Are the new Fastpass rules in full effect?

[WDWdriver]

If you are late due to this reason (ride being down, you get stuck on a ride or whatever), do you have to prove it? Or does the CM call the other ride to verify that, yes indeed, the ride was down for a period of time? I'm just curious as to how this all works.....

In this case we already knew that Dinosaur had experienced a down time. But, yes, if there is any doubt we can call to verify an attraction down time or an unusual delayed seating at a restaurant.

In another case a family member arrived at the end of the FP window to tell us that the rest of the party was on the way, but was moving slowly due to an elderly person in the group. That was a smart thing to do, and they were all allowed in when they arrived late. The new rules are in place, but the CMs still have a lot of discretion as to when they are enforced.

[WDWdriver]

I'm bumping this up to confirm that the new FastPass return rules are in effect and are being enforced. You MUST return within your FP window plus a 15 minute grace period. Only a few exceptions are possible, and reasons for late returns can be verified by the CMs.

[Mrs Bus Driver]

In this case we already knew that Dinosaur had experienced a down time. But, yes, if there is any doubt we can call to verify an attraction down time or an unusual delayed seating at a restaurant.

In another case a family member arrived at the end of the FP window to tell us that the rest of the party was on the way, but was moving slowly due to an elderly person in the group. That was a smart thing to do, and they were all allowed in when they arrived late. The new rules are in place, but the CMs still have a lot of discretion as to when they are enforced.

Just want to add 3 things.
1. Disney has the right to enforce their own rules, as long as we all play by the same rules I am all for it.
2. I read the above post and thought how cool. I don't mind Disney bending the rules for something like the elderly family member (Please I don't want to hear about possible abuse, usually it's not as bad as people think).
3. Remember folks when you are at Disney you are on vacation, don't stress about what the other guy is doing. Just focus on you and yours and enjoy your vacation.

[AuntLaura]

We were at WDW March 30 - April 6 and found the fast pass rules seem to be having a positive effect. The fast passes no longer "sell out" quickly in the AM. We noticed this for TSM at Studios. One day at MK, we found that you could get a FP at Buzz for one hour later. I wonder if people are using the fast passes more judiciously, rather than grabbing them assuming they can use them anytime. I think the change is positive.

[Melanie]

Ron, thanks so much for taking the time to fill us in on how things are working. I'm glad to hear all the positive!

[MrPeetrie]

We were at WDW March 30 - April 6 and found the fast pass rules seem to be having a positive effect. The fast passes no longer "sell out" quickly in the AM. We noticed this for TSM at Studios. One day at MK, we found that you could get a FP at Buzz for one hour later. I wonder if people are using the fast passes more judiciously, rather than grabbing them assuming they can use them anytime. I think the change is positive.

This has me very encouraged for our upcoming vacation. Hats off again to the CMs handling the change-over!

[ThanxForNoticin]

We were at WDW March 30 - April 6 and found the fast pass rules seem to be having a positive effect. The fast passes no longer "sell out" quickly in the AM. We noticed this for TSM at Studios. One day at MK, we found that you could get a FP at Buzz for one hour later. I wonder if people are using the fast passes more judiciously, rather than grabbing them assuming they can use them anytime. I think the change is positive.

You know, I thought the same thing. I hope that if folks are more aware of the fact they might not be able to get back to an attraction at the proper fastpass time now, that they might skip grabbing those extra fastpasses - which could make the overall fastpass system more effective.

[Aurora]

We were at WDW March 30 - April 6 and found the fast pass rules seem to be having a positive effect. The fast passes no longer "sell out" quickly in the AM. We noticed this for TSM at Studios. One day at MK, we found that you could get a FP at Buzz for one hour later. I wonder if people are using the fast passes more judiciously, rather than grabbing them assuming they can use them anytime. I think the change is positive.

You know, I thought the same thing. I hope that if folks are more aware of the fact they might not be able to get back to an attraction at the proper fastpass time now, that they might skip grabbing those extra fastpasses - which could make the overall fastpass system more effective.

I'm no expert, but I don't see how the new FP rules would have that great of an effect on when the FPs run out at popular attractions, since you never could just go from one place to another and grab FPs. You always had to wait at least two hours or the start of that FP time before getting another.

