Question re: something one of the CMs said to me

[sassie_kat]

Good morning all! We just got back from our surprise trip to Disney and had a GREAT time despite a few obstacles. Thank goodness my BIL took his daughter to the park on our arrival day and had to wait in a 2+ hour line for Space Mountain . . . they were more than willing to listen to me and my Touring Plans advice for the rest of the trip and we barely waited for anything! Except once . . .

On our first full day in the MK, we went from ride to ride with little wait. We had decided we were just about done and while walking through NFL, checked the app for the LM ride time wait. It was listed as 25 minutes posted, 21 expected. We walked up to the ride and sure enough it was posted at 25 minutes. About 25 minutes in, we were still in the outside portion of the queue and my youngest had to use the potty (thank you falling water!) I excused the two of us from the line (had to use all of my strength to keep her from kicking anyone else since she was upset that we were leaving "her best princess ever"!) We went over to Rapunzel's tower, did our business and headed back to the line. I spoke with the CM at the front and asked if there was anything that we could do, my BIL was ahead of us in the line, I had to leave with my youngest etc. He chuckled and said that he remembered her and to go on ahead through the line. Luckily, most of the people we were passing also remembered my little screaming banshee and let us through with no issue.

By the time we caught up to my BIL, the group had just made it in to the covered area and we had been waiting for about 35 minutes. The line continued to inch forward and we got into the room where you load after waiting for about an hour.

A CM who was standing in the middle of the room made a comment about seeing lots of grumpy faces. She made eye contact directly with me and so I answered. I asked her about how much longer it would take to load from the point where we were standing. She kind of shrugged her shoulders and said that it shouldn't be too much longer. I told her that we had gotten in line because the wait time was posted as 25 minutes and that we had been waiting for over an hour already. She apologized and said that it was just an estimate. I told her it was one thing to make a choice to get in line with 4 young kids for a 25 minute wait but it was entirely different to wait for over an hour. She then told me that they have no control over the wait time that is listed, that it's all computerized and they can't do anything about it. At that point we were moving again and we got on the ride about 10 minutes later.

I thought that the point of those little red squares was to help have an accurate wait time listed. If not, what is the point? FWIW, when we left the wait time was still listed at 25 minutes and the outside line was all the way filled.

That was seriously the ONLY Disney downside to our trip. We had some other rough bumps, but those were totally out of Disney's control.

 

[Robo]

Good morning all! We just got back from our surprise trip to Disney and had a GREAT time despite a few obstacles. Thank goodness my BIL took his daughter to the park on our arrival day and had to wait in a 2+ hour line for Space Mountain . . . they were more than willing to listen to me and my Touring Plans advice for the rest of the trip and we barely waited for anything! Except once . . .

On our first full day in the MK, we went from ride to ride with little wait. We had decided we were just about done and while walking through NFL, checked the app for the LM ride time wait. It was listed as 25 minutes posted, 21 expected. We walked up to the ride and sure enough it was posted at 25 minutes. About 25 minutes in, we were still in the outside portion of the queue and my youngest had to use the potty (thank you falling water!) I excused the two of us from the line (had to use all of my strength to keep her from kicking anyone else since she was upset that we were leaving "her best princess ever"!) We went over to Rapunzel's tower, did our business and headed back to the line. I spoke with the CM at the front and asked if there was anything that we could do, my BIL was ahead of us in the line, I had to leave with my youngest etc. He chuckled and said that he remembered her and to go on ahead through the line. Luckily, most of the people we were passing also remembered my little screaming banshee and let us through with no issue.

By the time we caught up to my BIL, the group had just made it in to the covered area and we had been waiting for about 35 minutes. The line continued to inch forward and we got into the room where you load after waiting for about an hour.

A CM who was standing in the middle of the room made a comment about seeing lots of grumpy faces. She made eye contact directly with me and so I answered. I asked her about how much longer it would take to load from the point where we were standing. She kind of shrugged her shoulders and said that it shouldn't be too much longer. I told her that we had gotten in line because the wait time was posted as 25 minutes and that we had been waiting for over an hour already. She apologized and said that it was just an estimate. I told her it was one thing to make a choice to get in line with 4 young kids for a 25 minute wait but it was entirely different to wait for over an hour. She then told me that they have no control over the wait time that is listed, that it's all computerized and they can't do anything about it. At that point we were moving again and we got on the ride about 10 minutes later.

