Concerned about new Frozen ride wait times (low capacity)

[DVCcurious]

Better than an age limit- only people who can sing a Frozen song start to finish.

Everyone can sing "Let it Go"....you should have to sing "Fixer Upper" to get in line.


So he's got a few flaws
Like the thing with the Reindeer
What's the deal with the reindeer?
It's something outside of nature's laws!

We're not saying you can change him,
Cause people don't really change.

 

[DISnewjersey]

I expect you will need to have a VERY long stay booked at Disney in order to score a fastpass for this. The only real strategy to avoid 4 hour lines in the opening months is going to be to make a mad dash at rope drop - just like with the Anna and Elsa meet up.

I would expect the lines to be very long and FP+ very hard to get if you're going on a short trip or not staying on site. It will be a rope drop strategy. Moving the sisters to the same area might decrease the demand a little bit. However, if they move the sisters and they stay a FP+ attraction, will the Frozen Ride AND the sisters become tier A rides/attractions?

What time is this ride going to open? The countries don't typically open till 11am. Does that mean people will be camping out at the entrance to the countries from 9am to 11am?

I'm going to WDW at the end of May.... I hope we can get a FP+ for this ride. Or hopefully we can find a way that we doesn't require us to stand in line for 3 hours.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

When this ride was announced and Maelstrom would be closing, everyone was upset and said they would not ride this. So you all have nothing to worry about. No FPs needed.

 

[wilkeliza]

What time is this ride going to open? The countries don't typically open till 11am. Does that mean people will be camping out at the entrance to the countries from 9am to 11am?

I'm going to WDW at the end of May.... I hope we can get a FP+ for this ride. Or hopefully we can find a way that we doesn't require us to stand in line for 3 hours.

We won't know until Disney announces it. Previously the Malestrom opened at 11. Same goes for the Mexico boat ride.

 

[Planogirl]

I just hope that all of these lines don't block the bakery and shop. We have no interest in any of the rest of it.

 

[Rivergirl2005]

I would think they'd open early to get a flow going but only time will tell. I'm going in June. Hoping to get breakfast at akershus to get in line early.....

 

[larryz]

I would think they'd open early to get a flow going but only time will tell. I'm going in June. Hoping to get breakfast at akershus to get in line early.....

As soon as they open the line, it will quickly back up into the parking lot...

 

[kandb]

Why would Disney build an inadequate ride? They know the demands are going to be so high and they still build a ride with a low capacity, why not do it correctly and take longer to build the ride but build it right?

 

[larryz]

Why would Disney build an inadequate ride? They know the demands are going to be so high and they still build a ride with a low capacity, why not do it correctly and take longer to build the ride but build it right?

$$$

 

[rteetz]

What time is this ride going to open? The countries don't typically open till 11am. Does that mean people will be camping out at the entrance to the countries from 9am to 11am?

I'm going to WDW at the end of May.... I hope we can get a FP+ for this ride. Or hopefully we can find a way that we doesn't require us to stand in line for 3 hours.

I'm guessing due to popularity the ride will open at 9 with the park.

 

[rteetz]

Why would Disney build an inadequate ride? They know the demands are going to be so high and they still build a ride with a low capacity, why not do it correctly and take longer to build the ride but build it right?

Because it was cheaper this way and will bring in a quick return. Disney should've given frozen a $450 million land like Tokyo is getting but no were just getting a $75 million redo of an existing ride...

 

[soniam]

I figure we will try for an FP+ at midnight 60 days out. If we don't get it, we don't get it. I might try rope drop, depending upon how bad the wait and stampede are. We usually do RD anyway. It's possible that the line could decrease during Illuminations. That's what happened with 7DMT. Plus, Froway will help drastically reduce the waits for Test Track and Soarin' (once it reopens) Yah for both less wait times and Soarin' reopening. Having both Froway attractions as FP+ would really help the availability at other rides (ok really only helps TT and Soarin' because the others really don't need FP+).

 

[lugnut33]

Hope the use the same boats Pirates is using.

 

[soniam]

Hope the use the same boats Pirates is using.

 

[Planogirl]

I figure we will try for an FP+ at midnight 60 days out. If we don't get it, we don't get it. I might try rope drop, depending upon how bad the wait and stampede are. We usually do RD anyway. It's possible that the line could decrease during Illuminations. That's what happened with 7DMT. Plus, Froway will help drastically reduce the waits for Test Track and Soarin' (once it reopens) Yah for both less wait times and Soarin' reopening. Having both Froway attractions as FP+ would really help the availability at other rides (ok really only helps TT and Soarin' because the others really don't need FP+).

I wonder if it will really make a difference when it comes to Test Track and Soarin'. I think that maybe many who wouldn't have gone to Epcot early might go now to take little Janie and Jimmy to ride the Frozen thing while those who go for the other rides will still go for the other rides for the most part. Only time will tell but if a lot of people head to Epcot who didn't used to maybe that will help MK...

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I agree with all of the concerns (Maelstrom was a slow loader/low capacity), but we have to assume they know this and are coming up with a solution, right? I mean ... Right? Here's hoping, I guess.

Remind me - are they redoing the queue setup for Frozen? I can hardly imagine how the line for an attraction with this demand will fit in the current footprint. I remember there were not many turns in the line when you were inside, but it's been a few years since I rode Maelstrom and can't remember.

 

[tstidm1]

1000 people an hour is not great capacity. That means about 10000 people a day will get to experience Frozen Ever After based on an 11 AM opening. The highest capacity ride in all of WDW has 3000 person capacity (Pirates of The Caribbean). Not everyone is going to want to see Frozen Ever After though and I think that helps you in wanting to see it. I'm one of those people. Maelstrom isn't my favorite ride and this doesn't have enough coolness. I'm much more excited to see a Night Time Safari and Rivers of Light than Frozen Ever After. I think the peak wait times after two or three months is going to be 60-90 minutes. I think the concerns are not totally unfounded though for the first few months of the attraction though.

 

[cjparker0110]

Here are my thoughts:

1. I'm not sure what the average capacity is on any WDW ride, but I would say 2700 an hour (if that is accurate) isn't terrible depending on the length of the ride (been a while since I did Maelstrom so I don't remember the length). One of the big attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is Alpengeist (roller coaster). I worked it during the opening year and it had an hourly capacity of 1800 or so. Average wait was 45 minutes which isn't necessarily terrible for a big ride (or any ride really).

2. I agree...they should have built a new ride regardless of whether they replaced Maelstrom or developed somewhere else.

3. I'm more concerned about the little alcove that is Norway. It doesn't matter how many people can ride per hour, that whole little section is going to be INSANE to get through!

 

[OKW Lover]

I agree with all of the concerns (Maelstrom was a slow loader/low capacity), but we have to assume they know this and are coming up with a solution, right? I mean ... Right? Here's hoping, I guess.

I doubt they have changed the load issue. Basically they are using the same boat/trough design as the original ride, with just some Frozen elements in the various scenes. A "quick and dirty" revamp of an existing attraction, not a re-working of the entire ride mechanism.

 

[momof2n2]

Other ways to winnow the crowd would be to force guests to make reservations at Akershus to ride it, or restrict advance FP+s to resort guests only...

That would fill up the resorts!

"Good thing I have that 8:05 ressie and have a handy dandy campsite" said the lady with four daughters and a May 10th day at Epcot...