I think Disney should start enforcing end times on fastpasses

[iheartdisney]

I can tell you there were two rides we went standby on (usually because we were waiting for FP times to come up on other rides) where the standby time DOUBLED. Jungle Cruise was listed as a 20 minute standby line... 45 minutes later we got on a boat.

M:S was listed as a 15 minute standby for Orange. 40 minutes later we got into the briefing room.

You can't tell me FP didn't have SOME affect on those standby wait times.

On the other hand, you can't tell me that FP WERE the cause of the delay.
Someone throws up. An animatronic malfunctions. You enter then line somewhere between when the line took 20 minutes and when it took 45 minutes.
Security issues. Medical issues. Technical issues.

Any number of things can cause a longer than posted wait time, fastpasses least among them. Fastpasses are just an easier target to hit.
A great example would be Soarin'. The wait time has less to do with fastpasses and more to do with very limited capacity + highly popular attraction.

 

[Cals dad]

If return times were enforced, wouldn't the people who missed their return time just go and get into the standby queue? Sure, that would make the fastpass line faster, but for those who say that it would make the standby queue faster, think of all the people who are now getting in line in front of you throughout the day waiting on standby. It ends up being the same amount of people at the end of the day.

If someone shows up at 3:15 and their fastpass exipred at 3, they would have to go to standby. If you showed up at 3:20, those people are in front of you anyway, it doesn't matter what line they are in. I've never seen a fastpass line without people in it, so they are always going to send those people through first. It doesn't matter if it is short, more people are going to keep filling the fastpass lane. At the end of the day, a ride can only take so many people. Fastpass, or no fastpass, it will be the same amount getting on.

 

[skater]

From everything I've read, the rule that Disney follows is that the return time is flexible. Maybe if you relaxed for just one day and accepted that this is Disney's policy, you could enjoy the flexibility too . I think you would enjoy your day more - and you would not be breaking any rules - really. Think about it - you could go anywhere you wanted to in MK without worrying about being in Tomorrowland by 4 p.m. because you had a Buzz FP. You could stay in Adventureland if you were enjoying it - riding Pirates, shopping in the Pirate store, snacking on something, etc. After meandering over to HM and shopping over there for a while you might ride the tea cups in Fantasy Land. Then, in a couple hours, when you're ready, you can go over and use your FP. This is why I keep coming back to Disney (besides the Free Dining ). My day is my own. When I thought I had to be in a certain place at a certain time all day long, it wasn't nearly as much fun as it is now.

Its really nothing to get upset about. I truly don't understand why people do. Its no different than people getting mad because they don't believe FP is for everybody. This policy is also for everybody. You can enjoy it or you can make up your own policy, be inflexible, and be mad about the people who are enjoying the real policy. I hope you choose the real policy - I think you'll have a great time with it!

 

[Wadecool]

From everything I've read, the rule that Disney follows is that the return time is flexible. Maybe if you relaxed for just one day and accepted that this is Disney's policy, you could enjoy the flexibility too . I think you would enjoy your day more - and you would not be breaking any rules - really. Think about it - you could go anywhere you wanted to in MK without worrying about being in Tomorrowland by 4 p.m. because you had a Buzz FP. You could stay in Adventureland if you were enjoying it - riding Pirates, shopping in the Pirate store, snacking on something, etc. After meandering over to HM and shopping over there for a while you might ride the tea cups in Fantasy Land. Then, in a couple hours, when you're ready, you can go over and use your FP. This is why I keep coming back to Disney (besides the Free Dining ). My day is my own. When I thought I had to be in a certain place at a certain time all day long, it wasn't nearly as much fun as it is now.

Its really nothing to get upset about. I truly don't understand why people do. Its no different than people getting mad because they don't believe FP is for everybody. This policy is also for everybody. You can enjoy it or you can make up your own policy, be inflexible, and be mad about the people who are
enjoying the real policy. I hope you choose the real policy - I think you'll
have a great time with it!

Well put. The part in bold should be engraved onto plaque to be displayed near every FP kiosk.

 

[sam_gordon]

Any number of things can cause a longer than posted wait time, fastpasses least among them. Fastpasses are just an easier target to hit.

I agree any number of things can cause a longer than posted wait time, but I disagree FP is the LEAST among them. I don't think FP is the number one cause either, but it does have SOME affect.

A great example would be Soarin'. The wait time has less to do with fastpasses and more to do with very limited capacity + highly popular attraction.

Doesn't the wait time on just about EVERY attraction have to do with "limited capacity & popularity"?

My point was simply FP DOES affect standby wait times. Let's say a ride can support 20 guests a minute. You get in the standby line as guest 100. A five minute wait, right? But a parade lets out while you are waiting and 20 FP users show up... your wait time got extended.

Yes, the FP is a great thing. We used it for multiple attractions AND used them "late". I don't have a problem with FP. I just think it's wrong to say FP doesn't affect standby times.

