DAS and the experiments to eliminate stand-by

[Tina902]

I've seen reports that in the last few weeks/months Disney has experimented with efforts to eliminate the stand-by line at A&E, Soarin and this week at Toy Story Mania by instituting "return time tickets" (or what old timers might have called Fast Passes but that is another story.)

What does that mean for people with a DAS? Are they still issuing return times?

 

[2tinkerbell]

We just returned from Disneyland. I can only respond to our experience with A&E as Disneyland has started the return times for A&E. No FP+ available in the DLR.

I know that the return times for A&E were running out first thing in the morning (about 1 hour after opening either for EMH, MM, or regular). Once the return times are gone, they were gone. No issuing a DAS return time for A&E. I guess this is because the DAS doesn't help with character interactions.

No problem with us obtaining DAS times for rides and attractions. In fact, along with FP and DAS return times, we more than got done what we wanted to do.

 

[HopperFan]

I've seen reports that in the last few weeks/months Disney has experimented with efforts to eliminate the stand-by line at A&E, Soarin and this week at Toy Story Mania by instituting "return time tickets" (or what old timers might have called Fast Passes but that is another story.)

What does that mean for people with a DAS? Are they still issuing return times?

From Touring Plans "No, DAS must book FP+ like everyone else, the card is currently useless for TSMM."

 

[OurBigTrip]

I would think that the DAS couldn't be used at any place that doesn't have a standby (just issuing return times), since the DAS return time is calculated based on standby time.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I've seen reports that in the last few weeks/months Disney has experimented with efforts to eliminate the stand-by line at A&E, Soarin and this week at Toy Story Mania by instituting "return time tickets" (or what old timers might have called Fast Passes but that is another story.)

What does that mean for people with a DAS? Are they still issuing return times?

if there is no standby line for an attraction, then you cannot get a DAS return time as there is no standby line to avoid waiting in.

 

[disneyholic family]

From Touring Plans "No, DAS must book FP+ like everyone else, the card is currently useless for TSMM."

i read that they're currently testing this..
let me tell you that i would be ticked off royally if disney suddenly changed the rules when i got there...
i mean, the people who are there during this testing had no advance warning that this would take place...how can they do that????

i know that when DD picked her FP+ for november, she made certain assumptions about standby lines, and possible DAS use.

if when she gets there, they completely change it without warning - well that's certainly going to make things that much more unpleasant...

what are the disney suits smoking?????

 

[OurBigTrip]

i read that they're currently testing this..
let me tell you that i would be ticked off royally if disney suddenly changed the rules when i got there...
i mean, the people who are there during this testing had no advance warning that this would take place...how can they do that????

i know that when DD picked her FP+ for november, she made certain assumptions about standby lines, and possible DAS use.

if when she gets there, they completely change it without warning - well that's certainly going to make things that much more unpleasant...

what are the disney suits smoking?????

I disagree in general with the idea of doing away with stand-by lines; if people want to wait, then they should be able to wait.

But if Disney is going down this path, then I can see why it would have to be for everyone, DAS or no DAS.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thinking out loud, but wouldn't it be better for DAS users to not use the DAS for these rides?

If you get a DAS return time, then you can't use your DAS again until you enjoy the attraction. With a regular return time, you can use the DAS for other things.

 

[disneyholic family]

my objection is that this test is being carried out with NO ADVANCE WARNING to people in the parks this week.

so people arrived yesterday at DHS and discovered there was no standby at all.

i would have been livid. After all the planning that we go through, for them to change the rules with no warning.
It's outrageous and the disney suits are idiots.

 

[OurBigTrip]

my objection is that this test is being carried out with NO ADVANCE WARNING to people in the parks this week.

so people arrived yesterday at DHS and discovered there was no standby at all.

i would have been livid. After all the planning that we go through, for them to change the rules with no warning.
It's outrageous and the disney suits are idiots.

I wouldn't be too happy either, but on the other hand, what's the difference between waiting in line for two hours and coming back in two hours? Or later?

 

[PatMcDuck]

I wouldn't be too happy either, but on the other hand, what's the difference between waiting in line for two hours and coming back in two hours? Or later?

I agree with the unhappy prior poster. I arrive Wednesday. I DID book TSM for FP+, so I am ok.

But OTHER DAS users made assumptions in choosing their ONE Tier 1 ride for the Studios for the day. Some may have picked other rides, and thought they would wait (special needs boarding) standby for TSM (and this line gets long, just like standby, but not over 2 hours like standby, I admit).

But, I will include "regular" guests in this issue too, because they ALSO made decisions on which ride to select as Tier 1 for the day. Maybe they decided to run to TSM at rope drop, and get in the line, for example. Or decided to just wait an hour or so for the ride.

