fp+ and rope dropping - a new era

[clsteve]

Pre-FP+, FP return times didn't start until about 45 minutes after rope drop. So even if someone took that earliest FP (not many would due to low crowd levels that 1st hour), you still had 45 minutes of pure standby before FPs began slowing down the SB line.

Now return times start at 9. And when Disney incentivizes you to burn through your FP+s early so you can pull a 4th, 5th, etc., people are more likely to take those. So the SB wait is higher earlier in the morning than it would be otherwise.

Now on our May trip we were able to counter that a little bit by being at the turnstiles super-duper early if they let people in before scheduled start time. DHS was really good for this, as was EP. But now DHS has reinstated a rope drop show (Frozen), so getting to DHS early is countered because everybody gets held up there.

Frustrating.

Yes, the 4th, 5th+ FP potential does incent those of us who like to ride multiple times to book earlier. And, when it's the busy season, all FP+ slots are going to be reserved for the early times. It's just supply and demand.

Plus, those of us who hop are trying to reserve afternoon ones at another Park and RD for standby rides at the morning one

It was going to take getting through a few months and seasons to get any real trends out of this

But again it is still more dependent on the crowd level, on 7+ days (like today) more people are going to be in the parks, including using RD and even booking early morning FP+. However if you are "off season" with lower crowds (below 5), many fewer guests means much smaller numbers at RD and small numbers reserving early morning FP+.

Even with FP+ I still say RD is going to provide an advantage, one that is even greater during periods of non-peak crowds.

RD should still continue to be an advantage (I sure hope so). But, in your low crowds scenario, in case we still see the same trends OP is pointing out: we can't assume Disney is allocating the same percentage of FP+ slots in high and low crowd times.

I would be tempted to increase the FP+ allocations available for reservation during low crowd times to entice more or longer on-site stays or to lock in more off-siters. It would make good business sense. But that would cause OPs observed trends to continue. Just something to watch and think about....

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Only if you want to go on all the headliners and/or more than once. If not, sleep in and go on TSM your 1 time and then shop. You would be Disney's ideal guest.

I had a co-worker recently telling me about her trip to Disney World. They seemed to be pretty good planners and tried to maximize their time the best they could.

She was very excited to tell me about her experience riding Midway Mania without a Fast Pass. The got up really early, got to the gates about 45 minutes before they opened and waited in a pretty large crowd. Then they hurried as fast as they could to the ride and the wait was *only* 15 minutes. By the time they got off the line was almost an hour long. There were people all over the place.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that her true wait time was over an hour. 45 mins at the gate plus whatever time it took to hurry to the attraction plus 15 mins in line.

I rode the same ride 4 times in about the same time period late at night and didn't have to deal with the crowds.

 

[mom2rtk]

I had a co-worker recently telling me about her trip to Disney World. They seemed to be pretty good planners and tried to maximize their time the best they could.

She was very excited to tell me about her experience riding Midway Mania without a Fast Pass. The got up really early, got to the gates about 45 minutes before they opened and waited in a pretty large crowd. Then they hurried as fast as they could to the ride and the wait was *only* 15 minutes. By the time they got off the line was almost an hour long. There were people all over the place.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that her true wait time was over an hour. 45 mins at the gate plus whatever time it took to hurry to the attraction plus 15 mins in line.

I rode the same ride 4 times in about the same time period late at night and didn't have to deal with the crowds.

But many of us don't value time before the park opens as much as we do time after the park opens. Because you haven't given up the chance to be doing a different attraction.

And I hear DHS is now having an internal rope drop again. So that previous opportunity to get in a little early is now gone.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I had a co-worker recently telling me about her trip to Disney World. They seemed to be pretty good planners and tried to maximize their time the best they could.

She was very excited to tell me about her experience riding Midway Mania without a Fast Pass. The got up really early, got to the gates about 45 minutes before they opened and waited in a pretty large crowd. Then they hurried as fast as they could to the ride and the wait was *only* 15 minutes. By the time they got off the line was almost an hour long. There were people all over the place.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that her true wait time was over an hour. 45 mins at the gate plus whatever time it took to hurry to the attraction plus 15 mins in line.

