just wondering if they tell you what the return times for the fast pass tickets are going to be before it spits it out?

 

[Robo]

Just wondering if they tell you what the return times for the fast pass tickets are going to be before it spits it out?

Yes

 

[g-dad66]

Just wondering if they tell you what the return times for the fast pass tickets are going to be before it spits it out?

Yes, the return time is prominently posted.

Also, if you get the free Disney Mobile Magic map for your phone, it will give you that info also. It can save you from making a cross-park FP-run only to discover that the return time wouldn't work out for you.

 

[mom2rtk]

Pixie dust isn't printed on FP tickets like GP +15 is. I think it might even be in black and white.

LOL! I'd be SO disappointed if Pixie Dust were black and white. I have it pictured as sort of a sparkly light purple..... maybe lavendar.

 

[Sydnerella]

LOL! I'd be SO disappointed if Pixie Dust were black and dust. I have it pictured as sort of a sparkly light purple..... maybe lavendar.

Totally, me too

 

[mom2rtk]

Some people like to push the "envelope" and don't like to follow rules. If we teach our children to follow the rules, the best thing we can do is to set an example. If we can't fit into the "hour" window then we are trying to cut things too close - not really any reason to plan that closely if you really want the FP to begin with. We missed one of ours by 10 min. because we forgot, but didn't even try to use it - were just frustrated at our own selves.

Feel free to award yourself one brownie point.

I teach my kids to follow all rules to the letter of the law. But I also have taught them to politely ask when they need something, then accept the answer graciously with a "thank you", regardless of the answer. I can always ask (nicely). They can always say no. So yes, I'll be asking if I'm within 15 minutes, even if it's just because I stopped to smell some roses. After 15, I won't even ask.

But that's just me. For those of you who think using the grace period is wrong, feel free not to use it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

People don't actually sprint across the park you know, its just a figure of speech.

You've never been with my family.

Okay, most of the sprinting we do is between the parks...but still.

I thought that was part of the fun of WDW!

You mean FP enforcment isn't great new justification for getting more excercise?