A&E Stampede this morning was insane!!!

[amberg93]

What you say makes sense but I am surprised they chose MK. To me, it would of made sense to put A&E in a park like DHS or even AK. Those parks need an attendance boost. MK doesn't. A lot of people call DHS or AK a half day park. I disagree but had they put A&E in one of those parks, they wouldn't be half day parks anymore because they'd be spending 4 hours in line just to for this one meet and greet and then still have everything else in the park to do.

Actually, funny story I met Anna and Elsa in DHS in October. Which was where I thought they were going to stay and I thought it was an excellent way to balance things out.

From what I've been reading though they're planning on building something for them back in Epcot and putting them back there. Which, true it was crazy when they were in Epcot before but if they get a proper area it could help take the pressure off of Fairytale Hall and make things not so crazy.

 

[mom2rtk]

What you say makes sense but I am surprised they chose MK. To me, it would of made sense to put A&E in a park like DHS or even AK. Those parks need an attendance boost. MK doesn't. A lot of people call DHS or AK a half day park. I disagree but had they put A&E in one of those parks, they wouldn't be half day parks anymore because they'd be spending 4 hours in line just to for this one meet and greet and then still have everything else in the park to do.

I think she is only in the MK right now because they had a line set up to accommodate FP and 2 rooms at once.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Ok, that makes more sense. I'm assuming they are going back to Epcot then. Still, I think it would be better if they were in several places at once.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

Well to be fair, the question of FP+ not meeting demand DOES bring in the subject of why demand is so darn high for a couple of college girls' autographs. Therefore it is fair to question whether demand is actually due to kids' obsession (and yes, to some extent, parents' indulgence) or manufactured by the parents themselves ("My little toddler Suzy is going to meet those princesses because it's something I'm sure I would have wanted to do at her age!", "My little McMaddisyn is going to meet those princesses because she will look so cute in the picture on my FB!") or what. I just have to wonder if, five, ten years down the road, the girls who waited in 3+hr lines are going to be happy about that or regret not doing other things. Especially if it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The reason why they are in demand is neither here nor there. The reasons people wish to wait in a standby line (with or without their children) for hours is also neither here nor there.

As many people have said, if A&E met in multiple parks and M&Gs went on later than 5pm, then MK wouldn't be so manic.

So many people here are blaming it on parents being too scared to say no to their "little darlings".

 

[morethananyonex]

I don't think there's anything wrong with "indulging" your kids and getting in a 5 hour line as long as you want to do it. Most of us indulge our kids one way or another. Tons of people would probably view the entire Disney trip as indulging your kids.

I think the "unwanted parenting advice" comes when people complain about waiting the 5 hours or whatever the wait is and act like there's no other option. Others then point out the obvious other option, say no to your kid if you don't want to wait.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

I think the "unwanted parenting advice" comes when people complain about waiting the 5 hours or whatever the wait is and act like there's no other option. Others then point out the obvious other option, say no to your kid if you don't want to wait.

But there haven't been any posters in this thread that have complained they waited 5 hours, even though they didn't want to, just to please their children because it was their "only option". It's other people assuming that that's what is happening.

I'm sure the parents in that line are happy to be there and are just as keen to collect another Disney autograph as any child.

 

[GotLabradors]

Right cause crazy parents are unique to this current millennial generation...

Cabbage Patch Craze 1982
http://thecrapspot.blogspot.com/2006/04/cabbage-patch-craze-injured-2-in-1982.html?m=1

Elmo Craze 1996
http://www.businessinsider.com/marketing-lessons-tickle-me-elmo-2011-12

You're probably right. Because of the 24/7 news cycle and the need to fill time with anything and everything, we see a lot more examples of the extremes.

 

[ferd]

But there haven't been any posters in this thread that have complained they waited 5 hours, even though they didn't want to, just to please their children because it was their "only option". It's other people assuming that that's what is happening.

I'm sure the parents in that line are happy to be there and are just as keen to collect another Disney autograph as any child.

