New test DHS park opening procedures

[doconeill]

Happened to catch on the twitter feed from TouringPlans - today they are starting a new park opening procedure they are testing through Friday.

The park will open turnstiles at 8:30am instead of 9:00am. There will not be an actual "rope drop", but TSM, RNRC, and TOT will be open at that time, as well as signups for JTA. Other attractions will open at 8:45am, with external queues set up so guests can wait in line if they choose.

Fastpasses will open for all attractions at 8:30 as well.

 

[Dacky619]

Happened to catch on the twitter feed from TouringPlans - today they are starting a new park opening procedure they are testing through Friday.

The park will open turnstiles at 8:30am instead of 9:00am. There will not be an actual "rope drop", but TSM, RNRC, and TOT will be open at that time, as well as signups for JTA. Other attractions will open at 8:45am, with external queues set up so guests can wait in line if they choose.

Fastpasses will open for all attractions at 8:30 as well.

I thought this had been happening for a little while now?

 

[doconeill]

I thought this had been happening for a little while now?

They indicate it started this morning.

 

[Robo]

They indicate it started this morning.

There are posts all over the board about it.

Like THIS one, posted Jan. 12.

When someone reports something as "new" it often means that it's

"new to THEM."

 

[doconeill]

TouringPlans (and especially studioscentral.org, who are usually right on top of things at DHS) only reported it this morning. Apparently they missed it.

They at least gave greater details.

 

[mossy1]

I had noticed some posts here and other places about this new change. Regardless of who posted what and when...I welcome this change.

 

[mlittig]

Any information about what will happen when it is morning EMH at Hollywood Studios now Just wondering if that resort guest perk is going away

 

[doconeill]

Any information about what will happen when it is morning EMH at Hollywood Studios now Just wondering if that resort guest perk is going away

No reason to suspect that EMH is going away, but there isn't a morning EMH scheduled until the 21st - reportedly after the test ends.

There was a morning EMH yesterday...would be interesting to hear if they did it at all, but I wonder if morning EMH is just handled normally.

 

[Marshay]

No reason to suspect that EMH is going away, but there isn't a morning EMH scheduled until the 21st - reportedly after the test ends.

There was a morning EMH yesterday...would be interesting to hear if they did it at all, but I wonder if morning EMH is just handled normally.

We plan to be there this Saturday for EMH...I was wondering the same thing...should I plan to be there 30 minutes earlier? Prob not.

I can report back!

 

[Quin]

Is this really going to significantly change the congestion, once most people are aware of the new times? Or the behaviors?

The TSMM dash was just as prevalent on EMH days as regular openings, so it's not as though simply opening earlier will stop anything. With the 'old' RD procedure, at least the CMs walked the head of the mob back to TSMM and blocked the staircases to prevent injuries from running & jumping.

Once everyone is aware of the new opening procedure, I should think that the same TSMM mob will form at the turnstiles prior to 8:30 instead of half-way up the main street. The turnstiles do slow people down but also add to folks' frustration if people in front of them are slow or have problems. I can see the frustration leading to more running and pushiness once people get through the turnstiles and want to race to TSMM to "make up" for the time they perceive that they lost in the turnstile lines. The law of averages says one line is always going to back up or break down (and I'm usually in it). If I have to wait and wait and watch people who arrived after I did enter the park long before I do, my temper and my blood pressure are going to suffer.

For a short time, maybe a few months, this is going to make life a lot easier for those who know about the 8:30 "soft opening". After that? Not so much.

 

[notnothin]

Is this really going to significantly change the congestion, once most people are aware of the new times? Or the behaviors?

The TSMM dash was just as prevalent on EMH days as regular openings, so it's not as though simply opening earlier will stop anything. With the 'old' RD procedure, at least the CMs walked the head of the mob back to TSMM and blocked the staircases to prevent injuries from running & jumping.

Once everyone is aware of the new opening procedure, I should think that the same TSMM mob will form at the turnstiles prior to 8:30 instead of half-way up the main street. The turnstiles do slow people down but also add to folks' frustration if people in front of them are slow or have problems. I can see the frustration leading to more running and pushiness once people get through the turnstiles and want to race to TSMM to "make up" for the time they perceive that they lost in the turnstile lines. The law of averages says one line is always going to back up or break down (and I'm usually in it). If I have to wait and wait and watch people who arrived after I did enter the park long before I do, my temper and my blood pressure are going to suffer.

