Walt Disney World to Change FASTPASS Policy!

Oh the Fastpass...how we've all come to love that tiny slip of paper, no bigger than a movie ticket, that can so drastically change our lives in the parks!

Your long perfected touring plans including the FastPass may be coming to an end. FastPass service isn't being discontinued, as of yet, but rumor has it as of March 7, 2012 it will be changing.

The Current System:

• The System: Insert your park ticket into a FastPass machine (available at various attractions) and a ticket will print with a one hour time frame to return to ride your attraction. The FastPass allowed you to enter through the FastPass line, saving a lot of wait time in line. 

• The rule: Was (is) you couldn't come back before the earliest FastPass time as noted on your ticket but you could return after your last FastPass time. Many folks gathered FastPasses througout the day and would save them until the evening hours to ride. So what's the problem and why the changes? 
• The Problem: People holding onto their FastPasses FAR past the time frame listed on their pass. This made FastPass lines incredibly long, therefore defeating the purpose of the FastPass.

The New System:

• The New System: Still available for use with a park admission ticket *(*See below for new rumors)

• The New Rule: As of March 7, 2012 Cast Members are being instructed to carefully monitor FastPass return times. You will be allowed to present your FastPass 5 minutes prior or 15 minutes after the return time(s) as listed on the ticket. If you try to present your FastPass after the 15 minute grace period, you will be denied access. 

• The Problem: This is supposed to eliminate the long lines in the FastPass line and help the lines move more efficiently. 

• *The Rumor: This may be a bridge to instituting the "X-Pass" the next generation of theme park touring. This hi-tech gadget would give x-pass holders priority boarding on the attractions, and basically allow you to pre-plan your every move in every park. This technological bracelet/card/whatever it's going to be, would even allow you to access your PhotoPass photos from your rides and would have new interactive features on attractions exclusively for X-Pass holders.