fp+ and rope dropping - a new era

[Rileygirl]

Some quick observations regarding rope dropping, and the impact of fp+ on standby lines.

Each park is different, due to the number of 'e' type of attractions, and thier locations. (this is all just personal opinion on my part, based on the experience of the last 5 days)

Rope dropping is almost useless to me now, with the way they open the parks, and the impact of fp+.

I used rope dropping so we could get a number of headliners done before the crowds came through the gates, and then when the park was crowded, we would do a lot of the 'b' type attractions with little or no wait.

At the studios, we arrived at 8:10, we were allowed through the turnstiles at about 8:45, and held back at ropes by the big hat. I was hoping that the anna/elsa thing would draw off a lot of people, but it was a big crowd going to tsmm. Even still, we were probably in the first 50 people in the line for tsmm. After riding, we hoofed it to RnR, and were jumping in standby line at 9:10. The clock indicated a 10 minute stanby time, but judging from the number of people in front of us, I would have guessed 25 minutes. That is still acceptable in my books. Anyways, while waiting in the standby, a ton of people came through the fp+ line. It took us over an hour to ride RnR at 9:10.

We are use to much bigger crowds, as we generally go during christmas or spring break, I can only imagine the wait times then. I would have said this park was not that crowded. By the time we finished rnr, tower of terror was advertising a 30 minute standby, but I suspected it would have been closer to an hour as well.

I believe that rope dropping will still be useful, but in a different manner. It will not be about riding thrill rides multiple times, but more about getting to ride more then 1 'e' attraction on your park day at the studios, or epcot, or AK

MK is a different animal, due to the number of 'mountains' available, if I get a chance, I may be able to post on our 2 days experience of MK rope dropping, one EMH and one regular day.

Long story short for this thread: fp+ is impacting the standby times first thing in the morning in a BIG way. (in my opinion)

~A

 

[MyGirlLovesTink]

Oh no, they are back to doing the holding at the ropes thing at DHS? We are going to be there in Sept, I hope they will be done with that by then. Won't that frozen thing be over by then? Please tell me it will, I like just walking straight to TSMM!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I believe that rope dropping will still be useful, but in a different manner. It will not be about riding thrill rides multiple times, but more about getting to ride more then 1 'e' attraction on your park day at the studios, or epcot, or AK~A

You really have to stay late if you're looking for multiple re-rides on the headliners. The crowds die down at different times at different parks, but there's always a few peaceful hours available to let the kids run through the attractions over and over and over again.

 

[monkeybug]

This is why, selfishly, I like the SB+ thing and hope they test it on a few more of the big headliners. That way we could schedule our fastpasses, and then at RD head to get SB+ passes, and attempt to get them again after riding.

 

[redsbe]

You really have to stay late if you're looking for multiple re-rides on the headliners. The crowds die down at different times at different parks, but there's always a few peaceful hours available to let the kids run through the attractions over and over and over again.

When we went to WDW in October 2012 even with RD and at that time FP-, crowds resulted in long lines within first hour at major attractions at each park. We rode Soarin' at RP only to come out to see 90 minute wait and no more FP for the day, same for TSMM.

So I am not convinced that FP+ is only factor causing longer lines at headline and regular attractions, but that it is more a factor of larger crowds now occurring through much of the year.

 

[ktlm]

That is exactly what I suspected would happen due to FP+, and I posted my suspicions on that way back when this mess started. I know that normally we are not rope drop people- we usually show up 10 to 30 minutes after rope drop. Now with FP+, we absolutely are rope drop people. With only having 3 FPs for the entire day and the likilihood that once we use those there will be nothing left for a 4th, we absolutely feel we have to be there before rope drop now to avoid the long afternoon lines. Used to, we knew everyone could only get 1 FP at a time, so other than TSM and Soarin, they didn't run out that fast. We weren't ever FP superusers, but we pulled them throughout the day as they fit our schedule, and especially at MK when DD refused all thrill rides, we would just pull Peter Pan multiple times a day (something that now can't be done- since it is 1 per ride) We have done a trip with FP+ and we aren't fans.

This new SB+ is even worse. Now not only do we have to make it before rope drop, we really need to make it WELL before rope drop, because if this thing expands we need to split up and make a morning run at rope drop to all the rides utilizing this to get cards telling us when we can ride. If we do not do so, we are ENTIRELY precluded from riding that ride, even if we are willing to wait in a long line because the standby lines are completely closed.

If they expand this (which is a big if because the reports and photos of Soarin I have seen indicate it is a disaster), I do think rope drop will not only become "useful" in a different manner, it will be essential. If you do not do rope drop and rush to the SB+ rides, you may well be precluded entirely from riding that ride at all as you will not even be allowed to get in line for it. No sense going to a park on arrival day, as you can't do anything because all the SB+ cards were disbursed in the morning and there is no standby line. No sense park hopping because you won't even be allowed to get in line for the major attractions.

