Fastpass Return Times

[Buried20KLeague]

I've really never understood why they put an end time on the fastpasses. To me, it seems they should just put a "good after XX:XX" on there. Statistically, they should get used nearly the same way as they are right now, with most people using their fastpasses near the beginning of their useable window. I really doubt we would see a widespread pattern of people hoarding a stack of passes till the end of the night, which would be the only way removing an end time would be a negative.

Seems to me it would cut down on confusion.

It would also put everyone on a level playing field, as opposed to now where clearly if you know what you're doing you're in a better position than others.

 

[Reddog]

I've really never understood why they put an end time on the fastpasses. To me, it seems they should just put a "good after XX:XX" on there. Statistically, they should get used nearly the same way as they are right now, with most people using their fastpasses near the beginning of their useable window. I really doubt we would see a widespread pattern of people hoarding a stack of passes till the end of the night, which would be the only way removing an end time would be a negative.

Seems to me it would cut down on confusion.

It would also put everyone on a level playing field, as opposed to now where clearly if you know what you're doing you're in a better position than others.

I really think if they removed the end time, you would see MORE people show up at the start time. Instead of thinking "I can return between 2 and 3" they would think "I have to return at 2".

 

[Slugger]

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.

Soon every attraction will start enforcing Fastpass return times. I've heard it will start sometime as soon as January.

I'm not sure if that was me or not that told you about Disney enforcing fastpass times, but I do know that now if anyone asks us questions about the return times we tell them to come back within the hour that is posted on the fastpass ticket.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I really think if they removed the end time, you would see MORE people show up at the start time. Instead of thinking "I can return between 2 and 3" they would think "I have to return at 2".

I actually agree.

The only other thing they'd have to change is when another fastpass would be available, because of course right now that time is dependant on the return time compared to the actual time, or a maximum of two hours.

But it seems if they just put a standard window on every pass (say... 90 minutes?) that would simplify it also. Actually, after thinking about it more, I'd suggest that fastpasses gotten before noon would have a 45 or 60 minute window before getting another fastpass, then at noon that would jump up to 90 minutes. Then it would stay there till the fastpasses were either gone, or that window could go back down in the early evening when it normally would anyway.

Think about how hard it is to explain to someone who doesn't know the system and how to REALLY use it well. Then think about how easy it would be if you didn't have to explain use windows, and how to bend the rules, and how to know when to get another fastpass, etc...

 

[Brian Noble]

Reading between the lines, it seems like there are two things going on at once.

First, there has been a shift in emphasis, and the Cast are now "encouraging" guests to return during the window, rather than out and out telling everyone who will ask "come back anytime after." In other words, the Powers That Be would like it if you believed the hour was firm, even though in practice it isn't. At least, it isn't right now. And, this makes sense---it is simpler from an Operations standpoint if the fast passes that are redeemed are in-window returns. That said, it's not impossible to deal with late arrivals. After all, they do it now. Heck it even works out more or less okay at DLR, where the high proportion of locals leads to a MUCH larger pool of guests who know that late returns are perfectly okay. WDW's "in the know" guest pool is much smaller. But, still, easier is better than harder.

Second, in part due to that change in emphasis, in part due to the looming XPass death star, and in part due to some data collection a few months back, the Internet Wildfire Rumor du Jour is "Windows will be enforced someday soon." My read is that the Cast has picked up on this rumor as well, and that's all it is. After all, they are people too, and no less immune to hearing and repeating rumors, even amongst management. I could be wrong about this, and it could really be happening, but Disney is not the sort of place where the front-line employees often hear about policy changes months before implementation. The front line Cast is generally subject to mushroom management.

 

[Todd H]

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.

I'm actually not planning on doing it on purpose. But if the situation arises again where I miss the window because I just can't make it on time (things do come up when you have a four-year old), then I'll know I can still use it.

 

[menamechris]

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.

Your example isn't exactly the same. Cast members openly tell people they can come back after the return time. It's not a secret - there is really no "scamming" the system as some people would like to believe. Disney will more than likely adjust the amount of FastPasses they distribute each hour if it really becoming that much of a problem. As others have said - time constraints, attraction breakdowns and the like permit management from actually trying to enforce a 60 minute window for all attractions. I have heard it strongly encouraged during peak times that people try to come back on time, but on average days - it is not a concern of operations.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

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

I have to confess that I arrived after my time window several times during our last trip which ended 2 weeks ago and we never had any problems getting in. The CMs didn't care at all, even when we were 8 hours late (at TSM in the evening EMH).
So at the moment they definitely don't enforce it.

