Thoughts on new TSM line system

[Mamapapa]

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

I'm sorry, I don't understand. A 5yo can't ride solo and two 5yo's can't ride together as one has to be over 14yo (per Disney rules. I know every so often you can find a CM who doesn't follow this rule and lets it slip through, but the rule clearly states it's not allowed), which is also why my 11yo can't chaperone one of my 5yo's.

But an easy fix in this situation -- parent rides with the stranger, instead of the child.

It's an easy fix for a family of three, but not for a family of five or more who has three or more kids under 14yo. In that case the only option, following Disney's rules, is for one of the kids to sit solo as no child under 14yo can chaperone a younger child. Again, neither myself nor my 11yo has an issue with this and we willingly follow the rules, but people are missing the point that one parent riding solo is not always an option for families larger then four.

 

[alvernon90]

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.

I don't get this. How could a single rider line possibly work unless they use the singles to fill in extra seats from groups that were not in the single rider line? That is the whole point of the single rider line -- the "knowing" party will always be sitting next to someone who is merely in an odd-numbered party.

Demanding not to sit next to a stranger, when you have no friend to ride with, is no different than demanding an empty seat so you can put your feet up during the ride. Or, as someone above point out, it's the same as demanding to ride twice in a row without getting off. You are not entitled to two seats merely because you don't have somebody who can sit next to you.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

When we were just there a few weeks ago, we were a party of 2 and were sent to the left, which was a much longer line than the right side. So I don't understand the rest of your resaoning,s ince we were sent to the left instead of the right. The sorting happens after the second FP+ tap, BTW.

This just happened to us yesterday twice. That left line was much longer. We noticed a dramatic difference especially when the parties that were behind us rode before we did.

 

[CinderElsa]

This just happened to us yesterday twice. That left line was much longer. We noticed a dramatic difference especially when the parties that were behind us rode before we did.

If this continues to be the case, the idea is going to be scrapped. (Hooray!) Unfortunately, they can't really know whether or not these ideas work until they test them "live."

 

[ldymcbth]

So with a 9 and 7 year old, we will be waiting in the "odd" line since it will just be three of us. When we get to the front of the line, can my 2 kids sit next to each other while I sit with the stranger, even though neither is 14? I don't mind doing that, but would prefer to be the one sitting with the stranger in lieu of one of my kids doing so.

 

[sdsatl]

I'm sorry, I don't understand. A 5yo can't ride solo and two 5yo's can't ride together as one has to be over 14yo (per Disney rules. I know every so often you can find a CM who doesn't follow this rule and lets it slip through, but the rule clearly states it's not allowed), which is also why my 11yo can't chaperone one of my 5yo's.
It's an easy fix for a family of three, but not for a family of five or more who has three or more kids under 14yo. In that case the only option, following Disney's rules, is for one of the kids to sit solo as no child under 14yo can chaperone a younger child. Again, neither myself nor my 11yo has an issue with this and we willingly follow the rules, but people are missing the point that one parent riding solo is not always an option for families larger then four.

We're a family of five, and we've always been able to ride 3/2 with our little ones. Hopefully, as they get older and Disney opens new rides, they'll lose interest in TSMM (it's one of my least favorite rides). If not, we'll swap off the old-fashioned way, I guess.

 

[Mamapapa]

We're a family of five, and we've always been able to ride 3/2 with our little ones.

My little ones are 5yo, so they want to play the game just like DH, myself and our 11yo does. Riding 3/2 with our little ones means one person doesn't get to play the game and I can't imagine how boring that ride is without playing!!!

 

[sdsatl]

I don't get this. How could a single rider line possibly work unless they use the singles to fill in extra seats from groups that were not in the single rider line? That is the whole point of the single rider line -- the "knowing" party will always be sitting next to someone who is merely in an odd-numbered party.

Demanding not to sit next to a stranger, when you have no friend to ride with, is no different than demanding an empty seat so you can put your feet up during the ride. Or, as someone above point out, it's the same as demanding to ride twice in a row without getting off. You are not entitled to two seats merely because you don't have somebody who can sit next to you.

Ahh, you're right. I wasn't thinking. I still think you should be able to decline a seat filler, though. I think more often than not it's an odd party situation (like mine), and they'll say no problem. I'm always next to a stranger on EE, RnR, etc. I don't mind, but I also wouldn't mind waiting if a solo rider refused. I completely disagree that they should be expected to share a seat, because they're a party of one. No different than them using a two-top in a restaurant, imo.

 

[AllysonL]

Did they send you through the handicap entrance? If so, they did this to us last month also. It was very confusing for all parties involved! But it did really cut down our wait time.

 

[Mamapapa]

So with a 9 and 7 year old, we will be waiting in the "odd" line since it will just be three of us. When we get to the front of the line, can my 2 kids sit next to each other while I sit with the stranger, even though neither is 14? I don't mind doing that, but would prefer to be the one sitting with the stranger in lieu of one of my kids doing so.

Yes, your kids can ride together. Per the Disney website: "To board an attraction, children under age 7 must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older." (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/) Since both your kids are over 7, they can ride solo or with each other. Once my 5yo's hit 7 years old my life will get much easier at Disney!!

 

[sdsatl]

My little ones are 5yo, so they want to play the game just like DH, myself and our 11yo does. Riding 3/2 with our little ones means one person doesn't get to play the game and I can't imagine how boring that ride is without playing!!!