My suspicion is that WDW may be trying to head for a system where you will have to schedule all rides and attractions you want to do for the day on the website or app prior to your trip (or at a kiosk during your trip) so that it can avoid stand by lines and keep people in the stores and restaurants instead of in lines. If this is their ultimate plan, I hate it. We went to DL a couple of weeks ago, and after dealing with a WDW FP+ trip, it was so nice to have flexibility and not be tied to an app or phone.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Uuughhhh....I knew it would have an impact but did not anticipate an hour wait at 9:10. That's crazy talk. Thanks for your post too OP.

 

[ShayBells]

That is exactly what I suspected would happen due to FP+, and I posted my suspicions on that way back when this mess started. I know that normally we are not rope drop people- we usually show up 10 to 30 minutes after rope drop. Now with FP+, we absolutely are rope drop people. With only having 3 FPs for the entire day and the likilihood that once we use those there will be nothing left for a 4th, we absolutely feel we have to be there before rope drop now to avoid the long afternoon lines. Used to, we knew everyone could only get 1 FP at a time, so other than TSM and Soarin, they didn't run out that fast. We weren't ever FP superusers, but we pulled them throughout the day as they fit our schedule, and especially at MK when DD refused all thrill rides, we would just pull Peter Pan multiple times a day (something that now can't be done- since it is 1 per ride) We have done a trip with FP+ and we aren't fans. This new SB+ is even worse. Now not only do we have to make it before rope drop, we really need to make it WELL before rope drop, because if this thing expands we need to split up and make a morning run at rope drop to all the rides utilizing this to get cards telling us when we can ride. If we do not do so, we are ENTIRELY precluded from riding that ride, even if we are willing to wait in a long line because the standby lines are completely closed. If they expand this (which is a big if because the reports and photos of Soarin I have seen indicate it is a disaster), I do think rope drop will not only become "useful" in a different manner, it will be essential. If you do not do rope drop and rush to the SB+ rides, you may well be precluded entirely from riding that ride at all as you will not even be allowed to get in line for it. No sense going to a park on arrival day, as you can't do anything because all the SB+ cards were disbursed in the morning and there is no standby line. No sense park hopping because you won't even be allowed to get in line for the major attractions. My suspicion is that WDW may be trying to head for a system where you will have to schedule all rides and attractions you want to do for the day on the website or app prior to your trip (or at a kiosk during your trip) so that it can avoid stand by lines and keep people in the stores and restaurants instead of in lines. If this is their ultimate plan, I hate it. We went to DL a couple of weeks ago, and after dealing with a WDW FP+ trip, it was so nice to have flexibility and not be tied to an app or phone.

This sounds awful. I can't believe it's getting this bad.

I thought the FP+ was bad when I was there in May because like the OP said the FP+ lines were long making stand by ridiculous. And than waiting forever for small world was something I've never done in my life.

But this SB+ thing. It sounds like a nightmare.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ArwenMarie]

Thanks for the report, very interesting.
It makes sense, standby used to be filled in, using some ratio.
Now, FPP is the priority.

 

[MouseClubMama]

That is exactly what I suspected would happen due to FP+, and I posted my suspicions on that way back when this mess started. I know that normally we are not rope drop people- we usually show up 10 to 30 minutes after rope drop. Now with FP+, we absolutely are rope drop people. With only having 3 FPs for the entire day and the likilihood that once we use those there will be nothing left for a 4th, we absolutely feel we have to be there before rope drop now to avoid the long afternoon lines. Used to, we knew everyone could only get 1 FP at a time, so other than TSM and Soarin, they didn't run out that fast. We weren't ever FP superusers, but we pulled them throughout the day as they fit our schedule, and especially at MK when DD refused all thrill rides, we would just pull Peter Pan multiple times a day (something that now can't be done- since it is 1 per ride) We have done a trip with FP+ and we aren't fans.

This new SB+ is even worse. Now not only do we have to make it before rope drop, we really need to make it WELL before rope drop, because if this thing expands we need to split up and make a morning run at rope drop to all the rides utilizing this to get cards telling us when we can ride. If we do not do so, we are ENTIRELY precluded from riding that ride, even if we are willing to wait in a long line because the standby lines are completely closed.

If they expand this (which is a big if because the reports and photos of Soarin I have seen indicate it is a disaster), I do think rope drop will not only become "useful" in a different manner, it will be essential. If you do not do rope drop and rush to the SB+ rides, you may well be precluded entirely from riding that ride at all as you will not even be allowed to get in line for it. No sense going to a park on arrival day, as you can't do anything because all the SB+ cards were disbursed in the morning and there is no standby line. No sense park hopping because you won't even be allowed to get in line for the major attractions.

