The article that Greg posted in the Disney news off the front page made me think back to the 'tip' I'd gotten from Disneyland regulars that I'd been speaking to over lunch and a margarita in DCA.
I used my fast passes many many times well after the time stated on the card, and not once was I asked to join the stand by queue. In fact, I spoke to lots of people doing the same thing, so obviously this has become something of the norm - whether the 'right thing' to do or not. I was cheerfully waved forward by each and every attendant, and told to enjoy my ride no less. I think the selling of FP's is pretty ordinary, but if you have acquired a valid fast pass in the right way and you are then held up elsewhere, you should still be allowed to use it I think. The whole point of the fast pass is to alleviate the long queues and it does that really well, the fast passes are very underutilized still in the parks and the lines in the FP return
lanes are always all but empty (unless you are on Indy perhaps) so using your own valid FP should not be an issue.
I have a big issue with the counterfeit ones though, along with the selling of them. Thats the bit Disney should crack down on. They already have barcodes on them- why not use them?
Really, Disney brought this system in and the little leeway they have given up to now with the use of your pass, is just an added bit of magic I think. If they come down too hard on too many patrons, then they are going to have disgruntled people who might not leave as much money in those parks on a daily basis.
I was there in Summer Break and it was insanely busy during the peak times. All the FP were gone by lunchtime on quite a few rides - making the only option later in the day a very long wait indeed. If you hold a FP that you were unable to use for whatever reason, I still think you should be allowed to use it that day.
Ok.. I have in my hand right now, a handful of fast passes that I brought home with me... some valid, some not.
The valid ones already have these features that the bogus ones do not -
* A bar code... why not come up with a machine that reads them as you enter the turnstiles? That way, it knows that it was correct day, after the time of return and held by the valid owner.
* the exact date, and time that it was issued printed on the bottom.
As well as the bogus ones ( that are spat out if you try and get a second before you are allowed - that I got for scrapbooking purposes
) have a big highly visible black band that reads quite clearly " NOT A VALID FAST PASS TICKET"All the attendants cared about when they checked it was that it was after the return time... imagine then having to tell bulk quantities of people that they can't use their card because they were 5 minutes ( or whatever) late...
so .... "who wants to work the fast pass line today?"
.... " Chirp ... chirp"
The FP lines are not choked with bogus card usage... but I think Disney is right to disallow the selling of them online or anywhere else and to remind the attendants to watch for bogus ones. More heavy handed than that though, is just being grumpy.
I already have my issues with making anyone sit on scorching concrete ( and no rug can alleviate that ) to watch a parade. (and in case you are wondering... No it wasn't me... but I saw multiple children in tears after having been ordered to sit on searingly hot concrete or leave). There was little magic in that.
Well thats my 20 cents worth anyway.
Lisa.
