Fastpass Changes In March

[DizneyFreak2002]

Starting in March, Disney will be strictly enforcing the return time window on Fastpasses... 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after will be the cut off times... People returning after those times will be denied Fastpass access... This is in response to getting the system ready for the Next Gen portion of Fastpass...

[Melanie]

This was supposedly the case last fall. We'll see if they actually go through with this.

And 5 minutes BEFORE? When have they ever let folks in 30 seconds before the time window?

[Katzateer]

And 5 minutes BEFORE? When have they ever let folks in 30 seconds before the time window?

So true!

[BrerGnat]

I'll believe it when I see it.

And yeah, I have NEVER been allowed access to a FP return even ONE minute early.

[disneymom15]

I'll believe it when I see it.

And yeah, I have NEVER been allowed access to a FP return even ONE minute early.

Ditto.

[faline]

IAnd yeah, I have NEVER been allowed access to a FP return even ONE minute early.

Even when their clocks are wrong!

[SuzieBell]

This was supposedly the case last fall. We'll see if they actually go through with this.

And 5 minutes BEFORE? When have they ever let folks in 30 seconds before the time window?

Really! We were made to wait to the EXACT time on BTMR! And it was empty!

[waymickey]

What is the next gen fastpass going to be like? I hope they don't go and ruin a perfectly good system. I have been allowed to enter a ride before my fastpass but only after standing and staring at the CM. I think I creeped them out and they just let me through so I would stop staring at them.

[kakn7294]

I'm not worried about the 5 min early because we've never been admitted early but I'm not liking the 15 min after part. We often show up late for our FP return time.

[joanna71985]

About time!

[WDWdriver]

It's true. The "good-all-day" FP policy is coming to an end. I don't know for sure about the five minutes early part, but enforcing the end-of-window time is definitely in the works. It is the topic of a lot of backstage conversations.

BTW, when this is implemented you can expect delays and congestion at the FastPass Return entrance. Currently we only have to glance at the first time on the FP. But after this goes into effect the CMs will have to examine both return window times on each FP and then do the math to determine if the FP is still valid. This will be very time consuming.

[Jared]

It's true. The "good-all-day" FP policy is coming to an end. I don't know for sure about the five minutes early part, but enforcing the end-of-window time is definitely in the works. It is the topic of a lot of backstage conversations.

BTW, when this is implemented you can expect delays and congestion at the FastPass Return entrance. Currently we only have to glance at the first time on the FP. But after this goes into effect the CMs will have to examine both return window times on each FP and then do the math to determine if the FP is still valid. This will be very time consuming.

Just confirming Ron's post. This is true. And I am completely fine with the change. The Fastpass system works better when everyone uses it as it was designed.

[Melanie]

It's true. The "good-all-day" FP policy is coming to an end. I don't know for sure about the five minutes early part, but enforcing the end-of-window time is definitely in the works. It is the topic of a lot of backstage conversations.

BTW, when this is implemented you can expect delays and congestion at the FastPass Return entrance. Currently we only have to glance at the first time on the FP. But after this goes into effect the CMs will have to examine both return window times on each FP and then do the math to determine if the FP is still valid. This will be very time consuming.

Thank you so much for the confirmation Ron. Never know what to believe on the Twitters.

I'm okay with implementing this, but I hope it will be discussed how to handle those who aren't. I can see as much congestion at the entrance from trying to calm a group who is told they can't ride as I can from the CMs checking return times. It's not right for folks to get upset, but I do think it will happen.

[CajunDisneyDad]

I am glad they are finally getting strict with this. Few things are more annoying than during evening EMH when you have a trong of people suddenly want to use thier fast passes for say Soaring or TSMM... I always believed that all fastpasses should be null and voided after regular park operating hours anyway lol.

[Mousemates]

guess we'll get to see the chaos first hand when we drive down in march. Should make for some "exciting times" at the fastpass entrances when the family that made a dash for spacemountain passes doesn't get back in time after a long wait for Peter Peter. Fast PAss CMs will have some long days.

[BrerGnat]

Thank you so much for the confirmation Ron. Never know what to believe on the Twitters.

Or the Facebooks.

Hey, here's an idea, why doesn't Disney just invent a machine that takes the FP when you return, and determines if it is valid or not? If they are going to enforce this policy, why not have something in place to make it black and white?

[dnickels]

Or the Facebooks.

Hey, here's an idea, why doesn't Disney just invent a machine that takes the FP when you return, and determines if it is valid or not? If they are going to enforce this policy, why not have something in place to make it black and white?

I'm surprised they haven't done that as well. Just a turnstile with a reader system that accepts the FP and then either allows the turnstile to turn or doesn't. Basically just like the front gates entrances. This way the CM on location only has to get involved when someone manages to mess up and they don't spend all their time checking times.

[WDWdriver]

Or the Facebooks.

Hey, here's an idea, why doesn't Disney just invent a machine that takes the FP when you return, and determines if it is valid or not? If they are going to enforce this policy, why not have something in place to make it black and white?

Good point. Actually, there is a lot of talk about bar coding, imbedded chips, RFID tags, etc. We are likely to see this later as NextGen is implemented.

[TinkerbellT421]

Now, what happens when a ride goes down? For instance when we were there in January, we got a Fast Pass for Splash Mountain, we came back right when our fast pass started and then the ride was down for four hours after that until they finally got it back up and running. The CM said that the fast pass was good till park close because the ride was down for so long. But now what happens? I would be LIVID if my fast pass was no good because THEIR ride broke down?

[c&d]

I'm happy with this and with the new credit card on certain dining reservations. Speaking for myself I'm one who follows the rules and others being made to follow them really doesn't bother me. I'll get off my