Does Imaginatrium use waitlists as a gimmick?

[tjkraz]

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

Agree. We've had both experiences--wait and no wait.

If there is a waiting list, consider the timing:

Member leaves at 11:00am. Staff needs a couple minutes to clean the area and send message down that they're ready for next guest.

By 11:05am, text goes out to group on waiting list. If memory serves, they have 15 minutes to return. Unless they're waiting right in the gift shop, the table could easily sit empty for 10-15 minutes.

In many cases, I'm sure the party never returns. Decided not to wait, caught in attraction line, etc. So around 11:20am, ANOTHER text goes out for that same table. Now the table is sitting empty for a total of 20-30 minutes depending on how quickly the 2nd group returns.

Multiply that by literally every table in the lounge.

And after you're up in the lounge, you have no idea what's happening at the podium. If more members haven't arrived behind you, there's nobody else waiting to fill other tables.

I just don't think that empty tables are a clear indication that they're deliberately slow-rolling the lounge to encourage MMB purchases.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I just don't think that empty tables are a clear indication that they're deliberately slow-rolling the lounge to encourage MMB purchases.

Right? I bought MMB and I feel like I got much more than what it costs, so much so that Im rather shocked by the low price of it. I got 12 free OTUP. I got memory maker free once. The lounge is very low on the list of the selling points of MMB imo

 

[Genie+]

I think it is a bit of a gimmick - but one that predates MMB. We’ve had that same experience you described many times. You get put on waitlist, wait 5 or 10 minutes, then go up and see only a handful of other members there.

It always amused me. No doubt this was intentional psychology at play.

The waitlist guides members into feeling it’s something in demand, therefore special. Without that short pause/waitlist a member might get the impression the lounge isn’t all that special after going up and only seeing a dozen people up there.

 

[muppets3d]

Right? I bought MMB and I feel like I got much more than what it costs, so much so that Im rather shocked by the low price of it. I got 12 free OTUP. I got memory maker free once. The lounge is very low on the list of the selling points of MMB imo

The big value of MMB is the BOGO OTUP and memory maker. I think the skip the line aspect is disgusting, frankly. And told my guide as much.

 

[lowlight]

Right? I bought MMB and I feel like I got much more than what it costs, so much so that Im rather shocked by the low price of it. I got 12 free OTUP. I got memory maker free once. The lounge is very low on the list of the selling points of MMB imo

If the price of MMB doesn't go up significantly this coming year, I will gladly come back to this post and admit that I'm an idiot. Intro prices are one of the oldest tricks in the marketing book.

 

[Mouseforward]

I think it is a bit of a gimmick - but one that predates MMB. We’ve had that same experience you described many times. You get put on waitlist, wait 5 or 10 minutes, then go up and see only a handful of other members there.

It always amused me. No doubt this was intentional psychology at play.

The waitlist guides members into feeling it’s something in demand, therefore special. Without that short pause/waitlist a member might get the impression the lounge isn’t all that special after going up and only seeing a dozen people up there.

Cakebake is using the same play, empty but has a stand outside so people think it is full , they even have velvet ropes like it is a club.

The big value of MMB is the BOGO OTUP and memory maker. I think the skip the line aspect is disgusting, frankly. And told my guide as much.

I feel the same way, ok with it being a direct benefit but now they are just getting greedy - I can keep my self respect and get a $4 coke somewhere else.

 

[achinforsomebacon]

We were at McKim's the other day and I was surprised at how empty it was, given we were on a waitlist for about 10 minutes with MMB. It was probably less than half full when we got in and the waitlist when we signed up was pretty full of non-MMB people. Could just be a coincidence with people on the waitlist not coming back but my first thought was that they were somehow inflating wait times to sell MMB.

I'm also surprised at how many people they have working both WDW lounges. In Epcot today there were 2 people working check-in and probably another 6 upstairs, mostly just hanging out. One or two were replenishing snacks/cleaning up but it definitely seemed overstaffed.

 

[Moonspinner]

We were at McKim's the other day and I was surprised at how empty it was, given we were on a waitlist for about 10 minutes with MMB. It was probably less than half full when we got in and the waitlist when we signed up was pretty full of non-MMB people. Could just be a coincidence with people on the waitlist not coming back but my first thought was that they were somehow inflating wait times to sell MMB.

I'm also surprised at how many people they have working both WDW lounges. In Epcot today there were 2 people working check-in and probably another 6 upstairs, mostly just hanging out. One or two were replenishing snacks/cleaning up but it definitely seemed overstaffed.

We also find the lounges overstaffed