December 2024 Refurbs - Big Thunder Reopens December 13.

[LKing]

couple that with Haunted Mansion still under construction

Haunted Mansion queue is still under construction. The ride (with the holiday overlay) has been open since the end of July.

 

[tarheelalum]

Haunted Mansion queue is still under construction. The ride (with the holiday overlay) has been open since the end of July.

And you cannot wait in line to ride it so its not really open.

 

[disneychrista]

And you cannot wait in line to ride it so its not really open.

That make no sense. So Tiana’s isn’t really opening on Nov 15th because it will be a VQ?

 

[Porsche4]

That make no sense. So Tiana’s isn’t really opening on Nov 15th because it will be a VQ?

I think I get what they are trying to say. With HM using a VQ it is just another issue you have to deal with, that normally you wouldn't have to. I admit I am a bit apprehensive about the VQ system for this trip. It makes it very difficult to plan when you get to ride it. If there was no VQ I would know exactly at what time I should get in line (near rope drop for the holiday overlay) or I could get a LLMP to ride it at a time that would suit me. With the VQ system I have no idea where I am going to be when my group gets called and it could mean a hike all the way across the park to get back to ride it or worse still it might clash with a dining reservation. If you miss your call back window you are relying on the hope that the cast member will be nice and let you in anyway, otherwise you miss out completely. It is just another thing to deal with which can be annoying.

 

[twodogs]

For our family, the problem with canceling a trip is that is difficult to get all our work and school schedules sorted for a reschedule. I think anytime you go to DLR, there are going to be rides that are under refurbishment or other things like VQs or recent changes to the LL system or others that can make one feel unsteady about the enjoyment of your trip. Unfortunately, I don’t think these are entirely avoidable, ever. And even if you happened to plan the perfectly timed trip and there were no rides on refurb and no twists like the VQs, a ride or show can still go down unexpectedly during your trip (on our trip a few weeks ago, TSMM was down for almost 2 full days for some breakdown of the ride (not a planned refurb)). We just went with the flow because we were still having a great time! It is easy to make yourself crazy trying to “out plan” Disney and have the perfect trip. For me, we can still have an amazing trip, even with these bumps in the planning, as long as we keep a positive mindset.

Edited to add: However, I do understand completely the disappointment of these late announcements by Disney!! I do wish they would put this stuff out earlier to help with planning.

 

[LKing]

I think LLMP is much more difficult to plan around than VQ.

Once you get your boarding group number and the ride opens, you will receive an approximate time to return. If you don't trust that, you can check the app throughout the day to see which groups they are currently boarding. If you are group 50 and they are boarding group 47, you probably shouldn't park hop into DCA. You don't need to run from ToonTown, but instead of going to Tomorrowland or SWGE, you should start making your way back to NOS. Even after your group is called, you have an hour to show up before the app says that your boarding time has passed. When it says that your entry window has expired, you can click on "view entry code" it will bring up your code.

From my personal experience, as well as from reports on this forum, the vast majority of times an expired entry code is admitted. It is more of an anomaly when a CM turns someone away. I've probably gone on HMH using VQ a dozen or so times. Only once did someone comment on an expired code. He did it as he scanned me onto the ride. I didn't even have time to respond to his comment. He was already moving onto the next guest.

My point is, don't set yourself up for disappointment before you even arrive. Some people enjoy planning, but be careful about trying to plan every moment and every experience.

 

[Porsche4]

Of course you are right. For me, I live in Australia so I plan my trips to anywhere in the world, a year in advance. Some may think thats overkill but to get the cheapest airfares you really need to book around that year in advance mark. Also our travelling party (3 adults) are all on the autism scale so planning is an essential part of us being able to enjoy our holidays. Spontaneity is not something we cope well with which a lot of people may not understand but it is what it is. I always have a little chuckle to myself as every night before bed time we go over the "Plan of Attack" for the next day so we can all rest easy knowing what is to come. We have learnt over the years, particularly on our many Disney holidays, that things/plans can and do very often go awry and we have coping mechanisms for this. I find a churro makes everything okay.

 

[disneychrista]

I think I get what they are trying to say. With HM using a VQ it is just another issue you have to deal with, that normally you wouldn't have to. I admit I am a bit apprehensive about the VQ system for this trip. It makes it very difficult to plan when you get to ride it. If there was no VQ I would know exactly at what time I should get in line (near rope drop for the holiday overlay) or I could get a LLMP to ride it at a time that would suit me. With the VQ system I have no idea where I am going to be when my group gets called and it could mean a hike all the way across the park to get back to ride it or worse still it might clash with a dining reservation. If you miss your call back window you are relying on the hope that the cast member will be nice and let you in anyway, otherwise you miss out completely. It is just another thing to deal with which can be annoying.