I thought that the point of those little red squares was to help have an accurate wait time listed. If not, what is the point? FWIW, when we left the wait time was still listed at 25 minutes and the outside line was all the way filled.

That was seriously the ONLY Disney downside to our trip. We had some other rough bumps, but those were totally out of Disney's control.

Stuff happens.

 

[LisaTN]

Good morning all! We just got back from our surprise trip to Disney and had a GREAT time despite a few obstacles. Thank goodness my BIL took his daughter to the park on our arrival day and had to wait in a 2+ hour line for Space Mountain . . . they were more than willing to listen to me and my Touring Plans advice for the rest of the trip and we barely waited for anything! Except once . . .

On our first full day in the MK, we went from ride to ride with little wait. We had decided we were just about done and while walking through NFL, checked the app for the LM ride time wait. It was listed as 25 minutes posted, 21 expected. We walked up to the ride and sure enough it was posted at 25 minutes. About 25 minutes in, we were still in the outside portion of the queue and my youngest had to use the potty (thank you falling water!) I excused the two of us from the line (had to use all of my strength to keep her from kicking anyone else since she was upset that we were leaving "her best princess ever"!) We went over to Rapunzel's tower, did our business and headed back to the line. I spoke with the CM at the front and asked if there was anything that we could do, my BIL was ahead of us in the line, I had to leave with my youngest etc. He chuckled and said that he remembered her and to go on ahead through the line. Luckily, most of the people we were passing also remembered my little screaming banshee and let us through with no issue.

By the time we caught up to my BIL, the group had just made it in to the covered area and we had been waiting for about 35 minutes. The line continued to inch forward and we got into the room where you load after waiting for about an hour.

A CM who was standing in the middle of the room made a comment about seeing lots of grumpy faces. She made eye contact directly with me and so I answered. I asked her about how much longer it would take to load from the point where we were standing. She kind of shrugged her shoulders and said that it shouldn't be too much longer. I told her that we had gotten in line because the wait time was posted as 25 minutes and that we had been waiting for over an hour already. She apologized and said that it was just an estimate. I told her it was one thing to make a choice to get in line with 4 young kids for a 25 minute wait but it was entirely different to wait for over an hour. She then told me that they have no control over the wait time that is listed, that it's all computerized and they can't do anything about it. At that point we were moving again and we got on the ride about 10 minutes later.

I thought that the point of those little red squares was to help have an accurate wait time listed. If not, what is the point? FWIW, when we left the wait time was still listed at 25 minutes and the outside line was all the way filled.

That was seriously the ONLY Disney downside to our trip. We had some other rough bumps, but those were totally out of Disney's control.

That is very frustrating I know.... but the CM was right... the computerized system makes estimates based on the red cards... but LM has been notorious for being "down" - breaking, etc... and so this may have been what had happened? They may not have given out another red card while ya'll were in line (which they should).... or the person with the red card forgot to pass it on... but the lines are just estimates.

It's nice though being on the other end. We got in line for TSMM and it said 50 minutes, and we only waited in line for 20.

True, these things happen. Frustrating as they may be. But I'm glad the rest of your trip went great!!!

 

[sassie_kat]

Thanks Robo! I know that stuff happens, I was just curious as to the validity of the statement that local (to the ride) CMs have no control over the wait time listed. It was also odd to me that the expected wait time didn't change even though there were several of the red line timers that went through, both ahead of and behind our group.

And, totally OT but boy did I look like the hero at EPCOT on our first morning when I spotted the RFID entries that had NO lines after my BIL had gotten in a long line for the old style tickets! It was funny because he refused to get out of line at first, sure that I was incorrect and we'd be sent right back to an even longer line. He changed his tune real quickly when he saw my family scanning our tickets and walking right on in.

