Returning outside of FastPass window

[JETSDAD]

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.

Moving up FP's isn't gaming the system...there's a modify feature for a reason. Making someone wait 1 minute isn't going to make a difference and it doesn't stop anyone from getting their first 3 FP's done early. I don't care if we have to wait until the 5 minute grace period because it is what it is but it's not to stop people from making more FP's.

 

[MomOTwins]

Moving up FP's isn't gaming the system...there's a modify feature for a reason. Making someone wait 1 minute isn't going to make a difference and it doesn't stop anyone from getting their first 3 FP's done early. I don't care if we have to wait until the 5 minute grace period because it is what it is but it's not to stop people from making more FP's.

Sure, you can pick “burner” rides for your first three and modify them easily, but if you FP harder to get rides early there is not always a lot of ability to move up your second and third fp to an earlier time.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

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.

I think it's more likely that telling someone they can't use their FP when they're late means they can't use it at all which a lot of CMs may not want to do and people may have reasonable reasons for being late. Not letting someone use it early is simply a minor inconvenience so much easier for the CM to say and much less likely that the guest is going to be upset.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

I'll admit I have no idea how the system works, but my guess is that if someone were let through early, the system would not count that as using their FP. Then they could go around again and get on the FP line during their window, thus getting 2 rides from 1 FP. THAT would be gaming the system.

 

[JETSDAD]

I'll admit I have no idea how the system works, but my guess is that if someone were let through early, the system would not count that as using their FP. Then they could go around again and get on the FP line during their window, thus getting 2 rides from 1 FP. THAT would be gaming the system.

That's not how it works. 5 minutes or less early and it goes green on it's own (using the FP). Earlier than that the CM has to do an override to allow you through but it also uses up the FP.

 

[Remy is Up]

Never had a problem using the grace period on the end, but, have learned to wait till dead on the grace period prior because I have always been turned away if we are beyond the 5 minute window early.

 

[westie55]

We missed a FP window once to Peter Pan by about 30 minutes. The cast member was adamant that she couldn't let us in. I did ask politely if she was willing to let us pass but she became annoyed and basically scolded me for asking. I wouldn't count on being let in if you get there after the grace period.

 

[ellbell]

I've never even attempted before or after the grace period. You're given an hour and 20 minutes to make the ride for the time you scheduled, attempting outside of that is unfair to the people in standby. If you can't make it in the time allotted then write it off and get a different fastpass.

Being late for anything in general is rude and inconsiderate. If you can't make it on time then maybe time management is a skill that needs work.

 

[westie55]

If you can't make it in the time allotted then write it off and get a different fastpass.

Being late for anything in general is rude and inconsiderate. If you can't make it on time then maybe time management is a skill that needs work.

With all due respect, I think this statement oversimplifies what can be a complicated situation. Deliberately showing up late for no reason is rude and inconsiderate, but there many varied and valid reasons why someone might be late, including illness, a delayed flight, a monorail breakdown, a family emergency, attending to a medical need, etc. These unforeseen circumstances have nothing to do with people being rude or inconsiderate. While I agree that if the cast members say no, you have to write it off and get a different fastpass, for some families Disney is a once in a lifetime thing and missing out on any one experience might be a tougher pill to swallow for some than others. For example, consider the 5-year-old who misses her chance to ride Peter Pan and see Tinkerbell, her favorite character, because her brother had a seizure and there are no longer any FP available for that ride. I don't think it's rude or inconsiderate to ask for an exception so long as one is willing to accept if the answer is no. While some people showing up late may need to work on time management, it is in my opinion not fair to make the judgment that it is true for everyone. Remember, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

 

[AngiTN]

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)

I was just going to say that is the only thing I've seen happen regularly. Otherwise I see lots of times they let blue Mickey's in. I suspect it's cases of late guests

 

[AngiTN]

I've never even attempted before or after the grace period. You're given an hour and 20 minutes to make the ride for the time you scheduled, attempting outside of that is unfair to the people in standby. If you can't make it in the time allotted then write it off and get a different fastpass.

Being late for anything in general is rude and inconsiderate. If you can't make it on time then maybe time management is a skill that needs work.

