TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[cakebaker]

Clearly Disney did.disagree...that doesn't mean they are right in what they did. Seriously, what justification is there for deleting a post where someone links an answer to a question about the DAS?

Maybe they don't want links posted on their page - or maybe they don't want people answering questions for them that aren't official Disney-

I don't know , and really, who cares? I don't see what this has to do with fp+ or the test they ran.

Unless you subscribe to the conspiracy theory that Disney is trying to fool people into thinking they like fp+, I don't see how it applies.

 

[faneuil]

Clearly Disney did.disagree...that doesn't mean they are right in what they did.

Seriously, what justification is there for deleting a post where someone links an answer to a question about the DAS?

Was the link to the official Disney page, or an "outside source"? I'm thinking that had something to do with it.

The media here in Orlando absolutely made this test about lineless attractions. Doesn't mean that's the accurate storyline, however.

 

[book_junkie]

We just got back from a week in the world, and were in HS for the testing and the day after.

There was no notice to park visitors, resort guests, or CAST MEMBERS that it was going on- just day of notice to cast members, and they were not happy about it.

Since it was FP+ only, there was no DAS usage allowed (and there were a lot of unhappy people about that, and more than one discussion about unequal access). We had a FP+ for it and didn't use my husband's DAS, but would have if we hadn't been able to snag a testing FP+. He talked to some of the testing officials after we rode to discuss things, and they seemed to really accept what he was saying.

There were a LOT of people that were extremely upset about not being able to even stand in line for the ride- lots of upset parents and yelling in a variety of languages.

They had streamlined the standby queue so you didn't go though all of it, just a shortened version of it.

When we went on Friday (non-testing day) we had the normal FP+ line, and the lines were 80+ minutes long. The testing days we waited maybe 20 minutes before getting on.

I do NOT like the idea of every ride being FP+; there are too few FP+ and not enough attractions in the parks. There were people getting sick in the Frozen show standby line, and even then people were yelling at the ushers when they got in that they weren't able to see properly.

 

[grimley1968]

The media here in Orlando absolutely made this test about lineless attractions. Doesn't mean that's the accurate storyline, however.

Well, it wasn't exactly a success, if the Orlando media is accurate, though I have a large amount of skepticism about that stated intent.

Did any of the Orlando stations interview anyone who wanted to wait standby but were told they couldn't?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Unfortunately there is always going to be 1st time, 1 time guests at the parks who are going to be affected by something like this in nature.

I think that the purpose of the test was to not notify anyone in advance other than the short notice that was given. Yes this would blindside people but it would also allow Disney to get a true look at the metrics. If they had posted this weeks before or even months before that would have skewed the results. The negative feed back from guest experience during this time is actually what they might have been looking for, and even if not it shows a more accurate representation of a typical day.

I think they didn't notify anyone in advance because they knew that everyone spur a run on FP+ reservations for TSMM. While they did add reservation spots that would have normally gone to sytandby riders, I don't think they knew before hand how much capacity they would be adding.

However, if I had been there this week and known about the test, I would have avoided DHS while the test was ongoing and waited untilFriday or Staurday to visit DHS.

Shorten one line and increase the length of another. People have to be somewhere and I firmly believe that they will head to another queue.

Which would explain why the lines have increased on so many secondary rides.

There already was a way. FP. Worked fantastically.

Or, even better, add attractions to meet demand.

That's just crazy talk.

I agree, I worry that this would become permanent too! But like I said benefit of the doubt.

Once again I agree, but Disney didn't remove all of the ability of the service, just one ride. To my understanding they still allowed people to reserve FastPasses on the the spot if they were still available for that day (same as the legacy system) and I am sure that Guest Services was reinforced to deal with the remainder of the complaints from guests.

But people had to be persistant to get those spots. A PP reported that they got extra FP, but only because she kept checking back even after they put out a sign stating that the ride had reached capacity. Most people won't even think to do that.

 

[faneuil]

Well, it wasn't exactly a success, if the Orlando media is accurate, though I have a large amount of skepticism about that stated intent.

Did any of the Orlando stations interview anyone who wanted to wait standby but were told they couldn't?