And let's not forget that this standing in line thing isn't exclusive to activities just kids want to do. For one, there are plenty of teens and adults standing in the line as well, people without kids who still like to see characters. Secondly, there are all sorts of activities that adults stand in very long lines for. I, for one, at 35, spent 8 hours sitting on a sidewalk outside of a movie theater to see Christian Bale at a movie premiere. There were TONS of other adults of all ages there as well to see Johnny Depp. I have personally stood in line for HOURS at a movie theater to see a movie *first* at a midnight showing at a theater (Star Wars prequels, The Dark Knight). I have stood in HUGE lines at conventions (with other grown adults) to see the stars from my favorite Sci-Fi tv shows and movies, or to get an autograph. And there are adults who line up and wait for sporting events, concerts, and for new game systems, iPhones and computer software. At the end of the day, we as adults can choose the things that are important to us and what we value as important and are willing to stand in a line for. To each their own. Just because some people here think 2 hours or 7 hours is ridiculous to see a costumed character for 2 minutes, doesn't mean it's not incredibly important and worth it to someone else.

 

[Mkrop]

And let's not forget that this standing in line thing isn't exclusive to activities just kids want to do. For one, there are plenty of teens and adults standing in the line as well, people without kids who still like to see characters. Secondly, there are all sorts of activities that adults stand in very long lines for. I, for one, at 35, spent 8 hours sitting on a sidewalk outside of a movie theater to see Christian Bale at a movie premiere. There were TONS of other adults of all ages there as well to see Johnny Depp. I have personally stood in line for HOURS at a movie theater to see a movie *first* at a midnight showing at a theater (Star Wars prequels, The Dark Knight). I have stood in HUGE lines at conventions (with other grown adults) to see the stars from my favorite Sci-Fi tv shows and movies, or to get an autograph. And there are adults who line up and wait for sporting events, concerts, and for new game systems, iPhones and computer software. At the end of the day, we as adults can choose the things that are important to us and what we value as important and are willing to stand in a line for. To each their own. Just because some people here think 2 hours or 7 hours is ridiculous to see a costumed character for 2 minutes, doesn't mean it's not incredibly important and worth it to someone else.

But I think that is what some (or at least me) can not wrap our brain around, I cant imagine waiting in line for any of that or that there is anything that I am passionate about that would make me endure a line like that. Even when the Wii came out, I refuse to stand in line for my kids (like I said bad mom, I guess). Now my mom did drive over to Best Buy on a Sunday when the got a shipment in, she called me and asked if she should get in the line. I told her only if she got #10 or under, she was out of there in 30 minutes. I told her, even though it was for her grandkiddos, she was not waiting a long time for that! Now I did scour sites and make calls but I would not wait in a line, if I can do it from the comfort of my home than fine, I will search high and low for an item.

 

[Lucille1963]

I've only read the most recent 11 pages of the thread, but I was surprised that no one mentioned the crowd management for Cars Land in California Adventure.

There is no rope drop. The rope was slowly walked to the entrance of the ride, and guests where calmly funneled into the queue. Though the ride wait quickly built to 3 hours on our last trip there, there was absolutely no stampeding or chaos to get there. Disney could manage this situation if they wanted to.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've only read the most recent 11 pages of the thread, but I was surprised that no one mentioned the crowd management for Cars Land in California Adventure.

There is no rope drop. The rope was slowly walked to the entrance of the ride, and guests where calmly funneled into the queue. Though the ride wait quickly built to 3 hours on our last trip there, there was absolutely no stampeding or chaos to get there. Disney could manage this situation if they wanted to.

I'd be shocked if they didn't have this in the plans for when the Mine Train opens.

 

[amg35]

I'd be shocked if they didn't have this in the plans for when the Mine Train opens.

But how can they do that, logistically, if when you get to the Hub, you have a choice to veer off in a few directions? I wouldn't like to be herded to Mine Train if it wasn't in my plans!

 

[mom2rtk]

But how can they do that, logistically, if when you get to the Hub, you have a choice to veer off in a few directions? I wouldn't like to be herded to Mine Train if it wasn't in my plans!

I'm not sure if it's doable. But if they walked down Main Street with a rope, it wouldn't matter what your destination was. At least they would slow the crowd to a walk.

