Magic Key reservations vs crowds

[Skyegirl1999]

I feel like the narrative around Magic Key reservations/limited access has been that it’s needed to control crowds. Fair enough.

But if the Magic Key reservation calendar looks like this:


But the crowd reports from the past few days also look like this:


Clearly it’s not working. So, where does Disney go from here?

(Crowd comments taken from this thread:https://www.disboards.com/threads/current-crowd-levels.3853533/)

 

[dieumeye]

I never felt like it was about limiting the crowd.

I felt like it was always just about knowing the exact size of the crowd. That way they can staff appropriately, and not worry about the possibility of a larger than expected crowd grinding operations to a halt because they are understaffed.

Unfortunately, I feel like they are going to use the crowd info to staff to the absolute bare minimum necessary, and create the longest possible lines that people will put up with.

 

[DLgal]

To be fair, this week is currently sold out for regular tickets too. Its basically at capacity, and I honestly don't think that has happened since the reopening.

This time of year is always nuts at DLR. Always. I hate this whole month in the parks because of it. All these dumb school fall breaks.

Anyway, it's definitely going to feel really crowded when rides break down and freak thunderstorms shut down all the outdoor rides 3 hours before closing. There have been a lot of ride breakdowns lately. That needs attention. And we know the staffing isn't back up to pre pandemic levels, so things are still hectic on busy days. My new gripe is food running out by late afternoon. That is getting to be annoying.

 

[BGinCali]

To be fair, this week is currently sold out for regular tickets too. Its basically at capacity, and I honestly don't think that has happened since the reopening.

This time of year is always nuts at DLR. Always. I hate this whole month in the parks because of it. All these dumb school fall breaks.

Anyway, it's definitely going to feel really crowded when rides break down and freak thunderstorms shut down all the outdoor rides 3 hours before closing. There have been a lot of ride breakdowns lately. That needs attention. And we know the staffing isn't back up to pre pandemic levels, so things are still hectic on busy days. My new gripe is food running out by late afternoon. That is getting to be annoying.

I haven’t paid enough attention to all the posts. I knew the importance of early mobile ordering but hadn’t realized the food shortage. Is it primarily seasonal, specialty items? Or also regular menu items? I’m seeing shortages here in NC at groceries, some restaurants, so it makes sense - I just hadn’t thought about DL too.

 

[DLgal]

I haven’t paid enough attention to all the posts. I knew the importance of early mobile ordering but hadn’t realized the food shortage. Is it primarily seasonal, specialty items? Or also regular menu items? I’m seeing shortages here in NC at groceries, some restaurants, so it makes sense - I just hadn’t thought about DL too.

It's right now mostly affecting the special holiday items. On our last visit, I wanted a snack around 4pm, and went to Tropical Hideaway. They were out of Pork Lumpia. So then I decided I wanted something sweet, and headed to Red Rose Tavern to get the Halloween Grey stuff. A person ahead of me got the last one. Okay, so I just gave up and then I decided I'd get the holiday sandwich and soup combo from JH bakery. Tried to mobile order, they only had the Roast beef left. So, I just ended up with some pasta at Pizza Planet because I figured they wouldn't run out of that. But it was a disappointing afternoon. I've been hearing lots of stories about items running out by early evening. They are always back the next day, so it's just a lack of adequate planning in the mornings, it seems.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I feel like the narrative around Magic Key reservations/limited access has been that it’s needed to control crowds. Fair enough.

But if the Magic Key reservation calendar looks like this:
View attachment 610783

But the crowd reports from the past few days also look like this:
View attachment 610782

Clearly it’s not working. So, where does Disney go from here?

(Crowd comments taken from this thread:https://www.disboards.com/threads/current-crowd-levels.3853533/)

I don't think Disney will do anything. They continue to sell the Magic Keys, despite lack of park availability. The crowds keep getting larger. Perhaps Disney is making it excruciatingly crowded on purpose so that people will flock to buying Genie+ and Lightning Lane passes when the finally go on sale. Just my guess.

