Must be the heat or something because you folks have gone insane. I do not understand why we are still trying to prove if it was alright to use FP after the window, and whether or not it was a policy change or enforcement change.
I'm not sure why it matters because we have to work with what we have and that is enforced FP times. We can whine, cry, call each other names, stamp our feet, hold our breath until we turn blue. It's not going to change over that information.
We are surrounded with people here that spend time on the Disney boards. I hate to burst anyone's bubble but in the overall scope of Disney Guests, we aren't even a freckle on a hippos butt.
Fact: Disney started out with an enforced FP window and they did that for a reason. Over time it just became simpler to let people go in late then to argue with them. The numbers were too small to matter. Over more time that number probably grew. New CM's were introduced to the scene that never new the other policy really existed or were told to just let them in. Witnessed by the printing on the FP ticket the policy never changed. One hour time window. To have any affect on anything along with Policy comes Policy enforcement. What changed was policy enforcement. Seems like a small difference but if they were really pushing for anytime usage the FP would have stated a starting time to end of day.
What they have changed now is FP enforcement policy, but, you know what, that doesn't really amount to a snowball in hell when it comes to pointing a finger and saying that people were doing wrong when they used them later. The people that were in total control of that situation was Disney. Whatever reason they had, they created the monster. As an average guest, I have no idea exactly why they changed back to enforcement but with a little thought it would have to be the new system that they want to introduce.
I remember the wording used when a CM would tell you it's OK to use. It was worded like they were doing you a favor in the beginning, later they didn't say anything, they just took the pass and waved you through. Now they don't! That is the reality! That is what we now have to live with, whether or not we ever had to before. Throwing in moral standards is fruitless. There was nothing immoral about it. It was a perk that Disney happily (it seemed) extended to FP holders and over time I'm sure the reason was lost on everyone considering the turnover in the place.
Instead of whining about how it used to be why aren't we taking seriously the advice that is being given. Plan around the most important part of your schedule and if you say that riding splash mountain is the most important part then one should seriously reexamine their priority's.
I have offered some suggestions, but frankly the nature of the situation limits the number of options. What we have now is take a FP for a time that works for you without conflicts. If you have a conflict...don't take one. Seems harsh, but such is life sometimes. If you take one and then can't use it because of a change in plans, try to find a time that you can swap for with others. If you took one that you know conflicted and now you are stuck without one...well whose fault was that. You know the rules, why did you think that they didn't apply to you.
In the meantime, get over it. Fastpass is what it is until they change it again. My only hope is if the do change it again, it is better then now cause this stuff is tiring.
