And just like that, WDW gets more of my money…

[SL6827]

I think you are likely right. This does seem to be how all of the lines work for the top-tier attractions. I think the only exception to this was on my most recent trip. The line for Tron at Park close said 135 minutes, and based on what I know of that line and speed at which it moves, it looked like it was probably pretty close to accurate. They even had switchbacks set up on the bridge leading inside the building. Usually I’ll jump in a line even if the wait time is high, but that one scared me too much to try it. It might not have been 135, but it was easily 90. I’m hoping that won’t be the case with Guardians, because getting in line at Park close is my other favorite trick for an extra ride on fun things.

I would fully expect the same to happen at GoG. I just wonder if the lines at night consistently push the hours well after park close, could something change?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I think you are likely right. This does seem to be how all of the lines work for the top-tier attractions. I think the only exception to this was on my most recent trip. The line for Tron at Park close said 135 minutes, and based on what I know of that line and speed at which it moves, it looked like it was probably pretty close to accurate. They even had switchbacks set up on the bridge leading inside the building. Usually I’ll jump in a line even if the wait time is high, but that one scared me too much to try it. It might not have been 135, but it was easily 90. I’m hoping that won’t be the case with Guardians, because getting in line at Park close is my other favorite trick for an extra ride on fun things.

This sounds like the very definition of line stacking to me. The inflated wait time combined with a queue designed to appear longer than it actually is served it’s purpose and discouraged you from hopping in line.

I checked the stats from the past two nights just to see how Tron is behaving. On Friday, the posted wait shortly before closing time was coincidently also 135 minutes while the actual reported wait at that time was 40.

On Saturday evening, the posted wait was 110 with an actual wait of 30.

These both follow the standard operating practice of keeping the posted wait at about 4x the actual wait late at night on the headliners.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I would fully expect the same to happen at GoG. I just wonder if the lines at night consistently push the hours well after park close, could something change?

Disney has had practices in place for several years that are designed to keep the actual wait times down close to closing time.

These are very effective and are intended to discourage guests from hopping in attraction lines late at night and instead funnel them toward the gift shops and eventually the exit.

 

[SL6827]

Disney has had practices in place for several years that are designed to keep the actual wait times down close to closing time.

These are very effective and are intended to discourage guests from hopping in attraction lines late at night and instead funnel them toward the gift shops and eventually the exit.

Ya, I do suppose most guest have no clue about such tatics. Disney can lie to the guest all they want, but heaven forbid someone lie to them to save a buck.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Guardians is going to behave just like any other top tier attraction that came before it.

Wildly popular in the early morning with a huge crowd rushing to be first in line. It will be exceptionally busy throughout the afternoon and early evening with wait times in the 2-3 hour range.

Then in the late evening, line stacking will go into effect and posted wait times will climb as necessary. Actual waits will continue to drop and those who don’t know how this game is played still won’t believe how short the line can get.

Two days ago in the insanely packed HS Rise was averaging no less than 80-85 minutes and as we got close to Fantasmic I checked and voila...15 minutes. My group rushed over there as did the other savvy people who saw what I saw and we basically walked on to Rise. You are correct.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Two days ago in the insanely packed HS Rise was averaging no less than 80-85 minutes and as we got close to Fantasmic I checked and voila...15 minutes. My group rushed over there as did the other savvy people who saw what I saw and we basically walked on to Rise. You are correct.

Rise is a perfect example as there is no way to really tell how long the line is other than what is posted. However, you can get a pretty good clue just based on the number of people milling around outside of the attraction.

On our most recent visit, we hit Rise an hour and 20 minutes before closing time. The posted wait was coincidently 80 minutes but we waited 20 the first time, 10 for the 2nd ride then the 3rd trip through was a walkon. The posted wait did drop to 70 minutes for that 3rd ride.

We still had plenty of time to to grab some snacks and make it into Fantasmic.

 

[MouseMamaToMany]

This sounds like the very definition of line stacking to me. The inflated wait time combined with a queue designed to appear longer than it actually is served it’s purpose and discouraged you from hopping in line.

