75 mins for HM!?!?!? Time to fire current Disney parks MGMT

[mom2rtk]

It's a very popular one here. I begin to wonder how many people are sitting in staff meetings explaining away their own performance gaps by dismissing them as First World Problems.

 

[slickpoetry]

Really? You think that newbies to park will consider 75 mins waiting for HM an enjoyable experience?

See, none of us are saying that lines are "enjoyable."

What we are saying is they are sometimes unavoidable, and reasonable people accept that they will spend a significant part of their day waiting in a line when the parks are extremely busy.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

According to a number of posters in this thread, fast pass has had minimal if any negative impact and that those of us who have gone often enough in recent times have no idea what we're talking about.

The hard data shows there is no impact. If you, personally, have had bad experiences that doesn't change that most people are not having bad experiences.

 

[FLchick415]

I have been on a level 9 day numerous times, never did HM get that bad.

And other people have said HM DID get that bad. Their experience isn't any less valid than yours.

 

[brockash]

Don't buy it's just because it's spring break stuff...it's simply not true. We go every year in Sept. and this past year was the longest standby and fastpass + lines we have ever seen while going in Sept. Sure, it was nothing like the pic's we're seeing now, due to the fact that it was basically the slowest time of the year and only a handful of resorts were even testing the fastpass+ system, but there were still many rides in which the fastpass line was past the ride que and again we waited much longer, in standby lines for rides like POC, Haunted Mansion etc. than we had ever waited for before.

There is no way that the issue is only that it's "spring break" or that it's just because attendance is higher. The fastpass + system is flawed, plain and simple.

 

[FLchick415]

Don't buy it's just because it's spring break stuff...it's simply not true. We go every year in Sept. and this past year was the longest standby and fastpass + lines we have ever seen while going in Sept. Sure, it was nothing like the pic's we're seeing now, due to the fact that it was basically the slowest time of the year and only a handful of resorts were even testing the fastpass+ system, but there were still many rides in which the fastpass line was past the ride que and again we waited much longer, in standby lines for rides like POC, Haunted Mansion etc. than we had ever waited for before.

There is no way that the issue is only that it's "spring break" or that it's just because attendance is higher. The fastpass + system is flawed, plain and simple.

That's still opinion though. While many will agree with you, there are also many that will disagree with you because they make it work for THEIR family.

 

[flicx]

The hard data shows there is no impact. If you, personally, have had bad experiences that doesn't change that most people are not having bad experiences.

There actually has been quite a few articles in news papers and other media sources to the contrary. They are stating there is an impact of longer standby lines with the new system.

 

[FlipHipster]

There actually has been quite a few articles in news papers and other media sources to the contrary. They are stating there is an impact of longer standby lines with the new system.

It's inevitable, there really is no way around it. More people using FP results in longer SB times. It's intrinsic to the way the system works. FP is only "Fast" because you get priority over the SB line, not because you are magically beamed onto the ride instantly or the ride loads faster because you are in the right line instead of the left line.

Consider this, 500 people in a FP line load at the exact same pace as 500 people in a SB line that isn't held back for FP priority. Those people in the FP line are not getting on any faster than if they were 500 deep in SB with no FP line.

The only question is how Disney manages the FP allocations to find balance.

 

[flicx]

It's inevitable, there really is no way around it. More people using FP results in longer SB times. It's intrinsic to the way the system works. FP is only "Fast" because you get priority over the SB line, not because you are magically beamed onto the ride instantly or the ride loads faster because you are in the right line instead of the left line.

Consider this, 500 people in a FP line load at the exact same pace as 500 people in a SB line that isn't held back for FP priority. Those people in the FP line are not getting on any faster than if they were 500 deep in SB with no FP line.

The only question is how Disney manages the FP allocations to find balance.

I look at it this way. Disney increased prices, Disney looks to have increased wait times on rides, Disney also added an extra 30 to 45 min wait just to schedule fastpass plus for many guests at the beginning of the day. End result less experiences for more money. Not good. If it turns out to be a similar or less crowded year than other years I can see a few execs taking a fall!

 

[Nayan]

On Wednesday there was a 2 hour wait to get on the safari at AK. Crazy insane! Even IASM had a 45 minute wait time on Tuesday at one point.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

In 2012 I went for two weeks from Feb 27 to March 12, the first week and a half was quiet, then came Spring break and coach loads of school parties making MK jam packed and long queues. It's very simple, look at going at quieter times, after that experience I will never go after the first week of March until the beginning of May or whenever easter is. However, the new FP+ seems to me to make the FP line pointless as they are issuing far too many, there was a 90 minute wait for the FP line at TSM when I was there in November/December last year, however, having no more paper FP may make that less of a problem.

