Fastpass Return Times

[thelookingglass]

Here's the thing though, guys. Everything about how the Fastpass system is calculated is thrown entirely off these days. Lets say its 5:00 PM, Test Track Fast Pass return. Lets say Test Track was temporarily closed from 3:00 to 4:30 (and its Test Track so that is definitely within reason). IN ADDITION to everyone returning with Fastpasses for the current window (the only thing that the system was designed to accommodate for), you have everyone using Fastpasses from earlier in the day (even greater than normal due to it being closed for nearly two hours prior), you have GAC cards (which, as stated above, are becoming increasingly abused and there's not much Disney can do about it), child swap passes, AND re-entry passes either handed out at Test Track itself, another attraction, guest relations or what have you.

The Fastpass line was not designed to have THAT many people entering at one time. Yet this situation happens all the time. So if you STILL think that the Fastpass system is properly balanced and never significantly throws off the standby wait time, then I guess there is no convincing you because I don't know how much clearer to put it.

That said, unless it ever becomes enforced, by all means don't hesitate to use a "late" Fastpass.

 

[Jakester]

Today at Magic Kingdom, The Fastpass line was half way thru the interactive line. Something must of really happened here since it wasnt an off day (12am close with EMH)

 

[AEfx]

Here's the thing though, guys. Everything about how the Fastpass system is calculated is thrown entirely off these days. Lets say its 5:00 PM, Test Track Fast Pass return. Lets say Test Track was temporarily closed from 3:00 to 4:30 (and its Test Track so that is definitely within reason). IN ADDITION to everyone returning with Fastpasses for the current window (the only thing that the system was designed to accommodate for)

Actually, here's the thing, LOL - your last statement is totally incorrect. Disney didn't just take the number of FP guests they want, divide it evenly by the hours of the day, and then that's the number they make. It's way, way, way more complex than that. This is common knowledge.

While major closures (say many hours) assuredly can muck things up, the FastPass calculations are much more complex than you think. They add in things like the percentage of guests who get them and then don't use them, the fact that some guests will come late, or that the attraction will have brief interruptions (say, when HM had FP, they would allocate for the average amount of slow-downs inherent in boarding wheelchair using guests, etc.), among many other factors you and I couldn't even begin to comprehend.

The FastPass system works very well. It gets huge high marks on satisfaction surveys, except from the people that don't understand it or how to use it (because, apparently, even Timon and Pumba or whomever in the Guide Map explaining it like you are a six year-old isn't enough for all guests to get it). And, of course, Disney Internet fans, who use it as a convenient scapegoat, when the truth is lines are a lot longer these days because WDW is more crowded than ever before (there is no true "dead" season anymore for a myriad of reasons, when there used to be large periods of them).

Regardless, the FP calculations are much more complex than you give them credit for - just like most things at Disney, the simple system is MUCH more intricate behind the scenes than most would imagine. People would have a point if it worked as you put forth - that the system is designed with a simple INTENDED FP PER DAY / OPERATING HOURS PER DAY = AMOUNT OF FP GIVEN OUT, but its' not.

 

[Scuttle]

I disagree, I think you are absurd for thinking that even though you won't be able to use the fastpass during the intended time, you take one anyway. You may not see it happening, but others do, and frankly I don't see why it would be so hard for people to just follow the simple rule of returning during a one hour window. What is absurd is the sense of entitlement that some folks have.

Seriously!? Ya let me pay 85 dollars and then not ride the ride I want to ride the most because of a conflict in return time! What a joke!

 

[G00fyDad]

Seriously!? Ya let me pay 85 dollars and then not ride the ride I want to ride the most because of a conflict in return time! What a joke!

I think what he means is that if a person has a dinner or other type of reservation at say... 4:30pm, then they shouldn't bother getting a FP that clearly states a 4:00 - 5:00 return time. The fact that there are many, many people that do this anyway just because "I am more important than anyone else" is what he is referring to as entitled. However, like I have said, If Disney allows it then they allow it, if they stop then they will stop. Until they do then the system will continue to get used the way it always has been. It's that simple.

