My Slow Divorce from Walt Disney World

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

To be fair in comparison to established rides and rhythms, GoTG isn't even officially open yet and just throwing it into the mix with a potential 4 hour line wrapping half-way across the park isn't a desirable experience for anyone - especially as its new - it will likely have technical issues. What would you propose instead?

Not add a faster way? Seriously Forbidden Journey didn't have one for 6 1/2 years. People survived lol.

ETA: Hagrid's has been opened for almost 3 years (pandemic closure sure but you get the picture) and no EP there

Bring on the competition! Loved the Harry Potter approach, theming and IP coming to life along with some cool rides to go with it - Universal is finally getting it and nice to see.

Uhh HP has been opened for just a month shy of 12 years now...Universal isn't finally getting it they've been getting it...for over a decade.

I hope Epic is a smash success..

Me too, we'll find out in 3 years...meanwhile Disney's railroad has been closed since December 2018...wonder if Tron will be open by the time the 3rd gate opens for Universal (joking..)

 

[john7994]

Not add a faster way? Seriously Forbidden Journey didn't have one for 6 1/2 years. People survived lol.

ETA: Hagrid's has been opened for almost 2 years (pandemic closure sure but you get the picture) and no EP there


Uhh HP has been opened for just a month shy of 12 years now...Universal isn't finally getting it they've been getting it...for over a decade.

Me too, we'll find out in 3 years...meanwhile Disney's railroad has been closed since December 2018...wonder if Tron will be open by the time the 3rd gate opens for Universal (joking..)

You clearly aren't looking for a conversation - just to bash, cherry pick and gloss over key points. That's cool ... no worries.

 

[Jrb1979]

Haha ... Of course EP is seen as a superior experience (these days) because that option is possible! Universal is smartly taking advantage due to the scale in parks / attendance / design eras. This has consistently been the case competitively between the parks and they grift off each other. For Disney, it was a nice problem to have in packing hotels and parks - until its not. Rinse and repeat. We have seen this movie before when Universal added a perk or a second park and the sky was falling for Disney - and then it didn't.

Bring on the competition! Loved the Harry Potter approach, theming and IP coming to life along with some cool rides to go with it - Universal is finally getting it and nice to see. I hope Epic is a smash success.. More choice for the consumer, and if Disney doesn't get it right - they lose. Personally, I love dabbling at both parks and enjoy having the choice to do so - why else am I going to central Florida other than to be entertained? (no offense locals - but its hot and humid down there).

To be fair in comparison to established rides and rhythms, GoTG isn't even officially open yet and just throwing it into the mix with a potential 4 hour line wrapping half-way across the park isn't a desirable experience for anyone - especially as its new - it will likely have technical issues. What would you propose instead?

First there won't be a 4 hour line wrapping half away across the park as when it opens it's going to only be virtual queue and ILL only. No standby.

I do agree that competition is good. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens is good competition too. I'm loving what SeaWorld is doing. Adding another coaster on top of Ice Breaker that just opened is going to be a big addition.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You clearly aren't looking for a conversation - just to bash, cherry pick and gloss over key points. That's cool ... no worries.

I'm responding to the points you brought up am I to lie?

You asked me what I'd want them to do about long lines like there isn't already a park that deals with it. That was my point, Disney has everyone demanding low waits. But adding a faster way to a brand new high demand ride isn't the only option clearly. I'm sorry but that's not an opinion that's a fact. Universal doesn't have EP on the two most in demand rides and hasn't for several years since they opened them. Who knows what Epic Universe will bring but as it stands right now people don't have a problem waiting

 

[john7994]

First there won't be a 4 hour line wrapping half away across the park as when it opens it's going to only be virtual queue and ILL only. No standby.

I do agree that competition is good. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens is good competition too. I'm loving what SeaWorld is doing. Adding another coaster on top of Ice Breaker that just opened is going to be a big addition.

Yes, I know, I was actually asking about an alternative to not having a virtual queue based on another posters comments.

 

[john7994]

I'm responding to the points you brought up am I to lie?

You asked me what I'd want them to do about long lines like there isn't already a park that deals with it. That was my point, Disney has everyone demanding low waits. But adding a faster way to a brand new high demand ride isn't the only option clearly. I'm sorry but that's not an opinion that's a fact. Universal doesn't have EP on the two most in demand rides and hasn't for several years since they opened them. Who knows what Epic Universe will bring but as it stands right now people don't have a problem waiting

Its all good, we can still be friends and enjoy a butterbeer or a dole whip!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Its all good, we can still be friends and enjoy a butterbeer or a dole whip!

