mini-rant

[tinkbyday]

When those who disagree post stating that they believe the changes enhance the overall experience, that is okay too. What I (and others) do have a problem with is when this turns into attacks about how people didn't "do the right thing" and "follow policy" in the past. I know I shouldn't care what some nameless, faceless person says on a message board, even if their logic is flawed and seemingly ignorant of the acual policies sited, but I can't help it. The implication that I and others are of lessor character because we didn't follow a policy that never existed is irritating.

First of all, I am far from ignorant and never did I say anyone else is because they were not following the policy, whether written or not, but definitely inferred by a range of time stamped on a piece of paper. Matter of fact, I didn't refer to anyone as any name whatsoever. I take great offense to someone indicating that my "logic is flawed" or that I am "seemingly ignorant".

And honestly, I doubt that said "policy" is in writing anywhere to be seen none the less quoted. My best guess and probably much more believable is that the CMs were told they could give leeway, but I really would doubt that in the Disney handbook, under FP policy, it says "Allow those who cannot be bound by a time range in whenever they darn well feel like showing up" and the reason I don't believe it is because during our trip in 2009, we witnessed the people directly in front of us being told by the CM that they could not enter because the FP ticket had expired - I also have experienced, personally, where I had shown up to my return window several minutes early and was told I had to wait - now, let's see, if this so-called policy indicates that the time frame printed on the ticket really doesn't mean something, why would they even adhere to start times either?????

This is nonsense - I'm THRILLED Disney is now enforcing it and can't wait to see the effect on my upcoming trip.

 

[Bob NC]

You did say you couldn't imagine returning outside the printed window. I'm pretty sure most people would do whatever the CMs told them to do.

I guess my experience is just different than most.

In my dozens of trips and use of hundreds of FastPasses, I have never taken a FP from a machine and had a CM standing there telling me to ignore the time printed on the FP and come back whenever I want.

The difference might be that if I had a FP in my hand with a 1 hour window, it wouldn't occur to me to ASK a CM when I can come back to use my FP.

 

[UNCFanatik]

For anyone who takes pride in abiding only by the printed rules on a FP, do you want to answer the questions I posed at the end of this post recounting my experience on IaSW this week? I think it's very relevant to this discussion.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45112607&postcount=1

Didnt I answer these questions?

 

[Mkrop]

I agree with you 100%. Who wants to run from one side of the park to the other and if you get 2 fastpasses for 2 different rides in a certain area, they could be at 2 totally different return times. Such a waste of valuable time running back and forth or staying in an area you don't want to be in, just waiting for your fastpast time to come up. You are probably right about the new fastpast system coming and having something to do with it.

I think it is a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money...if you are stuck in an area waiting for your FP return time and you rode everything in that area or the lines are too long, what are you going to do (or what is Disney hoping you will do) buy a snack and sit and wait or wander into a gift shop and buy some stuff. You are not going to wander too far if your FP is in 20 minutes or so.

 

[tinkbyday]

It's apparently free if youre in a deluxe or deluxe villa room.

Awesome!

 

[mesaboy2]

Didnt I answer these questions?

You did, yes. And since you put thought into it, I listen to you. I'm challenging others.

 

[WillAustin]

The difference might be that if I had a FP in my hand with a 1 hour window, it wouldn't occur to me to ASK a CM when I can come back to use my FP.

I've had both experiences and we haven't been dozens of times. CMs at the machines, yelling it out, and returning later than the window due to unexpected delays, and being told then.

 

[Jenngoofys]

