Thoughts on new TSM line system

[grnflash]

I agree with all of this. My children are still young (6 & 2), but there will definitely come a time when they are old enough to go on rides without an adult and want to ride every ride that makes mommy nauseous multiple times in a row. (I suffered through Tower of Terror once for my DD6 this year. Next time, she's on her own.) I hope I can raise them to be confident & responsible enough to wait in line and ride a ride without a parent when this time comes.

Yes, exactly! Our son couldn't wait to turn 7 so he could ride Goofy's Sky School at DCA using single rider (cause one ride a day on that is more than enough for me lol.) Our first trip up to DLR after his birthday he marched straight to the ride and off he went (obviously we had discussions about it beforehand.) Yes, I admit I was a little nervous and waited where you can see the exiting riders walk down the stairs, anxiously watching to see him come down. But there he came, perfectly fine, grinning ear to ear. And since he used single rider, he was the +1 and did sit next to an adult. Frankly I was anxious about him being on a roller coaster alone, not him being seated next to a stranger.

 

[10-4 Good Buddy]

I'm not exactly a little fella, and DD likes to sit with momma on a ride so I'm usually the odd man out. I never look forward to Big Thunder Mountain because I'm usually squished in with someone who figured they'd like to fill that little space next to me since I'm the only one in that little car. They often regret their decision when they find out what 300lbs of unrestrained flesh bouncing around on a coaster feels like. I apologize profusely and often but it still tends to diminish the experience for both of us.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

OP here - thank you for the positive comments and thoughts on the new system. I am all in favor of faster loading / shorter lines - I think we've been spoiled by always being able to have a single rider. It took us awhile to really get our heads around the new method - which is odd because we're really a 'go with the flow' family TSM is one of our favorite rides!

Just to be clear (since there seemed to be some confusion) when I asked the CM if DD could ride solo there was NO confrontation - I asked politely and he did it with no problem - I just sensed he was annoyed (he was completely professional). At that point I think the new system sunk in and I had a talk with DD and explained that we would no longer be able to request that.

We rode it today going in with a clear mind and expectation that our single rider would be paired with someone else.

I thought it was interesting that so many people thought the "even" line moved slower than the "odd" line. I thought the odd line moved slower but probably appeared to move faster because the line is smaller (ie not as wide as the even line so it would appear to move faster). THEN we got in line today - the even line was significantly longer and we were loaded well before the people (even side) we were behind in line!

Thank you again for the positive and constructive comments!

 

[ilovefh]

We've been on TSMM a few times in the last few weeks as a family of 3. We thought maybe the lines were evens and odds but we weren't sure. Neat to know! DH and DS always ride together and I ride solo. I guess I've been lucky and haven't been paired up with anyone yet, I always ride alone.

 

[famy27]

As someone who rides public transportation every day, I wouldn't be the least bit bothered by this. I am very used to sharing my space with strangers. If I can make it through a week without a manspreader sitting on me, I consider it a win.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Thank you, OP, for starting this thread. I will be there next month as part of an odd numbered group and appreciate knowing one of us will be seated with a stranger. Definitely not my first choice so I am glad to have the heads up.

 

[Etherflyer]

I was not aware of the change. Good to know.

 

[CMNJ]

If odd numbered groups are really slowing down the waits on Disney rides then Disney should stop allowing 2 guests to join the rider swap adult-I've always thought that was the stupidest policy. I get having a 2nd person join the adult so they don't have to ride alone but for the most part rider swap eligible attractions are 2 seaters. By allowing up to 3 total Disney is effectively increasing the wait for all-some people may think it doesn't really happen that often but I've read plenty of threads on here about utilizing rider swap in this way to gain additional rides on popular rides OR in order to obtain fast passes for more than 3 popular rides. Maybe Disney should consider correcting that error if they think odd numbered groups are slowing things down so much.

 

[Ambear]

If I can make it through a week without a manspreader sitting on me, I consider it a win.

 

[NavyDad]

Sounds like a good change to me.

 

[GreatLakes]

Sounds like a good change. With some of the experiments Disney has done with line management at some of their rides in the past year or so it seems like they are trying to improve traffic flow.

One of the additional advantages of the MBs is the ability to see flow better and model it in a simulation environment but until you try it in production you won't know how accurate your models are. I remember a lot of moaning when they tinkered around with stand by and FP+ lines for a few days at TSMM and Soarin' but it was the only way there were going to either prove or disprove their models.