 

[l4dyj8]

Oh wow! That’s crazy! Really discouraging

I have my magic key and booked early. Realistically, I know ahead of time when we can actually go. But I’d hate to see that the calendar is all booked out of panic vs actually going.

 

[DLgal]

I don't think Disney will do anything. They continue to sell the Magic Keys, despite lack of park availability. The crowds keep getting larger. Perhaps Disney is making it excruciatingly crowded on purpose so that people will flock to buying Genie+ and Lightning Lane passes when the finally go on sale. Just my guess.

So, this is kind of a story in the local news today. The headline is like "Disneyland Magic Key holders frustrated at lack of reservation availability." Then, when you read the article, the Disney spokesperson says "Our Magic Key holders overwhelmingly feel that they have more access to the parks than they imagined they would."

It's a tale of two worlds, clearly. It's almost comical how Disney is blatantly ignoring ALL the complaints that are all over social media about this issue.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

So, this is kind of a story in the local news today. The headline is like "Disneyland Magic Key holders frustrated at lack of reservation availability." Then, when you read the article, the Disney spokesperson says "Our Magic Key holders overwhelmingly feel that they have more access to the parks than they imagined they would."

It's a tale of two worlds, clearly. It's almost comical how Disney is blatantly ignoring ALL the complaints that are all over social media about this issue.

I honestly don't know what Disney could do. Before the pandemic, overcrowding was always an issue because AP holders had free reign on going to the parks whenever they wanted. Now that the APs are back with a reservation system, everyone is complaining of not being able to go whenever they want, which was meant to improve the crowding problem. But now there are all these reports saying crowds are worse than ever AND crowds aren't that bad? I'm not sure who to believe at this point. I guess I'll find out first hand when I go in 2 weeks. I'm hoping that fall break will be over by then? But then again, it seems like its always fall break for somebody through October and November.

Before the Magic Keys came out, I was all for getting rid of APs all together in lieu of multi-day ticket books to avoid the parks becoming a backyard mall for locals. But then again, I'm not a local and I could see how that would make the locals angry. I think the current APs with limited reservation system is the best middle ground arrangement there could be at this point. Perhaps Disney should have made APs much more expensive and much more limited in number.

 

[dina444444]

I feel like the narrative around Magic Key reservations/limited access has been that it’s needed to control crowds. Fair enough.

But if the Magic Key reservation calendar looks like this:
View attachment 610783

But the crowd reports from the past few days also look like this:
View attachment 610782

Clearly it’s not working. So, where does Disney go from here?

(Crowd comments taken from this thread:https://www.disboards.com/threads/current-crowd-levels.3853533/)

They just replenished October.

 

[DLgal]

I honestly don't know what Disney could do. Before the pandemic, overcrowding was always an issue because AP holders had free reign on going to the parks whenever they wanted. Now that the APs are back with a reservation system, everyone is complaining of not being able to go whenever they want, which was meant to improve the crowding problem. But now there are all these reports saying crowds are worse than ever AND crowds aren't that bad? I'm not sure who to believe at this point. I guess I'll find out first hand when I go in 2 weeks. I'm hoping that fall break will be over by then? But then again, it seems like its always fall break for somebody through October and November.

Before the Magic Keys came out, I was all for getting rid of APs all together in lieu of multi-day ticket books to avoid the parks becoming a backyard mall for locals. But then again, I'm not a local and I could see how that would make the locals angry. I think the current APs with limited reservation system is the best middle ground arrangement there could be at this point. Perhaps Disney should have made APs much more expensive and much more limited in number.

I hear you! I think what is upsetting people is the WAY the reservation system has been implemented and the whole "book ahead because FOMO" but then people drop their reservations last minute. They really should have done the system differently to prevent MK holders from booking "just in case" trips. I honestly would have been happy with a rolling 7-14 day advance booking window, but that wouldn't be very useful to Disney. The problem lies in the way reservations and cancellations are currently handled. They can tweak things to make them more user friendly.