We will be going to WDW this summer and we are very excited!! We have already layed out our plans for the FP. We too use to use them later in the day, a family member would run across the park to get a FP for a ride, then when the time was up to get another we would. So honestly by the time we made it to that side of the park as a family we could hop on the ride with little to no wait. With the current enforced system we will have a family member go across the park and get a FP then meet up with the family, and when the FP time comes up we will all walk across the park ride the ride, go back across the park and continue our touring. And the same with the second FP, we will ALL walk across the park ride a ride then go back to our touring. Seems to me quite a Pain for "saving time" when in reality you are wasting almost as much time running across the parks all day, not to mention making everyone more tired and cranky in the Florida Heat. Yes some of you might say stay in the area where the FP is, well at MK (for example) we start our day in Adventureland. Only 1 FP ride there ( Jungle Cruise) but if we start there no need to use one. So we get one for Space Mountain. Before when we made our way around the park we would use the FP at our convenience (after the First posted time) Now we all have to cross the park ride the ride and head back to do Frontierland, to continue touring. If we did tomorrowland where alot of the FP rides are first we would have to wait in long lines later in Adventureland because of the lack of FP rides there. It all seems more inconvenient for Families and very unorganized!! Noone wants to waste time running back and forth all day in a park that was layed out for convenience. As far as "sleeping in" someone mentioned earlier Disney doesnt want you sleeping in They make no $$$ on you sleeping!! If you are not awake, in the parks spending $$$ then they are not doing their job right. Sorry to say But I see Disney heading towards the Universal path of paid Fast Passes, one per ride, but at least with that you can use it at your convenience!!

 

[UNCFanatik]

I think it is a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money...if you are stuck in an area waiting for your FP return time and you rode everything in that area or the lines are too long, what are you going to do (or what is Disney hoping you will do) buy a snack and sit and wait or wander into a gift shop and buy some stuff. You are not going to wander too far if your FP is in 20 minutes or so.

If your FP is in 20 minutes or so, that would give you an hour and 20 minutes or so to return to the attraction. You are not "stuck" anywhere.

I was in WDW last week and had zero problems using multiple FPs and filling my time between the return windows with other non-FP attractions through proper advance planning.

 

[tinkbyday]

Interesting story: I used to be in retail years ago, before scanners, we actually had to punch the prices into a cash register.

I had a guy come in to make a purchase. I undercharged him by mistake, ($1.99 for a $3.99 item), and didn't realize until after the transaction was over. I then told him I had made a $2 mistake, but no prob, I'll just let it go.

2 Days later he came in and bought the same item, when I rang it up at the correct price of $3.99 he asked why he couldn't get it at $1.99 as that is what he had paid before. I reminded him that I had made an entry error on his previous purchase, but now he has to pay regular price.

I have to tell you, he just could not understand why I let him get away with something previously but I wouldn't let him do it again.

Excellent point!

 

[origin62]

I guess my experience is just different than most.

In my dozens of trips and use of hundreds of FastPasses, I have never taken a FP from a machine and had a CM standing there telling me to ignore the time printed on the FP and come back whenever I want.

The difference might be that if I had a FP in my hand with a 1 hour window, it wouldn't occur to me to ASK a CM when I can come back to use my FP.

Apparently when Will Austin picks up his FPs, CMs are wearing sandwich board signs and announcing repeatedly through bullhorns that guests may use their tickets to ride any time they like.

 

[ppony]

I don't understand that, and I also don't understand why Disney didn't enforce it from the start.

Actually, they did. I was behind someone who was trying to get in line about 10 minutes late and they were in a real argument w/ the CM about it. After that, it was until last year before I realized they were letting people through. I imagine enough people decided what "daddy" said (daddy being what is printed on the pass) wasn't the answer they wanted, so they went to mommy, and since the CMs were mommy, they kept having to be the heavies and Disney finally relented. Disney figured enough people (at least for a while) would listen to what was in black and white. Call me provincial, but if it says it in black and white on my ticket or pass, I never go to someone saying "is this for real??"

 

[ftballfan7]

First of all, I am far from ignorant and never did I say anyone else is because they were not following the policy, whether written or not, but definitely inferred by a range of time stamped on a piece of paper. Matter of fact, I didn't refer to anyone as any name whatsoever. I take great offense to someone indicating that my "logic is flawed" or that I am "seemingly ignorant".

