No Time Limit On Fastpass?????

[luvtoall]

I was reading my uog to wdw and it states that you must return during the time allotted. Has anyone been turned away if they show up LATER then the time?
Last winter we came to the rides after the stated time and we were always allowed in with no problems. Once during a ride shut down, a cm told me not to worry I could use my fastpass later the WEEK if I had to, we did not try it.
Sorry if this was already ask.

 

[lentesta]

Hi luvtoall,

Thanks for reading the Unofficial Guide. Technically, you're supposed to return to the attraction during your FASTPASS time window, and in theory Disney can decline to honor your FASTPASS if you don't. In practice, however, it is rare for Disney to deny folks entry to the FASTPASS line, even if your FASTPASS return time is from several hours earlier. If the park is particularly crowded or you get a Castmember who follows the rules to the letter, however, you may be denied entry. You'll find examples of both practices here on the DISBoards.

As for using a FASTPASS from earlier in the week due to a ride shutdown, it's Disney's park and they get to make the rules. And it sounds fair to me under those circumstances.

Thanks again for reading the Guide.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[ttfn3]

We did this in October when we had a fastpass for Test Track. I was totally honest with the CM at the entrance to the FastPass line and asked him if we could use the fastpass (it was for the afternoon and we didn't get back there until the evening). He said sure. The CM at the top of the Fast Pass line doesn't check the times. So, it's worth a try. Just be sure to tell the CM at the entrance to the FP line.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We were at ToT in October and pulled a fastpass for the ride. At the time it wasn't busy, but we anticipated that it might be later when we'd want to use the fastpass. During our fastpass window we went to ride the ride and the CM told us not to use our fastpass since it wasn't crowded and that we could use it later in the day.

Of course, like Lentesta said, a person could go back to use an expired fastpass and be denied entry. I wouldn't plan on this strategy, but if I had an unused fastpass from earlier in the day I would sure ask about using it.

T&B

 

[seashoreCM]

Somewhere, somewhere, on these boards there was a pet peeve about seeing another guest up ahead telling the fast pass CM that so and so told him he could do such and such.

When you come back in the evening to use your afternoon fast pass, a different CM may be at the entrance to the ride and treat you differently than you thought.

If there was a ride breakdown, the policy is to let guests come back later (not days later) with their expired fast passes. Otherwise, according to the rules, if the fast pass has expired, it has.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I myself have once heard a CM at the exit turnstiles saying you do not need a handstamp. Wrong. You should insist on asking for a handstamp (if you cannot count on remembering the CM's name, and time, when you hop to another park).

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally posted by seashoreCM

I myself have once heard a CM at the exit turnstiles saying you do not need a handstamp. Wrong. You should insist on asking for a handstamp (if you cannot count on remembering the CM's name, and time, when you hop to another park).

Thank you! (coming from a CM who has to stamp hands as part of my job)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Personally, I would take the advice of the UOG. I don't know about recently, because we're not going until Dec., but I do know that a while back WDW had started cracking down on FP abuse. Obviously, they have become lax about it now and have moved on to something else, but you never know when the FP system will come back on the radar, and they'll be telling CM's to crack down again. I for one would hate to miss out on a ride that I really wanted, because I didn't make my FP window. Then again, if you can't possibly make it back to the ride during your FP window, then it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[jdonat]

Hm. Last NYE, we had Fastpasses for Space
Mountain that were really old (like +6hrs) after
our listed time. The CM took them with no
problem, but we did get an "eyebrow arch" when
we presented them. At the time, standby time
for Space was over 3hrs (180 mins)! We saw
it later that evening at 270 mins!!!!! WOW!..
We've NEVER had an issue with "late" fastpasses.

Hope this helps!

John

 

[sjms71]

I've had cast members tell me that you can technically use your FP after the expired time. We were there over Easter this year. Of course very busy. We didn't get to the FP return until 10min before it "expired". However, when we got there the FP line was 20 min long at least. Concerned we asked a cast member and that's when they told me you can use them anytime after just not before.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am one of the rare examples who have been turned away with a FP about 15 minutes expired. I wish I knew now how many have had them honored. Due to a snaffuu in seating with a PS at Sci Fi my dd's and I ran late and literally ran to Star Tours. I thought since its not a total E Ticket (as compared to RnRC or TOT) we could probably use the FP's. Plus its my youngest dd's favorite MGM ride.

Needless to say the CM at the FP entrance was not going to let us in even though my 7yo was near tears and I explained that they had a problem at Sci Fi. Nope, nada, no way and in fact she took the fast passes from us and sent us on our merry way.

So I would not plan on using the "expired FP method of touring" that some recommend but if I legimately missed my window I would try again.

As far as breakdowns we were in TT on a breakdown day and the CM told us it was good anytime during the trip if the ride stayed down that day. If TT was to become operational that day then we would have to use the FP that day. How they keep track who knows but that's the info I got.

TJ

 

[lkc0538]

We are just back and used expired fastpasses on RNRC and Buzz in MK. We were told by CM's by the fastpass machines that it was OK to use them after the time window. We never got an eyebrow raise, or any question. They only seemed concerned with people trying to get in before their fastpass time. And, we used our fastpasses for RNRC about 4 hours after expiration.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

tjmw2727, that's terrible that you weren't allowed to use yours that close to the time window! Especially since you had planned to make it and had a PS problem. They never should have treated you that way even if that was their rule!

T&B

 

[clkelley]

What annoys me the most is folks that crowd that FP CM up to 20 minutes before their FP time!!!!!

The whole reason of the FP is so your not waiting!! Go do something, go take some pictures, grab a snack, go to the restroom, do a quick attraction!!!

I NEVER approach the FP station until at least 10 minutes after my time, cause I'm usually off getting my next FP.

Carol

 

[CindyAnn]

clkelley - I'm with you! It's just so annoying when people gather around the fastpass return line before their passes are active. Go on a different ride! Get a snack! Shop! Sit on a bench! Go to the bathroom! Just stop blocking the entrance to the fastpass return line!

On our trip over Christmas last year, I can't tell you how many times it looked like the fastpass return line was absolutely massive. Then we would slowly proceed to the front, asking "excuse me, but are you waiting in the line?" to every group in front of us, who would then squeeze out of our way, telling us they had 10 or 15 more minutes to wait. On more than one occasion EVERY SINGLE PERSON (I mean out of 50 or 60 people) was still waiting for their fastpass time to become active.

There HAS to be something better to do than hanging around like that. You got the fastpass in the first place just so you wouldn't HAVE to hang around.

Okay, pet peeve now over.

 

[got2travel]

I've never been turned away with a past due FP at either WDW or DL. The closest I ever got was a polite "Please try to return during your alotted time next time" when I returned 2 hours later for Soarin in Calif Adventure.