Disney Tackles Major Theme Park Problem: Lines

[Lassie Lynne]

Wristbands make sense for waterparks, but don't think I would like a wristband for a multi-day, several park week vacation.

 

[rutgers1]

With the exception of Magic Kingdom...you'd actually be hardpressed to find 10 things to "ride" (and watch) in the other WDW parks.

EPCOT is kinda a different animal...so while there is plenty to do...it's hard to apply simple numbers to it.

but mgm and animal kingdom don't really offer much more than ten...and that's with everything.

lets count:

studios
star tours
the indy show
american idol
lights motors action
midway mania
little mermaid
playhouse disney
tower
rock n roller coaster
muppetvision
beauty and the beast

yeah...that about covers everything...and that's 11

animal kingdom
kilimanjaro
Flights of wonder
i guess you can count the train
festival of the lion king
tough to be a bug
kali
everest
CTX
triceratop spin
primeval whirl
nemo show

??? that's 11


so that number is not surprising...cause that is the only thing you realistically can do.

and besides...the number of rides/shows attended is not the problem from disney's standpoint...it's that wait times aggrivate customers and affect them in their other daily activities...and you know what that means?
they will probably spend less...and that is the primary goal. the other is to get you to fly back again.

any other consideration is not relevant.

so they want you happy so you shop....where the money is made


here would be their ideal park if you let them (and let's face it...we have been letting them):

2 rides
2 shows
5 eateries
100 shops
50 character greets/ photopass ops
25 "have you heard the secret?" DVC info desks/ tour peddlers
stroller/ wheelchair rental.


there you go...the accountants...errr...i mean "magical" plan. Walt's vision 2.0

LockedoutLogic....I am totally on board with your assessment. It gets to the point where I don't want to go to AK and HS sometimes because I figure that the lines will be long for the things I want to go on, and there isn't enough there to keep me interested. I end up getting there early, jumping on a few rides, and leaving to go back to my hotel. When I go to Epcot, on the other hand, we spend much more time there, we end up eating multiple meals, buying snacks, and even getting souvenirs. I rarely eat anything or buy anything at Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom --- I don't stay there long enough to.

If Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom were right next to one another, I wouldn't mind as much. However, the fact that you have to jump on a bus etc just makes it annoying when you sit back and realize how very little is actually there.

 

[kristytru]

I really don't have a problem with the wristbands. Anything that I don't have to carry is a plus to me. I'd be more worried about losing my KTTW card than a wristband. Anything that makes lines/wait times shorter and enhances the "magic" is okay by me.

 

[Disco]

EPCOT is kinda a different animal...so while there is plenty to do...it's hard to apply simple numbers to it.

but mgm and animal kingdom don't really offer much more than ten...and that's with everything.

lets count:

studios
star tours
the indy show
american idol
lights motors action
midway mania
little mermaid
playhouse disney
tower
rock n roller coaster
muppetvision
beauty and the beast

yeah...that about covers everything...and that's 11

GMR
Fantasmic
Back lot tour

Still not everyone does every attraction so I can see the 10 avearge.
I think MGM would be pretty complete if they were to add a good Toon Town to it. Maybe update the theming and add another good place to eat. Rework the backlot tour to be good and the GMR to be more exciting.

animal kingdom
kilimanjaro
Flights of wonder
i guess you can count the train
festival of the lion king
tough to be a bug
kali
everest
CTX
triceratop spin
primeval whirl
nemo show

??? that's 11

CTX?
Petting Zoo
Trails

I can easily spend a whole day in the AK. The immersion is next to none and it's like Epcot (world showcase) in that it's not centered around the rides so it's hard to compare it to that 10 avearage.
That being said I think one more thrill ride in Africa (ala Everest) would help complete it. I love the idea of adding mythical creatures to each of the lands instead of an entire land comprised of mythical creatures. It keeps it much more grounded like that IMO. I just can't think of any mythical creatures that would be mainstream enough for Africa?
Also, Dinoland needs to be completely re-done and expanded. I like the playground and the Dinosaur ride, but everything else in between needs to be bulldozed. In my romantic fantasy pairing Disney and a dinosaur land should be nothing short of magical. That whole Dino-Carnival theme is a disgrace.

 

[kristytru]

All my son wants to know is how do we get a tour of the "command center" and how does he apply for that job?

 

[Mitzicat]

An earlier posted mentioned something about the wristband would be great for teens who are on thier own and need funds. I loved the wristband gift card that was available during the food and wine festival. It was great. I could put money on it and not have to go digging for my wallet or my KTTC everytime I wanted to purchase something.

I think I can still use it and plan on doing so for my trip in Dec 2011.

 

[midnightlouise]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who felt the most shocking part of that article was that the average guest only makes it to 10 rides a day!?!?

10 rides by lunch maybe

I know! That's what stopped me too. Who cares about wristbands? hahaha I was like..."are you kidding me?" 10 rides? What the?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We do it at Great WOlf and have never had a problem with it. It was actually very convenient to have room key and charging privileges all linked to the bracelet.

Yep! Exactly. I like the system at GW. I'm all about this idea at WDW if they can come up with decent encryption.

It would also solve the problem with weeding out "Day Guests" and on-site Resort Guests during EMH, and could help eliminate the pool-hopping problem. Actually it could help with the refillable mug problem too. LOL, the DIS would collapse because there would be little left to talk about!

 

[tnhillbilly]

Here is something else to think about with the wristbands. Lost children or parents. Narrowing down the search.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Here is something else to think about with the wristbands. Lost children or parents. Narrowing down the search.

Ohhh good idea. Really good idea.

 

[nytimez]

Here is something else to think about with the wristbands. Lost children or parents. Narrowing down the search.

We could just implant microchips in their rear ends.