 

[FlipHipster]

I look at it this way. Disney increased prices, Disney looks to have increased wait times on rides, Disney also added an extra 30 to 45 min wait just to schedule fastpass plus for many guests at the beginning of the day. End result less experiences for more money. Not good. If it turns out to be a similar or less crowded year than other years I can see a few execs taking a fall!

If I were a Disney exec in the line of fire, I would be more concerned about the cost overruns of a poorly planned project than a 75 min wait for one of the most popular attractions during one of the busiest times of the year. Something tells me they are way more concerned about that $1b number turning into a $2b number than someone waiting 30mins for a kiosk. They can fix kiosk issues a heck of a lot easier

 

[JanaDee]

If anything, it's YOU HARDLINERS that are driving the newbies away with your constant moaning. Go on the Dis Unplugged board--there's a lovely, well thought-out post from a Disney newbie who literally almost cancelled her trip because all of the negativity from y'all with your first-world 'waaaaaah, I can't go to Disney and NOT WAIT IN LINE!' posts.

I may be just as obsessed with Disney, but I'm living here now, so I don't complain...and even if I wasn't, even IF I was spending in the thousands to get here, I'd be thanking my lucky STARS that I was fortunate enough to be standing in those hour-long lines instead of being at home. Or, worse, starving/homeless/otherwise unfortunate. Get some perspective, dudes.



^^Perfect example of how we're scaring people away. Do you think Disney management really wants to please the hardcore nerds when it's THEM who are pushing away potential business?



There was once a time when lines were standard, Florida was hot (well, that's most of the time) and water fountains/free water weren't in the parks (read into stuff on the opening of WDW and you'll see that management chose restrooms over water fountains to build at the last minute before the grand opening). People still called Disney the Happiest Place on Earth.



*giggles uncontrollably*

*sigh* And the thread was going so nicely...

 

[Disney Frenhines]

I used to be the chairman of Universal Studios Theme Parks and Resorts.

Are you being serious, you want a resume from me after I stated the obvious? Do you really think any company that invested a billion dollars into a technology that has made the company worse than before is not going head hunting?

Nothing like criticism for the CO of the main rivals, even if it is a case of 'used to be'. You're credibility with regards to your criticism has just plummeted as far as I'm concerned. BTW, why do we have to put even the smallest items into lockers at US Orlando before going on rides, the amount of times I've had to queue for the lockers because someone (including me admittedly) has forgotten their locker number or the print scanner doesn't work, that is more frustrating that queuing at WDW as it is a silly thing for US to do, I have a miniscule bag with me at US and I still have to put it in a locker when I could wear if safely on rides like Men In Black for example.

 

[jgasko]

We went yesterday and there were lines wrapped around almost every place selling food. Even the little carts had 30+ people in line. I guess my point is that yes the line was long, we have seen it that long before during christmas week though, but the park was packed yesterday.

 

[JanaDee]

Nothing like criticism for the CO of the main rivals, even if it is a case of 'used to be'. You're credibility with regards to your criticism has just plummeted as far as I'm concerned. BTW, why do we have to put even the smallest items into lockers at US Orlando before going on rides, the amount of times I've had to queue for the lockers because someone (including me admittedly) has forgotten their locker number or the print scanner doesn't work, that is more frustrating that queuing at WDW as it is a silly thing for US to do, I have a miniscule bag with me at US and I still have to put it in a locker when I could wear if safely on rides like Men In Black for example.

Pretty sure that was sarcasm about working for Universal.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Or, do what I'm doing with a buddy of mine in 5 days:

Go to Universal, stay on-site, and have an absolute blast without waiting in any lines AT ALL!!!

Except for the lockers (see previous post) Besides the food at US is crud, I nearly choked when I tried the Cornish Pasties at HP, whoever put them on the menu has never been within 3000 miles of Cornwall. Horrible things compared to the divine real things.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Pretty sure that was sarcasm about working for Universal.

I hope so.

 

[flicx]

If I were a Disney exec in the line of fire, I would be more concerned about the cost overruns of a poorly planned project than a 75 min wait for one of the most popular attractions during one of the busiest times of the year. Something tells me they are way more concerned about that $1b number turning into a $2b number than someone waiting 30mins for a kiosk. They can fix kiosk issues a heck of a lot easier

The cost issue is a given but, if instead of streamlining things you actually made times worse that is just fuel for the fire! Especially If you upset enough people to see attendance trending downwards!

 

[flicx]

Except for the lockers (see previous post) Besides the food at US is crud, I nearly choked when I tried the Cornish Pasties at HP, whoever put them on the menu has never been within 3000 miles of Cornwall. Horrible things compared to the divine real things.

I think the pizza at universal is outstanding especially compared to Disney's!