Changes to Tiers for FP+ at Epcot and Hollywood Studios from 16th June

[DebbieB]

I bet alot of people had Soarin and The Land back to back. I'm a Malestrom fan, I'm glad it's tier 2.

GMR surprises me. We were there on Saturday of Star Wars Memorial Day weekend and swapped our ToT fastpass for GMR for about 15 minutes after the switch. So not many people were booking it as a FP.

 

[insectreflection]

Can you use more than two Tier 2's instead of any Tier 1's in Epcot? Got small kids, would rather use all mine for Meet & Greet's.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Hmm - this messes up my plan for Epcot but if the rumor the PP stated comes true about having a rolling 3rd FP+ maybe it won't matter too much. Still don't understand LWTL as a tier 1. I think I need to stop working on a game plan until much closer to my 60 day mark. I keep getting myself confused.

 

[ConnieB]

Starting from 16th June, the Tiers at Hollywood Studios and Epcot are changing.

EPCOT

Tier 1
Soarin'
Test Track
Living with the Land (originally Tier 2)
Illuminations

Tier 2
Character Spot (originally Tier 1)
Spaceship Earth
Mission Space
Maelstrom (originally Tier 1)
Captain EO
Journey into Imagination with Figment
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

Tier 1
Toy Story Mania
Great Movie Ride (originally Tier 2)
RnRC
Fantasmic
Beauty and the Beast

Tier 2
Disney Jr Live on Stage
Indiana Jones
Lights, Action, Motor
Muppet Vision
Star Tours
American Idol
Tower of Terror
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Why in the world would they make Living with the Land a Tier 1....I don't think I've ever ridden on it with a full boat, lol. Including just two weeks ago, lol.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Why in the world would they make Living with the Land a Tier 1....I don't think I've ever ridden on it with a full boat, lol. Including just two weeks ago, lol.

This is just a guess.

1. People were making a dummy FP for Living with the Land but few people were turning up. It's next to Soarin and many people made Tier 2 choices and never used them. (We usually made Nemo and Figment and never used either)

2. It's a high capacity ride that anyone can do (no height restrictions) The other choices fill up past (Soarin', TT and Illuminations) with Living with the Land there will almost always bee a Tier 1 choice available to guests.

3. It's in the same building as Soarin'. People can make Soarin FP for the family and the people who don't want to or can't do Soarin can do Living with the Land at the same time.

 

[phillipsjp2003]

Does that mean the choices will change on the website on the 16th or for any FP scheduled after the 16th. I tried to change my Maelstrom FP to TT but that doesn't come up as a choice. Does that mean no TT FPs are available? Suddenly I have 3 tier 2 choices and no tier 1s. What does that do to FPs made under the old system?

Since Maelstrom is now a tier 2 you can only change it for other tier 2 rides, but the opposite goes for LWTL or GRM, they can now be traded for tier 1. I had a FP+ for GRM and LWTL. I was able to trade them for RNRC and TT so on both those days I now have two tier 1 FP+. But on the day I had Maelstrom I now have 3 tier 2 rides. I think if you schedule all new rides for that day you can change to the new tiers and get a tier 1 back. We have not done it because the M&G moved to tier 2 and that allowed us to pick up that which my DD8 us happy about.

 

[heathsf]

Since Maelstrom is now a tier 2 you can only change it for other tier 2 rides, but the opposite goes for LWTL or GRM, they can now be traded for tier 1. I had a FP+ for GRM and LWTL. I was able to trade them for RNRC and TT so on both those days I now have two tier 1 FP+. But on the day I had Maelstrom I now have 3 tier 2 rides. I think if you schedule all new rides for that day you can change to the new tiers and get a tier 1 back. We have not done it because the M&G moved to tier 2 and that allowed us to pick up that which my DD8 us happy about.

I was able to do the same and end up with 2 Tier-1 rides in a day - I traded my GMR for RNRC (in addition to the TSMM that I already had!) Meanwhile...I never thought I'd be kicking myself for not booking Living with the Land

I would suggest that someone who is now stuck with 3 Tier-2 rides should clear them all for that day and start over from scratch rather than just try to swap out individual attractions since then it will only offer other rides within the same tier.

 

[andreajanowiak]

I haven't read the whole thread so sorry if this has already been asked, but will our existing FP change? We have TSMM and Great Movie Ride already, so will they take one away?

