Disney will soon be turning on a validation system of sorts for FastPass+ usage inside of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
A term dubbed “In-Park Validation” on internal documents, this phrase means the validation of park admission and entry for the day before allowing FastPass+ usage. Guests “in the know” for the past few years have learned a loophole in the system that allows bookings using the in-park FastPass+ kiosks with expired tickets or by using a second ticket on their account to book another set of FastPass+ for the day, but not actually using the ticket to enter the theme park. Basically, tickets not used to enter the park could be used to obtain valid FastPass+ reservations.
There is a similar loophole with Cast Member passes as well, where they have 3+ “Guest Passes” to allow their family and friends into the park, but limited restrictions on FastPass+ booking and usage without redeeming admission.
Another issue that’s been plaguing the parks has been 3rd party tour guides. These are the unofficial tour guides people are finding through numerous Disney fan sites, Craigslist, and more. These guides promise FastPass+ usage for all the attractions for their paying clientele, which means their employees rope-drop the park with these handfuls of expired tickets and cards to book the major attractions first thing in the morning at the FastPass+ kiosks. This is all combining to a few people holding FastPass+ options from thousands of folks who are paying admission that day and now cannot find anything they want available.
This in-park validation system will check to ensure that a guest used an active ticket for admission before redeeming a FastPass+. If you didn’t, the Cast Member at the FastPass+ line at any attraction can see this and deny you entry. Repeated attempts will lock MyDisneyExperience accounts from utilizing the FastPass+ booking option, which can be a serious deal for those abusing the system. Guest Relations will be able to unblock accounts if the behavior was deemed non-abusive.
This new policy is slated to rollout within the next few weeks at Walt Disney World. Stay tuned for a more definite date.
This makes sense as the old paper fastpass system had the same type of validation to check if the ticket was used for admission that day before issuing a fastpass.
Honestly I’m surprised it took Disney this long to implement the same restrictions with the new system.
Wow, I had no idea this was even a thing. Glad they will be fixing these loopholes for people whose visit might be the only one they get in their lives.
I’m with you Melanie, had no idea this was such a big problem. Hope they can take down the cheaters and ban them from Disney.
Agreed Melanie . 110% .
Sounds good. Hopefully will increase availability for same day passes as I know that’s been a problem for AP holders
It would be nice if they could also fix the dining reservation system. People who make multiple reservations for the same meal and then pick when they decide which one they want to go with.
They did. It’s called 24 hour cancellation or you bet charged 30$
What GB is talking about is people who cancel ADRs by lying and saying a family member became ill. The fee is waived every time, no questions asked. Some rationalize it saying fatigue could lead to illness.
That doesn’t fix anything. People still make multiple dining reservations and then decide a day or 2 before and cancel. So others can’t actually plan their trip and are left to try and grab reservations once they’re canceled the day before.
I thought if you miss a scheduled dining reservation they charge the card you used to secure the reservation.
Not really. If you call and make an excuse they refund you. They rarely actually charge someone without getting asked for a refund.
They charge the credit card $10 per person in the party for a missed ADR.
Unless you call and say some one is sick. Then, no fee.
They do
What about the guests with annual passes? I don’t want to have issues with my account on my Disney experience. I use it all the time when I am at Disney. I use the fast pass every time.
I would guess this doesn’t really pertain to AP. We only have (1) AP ticket, so we can only book (1) FP+.
If you abuse the system with an AP, the AP account will also be locked and you will not be able to book FP for the rest of the pass (and probably even after you renew the pass).
Great news! And it’s time once again to crack down on sites like mousedining.com and touringplans.com that are still webscraping the dining reservations so no one else can ever get any. And, yes, they ARE still making money from doing it!
Hungry guest. I’m confused. How is touring plans making money helping someone to find a reservation? I used them once to help get an impossible California Grill reservation at the last minute. I didn’t pay anything, how did they make money?
Fortunately Disney has been very successful in battling bots. Mousedining nor touringplans can make dining reservations then sell them.
You do know that the Touring Plans Reservation finder is free (you just need to sign up for a free account)? Also Touring Plans actually pays people to search for the reservations? I am confused how that makes them money?
That “free” account uses your information and sells it to third parties. That’s where the money is.
As the owner of TouringPlans, I’ll state categorically that we don’t provide information to third parties in any way.
Touringplans only notifies people that there is a reservation available for the date and time the person wants it. Touringplans doesn’t actually make any reservations – it is up to the person notified to do that on their own, if they still want it.
It is about time. I would read about people doing this and would think to myself, you are proud you are cheating the system/Disney but you are cheating fellow guests!
