Fastpass Return Times

[roodlesnouter]

Firstly guys and gals let me say hello :wave: I've been browsing for ages but this is my first post. Love this forum especially the rumours threads.

There is a rumour doing the rounds that Disney are going to reinforce the return time of fastpasses, meaning we will have to return on the designated times on the ticket. I'm really hoping this is untrue as I like to "Bank" my passes or park hop and use later. Apparently you will no longer be able to use AFTER the allotted time so no more using a pass at 7pm that had a 13.00- 14.00 window.

Any one got a heads up on this?:veryconfu

 

[powlessfamily4]

I experienced this in September. We showed up to use our Soarin Fastpasses, 10 minutes early, and were asked to stand to the side because we still had a 10 minute wait.,

When the time was up we were allowed to go.

 

[wdwmagic]

I experienced this in September. We showed up to use our Soarin Fastpasses, 10 minutes early, and were asked to stand to the side because we still had a 10 minute wait.,

When the time was up we were allowed to go.

You have never been allowed to enter early. This is something that has been enforced.

In terms of the end time being enforced, this has never really been done. As long as you are trying to enter after your start time, even if the FP windows has passed, you have been allowed in.

It has been rumored for a couple of years now that they will enforce the end time. However, with dining, transport delays, and people just getting lost, I'm not sure Disney want the guest hassle of them being told they can't enter. We'll see.

 

[CaptainShortty]

I experienced this in September. We showed up to use our Soarin Fastpasses, 10 minutes early, and were asked to stand to the side because we still had a 10 minute wait.,

When the time was up we were allowed to go.

I'm not sure this is what the OP is talking about. It has always been true that you had to wait until the minimum return time (aka 3:30 on a 3:30 to 4:30 ticket) to use your FP. What I think the OP is referring to is going AFTER the latest return time on the ticket says (aka later than 4:30 on a 3:30 to 4:30 ticket).

If that's what the OP is referring to, I have not heard anything about that and definitely hope that it is NOT true. I love being able to get one and then feel free to use it as late in the day as I feel. It makes the day much more relaxing. I'd be curious too to see what people have seen, heard, experienced in the matter.

 

[GLaDOS]

Please, please, please let this be the case. The accepting of late fastpasses is a blight on humanity that needs to be destroyed.*

*Dramatization

But seriously...this would be great and fix a lot of the problems with the current fastpass system.

 

[G00fyDad]

 

[Fractal514]

I hope this is true.

 

[plaz10]

The fact that there are delays in transportation, dining, rides being broken down, crowds....it may nto always be possible to use the FP between the times. Disney knows that they'll deal with way more complaints if they start strictly enforcing FP return times after they are valid.

 

[the-reason14]

I hope not, but either way I could still use them. Just go to guest relations and tell them to write new ones for you.

 

[Scuttle]

You have never been allowed to enter early. This is something that has been enforced.

In terms of the end time being enforced, this has never really been done. As long as you are trying to enter after your start time, even if the FP windows has passed, you have been allowed in.

It has been rumored for a couple of years now that they will enforce the end time. However, with dining, transport delays, and people just getting lost, I'm not sure Disney want the guest hassle of them being told they can't enter. We'll see.

Well this is true, but more then once me and my GF have actually had fastpasses that had a 5 minute difference on them and they let us go in with the early one. That's about all they will do though for letting people in early from my experiences.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

I experienced this in September. We showed up to use our Soarin Fastpasses, 10 minutes early, and were asked to stand to the side because we still had a 10 minute wait.,

When the time was up we were allowed to go.

That's always been the case, and let me stress to you how profoundly annoying it is to have people line up 10-15 minutes before their Fastpass becomes valid. It creates a bottleneck and a rush when that time actually comes up. Then you have fists flying with cries of "Hey they cut! We've been standing here for 15 minutes!" when the standby sign next door says 15 minutes and lo and behold you could have already boarded the attraction.

The FP says "Return ANYTIME Between 2:00 and 3:00" which is a span of sixty (60) minutes AKA one (1) hour. It does not say "Return By 2:00 and if you're a minute late this Fastpass is no longer valid."

You would be shocked at how many guests see the first time on their ticket and stop reading. They give you that hour window so you DON'T have to rush to get back. And if anytime after that top time is inconvenient for you, come back later and save the FP for someone who isn't going to rush the attraction 10 minutes early and then get huffy because they can't come in yet.

And one last thing: the time on your watch/cell phone/iPod is irrelevant to any Attraction host as they have their own clock to go by. Please don't keep coming up to them stating your [insert electronic device] says [return time]. They know you're still waiting and will let you in when their clock matches the time on your FP.

Just go to guest relations and tell them to write new ones for you.

I would also like to point out that simply going to Guest Relations and demanding something that was denied you because you did not follow the guidelines that were set when you obtained something is about the absolute worst way to get any form of compensation. You will likely leave Guest Relations more disappointed than when you came in.

 

[GLaDOS]

The fact that there are delays in transportation, dining, rides being broken down, crowds....it may nto always be possible to use the FP between the times.

