Do you think LL is being oversold/losing its value?

[julesann]

I am wondering about the experience of others--I go to DLR once a year—this time I went in Oct/Nov and again this past weekend (Sat-Tue). I have never experienced LL book out so quickly for many major attractions and then become unavailable before mid-day for some like Guardians, Soarin’, IJ, Tiana. It feels like LL has significantly lost its value since I last went. What do you think? Is it oversold through Costco’s 3 day ph with LL? Or is something else going on? Although I was there from July 5-8 the parks didn’t seem overly crowded.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Guardians is running only at 2/3 capacity. Soarin’ is running at 1/2 capacity. Matterhorn is closed. All of these impact total number of LL available.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The less people use LL the better it is for everyone. Less time spent waiting for the LL line cutters if you are in the standby line, and a better value for those who buy LL. Everybody wins.

 

[farmfresh2]

I've noticed this too on our recent trip. Some of it (the IJ LL) might be fishing: the am times really shoot up! But I think demand is really high. Thought the OP noted some rides are at lower capacity right now it's also true that rides that never had FP (like IASW) do have LL, and a lot of capacity.
The Incredicoaster broke down for most of the day when we were there. When they reopened the LL line stretched up the board walk, past the Abominable Snowman, past the shop and back to the beginning of the pier bridge. That's lot of demand!

One reason is that , though there is cost, there is no effort involved in booking LLS. Makes you wish for the old days of racing around getting paper FPS!

 

[julesann]

Guardians is running only at 2/3 capacity. Soarin’ is running at 1/2 capacity. Matterhorn is closed. All of these impact total number of LL available.

I noticed that with Soarin' and Guardians...it makes sense. It still seemed extraordinary though. Yesterday (Tuesday) I couldn't book anything after 9:30 a.m that didn't put me into the later afternoon or was gone and we were leaving at 1:00 so all those attractions were not available. Totally useless LL.

 

[LordVader]

It was well worth it for me, my wife and two kids back in May. We also rope dropped so we booked the rides we wanted immediately and got on every single ride we wanted very easily.

DCA is different because there's just not that many rides. If you're not there early to secure the rides you want the top ones are gone by like 10-11am. I think the value is still there if you're there early. I'd still buy it every time, just not really for DCA.

 

[julesann]

It was well worth it for me, my wife and two kids back in May. We also rope dropped so we booked the rides we wanted immediately and got on every single ride we wanted very easily.

DCA is different because there's just not that many rides. If you're not there early to secure the rides you want the top ones are gone by like 10-11am. I think the value is still there if you're there early. I'd still buy it every time, just not really for DCA.

That's good to hear it was worth it. yes, I am a rope dropper too--we were 9th on Peter Pan and in the first group on Guardians. As we weren't staying on site this time, I booked the opposite park from early entry. I had the same experience at DL but not quite as bad as, as you say, more rides.

 

[OlliePop27]

I am wondering about the experience of others--I go to DLR once a year—this time I went in Oct/Nov and again this past weekend (Sat-Tue). I have never experienced LL book out so quickly for many major attractions and then become unavailable before mid-day for some like Guardians, Soarin’, IJ, Tiana. It feels like LL has significantly lost its value since I last went. What do you think? Is it oversold through Costco’s 3 day ph with LL? Or is something else going on? Although I was there from July 5-8 the parks didn’t seem overly crowded.

I was there Thursday to Sunday last week (over the 4th) and we must have very different perceptions of value. I thought it was almost too easy to use LLMP and return times were almost immediate for many attractions. I left each day with unused MEPs.

As others have noted, the popular rides always go fast. Guardians and Soarin on reduced capacity is the reason those go so fast right now, so book them early. Even if sold out, it's only temporary and availability will pop back up and can be modified to different times.

Important to note, I always have hoppers so can book two parks of LLMP. DCA has far less rides than DL and the situation will only get worse next year with Monster's Inc closing.

 

[julesann]

I was there Thursday to Sunday last week (over the 4th) and we must have very different perceptions of value. I thought it was almost too easy to use LLMP and return times were almost immediate for many attractions. I left each day with unused MEPs.

As others have noted, the popular rides always go fast. Guardians and Soarin on reduced capacity is the reason those go so fast right now, so book them early. Even if sold out, it's only temporary and availability will pop back up and can be modified to different times.