My suspicion is that WDW may be trying to head for a system where you will have to schedule all rides and attractions you want to do for the day on the website or app prior to your trip (or at a kiosk during your trip) so that it can avoid stand by lines and keep people in the stores and restaurants instead of in lines. If this is their ultimate plan, I hate it. We went to DL a couple of weeks ago, and after dealing with a WDW FP+ trip, it was so nice to have flexibility and not be tied to an app or phone.

As much as I adore Disney I believe they totally missed the mark with FP+ and they failed to see the big picture. If FP+ was a success, Disney would not be in back pedal mode, scrambling for a fix....enter SB+. I can only imagine how intense things must be in upper management at this point; pretty scary!

 

[redsbe]

Uuughhhh....I knew it would have an impact but did not anticipate an hour wait at 9:10. That's crazy talk. Thanks for your post too OP.

Or is it because we are hearing these stories and posts from recent visits during the highest crowds period of the year at WDW?

I have not been to WDW in the summer, but in recent years (before FP+) would often see long lines at TSMM and Soarin within first hour park opened and no FP until later in the day.

I certainly did not experience long SB lines at RD in April even with FP+ in place nor hear such experiences posted here in the spring.

Clearly FP+ is having an impact to distribute crowds throughout the day, including morning, plus to other attractions and rides, but is the impact to RD increased only during peak crowds?

Perhaps we will see once fall arrives and crowds drop from 7+ to 5 or less.

 

[mgothel]

Sorry but what is SB+..........I'm assuming stand by +? Bit can someone explain?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Sorry but what is SB+..........I'm assuming stand by +? Bit can someone explain?

SB+ is being used to describe the test that went on with Anna and Elsa last week and Soarin' this week. Where once the standby line gets long enough it is closed and folks are receiving a cardstock pass telling them when they can return.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Or is it because we are hearing these stories and posts from recent visits during the highest crowds period of the year at WDW?

I have not been to WDW in the summer, but in recent years (before FP+) would often see long lines at TSMM and Soarin within first hour park opened and no FP until later in the day.

I certainly did not experience long SB lines at RD in April even with FP+ in place nor hear such experiences posted here in the spring.

Clearly FP+ is having an impact to distribute crowds throughout the day, including morning, plus to other attractions and rides, but is the impact to RD increased only during peak crowds?

Perhaps we will see once fall arrives and crowds drop from 7+ to 5 or less.

I agree that TSM and Soarin' lines would get long quickly. But at 9:10 for RnRC to be an hour....I still say that is crazy. And it is a result of folks having FP+ ressies starting right at 9. Maybe the parks are really that much more crowded. I will search to see if I can find approx waits for last year. I believe Josh said attendance is only up 1.5% granted that was earlier this year.

 

[Jennasis]

Maybe they shouldn't start FP+ times until 10am? Who even needs one at rope drop anyway?

 

[tiggertabi]

Yes! The HS situation was bad when we were there, Our last day, we were about 30 people back from the rope for RR. There was a mechanical issue causing them to not open it. At 9:15 we gave up and went I to the 30 minute wait for ToT. By the time we got off, around 9:50, RR was 75 minutes. We used to be able to do these and tsmm 2-3 times by 1030 when the crowds showed up.

MK didn't matter as much, we still got all our fantasyland stuff done by 1030, but they need to do something with HS.

 

[Planogirl]

I thought that this new system was supposed to give people a chance to sleep in? Now it sounds like you'll be lucky to do one headliner if you make it to rope drop but I suppose that that is better than none....

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Maybe they shouldn't start FP+ times until 10am? Who even needs one at rope drop anyway?

Agree. I remember JimmyV posting about his trip over Presidents day weekend and had a similar story about Test Track. But when folks are allowed 3 and there are minimal rides to.begin with, I think they have to start at 9. I personally would love to see a system where you pick 1 FP in advance and then you can get more in the park as needed like legacy system. Not this crazy stuff they are testing with Soarin'.

 

[Jennasis]

Oh Disney...

 

[KYDisneyDad]

When we went to WDW in October 2012 even with RD and at that time FP-, crowds resulted in long lines within first hour at major attractions at each park. We rode Soarin' at RP only to come out to see 90 minute wait and no more FP for the day, same for TSMM. So I am not convinced that FP+ is only factor causing longer lines at headline and regular attractions, but that it is more a factor of larger crowds now occurring through much of the year.

Not disputing that crowds may be increasing some, but sorry there is simply no way that your claim of FP being gone after you rode at RD is accurate. Given the total capacity of Soarin in a day, even taking lower than now percentage of FP allocation per day based on that capacity in 2012, even if it took you an hour to ride it , it is not possibly for that number of guests to grab all FP for the day that quickly. We are regular October visitors for the last several years and I agree that they can run out early, as in 1 to 3pm was the earliest we remember seeing.
Even with FP+ added to the mix in 2013, Soarin and TSMM ran out only around noon or so. ( only being relative as I think it is ridiculous and day guest were losing their minds!)