FastPass Times Enforced coming?? About This Page:

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by mommadjones

I know that they had put that idea out there a few years ago

I'm not aware of Disney ever floating the idea of "pay for FPs" -- all I saw was people who'd carefully read the original patent discussing how they could charge for FPs, or could offer "plussed" FPs for guests of differet resort levels.

I too think that the next gen FPs will be an allowance for some to be given out to pre-planners, but don't believe all FPs will go this way. (There are too many guests that have no clue about planning, who would be steamed if all FPs were gone months/weeks/days before they even arrive on property.

I also suspect that the next gen FPs will allow for some FPs to be reserved by smartphones, and that those "smartphone FPs" will be digital and not printed on paper.

[Caldercup]

Well... it is a for-profit endeavor. I never went to Disney thinking I'd come back with money in my pocket...

But I do feel confident that, even though I don't have as much vacation money as someone staying in the Disney Suite at the GF, I would have the same rights in the lines as other guests.

Letting the "Haves" get more in the parks than the "Have Nots" do would go against the basic tenents of what Walt wanted.

[Caldercup]

Dana -- it's been an unspoken policy (for a looong time) that guests could use FPs after the close of the FP window. It's been the same policy at Disneyland. Those who were aware of this policy came back after the close of the window, but it was a fairly small percentage of guests who knew this, so it really didn't affect the FP lines.

Also, the time for getting another FP is printed right on the bottom of the current FP. It's says "next FP available at" and then provides the time. It's usually about two hours from the time you got the current FP, but can be less in low-crowd times.

[audrey77]

I don't understand why everyone is getting upset over this and attacking each other? It's very disturbing to see PPers getting worked up over words of opinion. Disney is trying to make your trip a bit more efficient. They've learned, and are tweaking FP more. I know that we're all super-planners, but sometimes something is best for all guests on the whole.

[audrey77]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

See, now I was happy about everything said here up until the part about exceptions to the rule...right there just completely cancels out the whole thing because all you have to do is tell the cm that your waiter ran slow at your ADR and you are right back to abusing the system. It's either you enforce it or you don't....you can't just offer a loophole like that. Ride down, YES...because they know the ride was down...ADR's running late a great big NO...because you shouldn't have gotten a fastpass with a return time falling at the same time of your ADR's...that's YOUR fault, not Disney's, and they can't prove that you are lying....so they just simply said that it will NOT be enforced.

They'll probably get the ticket validated by the restaurant or first aid.

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

See, now I was happy about everything said here up until the part about exceptions to the rule...right there just completely cancels out the whole thing because all you have to do is tell the cm that your waiter ran slow at your ADR and you are right back to abusing the system. It's either you enforce it or you don't....you can't just offer a loophole like that. Ride down, YES...because they know the ride was down...ADR's running late a great big NO...because you shouldn't have gotten a fastpass with a return time falling at the same time of your ADR's...that's YOUR fault, not Disney's, and they can't prove that you are lying....so they just simply said that it will NOT be enforced.

Sometimes things happen that cannot be avoided. I don't think that making an exception to the rule will cause any slow downs. When things happen that are unavoidable and the family misses their return time I think it is wonderful that Disney gives them a little more magic by allowing them to use their FP's. When we were there and used our FP's after the return (the first and only time we have done this) we did it because of an issue with our DD who has special needs. I'm not going to go into the issue but things happen, unavoidable things and Disney is just keeping the magic going. The night that we used ours I didn't know if we would be able to use them or not and our DD was back at the resort with DMIL so without her there we could not get in the line for her GAC. I told my DS that we may not be able to ride and he was ok with that. He understood but I know he would have been disappointed even if he never mentioned. He is a wonderful big brother and never complains about the things he misses out on because of things with his sister but I am so glad that Disney is so wonderful to make sure the magic just keeps coming.

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

Oh no, I get that! Just that they just gave an obvious opening to be able to just walk up and flat out lie that you were having dinner and thus re-starts the abuse. kwim? I'm just saying they shouldn't have "mentioned" the loophole because of people that will still be flippant about the rules. there are always acceptions but it should be per-basis IMO, not widely known that they are still going to be pretty lenient if you know the right thing to tell the cm. that's kind of the same problem over time once people catch on that you can just say, "hey, my dinner ran late, can I still go on in?"