 

[Cais]

Fast pass returns also affect your wait time in a way that's tough to judge. Any time you also have a significant number of guests entering the line can cause wait times to fluctuate wildly as well. Parade dump, fireworks dump, post lunch rush, post dinner rush etc. It's useful as an estimate but I would never take one as gospel.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[littlejen22]

Thanks Robo! I know that stuff happens, I was just curious as to the validity of the statement that local (to the ride) CMs have no control over the wait time listed. It was also odd to me that the expected wait time didn't change even though there were several of the red line timers that went through, both ahead of and behind our group.

And, totally OT but boy did I look like the hero at EPCOT on our first morning when I spotted the RFID entries that had NO lines after my BIL had gotten in a long line for the old style tickets! It was funny because he refused to get out of line at first, sure that I was incorrect and we'd be sent right back to an even longer line. He changed his tune real quickly when he saw my family scanning our tickets and walking right on in.

Which rides have RDIF lines?

 

[TLSnell1981]

Once upon a time, some blamed inaccurate wait times on late FP users. Personally, I believe large discrepancies occur when the rides go down. At least, this was our experience.

Stuff happens.

But, usually to me... And OFTEN!

 

[LisaTN]

Which rides have RDIF lines?

Not rides... the turntiles at the park entrance

 

[davedmaine]

Good morning all! We just got back from our surprise trip to Disney and had a GREAT time despite a few obstacles. Thank goodness my BIL took his daughter to the park on our arrival day and had to wait in a 2+ hour line for Space Mountain . . . they were more than willing to listen to me and my Touring Plans advice for the rest of the trip and we barely waited for anything! Except once . . .

On our first full day in the MK, we went from ride to ride with little wait. We had decided we were just about done and while walking through NFL, checked the app for the LM ride time wait. It was listed as 25 minutes posted, 21 expected. We walked up to the ride and sure enough it was posted at 25 minutes. About 25 minutes in, we were still in the outside portion of the queue and my youngest had to use the potty (thank you falling water!) I excused the two of us from the line (had to use all of my strength to keep her from kicking anyone else since she was upset that we were leaving "her best princess ever"!) We went over to Rapunzel's tower, did our business and headed back to the line. I spoke with the CM at the front and asked if there was anything that we could do, my BIL was ahead of us in the line, I had to leave with my youngest etc. He chuckled and said that he remembered her and to go on ahead through the line. Luckily, most of the people we were passing also remembered my little screaming banshee and let us through with no issue.

By the time we caught up to my BIL, the group had just made it in to the covered area and we had been waiting for about 35 minutes. The line continued to inch forward and we got into the room where you load after waiting for about an hour.

A CM who was standing in the middle of the room made a comment about seeing lots of grumpy faces. She made eye contact directly with me and so I answered. I asked her about how much longer it would take to load from the point where we were standing. She kind of shrugged her shoulders and said that it shouldn't be too much longer. I told her that we had gotten in line because the wait time was posted as 25 minutes and that we had been waiting for over an hour already. She apologized and said that it was just an estimate. I told her it was one thing to make a choice to get in line with 4 young kids for a 25 minute wait but it was entirely different to wait for over an hour. She then told me that they have no control over the wait time that is listed, that it's all computerized and they can't do anything about it. At that point we were moving again and we got on the ride about 10 minutes later.

I thought that the point of those little red squares was to help have an accurate wait time listed. If not, what is the point? FWIW, when we left the wait time was still listed at 25 minutes and the outside line was all the way filled.

That was seriously the ONLY Disney downside to our trip. We had some other rough bumps, but those were totally out of Disney's control.

A lot of people saw the short wait and got in line driving up the time before it could be recorded.. It happens

 

[rock_doctor]

Once upon a time, some blamed inaccurate wait times on late FP users. Personally, I believe large discrepancies occur when the rides go down. At least, this was our experience.
But, usually to me... And OFTEN!

FP is part of it. They issue a certain number of FPs and take that into account when they determine wait times. When people do not make their FP time then they need to be crammed in and this is the reason they are now trying to enforce FP times. Plus they are now issuing many more FPs then they use to (my observation, no real data). That will also make the wait time slide. It has been suggested many times that the wait times are very inaccurate with the disney apps as the times come from disney but outside apps like the one from UT are much more accurate as the people waiting in line post those times.

