Fastpass line being managed differently?

[JanaDee]

so this is the FP+ line?
where is the SB line?
What is the area to the left of the CMs? Isn't that another entrance to the attraction?

It is the line to get into the FP+ line.

 

[mom2rtk]

It is the line to get into the FP+ line.

That sad part is that depending on time of day, some of those people might have waited in a kiosk line first to get the FP to wait in the line to get into the FP line!

 

[maxiesmom]

In addition, I have noticed that they seem to be taking back a lot of people from the standby line compared to the amount they let through from the fastpass line. I would have just chalked it up to maybe being more crowded right now, but there were two particular instances that stuck out as different than previous experiences.

I have noticed the exact opposite. Take the Little Mermaid ride, for example. Last week we got into stand by which said 25 minutes. We moved forward, slowly but surely for a bit. Then the line came to a dead stop. We stood in one place without moving for over 15 minutes. We finally gave up and left. Tried again the next day, same thing. Upon leaving I asked the CM and he said the standby line stops when they have a large number of fastpass guests to push through.

I do think they need to work on their standby/fastpass guest blend a bit.

 

[MrKnight]

I experienced this exact same issue in December when I was last at Epcot, specifically at Seas with Nemo & Friends, we arrived during our FP+ window and the FP queue was literally OUTSIDE the building and overflowing outside of the FP entrance area, meanwhile the adjacent standby line only had a 20 min wait posted, the entrance CMs even went as far as telling some of us in the FP+line that we should get into the standby line instead as it was shorter!!!!!!!! I was in shock that a CM would say this (despite good intentions) and that the "FP+ line" was so longer than standby!! I could have used the standby line and booked a FP+ for another attraction..

 

[lugnut33]

That photo was taken first week of May. It's from his post on 5/8.

The long line is the FP+ return line, the entrance where the CM's are standing is the regular standby entrannce.

He indicates correctly that it's probably because some knucklehead doesn't know how to use FP+, which is what i was responding about. He also indicated that come back in 15 minutes and the line might not existt at all, or it could be longer.

 

[mom2rtk]

I experienced this exact same issue in December when I was last at Epcot, specifically at Seas with Nemo & Friends, we arrived during our FP+ window and the FP queue was literally OUTSIDE the building and overflowing outside of the FP entrance area, meanwhile the adjacent standby line only had a 20 min wait posted, the entrance CMs even went as far as telling some of us in the FP+line that we should get into the standby line instead as it was shorter!!!!!!!! I was in shock that a CM would say this and that the "FP+ line" was so longer than standby!!

There's another thread running right now asking if you have nightmares about Disney. I think THIS would classify!

 

[cakebaker]

That photo was taken first week of May. It's from his post on 5/8.

The long line is the FP+ return line, the entrance where the CM's are standing is the regular standby entrannce.

He indicates correctly that it's probably because some knucklehead doesn't know how to use FP+, which is what i was responding about. He also indicated that come back in 15 minutes and the line might not existt at all, or it could be longer.

He actually said, come back in 15 and it would most likely be gone:

The back of the line for FastPass+ with a 45-minute posted wait at 12:30pm for Big Thunder Mountain. Long backups like this aren’t uncommon, but they’re also almost entirely due to user error. It only takes a couple confused people to hold everything up. If you came back in 15 minutes, there would likely be no line out here.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...avern-reviews-wall-update-magic-kingdom-5815/

In his judgement it was a temporary issue and while it looks really bad, probably didn't take long to clear it out once whatever problem that happened was taken care of. We usually run into a line like this every trip and have since we started going. Things happen. If this were typical of a lot of fp+ lines, then there's a real problem, but in our experience, this is not close to typical.

 

[ExBellhop]

There's another thread running right now asking if you have nightmares about Disney. I think THIS would classify!

While not really a "nightmare" situation for me, I have often wondered what would happen if I arrived at that line with 5 minutes remaining in my window. By the time I survive the idiot parade and get to the tap point, it has been 10 minutes and I am now outside my window. What happens now? Has anyone run into this one?

