View Full Version : Wait, you don't have to return at the time printed on your Fast Pass?
taybug517
06-17-2007, 07:45 PM
I was browsing the boards and I saw that someone posted that you don't have to return within the hour printed on your fast pass. Is this true? How does this work?
PanFan
06-17-2007, 07:51 PM
As long as you return after the first time printed, they don't care when you use it. If your ticket says to return between 10:00 and 11:00 and you don't come back until 3:00, they will still accept it.
misdisney
06-17-2007, 07:53 PM
As far as I know you have to return at the time on your fastpass. I've never tried to use a fastpass that has expired but I have tried to us one 5min eairly and they tell me to wait until that time. So I can't see this being true!
woody9six
06-17-2007, 07:56 PM
As far as I know you have to return at the time on your fastpass. I've never tried to use a fastpass that has expired but I have tried to us one 5min eairly and they tell me to wait until that time. So I can't see this being true!
They expire when the park closes for the day and not one minute sooner regardless of what is says on the ticket.
splash
06-17-2007, 07:56 PM
This is true. We have gotten fast passes for splash mountain that were good at 11:00 and used them that night at 7:00 and they don't even balk at it. We have done this several times with different rides and never had a problem. Try it the next time you visit.
tink's mom
06-17-2007, 07:57 PM
It's true, I was at DL this week, got FP's, and returned well after the time window on them. I got through every time, as long as your not early they don't seem to care.
adriennek
06-17-2007, 07:57 PM
This is one of those things that's different at DLR than at WDW.
As I understand it, WDW CMs are much stricter about honoring the time window printed on the FP. DLR CMs are much more relaxed about the time window.
Adrienne
PanFan
06-17-2007, 07:58 PM
I promise you it can be used after the posted time. I have done this countless times and as a CM, I tell people who are worried about missing their window not to because it will be accepted. You do have to wait until Disney time says it is at least the first time on your ticket (check the clock at the attraction entrance), but the last time is essentially meaningless.
misdisney
06-17-2007, 08:00 PM
That's to cool! I never new that, all those times I threw fast passes away because I thought I couldn't use them. Thanks you guys!:D
DisneyDustin22
06-17-2007, 08:15 PM
I always use my FP after the return times. Usually I get them early in the morning and dont use them until 8 or 9 in the evening. Sometimes with 12 hours lapsing between and have never been questioned.
Autopia Guy
06-17-2007, 08:26 PM
Well, you might get a funny look from the CM if you hand them one for 8:40 - 9:40 am and you don't come back till like 8:00 pm. But other than that, they will let you through.
As I remember it from my training, you are to not let them in early, but you can let them in any time after their first. Basically think of it as they would like you back by the second time, but it is no biggie if you are not. They understand that you may have been off eating, enjoying another attraction or show, or, heck, even stuck on another attraction that broke down.
And heck, when I work the attraction, I sometimes keep a bunch in my pocket, so if you do come back early, I swap them out. But then that was just me.
anniedg
06-17-2007, 09:41 PM
This is one of those things that's different at DLR than at WDW.
As I understand it, WDW CMs are much stricter about honoring the time window printed on the FP. DLR CMs are much more relaxed about the time window.
Adrienne
I'd heard this too, but just got back from WDW and they now do let you return late -- we did it a number of times and were told the fp's were good til closing.
cynthia312
06-17-2007, 11:28 PM
I always use my FP after the return times. Usually I get them early in the morning and dont use them until 8 or 9 in the evening. Sometimes with 12 hours lapsing between and have never been questioned.
Ditto on that!
Pat-n-Eil
06-18-2007, 07:58 AM
Not only is this the de facto policy, but it was told to me numerous times by Cast Members a few years ago.
This topic has sparked many a debate about "abusing" the system by coming back late - especially when you could get the enhanced AAA Fastpasses - but the park sets the standards and the rules of enforcement.