 

[DISNEYWITHCHILDREN]

Honestly I'm really annoyed about the Great Movie Ride as a Tier 1 at DHS. They have so few rides that are good for children and adults who don't like thrill rides so they put this on. I guess I should be glad they didn't add Star Tours.

And I want to know why no Tiers for MK-they should definitely be tiering Anna and Elsa, SDMT, Festival of Fantasy, Electric Parade and Wishes.

I am so annoyed I may blog about this!

 

[ConnieB]

This is just a guess.

1. People were making a dummy FP for Living with the Land but few people were turning up. It's next to Soarin and many people made Tier 2 choices and never used them. (We usually made Nemo and Figment and never used either)

2. It's a high capacity ride that anyone can do (no height restrictions) The other choices fill up past (Soarin', TT and Illuminations) with Living with the Land there will almost always bee a Tier 1 choice available to guests.

3. It's in the same building as Soarin'. People can make Soarin FP for the family and the people who don't want to or can't do Soarin can do Living with the Land at the same time.

Maybe they're hoping those with no knowledge will snatch up Land thinking it must be special leaving Soarin and the rest for others.

We always end up with unused FP in EPCOT, because none of the 2nd tier interest us much and they're usually short wait anyway....so yeah, I imagine we're not alone in wasting them.....but system won't let us only make ONE choice it always add something in and insists you choose. I suppose I could and should then go back in and cancel the others, but the system is so dreadfully slow I'll admit to being too lazy to cancel something I didn't ask for. Bad me.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

"Living with the Land" is a tier one. That's hilarious.

Just more proof Epcot needs an overhaul.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I haven't read the whole thread so sorry if this has already been asked, but will our existing FP change? We have TSMM and Great Movie Ride already, so will they take one away?

No. Your choices will remain the same unless you try and change it

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We always end up with wasted FP's at EPCOT. We usually just Figment and Nemo since they started the tiers. Now we will probably use Soarin or TT and then Maelstrom and something else.

And yes, I'm sure people with no knowledge will choose Living with the Land but then be annoyed when it's a walk on but Soarin and TT have a 60 minute wait.

Maybe they're hoping those with no knowledge will snatch up Land thinking it must be special leaving Soarin and the rest for others.

We always end up with unused FP in EPCOT, because none of the 2nd tier interest us much and they're usually short wait anyway....so yeah, I imagine we're not alone in wasting them.....but system won't let us only make ONE choice it always add something in and insists you choose. I suppose I could and should then go back in and cancel the others, but the system is so dreadfully slow I'll admit to being too lazy to cancel something I didn't ask for. Bad me.

 

[jhaig]

And I want to know why no Tiers for MK-they should definitely be tiering Anna and Elsa, SDMT, Festival of Fantasy, Electric Parade and Wishes. I am so annoyed I may blog about this!

Tiering at MK would be an absolute disaster. There are way too many headlining attractions to have to choose from. No way would I want to have to choose between Big Thunder, Splash, Pirates, Space, etc. MK tiering would result in even more animosity towards FP+.

 

[Iowajes]

I'd pick Living with the Land as my Tier 1.
Soarin' and Test Track both have neck injury advisories. I HATE fireworks.


Just because YOU wouldn't pick it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be offered. And it will probably be walk on or a very short wait for those who don't have FP, so what's the harm?
If anything, people who like Soarin' and TT should be glad Maelstrom is out of the tier, since most people like riding that; and now they can ride one of Soarin' and Test Track and still also get a FP for Maelstrom.


To me "Tier 1" doesn't necessary state "these rides are better than Tier 2". They could have called them Tier Yellow and Tier Green and it wouldn't be a ranking problem. It's just that capacity means guests can FP one of these things and one of these things. I mean, if it was "best rides" in Tier One, what the heck is Tower of Terror doing in Tier 2? It's clearly just an exercise in capacity control.

 

[Burnedout]

I'd pick Living with the Land as my Tier 1. Soarin' and Test Track both have neck injury advisories. I HATE fireworks. Just because YOU wouldn't pick it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be offered. And it will probably be walk on or a very short wait for those who don't have FP, so what's the harm? If anything, people who like Soarin' and TT should be glad Maelstrom is out of the tier, since most people like riding that; and now they can ride one of Soarin' and Test Track and still also get a FP for Maelstrom.