For a short time, maybe a few months, this is going to make life a lot easier for those who know about the 8:30 "soft opening". After that? Not so much.

Early reports indicate that it does make a significant difference in addition to lowering the anxiety level but only time will tell if a) they continue beyond the 20th and b) what impact it will have as the masses learn of the change.

 

[mpres2]

This really messes up my plan for our day at HS. The one thing my boys want to do most is Jedi Training Academy. With that in mind, I booked a breakfast at Hollywood and Vine for 8:00 on a day when the park was supposed to open at 9:00. I was thinking we'd finish breakfast by 8:45 or so and head over to get them signed up. Now I'm not sure what to do. I'm afraid I may have to send my husband out with the boys to sign up at 8:30 while I wait at the restaurant with my daughter and the waitstaff may not take kindly to half our party taking a big break in the middle of the meal. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me make sure the boys get to do Jedi training if everyone is getting in to the park while we're eating breakfast ??

I hate to sound so hung up on one tiny element of the trip but my five year old twins are obsessed with Star Wars and it's a really big deal to them.

 

[geenerbell]

This really messes up my plan for our day at HS. The one thing my boys want to do most is Jedi Training Academy. With that in mind, I booked a breakfast at Hollywood and Vine for 8:00 on a day when the park was supposed to open at 9:00. I was thinking we'd finish breakfast by 8:45 or so and head over to get them signed up. Now I'm not sure what to do. I'm afraid I may have to send my husband out with the boys to sign up at 8:30 while I wait at the restaurant with my daughter and the waitstaff may not take kindly to half our party taking a big break in the middle of the meal. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me make sure the boys get to do Jedi training if everyone is getting in to the park while we're eating breakfast ??

I hate to sound so hung up on one tiny element of the trip but my five year old twins are obsessed with Star Wars and it's a really big deal to them.

When is your trip? I would take your daughter and check in for ressie at 8 then have the boys join you after they sign up. The only problem would be if they get into the first training and it's in the middle of your breakfast.

 

[mpres2]

We are going Jan 29-Feb 2 and Feb 1st is our HS day. Will they be able to sign up as early as 8:00 or will they have to wait for park opening at 8:30?

 

[geenerbell]

We are going Jan 29-Feb 2 and Feb 1st is our HS day. Will they be able to sign up as early as 8:00 or will they have to wait for park opening at 8:30?

I would think they will start sign ups as soon as the park opens 8:30. The JTA times are listed as 9:20, 10:10, 11:00, 11:50 and so on. Keep in mind the 8:30 test is only a test and may not be happening during your trip.

 

[doconeill]

We are going Jan 29-Feb 2 and Feb 1st is our HS day. Will they be able to sign up as early as 8:00 or will they have to wait for park opening at 8:30?

As far as I know they do not currently do signups before the park opens, so whenever the park opens (currently scheduled for 9:00am), that's when signups start.

 

[kmermaid]

I have a friend who is at wdw and went to HS this morning. She said they missed getting FP for TSMM which were gone by 10am. However they rode standby and she reported that it was a 40 min wait. I do not believe they got there right when the whole park open but sometime after 9am. So with this earlier opening will cause the FPs to run out even more quickly? If so it will be even more truer that you snooze you lose!

 

[notnothin]

I have a friend who is at wdw and went to HS this morning. She said they missed getting FP for TSMM which were gone by 10am. However they rode standby and she reported that it was a 40 min wait. I do not believe they got there right when the whole park open but sometime after 9am. So with this earlier opening will cause the FPs to run out even more quickly? If so it will be even more truer that you snooze you lose!

Don't forget that we are in the middle of a rather busy holiday weekend.

 

[doconeill]

I have a friend who is at wdw and went to HS this morning. She said they missed getting FP for TSMM which were gone by 10am. However they rode standby and she reported that it was a 40 min wait. I do not believe they got there right when the whole park open but sometime after 9am. So with this earlier opening will cause the FPs to run out even more quickly? If so it will be even more truer that you snooze you lose!

Sicne they are giving out the FPs earlier, it stands to reason that they'll run out earlier. Not necessarily 30 minutes earlier, as I expect there to be a bit of a dilution effect given that the the turnstiles moderate the flow somewhat and not everyone knows the park is opening early (they aren't advertising it).

 

[mpres2]

I called and changed our ADRs to 9:05. That should give us time to get in to the park at 8:30 and get signed up before breakfast. Now, I just have to worry about not getting that first showtime. I guess we can just keep letting people go in line before us until they open up the 10:30 show