And honestly, I doubt that said "policy" is in writing anywhere to be seen none the less quoted. My best guess and probably much more believable is that the CMs were told they could give leeway, but I really would doubt that in the Disney handbook, under FP policy, it says "Allow those who cannot be bound by a time range in whenever they darn well feel like showing up" and the reason I don't believe it is because during our trip in 2009, we witnessed the people directly in front of us being told by the CM that they could not enter because the FP ticket had expired - I also have experienced, personally, where I had shown up to my return window several minutes early and was told I had to wait - now, let's see, if this so-called policy indicates that the time frame printed on the ticket really doesn't mean something, why would they even adhere to start times either?????

This is nonsense - I'm THRILLED Disney is now enforcing it and can't wait to see the effect on my upcoming trip.

It is unfortunate that you have taken offense, but I stand by the notion that you are ignorant of the policies that were in place in regards to this issue. It has been posted many times by cms that there was a written policy allowing late use of fastpasses, but specifically not allowing early use of them. I have even seen copies of this policy (possibly fake but doubtful given the number of cms who have referred to it). In my opinion you should not be offended by my statement. Perhaps you are confusing ignorance with stupidity, I certainately am not calling you stupid. Much like knowledge and intelligence many people confuse the two, but they are very different. I am ignorant in many areas, but I am far from stupid. You are unaware of this policy, hence the ignorance. I don't know how to rebuild the engine on my lawnmower, that doesn't mean I am stupid just ignorant in this regard (I am sure if properly motivated to learn, I could). In so far as a cm telling someone that they couldn't use a fastpass late, these pages are filled with isolated examples of cms not knowing the actual policies. You happened to come across one who was ignorant in this regard (not necessarily stupid mind you). This cm was far outnumbered by those knew it was allowed.

 

[WillAustin]

Apparently when Will Austin picks up his FPs, CMs are wearing sandwich board signs and announcing repeatedly through bullhorns that guests may use their tickets to ride any time they like.

Nice attitude.

I'm just reporting what I saw and heard. It wasn't like they were keeping it a secret at all and just offering guest recovery to a select few. Sorry if that bothers you somehow.

I know I'm not the only one that heard CMs announcing it.

And to be more specific, it was at the FP machines for TSSM and Soarin', during July of last year, right after rope drop.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I used to get FP's and use them when it was convenient for me.

On my May 2012 trip, I found I had to keep checking the time to make sure my FP didn't expire and while I did do everything I wanted, it felt more rushed somehow.
And I didn't like the CM's standing at the FP machines reminding people to only use their FP's within the window. That really bugged me.

FP lines seemed longer too but that could have just been my perception.

I also discovered that I'm going to have to plan more again and have less spontaneity if I want to continue to do as much as I like each trip.

I have a feeling I'm not going to enjoy the whole xpass thing.

 

[goofy4tink]

Before March, when CMs starting enforcing the written policy on FPs, we were allowed to ignore the return time. Yes, there was a 'recommendation' written on the reverse of the FP that said we 'should' return within that hour window. We were allowed by CMs to return at any time.
Policy?? 99% of the CMs allowed late returns. Perhaps it was actually stated, in writing, in a CM handbook, maybe it wasn't written but generally accepted by CMs as policy via their managers. Don't know, don't care. If I chose to use my FP, later than the return window, and I was allowed to ride, fine. On the other hand, if a CM told me that I had missed the return window and I would now have to use the standby line?? So be it. I took that chance. It didn't happen very often though.

So, we are now using a different 'policy'...and I don't much care what we call it. Disney no longer allows us to horde our FPs and use them at the end of the day. They have merely started enforcing the original stated recommendation on the reverse of the FP. And yes, I know that recommendation is vastly different than policy. But all in all....it's written down now..hard to miss when you can, and when you can't, use your FP!! I guess you need to plan accordingly now.

It's just not that big a deal...but there will always be those guests who complain that they aren't allowed to use FPs the way 'they' want to!!! Having said all this...I was one of those guests who used FPs beyond their time....I didn't do it often, but I did it. I was allowed to. But, I also planned pretty well during the day and used my time efficiently. Now?? I'll get a FP if it meets my needs. Period.