I think this is a great idea. I’m glad that Disney is taking the initiative on this issue because it is unfair to paying guests. Good move by Disney!
Why does the fastpass+ kiosk not just check admissions information and just deny the fastpass to the person? It seems like they came up with the most convoluted way possible to deal with what seems like a really easy fix.
Two completely different programs/apps that they will have to write code to have them “talk” to each other.
It currently doesn’t do this and thats whats being implemented.
Are they going to crack down on people saying ‘my FP+ is not working’? Or, ‘I put it in’? I have seen a family of 8 only have a couple of the people actually have FP+, but they saying ‘I’m with them, my FP+ must not have linked’. This could be used to game the system too.
Most times I’ve seen larger parties try to “piggy-back” on one or to FastPasses, they have been denied. Politely, but firmly.
There are times the FP really doesnt work, my family was there in Jan (6 of us) and there were times that only 2-4 of us would have working FP but it would still show on my Disney Exper. that everyone would have FP for everything together. So as i do think they need to watch this too, I think they allow it for a couple reasons 1. they know there is a flaw in the system and 2. they want to keep groups/family together. Just need to be wise about it and check to see if everyone is booked together or if different people in the group are FP for different things so that they can “get more FP”.
I was treated like an ogre (other park character reference intended ) because I make fp+ reservations for my family and the system keeps dropping only mine. It says I am cancelling the pass from an apple iPhone. I don’t own an iPhone, so how is that possible? We are AP and this has been happening for a year now.
So this may actually be a valid excuse for some. Not all, but some.
I’d look at someone in your household with an iphone. That or your accounts has been hacked in which case is time to change your password. Someone is definitively getting into your account without your knowledge or acknowledgement.
Touring plans does not charge for their reservation finder and they have Disney’s permission.
So glad to hear they’re closing those loopholes! My son and I each have about 12 bands but couldn’t fathom using them in this fashion. Whatever happened to integrity?
Maybe because it’s a horrible system…
wonder if they will crack down on the those who book resorts for the 60 day FP and then cancel the hotel but still use the FP.
I find it rather disturbing when I hear phrases being used like “crack down” when referring to Disney’s attempts to prohibit an activity that is so minuscule in scope. It is an obvious non issue to Disney, which they will use to justify an overreaching abuse of their authority. This is disappointing coming from
Mr Iger. I mistakenly believed that he shared the same progressive, liberal beliefs that I do, only to contradict that notion, by “cracking down” on its guests. I dread to see where this policy goes from here.
Progress? Liberal?….. who cares what your political beliefs are?!
We are talking about a HUGE corporation that entertains thousands upon thousands daily!
When you have “regulars”, being AP holders or Cast Members that know the system and abuse it…… making it difficult and nearly impossible for guests who pay thousands of dollars to vacation there obtain fastpasses, it is ABUSIVE and does NEED to be dealt with!
I support Disney and Mr. Iger’s new “crack down” policy to fix the loopholes and close the abyssal gap for such abusers!
Disney is such a ‘yes man’ corporation, people have learned that and know how to put on a show to get exactly what they want, this makes it so frustrating to all the other guests who are not “in the know” as well as the Cast Members who know when someone is playing the system but can’t say no to the dishonest regular guest.
This is not about government handouts, welfare and Medicaid, free cell phones, and unemployment for the lazy…… keep your liberal, progressive views where they belong, and it’s NOT inside the world of Disney!!!
“Abuse their authority ?” THEY OWN THE PLACE, they are just trying to make it fair for everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How is this an “overreaching abuse of their authority?” Disney’s authority to set business policy and implement enforcement mechanisms within the confines of their own parks is absolute. They are not a publicly funded government agency whose power to limit access is governed by a Constitution.
“Cracking Down” are this article’s words, not Mr. Iger’s.
I understand that, and we both can agree that it is a rather shabbily written article. However the pretext is there, so that Disney will simply use this flimsy excuse in order create further inconvenient rules and regulations that are designed to intimidate those that Disney deem fit. I remember the days when Disney represented total freedom and fun in a safe and friendly environment, now it is slowly creeping towards a totalitarian state.
The problem is that people were invited into the equation. It is people that made it unfriendly by trying to game the system against other people, hence the crackdown. If people were actually considerate of others and not just thinking about themselves, this would not have even been an issue.
Sounds like you’re one of these abusers.
What does being liberal have to do with anything? There are only a limited amount of fast passes available each day and to punish those people that are abusing the system and preventing others from getting fast passes is wonderful. This crackdown should be embraced. What reason do you have to be against this other then wanting to take advantage of the systems in place yourself.