 

[Robo]

FP is part of it. They issue a certain number of FPs and take that into account when they determine wait times. When people do not make their FP time then they need to be crammed in and this is the reason they are now trying to enforce FP times.

What?

 

[TLSnell1981]

What?

 

[rock_doctor]

What?

If they issue 10 fast passes every half hour and 5 holders miss their times and come back later to use that fast pass. Disney now needs to fit in (cram) those holders into other times such that instead of 10 holders you now have 11 or 12 or what ever. Those extra people now displace people waiting in the standby line. You can't magically create an extra seat. Enforce the FP time and the process runs more smoothly.

 

[mesaboy2]

If they issue 10 fast passes every half hour and 5 holders miss their times and come back later to use that fast pass. Disney now needs to fit in (cram) those holders into other times such that instead of 10 holders you now have 11 or 12 or what ever. Those extra people now displace people waiting in the standby line. You can't magically create an extra seat. Enforce the FP time and the process runs more smoothly.

It is enforced.

And I see no more smoothness.

 

[katt789]

As Robo says: stuff happens.

I usually judge a line based on what it looks like rather than what it's posted (if you can see the line that is!) The red cards are iffy, like, if the wait time is posted at five minutes, and they give a red card at the entrance, that card could still take an hour to reach the front, and during that hour the wait time is still posted at five minutes.

We had a couple situations like this where one was Space Mtn and we decided to eventually leave the line, and another was getting into the princesses. We walked straight into the blue room right before you go in and ended up waiting over an hour in there with a posted wait of twenty minutes, that of course is a little different as meet and greets are a little harder to control, and it was the very end of the night, BUT, still super annoying to deal with!

 

[blessedby3]

If they issue 10 fast passes every half hour and 5 holders miss their times and come back later to use that fast pass. Disney now needs to fit in (cram) those holders into other times such that instead of 10 holders you now have 11 or 12 or what ever. Those extra people now displace people waiting in the standby line. You can't magically create an extra seat. Enforce the FP time and the process runs more smoothly.

Yep, they started enforcing the FP return times...like a year ago (much to my dismay)

 

[carrie1626]

I understand the frustration between seeing an estimated 25 minutes and the actuality of over 60 minutes.

WHAT if you decide to get in line....Your ADR is in 75 minutes...across the park.
WHAT if you decide to get in line... You're meeting your party in one hr.
WHAT if you decide to get in line...Your DD's BBB appt isnt for 90 minutes so you should have time...

I think you always have to assume it could be longer

I do think this is something Disney needs to continously strive to get right!!
Usually they do

 

[Isabel]

We had the same problem at LM last Friday. Sign said 30 minutes but it was actually an hour and 30 minutes. You can't tell how long the line is because alot of it is hidden from the outside. This was the only time we've ever had this problem. Maybe there's something wrong with that ride's timecard reader?

 

[ParrotBill]

It sure seems that standby times are less accurate in recent months, judging by the number of times it is coming up here. WDW needs to improve this. I completely agree that families with smaller children need to know if it's much longer. And I want to know I can make my dining reservation in 90 minutes on a 30 minute standby. Or make my precious 1 of 3 Fastpass+ made 6 months ago.

They should know the fastpass return rate expected in the next 30 minutes, and be able to post a sign at the entrance and a couple of other points that says "wait from this point estimated to be xx minutes"

 

[mom2rtk]

It sure seems that standby times are less accurate in recent months, judging by the number of times it is coming up here.

Yep. I really don't recall seeing all these reports about wildly inaccurate wait times back before the change to fastpass enforcement. Although I wasn't in favor of the change, I do know that's not the cause. I really do think it has to do with them trying to cram as much capacity out of the fastpass system.

Disney's ability to maximize FP is akin to printing money for them. The more they can squeeze out of that system, the more "currency" they will have to entice guests to do what they want them to do....... attend a different park, ride a different ride, stay onsite...... that sort of thing.