 

[UNCFanatik]

It is unfortunate that you have taken offense, but I stand by the notion that you are ignorant of the policies that were in place in regards to this issue. It has been posted many times by cms that there was a written policy allowing late use of fastpasses, but specifically not allowing early use of them. I have even seen copies of this policy (possibly fake but doubtful given the number of cms who have referred to it). In my opinion you should not be offended by my statement. Perhaps you are confusing ignorance with stupidity, I certainately am not calling you stupid. Much like knowledge and intelligence many people confuse the two, but they are very different. I am ignorant in many areas, but I am far from stupid. You are unaware of this policy, hence the ignorance. I don't know how to rebuild the engine on my lawnmower, that doesn't mean I am stupid just ignorant in this regard (I am sure if properly motivated to learn, I could). In so far as a cm telling someone that they couldn't use a fastpass late, these pages are filled with isolated examples of cms not knowing the actual policies. You happened to come across one who was ignorant in this regard (not necessarily stupid mind you). This cm was far outnumbered by those knew it was allowed.

Questions:

1. Why did Disney strictly enforce FP return windows when they first rolled out the FP program?
2. When did they widely start accepting FPs late? Year?
3. Ignorance? Much like your ignorance when you stated that the only reason for the return window on the FP from the beginning was merely a psychological attempt by Disney of modifying behavior? Or have you seen copies of this as well?

 

[cm8]

How hard can it possibly be? You get a fastpass and then you use it. Unless it is for a lot later, you can't have that many at a time. You just stay in the area until you can use it.

I don't get how hard of a thing it is.

currently at WDW with 3 dd's and 2 dgps - know i will get all kinds of flack from those purists who believe in using fp's during the return window, but i have to say how much it has negatively impacted our touring strategy.

we had really become spoiled by being able to accumulate fp's throughout the day and using them as it was most convenient for us - usually saving several sets for later in the day/evening.

now there's a great deal of stress put on deciding what we can fit in before the next window is up and it has significantly detracted from our experience.

really feel like disney is setting the table for charging resort guests for the xpass that will allow guests, for a fee, to purchase fast passes at a set time for headline attractions 6 mos in advance. They have created the demand b/c of the inconvenience that they've caused those of us who can't "work the system" anymore by saving fp's for later use.

ok - take your shots.....

Disney is free to do what it wants at anytime. No one said we had to like it.I'm all in favor of spending my dollars else where when the time comes. I'm not there yet, so WDW will continue to get my dollars until we decide it is no longer advantageous

Um, no. If one understands those rules everyone loves so much, one can still have as many as four (or possibly more) valid FPs at one time per ticket depending on circumstances. I've managed that before, even after March 7.

Fess up, you can fly can't you

The new policy is only bothersome if you let it be bothersome. Instead of griping about how the new policy ruins your old touring plan, how about making a new touring plan that better utilizes the current fastpass policy?

Great post!

I agree with you 100%. Who wants to run from one side of the park to the other and if you get 2 fastpasses for 2 different rides in a certain area, they could be at 2 totally different return times. Such a waste of valuable time running back and forth or staying in an area you don't want to be in, just waiting for your fastpast time to come up. You are probably right about the new fastpast system coming and having something to do with it.

WDW is committed to promoting exercise and making sure we all get our time to " play 60"

 

[RMulieri]

Well..Disney changed its policy.Time to re-evaluate touring plans and move on.Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the concept of the fastpass return times are not that difficult

 

[origin62]

I used to get FP's and use them when it was convenient for me.

On my May 2012 trip, I found I had to keep checking the time to make sure my FP didn't expire and while I did do everything I wanted, it felt more rushed somehow.
And I didn't like the CM's standing at the FP machines reminding people to only use their FP's within the window. That really bugged me.

FP lines seemed longer too but that could have just been my perception.

I also discovered that I'm going to have to plan more again and have less spontaneity if I want to continue to do as much as I like each trip.

I have a feeling I'm not going to enjoy the whole xpass thing.

There's a reason that you heard CMs at the distribution machines reminding guests of the one hour window: After March 7, even though new signs, disneyworld.com, new park maps, new messages on the FP tickets, Disney message boards, and the national media all announced the new enforcement, guests still went to Guest Relations and complained that "no one told them" they couldn't use their FPs late anymore.