If they did, I didn't see or hear it. It also appeared they used stock video. (I could be very wrong on this)

But the media is very careful around here when it comes to the theme parks. Not just Disney. Biting the hand that feeds you and all.

 

[cakebaker]

Talking polls and data- just read the thread with the poll on rating your last WDW vacation - the results sure seem convincing that people are pretty satisfied with the direction Disney is taking.

When you consider how reluctant people are to change , I was surprised to see those results however unscientific they may be.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I don't think anyone who likes fp+ claims it's perfect. And while we don't know how it will all turn out, I'm pretty sure Disney didnt invest millions of dollars into a system without extensive research to make sure it was going to work well.

When its all said and done, it will cost them some customers - but obviously they believe they gain more than they lose. They have a pretty good track record and I'm confident they know what they're doing.

I think they're doing their extensive research right now with fully paying guinea pigs.

 

[grimley1968]

If they did, I didn't see or hear it. It also appeared they used stock video. (I could be very wrong on this)

But the media is very careful around here when it comes to the theme parks. Not just Disney. Biting the hand that feeds you and all.

Thanks. I can understand the local media not wanting to rock the boat too much in re WDW.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Others may have given their input but, for what it is worth, here's what I observed at the park last week:

1. There were at least 20 Disney employees outside the ride to deal with upset guests. This included the regular ride employees, additional HS employees, guest service representatives (the outfits they wear when they are taking VIP guests around the park) and executives (in business suits).

2. When I entered the park, a sign was posted (inside the park, after you had already paid and entered) that said "Toy Story Mania has reached capacity for the day."

3. People were very angry and children were crying outside the ride. This was the last day of the "test" and the employees looked tired and worn out.

4. We got to ride (long story). As were were getting in our ride vehicle, I looked at the employee helping us and said "I bet you're ready for a new week, huh?" (S)he (being vague because I don't want to get anyone in trouble) gave me a half-hearted smile and said that (s)he was. I said "Why are they doing this?" (S)he replied "They are testing out a system to make every ride only available via fast pass. The goal is for everyone to stand in line less than 15 minutes for every ride in every park." (For what it is worth, I would be shocked if this was the real reason for the test as it doesn't even make sense -- but I'm just telling you what (s)he told me.) (S)he also made a comment that (s)he didn't know the test was happening "until the night before when our managers gathered us together to inform us of what would be happening the next morning."

The ride broke down while we were getting off of it. Not only did they clear everyone off the ride, they made everyone in the queue leave the building. It was right before the park closed so I felt terrible for those people as I highly doubt they got to come back inside!

Thanks for posting your experience!

 

[momof2n2]

I think they're doing their extensive research right now with fully paying guinea pigs.

It baffles me that even if they HAD to do such a test that they didn't do something (ANYthing) else to help with the pain for non-FP+ holding guests.

Goodwill could have been gained inexpensively really. Some coupons for free Mickey Bar? A special set of M&G passes? FP for Fantasmic? Something thought out ahead of time.

 

[grimley1968]

It baffles me that even if they HAD to do such a test that they didn't do something (ANYthing) else to help with the pain for non-FP+ holding guests.

Goodwill could have been gained inexpensively really. Some coupons for free Mickey Bar? A special set of M&G passes? FP for Fantasmic? Something thought out ahead of time.

I don't mean to defend the indefensible, but early on in this thread a poster detailed her experience with this test. She brought up the unfairness of it with someone at Guest Services (or one of the ipad CMs -- I can't remember now), and they offered her a free additional day on her tickets, since she felt her day had been negatively affected (to say the least). I don't think it helped her because she probably didn't have an extra day in the area to use it. It was a rather insufficient gesture on Disney's part, IMO, but it was something (and only because she brought the issue up to someone there).

 

[practicallyperfect77]

It baffles me that even if they HAD to do such a test that they didn't do something (ANYthing) else to help with the pain for non-FP+ holding guests.

Goodwill could have been gained inexpensively really. Some coupons for free Mickey Bar? A special set of M&G passes? FP for Fantasmic? Something thought out ahead of time.