That must be why I hate it! I've always let the kids play, while I sit there and focus on not throwing up.

 

[KeroKero]

I think that anything that makes a line move along faster is a great idea. This is why single rider lines exist, to fill empty seats. It only makes sense that they would finally implement something like this on TSMM due to its high demand. We are generally a party of 2, and don't have this problem on TSMM, but I generally go on "thrill rides" solo, cause my mother (my usual travel partner) doesn't like them. I've done all single rider lines solo and am usually next to a stranger. To be honest I don't even notice the stranger, I could literally walk off the ride and in 10 minutes couldn't tell you who I was riding beside. Rides and loading in general are so quick that I don't even have time to socialize (if I wanted to.
HOWEVER - I can totally understand why a parent wouldn't want their young child to ride with a stranger especially when they couldn't see them at all times. This is just safety and the responsible thing to do. But wanting to sit solo when there is no reason to just seems silly.

 

[mummabear]

I still think you should be able to decline a seat filler, though

But why? Why do you think someone has the right to hog an extra space? So at F! its ok for me to put my bag on the seat next to me and tell people they cant sit there because I dont want someone next to me?
Its simply selfish to think that you can take two rides for one person because you dont want to sit next to a stranger

 

[sdsatl]

But why? Why do you think someone has the right to hog an extra space? So at F! its ok for me to put my bag on the seat next to me and tell people they cant sit there because I dont want someone next to me?
Its simply selfish to think that you can take two rides for one person because you dont want to sit next to a stranger

No. It's not OK to be a jerk and take up a seat for your bag. It absolutely is OK to ride by yourself, if you're a party of one.

You think it's selfish to take two seats; I think it's selfish to shove in on someone's vacation, because you feel entitled to their empty seat. *Kanye shrug*

 

[GreatLakes]

It has nothing to do with selfishness, it is more efficient for Disney to use the ride capacity to it's fullest. That means two party's of 3 can go in three cars by riding 2 / 1+1 / 2 as opposed to using 4 by riding 2 /1 / 2 / 1. That is just a waste of capacity that, when multiplied by the entire day on a popular ride, can add up to quite a time loss.

I have no need to ride alone on a ride like TSMM. If I'm with an odd number of people I would gladly share my car. Same goes with any 2 person attraction though I don't see them doing it on everything, just attractions like TSMM, RnRC, EE, etc.

 

[sls404]

I noticed this when riding 7DMT on 9/5. We were a party of 3 and they lined up another party of 3 behind us (Dad, Mom, and kid). Well when we boarded, the dad tried to stay with his family but the CM made him sit with our 3rd person.

I understand wanting to fill all seats, but I don't think they should split up families that want to ride together. I'm not sure if this was just an uninformed CM or if they are doing this with everyone and forcing the 3rd person to ride by themselves if there is an available seat.

 

[alvernon90]

I noticed this when riding 7DMT on 9/5. We were a party of 3 and they lined up another party of 3 behind us (Dad, Mom, and kid). Well when we boarded, the dad tried to stay with his family but the CM made him sit with our 3rd person.

I understand wanting to fill all seats, but I don't think they should split up families that want to ride together. I'm not sure if this was just an uninformed CM or if they are doing this with everyone and forcing the 3rd person to ride by themselves if there is an available seat.

I don't get this. Did the CM make them split where the dad went to the front of the train and the other two were in the back? Because that dad was never going to be able to ride with his family. If he was one row directly in front or directly behind his family, that's the best he could hope for. No need to leave a seat empty for him.

I do agree, though, that he shouldn't have to be split way apart from his family. That's the perfect situation for a single rider

 

[mummabear]

No. It's not OK to be a jerk and take up a seat for your bag. It absolutely is OK to ride by yourself, if you're a party of one.

You think it's selfish to take two seats; I think it's selfish to shove in on someone's vacation, because you feel entitled to their empty seat. *Kanye shrug*

See you are treating these like they are two different things when they are not.
You have one butt so you can take up one seat at F!, on a ride, on a bench. It is not for you to decide what happens to the seat next to you. You are as much of a jerk to demand to ride alone as someone would be to use up a F! seat for their bag (which I would never do by the way it was an example of the hypocrisy some posters are showing).
No one is crashing your vacation, you arent alone on your own private island you have paid for exclusive use, you are at a theme park, with thousands of other people, waiting for the same ride. 1 person, 1 seat.
I do think that you are bing selfish to think that the seat next to you is "your" empty seat-its not the only seat that is yours is the one your butt is occupying

 

[sls404]

I don't get this. Did the CM make them split where the dad went to the front of the train and the other two were in the back? Because that dad was never going to be able to ride with his family. If he was one row directly in front or directly behind his family, that's the best he could hope for. No need to leave a seat empty for him.

I do agree, though, that he shouldn't have to be split way apart from his family. That's the perfect situation for a single rider

No, they were in rows right beside each other but the CM made the dad ride in the train without his family. His family got on the next train.

Our party of three was in front of this party of three. So they forced the dad to fill the empty seat and the wife and child rode on the next train.

 

[mom2rtk]

No, they were in rows right beside each other but the CM made the dad ride in the train without his family. His family got on the next train.

Our party of three was in front of this party of three. So they forced the dad to fill the empty seat and the wife and child rode on the next train.

I'm sure if they had sprung for Memory Maker that would be even more disappointing since all their ride photos/videos would be separate. Not cool after jumping through all the hoops required to get on that ride in the first place.