Disney testing new Meet & Greet queing process

[Blueyed Girl]

I just read this on another web site. Thoughts??


From Orlando Attractions Magazine (apparently)


Disney testing new meet-and-greet queueing procedures, may point to upcoming Fantasyland changes

In Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom this week, a few of Disney's
Imagineers and cast members held a test at Pooh's Playful Spot, the
playground located across from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
dark ride. Pooh characters were made available for meet and
greets, but new queuing rules were attached. Parents were instructed,
via cast members and signs posted around the area, to wait in line to
see the characters while their children were allowed to play nearby in
the playground. When the parents reached a certain point in the line
close to the characters, they were asked to bring over their little
ones so they could enjoy the meeting with Winnie the Pooh and his
friends.

We received reports of this test being run on Monday
and Wednesday, with Tuesday being a day for Disney's staff to review
how the previous day's test went and make changes for the following.
Throughout the tests, Disney has been video recording and surveying
guests to get their opinion on how the queuing system worked out for
them.

Improving wait times for children wanting to meet their favorite characters sounds like a great idea, but I'm guessing that this test may actually be for something greater. When Disney announced the upcoming Fantasyland expansion at the D23 Expo in September, they revealed that there would be a number of permanent princess meet-and-greet areas throughout the expansion. These will each involve an interactive/play area in addition to the actual character meeting area. In the announcement, Disney also emphasized the fact that the enhanced Dumbo attraction will feature a queue-less waiting system of some sort.



I'm thinking that I wouldn't like this at all. 1st, why should I stand in line as a "place holder" for my kid rather than teaching them to stand in line for something THEY want to see? 2nd, I'm not sure exactly how this is going to work but how would I be able to keep a proper eye on my child while they are running around playing while I'm in line? 3rd, how would a CM (assuming there is one maning this area) know which child goes with which family? 4th, since I wouldn't let my child go to the play area, I would now be considered "bad mommy" for not letting my child play with all the other children while I'm waiting in line. Thus putting my child in a bad mood and also myself. All in all, I guess I'd have to actually see how it all works. As of now, I'm not liking this idea.

[tjmw2727]

Interesting - I guess it depends on the queue and if you could see your child as well as the age of the child. This is kind of the way it is at Airels grotto - or at least it was last time we did it. The queue is around the outside in a circle and there was a play area in the center. When you got to the cave/grotto then you could call your child to join you and it was a short wait to the meet & greet.

I agree that kids need to learn to wait but the waits for characters can be so long sometimes. I have no problem using fast pass and I imagine this will be a hit as well.

Thanks for sharing - I hadn't heard about this!

[Blueyed Girl]

Interesting - I guess it depends on the queue and if you could see your child as well as the age of the child. This is kind of the way it is at Airels grotto - or at least it was last time we did it. The queue is around the outside in a circle and there was a play area in the center. When you got to the cave/grotto then you could call your child to join you and it was a short wait to the meet & greet.

I agree that kids need to learn to wait but the waits for characters can be so long sometimes. I have no problem using fast pass and I imagine this will be a hit as well.

Thanks for sharing - I hadn't heard about this!

We've only done Ariel once since I have a boy but I didn't let him run around in the middle because I couldn't see him the entire time. However, it's true what you've said about the age of the child. He was only 3 at that time.

[disneyholic family]

i agree with you...especially given that the pooh play area is for really little ones....no way would i let children that young run around without me close by and available to intervene or whatever..

i would definitely keep my kids by my side in a situation like this....
guess i'm bad mommy too..

[kaligal]

If I wasn't able to actually see the child while he was playing, there is no way in hell I'd say, "Go play. I'll stand here." And I wouldn't trust the Disney company or its staff to keep my child safe.

If there are two adults with the child, it's all win-win. But if one adult is off riding Space Mountain with the older kid and one is left to wait for Pooh...it's another ball game entirely.

Some people allow their kids to monopolize a character's time and I fear they'll get worse when they know that there aren't other kids standing right there waiting.

It's not a bad idea, though. It's a good idea. And it'll be good in practice if it is carried off correctly.

[Blueyed Girl]

I agree with everything said. It should be interesting to actually see how it is all supposed to work. We are going in February. I'll keep an eye out to see if they are doing this anywhere while we are there.