Running half capacity changed my Frontierland RD strategy

[dlavender]

We visited the world again this past weekend. Just wanted to share our recent rope drop experience from Saturday, 9/22.

We haven't done RD in a while, as we have become spoiled APers, but we had family from out of town who haven't been in 4 years so we had to make the most of it. We always RD Frontierland to knock out BTMRR, Splash, PoTC, and JC while the masses enjoy 7DMT. We lined up outside the Adventureland sign at 8:50, like we normally would. We were about 7 rows deep. We leisurely walked to BTMRR, like we normally do, and arrived at 9:06, 6 minutes after opening. I was shocked to see a 15 min wait posted, but just figured they threw something up there...but we waited 15 mins. I was peeved to see only half the ride running, but I know, gotta save that $8.50.....

We got off BTMRR, and went to Splash. Walked right on, phew! Back on track! Then went to PoTC. Had a 15 min posted wait. We waited 15 minutes. We watched as they sent empty boats through. I don't see how they save money doing that, but it clearly is a strategy to keep lines stout (just my opinion).

We skipped JC as we were already at 10:30! This is the first time in about 10 Frontierland rope drops that we were not able to knock out all 4 rides by this time. We were fine with the rest of the day, we just had to adjust a little bit.

There was EMM that day, so my guess is that we were just unlucky that day in that more of those people got a jump on BTMRR than would normally do so while the ride was running at half capacity, pushing the wait up earlier than normal.

Just wanted to share this, though, in case anyone follows a similar strategy.

 

[ErinBoBerin]

Thanks for posting as I have been wondering about this as well. If you rope drop again, would you still use this same strategy even if you lose a ride?

From what I understand, this is part WDW saving money, part ride maintenance, and part the longer people stay in the parks, the more money they spend? Touring Plans has been doing some investigating into this that is interesting to check out.

 

[dlavender]

Thanks for posting as I have been wondering about this as well. If you rope drop again, would you still use this same strategy even if you lose a ride?

From what I understand, this is part WDW saving money, part ride maintenance, and part the longer people stay in the parks, the more money they spend? Touring Plans has been doing some investigating into this that is interesting to check out.

That’s a good question...

As a family with one of our kiddos too small for space mountain, and as a family who isn’t going to fight to the front of 7DMT, it’s really still the best option. Next time, I would probably skip over Splash and head to POTC and JC then circle back to Splash. Not sure if that would have worked better or not. I’ve attached a picture of BTMRR as we experienced it.

Yes I’ve read Lens analysis and believe he is correct.

 

[ErinBoBerin]

I’ve attached a picture of BTMRR as we experienced it.

That makes me feel frustrated just looking at it haha

 

[cgattis]

And I think there’s also the possibility they want to keep lines longer to encourage EMM sales, extra FP sales (through CL rooms), etc.

 

[SaharanTea]

Complain to them that your experience was not as good as you're used to and what it is you saw.

Do it nicely, but definitely let them know.

I know it's not a huge difference, but if they don't get push back now, they are more apt to continue pushing. Can't hurt.

 

[dlavender]

Complain to them that your experience was not as good as you're used to and what it is you saw.

Do it nicely, but definitely let them know.

I know it's not a huge difference, but if they don't get push back now, they are more apt to continue pushing. Can't hurt.

That's a good idea..

At first I thought, is it worth complaining? Then I realized that I already complained here, so why not complain where it would matter at least a little. Thanks for the idea, I'll send a nice email detailing why I think they are doing a disservice to their guests by shaving off $20/hr in their labor for the day (I'll re word that last part )

 

[chelseabun76]

I do that strategy as well on one of our MK days, hit all those rides first while the masses are on the other side. I'll definately be paying attention to how it goes this trip!

 

[dlavender]

I do that strategy as well on one of our MK days, hit all those rides first while the masses are on the other side. I'll definately be paying attention to how it goes this trip!

I'm wondering if it really differs from EMM and non EMM days. Would be interesting to test out.