No offense...but why are you even getting a fastpass any time when you plan on using transportation outside the park or eating? If you know you have to do any of those around the FP return time...don't get a fastpass. Simple as that. If you think you won't be there in time, don't get it. If you have an emergency situation where you have to leave the park, tough luck. That's not Disney's fault and your place in the "virtual line"(which is what fastpass is supposed to be) is lost.

As for broken down rides, that's a different situation entirely, and I'm sure they would accommodate them accordingly.

 

[Scuttle]

Please, please, please let this be the case. The accepting of late fastpasses is a blight on humanity that needs to be destroyed.*

*Dramatization

But seriously...this would be great and fix a lot of the problems with the current fastpass system.

I would like it if they started enforcing the return times as long as the fastpass tickets from people who don't show up in the hour window become available for other people to get. This would be the only way this could work. It's absurd to get a fastpass at 11:00am for TSM with a return time of 7:00 - 8:00pm and expect that those people to be able to make it back in that exact timeframe. That's why under the current fastpass system enforcing the return times will never happen. If they change the system to enforcing return times but allowing no show tickets to go back into the system for later use then this really could work and keep the fastpass return times more reasonable throughout the day.

 

[G00fyDad]

I would like it if they started enforcing the return times as long as the fastpass tickets from people who don't show up in the hour window become available for other people to get. This would be the only way this could work. It's absurd to get a fastpass at 11:00am for TSM with a return time of 7:00 - 8:00pm and expect that those people to be able to make it back in that exact timeframe. That's why under the current fastpass system enforcing the return times will never happen. If they change the system to enforcing return times but allowing no show tickets to go back into the system for later use then this really could work and keep the fastpass return times more reasonable throughout the day.

I agree. That would actually be the best way to handle it. It's a shame people just blindly get a FP without looking above their heads to see what the return time will be. :brick: I've overheard numerous people getting FPs tell their family members "Well this isn't going to work. We have [ADRs, a parade to go to, etc...] during that time." . They should have looked at the return time and not gotten the FP. :hammer: You should always skip getting one if it interferes with your ADRs or other "wants". But as long as Disney looks the other way on this then it will continue to be an issue.

Actually, by installing code scanners at all FP attractions they might take a little of the "heat" off of some CMs by allowing that CM to say "Hey, sorry. The system does not recognize your return time." and it would allow the system to put another FP back into rotation if it is not met. But they would have to put in the equipment to scan all FPs and enforce their rule.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Enforcing return times is pretty much impossible because of the delays throughout the WDW system....However, refusing someone with a 3:00 fastpass return time to ride at 7:00 pm is very reasonable.

In general, CM's are taught to honor the fastpasses even after the return time -- but I would be very in favor of them enforcing at least a reasonable time limit -- you arrive an hour late, okay...You arrive 4 hours late, sorry that isn't a reasonable delay.

 

[Fractal514]

I would like it if they started enforcing the return times as long as the fastpass tickets from people who don't show up in the hour window become available for other people to get. This would be the only way this could work. It's absurd to get a fastpass at 11:00am for TSM with a return time of 7:00 - 8:00pm and expect that those people to be able to make it back in that exact timeframe. That's why under the current fastpass system enforcing the return times will never happen. If they change the system to enforcing return times but allowing no show tickets to go back into the system for later use then this really could work and keep the fastpass return times more reasonable throughout the day.

Why would it be absurd to expect people to show up at the time, even if it is that far in advance. If you took away the ability to store fastpasses up, I think they would be less attractive, and thus more available to folks who want to use them in the proper time. Disney has not been enforcing a rule that has allowed for die hard park folks to scam the system and use multiple fastpasses while riding other big ticket rides, NOT dining or shopping which was their hope.

 

[Fractal514]

I am glad that the FP end time is not enforced and I hope they never change this. On more than one occasion I've been given a FP time that directly conflicts with my dining reservation.

You have not been GIVEN anything, you took it. They post what the return time is before you get it. You chose to take it knowing you couldn't use it, instead of leaving it for someone else who could.

 

[disneypearl]

I would like it if they did decide to enforce the times on the ticket. They show you what window of time your future Fastpass is so if that time doesn't work don't take one.

 

[Scuttle]

Why would it be absurd to expect people to show up at the time, even if it is that far in advance. If you took away the ability to store fastpasses up, I think they would be less attractive, and thus more available to folks who want to use them in the proper time. Disney has not been enforcing a rule that has allowed for die hard park folks to scam the system and use multiple fastpasses while riding other big ticket rides, NOT dining or shopping which was their hope.

Because 70% of people that visit WDW are tourists and probably half of those people are there for first time visits or maybe once in a lifetime visit. So yes that would be absurd to expect a first time visitor to WDW to make it back in a return time that far away. That would be absurd IMO yes.

 

[janoimagine]

You have never been allowed to enter early. This is something that has been enforced.

In terms of the end time being enforced, this has never really been done. As long as you are trying to enter after your start time, even if the FP windows has passed, you have been allowed in.

It has been rumored for a couple of years now that they will enforce the end time. However, with dining, transport delays, and people just getting lost, I'm not sure Disney want the guest hassle of them being told they can't enter. We'll see.

I don't know how true this is or not, but we were told by a guest relation CM that you cannot return before the alotted time on the FP (which we knew), but that you can return anytime after that until park close. (which was a new one for us) :shrug: