Disney finally Made Me Mad

[wisblue]

That's pretty unfair.

This wasn't something someone just noticed and freaked out about, like when the tiers went away. This was something the bloggers who are usually relied upon for up to date, accurate info (even more so than Disney themselves), had confirmed.

We still don't know what's what here, so it's a little early to be calling this a technical error. Nobody said this is definitely the first step in eliminating stand by lines, people were discussing the possibility that it could be.

Just to be clear, the overreacting I am talking about is making the leap from FP only for certain character greetings to a reservation only system for RIDES. My first post on this thread should have been pretty clear about that.

 

[morethananyonex]

Just to be clear, the overreacting I am talking about is making the leap from FP only for certain character greetings to a reservation only system for RIDES.

But nobody assumed that was happening for sure because of this, the possibility was being discussed, but why wouldn't it be? FP+ only is a big shift from anything Disney is currently doing, so it makes complete sense the discussion would shift to additional attractions.

 

[morethananyonex]

Thanks! It's like you read my mind!

You know what they say, great minds and all

 

[Laketravis]

Regardless, there is a big difference between a character greeting with limited capacity, limited space for lines, and the need to swap out characters at regular intervals, and a ride with a much larger capacity that can load passengers almost continuously.

I think the big difference is it's not that big a deal to add another character or two.

Even if they are the same ones. I mean, Santa Claus sure gets around at Christmas. Couldn't there be more than one Belle at different ends of the park?

 

[wisblue]

The way I see it, we were having a discussion.

And, the way I see it, I was giving my opinion on the subject of turning rides into standby only.

When you see how standby lines have built up in connection with some character greetings in areas that were not intended to accommodate lines, turning them into FP only might make sense. Obviously, the lines for Anna and Elsa in the tiny Norway courtyard,and now in Fantasyland, are the latest and most dramatic example. But the lines for Merida and Rapunzel were pretty outrageous too.

 

[ferd]

While I am relieved that (for now) the possibility of this FP+ONLY trend seems to be on the back burner, I have to say I'm slightly let down that it seems this change confirms that Minnie and all are going to stay mute for now.

 

[Reddog1134]

Maybe it was a glitch, maybe it wasn't, but there was a thread on WDWMagic started back on March 12th that says certain M&G's would require a magic band. They cite Donald and Daisy at AK as an example.

Requiring a Magic Band is not the same thing as FP+ only but it's close enough to make you wonder.

 

[clsteve]

Gee, there are never glitches or mistakes on MDE. Like when the tiers were removed for FP+ at DHS and Epcot for a few hours, that was obviously intentional.

It couldn't possibly be that this was an innocent mistake and that a few posters overreacted and concluded that this was the first step in a sinister plan to eventually remove all standby lines from WDW.

It's a Production System- there are no innocent mistakes- just painful mistakes. They allowed guests to book it while thousands more viewed it. This has happened before- future FP options or functionality showing up for a little while after a major update (7DMT). Things (technical and organizational) are not in sync.

What's most concerning is that they're still experiencing critical problems: a major outage that brought down everything inside and outside of the Park for hours, production data (reserved FP's and ADR's) are still disappearing, and they can't handle any major increase in volume (7DMT, combined with FD).

Too much is still in flux for them to be in any way comfortable with Summer approaching. I'm not saying this to stir the pot in any way, but man, it gives me the professional chills.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

And, the way I see it, I was giving my opinion on the subject of turning rides into standby only.

When you see how standby lines have built up in connection with some character greetings in areas that were not intended to accommodate lines, turning them into FP only might make sense. Obviously, the lines for Anna and Elsa in the tiny Norway courtyard,and now in Fantasyland, are the latest and most dramatic example. But the lines for Merida and Rapunzel were pretty outrageous too.

Which even tho we don't agree, I'm glad you do give your opinion. Believe it or it helps me to think of things differently even tho in the end I may not fully agree. I more took issue with your comment about overreacting. I didn't see it that.

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't still happen sometime down the road. This could have been a test of some sort or something didn't appear to work right when Disney implemented it. If it was a test, it might feature other attractions completely at some point.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

Yes but I think they will ultimately cross the line if they continue on this path of continuing to cut corners. That is what a generic amusement park does- Disney has a reputation for being "magical". There are only so many layers that can be stripped away before it stops being magical and starts being generic. Then why should anyone pay the premium prices for something they can get at a place right down the street?

I still don't think these M&Gs going FP+ only is the sign of a new trend. I still think it is because of talking characters being introduced. So I remain in the "wait and see" camp. Hopefully that is all this is about...

Exactly what I was thinking when I heard they cancelled the AK parade. Now only 1 of the 4 parks has a parade. They have also cut other entertainment.Their entertainment is part of what set them apart from other theme parks. Now meet and greets being limited.

We cancelled our trip this year and I am looking at May 2015. But will keep an eye on things as I can't justify the expense for a family our size if these "tests" keep downgrading the magic.

 

[2Tiggies]

Exactly what I was thinking when I heard they cancelled the AK parade. Now only 1 of the 4 parks has a parade. They have also cut other entertainment.Their entertainment is part of what set them apart from other theme parks. Now meet and greets being limited. :

That's been a bit of a topic for discussion in our house this week, alongside the FP Only, of course. We will miss the AK parade as we only get there in June. It is what it is and we will get over it. I tell you what really irritates me though. One of my biggest gripes with FP+ is feeling so scheduled for every day. Yeah, I know you can change if whatever you want happens to be available, but the point is that it is an extra step in the planning process that is not voluntary. Which brings me to the next point .... Disney wants guests committing to attractions 30/60 days out, ADRs 180 days out, among other things which if you don't book, you may not get. Yet when they are going to cut something or close an attraction for a rehab, they give us 11th hour notice and we just have to suck it up and re-do our plans or live with it.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

That's been a bit of a topic for discussion in our house this week, alongside the FP Only, of course. We will miss the AK parade as we only get there in June. It is what it is and we will get over it. I tell you what really irritates me though. One of my biggest gripes with FP+ is feeling so scheduled for every day. Yeah, I know you can change if whatever you want happens to be available, but the point is that it is an extra step in the planning process that is not voluntary. Which brings me to the next point .... Disney wants guests committing to attractions 30/60 days out, ADRs 180 days out, among other things which if you don't book, you may not get. Yet when they are going to cut something or close an attraction for a rehab, they give us 11th hour notice and we just have to suck it up and re-do our plans or live with it.

Your last sentence is my feeling exactly. I know some will say that you don't have to prebook, but honestly if you want to guarantee certain rides you do. Where before you just needed to show up by 10ish for some or much later for others. But I really do not like the last minute changes. I'm bummed about the AK parade. I'm glad I did get to see the Christmas parade last year. Has anyone heard if they are getting a new one? With no parade, how will folks know it's time to leave? =)

 

[Bugdozer]

Exactly what I was thinking when I heard they cancelled the AK parade. Now only 1 of the 4 parks has a parade. They have also cut other entertainment.Their entertainment is part of what set them apart from other theme parks. Now meet and greets being limited.

We cancelled our trip this year and I am looking at May 2015. But will keep an eye on things as I can't justify the expense for a family our size if these "tests" keep downgrading the magic.

As sad as I am to see the parade go I know what is in store for animal kingdom with be amazing and make up for the parade closure

 

[Bugdozer]

Your last sentence is my feeling exactly. I know some will say that you don't have to prebook, but honestly if you want to guarantee certain rides you do. Where before you just needed to show up by 10ish for some or much later for others. But I really do not like the last minute changes. I'm bummed about the AK parade. I'm glad I did get to see the Christmas parade last year. Has anyone heard if they are getting a new one? With no parade, how will folks know it's time to leave? =)

There wont be a reason to leave. With a whole new land, a night time show called River of Lights and night safaris AK will become more then a 1/2 day park.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

There wont be a reason to leave. With a whole new land, a night time show called River of Lights and night safaris AK will become more then a 1/2 day park.

That's true. I keep forgetting about Avatar land. *gasp* I'm probably the only person on the planet that hasn't seen it. I think no read Avatar land would take a couple years. Any idea when River of Lights and night safaris start?

ETA: I could probably spend more time in AK right now how it is vs Epcot. I can't wait to take my niece and nephews in Oct. They love animals too.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Which brings me to the next point .... Disney wants guests committing to attractions 30/60 days out, ADRs 180 days out, among other things which if you don't book, you may not get. Yet when they are going to cut something or close an attraction for a rehab, they give us 11th hour notice and we just have to suck it up and re-do our plans or live with it.

So true. Do as I say, not as I do!

 

[Bugdozer]

That's true. I keep forgetting about Avatar land. *gasp* I'm probably the only person on the planet that hasn't seen it. I think no read Avatar land would take a couple years. Any idea when River of Lights and night safaris start?

ETA: I could probably spend more time in AK right now how it is vs Epcot. I can't wait to take my niece and nephews in Oct. They love animals too.

Avatar land/Pandora in 2017. They have not given exact dates on Rivers of Light or Safaris but said it would be before the new land opened. They had to end the parade as the construction would be in the way and some of those paths are so narrow as it is. I personally am one that loved the Avatar movie and am looking forward to exploring the land of Pandora.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Avatar land/Pandora in 2017. They have not given exact dates on Rivers of Light or Safaris but said it would be before the new land opened. They had to end the parade as the construction would be in the way and some of those paths are so narrow as it is. I personally am one that loved the Avatar movie and am looking forward to exploring the land of Pandora.

Thanks for the info. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to seeing the movies and will then be excited for the new land.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

That's true. I keep forgetting about Avatar land. *gasp* I'm probably the only person on the planet that hasn't seen it. I think no read Avatar land would take a couple years. Any idea when River of Lights and night safaris start?

ETA: I could probably spend more time in AK right now how it is vs Epcot. I can't wait to take my niece and nephews in Oct. They love animals too.

I thought I was the only person on the planet to not see it.