Fastpass Return Times

[Admiral01]

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.

I am not attacking you personally, but I do want to make this point: I think the way you approach FP is part of the problem. Before you got your FP, you could clearly see that the return time conflicted with your dining reservation. So, why would you still get the FP?

If I go to get a FP and I see that the return times conflict with a dining reservation, I DON'T go ahead and get the FP. I let OTHERS get the FP instead, because they can actually use it when I can't. I either go back later to get a later return time, I have to wait in the stand-by line, or wait til the next day (or next trip). I guess it is too much to expect the same sort of decency from others, especially at a place like WDW where most guests just want to take and take and take without any regard for the rest of us.

Having the end time enforced would make people think before they blindly accepted a FP, otherwise the FP system doesn't work as well as it should. Without the end time enforcement people will just take as many as they can, regardless of conflicts, thus taking it from those of us who would actually use it during the assigned hour window.

 

[G00fyDad]

So, why would you still get the FP?

If I go to get a FP and I see that the return times conflict with a dining reservation, I DON'T go ahead and get the FP. I let OTHERS get the FP instead, because they can actually use it when I can't.

It's because some people do not look up right before getting the FP.

 

[menamechris]

Like Steve said, this pesky rumor seems to pop up every couple months now that Disney will start enforcing the hour return time. I wouldn't anticipate it happening anytime soon. As imperfect as it may be - FastPass still works - and creates an enormous amount of guest satisfaction. Enforcing the "end time" could turn that around very quickly. Bottom line - the average guest does not notice the minor imperfections of the FastPass system. If WDW does anything well - it is focusing on and catering to the oblivious guest. And to those guests - FastPass is a near perfect system.

 

[steve2wdw]

FastPass is just another of the Disney "perks" that has been abused over the years (like multiple ADR's, etc....). I've alway's abided by the return time (and actually waited to pick up a FP until the desired return was displayed) and have never even tried to use an "expired" pass, even though I knew it would be accepted. Using an "expired" FP, to me, is the same as making multiple ADR's and goes along with the whole "me" epidemic that has taken over this country. It seems there are many people out there that don't care how their actions affect others. If management decides on enforcing the return times, then I really think scanners would be a perfect solution to help with the nightmare that "abusers" are going to cause at the FP entrance. Also, the addition of attraction managers at the FP entrances would certainly take some pressure off the hourly CM's. Most importantly, CM's should be making guests aware, at the time of the issuing of a FP, that the return times will be enforced. I, for one, am in full support of enforcing systems that were meant to raise the enjoyment level for all WDW guests, not just those that like to scam the system.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The biggest problem with the Fastpass system is the lack of attractions at DHS and Epcot that require it. Fastpass works if there are multiple attractions that have comparable demand - that's why it's more efficient in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[figment5002000]

Fastpass is abused by guest and castmembers alike. Times on the fastpass need to be enforced. AS long as castmember allow guest to get away with coming after there alotted time frame people think its okay to do so. Fast pass lines for some attraction are just as long and slow as the stand by lines because people come at the wrong times. IF you can use the fast pass don't get it and don't try to pass the fast pass onto another guest either. Leave it in the machine for someone else.

 

[Guppy_121]

I for one, did not realize that you could use a fastpass beyond the end return time. So good to know. :lol: Also explains alot about why so many FPs are sold out for the day at noon.
But I also would agree with Disney enforcing the return times, maybe with a grace period of say 30min.. example, your return time is 3:00 - 4:00, then your ticket would actually be valid till 4:30, just to avoid the refusal of a guest who shows up at 4:01.
as for if they will enforce it, I just look at the recent announcement to the ADR, whereby they will charge you $10 for every no-show. At first I did not understand this, till I read in the threads that people were making multiple Res. at different places, for the same times, and then picking which one they wanted to go to on the day ( basically whichever they happen to be closest too. Something that never occurred to me to do ). Since Disney has now made an effort to curb this practice, I do not see why it would be impossible for them to make a small effort to do the same thing with Fastpass.
It would all come down to informing guests properly as they take their fastpass about the "new" return time enforcement. I do not see too many conflicts stemming from this, as it would seem that those that are "mis-using" or "abusing" the fastpass system presently, already know that they are doing so.

