Does Imaginatrium use waitlists as a gimmick?

[Patmcpsu]

Over the weekend, we went to Imaginatrium around 5pm. I was told to give my phone number to be on the waitlist, per usual. About 10 minutes later, I got the text to go in (which the people at the desk never seem to check for). When I got in, it was obvious that the lounge was at about 50% capacity.

In this case, why was the waitlist even being implemented? Is it a gimmick to make people buy MMB (which I presume lets you waltz right in, when possible)? To make people spend money in the gift shop while they wait? To create a false sense of being in demand?

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think it is a gimmick.

There is a limited number of staff, they need to refresh snacks, and service the soda machines, and so forth. Remember that our dues do not pay for the lounges, so it is really up to them, not members, how they ae made available. Prior to MMB, there were a couple of time my party was taken right up, but most of the time, even back then, there was about a 10 minute wait, so a short wait is nothing new, even with available seating. Especially now that they have basically been escorting people to tables instead of open seating.

There is nothing in our contracts that guarantees lounges, they could, if they wanted to, make MMB required for any lounge access.

 

[lowlight]

Yes, 100% trying to artificially hype it up. Like basically any other product or place that is trying to sell you something, scarcity sells. Imagine someone walking by an exclusive lounge and hearing there is a wait- they will want to know what this exclusive place is all about and will be told it’s for “members only”. Like Chucky said, it’s not guaranteed, aka not meant for current members, but for sales to new members. A fake 10 minute wait makes it useless for most people so that should tell you what you need to know.

 

[tjkraz]

Some seats were likely just vacated. Others were probably reserved for parties who were also on the waiting list and had been texted but not yet returned.

 

[toesmom]

Over the weekend, we went to Imaginatrium around 5pm. I was told to give my phone number to be on the waitlist, per usual. About 10 minutes later, I got the text to go in (which the people at the desk never seem to check for). When I got in, it was obvious that the lounge was at about 50% capacity.

In this case, why was the waitlist even being implemented? Is it a gimmick to make people buy MMB (which I presume lets you waltz right in, when possible)? To make people spend money in the gift shop while they wait? To create a false sense of being in demand?

We always had to go on waitlist and did not look full. This was even before the promotion. So no I don’t think so

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, 100% trying to artificially hype it up. Like basically any other product or place that is trying to sell you something, scarcity sells. Imagine someone walking by an exclusive lounge and hearing there is a wait- they will want to know what this exclusive place is all about and will be told it’s for “members only”. Like Chucky said, it’s not guaranteed, aka not meant for current members, but for sales to new members. A fake 10 minute wait makes it useless for most people so that should tell you what you need to know.

I think it is nice to have the DVC lounges, even with a wait, especially since there are fewer and fewer attraction sponsorship lounges. I remember back in the days of World of Motion, several times we were invited up to the sponsor lounge as we were multiple Cadillac owners in our traveling group. I'm sure other sponsors may have had occasional lounge access for their better customers. If lounges, APs, and so forth aren't important to you or are only an occasional thing, don't by MMB, and don't by direct., seems pretty simple. And certainly better than complaining about a longer wait for a free soda and snack in a relatively comfortable Air Conditioned area.

 

[byurick]

It probably depends on who's manning the booth at the entrance. We've gone several times and they let us right up without having to wait at all or give them a cell number to waitlist.

 

[lowlight]

I think it is nice to have the DVC lounges, even with a wait, especially since there are fewer and fewer attraction sponsorship lounges. I remember back in the days of World of Motion, several times we were invited up to the sponsor lounge as we were multiple Cadillac owners in our traveling group. I'm sure other sponsors may have had occasional lounge access for their better customers. If lounges, APs, and so forth aren't important to you or are only an occasional thing, don't by MMB, and don't by direct., seems pretty simple. And certainly better than complaining about a longer wait for a free soda and snack in a relatively comfortable Air Conditioned area.

