How does a new attraction come on line...FP+ etc.

[SFMommy]

We will be in WDW from May 1-7, 2016. I am curious about how a new ride (specifically, The Frozen Ride in Norway) is rolled out. Do they have soft openings or is there usually a firm open date? Do they have FP+ available at 60 days, or closer to the actual opening date?

I am wondering how/when we might be able to get FP+ for this ride...other than stalking the DIS boards, of course!

Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

I doubt that you will see FPs available 60 days out for the first day, or even the first week.

They start out with trial runs with CMs only at first. Then they will soft open, unannounced, for a short time to guests. It might be as short as one ride cycle if they have problems. Or it could be for an hour. Or more. Then when they are confident that the mechanics are glitch free and CM training is as good as they are going to get, they open the ride full time ( hopefully).

 

[SFMommy]

Thank you! So it sounds like it will be just luck if we get to ride during that first week. I'll keep my ears open for any news!

 

[apwagner]

I was wondering this as well. We will be there May 22-30. If the ride officially opens before our trip when would FP+ open? Would FP+ not be available until the ride is officially open so if you are there when it opens you are forced to Stand-By? Would they possibly open FP+ reservations when they began the CM testing and soft open? My DD10 will certainly want to ride this and I would really rather not have to wait in the insane lines Im sure it will bring!

 

[helenb]

I recall with SDMT that they just suddenly opened all FP+ reservations at once, around the time of the 'press opening'. And if you were lucky and heard the news right away, you could jump in an use one of your already booked FP+ slots to switch to it.

 

[minnie mum]

They can't open FPs for a ride when they don't know for sure when it will finish with soft openings. Test Track was one ride that gave them fits. They had problem after problem, and the official opening just kept getting pushed back. Now can you imagine the howling if people had held FPs for a ride that wasn't ready yet?

When they announce that the new ride is open for FP bookings there will be a mad scramble. Mad, I tell you. If it opens when you are there, you will have the same opportunity as anyone else to try and nab one ( by changing one of your existing FPs). So you will only be "forced" to do standby if you choose to.

 

[apwagner]

I hope its open by the time we go and I can snag a FP+. Working night shift comes in handy for stuff like FP+ and ADR! FP+ or not we will have to ride it. My DD will insist!