I rode the same ride 4 times in about the same time period late at night and didn't have to deal with the crowds.

I know some folks always bring in the 45 mins waiting before the park opens and I really do understand that concept. For me it's about maximizing park hours. So I'm ok waiting 45 mins before opening. Not ok waiting while park is opened tho.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with those arrive just before closing slots considering the new SB+ tickets they have tested at A&E and soarin'. TSM was mentioned in an article about being tested....maybe that will be next week. Granted they did open Soarin' up later last night but line was immediately 40 mins long. Will be interesting to see how all that pans out. I really enjoy Fantasmic too so riding TSM at night most of the time isn't an option. I used to be able to ride at least 3 -4 times a day tho. 2 at rope drop and 1- 2 with FPs. Ahhh the good ol days.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

And I hear DHS is now having an internal rope drop again. So that previous opportunity to get in a little early is now gone.

That makes a late night touring plan even that much more attractive. My kids prefer to hit the headliners over and over and over again. The best time to do that is at night.

Implying that the only way to hit the major attractions more than once is to be at the parks "super duper" early is simply wrong.

 

[Praying Colonel]

That makes a late night touring plan even that much more attractive. My kids prefer to hit the headliners over and over and over again. The best time to do that is at night.

Implying that the only way to hit the major attractions more than once is to be at the parks "super duper" early is simply wrong.

Since I was the one who used the "super duper" term (wow, careful with your adjectives around here!), I'll say that I never implied that. Without getting into a RD vs. evening EMH debate, I'll just say late touring didn't work for us on our May trip, which was what I was referring to.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I really enjoy Fantasmic too so riding TSM at night most of the time isn't an option.

We go during the summer months when Fantasmic is performed twice nightly. That way we get the best of both worlds: Short wait times for the attractions while the 1st performance is approaching/underway then a brief wait for the next showing after the park closes.

It's amazing how much you can get done after the crowds die down.

 

[mom2rtk]

That makes a late night touring plan even that much more attractive. My kids prefer to hit the headliners over and over and over again. The best time to do that is at night.

Implying that the only way to hit the major attractions more than once is to be at the parks "super duper" early is simply wrong.

I'm glad that works for you. My body clock just doesn't allow for it. And I'm sure any family with little kids would have trouble with it as well.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

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

Good point.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

And I'm sure any family with little kids would have trouble with it as well.

You would probably be shocked by the number of strollers still being pushed around at 3 am. We would always try to stop around midnight or so when mine were stroller age.

I'd rather let my kids stay up late than make them get up early. It's always been the best plan for us.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

You would probably be shocked by the number of strollers still being pushed around at 3 am. We would always try to stop around midnight or so when mine were stroller age.

I'd rather let my kids stay up late than make them get up early. It's always been the best plan for us.

No kids of my own but next trip is with my sis and her family. Kids only sleep in beds and regardless of what time they go to bed are usually up by 7. I get what you are saying that RD isn't the *only* time to tour with short waits. That has been reported numerous times. And as arriving at RD won't work for your family, staying late won't work for mine....different strokes is all. And I would never say there is only one way to go about touring the parks either. A good friend of mine would be happy only being in the parks for 4 hours a day and all of that in World Showcase. World showcase does nothing for me tho. It's all about rides. Thing is though....if Disney ends up rolling out this SB+ system they have been testing, I would imagine the days of riding with short waits at the end of the night are gonna be over.

 

[mom2rtk]

You would probably be shocked by the number of strollers still being pushed around at 3 am. We would always try to stop around midnight or so when mine were stroller age.

Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Since I was the one who used the "super duper" term (wow, careful with your adjectives around here!), I'll just say that I never implied that. Without getting into a RD vs. evening EMH debate, I'll just say late touring didn't work for us on our May trip, which was what I was referring to.

Sorry, I was paraphrasing from several posts at once and the "super duper" comment caught my eye as it was bolded in another reply.

I don't think there would be much to a RD vs. evening debate here. Many more people tout the benefits of arriving early over those that prefer staying late.

Maybe that's why late night touring is so enjoyable.

