Tapu Tapu...window of return and other questions

[bfaber]

Not quite clear on how Tapu Tapu works? Are their standby lines that you can get into if you choose to wait for one ride while you have a "virtual wait" for another ride? How long is the return window once you are notified? My concern is if you are still in another line or something somewhere else...how long do you have to physically return to the line you were virtually waiting for?? Thanks!

 

[shawthorne44]

It isn't really a window. It is a "ride now" once it is your time. People generally do the wave pool, lazy river, fierce river or eat while waiting, since none of those have waits. I don't think the Ride Now expires. People generally don't wait all day to come back since they can only have one tapu-tapu reservation at a time.

 

[bfaber]

It isn't really a window. It is a "ride now" once it is your time. People generally do the wave pool, lazy river, fierce river or eat while waiting, since none of those have waits. I don't think the Ride Now expires. People generally don't wait all day to come back since they can only have one tapu-tapu reservation at a time.

Do rides have the option for standby lines since you can only have one Tapu Tapu reservation at a time, or do you have to use Tapu-Tapu?

 

[TommyJK]

It isn't really a window. It is a "ride now" once it is your time. People generally do the wave pool, lazy river, fierce river or eat while waiting, since none of those have waits. I don't think the Ride Now expires. People generally don't wait all day to come back since they can only have one tapu-tapu reservation at a time.

I read in a TripAdvisor Q&A that you have one hour to return to the ride when you get notified

To answer this specifically from OP:

Are their standby lines that you can get into if you choose to wait for one ride while you have a "virtual wait" for another ride?

Not really. Unless a particular ride/slide says "Ride Now" at the entrance, you can't just queue as standby. So as shawthorne44 mentioned, while you wait for the one ride you have on your TapuTapu, you can use one of the attractions that doesn't use TapuTapu (like the Wave Pool, Lazy River or Fearless River) or IF there is a slide that happens to have "Ride Now" noted. But if it's even a moderately busy day, pretty much all rides will be TapuTapu only.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Basically, the idea is that Tapu Tapu is getting your place in the "standby line," but allowing you to do other things while you wait - ie, the exact premise of a virtual queue! You can only be in one virtual queue at once, since in theory you are "in line" for that ride but just physically able to be doing other things. When you come back for your return time, there will be a reasonable wait. This is essentially the end of the virtual queue, in the form of a "short" physical line at the actual slide at that point. You cannot join this by bypassing the VQ system, it would effectively be "cutting" all those who are awaiting their VQ return time.

If a ride is "ride now" you do not need a return time, and can just join the standby queue. You can do this while awaiting your return VQ time on the Tapu Tapu.


Lots of people don't like the VQ system, because they aren't really comprehending how it works. It is not designed to bypass other people waiting or let you ride all sorts of rides with no wait - it is designed so that while waiting for each ride, you don't have to physically stand there on hot stairs in the sun - you can be in the fearless river, lounging, swimming, eating, etc. Either way, you're waiting 60min to ride that slide - but which is a more enjoyable time?

 

[shawthorne44]

... Lots of people don't like the VQ system, because they aren't really comprehending how it works. It is not designed to bypass other people waiting or let you ride all sorts of rides with no wait - it is designed so that while waiting for each ride, you don't have to physically stand there on hot stairs in the sun - you can be in the fearless river, lounging, swimming, eating, etc. Either way, you're waiting 60min to ride that slide - but which is a more enjoyable time?

People that don't like it are insane. That Tapu Tapu is a game changer. I guess if you are someone that doesn't like wave pools or lazy rivers or fierce rivers or lounging in the sun, then maybe you could get bored. Even then, there is the VB version of the EP that you can buy, that would cut you in front of the line. But the fact that it isn't talked about much is a sign that it isn't particularly needed.

DD could and has spent hours on the fierce river.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

That fearless river is awesome. Although I admit to liking Aquatica's better. The water parks around here need fast "lazy" rivers.