Soarin' SB+ test...Fail

[theSurlyMermaid]

I have two very intelligent parents who are coming with us this fall for their first trip, and they don't understand half of what I've explained to them. I think if you have no prior experience with Disney you have to do quite a bit of research to understand the new system (even with prior knowledge actually) and the truth is many people just don't have that kind of time or the desire!

Even with the old system I found myself often explaining how fastpasses worked to people in the parks who were confused. Now I guess those kind of people will be out of luck for the major attractions.

Yeah, I have tried to explain this to my sister on multiple occasions and she just doesn't understand. She just glazes right over. And she's a planner.

 

[jade1]

Thanks OP, well that's disappointing was hoping they could integrate the QBOT into the MB for what SB return remained after FP+%-at least for long wait headliners, seems simple enough but it does look bleak. Will see where it all goes I guess.

 

[matth9081]

I never reserve FP+ at Epcot because I don't want to waste two FP selections on Figment & Seas w/ Nemo. I'd rather reserve 3 quality attractions later in the day elsewhere and get to Epcot at opening to ride Soarin' & TT. The rush to Soarin' at 9:00am was one thing they wanted to reduce with FP+, but I think people are balking at it when they see what they have to choose from. By the time they earn a 4th FP later in the day, the E-ticket rides at any park will be sold out.

 

[NYDisGuy]

I am in the not waiting in lines camp, I research and plan to avoid as many as possible because to me waiting in long lines does not equal an enjoyable vacation. But, what about the people who aren't researchers or planners? Who book their rooms, buy their tickets, and then just show up! I imagine they would be pretty darn ticked to show up to a park like Epcot and not even have the opportunity to ride one of its major attractions. Those people bought tickets and deserve the chance to ride the attractions they are paying for. Maybe they'll have to stand in a 3 hour line to do it, but whether or not they do that should be up to them, not Disney.

If that family chooses to be ignorant and decides not to research then they pretty much get what they deserve. Not to sound snarky but it's the truth. Every vacation requires research. If a family shows up at a resort in Mexico and leaves the safe area because they didn't research, there won't be a guest services to complain to on the other side.

 

[fbb]

I never reserve FP+ at Epcot

Animal Kingdom, either.

 

[Jennasis]

If that family chooses to be ignorant and decides not to research then they pretty much get what they deserve. Not to sound snarky but it's the truth. Every vacation requires research. If a family shows up at a resort in Mexico and leaves the safe area because they didn't research, there won't be a guest services to complain to on the other side.

Not even remotely close.

 

[Suvadoo]

If that family chooses to be ignorant and decides not to research then they pretty much get what they deserve. Not to sound snarky but it's the truth. Every vacation requires research. If a family shows up at a resort in Mexico and leaves the safe area because they didn't research, there won't be a guest services to complain to on the other side.

I don't think anyone is arguing with you, but that same family should have access to any ride that's open. If they choose to wait for 3 hours that's their choice.

 

[Jennasis]

I don't think anyone is arguing with you, but that same family should have access to any ride that's open. If they choose to wait for 3 hours that's their choice.

This.

 

[Disfan1968]

I wish they would just scrap the whole thing and go back to the original fastpass. It was so easy to understand and things seemed to move great. .

Not me. I know many DISBOARDS people are famous for their use of the old FP paper system. You would all get quite a leg up on people like me, scampering here and there to get passes left and right. This new system levels the playing field, and it's understandable that some of you would dislike this.

But for me, who will be at water parks, Disney Quest, and resort pools in the morning so my kids (who sleep in and tend to be night owls) will be able to do late afternoon/night time in the parks, the FP+ is a godsend. I have THIRTY fastpasses ready to go for my 12 day trip next week, and we will get every headliner without a morning dash. We don't re-ride much so for US, this works great.

EDIT: I AGREE though, that this no standby thing was a bad idea; a veritable train wreck waiting to happen.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

If that family chooses to be ignorant and decides not to research then they pretty much get what they deserve. Not to sound snarky but it's the truth. Every vacation requires research. If a family shows up at a resort in Mexico and leaves the safe area because they didn't research, there won't be a guest services to complain to on the other side.

I agree that every vacation requires research. Problem in this scenario is that a family could have done research using Josh's site and thought they'd be able to get in. I want to say he had a post awhile back about a late arrival touring strategy for Epcot that didn't use FP+. Communication has been quite poor in my opinion.

 

[mesaboy2]

U Never Can expect the Fanatiks to give up arguing.

 

[mom2rtk]

U Never Can expect the Fanatiks to give up arguing.

Tee he he.......

 

[Mad Hattered]

U Never Can expect the Fanatiks to give up arguing.

I see what u did there. FIRST!

Edit....damn u are fast Mom

 

[mom2rtk]

I see what u did there. FIRST!

Edit....damn u are fast Mom

Sorry, but Carol Merrill would like to present you with some lovely parting gifts.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Sorry, but Carol Merrill would like to present you with some lovely parting gifts.

Argh! I would have beat you if I weren't typing on my phone!

 

[mom2rtk]

Argh! I would have beat you if I weren't typing on my phone!

Next you're going to blame some meddling kids or something.

If I was posting by phone, you would have beat me by at least a day.

 

[DopeyDame]

This may be off base, but by doing SB+ aren't they actually lowering the capacity of the ride? With regular standby, if you are in line to ride at closing time, you got to ride. So if you get in a 90 minute Soarin line at park closing, you still got to ride. How do they define ride capacity when distributing SB+? Are they trying to get everyone onto the ride by park closing? Is Disney trying to get the parks closed earlier?

 

[mesaboy2]

Sorry, but Carol Merrill would like to present you with some lovely parting gifts.

And for you the keys to a new Buick!

 

[ucfknight]

Just noticed Soarin' doesn't have a standby time listed today on the My Disney Experience app. It just shows it is open 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Looks like they are giving the test another go.

 

[clsteve]

This may be off base, but by doing SB+ aren't they actually lowering the capacity of the ride? With regular standby, if you are in line to ride at closing time, you got to ride. So if you get in a 90 minute Soarin line at park closing, you still got to ride. How do they define ride capacity when distributing SB+? Are they trying to get everyone onto the ride by park closing? Is Disney trying to get the parks closed earlier?

Or maybe they now have the opportunity to increase the number of FP+ reservations available by managing the SB line......?

There's more to this than just what it seems. There has to be. Disney is way too smart to try this and risk all the vitriol this is causing for there not to be a broader strategic plan. It hints of desperation if not.