FASTPASS CHANGES IN MARCH!!!! About This Page:

[Angileyze1]

Big changes coming to FASTPASS in March
Feb 06, 2012

Some big changes are expected to be implemented at all FASTPASS attractions next month. Starting March 7 2012, it is expected that the FASTPASS return windows will now be actively enforced, with a 5 minute early arrival and 15 minute late arrival to be allowed. Anyone arriving outside of those times will not be allowed entry to the attraction. The new validity windows will be required for the future roll-out of more advanced NextGen FASTPASS systems, which will require much tighter control of FASTPASS entry than what the current system offers.

The current FASTPASS system does not allow early arrivial times, but does allow late arrivals up to the end of the day. Many guests make use of the late arrival tolerance with the current system, so the new enforcement will be a significant impact to those guest's park touring plans.

[Cinderella072004]

Oh man that stinks I always go late we have even left the park and came back that night with the fastpasses. That put a kink in our tour plans-oh well! Thanks for the info

[dolphin041599]

Thanks for the info.

[mousestruck]

Oh, I don't like that change very much. It was nice having the flexibility to arrive late.

[Starclassic]

Thanks for sharing this info.

[EddieCVS]

Horrible change if it happens! Getting from one section of the park to another with two kids is never a easy task.This will result in a lot of unhappy guest, I don't see how they are going to pull this off without many issues.

[mechurchlady]

I do not do fastpass at Disneyland ever. I found that by the time the time came up I would be on the other side of the park, eating, or in Toontown having to go up and down the steep underpass. For me at WDW there are few rides that I would want to do Fastpass as I would not be able to get back in time.

I have so much time and energy in the parks. If I get overheated, dehydrated, low sugars, or worst have a food reation then I will be done for the day and not be running across Epcot or Disneyland. I see this as a major change for touring plans. However also this will eliminate all the wasted passes that go unused because someone waited until too late to want to use the pass. good and evil but necessary as the fastpass was to make things easier for travellers but gives some people a really big advantage over othr travellers.

[chezp]

Thanks for the info. To be honest, we usually aim to return between the times given, so for us, this won't be a huge deal.

[ilovedisney247]

Holy carp this was unexpected and not good news for the 20 minute rule

[mommadjones]

I understand rules and all and we try very hared to abide by the return time but with three kids sometimes its hard. We never hoard our fast passes but if we get a fast pass and its set for lunch time which is when we have an adr across the park we will come back after the set time. Oh well we will see how this pans out. Was this sourced directly from Disney?

[Caldercup]

FYI - this is already under discussion over in the Touring forum: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ed-coming.html



So far, I haven't found an official release of this info from Disney, just the quoted report from WDWMagic: FASTPASS news - Big changes coming to FASTPASS in March

I've heard this "announcement" more than once for Disney World and have yet to see it enforced. I think, and I could be wrong, that Disney puts out this info occasionally to try and stem the tide (just like the "announce" every year that they will strictly enforce the 7PM start time for the Halloween/Christmas parties. Every year, however, they still abide by the 4PM entrance-with-a-party-ticket time.)

I won't get my knickers in a twist until I see reports of people actually being turned away from the ride... and even then, I'd have to see CONSISTENT reports of it happening before I'd feel like Disney was actually enforcing it, and not just a few overzealous CMs.

[Carousel96]

I guess it won't affect us any -- we don't take FPs unless we can be back at the posted time, and never thought of them as good for the rest of the day.

[Ashli]

Thanks for sharing this info!!

I really hope it's just a rumor. Since you basically have to make an ADR to eat at many places (and then aren't always seated right on time), getting back for such a specific FP window can be difficult.

[Soarin829]

I do view this as a personal inconvenience (we often return way later!), but not a bad idea. While it's frustrating to miss your window, it isn't the end of the world. I think FPs get out of control, ESPECIALLY where more popular rides like Soarin' and TSM are concerned. So an attempt at better control, I believe, will really benefit the masses in the long-run.

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I had always assumed they had enforced the times and had always planned accordingly. They're still allowing some extra minutes. Sounds fair to me.