Soarin' SB+ test...Fail

[gamerlovesdisney]

Wow! I was just shocked to see this. I'm so glad that I don't have a trip planned for WDW this year. And this is the first time in decades that I'm not going to WDW in the near future. What a mess! After my last trip in October 2013, I was so disappointed with Disney. It just wasn't enjoyable any more - too much planning, hard to redo the rides I enjoyed, too many people for too few rides.

Disney needs to put some money into these parks, especially Epcot and the Studios. Another reason that I'm not going to WDW this year is that everything is the same, nothing new. When will Disney see the light and get moving on some new attractions. And no, Avatar does nothing for me - that's another waste of money just like MDE.

 

[mom2rtk]

I am here now, and am actually going into epcot momentarily. I will attempt to see what is actually going on.

I have found trying to do repeat rides, even with rope dropping, more difficult then ever, because of fast pass and the way they are opening the parks - at epcot and studios. Also, The number of people making and using a 9 am fast pass is remarkable, and the problem is maginified at these two parks because of the limited number of 'e' attractions.....MK is still easy. Have not done AK yet

We want photos. And video...... a complete recon package.

Oh.... and have fun!

 

[mesaboy2]

We want photos. And video...... a complete recon package.

Oh.... and have fun!

I'm sure she will. As long as she's not hoping to, you know, actually ride it.

 

[eliza61]

And now getting to the parks even earlier will be more important to wringing out maximum value. Those of you sleeping in 60 days out or while on vacation are wasting money.

but don't you find that a bit sad. after paying all that money, simply sleeping until 9 oclock means you wont get the same access.

if Disney is going to do that, then they need to advertise that with the tickets.


Every new "system" is one more nail in my Disney coffin.
Every new "system" makes me more and more happy that I got to experience the mouse world back when you didn't need a PhD or a NASA inspired spread sheet to enjoy a vacation there.

I do own a dvc membership but luckily have long gotten back my investment. I use to think I would go to Disney for the rest of my life, taking my grandkids one day. Now I seriously doubt it.

 

[flicx]

They *may* reopen late evening now, in this testing mode. The thing about testing is that there can be changes.made at any time. Disney has already proven they are willing to make major changes to basic park operations with no notice to guests, so why should guests have faith that how it is in.testing will.be how it.ends up?

Seems like they do this more and more.

 

[jade1]

I'm sure she will. As long as she's not hoping to, you know, actually ride it.

At this time of day she will have a very long wait even if they are not testing.

 

[mesaboy2]

At this time of day she will have a very long wait even if they are not testing.

I'm sure she's glad that Disney made that decision for her. I know I would be.

 

[jsgrand0]

I'm sorry, don't shoot me! But what is standby+ ? I googled it and found nothing...and I'll join the club...SO sick of all this overplanning!!

 

[jsgrand0]

This is starting to get insane.

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.

Now it seems everything is getting more and more complicated.

AMEN!!! wishin' for some pixie dust on this!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm sorry, don't shoot me! But what is standby+ ? I googled it and found nothing...and I'll join the club...SO sick of all this overplanning!!

Standby+. Coined in another thread and used very early in this thread.

 

[dwheaton]

I understand this is just a test, but Disney hires a lot of people who have expertise in statistical analysis, the typical numbers of guests hitting each attraction, plus the hourly capacity of each ride. It isn't rocket science even if you don't have an advanced degree.

Given the normal demand for Soarin', how could Disney expect this wouldn't be disastrous? This isn't a meet and greet; it's one of their flagship attractions in a park that doesn't have that many headliners. They're essentially alienating customers in the hopes that people will be happier if they don't wait in line.

I just can't see how this idea would ever work for attractions since the demand is going to outweigh the capacity. In essence, if Soarin' has a longer wait than 30 minutes (and it's much longer) on average, they can't create a system that promises that without cutting a bunch of people out of riding it at all. It's basic math!

 

[jsgrand0]

I'm sorry, don't shoot me! But what is standby+ ? I googled it and found nothing...and I'll join the club...SO sick of all this overplanning!!