Heavens this is not like being late for a flight that you caused to stay on the ground. It's a ride at Disney for goodness sakes. Where is your compassion at the happiest place on Earth?

 

[AngiTN]

We missed a FP window once to Peter Pan by about 30 minutes. The cast member was adamant that she couldn't let us in. I did ask politely if she was willing to let us pass but she became annoyed and basically scolded me for asking. I wouldn't count on being let in if you get there after the grace period.

Of course you should never count on it. But at the same time it never hurts to ask

 

[AngiTN]

I'll admit I have no idea how the system works, but my guess is that if someone were let through early, the system would not count that as using their FP. Then they could go around again and get on the FP line during their window, thus getting 2 rides from 1 FP. THAT would be gaming the system.

No, they mark the FP used when you are manually let in by the CM. That's why the CM had to do key strokes when you go in after it turns blue

 

[AngiTN]

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.

Moving FP up is not gaming the system. Why would it be? So you have a FP use it, move the next one up, if possible, use it, move the next one up if possible, use it, and so on. What is being done against a rule? Or what system had been gamed? Not a one. All within the guidelines. It's often why people will book their first 3 FP very early, so they have a better chance to move them up

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With all due respect, I think this statement oversimplifies what can be a complicated situation.

Agreed. I've lost track of how many times WDW has thoroughly let us down in regards to holding up their end of the deal, where we lost 30+ minutes or more because of something WDW did wrong. Things like: breakdowns, wildly inaccurate wait times, and being seated over 30minutes PAST our ADR (even though we arrived early), or 20+ minutes to correct a mistake on our bill.

A great many times we've been seated more than an HOUR past our ADR window.

Indeed, Disney needs to work on their time management skills!

I think it is crazy how willing we are to be manipulated by WDW crazy system!

If a customer wakes up at 7am on day 60 to get a FP, but misses the time window because WDW didn't provide timely service - as advertised- then the customer shouldn't be penalized. Period.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Universal is usually better about posted times than WDW, but at a special event we were told the wait would be about 45minutes. It ended up being well over TWO HOURS!

At first the line moved relatively well, but about 30minutes in, it more or less stopped moving. We get out of line, because we couldn't see the front of the line, we kept thinking we were close to the front. It was only after we'd lost 90minutes that we saw the front of the line, and by then, well...we were to invested to leave.

If an accurate wait time been posted, we never would have gotten in line. When we finally arrived the front of the line, the experience was a VERY underwhelming 15 seconds.

We expected to be done around 11:45am, and instead it was after 1pm: a BIG difference when you are all HUNGRY. When a theme parks makes that kind of mistake, we do expect some kind of reasonable accommodation from the company.

 

[Victoria3]

With all due respect, I think this statement oversimplifies what can be a complicated situation. Deliberately showing up late for no reason is rude and inconsiderate, but there many varied and valid reasons why someone might be late, including illness, a delayed flight, a monorail breakdown, a family emergency, attending to a medical need, etc. These unforeseen circumstances have nothing to do with people being rude or inconsiderate. While I agree that if the cast members say no, you have to write it off and get a different fastpass, for some families Disney is a once in a lifetime thing and missing out on any one experience might be a tougher pill to swallow for some than others. For example, consider the 5-year-old who misses her chance to ride Peter Pan and see Tinkerbell, her favorite character, because her brother had a seizure and there are no longer any FP available for that ride. I don't think it's rude or inconsiderate to ask for an exception so long as one is willing to accept if the answer is no. While some people showing up late may need to work on time management, it is in my opinion not fair to make the judgment that it is true for everyone. Remember, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

If you miss your FP there's always the standby line. You can still experience the attraction.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I twisted my ankle on one of the tracks on main street and went to first aide to put up my foot and get some ice. Fool that I was instead of just leaving the park I decided to at least stay through my 3 FP+.

I was late for the first one by 30 minutes and the cast member took one look at me limping along and let me in. I was surprised she did and happy too.

The other 2 I was able to make before heading out for the rest of the day. I sat at the pool after that and the next day my ankle was much better so I wrapped it up and resumed my normal plans.