I checked the stats from the past two nights just to see how Tron is behaving. On Friday, the posted wait shortly before closing time was coincidently also 135 minutes while the actual reported wait at that time was 40.

On Saturday evening, the posted wait was 110 with an actual wait of 30.

These both follow the standard operating practice of keeping the posted wait at about 4x the actual wait late at night on the headliners.

Fair. Usually, I am savvy to the tactics, but I get I let this one get me! I stand corrected, and will remain a skeptic of posted wait times at closing!

 

[SL6827]

Fair. Usually, I am savvy to the tactics, but I get I let this one get me! I stand corrected, and will remain a skeptic of posted wait times at closing!

Oh ya. Do so. What's sad is the fact that many first time and possibly the only time visitors have no clue about such and miss out.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Oh ya. Do so. What's sad is the fact that many first time and possibly the only time visitors have no clue about such and miss out.

We first learned about these closing processes in the 1997 Unofficial Guide and have been using it to our advantage ever since.

What’s interesting is that there are members of this community, who are some of the most knowledgeable Disney visitors anywhere, who still believe that all of this just can’t be true.

 

[SL6827]

We first learned about these closing processes in the 1997 Unofficial Guide and have been using it to our advantage ever since.

What’s interesting is that there are members of this community, who are some of the most knowledgeable Disney visitors anywhere, who still believe that all of this just can’t be true.

Well it is true.

 

[Mr. Baloo]

I may have to alter our park planning. Usually we are rope drop people, but closing is appearing much more doable and then just sleep in the next day…..

 

[tofubeast]

We first learned about these closing processes in the 1997 Unofficial Guide and have been using it to our advantage ever since.

What’s interesting is that there are members of this community, who are some of the most knowledgeable Disney visitors anywhere, who still believe that all of this just can’t be true.

Aww, I miss buying the old books back in the day.

I even did this trick at Disneyland years ago when I lived nearby. Of course, way back in the 80s/90s, I don't even remember if there were ride wait estimates. You kind of made your own estimate based on what you saw. But I knew the trick of getting in line before the park closed.

 

[MouseMamaToMany]

Well it is true.

It is most definitely true! When hubs and I were at MK last September, the posted wait for Tron at 10 minutes until park close was something like 75 minutes. No exterior line in sight, though. We jumped in and rode TWICE before the park closed. Just looped that baby. Don’t know why I let the line throw me last week! Rookie mistake.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Just wait until you get a load of their new dynamic pricing.

Just a week ago, an article came out (various sources) that Disney execs were "worried" that their pricing is keeping guests away, yet they continue to raise them more and more, charging for more and more for everything, while cutting back on offerings. Rides break down all of the time. Food quality has decreased in quality while increasing in price. Many souvenirs are way overpriced. However, people keep complaining while paying what they are asking....so, they are not worried. That is all just lip service.

 

[jimmymc]

I see this in a different way. With virtual queue, you had to pay money to ride Guardians more than once per day. This was especially annoying in a park without a lot of attractions. Now for the price of a ticket, you can ride it as much as you can fit in the opening hours. It will also take some of the load off Remi and Frozen for rope drop. I've routinely waited 45 minutes to an hour with virtual queue, and this morning it's been fluctuating between 40 and 60 minutes. Overall, I think this is an improvement to my Epcot park days.

 

[SL6827]

From what I've seen, I am really surprised by the wait times for the most part. I had figured they would have held steady most of the day at two hours. But I think one hour is an average? And this with TT being down too. Disney may be surprised as well.

 

[MouseMamaToMany]

From what I've seen, I am really surprised by the wait times for the most part. I had figured they would have held steady most of the day at two hours. But I think one hour is an average? And this with TT being down too. Disney may be surprised as well.

I’m honestly surprised by this too. It’s a welcome one, thank goodness. Things will hopefully hold steady or improve as TT reopens. Just peeked and saw Guardians at 65, Remy at 100 and FEA at 80. I’d hop in that Guardians queue before I would touch the other two.