 

[1234lucky]

At our April trip, we had minimal waits to use the FP and we used them for the bigger coasters and attractions. Certainly beyond the merge with standby the wait time varies depending on the set up of the ride. Test track for example you have to design your car and then move through to get into a vehicle all past the merge.

 

[Austintatious]

He actually said, come back in 15 and it would most likely be gone:

The back of the line for FastPass+ with a 45-minute posted wait at 12:30pm for Big Thunder Mountain. Long backups like this aren’t uncommon, but they’re also almost entirely due to user error. It only takes a couple confused people to hold everything up. If you came back in 15 minutes, there would likely be no line out here.

In his judgement it was a temporary issue and while it looks really bad, probably didn't take long to clear it out once whatever problem that happened was taken care of. We usually run into a line like this every trip and have since we started going. Things happen. If this were typical of a lot of fp+ lines, then there's a real problem, but in our experience, this is not close to typical.

His comment "Long backups like this aren't uncommon" got my attention.

 

[Austintatious]

While not really a "nightmare" situation for me, I have often wondered what would happen if I arrived at that line with 5 minutes remaining in my window. By the time I survive the idiot parade and get to the tap point, it has been 10 minutes and I am now outside my window. What happens now? Has anyone run into this one?

That's a great question, we've often wondered the same thing.

 

[cakebaker]

His comment "Long backups like this aren't uncommon" got my attention.

They aren't uncommon, and they never have been. I read that, but didn't think it significant because temporary backups happen all the time and always have.

 

[cakebaker]

That's a great question, we've often wondered the same thing.

Seems like I've read about people who have encountered this before and were allowed to enter the line. I'm sure the CM's are aware of a backed up line and make the proper adjustments for it.

 

[maxiesmom]

They aren't uncommon, and they never have been. I read that, but didn't think it significant because temporary backups happen all the time and always have.

One thing I did notice during my trip that a lot of the back ups seem to be from guests not paying attention. It was rare to have a line move forward smoothly, most times there were huge gaps where people weren't paying attention to the line and it moved and they did not. I can't remember hearing so many CMs yelling at guests to keep up with the people in front of them. It is like a traffic jam, when one car doesn't move the effect is felt through the whole line up.

And then you have the families who refuse to let each person scan their own band to use FP, and instead one person has them and scans them one at a time, blocking the other FP touch point from being used. I saw that more than a few times, and it really clogs up the FP line.

 

[Torgue]

I am confused on using a FP+ for the Cups? Seems like a huge waste of a FP+ IMHO. I usually can find some time of the day to ride with little or no wait in SB.

 

[notfrostyjosh]

This photo is from Josh at easywdw.com and shows a random weekday FP+ line at BTMRR. I don't get how some people say this is OK and I don't care if it's because there is some knucklehead who doesn't know how to tap Mickey to Mickey. This line goes from the first tap point, through a new FP+ queue they built, and out to what you see here. Ridiculous.

Can we not steal my photos please?

 

[Torgue]

FP+ on Tea Cups? I don't think that is a wise use of the FP+ system. I would make you wait an hour!

 

[cakebaker]

I am confused on using a FP+ for the Cups? Seems like a huge waste of a FP+ IMHO. I usually can find some time of the day to ride with little or no wait in SB.

But there will be those who want to ride at a specific time without having to pay attention to the lines. I think it's best used as a sdfp though. I certainly wouldn't schedule it in my first 3. All rides have FP+ now rather than just headliners. For those who don't want to use a FP+ for it, they certainly don't have to. A lot of people think Wishes is a waste of a FP+ but it's one of the most important ones for us. Everyone is different.

 

[mom2rtk]

I am confused on using a FP+ for the Cups? Seems like a huge waste of a FP+ IMHO. I usually can find some time of the day to ride with little or no wait in SB.

Ahhh.... but not everyone knows that going in.

 

[nilla]

How is a line leading up the FP return entrance any different than it ever was? Before, you had to wait for a CM to take people's paper FP, and now, you have to wait for people to scan in. Not seeing what's "new" about this.