I did discover frozen butterbeer is like hands down just amazing I had only had the original before. My husband and I are looking forward to our dole whips (so refreshing!)

 

[john7994]

I did discover frozen butterbeer is like hands down just amazing I had only had the original before. My husband and I are looking forward to our dole whips (so refreshing!)

I am there a week from today - can't begin to even contain my excitement (even snagged a preview on GoTG), but the thought of those small things - at least for me - is the best part of being there (in both places )

 

[Jrb1979]

From reading the FP stuff in this thread, I get the feeling many don't go to other parks other then Universal or Disney much.

I only say that cause I visit different amusement parks a lot. I would say Cedar Fair is the best at it. While it costs a lot it is also very limited. The wait times I have encountered are usually 15-20 minute waits while Standby is sometimes 90 minutes if not more. I would love that to come to Disney.

 

[john7994]

From reading the FP stuff in this thread, I get the feeling many don't go to other parks other then Universal or Disney much.

I only say that cause I visit different amusement parks a lot. I would say Cedar Fair is the best at it. While it costs a lot it is also very limited. The wait times I have encountered are usually 15-20 minute waits while Standby is sometimes 90 minutes if not more. I would love that to come to Disney.

I have never been to Seaworld, and I didn't know Cedar Fair existed until I joined the boards! I have been to Six Flags parks - but haven't been to any of those in years.

 

[JLTraveling]

Our experience without EP at Universal is already leagues above our experience in 2 hours at Disney without Genie+. Truly no comparison.

Our experience with EP was an equitable situation. For example Flight of the Hippogriff for a time was 2 trains EP, then 1 train Standby. Then it eventually switched to 1 train EP, 1 train Standby. Our experience with Navi just now mirrors our experience in 2019 at DL: 2 people (serious not a joke) Standby hoards from LL, 2 people Standby hoards of LL. I miss the relaxation already of Universal and I'm only on day 1 of Disney.

This is a huge part of it as well. Universal uses a straightforward formula for loading Express vs Standby: 80-20. 80 Express guests, then 20 Standby (assuming both queues are full-if there's 5 people in Express, they don't hold the line waiting for others to show up). That pace makes Express feel like they're racing past Standby, yet 80 people is barely a blip of a stop for Standby. Disney's is anything but standardized. When I was working there in the paper FP days, it was basically lead by lead, everyone with a different opinion. Which creates even more chaos.

 

[sk!mom]

Most of the Disney “divorces” I read about on the DIS sound more like trial separations with booty calls.

Ha! Our last family trip was 2014 and then I went on a girl’s trip in 2017. DH and I would never choose Disney for a trip for us. Too much in the big wide world. However, just yesterday, I said to DH that when our soon to arrive first grandchild is 3 or 4, I’d like to take him and our adult kids to Disneyland. I really think that I’m completely over WDW, though. The Florida weather is too much for me and the size and planning is too overwhelming.

Especially when so many attractions seem to be down for one reason or another on the day we visit the park. A person doesn't get full value of the cost of admission when this happens.


This is how we now approach WDW. The rides aren't the high points of our trip to WDW. Unfortunately if the annual pass program isn't reinstated w/DVC discount we will have to rethink how we do WDW. When we had an annual pass we would go into the parks to walk around, enjoy a meal and possible ride a ride or two if the wait wasn't too long. Going forward we will have to just enjoy all the rest of WDW excluding the parks. I think there is plenty to do without going to the parks to keep us busy and happy. We will see how it goes this coming January without park passes.

I can’t imagine going to Orlando and not visiting the parks. Without the parks there are just so many better cities to visit. Cities with more to do with less hassle.

 

[DCLMP]

I'm responding to the points you brought up am I to lie?

You asked me what I'd want them to do about long lines like there isn't already a park that deals with it. That was my point, Disney has everyone demanding low waits. But adding a faster way to a brand new high demand ride isn't the only option clearly. I'm sorry but that's not an opinion that's a fact. Universal doesn't have EP on the two most in demand rides and hasn't for several years since they opened them. Who knows what Epic Universe will bring but as it stands right now people don't have a problem waiting

I loved visiting WDW the last two years without fast passes. I know attendance was limited, but it was such a great experience. Totally freedom. I feel bad for people that put off their trips and now have to return to this mess.