 

[patricia27]

I think the hour window is perfectly acceptable.
What would happen if everyone who had a fast pass, between for example 10--11 am and then all decided to turn up at 7pm!! The fastpass queue would be chaos!!
I`m sure if one had a family crisis and went to Guest relations they would help out.

 

[menamechris]

I think the hour window is perfectly acceptable.
What would happen if everyone who had a fast pass, between for example 10--11 am and then all decided to turn up at 7pm!! The fastpass queue would be chaos!!
I`m sure if one had a family crisis and went to Guest relations they would help out.

Aside from that being a far-fetched scenario, FastPass is designed to handle crowds during peak seasons - the busiest of times. So unless you are going during Spring Break, Christmas time, or the peak of summer - people returning late does not drastically effect the line. People seem to be under the impression that people not returning on time is the sole reason for longer lines on certain attractions, when in reality, most of those lines were not designed to have any sort of FastPass system (i.e. Peter Pan) so the line backs up regardless. How many people complain to guest relations about how much they dislike FastPass? About zilch. How many people appreciate the freedom it gives them in the parks. Most. THIS is what Disney is going for...

 

[menamechris]

Although I respect everyone's opinion, it's incorrect to imply that I am somehow "breaking the rules" by using the FPs exactly the way WDW allows me to use them. The simple fact is that the current WDW FP policy allows me to return at any time that day after my FP distribution window. If you don't like this policy, then please take it up with WDW.

I am sure that WDW has gobs of data on the subject. They know statistically how many people will use the FP within the specified window, how many people will return later, and how many people will obtain a FP but (gasp) not use them at all. I am sure that all this information is factored into their calculation of how many FPs to distribute.

This. Disney has instituted themselves that returning late is acceptable. If Disney was worried about the efficiency of FastPass - Guest Relations wouldn't be using them to handle every single guest complaint. They give them out like candy on Halloween, because they get guests to shut up and leave happy. To have a perfectly efficient system, they would have to stop doing this - and that will never happen. FastPass has given them a way to satisfy guests without spending a dime or forfeiting profit.

 

[G00fyDad]

Most importantly, CM's should be making guests aware, at the time of the issuing of a FP, that the return times will be enforced.

The best way to do this is to add a small sign above each FP machine that said that the return time must be kept and any late FPs will not be honored. Then install a scanner machine at the entrance to all FP rides and leave it at that. Do I think Disney will do this? No. Too many self important people out there that would take this as their God given right as guests.

Although I respect everyone's opinion, it's incorrect to imply that I am somehow "breaking the rules" by using the FPs exactly the way WDW allows me to use them.

So let me ask you this... If you're driving down the road at 65mph in a 55mph zone and a police officer sees you do this but does nothing about it, are you still breaking the law? I mean, you were doing 10mph above the limit. But as long as they do not stop you then you're not speeding and breaking a law?

Hey, Don't get me wrong, I'm all for this if Disney is going to allow it. But don't sit here and act like it is not going against the established and original intent of the system. Otherwise there would be no ending "return by" time. They would all just read one time and that would be how long you had to wait until you could get in.

 

[Todd H]

I never knew you could use a Fastpass after the return time either. I've actually thrown away Fastpasses that I thought had expired because I could not make it in time. I'll have to keep that in mind when I return in a few weeks.

 

[G00fyDad]

I never knew you could use a Fastpass after the return time either. I've actually thrown away Fastpasses that I thought had expired because I could not make it in time. I'll have to keep that in mind when I return in a few weeks.