 

[disneyholic family]

I wouldn't be too happy either, but on the other hand, what's the difference between waiting in line for two hours and coming back in two hours? Or later?

60 days ago, these people picked all their FPs, based on some strategy or other.

yesterday they arrived and found out there strategy was doggie doo....

i know there are many people who took FPs for RnRC, and assumed they would run to TSMM at rope drop and get in the standby line....
(since they had to pick one or the other)...

so one of these people arrived at DHS yesterday, raced for TSMM at rope drop and discovered they couldn't ride it standby...

and as you know, people pay a king's ransom for their disney experience...
suddenly, there they are and they can't ride TSMM unless they can manage to get a FP....i would be upset....to say the least...

 

[SirDuff]

I wouldn't be too happy either, but on the other hand, what's the difference between waiting in line for two hours and coming back in two hours? Or later?

According to a thread on the Strategies board, FPs were gone as of noon. So, anyone arriving after that, who hadn't already obtained on, couldn't ride TSMM at all.

I agree with the unhappy prior poster. I arrive Wednesday. I DID book TSM for FP+, so I am ok.

But OTHER DAS users made assumptions in choosing their ONE Tier 1 ride for the Studios for the day. Some may have picked other rides, and thought they would wait (special needs boarding) standby for TSM (and this line gets long, just like standby, but not over 2 hours like standby, I admit).

But, I will include "regular" guests in this issue too, because they ALSO made decisions on which ride to select as Tier 1 for the day. Maybe they decided to run to TSM at rope drop, and get in the line, for example. Or decided to just wait an hour or so for the ride.

I agree. This isn't a problem that is specific to those who need a DAS, it is a problem for everyone. This was very badly done by WDW.

 

[HopperFan]

According to many sources there were still plenty of FP+ times available until they ran out of times around noon. Obviously if standby is closed there would be many more FP+ given out. If you got there early you had a chance.

I don't think that they are planning to eliminate standby but rather this is a test of the 2 tracks FP+ capacity, pushing it to the limits over the next few days. If rumors are correct, the studio next door that was home to Frozen stuff, may be turned into a 3rd track. If that is the case it could mean 2 tracks FP+ and 1 track standby or the reverse.

Guests could have arrived to the ride completely down or as during Frozen fireworks it closes the hours before and during the fireworks - so touring plans always have a chance of being disrupted. Given it has one of the longest standby lines, I would always get a FP+ for it if it were important for us to ride.

 

[bookluvingbabe]

DAS or no DAS, I would be frustrated that I could essentially ride TSMM twice. Once with the FP+ and once with the Standby return time.

If I want to spend my entire DHS time going through the line of TSMM to ride it multiple times, I'd like to do it.

I'd be really pissed if I slept in, got to DHS and discovered I couldn't wait in line for the ride and all the Standby return tickets were gone and I had wasted a park admission.

 

[OurBigTrip]

According to a thread on the Strategies board, FPs were gone as of noon. So, anyone arriving after that, who hadn't already obtained on, couldn't ride TSMM at all.

I agree. This isn't a problem that is specific to those who need a DAS, it is a problem for everyone. This was very badly done by WDW.

I agree, if they are running out and saying "No more" by noon, that's a huge issue.

And I agree, it's a problem for everyone, and yes, it was badly done.

 

[2tinkerbell]

The same was happening with Radiator Springs Racers in DCA's Cars Land when it opened. They were giving return times instead of the standby line which was over 2 hours long.

 

[SirDuff]

The same was happening with Radiator Springs Racers in DCA's Cars Land when it opened. They were giving return times instead of the standby line which was over 2 hours long.

Here they aren't giving return times. You either get a FP+ or you don't ride. I think that they allowed the very first people there at rope drop to get into the standby line, but quickly closed that off (I'm guessing after a set number, but not sure that number is).

 

[SueM in MN]

Here they aren't giving return times. You either get a FP+ or you don't ride. I think that they allowed the very first people there at rope drop to get into the standby line, but quickly closed that off (I'm guessing after a set number, but not sure that number is).

I think I remember hearing that they cut off the line when they had an hour's worth of guests waiting in the standby line.

For the Soarin test at WDW, they opened it back up again several times and let an hour's worth of guests into the line again I think.

I hope they get the information they are looking for quickly - these tests are very disruptive to everyone!

 

[Tink575]

We went to Hollywood Studios Saturday and I used my DAS for TSMM. There was a little girl behind me who was a WISH kid. I wonder what happens in that case?

We have been here since September 4 and I only used FP+ the first day. It only worked for the first ride, I just couldn't make the return times.

My health is not the best right now so we have only been to the parks
a handful of days since then though.