What is this x pass system I'm hearing about?
Or updates to the fast pass system?
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What is this x pass system I'm hearing about?
Or updates to the fast pass system?
I'm actually seeing some buzz about Disney recently testing in some spots how Fastpass was originally intended to work - guests actually having to return during the hour window on their FP. Also reports are indicating that CMs are no longer advising guests that the return times are open-ended, like they have in the past.
Oh no...we used to always return "late". Although, I understand why they might want to enforce the window. However, how can they account for lateness that is not the guest's fault? Like, ride breakdowns, or longer than posted waits at other rides, longer than usual lines at food/merchandise spots, etc.? Isn't that why the return time is open ended?
I've basically heard the same thing. I never knew you could show up late and still use your fast pass, but it only seems fair that if you are more than 15 min or so past your window,that the fast pass should expire. If I understand the system right, they only issue so many fast passes every day per fast pass attraction. It seems that if everyone was doing this, then both stand bye and fast pass lines could take longer.
The one hour window has nothing to do with x-pass as far as I'm aware ... x-pass is the term I've heard used to refer to the "NextGen" iteration of FastPass where everything will be able to tie together and you'll have your dining reservations, ride reservations, character meet reservations, etc. all tied to one "x-pass."
I didn't realize that they would let you ride if you didn't return within your window. Maybe that explains the FP line being as long or longer than the SB line sometimes.
There is no way Disney is going to start enforcing the 1 hour window because doing so would fly in the face of Disney's "make the guest happy" approach. Disney would be faced with constant guest issues caused by Disney's ride breakdowns, failure to seat guests at ADR time, etc and would find it impossible to police this rule without constant bad blood (PS I am perfectly fine with folks being late for sleepy kids, sick kids, walked up on the Main Street Philharmonic and decided to watch it for the first time, etc., since this is a vacation).
But most importantly, they won't enforce this issue because they don't stand to make any money off of doing so.
Just my :twocents:
We are often "late returners" as well. We didn't find out that this was allowed until we got fastpasses that were at the same time as a dinner ADR. We asked a CM if we could switch out our fastpasses for a different time because of the ADR, this is when he explained that as long as you come back anytime after the time starts you can ride. I wonder if they do start enforcing the times will they allow late comers for this kind of situation, or will the guest just be out of luck if their fastpass is during an ADR??? Not that its the end of the world, LOL, but I could see some very unhappy folks at the fastpass entrance.
The return time is posted above the machines..if it is during your ADR time just don't get one- we have run into this, or even the time was when we knew we would be at a completely opposite end of the park,we just opt to skip that particular FP and move on.
:ditto:
One option would be to extend the return window to 2 or 3 hours but then enforce it. Letting people return whenever is just leading to longer FP lines which leads to longer standby lines IMO. FP return line at RnRC was 40 minutes last week - defeats the purpose of having FP.
Ok, didn't ever notice that! LOL. Have these times been posted from the very beginning of fastpass? Our incident with the fastpass at the time of our ADR was over 5 years ago. Not that it would make a difference for me since still to this day I had no idea these posted times existed. I guess I am in "lala" land when I'm in WDW!
A great illustration of why unneccessarily enforcing this is a bad idea.
buzznwoodysmom has been a regular on Intercot for some time, which certifies her as a Disney nut, but yet she didn't know about the posted times. While I thought "WHAT!" when I first read this, it goes along with my feelings of "it's a vacation", and for most folks that means not over-thinking every minute of every day, EVEN if it is more efficient for Disney or other guests. We all know how the efficiency of ADR's has stressed many of us to "make our time" and I would hate for Fastpass to be the next victim.
To put it in Disney speak, Hakuna Matata!
Yeah, When I got a Living w/ the Land Fastpass, they mentioned anytime afterwards as we were about to go ride Soarin, Eat Lunch, and take our scheduled restroom break.
You know I felt a little foolish admitting that I didn't know about the posted return times. In my 14 trips, and trust me we use the heck out of fastpass on every trip, I honestly never noticed that, and as far as I know my hubby, two kids, and my mom (who is often with us on our trips) have never noticed either. I guess I'm not paying close enough attention to what I'm doing. When I see threads about celebrity sightings I always think to myself that I could be standing right next to a celebrity and never even notice, because I often find myself so totally wrapped up in my kids and what we are doing. I guess this proves that I was right in thinking that. Makes me wonder what else I've been missing all these years! LOL.
Which is precisely why, if this stupid "NextGen" garbage turns out to be half as bad as it sounds, my DVC's are going on the market and we'll be taking our vacations at the beach from now on.
I refuse to be forced to plan out every split-second of my vacation just to avoid being shut out of rides, character meet-and-greets, and restaurants ... you know, all the stuff I'm actually, well, there for? :mad:
Ian, I agree 100%.
We are at a point now that even our ADRs seem like such a headache. I hate having to watch the clock to keep track of our next meal. If we have to have a complete schedule of meals, rides, character meets, then the trip becomes not at all enjoyable, and we'd rather spend our time and money elsewhere. I really hope it doesn't come to this.