And that thought process right there is what is going to kill this "leeway" that Disney gives guests. Right now there are not that many that do this (using expired FPs) but so far in this thread alone I have seen multiple people say that they are going to do it next trip. What do you think is going to happen if Disney sees wayyyyy too many people doing this? What's going to happen is that they will be forced to deal with it and then we will see scanner machines at the FP entrances and signs warning about the return times above each FP machines.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I hope they do start holding to the times. This problem of letting people enter late creates a large backup in the stand-by line late in the day. Even the FP line does not get long until late in the day and then some rides end up with some long waits in the FP lines. Test Track, Soarin, RnRC and PPF all have long FP lines come early evening when it seems people decide they have to use up those FP's they have been storing all day. I will admit that I am guilty of getting FP's early and not using them until late when the lines get long on some days.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

While I can't say I never use the FP beyond their schedule time (because I have) I definitely do not make a habit out of it. In May we had an ADR for 1:15 at 50s Prime Time Cafe. Our FP for TSM was 2:00-3:00. Well we ended up getting seated at 1:45 and leaving 50s at 3:15pm due to having to wait and then having somewhat slow service. We then had to get through the crowds that were there for the parade which cause more delay. We made it over to TSM around 3:30 and still used our FP.

To get FP for most rides, you don't have the "queue up" like with TSM. When we got in line the FP return times being given were 9:30-10:30.. By the time we got up there it was 2:00-3:00. We thought that would be plenty of time for us to make our ADR and get to TSM by 3:00 because we're just a group of 3 and eat pretty quickly. Apparently it was not though.

I think Disney needs to take these things into consideration. There will be issues with transportation (waiting 40 minutes for a bus, monorails acting up) and sometimes dining will go over, especially if you end up having to wait past your ADR time to be seated. I think half an hour, maybe an hour at most is ok but returning at 10pm when you have a FP for 2pm is kinda pushing it. Thats just my opinion.

 

[Fractal514]

Look, can we just cut the speculation and all that crap?

There are folks on these boards who follow the times posted on the FPs, they want to see these times enforced because, well why not, they're following the time guidelines, why shouldn't everyone else?

There are other folks who currently take advantage of Disney not enforcing the end return time and use this to collect multiple FPs store them up, whatever.

All the talk of the system, and whether it works, or not, and everything else, is just justification one way or the other. Frankly, Disney SHOULD do one of two things. Either enforce the end time (maybe with a half an hour window or something), or they should remove the end time from the Fastpass and allow everyone to take advantage of that, not just the few folks in the know. That's just fair imo.

BTW, I view folks who make double ADRs and who use the FP system like this not as rule breakers, but rather like the guy who rides in the left turn only lane all the way down to the traffic merge and then cuts into traffic at the last second. Everyone else merged way up the road, but these guys take advantage of the opening and the fact that some idiot is going to let them in, and they get to use the system that way. Not breaking the rules, just taking advantage of a situation in a way that makes things a little bit worse for others. Again, this is my opinion, I don't think any of us have hard facts about whether this practice hurts others or not.

 

[Reddog]

If any one is interested, here is the PRINTED operational policy for Fastpasses.

As you can see, it is POLICY to allow "late" returns.

Also, a question: If the park closes at 10pm and you are in line for an attraction at that time, do you immediately get out of line and leave the park because the "printed" close time says 10pm? And if you stay in line, are you "taking advantage of Disney's choice to not enforce the park closing time?"

 

[danv3]

I was in the MK on Sunday and used a fastpass for Peter Pan's Flight after the stated window (as I have done, intentionally, many times). To my surprise, the CM who accepted the pass told me that in the future Disney would be enforcing the window. I was so surprised I just nodded and moved on.

I realize frontline CM's aren't always reliable, but this was the first time I ever heard anything like this from anyone "official."

Personally, I think enforcement will begin when the next gen ride scheduling comes online.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

If any one is interested, here is the PRINTED operational policy for Fastpasses.

Be careful about that. I'm pretty sure that falls under 'Confidential' and should not be posted openly.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Be careful about that. I'm pretty sure that falls under 'Confidential' and should not be posted openly.

Why? It's not like I just learned that if one person in my group doesn't have a fastpass, they will be allowed on... Thus allowing me another way to exploit the system... :lookaroun