You are mistaken. It is not minuscule in scope, its actually fairly widespread and is most definitely NOT a non-issue.
Its about fairness to ALL guests, and preventing those abusing the system who are currently personally profiteering (a large amount of money) from it.
I’m not quite sure what scenarios you are creating in your mind, but I’m afraid you’re are making something from nothing. Disney a) own the parks and implement any policy they choose if its in the interest of the business but more importantly, paying customers, and b) are in the business of providing memorable experiences, so why would they possibly want to alienate said guests (apart from those gaming the system).
We can all agree that the current CEO, who once spouted quasi progressive attitudes, is nothing more than a shallow capitalist only out to make a quick dollar at the expense of the worker, all the while providing his Wall Street cronies with comps on Disney property. If this weren’t the case, this discussion would not be taking place. How many of the CEO’s “associates” actually have to endure 3 hour waits for Flight of Passage? Think about that question and ask yourselves who does the CEO care more about? The little people he and others, like James Cameron, hold in contempt, or the slimy 1%’s, a group no doubt he is proud to be part of. Disgusting.
We CANT all agree on that.
People had discovered loopholes in the FastPass system that Disney didn’t anticipate (pretty clever ones, I have to admit. I wish I had thought of some of those). And as some people were ‘gaming’ the system, and getting more FastPasses than they should have, Disney decided to correct the loopholes so each guest has the same access to FastPasses as everyone else. Disney owns the park, Disney makes the rules, Disney can change the rules at any time. Disney can cancel the FastPass system if it wants to. That’s how business works.
From what it sounds like, a guest could buy 4 1-day tickets and then make 12 FastPasses for one park on the same day (3 FastPasses for each of the 4-day passes at one park). Then, since they didn’t actually use the 3 tickets that first day, could then make 9 Fast Passes at a different park the next day with the remaining 3 tickets. They are just now validating that the FastPass being used is linked to the ticket that was used for admission.
Same with fort wilderness they book a site for the fast pass then don’t show up to camp which means it says they are fully booked but the park is nearly empty.
No need to lie to CMs and tell them your “FPP didn’t link”. I just dress up like Walt and they let me in. Boom.
I wonder if they can do something about not being able to get dining reservations. As DVC club members we cannot get the free dining and we have to wait just like everyone else for the 180 day window and then can’t get hardly anything!! AND WE HAVE TO PAY!!
I think these independent people must use numerous online accounts to snag hundreds of dining reservations in minutes!!
This is the FIRST trip that I haven’t been able to get Cinderella’s Royal Table if we wanted it.
So glad they are fixing this. It was next to impossible to get fast passes when we were there.
I liked the old system better. This new system is awful, so people are trying to cheat the system. If it weren’t so ridiculous to begin with, people wouldn’t be such scammers. Not everyone knows a month ahead of time that they’re going to be in the park, and by the time they get there there aren’t any fast passes available. It shouldn’t be something that needs to be booked that far in advance. And if you’re fast enough to get around the entire park and pick yourself up fast passes for the day, then more power to you!
I understand Disney wanting to close loopholes that people have found but I highly doubt this is going to open up loads of fast passes that people feel like they’re missing out on or are having “stolen” from them. In the grand scheme of things it’s probably no where near enough to make a difference anyone would notice.
Maybe if they didn’t have that stupid 3 pass rule with the stupid only 1 popular ride per those 3 fast pass people wouldn’t do this. ????
Abuse is all over Disney. Last week I saw a family with a person in a wheel chair go to the front of the line. There were 9 people in the family! Insane
That’s not abuse. For all you know that family might have had one of the disability passes. There’s eight people in my family, when we went to Disneyland Paris we got queue jumped a lot even without presenting our disability pass because my youngest brother has severe cerebral palsy and from experience CMs like to make a fuss of their disabled guests
Lines were recently redesigned (approximately 2 years ago) so that wheelchair users can enter the regular line. If for some reason that isn’t feasible, then wheelchair users and their families must go to the ride itself, where they are given a ‘return time’ equivalent to the current wait time, at which time they can then board the ride. Most likely, you saw the second case scenario. If you really paid attention to wheelchair users around the park, you should have noticed many instances in which wheelchairs were in line. I was there last week as well and I saw the ‘wheelchair’ policies being implemented quite well.
As a former cast member, I’m well aware of the wheelchair policy.
It could’ve also been a Make-A-Wish guest.