 

[jo-jo]

I'm not exactly a little fella, and DD likes to sit with momma on a ride so I'm usually the odd man out. I never look forward to Big Thunder Mountain because I'm usually squished in with someone who figured they'd like to fill that little space next to me since I'm the only one in that little car. They often regret their decision when they find out what 300lbs of unrestrained flesh bouncing around on a coaster feels like. I apologize profusely and often but it still tends to diminish the experience for both of us.

As another generous sized adult, I feel the same way. I would feel very uncomfortable making body contact. At this point I have no issues to worry about since it's usually my DH and I.

 

[mousefan73]

Why don't they do this with Space Mountain.. I was so frustrated standing in line, watching almost every ar got out with the back seat empty... I wanted to scream" where is the single rider line!" .. is there one? Cause I didnt see it.

 

[Weedy]

oops wrong post

 

[sdsatl]

You (and Disney) put yourself in a bad situation being on a dark ride with a minor for five minutes. Five minutes? Plenty of time for something to happen. And by the time it's captured on camera, it's too late. Avoiding TSMM with a minor you don't know protects the child and you (kids lie, misunderstandings happen, etc.). Terrible idea, forcing it on a ride like this. But an easy fix in this situation -- parent rides with the stranger, instead of the child.

Additionally, while it's nice some of you solo adults don't mind riding with the odd kid out, you really shouldn't be asked to unless you knowingly got in a single rider line. You have as much right to enjoy a ride by yourself as I have to enjoy it with my husband, kids, etc. I'd hate for the single people I know who love Disney to be made to feel like they have less worth than a party of two, four, etc.

 

[sdsatl]

I do NOT like this change. I am often solo and am very, very shy. Riding with a stranger on something like RnR is fine, because there is a barrier between me and the other person. There is NO barrier on Toy Story.

Has anyone been able to request to ride alone? If not, then I will have to change my fast pass and may never get to ride this again. So very sad.

I feel for you; I'm also painfully shy. I hope the CM can accommodate you!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Nope, I'm not ok with it. If I wanted to be grouped with someone's family, I'd go into the single rider line and suck it up. I do not want to be whirled around against a stranger; I'm there to enjoy myself and that's not fun to me. I am NOT comfortable in that position and will say so.

To each his own; but if they group me with another person; I'll politely decline. You are welcome to ride with whoever you please - and you should be allowed to decline as well. The lines will decrease, regardless.

 

[amylevan]

You (and Disney) put yourself in a bad situation being on a dark ride with a minor for five minutes. Five minutes? Plenty of time for something to happen. And by the time it's captured on camera, it's too late. Avoiding TSMM with a minor you don't know protects the child and you (kids lie, misunderstandings happen, etc.). Terrible idea, forcing it on a ride like this. But an easy fix in this situation -- parent rides with the stranger, instead of the child.

Additionally, while it's nice some of you solo adults don't mind riding with the odd kid out, you really shouldn't be asked to unless you knowingly got in a single rider line. You have as much right to enjoy a ride by yourself as I have to enjoy it with my husband, kids, etc. I'd hate for the single people I know who love Disney to be made to feel like they have less worth than a party of two, four, etc.

First, it's not just single people. It's all odd parties being grouped together. (Because you fill all seats if you put a group of 3 with a group 5, as opposed to putting a group of 3 with a group of 2.) So it has nothing to do with making single people feel like second class citizens. And unless things have changed, there is no single rider line on TSMM.

And secondly, I'm still stuck on what people really think is going to happen in 5 min on a ride. The very, very big majority of sexual assaults is done by people the kids know. So, in reality, the statistics say most potential victims would be better off riding with strangers than their own family members. And let's just say that in the off chance a pedophile who doesn't need to know their kids is in Florida on vacation. Do you think he's riding TSMM over and over and over again (with a nice long wait each time) in order to find a suitable victim?

 

[DisneyOma]

My kids are 11, 5 and 5. I can't fit myself plus two 5yo's in one row with me and Disney doesn't allow my kids to ride together until the oldest is 14. For some of us, a child riding alone is the only option. Personally, I think the 14yo age restriction is too high. I know many 12yo's who babysit younger siblings, but they can't sit with them for 5min on TSMM.

Your 11 year old would be the one to ride alone, not the 5 year olds?

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I don't like the new loading strategy. The even side line takes a lot longer. I've rode it numerous times in the past few days and have paid attention. The cms really need to load more from the even side . they tend to let equal amounts of people from either side go, which makes the odd side basically a walk on and the even side a ten + minute wait.