Speculate with me - Carsland soft openings?

[starshine514]

So, I was at DL/DCA last May and witnessed soft openings of Little Mermaid and Star Tours. However, those were right out in the middle of the park. Does anyone know if (or is there a precedent for) Disney will have soft-openings for an entire new land? I'd love to hear your opinions!

 

[skiingfast]

As it stand right now, LFT has had some limited CM previews, this may mean that ride is done and ride operators are running it. All three attractions have had extensive testing.

As it appears the whole land is almost ready, with some of the last step details being installed. The only thing that can't be seen easily is the inside of RSR, and from what I've seen it is going to be a dark ride experience of top caliber. So inside there could be a lot of work left to do.

One thing I wish was available was the trash in the dumpsters last week. With a real clear shot of what the trash was you could tell what phase of constrution or occupancy places are in.

With 3 months to go that's plenty of time to finish details and sweep up the sawdust to get it ready to let guests in.

If it were me, to keep a catastrophe from happening there would be many days of previews. Lots of AP previews including in the evening and weekends to let them get it out of their system so they don't crush the park when it opens. Even some previews informally announced to draw in locals without APs, by day of event word of mouth through twitter, FB and post on sites like the DIS. Maybe do it from one entrance of the three and for one attraction at a time. Not soft open the whole land or everything at once.

 

[coaches24]

Im going at the end of may and am hoping we might get lucky with a soft opening so we can see it. If not no biggie but would be cool if it happens.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think Disney really wants to "unveil" Cars Land as a whole on June 14 to the press and June 15 to the public. So my guess is they will have soft openings for all rides - because the rides will be ready and operators do need experience - but do it in a way where guests do not get the whole CL experience. Maybe have barriers up or things covered up?

When will this happen? Probably in early June and maybe in May.

 

[starshine514]

I think Disney really wants to "unveil" Cars Land as a whole on June 14 to the press and June 15 to the public. So my guess is they will have soft openings for all rides - because the rides will be ready and operators do need experience - but do it in a way where guests do not get the whole CL experience. Maybe have barriers up or things covered up?

When will this happen? Probably in early June and maybe in May.

Barriers! Of course. I should have thought of those, I've seen so many of them at DCA.

 

[Mommy26]

did other rides have soft openings?

Indy? TSMM? Toontown?

 

[HydroGuy]

did other rides have soft openings?

Indy? TSMM? Toontown?

If there is time, yes. The whole idea is that when a ride officially opens, the operators have to be trained on how to operate that ride. So here is how Disney does it:

1. Cast Member previews - this allows a perk to CMs that they get to ride something new first. Since they are Disney staff, the whole "show" does not have to be complete. They can do this as a ride is nearing readiness even if it is not all the way ready

2. AP holder previews - if there is time in the schedule, Disney likes to reward AP holders with the chance to go on a ride first. This is often done by lottery because there are almost a million AP holders

3. Regular guest soft openings - this is done unannounced. It is open to all guests but it is luck of the draw. It is for purposes of training staff and working out kinks with real guests involved. For example, they may open the ride for 2 hours then close it. They may open again and then close. They may keep it closed all day. If you are in line and they close it, too bad. It is only a test and the normal Disney obligation/priority to get you on a ride if you waited for awhile in line is not the same - because it is all a test.

If the ride is totally ready to go, then the soft openings may go for an extended period of time and the ride may operate almost normally even though it is not officially open. Expedition Everest operated this way at WDW for two months before it opened, even using FPs.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I may not be too knowledgeable on this subject, but DBF and I speculate it'll have public soft openings starting right after Memorial Day weekend. Starting off slow with low crowds would probably be the way to go.

 

[niklynn1]

I may not be too knowledgeable on this subject, but DBF and I speculate it'll have public soft openings starting right after Memorial Day weekend. Starting off slow with low crowds would probably be the way to go.

That would be GREAT! We'll be there May 30-June 6 and would love to get a peak!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i am hoping to get lucky with a soft opening at the end of may heres hoping