How do soft openings work?

[d4est]

Looking forward to EE. Just curious how soft openings work. How would you know if they are running them? Are people randomly selected? Is it "announced?" Are you just in the area & get lucky? Anyone know? Thanks.

 

[cleo]

All of the above!

Sometimes you'll know about it because a CM will ask if you want to try the attraction, sometimes you'll walk by and see it's 'open', sometimes you'll read about it here on the DIS and sometimes it will have been announced.

If there is a particular attraction you are hoping to see during its soft opening, I'd walk by it while you're there and see if it's running. If not, you may want to ask a CM if it will have a soft opening during the days you are in WDW.

 

[Traveliz]

They work in a number of ways...for Splash Mountain years ago we were at the park MONTHs before that was scheduled to open and could hear and see people going down so we walked over there and were able to get on.

For Test Track I was at a breakfast when a CM who was working in that area was telling people about what times of the day the ride would be doing soft openings and after a couple of tries we were able to do that.

And this Spring for Soarin I read on the boards someone had gotten in and about the times the openings were...We literally stalked the area by stopping by that area evrey day for a week and on our last day they were lining people up for the ride.

These were not AP Previews either -- the Soarin AP Preview was about a month AFTER the time we were able to do the soft opening or test or whatever they want to call it.

Liz

 

[d4est]

Thanks. I guess I will have to plan more time at AK. I REALLY want to ride this! My fingers are crossed...

 

[chrome64]

In my recent DVC news letter it announced that there will be a soft opening for DVC Members for 4 days at the end of January. I believe it was Jan. 26-29 but, you should double check before you head down. It said in the article that you could ride by showing your DVC member card at the entrance and that you could bring 3 guests per DVC member.

 

[d4est]

Thanks, but I am not a DVC member.

 

[Traveliz]

My experience is that the DVC/AP previews are AFTER the soft openings...or tests...so definitely be keeping an eye out earlier.

Liz

 

[noladave]

I got lucky, and hit 2 soft openings - 1 by chance, and 1 on purpose. Couple of years ago, Mission Space was going to open several months later, but my friend told me that sometimes they "pre" open as he called it back then. Sure enough, we walked by, and they were taking people. It was so new, you could just walk on. First time I ever saw someone throw up after a ride!

This past spring, I was in town for just the day, and went over to Disney (risking the parking fee), and just walked to the ticket window and asked if Soarin was in soft opening that day. The ticket person (CM) said that she can't guarantee it, but if the ride was not down, they would be letting people ride it. Once again, no line, walked in, and just had to wait in the normal "queue", while the previous group rode it.

I am hopeful that EE will be in pre-soft-opening in the first week of March. If they plan a spring opening, March would be the dates for the first group of soft openings. (imho)

 

[Tinkaroo]

I got lucky, and hit 2 soft openings - 1 by chance, and 1 on purpose. Couple of years ago, Mission Space was going to open several months later, but my friend told me that sometimes they "pre" open as he called it back then. Sure enough, we walked by, and they were taking people. It was so new, you could just walk on. First time I ever saw someone throw up after a ride!

This past spring, I was in town for just the day, and went over to Disney (risking the parking fee), and just walked to the ticket window and asked if Soarin was in soft opening that day. The ticket person (CM) said that she can't guarantee it, but if the ride was not down, they would be letting people ride it. Once again, no line, walked in, and just had to wait in the normal "queue", while the previous group rode it.

I am hopeful that EE will be in pre-soft-opening in the first week of March. If they plan a spring opening, March would be the dates for the first group of soft openings. (imho)

I'm hoping the same!! We're there that first full week of March, and I'm not leaving until I get to ride EE!!!

 

[TSR6]

The "soft" openings are not announced, and generally are not known until the CMs at that attraction come into work. After a while, they tend to have a "Regular schedule" - but again, they still are not open, may close at any time, and it isn't for sure until the cm's get to work.

The reason for this is that AP holders, DVC Members, and Cast Members are given the first "official" crack at all the new attractions. But - the CM's working those attractions need practice loading and unloading real guests, with real issues. You can only press a green button so many times while technically being "off stage" - the CM's need to have their practice, so the "sneak peaks" are a way of having them deal with real people.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Thanks, but I am not a DVC member.

Maybe you can meet up w/a DVC member and be their guest

See if anyone on Disboards will be there who will maybe meet up w/you.

I think you also get a special lanyard and pin!

 

[d4est]

Well, that would be cool, but we will be there 2/1-2/7...just after the DVC event.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

You guys just made my morning....seriously.

I'm there right before the DVC opening and I will stalk....oh, you better believe it. I am dying to get on this thing and with Buzz and TT closed....well, I gotta get my kicks somehow!

 

[cleo]

Soft openings may not be 'offiicially' announced, but we've known about some of them here on the DIS before they soft opened. The CM's may be the last to know, but the guests who are waiting for soft opening may indeed know about it before it happens.

 

[Jenny]

i'm so glad to hear about DVC members being let on EE 1/26-29. even though i'm not a DVC member, I'm still going to hope that we can get on - we'll be there 1/26 & will stop by EE throughout the a.m.-early afternoon & ask CMs for any info that they may have that day.

 

[jzmom]

I really hope it has a soft opening when I am there Feb.5-Feb.11
Does anybody know what the height requirement is and if it is running do they do Baby swap?
Thanks

 

[littleprissboutique]

Do they do "soft openings" on rehabs? We will be in Disney 1/21 - 1/28. Buzz will be closed for rehab..... Last year was so packed we never got the chance to ride, and my dd3 this year want to ride it so bad. I have not told her that it will be closed yet. Does anyone know if they do the soft openings on the rehab rides?

TIA

 

[gw_lit]

Do they do "soft openings" on rehabs? We will be in Disney 1/21 - 1/28. Buzz will be closed for rehab..... Last year was so packed we never got the chance to ride, and my dd3 this year want to ride it so bad. I have not told her that it will be closed yet. Does anyone know if they do the soft openings on the rehab rides?

TIA

Generally not, but sometimes, if the work goes smoothly, the ride will open to everyone earlier than the announced date. Since Buzz is supposed to be closed through February 8, I think it would be highly unlikely that it will be open when you're there. But I'm hoping for some "magic" for you in any case!

 

[cleo]

Nope. Soft opening is only for new attractions. Buzz MAY be re-opened early but I wouldn't count on it. Disney is usually right on target with their opening date, though occasionally they open a day or two on either side of that date.

 

[Lady Belle]

Looking forward to EE. Just curious how soft openings work. How would you know if they are running them? Are people randomly selected? Is it "announced?" Are you just in the area & get lucky? Anyone know? Thanks.

My family and I were the FIRST to ride the Universe of Energy (Dinosaur) ride at Epcot waaaaaay back in the day. According to my parents, we were walking by and a CM stoped us and asked us if we wanted to ride it, they were testing it out and looking for guest reactions to the ride before the official opening. This was in the early 80's so I don't know if they still do it this way.