Returning outside of FastPass window

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Three times last week, we weren’t quite able to make it to an attraction within the FP window or grace period.

Each time, we were 20-25 minutes beyond the FP window, or 5-10 minutes beyond the grace period. All 3 times, the attendant overrode the blue Mickey and let us in without question.

Do they ever actually turn you away for being late?

 

[FCDub]

I'm sure they do.

People should not make a habit of it. An hour (plus the grace period on either side) should be long enough to successfully make it to your destination in time.

 

[CAS239]

Yes they can turn you away. Usually they'll just let you in and override it if the line isn't long.

It's pretty hard to completely miss a FP window and the grace period. I would pay attention to your windows and not make it a habit

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, I've seen CM's turn people away who were outside the grace period. It wasn't pretty and I felt bad for the CM. You were fortunate, but I wouldn't count on it happening every time.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

It's pretty hard to completely miss a FP window and the grace period. I would pay attention to your windows and not make it a habit

My problem was making our initial FP reservations for 9:30 am thinking that we could make it to the park and to the first attraction by 10:45. It turns out that nobody wanted to get up early enough to make it by then. Fortunately, the Refresh strategy combined with short lines at night still let us ride almost everything multiple times with little to no wait.

Next time, I'm not booking any FPs before 10 am.

 

[Klayfish]

My problem was making our initial FP reservations for 9:30 am thinking that we could make it to the park and to the first attraction by 10:45. It turns out that nobody wanted to get up early enough to make it by then. Fortunately, the Refresh strategy combined with short lines at night still let us ride almost everything multiple times with little to no wait.

Next time, I'm not booking any FPs before 10 am.

LOL...been there, done that. We've had a few mornings where we have a FP+ booked from 9am to 10am and we're scrambling through the gate to try to make it for the end of the grace period.

 

[cheerbaybee]

I live an hour away from Disney and planned a trip this past weekend with my best friend that has not attended for years. With I-4 traffic we showed up wayy later than expected. I scheduled a Fast Pass for toy Story mania for 4pm-5pm. Well we did not arrive at the park until 4:55pm. We rushed to Toy Story to use our Fast Pass and the Cast member said there is a 15 minute grace period. Not sure if that's true across the board.

 

[JETSDAD]

I live an hour away from Disney and planned a trip this past weekend with my best friend that has not attended for years. With I-4 traffic we showed up wayy later than expected. I scheduled a Fast Pass for toy Story mania for 4pm-5pm. Well we did not arrive at the park until 4:55pm. We rushed to Toy Story to use our Fast Pass and the Cast member said there is a 15 minute grace period. Not sure if that's true across the board.

Yes, for rides it will automatically go green 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after. Shows are different because they have a start time to them.

 

[mesaboy2]

I live an hour away from Disney and planned a trip this past weekend with my best friend that has not attended for years. With I-4 traffic we showed up wayy later than expected. I scheduled a Fast Pass for toy Story mania for 4pm-5pm. Well we did not arrive at the park until 4:55pm. We rushed to Toy Story to use our Fast Pass and the Cast member said there is a 15 minute grace period. Not sure if that's true across the board.

From Post #2 of the FP FAQ:

- FP return windows for most rides and character M&Gs are 60 minutes long. The FP system normally allows a grace period of 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the return window, but guests are advised against relying on the grace period.

 

[GeneralTso]

We've had it happen a few times and it's never been a problem. Once it was by an hour! They were very nice about it, no problem and we got on. I just thought we'd try but didn't expect to be let on.

We were just at Flight of Passage recently and saw them let a family on with expired FP times. Not sure how long past but they were great and waved them through. It depends on who is working and how hospitable they are at the moment. I've never seen anyone turned away, although I'm sure it happens.

 

[BrianL]

I think this may very much depend on the ride and how busy it is. If the CM can, they will probably take pity on you and let you slide, but on something like Flight of Passage, I doubt they'll be too lenient.

 

[SouloTravlr]

My problem was making our initial FP reservations for 9:30 am thinking that we could make it to the park and to the first attraction by 10:45. It turns out that nobody wanted to get up early enough to make it by then. Fortunately, the Refresh strategy combined with short lines at night still let us ride almost everything multiple times with little to no wait.

Next time, I'm not booking any FPs before 10 am.

Next time, modify the time.

 

[Timmy Boy]

They only time I've turned people away was if they're too early (like, 2 hours early) or too late (I had a 4 hour late once, I denied that)

 

[cuteinnocent]

I miss the good ol days when they never cared about the end times for regular FP (not +), could use them anytime!

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

Last time we were there, we missed the time at 2 of our FP locations and they said fine and let us in. We missed the time at Space Mountain and they refused us. A little more information, my SIL was trying to wrangle 3 people on scooters and our DGD13.
@ CMs were understanding that it is difficult to get 3 handicapped people around the park in a resonable time. The other did not care.
Just don't assume that a CM will let you in.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Once we were 6 minutes too early for a FP, and the CM told us we had to wait. An entire one minute.

 

[JETSDAD]

Once we were 6 minutes too early for a FP, and the CM told us we had to wait. An entire one minute.

Most CM's on our last trip would let us through if we had shown up 10-15 minutes before our FP time. Only one didn't and made us wait the 2 minutes until our 5 minute grace period opened. I'm fine with it as that's the rule....it's nice when they do let you in early though.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Once we were 6 minutes too early for a FP, and the CM told us we had to wait. An entire one minute.

Yes. We've been told to wait when we were to early too. We've never missed a grace period being too late so I can't speak to that.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I've seen people in the FP line for 7DMT turned away for being 30 mins too early, as well as too late. Of course this is a very popular ride so I assume they are much more strict about this. I had pixie dust once when I was ill during my FP return time and returned just a hair outside the grace period and the very understanding CM allowed us on, however I was very prepared for them to say no. I think it really does depend on line length and the CM working. I've learned to schedule my FP starting 9:45/10am that way in case there are any morning surprises or transportation issues, I have somewhat of a buffer. I also try to schedule that FP as one that if I miss I will not be very upset over - so if possible I wouldn't schedule 7DMT that early.

 

[MomOTwins]

I have been turned away every single time we've been early, even a little. I have never been late, but I understand why they would be more lenient for late arrivals. For earlier arrivals, I expect they are worried about people trying to game the system by moving up their first three FPs to add a 4th FP before anyone else.