Or are people who used to save them for later just foregoing the FPs altogether?

[ThanxForNoticin]

I'm no expert, but I don't see how the new FP rules would have that great of an effect on when the FPs run out at popular attractions, since you never could just go from one place to another and grab FPs. You always had to wait at least two hours or the start of that FP time before getting another.

Or are people who used to save them for later just foregoing the FPs altogether?

And you might be right!! It's probably really, really overthinking it. But if folks who used to "collect" FPs early in the day (without any regard for the return window) now have to be aware of valid return times, it's likely to affect their decision to take some FPs. And to get even deeper into "overthinking it", folks who grab a FP in the morning will now be more likely to be taking time enjoying that attraction during the morning hours instead of running off for other FPs for use later.

I wonder if the Disney Institute could create a 3-day course on the science of the Fast Pass!!

In so many ways, this creates a conversation that's rather silly. In my opinion, FP is a great option to help with some planning during the day. I'm personally glad they are enforcing the return times - it's just something we've always done anyway. But is it going to be a huge change for us? Not at all. And for folks who say they'll need to completely change their planning and might miss some attractions now that they are enforcing the FP return times? I would just say the stand-by line is always an option. It's how most of the guests enjoy most of the attractions.

[brownie]

The official policy is that you can enter 5 min before your posted time and up to 15 min late. So, yes, there's a little grace period, but not unlimited like it used to be.

I overheard cast members at Soarin' telling guests that they were giving people a 15 minute grace period beyond the end time on the Fastpass.

It seemed to me that there were a lot of groups of people trying to use their Fastpasses prior to the start time. I had to wait several times when I was there March 31-April 1 for cast members to explain the Fastpasses to people and tell them to come back during their assigned times.

[BigRedDad]

I agree with the rule. WDW needs to start enforcing rules altogether. Now, people can plan far more efficiently. You know before getting the FP when it is due. If you cannot plan to make it there in time, then don't get them.

The best FP policy I have experienced is US. Unfortunately, WDW is far too big to enable that front of line access. Maybe WDW can start to do something similar based on the resort you are booked in: Values get front of line access to X; Moderate X and Y; Deluxe X, Y, and Z.

[MNNHFLTX]

The best FP policy I have experienced is US. Unfortunately, WDW is far too big to enable that front of line access. Maybe WDW can start to do something similar based on the resort you are booked in: Values get front of line access to X; Moderate X and Y; Deluxe X, Y, and Z.

Whoa, let's not go there.

Back to the topic at hand--I am glad to hear that people seem to be dealing with the changes in a positive manner. I wondered if some would give CM's a rough time, but it sounds like that isn't happening.

[Aurora]

Whoa, let's not go there.

[WDWdriver]

--I am glad to hear that people seem to be dealing with the changes in a positive manner. I wondered if some would give CM's a rough time, but it sounds like that isn't happening.

It does happen sometimes, Beth. One of our young college program gals was yelled at for several minutes by a woman who was four hours late and shouted that she had been coming to WDW for years and had always collected FPs to use later in the day. She then demanded an exception because she was a frequent guest. Our young CM stuck to her guns and told me later "right, I'm going to make an exception for her after she ranted at me?" The woman stormed off with her embarrassed husband in tow. LOL

[MNNHFLTX]

It does happen sometimes, Beth. One of our young college program gals was yelled at for several minutes by a woman who was four hours late and shouted that she had been coming to WDW for years and had always collected FPs to use later in the day. She then demanded an exception because she was a frequent guest. Our young CM stuck to her guns and told me later "right, I'm going to make an exception for her after she ranted at me?" The woman stormed off with her embarrassed husband in tow. LOL

Good for her for sticking to her guns. People shouldn't be rude like that.

[Aurora]

She then demanded an exception because she was a frequent guest. Our young CM stuck to her guns and told me later "right, I'm going to make an exception for her after she ranted at me?"

Good for her for sticking to her guns. People shouldn't be rude like that.

Boy, if I were a CM and someone said that to me, it would be REALLY hard for me not to laugh in their face.