Unexpected addition to party - FP issues?

[DavidNYC]

Party of 5 who has had FP planned from 60 days out. Couples days prior to trip find out 6th person who initially wasn't going to be able to come on trip can now come on trip.

For the rides where we cannot add her to the FP, how accommodating have people found FP attendants in allowing the 6th person w/o a FP to join a party of 5?

I really want first hand experiences and not speculations based on your take on the rules such as "they may or may not" or "just ride the rides you can FP for her" etc.

At one point I thought I remember a thread that said something to the extent of if you've got a group of 5 or more all with FP and one member doesn't have it they've usually been accommodating. I know they're completely within their right to say "no" but I expect this happens a bunch with a single additional person joining so wanted to know your personal experiences with what you've seen.

 

[Capang]

I have never heard of someone w/o a FP being allowed in the FP queue. We never tried, but I am pretty certain that you absolutely must have a FP to enter the FP queue.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I was allowed through the Splash FP entrance when I tapped my MB and Mickey turned blue while my CM friend tapped the other FP touchpoint and her Mickey turned green.

We had used up our 3 Anytime FPs that were linked to our MDE Profiles with room account MBs. My Guest Pass held the true Splash FP but before I could pull out my Guest Pass, I was waved through. I was surprised as it was my mix-up in not tapping the correct link to my FP.

 

[No.1000]

I think it might depend on what you were riding. They were for sure turning away people at Pandora this weekend for example.

 

[ErinsMommy]

If a child - one of the adults in our group has given our MB up so the kids can go together. Best bet is to look for one that overlaps the time frame. Just some alternatives.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

The attendant at Test Track let someone in our group in who could only get a FP an hour after our pre booked ones. They let him in an hour early for his window. This does not usually happen and we were shocked they let us do it when we asked. I would not count on it but doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[bashuck]

Party of 5 who has had FP planned from 60 days out. Couples days prior to trip find out 6th person who initially wasn't going to be able to come on trip can now come on trip.

For the rides where we cannot add her to the FP, how accommodating have people found FP attendants in allowing the 6th person w/o a FP to join a party of 5?

I really want first hand experiences and not speculations based on your take on the rules such as "they may or may not" or "just ride the rides you can FP for her" etc.

At one point I thought I remember a thread that said something to the extent of if you've got a group of 5 or more all with FP and one member doesn't have it they've usually been accommodating. I know they're completely within their right to say "no" but I expect this happens a bunch with a single additional person joining so wanted to know your personal experiences with what you've seen.

You say you don't want 'speculation' but that is the best you are going to get unless the person commenting will be the cast member you encounter. If you go up to 15 CMs I imagine you will have success a few times. You say you have heard 'usually', which would suggest more than half. Far less likely on something like Pandora with 200+ minute wait times.

 

[DanSG]

I have had the same issue before and all you have to do is go to the Guest Relations inside of the park. Where they have the ability to force add a person to the group of fastpasses even if on the "front-end" they were not available

 

[Shanti]

I have never heard of someone w/o a FP being allowed in the FP queue.

I've seen it happen repeatedly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would first try to find overlapping FP+ times. For example, if your party of 5 have an FP+ for 1 pm - 2 pm, look for anything for 1 person within, say the 12:05 pm - 1:55 pm range. It doesn't give you a lot of wiggle room if you find a FP+ for 1 at the extreme end of that range, but at least you all will have FP+ within the same time frame. (We had to use this trick when Anna and Elsa were in MK and finding multiples of FP+ were slim to none).

If that doesn't work, I would stop at guest services to see if they can help you. People add guests last minute all the time, so they will try to accomodate you.

 

[stinkpickle]

I would contact Guest Relations first.

 

[DavidNYC]

I have had the same issue before and all you have to do is go to the Guest Relations inside of the park. Where they have the ability to force add a person to the group of fastpasses even if on the "front-end" they were not available

Thanks - that's probably a good idea if they'd do that. I'd think with a group of 5 adding a single person they may be willing. I've had several occasions over the years where for one reason or another one person in our group had a FP issue and the scanner didn't turn green but they've always just waived the person through with us without a second thought when it was a single person (and have seen that a number of times with groups in front of us). Was mostly curious if others have had the same experience or if I've just gotten lucky on those occasions.

 

[VillainFavs]

Even if others have had the experience of being let through, is that a risk you want to take? What happens when you get there and it doesn't work?

Just make the correct FPs so you don't need to wonder about it.

 

[DavidNYC]

Even if others have had the experience of being let through, is that a risk you want to take? What happens when you get there and it doesn't work?