What happens in this case : I have AP but I am taking the DCl that will be stopping at Disney . we will be given admission and 3 fp. But I planned on using my AP to enter – if I use my AP will I not be able to use the FP ?
You should speak to a Cast Member/Guest Services and see if your FP’s can be associated with your AP.
Whew! I though I might have been abusing the system, when I skipped a ride and let my 12 year old use my magic band for a second ride like Thunder Mountain, one of his favorites, when we both had fast passes for it.
That would be a problem if you were back at the hotel and didnt enter the park that day. Lets say you booked your FP+ and then didnt feel like going to the park so your family took your Magic band so they can use yoru FP+s. Boom your banned!
I don’t see how can you think that. One fast pass was issued, the person who made th fast pass in is the park, that person willingly gave the pass to someone else. That’s how fastpasses work. Like Zoe said, if you stayed at your resort then that would be a problem.
Now, think of all the Brazilian tour agencies that have abused the FP system to give their customers a fastpass.
I think the judgment in the comments here is a little harsh. Disney was well aware that this was going on and didn’t really care because it didn’t have that much effect on the system. I suspect that they decided to do something when people like these 3rd party tour guides took it so far that it did have an effect. I’m not saying it’s not cheating the system, but there are much worse things in the world to get upset about. I suspect that Frozen and 7DMT fastpasses are still going to be super hard to get no matter what; I would be very surprised if the individual park goer sees any real difference in day of fastpass availability.
How dare Disney restrict access to FastPass+ reservations to people that are actually in the park!! This is a shameless money grab!!! Walt would be rollin’ in his grave!!! Rules should not apply to me, or anyone I know! I should just go to the front of the line!! Period!! And if you don’t agree, you must be a Disney intern!!!
Now this right here, is a troll
They aren’t, you should re-read the article. The prevention is for people booking and using Fastpass tickets that are linked to an entrance pass that WASN’T used to enter the park that day..i.e people gaming the system to get more FP’s than they are allowed.
“What happens in this case : I have AP but I am taking the DCl that will be stopping at Disney . we will be given admission and 3 fp. But I planned on using my AP to enter – if I use my AP will I not be able to use the FP ?”
…not based off any research or anything but my assumption is that you would have to pick a ticket and use the 3 FP selections on that ticket. So yes, if you have FP booked already on that ticket you should use that ticket instead of your AP.
I wonder if Disney will also be cracking down on their own cast members who obtain paper fast pass tickets and then use them (by the dozens) in the park and have the nerve to brag about it while waiting in line?
This is super upsetting to regular folks who are just trying to enjoy a day in one of the parks.
Disney uses that most of the times to compensate for those who are in a fastpass line of a ever more frequently broken down ride. That will go on and will be used more frequently.
Yes they will be.
This is what happens when you outsource critical software projects. This is a relatively simple permutation that any experienced architect would have caught in planning sessions and should never have made it into production. But Disney wants to hire cheap labor, so this is what they get.
You’re talking way too much sense.
Actually it isn’t. This is a feature that was never implemented, it has nothing to do with the nationality of the software developers. If you know anything of software development, the business owns the final say on scope and functionality. Once the abuse was discovered and the correct solution decided, it was then implemented. I can assure you that the supplier NEVER decides the final functionality and every decision is carefully thought through.
Some Cast Members might abuse the system but not that I’ve ever seen. Seeing as cast members can’t even book a fast pass until 7 days out we have a very limited chance of getting anything good when we book… So tell me again how we fill up the good rides?
I’m so sorry, can someone explain this to me? How are people making fast pass plans with expired tickets, how did they get into the park?
“Basically, tickets not used to enter the park could be used to obtain valid FastPass+ reservations.” So they bought an extra ticket so they could use fast pass? I just cant wrap my head around this!
My guess is that sometimes people get Disney tickets if they are in town for a conference at a Disney property. (There’s an afternoon pass, after 3:00 entrance). And if you don’t use it, it expires after a few months (a friend of mine at a conference gave me hers because she did not want/couldn’t go to the park and I didn’t realized it expired until it was too late.) Maybe these are the expired tickets ? And maybe if they added them to their account before they expired, they could choose FastPass times in the future for that ticket, after the ticket expired. They wouldn’t enter the park with the expired ticket, but could use them at the FastPass entrances, because the FP machines would not validate the ticket itself, but just the FP times associated with the ticket. Pretty clever. Wish I had thought of it.
First World problems. They closed a loophole in their system that allowed cheating. Be grateful you can afford a trip to Disney world, and remember there are people in 3rd world countries who don’t even have enough food to eat.