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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Linky
Starting March 7th, Cast Members will be instructed to enforce return window end times. The good news is that they will accept people 5 minutes early or up to 15 minutes late, effectively extending the window to 1 hour, 20 minutes.
If you've read my previous planning posts, this CHANGES the strategy of getting several fastpasses at rope drop for use later in the day. You'll now have to abide by the window.
With careful planning, this should be fine and you can still save a lot of waiting time with FastPass.
What do you think of the changes? Were you a late returner, or did you stick to the window?
I used to generally stick to the window, but once I realized it was Disney policy to not enforce it, I would plan around being able to use fastpasses late.
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Posted 2/7/12 10:35 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Nik09
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1982 total posts
Name:
Nikole
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
That stinks! I like the flexibility of using it whenever. I can understand why they are enforcing it though.
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| Posted 2/7/12 12:39 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
I think it's great. Granted we hardly ever use FPs because it's not usually crowded when we go or we don't plan to wait around for the return time. But we were there last month and the Space Mountain return line for FP at 10pm was longer than the standby line. I can't imagine any reason for that to happen other than FP hoarding. The standby line was 90 minutes even though the park was pretty empty.
Although, I do feel bad for the CMs who will have to enforce this when it first goes into effect.
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| Posted 2/7/12 1:04 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by Christine
Although, I do feel bad for the CMs who will have to enforce this when it first goes into effect.
I don't think it's going to be as big of a deal as we would think. I don't think the average joe vacationer even knows or would assume you can use them late. it's just people who are really big planners and read boards who know mostly. A very vocal minority, but still a minority.
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| Posted 2/7/12 1:06 PM |
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WNA01
my 2 boys
Member since 10/08 4240 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
didn't even know you could have gone anytime afterwards - we always went when the time showed on the fp
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| Posted 2/7/12 1:11 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Christine
Although, I do feel bad for the CMs who will have to enforce this when it first goes into effect.
I don't think it's going to be as big of a deal as we would think. I don't think the average joe vacationer even knows or would assume you can use them late. it's just people who are really big planners and read boards who know mostly. A very vocal minority, but still a minority.
Maybe because I read all those FP threads on Disboards with people saying they will challenge any CM that tells them they can't use an old FP makes me think it could be rough for them. I hope it isn't but who knows? People don't like being told no, even when they are wrong.
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| Posted 2/7/12 1:12 PM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
I don't think this change will last. I also don't think it is necessary at WDW since FP is barely used there and like people in this thread have said - most people return in that window anyway.
We are late fastpass returners - it is the best way to avoid the lines without having to stay in one place at one time. We will just have to change our strategy.... PITA.
But the rules are rules and you have to follow them... They have always had a return time, so it has always been the rule but jut not enforced. I don't really understand why you would try to bypass this if it is the rule. And the CMs don't make the rules, I feel bad if anyone harasses them 
I wonder how they will handle the ride being down when you go to use your FP - that is the reason I heard why they allowed late returns. i WOULD get PO'd if I couldn't use my FP because the ride was down during that narrow return time.
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| Posted 2/8/12 12:26 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by LINewbie
I don't think this change will last. I also don't think it is necessary at WDW since FP is barely used there and like people in this thread have said - most people return in that window anyway.
I wonder how they will handle the ride being down when you go to use your FP - that is the reason I heard why they allowed late returns. i WOULD get PO'd if I couldn't use my FP because the ride was down during that narrow return time.
My SIL is an exec for Disney and has been working on this project as part of a larger project that still has not been announced. My BIL is an exec Manager for Theme Parks - currently positioned at MK.
If the ride is down during your return time, the current policy will still be in effect - you will receive a FP for a non-specific return time.
This change is long term and Disney has no plans to back down from the new policy as it is phase 1 of a much larger project that it is in the works.
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| Posted 2/8/12 1:10 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
In all of our trips over the past 12 years, I had no idea you could use it outside of the return time until last year. The only time we have done this is for a meet and greet with the princesses this past trip over Thanksgiving.