 

[Reddog]

This is an interesting thread. I didn't realize people have such strong opinions about the FP system. Personally, I think the WDW FP system is the best and I hope they never make any major changes to it. Other systems require guests to pay (in one form or another) for the privilege. I think WDW is unique in that FP is included in the price of admission.

Other FP systems:
- UO onsite guests receive unlimited FPs. Due to the number of onsite guests, this is probably impractical for WDW.
- UO and Six Flags offer limited FP access for purchase, with the restriction of 1 FP for each attraction. I wonder if WDW will eventually offer something like this (although I hope not).
- Busch Gardens and Seaworld offer unlimited FPs (called Quick Queue Unlimited) or limited FPs (Quick Queue) for purchase.
- DVC members are allowed up to 2 "pending" FPs.
- Nearly all theme parks offer some sort of VIP (or "behind the scenes") tour that includes a type of FP.

Are there other FP systems out there?

I'm a DVC member and I've never received FP's for being one. I did receive 3 "instant" FPs for doing the DVC tour.

 

[bstiles]

My friends also went on a dvc tour for about 2 hrs. When they met up with us they gave them 12 instant fast passes. When you put the ticket into the FP machine it would give you a FP for the time it currently is so there was no wait. This is a seperate ticket not to be confused with your park tickets.

 

[fosse76]

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.

Other than rides being broken down, a missed return time is not Disney's "problem." If you choose to get a FP around the time of your dining reservation, how is that Disney's fault? Or if you choose to get a FP at Space Mountain but leave to go to another park and return later (after the FP return time window), why should Disney make such an exception? With the exception of being stuck on a broken-down ride, Disney should not feel the need to accomodate FP holders for missing their return window.

 

[twinnstar]

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 totally agree. Sometimes I get a fastpass for a ride and the time is for HOURS later. So I try my very best to get there within that window, but sometimes I'm like 15 mins late, maybe a line runs longer on another ride then i thought it would, or something like that. sometimes i just lose track of time - and then when i realize im clear across the park! so cause im 15 mins late, I shouldnt be allowed on the ride? That's silly. They would have SO many complaints it would be ridiculous. I'm sure the majority of people make the window - and those that don't are probably so spread out it doesnt matter much. I've never had to wait more than like 20 mins on a fastpass line, and even though thats still a wait - its nothing compared to 2 hours.

 

[RSoxNo1]

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.

Blasphemy. You can save them and them to me.

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

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

Thank you for sharing this with us.

I really think if they removed the end time, you would see MORE people show up at the start time. Instead of thinking "I can return between 2 and 3" they would think "I have to return at 2".

I agree with this. What happens here is that a return window will get a large percentage of the guests to return within that window. However, having that policy of allowing late returns allows the cast members the flexibility required with the inevitable extenuating circumstances that arise from a day touring the park. It's an easy thing to do for guest satisfaction, and that's presumably why they do it.

This isn't really a huge issue, and as I've said elsewhere in the thread - a way to solve this problem is by having more attractions that need Fastpass.

This is an interesting thread. I didn't realize people have such strong opinions about the FP system. Personally, I think the WDW FP system is the best and I hope they never make any major changes to it. Other systems require guests to pay (in one form or another) for the privilege. I think WDW is unique in that FP is included in the price of admission.

Other FP systems:
- UO onsite guests receive unlimited FPs. Due to the number of onsite guests, this is probably impractical for WDW.
- UO and Six Flags offer limited FP access for purchase, with the restriction of 1 FP for each attraction. I wonder if WDW will eventually offer something like this (although I hope not).
- Busch Gardens and Seaworld offer unlimited FPs (called Quick Queue Unlimited) or limited FPs (Quick Queue) for purchase.
- DVC members are allowed up to 2 "pending" FPs.
- Nearly all theme parks offer some sort of VIP (or "behind the scenes") tour that includes a type of FP.

Are there other FP systems out there?

I'm a DVC member and I've never received FP's for being one. I did receive 3 "instant" FPs for doing the DVC tour.