Just make the correct FPs so you don't need to wonder about it.

You missed the entire premise of the question which is why I tried to specifically say no need for a post to say go back and redo them. I get that I can do that. The question was asking for people's actual experiences when they had a late addition to a larger party for the attractions you cannot "make the correct FPs" for on a days notice after having made the rest of your plans 60 days out. The FP are set - many of them we can make for the 6th but some cannot.

 

[Canesfan3234]

As long as you aren't abusing it and trying to get 5 people added to your group of 5, they will let your entire group on the ride together.Just tell the CM that you have fastpasses for 5 but ended up being 6 people. Ask him/her to do you a favor and they will accommodate.

If the fastpass is for one of the Pandora rides, you may have an issue due toe the exceptionally high demand.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is up to CM discretion. I will admit in my experience if it is a CM who is traveling with family other CMs are usually take pitty as they know how hard it is to manage their admission sometimes with family friends who may have planned 60 days out but now they can't match them. It also really depends on the time of year and ride.

7DMT always have been told no. Things like Haunted Mansion, Little mermaid, pirates, etc usually waved through. Again every CM is given the ability to do it but there is never a guarantee and there is no set rule saying CMs should do it they are all trained to use their discretion i.e. what is the seat set up of your ride?, what is the current FP wait?, was the ride down at all today adding to a wait?, is this a new attraction?, is it off limits for guest recovery?.

I would get what you can that has some sort of overlap in the window and search for the 6th person as a single since you'll have more luck.

 

[adisneyaunt]

We ve had to do the hour overlap option and cm at test track and Soar n allowed us all to go thru. (We asked at the first ck point. ..they graciously allowed it) they changed it to green and we went.
We ve also been denied explaining the same way ( think it was at Splash at MK the following day) not sure tho.

I would honestly think ur best bet is go to guest services inside the first park you go to, ( personally find MK most helpful from my experience with a myriad of questions) explain ur situation of a family member add on and ask if they can accommodate. You just never know..best of luck!

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

As others have said, CM discretion. When I used to work at Jungle, I would wave 1 family member without a FP through 9 times out of 10. That being said, I had coworkers who would never ever wave anyone through.

I would recommend 1) trying to get overlapping FP windows or similarish windows, or 2) going to GR and explaining the situation.

 

[VillainFavs]

You missed the entire premise of the question which is why I tried to specifically say no need for a post to say go back and redo them. I get that I can do that. The question was asking for people's actual experiences when they had a late addition to a larger party for the attractions you cannot "make the correct FPs" for on a days notice after having made the rest of your plans 60 days out. The FP are set - many of them we can make for the 6th but some cannot.

So you don't want speculation. You want actual experience. And what will that tell you? That some people have gotten in, some have not. So you're right back at speculation.

All I'm trying to say is that it doesn't really matter what other people's experience has been. That has nothing to do with what your experience may or may not be. If the CM says no, you can't say, "Well, I read on the DIS that other people were allowed through, so I thought it would be okay."

As others have suggested, try to get that one overlapping FP, go to guest services, or take a chance on maybe or maybe not getting through. Those are the only options. And those won't change regardless of what anyone else's experience has been.

 

[HopperFan]

It is up to CM discretion. I will admit in my experience if it is a CM who is traveling with family other CMs are usually take pitty as they know how hard it is to manage their admission sometimes with family friends who may have planned 60 days out but now they can't match them. It also really depends on the time of year and ride.

7DMT always have been told no. Things like Haunted Mansion, Little mermaid, pirates, etc usually waved through. Again every CM is given the ability to do it but there is never a guarantee and there is no set rule saying CMs should do it they are all trained to use their discretion i.e. what is the seat set up of your ride?, what is the current FP wait?, was the ride down at all today adding to a wait?, is this a new attraction?, is it off limits for guest recovery?.

I would get what you can that has some sort of overlap in the window and search for the 6th person as a single since you'll have more luck.

^THIIS

DD worked at Soarin' and got all kinds of excuses why there was no FP+ on their tickets. Management was pretty strict and when she first got there she would refer all guests without a time to speak to a manager at the desk or go to GR. The more popular the ride the more CMs see folks trying to get in without a pass.

Your story is not a malfunction of the system, your story is you didn't book a FP+ for them. In case you aren't seeing the bigger picture, having a policy to allow this person in the line opens a wide door of abuse and folks working the system. So your best bet to avoid a problem at the ride is keep looking for the overlap or go to GR and plead your case.