We get a GAC now (never knew about that until a couple of years ago), so it's not really applicable to us. Prior to that, I would just skip the ride we missed our return time for. I don't really think it's a big deal to be honest.
Message edited 2/8/2012 3:50:18 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/12 3:50 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
I personally think the changes stink. The general visitor doesn't know that they can deviate from the FP window. Seeing as most of the time you get a FP at 11 and the return time is 3 - or 4 that stinks for most families with young children who leave the parks mid day. With the other system - if that happened you could come back and ride 1st thing when you got back into the park. Additionally I think it stinks because say you have an ADR for 1pm and they seat you 45 mins late (not unusual for crystal palace) if you have a 2pm you then have to choose between telling your children to rush their meals and risk missing characters or missing the ride that they might have really been looking forward to that they might no longer be able to go on. FP is very useful for families with small children - rides like Peter pan can sell out their FPs very early and most very young children who are the ones who appreciate Peter Pan the most cannot wait 90+ mins to go on the ride - so if they miss that window then they lose out.
I don't know I have never had a long wait ever with FP and I can't see people just not taking the FP because they aren't sure if they will be able to come back - I think many will take it anyway - so I think the new system will just result in many more unused FPs.
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| Posted 2/8/12 6:13 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by Mill188
My SIL is an exec for Disney and has been working on this project as part of a larger project that still has not been announced. My BIL is an exec Manager for Theme Parks - currently positioned at MK.
If the ride is down during your return time, the current policy will still be in effect - you will receive a FP for a non-specific return time.
This change is long term and Disney has no plans to back down from the new policy as it is phase 1 of a much larger project that it is in the works.
Well I hope it is a better plan. I have been seeing speculation that they might go the way other parks have and charge extra for a special FP. It would be nice though if they did offer a special FP to those who do stay on site.
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| Posted 2/8/12 6:21 PM |
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phoenix913
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3034 total posts
Name:
V
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
I'm not a fan of this either. I feel like it forces you to plan too much and takes some of the fun out of things. It was nice knowing you could get the FP and then if you were back in the area of the ride during the window you could go on, and if you weren't you could come back later.
Now you will really have to think about where to go and what to do during the time you are waiting for your window. I think this would be more pronounced in the morning when you are getting return times that aren't that far away.
Plus I don't like that I can't pass on the magic to incoming guests with my unused FPs. I loved seeing people's faces light up when we were able to do that!
I love Disney, but half the fun of being there is just going with the flow and enjoying some of the unexpected magic. I feel like every change is making people plan plan plan more.
One thing this will definitely make me do though is travel off-peak so that we don't have to use FP so much.
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| Posted 2/8/12 6:32 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by Mill188
My SIL is an exec for Disney and has been working on this project as part of a larger project that still has not been announced. My BIL is an exec Manager for Theme Parks - currently positioned at MK.
If the ride is down during your return time, the current policy will still be in effect - you will receive a FP for a non-specific return time.
This change is long term and Disney has no plans to back down from the new policy as it is phase 1 of a much larger project that it is in the works.
I read some rumors where this new program is going to create queue-less lines and that guests will have the ability to get "Fastpasses" in advance similar to ADRs. If they are going to start marketing some big plan like this, Disney will need to tighten up the ride lines so they can move people through the rides.
I don't know, it all sounds so complicated for a vacation.
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| Posted 2/8/12 8:27 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
the original idea behind FP was to have queue-less lines. According to BIL the load policy for FP v regular lines is 80% FP and 20% regular lines. Disney has always had a problem with people not adhering to the times on the fastpasses. The FP machines are set to distribute a certain number of tickets between a set period in order to control capacity.
By not adhering to the time on your FP ticket, you are actually making the standby riders wait longer....it's a problem for Disney that has gotten worse over the years.