 

[wcpamotm]

I'm gonna squeeze in here and put in my 2 cents. I think fast passes should be for the time on the fast pass. No earlier, no later. That's the reason for the fast pass. Period. Why have fast passes if you can use them whenever. I wish it were enforced. You can see what the return time is before you get the fast pass...if you don't think you can make it, don't get the fast pass. I don't want to use my fast pass properly and have to wait 20 minutes because the people in front of me are 6 hours late. There. I'm done.

I understand this way of thinking because it's natural and intuitive. I used to think this way too until I realized that late arrivals make no difference, provided that the standby queue is continuously occupied. And when it isn't, the day is probably so quiet that you'll have very short waits anyway.

CMs are trained to keep the FP line from building up, though I can't say it never happens.

P.S. My last trip, I waited about 30 minutes in the FP line for Soarin. And it was about 10:30, too early for late returnees to be a factor.

 

[mossy1]

From everything I've read, the rule that Disney follows is that the return time is flexible. Maybe if you relaxed for just one day and accepted that this is Disney's policy, you could enjoy the flexibility too . I think you would enjoy your day more - and you would not be breaking any rules - really. Think about it - you could go anywhere you wanted to in MK without worrying about being in Tomorrowland by 4 p.m. because you had a Buzz FP. You could stay in Adventureland if you were enjoying it - riding Pirates, shopping in the Pirate store, snacking on something, etc. After meandering over to HM and shopping over there for a while you might ride the tea cups in Fantasy Land. Then, in a couple hours, when you're ready, you can go over and use your FP. This is why I keep coming back to Disney (besides the Free Dining ). My day is my own. When I thought I had to be in a certain place at a certain time all day long, it wasn't nearly as much fun as it is now.

Its really nothing to get upset about. I truly don't understand why people do. Its no different than people getting mad because they don't believe FP is for everybody. This policy is also for everybody. You can enjoy it or you can make up your own policy, be inflexible, and be mad about the people who are enjoying the real policy. I hope you choose the real policy - I think you'll have a great time with it!

I agree very well put... Definitely nothing to get upset about!!! For my 2 cents I look at it as there are only so many fastpasses for each attraction period. Unless everyone that had gotten a pass returns at exactly the same time, which is unlikely, the FP factor is built into the posted wait time for regular line. I have only been question by one other park visitor...he was actually a VIP guide with a group. I saw him in the FP line for TOT. His only comment was ....they let you in with a late return time??? He must have studied acting because his shock was some what believable...hahaha

 

[Stinky_Pete]

If they're not going to enforce the return time (and I'm glad they don't, usually*) Then the return time on the Fastpass should say "Return anytime after _______". Then it's honest.

* The return time was enforced on me once, many years ago, at Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We were about 5 mins after our 10 minute return window. We were not allowed to get into the Fast Pass line, but there wasn't much of a standby line yet. But i think in the Fast pass line we might have been in the shade, but not in the standby line. Not sure if it's still set up like that.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Don't worry, this like many of the little Disney secrets out there will evetually go away due to everyone on the internet blabbing about it.

The reason that it doesn't matter whether or not they enforce the end times is because only a small amount of people know about this and actually do it. Once too many people start doing it then Disney will have to be stricter about the enforcement. Heck, I would go so far as to say that many of the guests at WDW think that you have to pay for fastpass or that it's only for onsite guests. And I have no desire to correct them, cause that would be more people competing for those precious FPs that I want!

Was at the MK today and used 3 sets of expired fastpasses. CMs never even batted an eye. They did stop someone from trying to use one too early, and another group who tried to use a BTMRR FP on Splash.

 

[TisBit]

I agree any number of things can cause a longer than posted wait time, but I disagree FP is the LEAST among them. I don't think FP is the number one cause either, but it does have SOME affect.

Doesn't the wait time on just about EVERY attraction have to do with "limited capacity & popularity"?

My point was simply FP DOES affect standby wait times. Let's say a ride can support 20 guests a minute. You get in the standby line as guest 100. A five minute wait, right? But a parade lets out while you are waiting and 20 FP users show up... your wait time got extended.

Yes, the FP is a great thing. We used it for multiple attractions AND used them "late". I don't have a problem with FP. I just think it's wrong to say FP doesn't affect standby times.

But, while FP can periodically affect the standby que, it does so in both a positive and negative way. The true quesiton is does people returning "after" the return time affect the standby que. If there is a flock of people returning for fastpass at one given time (say after a show lets out) and they are all within their return time, it will affect the standby que, but the return time had nothing to do with it.

Also, if people are coming in clumps and not a steady stream, you will see that the standby que suddenly drops in time, helping those in standby.

As mentioned too many times, the FP system is a closed loop system...there are a finite number of passes available at any time and ques will fluctuate up and down regardless. They did this before FP and they do it with FP...the problem is FP is an easy target for someone who is standing in line watches others walk by.

Don't worry, this like many of the little Disney secrets out there will evetually go away due to everyone on the internet blabbing about it.

