Mice Chat: Marvel Studios, Star Wars Land, MyMagic+

[GatorChris]

How many years in a row can Soarin' and Splash Mt go down for major refurbs? Glad I'll be missing that mess. No AP this time around.

As for the FP+/MyMagic 2.0, DLR should really leave well enough alone. One of the major reasons I switched my Disney vacations from WDW to DLR is because of the FP+ mess. And it is a mess. And it'll be an even bigger mess at DL. With only 3 hotels, the prices would go up even more for the Disney sites if you can get a jump on FPs. At WDW with over 20 hotels, most guests can get an equal shot at FPs. At DL, they would create a wealthy class that would swallow up the FPs. Then there's be the rush on the Good Neighbor hotels, driving up prices there. Not good for the average consumer.

The other problem with the new FP+ is that they'll be putting in FP machines at a lot more rides. Check out what that did to WDW. Where Pirates used to be a 10-15 minute wait, it's now over 30 minutes all the time. Same with all the other places that didn't used to have FP. It'll just make the laid back feel of DL disappear. If this indeed happens, Team Disney Anaheim can expect people like me to put WDW back on the menu. If I have to put up with "uber planning" and a new FP mess and tiers, I might as well go to the BIG place.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'll be surprised if anaheim has tiers. There's tons of attractions in both parks, they don't need to ration/tier like Epcot and dhs need to

 

[alvernon90]

The other problem with the new FP+ is that they'll be putting in FP machines at a lot more rides. Check out what that did to WDW. Where Pirates used to be a 10-15 minute wait, it's now over 30 minutes all the time. Same with all the other places that didn't used to have FP. It'll just make the laid back feel of DL disappear

Given how many people have been complaining about the crush of crowds for years, I'd say it was the payment plan for the cheap APs that destroyed DL's laid back feel.

I don't think the standby wait time boost will necessarily occur at DL. The problem with the WDW system is that you basically have to get three FPs. People end up getting them for rides that wouldn't otherwise need them. If the rumor is correct, the DL system will basically be the paper FP system, except you can use your phone to "pull" a "ticket" without being at the actual machine. The on-site guests might have access to a small number in advance, but in every other way it will be like the current system.

 

[hjgaus]

So if this NEW system is basically the same as "NOW" is the ONLY way to keep crowds down is to UP the AP prices & maybe do away with ANY payment plans?

 

[ArchOwl]

So if this NEW system is basically the same as "NOW" is the ONLY way to keep crowds down is to UP the AP prices & maybe do away with ANY payment plans?

I think Disney has made it quite clear they have no intention of keeping crowds down. They want to pack the parks as much as possible on as many days as possible. If they thought the APs were a problem, they would not hesitate to change the program. They want the parks to be filled. This is the new normal. Now they have to find a way to balance the massive crowds they have attracted. A modified form of FP+ will perhaps ease some congestion.

But Disney does not perceive the crowded parks as a problem or else they would have already taken steps such as eliminating payment plans. The only days they saw as a problem were the holiday ones they elimiated from the Signature AP.

 

[hjgaus]

ArchOwl,
This is exactly how my husband explains this to me! Thanks for your honest input!!!

 

[ArchOwl]

ArchOwl,
This is exactly how my husband explains this to me! Thanks for your honest input!!!

Lol, it kinda sucks for those of us who remember the days of actual low crowds. But I have to remind myself that higher crowds are what pay for the cool expansions we get. Carsland and Star Wars would not be possible without the popularity of DL. So you take the good with the bad.

The alternative to crowds is extremely higher ticket prices. I think most people would agree they would prefer crowds to paying an extreme price for entry. At least that is what I prefer, haha. I can work around crowds, but if an AP were $3000 or more, I don't think I could justify that. Although I will probably see that price in my lifetime. Ugh.

Anyway, I think it is smart of Disney to use technology to make it easier to obtain FPs. I am unsure how successful it will be, given that I am shocked by how many guests have zero idea that paper FPs are free and available to all. But it will be useful for some at least. I am wary of adding FP lines to some attractions, I am at a loss as to where many of the lines would even fit? And I hope they don't put them in lines that don't need them, such as POTC.

The upside of Disneyland and DCA is that they have way more attractions per park than WDW, so I am fairly confident there will be no tiering and less impact on standby lines since crowds are spread out much better here. And the impact of on site guests will be minimal since there are only three hotels. So it sounds like a workable system. Fingers crossed on that.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think Disney has made it quite clear they have no intention of keeping crowds down. They want to pack the parks as much as possible on as many days as possible. If they thought the APs were a problem, they would not hesitate to change the program. They want the parks to be filled. This is the new normal. Now they have to find a way to balance the massive crowds they have attracted. A modified form of FP+ will perhaps ease some congestion.

But Disney does not perceive the crowded parks as a problem or else they would have already taken steps such as eliminating payment plans. The only days they saw as a problem were the holiday ones they elimiated from the Signature AP.

Yeah, Disney doesn't see that as a problem they need to solve. That's the sort of thing they pay big bonuses to achieve.

 

[hjgaus]

YES.... somebody who really gets it with so much of a calming manor!!! The last year or so this subject has been discussed with mostly negativity but regardless if this is a GREAT solution or not you have made me look at it with a better attitude whatever happens! Thanks!!

 

[hjgaus]

Oops... forgot.....My last post was reply to ArchOwl

 

[Gisele]

Aloha,

Does anyone have any idea of the closure time frames in 2016 for POC, HM, JC, etc...? First I have read about POC and HM closures in 2016...earlier read rumors about JC. It would be nice to know the closure time frames for planning purposes.

Good question.
To begin with, it is really quite horrifying to me, regarding the negative changes being made to DLR as a result of the star wars takeover. Star wars should be contained to Tomorrowland.
According to http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/closures
POTC isn't scheduled for a refurbishment so far anyway.
Horrifyingly the railroad will be closing in Jan. and not reopening until 2017. That should be interesting. Jungle cruise and HM closing as well in Jan. Not reopening until April 2016.
The whole thing is just a nightmare to me. And I know I am not alone.