 

[DCLMP]

My comment spun of of adding extra "value" for people staying on site--specifically Deluxe resorts. So, Universal does that with the passes. Nothing else.

The deluxe resorts are closer and walkable. I believe you can jump the line at restaurants on city walk, but now the restaurants all take reservations so I'm not sure that still exists.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I can’t imagine going to Orlando and not visiting the parks. Without the parks there are just so many better cities to visit. Cities with more to do with less hassle.

You're right about Orlando and the parks....without them, there's just not much to do or see there. I think that's part of the issue with perks regarding deluxe resorts. The parks are where you kind of expect perks if you're visiting Walt Disney World. The locations of some of the deluxe are better with respect to proximity to the parks and you enter your hotel room from a hallway and not from outdoors. But other than that, the level of service is pretty much the same with respect to hotel staff...etc. It's probably a bit more attentive at the Four Seasons down the road a bit, but they never would have built a Four Seasons in Orlando...if not for WDW.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The deluxe resorts are closer and walkable. I believe you can jump the line at restaurants on city walk, but now the restaurants all take reservations so I'm not sure that still exists.

They are closer though marginally so I terms of time. I mean it was a 7-10min walk to Royal Pacific but maybe 10 or so mins longer for Surfside? Their bus service is very efficient. The big difference being that if you were at IOA Royal Pacific pathway was right there rather than having to walk through most of of CityWalk to the bus shuttle. Grad Nite was Friday and they had Mears Coach buses available for Endless Summer guests since their other buses were being used. We left at close,a bus was waiting for us we left in 3mins and were back at our hotel Endless Summer in about 7 mins or so.

Priority seating is available at restaurants but not all. Lombards card, I *think* will get you that too if the restaurant is owned by them. Toothsome does not get priority seating and that's their most popular place. Mythos (inside IOA and the most popular TS) does however.

That said we made a Toothsome reservation for my birthday maybe 2 months in advance but changed the time 2 days in advance from dinner to lunch. Mythos we made a reservation for it 2 days in advance (without a perk).

That said we did call down when we were staying at Royal Pacific and they had a reservation for Jake's 4 mins from then. That gets priority seating for being a hotel guest but that restaurant isn't the most in demand either.

They do have a few perks though for deluxe definitely. Our Endless Summer Surfside room was nice (bigger than Disney's Value) but our Royal Pacific room was definitely nicer.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I loved visiting WDW the last two years without fast passes. I know attendance was limited, but it was such a great experience. Totally freedom. I feel bad for people that put off their trips and now have to return to this mess.

My DISer friends that have moved down here said the same as far as touring without FP.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I loved visiting WDW the last two years without fast passes. I know attendance was limited, but it was such a great experience. Totally freedom. I feel bad for people that put off their trips and now have to return to this mess.

Now...if only they could do that without a global pandemic .

 

[DCLMP]

Now...if only they could do that without a global pandemic .

Its too bad you didn’t experience it. You missed out.

 

[DCLMP]

They are closer though marginally so I terms of time. I mean it was a 7-10min walk to Royal Pacific but maybe 10 or so mins longer for Surfside? Their bus service is very efficient. The big difference being that if you were at IOA Royal Pacific pathway was right there rather than having to walk through most of of CityWalk to the bus shuttle. Grad Nite was Friday and they had Mears Coach buses available for Endless Summer guests since their other buses were being used. We left at close,a bus was waiting for us we left in 3mins and were back at our hotel Endless Summer in about 7 mins or so.

Priority seating is available at restaurants but not all. Lombards card, I *think* will get you that too if the restaurant is owned by them. Toothsome does not get priority seating and that's their most popular place. Mythos (inside IOA and the most popular TS) does however.

That said we made a Toothsome reservation for my birthday maybe 2 months in advance but changed the time 2 days in advance from dinner to lunch. Mythos we made a reservation for it 2 days in advance (without a perk).

That said we did call down when we were staying at Royal Pacific and they had a reservation for Jake's 4 mins from then. That gets priority seating for being a hotel guest but that restaurant isn't the most in demand either.

They do have a few perks though for deluxe definitely. Our Endless Summer Surfside room was nice (bigger than Disney's Value) but our Royal Pacific room was definitely nicer.

Oh no doubt. Universals values are better with more amnetities.