I should probably learn to keep my mouth shut before I blow open the best kept secret at WDW.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Thing is though....if Disney ends up rolling out this SB+ system they have been testing, I would imagine the days of riding with short waits at the end of the night are gonna be over.

It will be interesting to see how that one plays out.

Let's use Splash Mountain as an example. The ride is incredibly busy during the afternoon and early evening then incredibly unbusy at night. We probably rode the thing 10 times over several days during our recent visit and never waited more than 5 minutes any time after 10 pm. In fact, the longest wait was always getting out of the boat.

Now let's say they go to SB+ and start giving out return time tickets in the afternoon. By 4 pm, the return tickets could all be distributed with the latest for returns after 11 pm. A lot of those tickets will likely go unused, meaning that the attraction would be even less busy at night than it is now if that's even possible.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

It will be interesting to see how that one plays out.

Let's use Splash Mountain as an example. The ride is incredibly busy during the afternoon and early evening then incredibly unbusy at night. We probably rode the thing 10 times over several days during our recent visit and never waited more than 5 minutes any time after 10 pm. In fact, the longest wait was always getting out of the boat.

Now let's say they go to SB+ and start giving out return time tickets in the afternoon. By 4 pm, the return tickets could all be distributed with the latest for returns after 11 pm. A lot of those tickets will likely go unused, meaning that the attraction would be even less busy at night than it is now if that's even possible.

Splash I can see especially in cooler weather. Folks don't like the idea of getting wet. Can't say what will happen for other rides tho...like TSM, Soarin', RnRC, Space, Big thunder, 7dmt. I hope my speculations are wrong.....I do. I actually have no problem eating crow, but just don't think the ability to ride and ride at the end of a night will be the same if they go through with SB+. Now yes....maybe at night time EMH at MK when it's open til 3....maybe. But not a regular park close at 9:30/10. Time will tell.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Splash I can see especially in cooler weather. Folks don't like the idea of getting wet. Can't say what will happen for other rides tho...like TSM, Soarin', RnRC, Space, Big thunder, 7dmt. I hope my speculations are wrong.....I do. I actually have no problem eating crow, but just don't think the ability to ride and ride at the end of a night will be the same if they go through with SB+. Now yes....maybe at night time EMH at MK when it's open til 3....maybe. But not a regular park close at 9:30/10. Time will tell.

Good thoughts. I'd like to think that they would have a plan to reopen the standby line when those with the SB+ passes stop showing up. We'll see.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Good thoughts. I'd like to think that they would have a plan to reopen the standby line when those with the SB+ passes stop showing up. We'll see.

They should reopen up. I know the following is going to sound crazy, but on one hand I really think that stinks. I mean group A goes over to Space at 6:50 and ride is "closed". They leave and head off to fantasyland. Group arrives at 7:15 and gets right on b/c it opened st 7:10. Something doesn't sit well with me about this. How do they plan to inform guests lines are open again.

 

[ghtx]

They should reopen up. I know the following is going to sound crazy, but on one hand I really think that stinks. I mean group A goes over to Space at 6:50 and ride is "closed". They leave and head off to fantasyland. Group arrives at 7:15 and gets right on b/c it opened st 7:10. Something doesn't sit well with me about this. How do they plan to inform guests lines are open again.

Well, they could announce to everyone that the SB queue will reopen at 7. But then the problem is that there will be a new queue forming to enter the SB queue that will open at 7, defeating the purpose of SB+.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Well, they could announce to everyone that the SB queue will reopen at 7. But then the problem is that there will be a new queue forming to enter the SB queue that will open at 7, defeating the purpose of SB+.

Yup. Not sure there is a right way of going about it which is why I think it's ridiculous to close standby lines.

 

[ghtx]

Yup. Not sure there is a right way of going about it which is why I think it's ridiculous to close standby lines.

Fair enough, but it's kind of ridiculous to think it's ridiculous to close standby lines - of course they have to close them eventually since the park has to close for the night. The question is how early do they close them. Before SB+ if I understand correctly they were still closed earlier than park closing, but now they are closed a lot earlier.