I did find a brief explanation...so now they are trying to do away with all standby lines?! It's going to get to the point where we won't be able to RIDE or ENJOY anything but the view!

 

[Suvadoo]

Wow! I was just shocked to see this. I'm so glad that I don't have a trip planned for WDW this year. And this is the first time in decades that I'm not going to WDW in the near future. What a mess! After my last trip in October 2013, I was so disappointed with Disney. It just wasn't enjoyable any more - too much planning, hard to redo the rides I enjoyed, too many people for too few rides.

Disney needs to put some money into these parks, especially Epcot and the Studios. Another reason that I'm not going to WDW this year is that everything is the same, nothing new. When will Disney see the light and get moving on some new attractions. And no, Avatar does nothing for me - that's another waste of money just like MDE.

I wholeheartedly agree with you! Try DLR, you'll absolutely love it. There's legacy FP and ADR's are still available 1 month from your vacation! Plus park hopping involves a 5 miniute stroll between parks with no additional security check. Also, the CM's are actually friendly, because they haven't been abused by FP+ updates.

If DLR still had PeopleMover, it would be perfect!

 

[mesaboy2]

I did find a brief explanation...so now they are trying to do away with all standby lines?! It's going to get to the point where we won't be able to RIDE or ENJOY anything but the view!

No, no, no, you have it all wrong. Disney is saving you from yourselves waiting in queues that it deems "too long". The solution is to not allow you to ride at all.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I did find a brief explanation...so now they are trying to do away with all standby lines?! It's going to get to the point where we won't be able to RIDE or ENJOY anything but the view!

They are providing us the opportunity to shop til we drop.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Just had to cancel all my FPs for a Saturday and Sunday so I could swap parks those two days. Anyone ever see "The Hurt Locker?" With every keystroke I was afraid I was going to detonate something and all my vacation planning was going to go scattered all about in gooey chunks.

Something tells me this was not what the developers had in mind when designing the user experience.

(That being said it was pretty seamless, although I did lose a ride on SDMT)

 

[g-dad66]

No, no, no, you have it all wrong. Disney is saving you from yourselves waiting in queues that it deems "too long". The solution is to not allow you to ride at all.

And you'll be able to experience Captain EO instead! That should make you want to return to Epcot again and again, shouldn't it?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I did find a brief explanation...so now they are trying to do away with all standby lines?! It's going to get to the point where we won't be able to RIDE or ENJOY anything but the view!

They are providing us the opportunity to shop til we drop.

 

[Jkpark]

OK - I got through page 18 and then decided to post with my thoughts (sorry if already included here), and question.

1. For the people who think this is a great idea b/c you are okay hitting RD (which I do FWIW) and getting one of these SB+ cards - WIN - I now don't have to wait in Soarin' line. Where are you going? If its me - it is not to shop and eat - it is to another attraction. so yes - you get to sort of be in two queues at the same time, but the idea of me hitting RD at EPCOT and finding myself in a 40 min Living with the Land or Seas with Nemo wait - just so I only have to wait 30 for Soarin' later - that isn't really helping me a whole lot. As in the past - I'll decide if Soarin' is worth 40, 50, 180, whatever.

2. Has anyone here gotten a SB+ yet (during either test)? Now that I am locking in 3 ride times 60 days out and an ADR 180 days out - what happens when they don't let me enter SB line and they offer me a return time during a FP+ or ADR made 180 days out - am I just really out of luck now? I hear with Jedi Academy you can pick your time - how is this working in these tests?

3. Here is my biggest fear - WDW visitors who need their Disney fix cannot stand it anymore, and more and more head off to California. Execs see these new crowds and people staying longer and realize - we need Magic Bands and FP+ here right away...

 

[ArwenMarie]

They *may* reopen late evening now, in this testing mode. The thing about testing is that there can be changes.made at any time. Disney has already proven they are willing to make major changes to basic park operations with no notice to guests, so why should guests have faith that how it is in.testing will.be how it.ends up?

Exactly. There is no guarantee of being able to ride any ride, nor is there is a guarantee of having a chance to ride with standby either, example, ride closures. They can and will do whatever they think is best for them.