late riding SOARIN FYI!

[maddhatir]

Just a FYI!

We were in EPCOT Sat night and SOARIN had a 50 min wait time! that was about 8:30pm (was very surprised b/c our entire trip it was only 20 mins- and we never actually waited the full 20) anyway- we said fine- we will wait until Illuminations starts- it will die down. we then come back at 8:55 and it says 40 minute wait!! WHAT??!- WE ASK THE CM IF THIS IS ACCURATE AND THE LITTLE STINKER TELLS US YES!!!!! Thank goodness someone who just got off the ride insisted we go on b/c he just walked right on- the 40 MINUTES IS NOT TRUE he said! so off we go- passing the spot that would have had us waiting 40 minutes- then- passing the spot we were at a few days before when the wait was 20 minutes- pass the spot we waited 5 MINUTES a few days earlier------AND RIGHT IN LINE FOR OUR FLIGHT!!!! we walked right on and got to be at the tippy top!

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT- THE CM AND THE RIDE TIME LYING!!!!??????

We think they just want to close up the ride and go home- so they deter the guests from riding by noting a long wait time! thats just wrong!

SO! the moral of the story- get on SOARIN at the end of the night even it says 40 minute wait- if you get to the picture of the Grand Canyon on the wall- you are past the 40 minutes- if you get past the turnstiles after that- you are good to go! and if it really is 40 minutes and you dont want to wait--- then I guess, walk off!

 

[BillSears]

Those standby times are based on the little red cards they have people carry through the lines. So they can really be off depending on the experiences of the last person to carry the pass through.

On this trip I decided to finally ride the Pooh ride in MK. We were passing by and only saw about 30 people in line. But then I looked up and the "standby" time said 25 minutes. I asked the CM and he said that was how long the line was expected to be and that that's what the last person through with the red pass had to wait. I just shrugged and decided to risk it since the line looked so short. 5 minutes later I was riding the ride.

 

[snowy76]

We think they just want to close up the ride and go home- so they deter the guests from riding by noting a long wait time! thats just wrong!

The parks can't stay open forever, and I'm sure the CM's want to finish up on time just like we all want to finish our work shifts on time.

Epcot closing is 9:00, when Illuminations starts. They want the rides closed as close to that as possible, and not have a lot of last minute riders. It makes sense to me. JMO

 

[flortlebap]

I guess they can't always get it right - we were once told 20 mins for Peter Pan (got in line just to pass some time, didn't particularly want to ride LOL) and ended up waiting closer to an hour!!

I guess it was just a pleasant suprise that you didn't end up having to wait too long!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i've had to do that card thing. It was probably just the last read out since they passed the card around.

 

[maddhatir]

Those standby times are based on the little red cards they have people carry through the lines. So they can really be off depending on the experiences of the last person to carry the pass through.

On this trip I decided to finally ride the Pooh ride in MK. We were passing by and only saw about 30 people in line. But then I looked up and the "standby" time said 25 minutes. I asked the CM and he said that was how long the line was expected to be and that that's what the last person through with the red pass had to wait. I just shrugged and decided to risk it since the line looked so short. 5 minutes later I was riding the ride.

No- I think the person with card went over and had dinner at Seasons for a while and then came back with the card!

We had the card a few times- once on Pooh and just this last trip at the Tusker House.

 

[maddhatir]

The parks can't stay open forever, and I'm sure the CM's want to finish up on time just like we all want to finish our work shifts on time.

Epcot closing is 9:00, when Illuminations starts. They want the rides closed as close to that as possible, and not have a lot of last minute riders. It makes sense to me. JMO

I agree- SOARIN was supposed to close at 9- we got there at 8:55 just in time. Actually they let us in the bldg and the outside CM aid--- you have 5 minutes! I would never want a worker to stay longer just b/c I got to a ride later than I was supposed to. All they have to do is put up a rope and say no more--- It was very easy for the cast member to see the line was no where NEAR the 40 minute mark if he peeked his head into the bldg.

Oh well- live and learn.

 

[Syrreal]

The rides won't close until the "official" clock reads closing time. The CMs will then stay until the last person has ridden and then do their closing business stuff.

As far as the CM who was greeting people at the front of the line. S/He may not have been allowed to walk in to see where the line is. Soarin' is a very long line. So they may have just been going by what the last time card said b/c they may not actually know how many people are stil on line (especially if it was packed at the last shift bump)

 

[dolphin01]

It's those darn lady bugs!!