Walt Disney World rumored to soon enforce FASTPass return times

Saturday, November 5, 2011 danny 16 Comments

One of the greatest innovations (Innoventions?) that Disney has installed in its parks is that of the FASTPass system for attractions and shows. There is no better way for guests to make the most of their time at the parks without having to worry about standing in each and every line. The routine of guests though could soon be altered if Walt Disney World actually chooses to change things up a little.

Rumors are flying that Disney World could soon enforce the return time that guests must come back for their FASTPass times.

For those that don’t know, FASTPass gives guests a ticket with an hour-window of time later in the day to return and bypass the standby line. As has been common practice for a long time, guests could actually return at any time after their hour-time began and the park closed without having to worry about coming back before the hour was up.

Well the convenience of non-strict policies is what will change as Disney World may soon start enforcing the time-return hour window and have started doing so at random attractions within the past couple weeks. It is being said that “late returns” are being honored for the time being, but cast members are not advising that guests can return outside their hour window.

During a visit to the Walt Disney World parks in October, cast members confirmed to me that these rumors have been heard, but they have yet to hear any confirmation on them actually happening for good. The cast members I spoke to advised that if the FASTPass crackdowns do happen then they would most likely be in place for the peak and busy times of the year.

Countdown to Disney: How You Know if You’re Going to Disney World (aglassslippervacation.com)
Disney World On A Budget – 6 Money Saving Reasons To Stay On-Site (onlywdworld.com)

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Posted in: Blogging, Florida, News, Original Articles, Parks & Resorts, Tips and Tricks Tags: disney, Disney FASTPass, Disney World, Disney's Fastpass, Fastpass, Parks & Resorts, recreation, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort

Jerimick27

We were there a few years ago and we were not able to use the Fastpass after the hour was over. The cast members would not let us use them. I never knew that it was any different!
Heather_rae12

They should enforce them… I didn’t know they were not enforced and I always went back at my required time to ride or if it was past time I would get a new one or just wait till the next day. I never even tried to use an expired fast pass because Disney seems to be pretty strict about the rules there.
Heather_rae12

Like Toy Story!!!! We stood in line over 3 hours for that ride because the fast passes were gone at 10AM.
Emorris002

I think they should give a bigger window of time then…..an hour is sometimes not long enough. I hope they don’t do this.
Cjgcricket

I was just there (now mind you it is the slow season) but the fast pass lines were never long and we came back both during the elotted time on our fast pass and after it was expired. I can say the times the fast pass lines were the busiest was right when the new time slots opened. Also I loved being able to give our unused fast passes to unsuspecting families who were at the end of a long line… which we won’t be able to do if they change their current non-strict policy.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667434562 Jennifer A Raven

This is stupid, say you get a fast pass and head to another attraction and its wait time is less than an hour…….but you get held up and can’t get there ontime…..what are you supposed to do? run through the park just trying to get to the ride?
Disneyts

I’m glad they are finally enforcing this. My reason is that if the people don’t show up at the time expected and can return any time the standby line takes longer also. Why should I have to wait longer in the stand by line if all the fast passes were gone and taken by peoplewho felt thay could just return whenever or maybe not at all if they changed their minds.I’m assuming Disney figured the number of fast passes during each hour to keep the flow steady. Just my opinion.
Janine

when fast pass first started they sure did enforce it! I don’t know when they got lax, but I still adhered to the time frame……wish I knew that everyone was getting away with that!
Ninjamom67

Hope that means there will now be more fast passes to go around….so discouraging when they are always out…like on toy story mania and Soarin!!!
Moniquederoche

Well, I never realized we didn’t have to return only during those times…I know they always adhered to the minute the return time but never realized we could use it after the last hour listed … Guess we must be rule followers ha ha ha
Jenn

Huh!!! We went And followed all our fast pass times. Oh my goodness. Had I known it would’ve been slot less hectic(rushing to get back to rides to meet fast pass times). Well now I know I hope they don’t start enforcing the times I’d like to try it out that way first
Renea Pike

I didn’t know they DIDN’T enforce it. I guess I’ve been living under a rock, or I just play by the rules too much. I am always there right at the fast pass time, because I’m scared of confrontation It makes sense though to enforce it for the busier/popular attractions. I also hate it when the fast passes are gone all day!
Kimberly Baker

I hope they don’t actually do this. Sometimes you’re not done with the rides or shows you’re at in time to make it to your fastpass before it expires. It’s nice when they let you in even though you’re a little late.
steve singer

I hope they do enforce this. Also, I hope that as fast passes now will actually expire, they will be able to issue more of them. There have been many times where fast passes are gone for the whole day, quite early in the day. If they truly start enforcing the time limit, they will be able to offer more fast passes overall.
Gaylin

I hope this doesn’t stay in affect. I love being able to use a ‘expired’ fastpass much later in the day, after the parade etc.

Oh well.
Julie

I hope the enforcement is just as you say, for the busiest and peak times. Sometimes for more popular attractions, it is hard to go when your fastpass is if times are hours in advance, and if they are going fast, there is no guarantee that going back a little bit later will result in a more desirable time. This is especially true with young kids, who may need to have lunch or head back for nap sooner than originally planned.