Agreed! I really don't have a problem with the way it is now. I didn't know it was this way until our last trip and I didn't ever notice my waits in the FP lines to be incredibly long even when we have gone the week between Christmas and New Years. Just like anything though if it is not monitored somehow it will be abused. As it is now I don't see it as being abused since it has been told by CM's that it is ok. To me that makes it a rule that they can be used at any time after your appointed time and you are not breaking the rules. If they are changing this to actually make it an official enforced rule then that is a different story but I do hope they allow for the unavoidable things.

[Wolfy6688]

Well which is it - you'd have taken advantage if you'd known, or you find it rude that other people have? Frankly I find your wording rude. Insinuating that people who have followed an unspoken rule find themselves above other people, THAT is rude, and offensive. I'm sure that's not how you intended it to sound, but to me it does. What about for the Halloween/Christmas parties? Technically the ticket says 7 pm but they often let guests in the park at 4 pm. Are they rude and consider themselves better guests too? Absolutely not.

I'm surprised at the verbal attacks from people on this thread. Obviously it's a matter of opinion, but nobody has to be so harsh about it.

[mdobereiner]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

Agreed. I can't believe this topic has never come up before and of all the years I've been going you would think the cat would have been let out of the bag a long time ago. I guess it just seems rather rude to me to not abide by the times on the FP. Sorry just my opinion. It's the same as saying the rules don't apply to you. I'm also surprised that more people aren't flipping out because I've seen how people get over re-using a resort mug! lol

Emphasis added by me.

I don't think it's rude, or an act to say that rules don't apply to me because I've used FP's beyond the printed return time. For as long as I've vacationed at WDW, every single CM I've encountered on this topic has told me that it's acceptable to do so. It's not even been a situation where a CM has hesitated and said "generally we don't like to do this but I'll allow it this time." Never, ever, ever, ever, ever. I realize there's a printed time on there but it's not been enforced a single time in the years we've vacationed to Disney. And not once that we've happened to use a FP past the printed window of time have I ever thought to myself "ha ha, I'm a rule breaker" or "Rules don't apply to us!" or "I don't care how this could inconvenience other guests" or "Nanny nanny boo boo to those guests who strictly adhere to the printed return turns." Honestly, I never questioned it, I assume it's not a problem if it's so widely and consistently allowed. For one reason or another, Disney is now going to enforce those times and that's fine with me, I mean it's a free luxary that is provided to guests, I'm not going to complain, it's not that serious to me I guess. I also don't think it's worth anyone getting up in arms about because the fact that I have used a FP outside of the return window has not prevented other guests from enjoying an attraction (and in my experience even slowed the line for FP.)

For what it's worth, I also am guilty of driving over the speed limit and drinking straight from the milk carton. So I guess I can't proclaim to be a strict rule-follower.

Mel

[judyjo]

While I generally follow the FP return times, there are occasions where I am late returning because I was caught in a wait line that took longer than anticipated or we got stuck on the wrong side of the parade route or the return time was so much later in the day that I forgot. Each time I asked the FP cast member, I was always told that it was alright. Yes, it may make a difference on touring if we can't be back in time or need to stay closer to that particular attraction so we don't miss our window but for the most part it won't affect us. We travel at the slower times of the year and are able to make use of the single rider line. (and we too have experienced long PF queue waits-Space Mountain and Test Track come to mind).

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

wait wait wait...I JUST found this thread and have been reading and answering as I go

... that's why I generally read through all the posts before I go to respond. It's likely that someone has already expressed EXACTLY what I'm feeling and my answer would just be a repeat of theirs.




As a guide, I'd like to make the suggestion that "there are times when it's best to leave the deceased equine to rest in peace." The posters who feel offended or who have (intentionally or otherwise) offended others only perpetuate the issue if they continue to argue it back and forth.

We all have our opinions, we all have our personal feelings, we've all experienced various things at Disney (which is hard not to do, since there are 50k+ CMs who will/will not allow exceptions to the rule, depending on their mood/training. What one guest experiences will not precisely match what another guest experiences (or believes) to be the rules.

We CAN, however, discuss this topic in a rational, kind, and helpful manner -- as we PassPorters are so skilled at doing.

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

It's the same as saying the rules don't apply to you. I'm also surprised that more people aren't flipping out because I've seen how people get over re-using a resort mug! lol

But that's the thing - I don't recall anyone EVER being told by a CM that they are welcome to re-use a resort mug...hence people who do so are abusing the rules. Many, many people however have been told by CMs that it is/was just fine to use a FP for later in the day. It's apples and oranges. One is "allowed," one is not.