The FastPass explanation even says that the FP holds your place in line while you enjoy the rest of the park.. So whether you are dining, seeing a show, shoppping, going on other attractions or visiting the other park, this is what they want you to do. The hour window would cause a lot of consternation, especially if the ride had gone 101 earlier. By allowing the full day to come back after the return time, the CMs have a lot less to remember by using this policy.
bloodnswash
06-18-2007, 08:01 AM
As long as you return after the first time printed, they don't care when you use it. If your ticket says to return between 10:00 and 11:00 and you don't come back until 3:00, they will still accept it.
A CM was very kind to share this info with us....that's how we learned about it :)
Mickeygirlforever
06-19-2007, 10:25 AM
That's to cool! I never new that, all those times I threw fast passes away because I thought I couldn't use them. Thanks you guys!:D
Yeah, me too!! :eek: Thanks guys! We've sometimes killed ourselves trying to get back somewhere before the expiration time! Good to know!
charpaul
06-19-2007, 12:51 PM
The return time policy is why I spend a great deal of time in the MORNING collecting as many Fast Passes as possible (when the return time is only like an hour or so away) and then can use them in the afternoon or in the evening when the lines are impossibly long and all the FastPasses are gone for the day.
If you keep aware of your time (the time when your pass activates) then you can get a new Fast Pass for a different attraction at that time. It makes the rest of the day a pleasant one!
sbnuggie
06-19-2007, 03:56 PM
My family just got back from our first trip to WDW last month and in doing my research for the trip the one thing I noted was at WDW they were very strict about the return policy vs. DL. We've been to DL numerous times and never worried about the end time as we always came back to an attraction after the one hour window. While at WDW we were turned away about %50 of the time when we came back after our expiration window. It's hit or miss there compared to DL.
Mrs Mouse
06-19-2007, 05:04 PM
The return time policy is why I spend a great deal of time in the MORNING collecting as many Fast Passes as possible (when the return time is only like an hour or so away) and then can use them in the afternoon or in the evening when the lines are impossibly long and all the FastPasses are gone for the day.
On very busy days this is our strategy too. The day-time is great for visiting less crowded attractions, hanging out with characters or visiting DCA. Then at night, it's ride, ride, ride. At first I felt bad about doing this, so I actually checked at City Hall and not only did the CM tell me that there was nothing wrong with this plan, he actually commented on how much sense it made with the park was filled to the brim. This strategy allows you to get the most out of your Disney day!
I hope too many people don't get ahold of this tip so that it stops being so effective! ;)
hayjennn
06-19-2007, 11:34 PM
when you have an AP how does the fastpass work? are you able to scan the
AP just the same as the ticket?
Seashellmama
06-19-2007, 11:42 PM
when you have an AP how does the fastpass work? are you able to scan the
AP just the same as the ticket?
Yes.
PanFan
06-19-2007, 11:44 PM
when you have an AP how does the fastpass work? are you able to scan the
AP just the same as the ticket?
Yeah, you put your AP in the machine exactly the same as you would a regular park ticket. Just make sure it has been used for admission at the park you're in for that day (i.e. you can't bring someone else's AP in so you can get extra FP's without them being there).
Pat-n-Eil
06-20-2007, 06:44 AM
Speaking of APs and such. Has anyone tried to scan an AP (or a parkhopper for that matter) while it was still in the Lanyard? Is the lanyard clear enough and small enough to fit into the FastPass machine?
ghoofie
06-20-2007, 07:06 AM
Speaking of APs and such. Has anyone tried to scan an AP (or a parkhopper for that matter) while it was still in the Lanyard? Is the lanyard clear enough and small enough to fit into the FastPass machine?
Don't know if the lanyard holder would fit into the reader.
BUT, typically, the scanner should be able to read thru clear
plastic. I do lots of work programming scanners and designing
bar codes. We have several applications where we scan
barcodes on tickets that are in plastic pouches.
We have a barcode that can be scanned from 100 feet away.
stan4d_steph
06-20-2007, 07:50 AM
Speaking of APs and such. Has anyone tried to scan an AP (or a parkhopper for that matter) while it was still in the Lanyard? Is the lanyard clear enough and small enough to fit into the FastPass machine?No, the AP must be inserted into the FastPass machine and if it's inside a lanyard it won't fit.