The policy of allowing people to use their FPs at any time AFTER their window was never an offical policy. All Disney is doing is enforcing a policy they never did before. According to SIL this is a necessary step in order to facilitate the next phase of the project.
She won't tell us what the next phase is though - no matter how often we ask!
Message edited 2/8/2012 8:57:24 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/12 8:56 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by Mill188
Posted by LINewbie
I don't think this change will last. I also don't think it is necessary at WDW since FP is barely used there and like people in this thread have said - most people return in that window anyway.
I wonder how they will handle the ride being down when you go to use your FP - that is the reason I heard why they allowed late returns. i WOULD get PO'd if I couldn't use my FP because the ride was down during that narrow return time.
My SIL is an exec for Disney and has been working on this project as part of a larger project that still has not been announced. My BIL is an exec Manager for Theme Parks - currently positioned at MK.
If the ride is down during your return time, the current policy will still be in effect - you will receive a FP for a non-specific return time.
This change is long term and Disney has no plans to back down from the new policy as it is phase 1 of a much larger project that it is in the works.
Yep. I'm pretty sure they're making this change to prepare the way for the long rumoured xpass system.
Because your FP will be on your RFID wristband, the window will be enforced by that. When you swipe you either will/will not be let in.
I'm wondering how people can keep track of their FP return times if they do away with physical tickets? Maybe they'll make an app? Or keep the tickets, but make you swipe in as well.
Lots of rumours flying, I'm sure you know more than I do.
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| Posted 2/9/12 10:59 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by Christine
I read some rumors where this new program is going to create queue-less lines and that guests will have the ability to get "Fastpasses" in advance similar to ADRs. If they are going to start marketing some big plan like this, Disney will need to tighten up the ride lines so they can move people through the rides.
I don't know, it all sounds so complicated for a vacation.
I don't think it's going to be as bad as people are saying. I don't think you'll have to plan your vacation all 6 months in advance. Hopefully whatever plan they have in place will cut down on the TSMM RD dash..though I heard that's getting better since they have recently started letting people in 15-30 min early at DHS
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| Posted 2/9/12 11:01 AM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Yes, I am hoping this will fail so that project doesn't happen. Planning what rides you will be at what times when you book your vacation? Many people I know hate making ADRs... can't imagine what will happen when they have to plan all the rides in advance. Hopefully it won't be as drastic as I have heard. I would MUCH rather have them charge for FPs but I have heard they don't want to differentiate b/w those who can afford it and those who can't. IDK how true that is.
Anyway, I still hope it fails lol
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| Posted 2/14/12 12:55 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Honestly, the whole concept was originally to control the time people would come back. Not people using a free pass to come back whenever and create a massive mess with huge lines with the FP.
In Disney Europe, they enforced the FP policy. It was never an issue. Just like if you buy a ticket for a show/time. You snooze, you loose if not used in the time frame it was bought for.
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| Posted 2/14/12 11:46 PM |
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twobabies
Praying
Member since 7/05 9662 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Honeybee
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
personally i like the change. Last year the fast pass line for peter pan was 40 minS!!. Cause im guessing alot of people were just showing up at random times after there fast pass time expired. I read that they are thinking of having fastpass machines at the entrance of the parks, and you soon be able to insert your admission ticket and get up to 3 fast passes at once. Should be pretty cool.
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| Posted 2/16/12 10:00 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
Posted by twobabies
personally i like the change. Last year the fast pass line for peter pan was 40 minS!!. Cause im guessing alot of people were just showing up at random times after there fast pass time expired. I read that they are thinking of having fastpass machines at the entrance of the parks, and you soon be able to insert your admission ticket and get up to 3 fast passes at once. Should be pretty cool.
On our recent trip the Winnie the Pooh fast pass return line was longer than standby. It was a bit crazy.
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| Posted 2/16/12 11:56 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Change to Disney FastPass policy coming March
I've very rarely had that experience of crazy long FP return times. This will definitely help with that.
I think we'll all just adjust to it
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| Posted 2/16/12 12:34 PM |
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