Important to note, I always have hoppers so can book two parks of LLMP. DCA has far less rides than DL and the situation will only get worse next year with Monster's Inc closing.

I am really glad to hear about your experience and @LordVader . I am now thinking it was probably because of the limited capacity of some rides and because I was with a 9 year old (rather than my usual adult disney partner) and she was not up for a lot of walking so I didn't park hop much or even get to some rides that were across the park I was in.

 

[Howry]

I am wondering about the experience of others--I go to DLR once a year—this time I went in Oct/Nov and again this past weekend (Sat-Tue). I have never experienced LL book out so quickly for many major attractions and then become unavailable before mid-day for some like Guardians, Soarin’, IJ, Tiana. It feels like LL has significantly lost its value since I last went. What do you think? Is it oversold through Costco’s 3 day ph with LL? Or is something else going on? Although I was there from July 5-8 the parks didn’t seem overly crowded.

My wife and I went to Disney at the end of last year and we had the best time not having lighting lane. I just dont think I will be getting it anymore. Having to constantly watch for ride times, juggling reservations etc doesnt allow you to enjoy the park as you are constantly trying to get the value out of the lighting lane. Was so much nicer and we had so much more fun just enjoying ourselves and not worrying about it.

 

[Bossy22]

My wife and I went to Disney at the end of last year and we had the best time not having lighting lane. I just dont think I will be getting it anymore. Having to constantly watch for ride times, juggling reservations etc doesnt allow you to enjoy the park as you are constantly trying to get the value out of the lighting lane. Was so much nicer and we had so much more fun just enjoying ourselves and not worrying about it.

This is what I tried on our last trip (2 years ago) but I found that my kids just didn't get to do all we wanted to. I hate the idea of being on the phone at DL but I don't see an option. As a family that only goes every few years I just don't see how we can not add it to our tickets. If you are able to go more often I love the option but when you might not be back for 5 years than you almost need to to not wait for super long times! I miss the old fast pass soooooo much!!!!

 

[twodogs]

I am wondering about the experience of others--I go to DLR once a year—this time I went in Oct/Nov and again this past weekend (Sat-Tue). I have never experienced LL book out so quickly for many major attractions and then become unavailable before mid-day for some like Guardians, Soarin’, IJ, Tiana. It feels like LL has significantly lost its value since I last went. What do you think? Is it oversold through Costco’s 3 day ph with LL? Or is something else going on? Although I was there from July 5-8 the parks didn’t seem overly crowded.

Here is the Thrill Data graphic for LL at DLR. It shows today, the last week, last month sell out time for LLs for each ride.

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/dlr

Here are the graphics in case folks don’t want to click the link

 

[OlliePop27]

Here is the Thrill Data graphic for LL at DLR. It shows today, the last week, last month sell out time for LLs for each ride.

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/dlr

Here are the graphics in case folks don’t want to click the link
View attachment 982578View attachment 982579

I love Thrill Data and always check headed into my trips! So valuable. It also proves the actual data of what's happening day by day and trends. Pirates being moved off LLMP and Star Tours going down seems to have had no impact on availability, at least not over the past week.

 

[blabbermouth]

What is up with Goofy's Sky School selling out first thing in the morning?

 

[MonocularVision]

What is up with Goofy's Sky School selling out first thing in the morning?

Browsing through Thrill Data and I don’t see that happening at all. Are you sure it was selling out and not just the ride being down?

 

[OlliePop27]

What is up with Goofy's Sky School selling out first thing in the morning?

I think that's a glitch. Goofy's is not selling out in the morning.

 

[disneychrista]

I think that's a glitch. Goofy's is not selling out in the morning.

Has to be a glitch. Since if I am reading it right, it says Incredicoaster sold out at 6:06 AM.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I was in the parks 7/3-7/6 and that was the first time I've ever felt I didn't need LLMP. I walked onto so many rides. There were a lot of ride closures so I ended up with so many MEPs, more than I could use. I think I got like 6-8 MEPs a day and I didn't end up using them because so many things were walk on. I didn't have any trouble getting return times but I also am good at refreshing. It was great to see Pirates off LL as that area was no longer clogged up, and most of the time it was around 15 minutes. I saw it at 5 minutes throughout the trip particularly in the evenings.

I could definitely have used a LL for Guardians AFTER the pre-show though, that wait is awful

 

[tarheelalum]

With all the Costco tickets being sold now with lighting lane I think it might get really bad in the fall.