I get all that and agree, VQ and LL (if one is using it) make things more difficult to plan. The last trip I took when FP was a think, I chose not to really use it because I really dislike bouncing around the park. I prefer to go land by land. I just don't get saying with the VQ HM isn't really open. VQ doesn't make a ride not open. I do agree it makes things a little more difficult to plan. And I really don't like that with the VQ for Tiana's there is a chance we won't actually get to ride the attraction because I may not be fast enough. And then couple that the likelihood of not being ablet o hold HMH & Tiana's at the same time I do understand the frustration. And I am feeling the same anxiety and frustration.

 

[tarheelalum]

So Tiana’s isn’t really opening on Nov 15th because it will be a VQ?

We value spontaneity so we don't want to be imposed a schedule by Disney by signing up for a VQ. We would rather wait with the hope the construction walls are down and the virtual queue is gone on Haunted Mansion so we just canceled our December trip and re-booked for the first week of March. Hopefully by then Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder construction will have been completed.

 

[disneychrista]

We value spontaneity so we don't want to be imposed a schedule by Disney by signing up for a VQ. We would rather wait with the hope the construction walls are down and the virtual queue is gone on Haunted Mansion so we just canceled our December trip and re-booked for the first week of March. Hopefully by then Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder construction will have been completed.

I totally understand that. It was just the comment that HM isn’t really open because of the VQ that got me scratching my head.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I totally understand that. It was just the comment that HM isn’t really open because of the VQ that got me scratching my head.

Yeah

HMH is easy to get, I know some want to just go on it whenever but.....HMH gets 90+ mins lines most the time past 10 AM in past years

So this system while a little limiting, is better for 90% of people because you get on in 10 mins after being called

 

[HMcH]

For me personally I dislike VQ's because I would happily sit through the line to ride HM multiple times a day. We rarely make it out to DL, so I'd love to see the holiday overlay several times. For our trip in early Dec we have 2 days in DL, so at most I'll get to ride it twice (assuming I get in the VQ). At MK I ride HM at least twice a day, often times more.

 

[LKing]

As @JerrodDragon89 mentioned, HMH standby is usually a very long line. If you only have two days, I'm not sure that you would be able to ride it multiple times a day and be able to do much else in the parks.

 

[Porsche4]

For me personally I dislike VQ's because I would happily sit through the line to ride HM multiple times a day. We rarely make it out to DL, so I'd love to see the holiday overlay several times. For our trip in early Dec we have 2 days in DL, so at most I'll get to ride it twice (assuming I get in the VQ). At MK I ride HM at least twice a day, often times more.

I agree. I was intending to hit it first thing in the morning and ride it standby and then ride it again in the evening using LLMP. At least I am lucky as I will be visiting for several days so hopefully I will still get to ride it a few times, it just makes plans for your day a lot harder. Some days I want to park hop but I may be tied to DL until my time is called. At least when making LLMP's you sort of know what time to try for one and get around the return time you want and you can always keep refreshing the screen. VQ doesn't allow you to do that so I do believe it is much more restrictive than LLMP.

 

[LKing]

I agree. I was intending to hit it first thing in the morning and ride it standby and then ride it again in the evening using LLMP. At least I am lucky as I will be visiting for several days so hopefully I will still get to ride it a few times, it just makes plans for your day a lot harder. Some days I want to park hop but I may be tied to DL until my time is called. At least when making LLMP's you sort of know what time to try for one and get around the return time you want and you can always keep refreshing the screen. VQ doesn't allow you to do that so I do believe it is much more restrictive than LLMP.

If you request a VQ at 7am (not 7:15 or 7:30), it is likely that your group will be called before 11 am.

 

[Porsche4]

If you request a VQ at 7am (not 7:15 or 7:30), it is likely that your group will be called before 11 am.

I am hoping that will be the case. I am always up early even on holidays so that will be no problem. What are your thoughts if we want to ride it in the evening. If I go into the VQ right at noon what do you think my return might be into the evening. I don't want too late a return time as we are EE/Rope Droppers and late nights don't really work for us. Would I be better getting one at 7:00 and hoping they will honour it if we return in the early evening. Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[monkeypat83]

I am hoping that will be the case. I am always up early even on holidays so that will be no problem. What are your thoughts if we want to ride it in the evening. If I go into the VQ right at noon what do you think my return might be into the evening. I don't want too late a return time as we are EE/Rope Droppers and late nights don't really work for us. Would I be better getting one at 7:00 and hoping they will honour it if we return in the early evening. Would love to hear your thoughts.

If you have Genie+ (or whatever they changed the name to this time) then according to the Disneyland website you can also get a lightning lane for the ride so you might be able to refresh and get one for the time you are looking for.

 

[LKing]

If you have Genie+ (or whatever they changed the name to this time) then according to the Disneyland website you can also get a lightning lane for the ride so you might be able to refresh and get one for the time you are looking for.

It is called Lightning Lane Multi Pass (LLMP). @Porsche4 was asking about the VQ for HMH. HMH is currently only VQ and does not offer LLMP at this time.

 

[xipotec]

Quick side question:

Anyone know when HM closes and reopens to take the overlays DOWN?

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Quick side question:

Anyone know when HM closes and reopens to take the overlays DOWN?

normally the second week of January, but last yeah they pushed it back to like the last weekend...so depends on the Q work being done