 

[amg35]

I'm not sure if it's doable. But if they walked down Main Street with a rope, it wouldn't matter what your destination was. At least they would slow the crowd to a walk.

Yes that's true.

Hopefully the wait times won't ever get as bad as the Anna/Elsa wait times since the Mine Train will be faster loading? And then there won't be such a panic to race to it.

Thanks for answering!

 

[Lucille1963]

But how can they do that, logistically, if when you get to the Hub, you have a choice to veer off in a few directions? I wouldn't like to be herded to Mine Train if it wasn't in my plans!

Start the rope at the castle perhaps and not let people around the side for a short time.
At California Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers is all The way at the back. You are allowed to go off to other spurs of their Hub, and you pass entrances to other lands, which you can easily get to, but CMs ensure that there is no getting past the rope which is as wide as the walkway.
I was with my 5 year old son and was concerned with him being too heavy to carry and small enough to be overlooked by large runners. There was NONE of that. Disney was serious about the crowd control and it showed. It was safe and easy.
Would it be super duper easy? Probably not, it would take some planning and man power. It certainly isn't impossible though.

 

[amg35]

Start the rope at the castle perhaps and not let people around the side for a short time.
At California Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers is all The way at the back. You are allowed to go off to other spurs of their Hub, and you pass entrances to other lands, which you can easily get to, but CMs ensure that there is no getting past the rope which is as wide as the walkway.
I was with my 5 year old son and was concerned with him being too heavy to carry and small enough to be overlooked by large runners. There was NONE of that. Disney was serious about the crowd control and it showed. It was safe and easy.
Would it be super duper easy? Probably not, it would take some planning and man power. It certainly isn't impossible though.

So perhaps let people in towards the Castle before the official opening (like walking in through World Showcase at Epcot), and then herd the crowds from there?

Hmm, and then while people are waiting for rope drop they can open the stores on Main Street early and people can shop!

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the layout of Disneyland, haven't been there since the 90's!

 

[Angel Ariel]

IIRC, the ropes at DCA were at the land entrances, not at the front of the park. I remember doing a RD there for TSMM (before RSR). We were allowed in the park all the way to the path that went by the waterfall/Grizzly River Rapids (maybe 100 yds before the bridge to Paradise Pier?) That's where the stop rope was (and because of this, people were able to at least get in line for Soarin, if not ride it, before opening, b/c they did not rope off Condor Flats). The CMs walked the rope back from that point over to Paradise Pier.

At MK they could rope off the entrances to each land on the spoke. You could do a true RD at most of the lands, but walk back Fantasyland (and have ropes keeping FL roped off from its neighbors on the side entrances similar to how they do for the fireworks.

 

[bbak3030]

My hubby waited in line for almost 3 hours in March for our girls to meet Anna and Elsa when they were still in Epcot. There was never a doubt that we would make that happen for them, that was all they talked about. It was definitely the highlight of their trip. We would do it again, even if it meant we all had to wait. Would still like to snatch a FP+ for our next trip though

 

[AndreaA]

So many people here are blaming it on parents being too scared to say no to their "little darlings".

Actually, I think it's quite the opposite. I think that plenty of kids are being roped into going when they couldn't really care less about it. Take a look at the thread about kids naming their top 4 choices as "hotel pool, be with family, get a Mickey bar" and you will see that it's more the parents than the kids driving this frenzy. Even I myself am guilty of this. My boys love our trips and love all the rides and one, in particular, has always LOVED Winnie the Pooh. I expected him to name that as the thing he wanted to do most when we go back. Nope, it was "ride the train" and "swim in the pool".

And no, the reason for the demand is not "neither here nor there". Good grief, one of the best ways to meet a demand is to see what the heck is driving it! If it's kids driving the demand, then keeping A&E in MK and adding a few more sets of girls would help the most. If it's parents driving it, then moving them back to the more "adult-centric" Epcot would make the most sense as well as adding more sets of girls there.

 

[supergoofy]

At DCA the CM's walked a rope with the people following for TOT and they were pretty "abrupt" people trying to cut in front of them or walking over people.


I could see this happening here also.