 

[ScoutN]

Seriously!? Ya let me pay 85 dollars and then not ride the ride I want to ride the most because of a conflict in return time! What a joke!

Go to a competitor. Pay $75+ to get in. Pay additional $30 to get a QuickQueue pass. Use it whatever time you would like. Profit?

No one said you couldn't ride the ride, did they? Nope, I see it nowhere. Unless riding with FP is the only option.

 

[Plutofan1]

This argument always seems so ludicrous to me.

Now, first off, I would have no problem if Disney began enforcing the time window on FP tickets. If that's how they choose to run it, so be it. It's their call.

Until that point, Disney will continue with their current policy of accepting tickets AFTER the initial time window. To suggest it's equivalent to booking multiple ADRs without canceling them is just absurd. Disney allows, and sometimes even encourages using FP beyond the window (I have talked to multiple CMs who have told us it's perfectly acceptable). For example, on our last vacation, we arrived at Epcot around noon. We immediately went to Soarin' to grab a FP, but the return time was 6-7:00; this went right through our ADR at Biergarten and there was no way we would have made it back on time. So we had a choice: get the FP, eat dinner, ride Soarin' after, and still get to catch Illuminations OR choose to suck up part of our day through a 100 minute wait in line OR not ride it at all. Guess what? We chose the first option.

As far as I'm concerned, it is not "against the rules" until Disney begins establishing and enforcing it in the parks.

 

[patricia27]

I have to admit to me, it seems a bit selfish to get a Fastpass if you don`t think you can return in the allocated hour!!! B:ROFLOL::ROFLOL: But then we are all different and interpret "rules" differently!!!

 

[Scuttle]

Go to a competitor. Pay $75+ to get in. Pay additional $30 to get a QuickQueue pass. Use it whatever time you would like. Profit?

No one said you couldn't ride the ride, did they? Nope, I see it nowhere. Unless riding with FP is the only option.

Basically what I was sayng is that people are absurd if they think people shouldn't get a fastpass if they won't be able to make the window. Come on now people. If you know you can return late and it's not breaking any rules then what's wrong with that?

 

[G00fyDad]

Basically what I was sayng is that people are absurd if they think people shouldn't get a fastpass if they won't be able to make the window. Come on now people. If you know you can return late and it's not breaking any rules then what's wrong with that?

There's nothing wrong with that. But are you going to get upset if they change their "convienence" policy and stop allowing late FPs? Many here would and that makes no sense. I've overheard people cussing about it in Peco's Bills once during our last trip. They apparently had to be at the Pirate League Makeover at 1:00pm but they're FPs were for during that time. When the woman mentioned this he told his wife "I'll b**** slap the little ****er if they even think about stopping me." I remember exactly what he said because I had to tell him to watch his language around my kids. My son was sitting right there near him and heard everything that he said. This is the attitude that Disney will have to push against if they ever go this way. And judging by the CMs that are on these boards telling us that they are actively being told to voice the ruleto guests and that the rule will be enforced soon, it seems that this will likely be the case soon.

 

[Scuttle]

There's nothing wrong with that. But are you going to get upset if they change their "convienence" policy and stop allowing late FPs? Many here would and that makes no sense. I've overheard people cussing about it in Peco's Bills once during our last trip. They apparently had to be at the Pirate League Makeover at 1:00pm but they're FPs were for during that time. When the woman mentioned this he told his wife "I'll b**** slap the little ****er if they even think about stopping me." I remember exactly what he said because I had to tell him to watch his language around my kids. My son was sitting right there near him and heard everything that he said. This is the attitude that Disney will have to push against if they ever go this way. And judging by the CMs that are on these boards telling us that they are actively being told to voice the ruleto guests and that the rule will be enforced soon, it seems that this will likely be the case soon.

That's a crazy story. I have heard some people say flagrant crazy stuff at Disney. I would not be upset at all if they start enforcing return times. As I said earlier in the thread I just hope that the unused fastpasses somehow get put back into the system for later use. Your right though, this is the attitude that they will have to deal with. I'm also pretty sure to avoid this Disney would allow a 30+ minute grace period for late arrivals I'm sure, but who knows I don't think it will ever change. I think late arrivals will always be allowed.