• During the Give a Day Get a Day promotion guests could acquire 6 instant fastpasses throughout the day.
• Disneyland offers additional Fastpasses to guests staying onsite. I believe it's two a day. I believe this would be the best approach for Disney World, especially if it means scheduling from your room
  • Value Resorts allow you to schedule one attraction per day
  • Moderate Resorts allow you to schedule two attractions per day
  • Deluxe Resorts allow you to schedule three attractions per day
  • All other guest operation for Fastpasses will continue as normal and these scheduled Fastpasses will be pulled out of that day's Fastpass allocation.

 

[CoasterKing]

:king:

Sometimes I get a fastpass for a ride and the time is for HOURS later. So I try my very best to get there within that window, but sometimes I'm like 15 mins late, maybe a line runs longer on another ride then i thought it would, or something like that. sometimes i just lose track of time - and then when i realize im clear across the park! so cause im 15 mins late, I shouldnt be allowed on the ride? That's silly. They would have SO many complaints it would be ridiculous.

Not silly at all. FP is not a required feature you have to partake in. It is entirely your option to either use or not use FP. If it was a requirement, then I could see some points made. But it is a choice that you make to use FP and if you choose to not pay attention to the time or your whereabouts in the park and arrive late for your window, then you should not be allowed to enter the FP queu. The only time an exception should be made is if the ride your FP is to has a breakdown longer than say 15 minutes.

If and when WDW starts to enforce the window , they will receive some complaints at first, (mostly from people with knowledge that they have allowed people to enter after their window has expired) until everyone realizes that the times on the FP are to be strictly adhered to. That is the whole point that there is an ending time printed, and not just "anytime after 4:00PM" for example.

Of course, WDW has brought this upon themselves by not enforcing the window from day 1. But they tried to be nice and allow the "few" people who missed their window to still ride. But now, the "few" people have evolved into many more people (ala scammers), so much so that the rules will hopefully be enforced.

It's so simple, here is your 1 hour window, no late arrival allowed. If people don't want to follow those rules, then don't use FP.

CoasterKing
:king:

 

[tracyandalex]

We were at AK the second week of October and they were testing Festival of the Lion King Fast passes so we got some. Well we didn't make it to that show and we were not allowed to use them for a later show. I don't know if that was due to the show or a preview of what's to come.

 

[spacebaby]

Other systems require guests to pay (in one form or another) for the privilege. I think WDW is unique in that FP is included in the price of admission.

Personally I feel that whereas the other parks give you the option to pay extra for their FP type service, Disney make everyone pay for the service whether they use it or not which is why Disney tickets cost more than other Florida attraction tickets.

If you look at a 3 day Disney ticket ($231) compared to a 3 Day Universal Ticket ($152) you could argue that the Disney admission includes approx $30 extra per day for the 'free' FP service.

I'm sure millions will disagree but this is my opinion and even thinking I'm being forced to pay for the FP service won't stop me from wanting to visit the WDW parks - and they know it which is why they will continue getting away with charging more for their tickets compared to the competition as at the end of the day they have a better marketing team

 

[the-reason14]

I agree, I think we actually are paying for fastpasses and bus transpo. It's just included in other areas and looks free.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I agree, I think we actually are paying for fastpasses and bus transpo. It's just included in other areas and looks free.

That's absolutely the case. We're paying for Magical Express as well as it's included as part of your room. The difference is the cost is shared amongst those that use it with those that don't.

 

[das texan]

Seems like the same thing that happened with the reservations is going to happen with Fast Passes.

Blame those that abuse the system basically.

 

[MichWolv]

We were at AK the second week of October and they were testing Festival of the Lion King Fast passes so we got some. Well we didn't make it to that show and we were not allowed to use them for a later show. I don't know if that was due to the show or a preview of what's to come.

That's because it's a show presented a limited number of time a day. When LMA fastpasses were given, it was the same way. I love the FotLK fastpasses, though, because you don't have to go all the way into CMM to get them. I hate that walkway, and hate it more when I have to do it not knowing if I'll get into the show.

I agree, I think we actually are paying for fastpasses and bus transpo. It's just included in other areas and looks free.

Well, of course we are. Just as we pay for the "free" wifi at McDonalds, the "free" checked bags on Southwest Airlines, etc. The difference, though, when it is included in the base price, is that every guest gets it, not just those willing to pay more. There is a similar product offerred to all, rather than a better product to those who pay more. There's good and bad in that.