Will Walt Disney World really enforce FastPass return
times? And, if they do, how will it
impact our vacation?
Let me begin with a bit of an explanation of FastPass. FastPass is a ticket that “holds” a place in
line of certain attractions so that guests can return later and use the
FastPass line rather than the Stand-by line.
Only certain attractions are FastPass attractions and each park has
FastPass attractions. The return time on
the FastPass ticket is typically an hour long, say 2:30-3:30 pm, as an
example. Guests may use their ticket
media to get FastPass tickets at the attraction using the FastPass kiosks.
Now, will Disney begin enforcing the return times? Yes, we have not returned to attractions
during the hour long window on the FastPass, as we learned the “secret” years
ago that guests can return anytime after the beginning time of the return time
window. So, if the return time was
2:30-3:30 pm, we could return anytime after 2:30 pm. If we didn’t get to that attraction until
6:00 pm, our FastPass would still be honored.
Rumor on the web—nothing official from Disney as how can
they officially announce they are now going to follow their own rules—is that
beginning March 7, 2012, FastPass return times were going to be strictly
enforced. The info coming from various
sources cites that 5 minutes prior to the start of the FastPass return time and
up to 30 minutes after will be honored.
Other than that, no way. I’m
trying to picture guests being turned away at the FastPass entrance because
they were more than 30 minutes past the return time window. Hmm. . .
One reason the “secret” of using the FastPass anytime after
the start of the return time window was so great, is that it let you relax—and enjoy
your vacation-- if you were stuck in a line, say waiting to meet characters or
if you were eating at Crystal Palace and Piglet had yet to arrive at your
table.
I’m envisioning servers at various restaurants now being
rushed to bring the check, character handlers being chased down, and other
hectic, blood pumping scenarios happening so that folks can get to the
attraction in time to use their FastPass.
It would be one thing if a guest could choose their return
time when getting a FastPass, but it is up to the FastPass machines to issue a
ticket with the next available return times.
Will we now see guests standing not-so-patiently outside the FastPass
Kiosks waiting for the return times to roll over to get to the time window they
are needing based on ADR’s and other touring plans?
Why would Disney suddenly begin enforcing return times? The information coming via the web indicates
readiness for a next generation FastPass system that using scanning rather than
a Cast Member to take your tickets. Something
about the scanners not accepting FastPasses that are beyond the time
limits. The use of advanced technology
is going to make the system dumber, not smarter? Surely Disney can figure this out and make
the technology accept FastPasses beyond the designated time limits. Or, change the FastPasses themselves to have
an unlimited time of return, with only the available time to get the next
FastPass having limits. That would be
fair, more palatable for guests, and make the new scanning system work.
How will this impact our vacation? Potentially, incredibly. We are FastPass collectors and use them later
in the day. This is how we ride Splash Mountain
I’m still mulling this around as to what to do. Will we get fewer FastPasses? Will we stand in more stand-by lines? I’m leaning towards waiting to see what
happens after March 7 and then making a decision. Part of me wants to try and see if the Cast
Members enforce the rule before changing our touring plans.
Already a Disney vacation can be laden with expectations,
cost/time variables, and the ideology of a “once in a lifetime” variable. The news of enforcing FastPass return times
can add stress to Disney vacationers and reduce the “magic” of their
vacation. It isn’t like Disney to reduce
magic, so we will wait and see what happens.
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