 

[G00fyDad]

As I said earlier in the thread I just hope that the unused fastpasses somehow get put back into the system for later use.

That would be ideal. But order for that to happen they would have to completely stop all unreasonable late returns.

I think late arrivals will always be allowed.

According to the CMs here on this forum, it is going to change. Unless the CMs are just spreading lies. But I like that idea of yours about a 30+ minute grace period. It just goes without saying that when they change the policy people will have to choose between A) the comfort of having ADRs and fitting in the FPs to that schedule or B) the comfort of being able to ride on a FP anytime and having to deal with a walkup restaurant seating brick.

 

[Plutofan1]

According to the CMs here on this forum, it is going to change. Unless the CMs are just spreading lies.

This has been a rumor for quite some time, and every few years it gets brought up again. I doubt it's changing, unless the entire system itself is changed.

 

[menamechris]

According to the CMs here on this forum, it is going to change. Unless the CMs are just spreading lies. But I like that idea of yours about a 30+ minute grace period. It just goes without saying that when they change the policy people will have to choose between A) the comfort of having ADRs and fitting in the FPs to that schedule or B) the comfort of being able to ride on a FP anytime and having to deal with a walkup restaurant seating brick.

I think one..maybe two...CMs have commented on here about it. Certain attractions have always tried to give the impression of being stricter of return times. I am not saying anyone is lying - but so far there is no evidence that a resort-wide change is coming. Or how strict it will be. If at all. Maybe we can all cool our heels on the topic until something actually happens. As was said, this rumor has popped up periodically since FP began. Let's just wait and see what happens...

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

OK, what if they enforce the window times but gave you more time to make it.

So instead of a 1 hour window you now get 2 hours to make your ride.

So now the window says 3 - 5 PM. And it is enforced. Would this solve the problems of not getting to the ride in time for various reasons?

 

[Brian Noble]

Unless the CMs are just spreading lies

It's not necessarily this stark. You've played Telephone, right?

 

[G00fyDad]

I think one..maybe two...CMs have commented on here about it. Certain attractions have always tried to give the impression of being stricter of return times. I am not saying anyone is lying - but so far there is no evidence that a resort-wide change is coming. Or how strict it will be. If at all. Maybe we can all cool our heels on the topic until something actually happens. As was said, this rumor has popped up periodically since FP began. Let's just wait and see what happens...

Ummmm, my heels are cooled. Never got hot. I'm just trying to see this from all points of view. Really, I could care less if it is changed or stays the same. I just find it funny that a CM will post that they were told to actively start reminding people to, in the future, start adhering to the return times and then the next post is from someone saying "It'll never happen". LOL Oh, and those that are getting completely torqued over this whole thing. Either it happens or it doesn't. No amount of b****ing about it will affect Disney's decision.
For all we know, it may not change at all and the CMs are just being told to remind guests of the return time to try and stave off the majority of people that do this and those that do not listen will just not listen.:lol:

 

[Scuttle]

This has been a rumor for quite some time, and every few years it gets brought up again. I doubt it's changing, unless the entire system itself is changed.

Exactly if it changes it won't be until the next gen fastpass system is integrated into WDW I bet.

 

[draybook]

Honestly, we don't miss our hour window by accident. I'll gladly admit that when I found out after our first trip that you could come later, that's what we started doing. I horde FP's like a mad man. Another benefit is that my son and I don't ride thrill rides, so it doubles up the number of rides my wife and daughter can do on rides like ToT and RnR.

If they were to enforce the times, we would most likely have to make no adjustment whatsoever. We only miss our window by choice. On our first trip we stuck to the window because we didn't know any better. The only problem with sticking to a one hour window is that many dining experiences take close to an hour if not more. People shouldn't have to skip out on a FP because of that. Just like Palisade said, bump it up to a 2 hour FP and maybe tweak the return time for another FP and see how that goes.

 

[Hercules11]

Exactly if it changes it won't be until the next gen fastpass system is integrated into WDW I bet.

Personally, I can't see Disney strictly enforcing return times unless they give guests an option to pick their own return window instead of taking the first available. This may be an option with X-pass.