IMO, where Disney went wrong was in not limiting ALL MK pass sales to southern CA residents. This is what they should have done. It would have naturally culled the herd, so to speak, and they would have made more money off the people who have to travel in and buy day tickets. A lot of people have to book out so far on advance because they are traveling in. I would have been fine with giving day ticket purchasers a much larger window to make reservations and seriously cut it down for MK holders.

 

[DLgal]

They just replenished October.

View attachment 610804

Hey thanks! My kids have an unexpected day off due to PSAT testing that they don't need to take, so I just booked us at Disneyland for the day!

If it's nuts, we won't stay long.

 

[dina444444]

Hey thanks! My kids have an unexpected day off due to PSAT testing that they don't need to take, so I just booked us at Disneyland for the day!

Your welcome. I’m hoping to grab a day next week after I enter on Saturday. I haven’t missed a day yet if getting a pass so hoping that continues.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

They just replenished October.

View attachment 610804

Well, that's interesting, how Disney could "magically" just turn on the availability spigot. Perhaps the reservation system does have NOTHING to do with crowd control. Please release the Genie+ and LL. I'm ready to buy!

 

[DLgal]

Well, that's interesting, how Disney could "magically" just turn on the availability spigot. Perhaps the reservation system does have NOTHING to do with crowd control. Please release the Genie+ and LL. I'm ready to buy!

So, yeah, they do this almost nightly, but they then disappear very quickly so you have to catch it at the right time. So, you have to basically know how to work the system to get a reservation last minute. Eventually people will catch on, but it's why so many are frustrated. They aren't being exactly transparent about availability.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I hear you! I think what is upsetting people is the WAY the reservation system has been implemented and the whole "book ahead because FOMO" but then people drop their reservations last minute. They really should have done the system differently to prevent MK holders from booking "just in case" trips. I honestly would have been happy with a rolling 7-14 day advance booking window, but that wouldn't be very useful to Disney. The problem lies in the way reservations and cancellations are currently handled. They can tweak things to make them more user friendly.

IMO, where Disney went wrong was in not limiting ALL MK pass sales to southern CA residents. This is what they should have done. It would have naturally culled the herd, so to speak, and they would have made more money off the people who have to travel in and buy day tickets. A lot of people have to book out so far on advance because they are traveling in. I would have been fine with giving day ticket purchasers a much larger window to make reservations and seriously cut it down for MK holders.

Perhaps Disney should make the penalty for cancellations more severe so that people will seriously consider reservations prior to actually reserving and hogging up park days. If they were to limit MK passes to locals, then I would think they would HAVETO make it WAY more expensive, which will be very unpopular. Either way, people will find ways to complain. I'll reserve my judgment until I go in a couple of weeks. I was going to upgrade y 5-day passes to MKs at the end of our trip but having seen this story, I'm not so sure anymore.

 

[dina444444]

Well, that's interesting, how Disney could "magically" just turn on the availability spigot. Perhaps the reservation system does have NOTHING to do with crowd control. Please release the Genie+ and LL. I'm ready to buy!

They aren’t releasing all of the reservations to start with. WDW did this regularly between opening back up last summer and early this summer.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

They aren’t releasing all of the reservations to start with. WDW did this regularly between opening back up last summer and early this summer.

so do you think these new availability is all from people that have cancelled recently? Kind of hard to believe when only minutes ago, there was absolutely zero availability for the entire month.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel like the narrative around Magic Key reservations/limited access has been that it’s needed to control crowds. Fair enough.

But if the Magic Key reservation calendar looks like this:
View attachment 610783

But the crowd reports from the past few days also look like this:
View attachment 610782

Clearly it’s not working. So, where does Disney go from here?

(Crowd comments taken from this thread:https://www.disboards.com/threads/current-crowd-levels.3853533/)

I believe it's a complete fallacy that Disney wants lower crowds. What they DO want is for the crowds who are there to be paying the most possible per day.

 

[dina444444]

so do you think these new availability is all from people that have cancelled recently? Kind of hard to believe when only minutes ago, there was absolutely zero availability for the entire month.

No. Not when it’s the full calendar being replenished. That’s Disney releasing reservations they held back.