The issue there was not that SB waits were long. The issue was that the SB waits were significantly longer than the posted wait times.
The simple fact is, increasing the number of FPs per ride will not drastically increase wait times as you theorize because these FP users will come from the SB line. By implementing a one-FP-per-ride-per-day rule, they open up FPs to a much larger number of guests. These guests come from the SB line. Most of these guests are not going to rejoin the SB line and endure a long wait for a ride that they FPed, so the average wait time decreases.
Really? Cause I know of a LOT of people who might do something like fastpass Space or Big Thunder.... Go thru the standby to ride once, and then use their FP for a quick second ride.
Also don't underestimate the guests who see a ride and decide right then and there to ride the attraction.
not everyone is a planner, so not everyone is going to get their FP's before the trip. Not everyone has a smart phone, and will think(or be able) to quickly grab a FP+ when they realize they are in the mood to ride xyz attraction.
Not everyone is going to be AWARE of the FP+ system and how it works. Fastpass as it exists now has been around for years without any major changes.... and information on the FP system is EVERYWHERE, including on all the park maps..... Yet how many times do you hear of someone complaining about those "people skipping the line because they paid for the front of the line benefit"? FP+ won't change the lack of awareness by some guests.
And depending upon the Kiosk locations, there will be times when if your choice is to hike to a kiosk to get FP's for everyone for this attraction, or to just hop in line, They are just going to hop in line.
Your post is written as if by someone with an axe to grind against people who earn their MBAs and go on to positions of authority. As someone who does have an MBA, I can tell you that I work very hard to ensure that my decisions take into account front line realities. Also, as someone who knows a little bit about Disney park management, I can tell you that they do their best to consider these realities, also. While that doesn't, of course, mean that evry decision made is going to please you personally, that doesn't change the reality.
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Na, My post was in DIRECT response to the comment that was made about how we don't know "all the true operational challenges" of running the theme park.... and that just because someone is on the board of directors or a position of authority over the parks, doesn't mean they fully grasp those concepts either. It's the nature of the beast. WDW is too large for a single person to understand every little detail.
I don't expect someone with an MBA to fully understand all the civil engeering that comes into play when talking about the road network and the various transportation options and issues that need to be factored into moving all those people around. I Do however expect them to have a general understanding of concepts, and the know and use the resources available to them (such as their civil engeers).
That being said..... I could easily see someone in a marketting position being the type who brainstormed the idea behind FP+'s, and thinking (such as you) that an extra fastpass slot automatically means 1 extra person out of the Standby line. Those marketting people however aren't necessarily going to have access to the same on-the-ground resources as someone in a different position, since it's not in the normal direct wheelhouse..... so we end up with a small disconnect. But even still... Just because the numbers and data project one thing, doesn't mean the on-the-ground reality is going to be the same thing. FP+ is new, and hasn't been done before. They may project one thing.... and in their small trials, the numbers may even support those projections..... but that small margin of error on the trials may be nothing now, but when expanded to a full rollout could translate into a major unintended impact.
(And in all honesty.... places like the DIS won't help, because as soon as any sort of way to game the system is discovered, it will quickly become public knowledge.... ex. the old saving your fastpass until the end of the day tactic)