Lol but living with the land seldom has a line!! That is what is stupid. (About the change not you)

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We absolutely love Living with the Land. We ride is several times each trip and have done Behind the Seeds Tour. However it's not a Tier 1 ride. It's almost always a walk on (except when Soarin' goes down!) A Tier 1 ride really should be one a ride that consistently has long lines, such as Soarin, TT, TSM, RnRC.

The entire purpose of FP+ is to "avoid waiting in a long line" With Living with the Land and Great Movie Ride - what line? It's almost always a walk on.

I'd pick Living with the Land as my Tier 1.
Soarin' and Test Track both have neck injury advisories. I HATE fireworks.


Just because YOU wouldn't pick it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be offered. And it will probably be walk on or a very short wait for those who don't have FP, so what's the harm?
If anything, people who like Soarin' and TT should be glad Maelstrom is out of the tier, since most people like riding that; and now they can ride one of Soarin' and Test Track and still also get a FP for Maelstrom.


To me "Tier 1" doesn't necessary state "these rides are better than Tier 2". They could have called them Tier Yellow and Tier Green and it wouldn't be a ranking problem. It's just that capacity means guests can FP one of these things and one of these things. I mean, if it was "best rides" in Tier One, what the heck is Tower of Terror doing in Tier 2? It's clearly just an exercise in capacity control.

 

[Burnedout]

We absolutely love Living with the Land. We ride is several times each trip and have done Behind the Seeds Tour. However it's not a Tier 1 ride. It's almost always a walk on (except when Soarin' goes down!) A Tier 1 ride really should be one a ride that consistently has long lines, such as Soarin, TT, TSM, RnRC. The entire purpose of FP+ is to "avoid waiting in a long line" With Living with the Land and Great Movie Ride - what line? It's almost always a walk on.

Exactly. One of our favorites even though I miss having a live captain of the boat.

 

[Iowajes]

Lol but living with the land seldom has a line!! That is what is stupid. (About the change not you)

Well, people who can't go on thrill rides and hate fireworks have to have something.

So now I'll wait 10 seconds instead of 30.

I guess I don't understand the outcry- because what does it effect? If you were going to pick Soarin or Test Track, you'll still pick it. So who cares what else is in the tier?
And now people who were upset they couldn't pick Maelstrom, can pick it. How is this not better?

A Tier 1 ride really should be one a ride that consistently has long lines, such as Soarin, TT, TSM, RnRC.

That's YOUR vision of what Tier one should be. But Disney clearly doesn't agree. For Disney, tiers are a means of capacity control. At Epcot the Tiers clearly exist to seperate Soarin' and Test Track. It doesn't matter what else is in that tier because MOST guests will choose between those two things. But Disney has to offer choices to people who can't choose either of those things.

Or Disney should offer unlimited picks from lower tiers; but as it stands right now the program makes you pick one from each tier. So something sucky has to be in Tier 1.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Agreed about ToT!

Funny thing is that LWTL didn't have nearly the wait that Maelstrom did that day we were there. M was up to 50 min.

Suddenly I feel more like cattle being prodded than I ever did before at WDW.

It's like reverse psychology.
"Call it a Tier1 and maybe the new people won't notice it's stupid!"

We already talked about this quite a bit yesterday...

To the PP that said they don't do intense rides, it goes back to the concept that most of those don't need FP. We pushed mom all over EP in a wheelchair last month during a VERY busy weekend for the F&G fest and right before SW weekends. She wanted to do Nemo, SE, Turtle Talk, LWTL, Ellen, EO and so forth. She never needed a FP at all that day (and didn't have any either as they bought their tickets at the gate.) The only things we had to FP were Soarin (obviously, but she didn't ride) and the rest were throwaways since we got on Mission Space long before the FP time and since Nemo had a 10 min wait anyway. (The only other thing we would have FP would have been TestTrak but it was tiered so we got there at RP and rode it.) Point being, those that aren't riding the thrilling headliners just honestly don't need FPs, just like they never needed FP (maybe PeterPan being the acception, but as brought out, tiers don't apply to MK because they have so many rides to spread everyone around).

They didn't need them before and don't need them now. Disney just likes it when people get excited months ahead of time and think they have to FP SOMETHING and snatch up SOMETHING. Now we have GMR and LWTL as Tier 1. I think they are laughing in the board room.