TSM - how much is it really worth?

[mrsr2ro]

We're going 12/12 - 12/15 -- My mom, myself, and my two boys 6 and 4. They are HUGE Toy Story fans. I'm looking over our park plans and am trying to figure out if we can even do TSM...

Here are my options:

We arrive Sunday around lunchtime. We plan to make that our DHS day, by the time we head there the FP will likely be gone. There is evening EMH that night but I have a feeling that it will still be a looong wait in the standby line. I don't want us to wait more than 30/40min in a standby line. So that day is a bust, correct??

For our other days - Mon/Tues/Wed we are set for other parks due to ADR and the Candlelight package. So that would mean, for us to hit DHS at rope drop to do TSM we'd need park hoppers. Which for our group is about $230.

So is TSM worth $230 and trying to get there for the rope drop stampede? Or do you think we might get on it with a reasonable wait later Sunday night? I'm worried the boys will be too tired though since we will be up really early that morning for our flight. Or should we just skip it all together and save ourselves the stress, time, and $$.

Thoughts?

I should also add that last year we missed both TSM and Buzz at MK -- we will definitely make sure we do Buzz this time, more than once if we can.

 

[KJay]

TSM is lots of fun, but if that's the only reason you'd be getting park hoppers...I don't think any ride/attraction is worth $230 on its own!

 

[lovealatte]

I'd say definitely not. I won't wait more than an hour in the standby line, let alone pay that much just so I could ride it! I mean it's fun, don't get me wrong, but it's not life changing.

 

[g-dad66]

We arrive Sunday around lunchtime. We plan to make that our DHS day, by the time we head there the FP will likely be gone. There is evening EMH that night but I have a feeling that it will still be a looong wait in the standby line. I don't want us to wait more than 30/40min in a standby line. So that day is a bust, correct??

Probably correct, but it should be a fairly low-crowd day (no Fantasmic on December 12) so you might get lucky and have only a 30 to 40-minute wait. Also, sometimes the wait is shorter than what is posted.

You can always add the park hopper at any time, so you could decide about that after you see what happens Sunday.

Good plan regarding Buzz. Your boys will probably love it and not know what they are missing if you don't make TSM.

And even if you don't make TSM, the Osborne Lights alone should make your DHS evening worth it.

 

[cuchu2005]

I love that attraction, but I wouldn't buy hoppers only for TSM.

Now, regarding that Std by line: Bear in mind that posted wait times are not reliable at all.

I've seen 80 to 90 min posted wait times, and inside there were queue sectors closed and the line was not even out the entrance. Needless to say, the actual wait time was under 50 min (still a lot, but definetely not crazy).

I would try a couple of times during the afternoon, take a quick look inside, and if you can see what I described, maybe you could give it a shot.

You can also try to enter the queue last thing that day. When we were there, last Sep, we got in line 5 min prior to park closing time, and in 30 min we were going down the stairs to the boarding area.

I think the attraction is awesome. DD5 goes nuts about it. I go nuts about it. I think it is so simple, with great graphics, the adorable character we all know, that it is simply irresistible, and addictive too.

The thing is, if you manage to ride, your kids (and yourself) will surely want to ride again to improve your score.

Have fun, and I hope you can try it.

Mx

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Considering there isn't much to see at MGM, it's worth it.

 

[mrsr2ro]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think we will try our luck with the standby on Sunday. We don't have a whole lot planned there as we aren't big on thrill rides (TOT, RnR) so I'll have to see how it goes. Maybe we will get lucky.

Do you know if the Toy Story chracter meet n greets are ever in the evenings? In case we don't get until 4pm or later?

 

[HappyCrew]

just spend the wait time that afternoon - we are running into the same thing but for you it's either 230 bucks or waiting 50 minutes tops

 

[Flamingomo]

Considering there isn't much to see at MGM, it's worth it.

But Billy there is one BIG thing to see there...the HAT!!! You love it so

All kidding aside, That park is probably the best park as far as characters for your boys. All the Pixar characters are there and Playhouse Disney. They have a great parade too. Rides? not so much for little ones unless your six year old is tall enough for ToT and RnR like mine was at that age and rode them over and over and over again...

That is my favorite park anyway so I am a bit parital, but my boys also love it just as much.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

But Billy there is one BIG thing to see there...the HAT!!! You love it so

I swear, you follow me about like I'm Johnny Depp or something. Thankfully, I'm infinitely cooler.

 

[Flamingomo]

I swear, you follow me about like I'm Johnny Depp or something. Thankfully, I'm infinitely cooler.

We have a love/hate relationship you and I...you know you love it. You may be cooler, and may be hotter, but Captain jack will always come first. I know you are sad about that.

