Expired Fastpass

[tiggerzzz]

We just got back from 3 days at Disney World about 2 hours ago.

Saturday, I tried to use a fastpass at Test Track 1.5 hrs after it expired. I know we are supposed to be back in the hour we were supposed to, but we did not make it. Everything I have read said here and other places said CM would take an expired fastpass. However, he would not take it. Will they no longer take an expired fastpass? Has anyone else have similar experiences?

Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Officially the ticket is only good within the indicated time period. Depending on crowds, as a courtesy often people will be permitted to uuse a FP after the validity period has expired.

I don't know what transpired, but CMs are permitted to generally make exceptions to enhance the guest experience. I do know if a person comes to me with an attitude I may not be as willing to make an exception compared to if a person is polite and explains a problem.

 

[PrincessBelle23]

I was under the impression that it didn't matter when you returned with a fastpass, as long is it was after the time on the card. I have returned to rides multiple times after the indicated time and I've never had any troubles from any CMs when going onto the rides.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Can't speak to test track - never done that ride, but have only been denied once for late return otherwise.

 

[tiggerzzz]

We were friendly and we were asking a question about something else before we handed him the fastpass. Once he said it was expired, I was in shock and walked to the standby line.

It was the first time I tried that and I was disappointed because I told my DW not too worry, it is OK if we are late.

I think if we would had just flashed the FP as we were walking by instead of asking questions, we would have been OK.

Oh well. I was upset at myself for thinking it would work and telling my DW not to worry.

 

[kimberh]

We have had dinner reservations that have interferred with our fast passes and we have never been denied. I have always explained in a nice way and it was not a problem. If this is a new rule, I guess we will hear more about it. I had a CM tell me last year, that a fast pass was always good.

 

[mhd]

last august my dd and I had a adr in mgm as well as a fast pass with tt that would expire during our dinner. I asked the cm at tt if we could return after our dinner and after the fast pass had expired. The cm said no problem, come back and the fast pass would be accepted.

 

[byoung]

Have used them over a year old.

 

[CarolA]

Read the fastpass. It gives you a valid time period.

Yes, you may get to use an expired fast pass but you are not necessarily entitiled to use it. (If everyone did this it defeats the whole purpose of spreading out the crowds) I have heard of several folks being denied at Soarin' for example.

 

[scraplady]

When DH and I were there in December most of our fast passes expired and we were able to get on. But than again in wasn't really busy.
Tina

 

[Nuchi15697]

Read the fastpass. It gives you a valid time period.

Yes, you may get to use an expired fast pass but you are not necessarily entitiled to use it. (If everyone did this it defeats the whole purpose of spreading out the crowds) I have heard of several folks being denied at Soarin' for example.

Wait a minute. Are you saying the rules apply to me ?

 

[Scraper]

Depends on the CM. Always worth a shot.

 

[Scraper]

Wait a minute. Are you saying the rules apply to me ?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I can see TT as one of the ones they are cracking down on. It's always a long wait and it does seem to go down every once in a while thus backing it up even more.

I have never been refused to use one that was from the same day but have seen others being told sorry your time has passed.

Remember things posted here are just tips not policy.

Even with the most knowledgeable CMs ( CF does a very good ticketing job here on the DIS)things could change overnight and have a totally different set of rules.

Sorry about the inconvenience but I would have tried later in the night just to make sure it wasn't a CM having a not so magical day or getting one that was just full of Pixie Dust.

 

[brendrek]

Our "Behind The Seeds Tour" ran long, and our Soarin' passes expired by an hour. I explained the problem to the CM and they let us right on. It was great because it was the first time we rode first class (top row), and it was our last chance to ride it during that trip.

 

[i<3Disney]

I worked on attractions at Disney and we were told that any fastpass was valid even if the time on the fastpass has already lapsed.

Let me make this clear that no one could enter the queue BEFORE the time on their fastpass. Have you ever noticed a CM announce maybe on the Rock N Rollercoaster FP line "12:05 or earlier??" There is a reason for this.

 

[Mur13]

I've used one hours after it was supposed to be used. I just kinda rubbed the time off the fastpass, and was nice to the CM taking them.

 

[MyZoeJane]

I was under the impression that barring a backed up Fastpass line or insane crowds... CM's are instructed to take late Fastpasses. I would be willing to bet that the CM was new. I would have VERY nicely asked if they were absolutely sure, as you had been told that late Fastpasses are usually acceptable. If they still denied you then I would have waited until there was another CM at the gate.

 

[Dawgdad]

Fastpasses DO NOT expire. I have spoken with a family member who is in upper management at WDW. Again, they DO NOT expire. If you have a problem, politely ask for a supervisor. Many ride operators do not know this policy and it never came up during training. Apparently, this is becoming an issue and new cast members are being spcifically trained on this. Did I mention that Fastpasses DO NOT expire.

 

[CleveRocks]

Then why is there a return WINDOW, rather than just a return start time?

On the DIS, I've always posted that it's the letter of the law that FPs DO expire, but that enforcement is quite rare, in order to, how did Cheshire put it, enhance the guest experience. It would be a very rare situation when a CM would refuse entry to an expired FP, but yet a POSSIBLE situation.

Someone somewhere has decided NOT to change the FP return window to a FP return start time.

WDW is a wonderful wonderful place, but it would be helpful if they didn't vex guests by making rules that they totally don't enforce: no Heelys in the parks, but no public notice of this anywhere and no stopping kids from coming in while wearing them; no outside food or drink in the parks, but security lets people like me take in 4-course meals; refillable mugs are good only at that resort and only for length of current stay, yet I see people with mugs so old they have Uncle Remus and Mortimer Mouse on them; and so on.