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

yes, this is why I was wondering how people "collected" them in the morning...I am picturing people running from ride to ride just getting the passes. I knew there was a limit to how many you could get. I swear, I had no idea about being able to come back later. I guess I'm just blown away! I would have totally taken advantage had I known!

You can/could collect FPs early if you get there first thing and run around grabbing FPs when they first start handing them out. You get FPs that are ripe in 15-20 min, so as soon as they are ripe you can get another that is also ripe very soon, etc. The standby times are usually low at that time, so some people decide to wait in the low standbye lines and bring their FPs back later when the standby lines are longer. I haven't personally done this (way too much effort for me - haha!), but it can be done. And up until the policy effectiveness changes, it was allowed by CMs.

[benjiboo25]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

See, I'm so confused! I was always under the impression that you couldn't even get another fast pass until the time on your first one had expired??? Wasn't that always the rule? How did you collect them in the morning?

I think it has been cleared up by now...You can get another before the first "expires" but you do not have to wait to use your first before you collect another.

Originally Posted by Ashli

But that's the thing - I don't recall anyone EVER being told by a CM that they are welcome to re-use a resort mug...hence people who do so are abusing the rules. Many, many people however have been told by CMs that it is/was just fine to use a FP for later in the day. It's apples and oranges. One is "allowed," one is not.

You can/could collect FPs early if you get there first thing and run around grabbing FPs when they first start handing them out. You get FPs that are ripe in 15-20 min, so as soon as they are ripe you can get another that is also ripe very soon, etc. The standby times are usually low at that time, so some people decide to wait in the low standbye lines and bring their FPs back later when the standby lines are longer. I haven't personally done this (way too much effort for me - haha!), but it can be done. And up until the policy effectiveness changes, it was allowed by CMs.

Exactly. I could collect 3 or 4 FPs to use later in the day while we use the relatively short morning lines. Again, for my family, I saw this as was more responsible to the system than just using DD's GAC over and over again. She can handle a 20 minute line...she (and then we...) cannot handle a 60 minute line.

And the mug comparison---The specific policy for not reusing mugs is clearly printed on every one. If you ask a CM they will tell you the rule. Although the FP's had the window, there was not language saying you cannot use it outside the window. And with EVERY CM allowing us to do it, there was no reason to see it as the same strict policy as per the mugs.

I am pretty sure if someone went to a resort CM and specifically asked if they could fill their 2007 resort mugs they would be told no. I doubt the people you see doing it have specific permission. You could maybe talk them into allowing you to get a drink it it were an emergency and you were on the brink of dehydration...but the policy would be echoed by any resort CM.

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by benjiboo25

I am pretty sure if someone went to a resort CM and specifically asked if they could fill their 2007 resort mugs they would be told no.

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Many of the CMs working in the food courts do not know the policy (even though I'm sure it was in their training and it's posted everywhere.) In some cases, it's a language barrier issue, in others it's a case of "the customer is always right" and a CM isn't going to slap a customer's hands.

That's why the RFID system is so appealing...

But I do agree with your other points, wholeheartedly.

It's hard to follow the rules if the CMs tell you that the rules aren't always the rules. The best we, as guests, can do it to try and find out the rules and follow them to the best of our abilities -- including when the rules are "flexible" and when they're not.

Still, none of this is a life and death situation. None of this is worth haggling over endlessly.

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

yeah, I can see your point and I guess you're right because if it wasn't supposed to happen they wouldn't allow it, but on the other hand, the CM's never want to say anything to anyone because they don't want to ruin anyones magic, so I'm kind of on the fence. I guess I'm wondering how anyone figured out that this was possible since it's not really widely known ya know? I mean how did you even know you could do it? I've been so in the dark. Is it that the cm's just aren't allowed to confront anyone about it? I think where I see the rudeness is there...if people are just saying, "they can't say anything about it so lets just do it." Does that make any sense?

I see what you're saying, but the CMs definitely have no problem telling people NO if they are just minutes before their FP time starts. I've seen it many, many times with the groups of people that like to hover 3 ft from the beginning of the FP line and try to go in every time the minute changes, and then the CM says, "Not quite yet" or whatever. So I don't really think it's an issue of the CMs being able to say no. It was just something that they allowed but now with the new technology they want to impliment, it won't work with the flexibility of that.