 

[vcgirl925]

I agree with you that TSM fast passes will probably be gone by that time. But i would still give it a try. The ride is a lot of fun but we will NOT wait more than 30 minutes for any ride. TSM will never be less than 30 minute wait or even an hour for that matter. For us is FP or bust. I also wouldn't get the park hoppers JUST to see TSM. If you were to use the hoppers for more than that then maybe, but not just for TSM.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

We have a love/hate relationship you and I...you know you love it. You may be cooler, and may be hotter, but Captain jack will always come first. I know you are sad about that.

I'm crying a river.

 

[mjp12831]

Kids that ages you may not be going on RnR (height) ToT (freight), Star Tours is Closed. Standby might work - you also have an outside shot of getting a fp at noon. Kids 4 and 6 will really like TSM and Buzz.

But, consider that the ph has other added value. You can be more flexible with your parks and adr's, adjust to weather, and can skip back to parks later in the trip for stuff you missed or hit am emh and then hop to your adr park and to the park that has later hours. The ph do add considerable value to the trip considering what they help you accomplish. If you're not going back soon, it's a good buy imo.

 

[Disney Jen]

We went in June. On evening magic hour day during the last hour (9-10pm), the posted time said 60 minutes so we gave it a shot! We were on in 30 minutes so got back in line. Still posted 60 minutes...went again in 30 minutes. The line was really moving during these evening hours...maybe because there was no one going through fastpass line at that time!

We went back later that same week (Fantasmic Night), and just watched the wait time climb and climb. We got in line around 5:00 although awit time said 2.5 hours (with a 3 year old..we were crazy)! We waited for 20 minutes and line NEVER moved! The returning fastpass pass line was way out the door...so that really slowed down stand-by line! We bribed my son with an ice cream and got out of line!

We will actualy be there that same Sunday you are this year...and are hoping we can ride it as it should be a less busy time of year than summer...and no Fantasmic! Don't really know as I have never been that time of year! Stay during magic hours and try to do it within last hour if your kids can stay awake. That would be your best bet if lines are huge all day! It really is a fun ride..but not worth $230!

 

[Disney Jen]

We are staying at All-Stars Sports Resort but plan to resort hop for Christmas decorations. We wondered if we can watch MK's fireworks from a beach of one of these deluxe resorts...or is that just for that resort's guests?

If we can, what resort do you recomend? Do any resorts pipe in the music? Does anyone have any recommendations for counter-service restuarants at these resorts to make an evening of it?

On Wishes and Holiday Wishes nights, are both fireworks shows at 10pm? Can you watch Holiday Wishes show with piped in music from these resorts?

 

[TheAnswer]

We're going 12/12 - 12/15 -- My mom, myself, and my two boys 6 and 4. They are HUGE Toy Story fans. I'm looking over our park plans and am trying to figure out if we can even do TSM...

Here are my options:

We arrive Sunday around lunchtime. We plan to make that our DHS day, by the time we head there the FP will likely be gone. There is evening EMH that night but I have a feeling that it will still be a looong wait in the standby line. I don't want us to wait more than 30/40min in a standby line. So that day is a bust, correct??

For our other days - Mon/Tues/Wed we are set for other parks due to ADR and the Candlelight package. So that would mean, for us to hit DHS at rope drop to do TSM we'd need park hoppers. Which for our group is about $230.

So is TSM worth $230 and trying to get there for the rope drop stampede? Or do you think we might get on it with a reasonable wait later Sunday night? I'm worried the boys will be too tired though since we will be up really early that morning for our flight. Or should we just skip it all together and save ourselves the stress, time, and $$.

Thoughts?

I should also add that last year we missed both TSM and Buzz at MK -- we will definitely make sure we do Buzz this time, more than once if we can.

In all my years of TSM, I've yet to see a wait time under 60 minutes during EMH, even at slow times of the year.

I understand that M, T, W are already booked. For me, the answer would be its worth it because TSM is one of my favorite rides and you can always do other rides as well in the morning. It's not like you just do TSM and leave the park.

So it's either wait a very long time on Sunday night or buy the FP.

 

[Disney Jen]

Sorry that I posted my fireworks question on your thread! After replying to your post, I thought I had started a new thread for my question! That is why I couldn't find it haha!

Sorry again! I don't know how to delete it or I would!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think we will try our luck with the standby on Sunday. We don't have a whole lot planned there as we aren't big on thrill rides (TOT, RnR) so I'll have to see how it goes. Maybe we will get lucky.

Do you know if the Toy Story chracter meet n greets are ever in the evenings? In case we don't get until 4pm or later?

In September we ate at PTC and got out after 6. Park closed at 8. I had a fast pass for TSMM I gave to my niece so she could take her 2 yo on it. We walked over there and waited. We noticed the room across from TSMM, so when Glancy came out of the ride, just before 7, this is what happened.

 

[Princess Janay]

My Friends and I grew up during the Toy Story era. It is Most defiantly worth the wait !

My recommendation is to get an early ADR to the Playhouse Disney Breakfast Buffet at the Hollywood Vine & Dine then casually wait for the ropes to fall head over to the PIxar area and grab a Fast pass