Attraction Wait Times

[bbsearchlight]

Hi all. I just arrived back from spending a week at Disney World and found that the posted wait times in front of the rides are so inaccurate as to be worthless. Here is the posted wait times (what it said at the entrance to the ride when we got in line) vs. the actual wait times for the rides that I kept track of the time:

Pirates of the Carribbean

Posted Wait Time: 15 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 6 minutes

Jungle Cruise

Posted Wait Time: 40 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 13 minutes

It's A Small World

Posted Wait Time: 20 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 8 minutes

Peter Pan's Flight

Posted Wait Time: 40 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 26 minutes

Frozen Ever After

Posted Wait Time: 35 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 37 minutes


As you can see, other that the Frozen Ever After ride, none of the other wait times were anywhere near accurate. I'm not sure what system Disney uses to come up with the wait times but it definitely could use improvement.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I came home yesterday and felt the same. Last Monday I went on Soarin' 3x in a row. Walked right in and on to the ride. Epcot was dead except the Frozen ride. Showed 35 minutes, but the line was all the way to China! Test track was 5 minute wait and I walked on everything else and in many cases was alone in the seats or boat - several empty boats ahead or behind me. Boo Bash Friday night was also walk on for all the rides. AK Tuesday had 10 - 15 minute waits. HS was busiest of the week for me, and MK on Tuesday had low - mid volume crowds. We also went to Sea World and I thought tht was busier than any of the Disney parks! Aquatica too was packed.

 

[MarkS2112]

Aside from one of those they were within a reasonable range. If they were not using their tag they it’s just a guess at best. You were lucky they were so short.

 

[bbsearchlight]

Aside from one of those they were within a reasonable range. If they were not using their tag they it’s just a guess at best. You were lucky they were so short.

I guess I disagree with your definition of reasonable. If they are within 5 minutes one way or the other I consider that reasonable. I don't consider being off by 150%, 207%, 150%, 53%, and 6% reasonable (except for the 6%).

 

[reddog21]

We were there in July and "just" about every wait time was within 5 minutes of the posted time so I guess it depends when you go.

 

[Suzabella]

I've heard this several places. Makes me wonder if they're jacking up the wait times to make Genie+ seem like a brilliant idea.

 

[quhawk]

I asked a CM how they estimated the waits, and he said depends where the end of the line is. He was newer, but for those of you who recall, they used to hand lanyards with RFID cards to random guests. They would tap it, hand it off, and then another CM would collect it near the boarding area. Reminds me of one time my DD had it buried under her coat, and accidentally forgot to hand it off...I'm guessing that ride went from 20 minutes to 120minutes LOL.

 

[MrWreckless]

Hi all. I just arrived back from spending a week at Disney World and found that the posted wait times in front of the rides are so inaccurate as to be worthless. Here is the posted wait times (what it said at the entrance to the ride when we got in line) vs. the actual wait times for the rides that I kept track of the time:

Pirates of the Carribbean

Posted Wait Time: 15 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 6 minutes

Jungle Cruise

Posted Wait Time: 40 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 13 minutes

It's A Small World

Posted Wait Time: 20 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 8 minutes

Peter Pan's Flight

Posted Wait Time: 40 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 26 minutes

Frozen Ever After

Posted Wait Time: 35 minutes
Actual Wait Time: 37 minutes


As you can see, other that the Frozen Ever After ride, none of the other wait times were anywhere near accurate. I'm not sure what system Disney uses to come up with the wait times but it definitely could use improvement.

The times are off by design. Their aim isn't to give you accurate wait times. That's why it's recommended to use the Lines app if you want more accurate wait times.


This is one of the huge problems I have with the Genie+ situation. Disney will sell a product to allow people to avoid posted wait times, wait times they are manipulating to be higher than the actual wait.

 

[jknc]

Are posted waits inflated intentionally to get people to wander around and perhaps spend more money?

 

[choirbird]

Pirates was posted at 45 minutes yesterday around 11am. I waited SIX minutes. Quite the difference but at least it was in the “happy” direction.