The reason that it doesn't matter whether or not they enforce the end times is because only a small amount of people know about this and actually do it. Once too many people start doing it then Disney will have to be stricter about the enforcement. Heck, I would go so far as to say that many of the guests at WDW think that you have to pay for fastpass or that it's only for onsite guests. And I have no desire to correct them, cause that would be more people competing for those precious FPs that I want!

Was at the MK today and used 3 sets of expired fastpasses. CMs never even batted an eye. They did stop someone from trying to use one too early, and another group who tried to use a BTMRR FP on Splash.

If it ever does go away, you will see the return times increase. Disney understands that a one hour return window is not sufficient and they would simply reprogram the system to something more like a 4 hr window. When you are standing in line for a ride while holding a FP for a second ride, the standby line suddenly grinds to a halt and while you initially had plenty of time to make your FP return window, you are stuck now in choosing getting out of line or making the next ride. Same with ADR's, a small delay getting a table or slow service can suddenly put you in jeopardy...while right now a servcer or CM can tell you to relax that your pass will be good.

 

[larryz]

I regret starting this thread and wish it would die.

Arrgh! Buck up, me hearty! Blog like a pirate -- "Say what you want; take nothing back!"

 

[ses1230]

I regret starting this thread and wish it would die.

PM a mod and ask them to close it then. Seems pretty tame... for now.

 

[juliebug1997]

My brother had to wait once in the RnR FP line for about 30 minutes. Not what we were expecting at all and he sadly missed out on Fantasmic!

I agree. Disney needs to change the wording and let it just say "return after".

 

[seashoreCM]

My brother had to wait once in the RnR FP line for about 30 minutes. Not what we were expecting at all and he sadly missed out on Fantasmic! ".

If it was before the library preshow he should have gotten out, gone to Fantasmic, and come back.

If the fastpass line is way backed up, such as following a ride shutdown, then you ARE allowed to come back any time later that day.

 

[walkdmc]

I regret starting this thread and wish it would die.

LOL, BTDT!

Anywho, I have used the FP past their window and also feel it's not "right" but I've done it. Sometimes it was due to an ADR or pre-set plans smack in the middle of the FP window. Most of the time, it was because I knew I could and didn't make a big effort to get back in time.

Tip: don't show your expired FP to anyone. Only bad can come of it, IMO.

 

[juliebug1997]

If it was before the library preshow he should have gotten out, gone to Fantasmic, and come back.

If the fastpass line is way backed up, such as following a ride shutdown, then you ARE allowed to come back any time later that day.

I think he was already past that point. It wasn't shut down, I think the CM's just kind of forgot. I take partial blame for this because I told him to go. I thought we had more time.

 

[larryz]

WDW didn't have to contend with Line Apps when they created the FP system. Now that a significant percentage of park guests have smart phones with a line app, the crowds can very quickly shift toward the short stand-by wait times. This can skew the actual wait times very dramatically compared to the posted wait times.

 

[iheartdisney]

Arrgh! Buck up, me hearty! Blog like a pirate -- "Say what you want; take nothing back!"

 

[Praying Colonel]

WDW didn't have to contend with Line Apps when they created the FP system. Now that a significant percentage of park guests have smart phones with a line app, the crowds can very quickly shift toward the short stand-by wait times. This can skew the actual wait times very dramatically compared to the posted wait times.

Respectfully, I disagree with the premise that line apps significantly affect wait times (or park crowd levels). Even the ones who make the apps believe a very small % of guests are using them, and an even smaller % make park choices and attraction choices based on them.

This was discussed in a previous thread here.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Respectfully, I disagree with the premise that line apps significantly affect wait times (or park crowd levels). Even the ones who make the apps believe a very small % of guests are using them, and an even smaller % make park choices and attraction choices based on them.

This was discussed in a previous thread here.

I too disagree that the apps make much of a difference. Yes, a lot of people use them, but they are such a small percentage of the overall visitors. We used it occassionally on our last visit. We just follow the tried and true method of arriving early and doing the major attractions and grabbing FP's for later. The only time we used the line apps were to check to see FP availability or estimated wait time for a ride clear across the park. We did not have any commando style plan.

And I am glad that Disney doesn't enforce the "window". Even the park maps just tell you that the FP tells you when to return. If you read it carefully, the park maps don't tell you that you have to return in the window but that you have to return after the start time.

On the day we visited MK, we arrived around 10:00 am. We grabbed a FP for Space Mountain and rode it standby as well (about 20 minutes). By 1:00 pm, we had also grabbed FP's for Splash Mountain, Peter Pan and Big Thunder Mountain. We had also ridden quite a few rides.

We left and walked back to our resort (BLT) and drove to DTD for lunch and some shopping. After returning to the resort for some R&R, we finally headed back to MK around 5:30 pm. We used all four of our "expired" FP's and had a great night at the MK!

The only issue with FP lines being long were at Star Tours and Soarin'.