The question wasn’t are lounges worth it, the question was is the wait a gimmick to make people buy MMB. I don’t think it’s a gimmick, I think it’s a feature built into the lounges to make them seem scarce and therefore attractive to the FOMO population, which overlaps heavily with Disney goers in general. Everything Disney does is FOMO based. My opinion part of the response is that I have never, as in literally not once ever, not had a wait at any of the 3 lounges. Doesn’t matter the day, time, or crowd size. The lounges are a nice break, and could be a nice perk, but the false wait times ruin it and predate MMB. I had a lengthy wait for McKim’s and only did it to show my kids, and there were…two other tables of 2 people when I entered. They were telling people the waitlist was full when I entered. I was there for 20 minutes and when I left, they let another party in. So 3 parties, 8 people total, and six staff members. 2 at podium outside, 2 behind desk inside, and 2 cleaning and filling snacks, etc. The person at the podium led us to our table, so the four staff inside didn’t even do that. The same for the Epcot lounge, more staff than members and still a waitlist.

 

[Patmcpsu]

I don’t think it’s a gimmick, I think it’s a feature built into the lounges to make them seem scarce and therefore attractive to the FOMO population, which overlaps heavily with Disney goers in general.

To be fair, the Epcot lounge is not high profile whatsoever. The first time I tried going there, I couldn't even find it. There is a teensie sign with a teensie desk. I bet most people walking by don't even know that they're passing a lounge.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I think they always just put you on a list. Then they make sure they have a table for your size party and make sure its clean etc

 

[lowlight]

I think they always just put you on a list. Then they make sure they have a table for your size party and make sure its clean etc

I believe they have a tablet with table availability on it in front of them. A better question would be, has anyone seen an entire lounge filled at any point? Some claim they have never had a wait at any lounge, so who knows.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thank you for teaching me something new today. I had no idea the EPCOT DVC lounge had a formal name!

 

[byurick]

I believe they have a tablet with table availability on it in front of them. A better question would be, has anyone seen an entire lounge filled at any point? Some claim they have never had a wait at any lounge, so who knows.

The new MK lounge was full when we went this past June, since I had MMB we only waited a few minutes for a table but it was definitely full while we were there hanging out.

 

[Moonspinner]

We noticed this at the magic kingdom one. There was a waitlist but empty tables inside.

I’m kind of wondering if the people running the waitlists are on a power trip lol

 

[Chuck S]

I believe they have a tablet with table availability on it in front of them. A better question would be, has anyone seen an entire lounge filled at any point? Some claim they have never had a wait at any lounge, so who knows.

He’s, I’ve seen the EPCOT lounge full, both in the imagination pavilion and the temporary lounge at the Odyssey

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

This past week we visited both lounges. We were told there were 25 parties on the waitlist at MK, but we were the only people with MMB, so we waited about 3 minutes before we got a table. It was definitely full!

At Epcot, we waited about 10 minutes, as there were 2 other MMB parties in front of us. The lounge seemed very full; we didn’t seem anybody leave during our visit on a super hot day!

 

[Sandisw]

Unless it’s changed, the lounge hours end around 5 pm and then reopen at 6 pm for MMB members.

I wonder if it had to do with that? I have been fortunate and never had to wait to visit Epcot…

I don’t think it’s a gimmick because waitlists occurred before MMB existed.

 

[muppets3d]

The lounges certainly run better on some days than others, likely depending on who is running the lounge that day. There is one gentleman, Matthew is his name, who rules the lounges with an iron fist and makes them run very smoothly.

 

[muppets3d]

Unless I hear otherwise, I am choosing to believe that they are not holding tables empty for possible MMB members to show up. If it turns out that they are, that would be very disappointing. Especially at the Magic Kingdom lounge which is quite small for the park.

 

[Patmcpsu]

Unless it’s changed, the lounge hours end around 5 pm and then reopen at 6 pm for MMB members.

I wonder if it had to do with that? I have been fortunate and never had to wait to visit Epcot…

I don’t think it’s a gimmick because waitlists occurred before MMB existed.

I realized that after I posted, but didn't bother to correct. I entered around 4pm, about an hour before close.