Sadly, I think this just shows how arrogant Disney is becoming. The sad truth is that even tho I'm sure (yes gut feeling...I know I can't prove it, but no one can disprove either) they lost some Goodwill, Disney knows they have plenty others waiting to take their place. I leave in 10 days. Will be in the parks 26-31. Going with my sis and her family on a once and done. Honestly praying they don't pull this crap while we are there. I know the kids will want to ride TSM twice. I have a FP+ set up already but wanting to ride once at RD too. Depending.on how this trip works out, I may or may not look into bounce back offer. My older sis has 3 kiddos that have not been to WDW yet and they remind me every time I see them that they want to go too.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Talking polls and data- just read the thread with the poll on rating your last WDW vacation - the results sure seem convincing that people are pretty satisfied with the direction Disney is taking.

When you consider how reluctant people are to change , I was surprised to see those results however unscientific they may be.

As much as I prefer legacy FP to FP+, I have heard that MM+ has improved overall guest satisfaction. What it has not done, is increased guest spending, which is probably what has prompted the introduction of so many premium events.

 

[jcemom]

Or "running" across the park to pull a paper.

Yep! Other than the first FP of the day I never went out of my way to pull FP. We toured more or less by area. We'd pull a FP, do other things nearby, use the FP, move on to the next area. For us, it required very little extra time or extra walking. Granted, I can check for FP+ from home, but I am not enjoying the repeated checking and repeated disappointments.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

Am I the only person who never gets surveys? I guess that they don't want to get an earful from me.

I have actually been stopped twice recently while leaving Epcot to participate in a survey. They took us over to the side towards the buses right before the exit. Characters are sometimes in that area. They had computers set up. The survey took 5-10 minutes. It asked about what we did, if we got to do everything we wanted, how we would rate the experience, etc. At MK I am frequently stopped and asked my email address, and what type of ticket I used to enter the park. I'm pretty sure we aren't the demographic they are interested in because we are local, and my husband is a CM.

 

[mom2rtk]

I said "Why are they doing this?" (S)he replied "They are testing out a system to make every ride only available via fast pass. The goal is for everyone to stand in line less than 15 minutes for every ride in every park." (For what it is worth, I would be shocked if this was the real reason for the test as it doesn't even make sense -- but I'm just telling you what (s)he told me.)

I really hope this isn't true..... for so very many reasons.

But if you think about it...... it could never work. Where is everyone going to be if they aren't in line? Seriously. They would have to remodel the return lines for the vast majority of the rides in the parks. And they would have to widen all the walkways. They would need a second ring around the Hub in the MK just to accommodate all the foot traffic........ oh wait.........

 

[cakebaker]

I think they're doing their extensive research right now with fully paying guinea pigs.

There's not a chance they invested this much money without knowing exactly what they were getting and how it would work for them. If that's how they did business, they would've been gone long ago.

But we'll just have to disagree on that.

As I said, even polling from this board shows a pretty high percentage of satisfaction. Looks like there's more that like it than don't.

 

[stky6]

Ya know if they just did away with all this fp stuff and opened all the ques and ran them at the full capacity, probably wouldn't wait more than 15 minutes in a line anyway

 

[TwoMisfits]

It baffles me that even if they HAD to do such a test that they didn't do something (ANYthing) else to help with the pain for non-FP+ holding guests.

Goodwill could have been gained inexpensively really. Some coupons for free Mickey Bar? A special set of M&G passes? FP for Fantasmic? Something thought out ahead of time.

Amen. Old Disney (the kind that taught me at the Disney Institute) would have been ALL over this concept. It wouldn't have taken a trip to guest services and a long line to make it happen, either. Instead, the CMs RIGHT AT THE RIDE would have had the ability and power to hand out a perk to guests - and they'd have had multiple perks to choose from. A "ticket" chance to hop to any other park for that day only (if the guest did not have a hopper), an extra FP redeemable anywhere (except TSMM) for the next week, a "lunch on us" card for a free entree in any DS CS restaurant that day, a free Mickey bar or a free alcoholic drink redeemable that day, or a free $5 GC to use anywhere that day, etc, etc. To avoid people trying to "cheat" the system, they could have had stamps for each person's hand who redeemed their perk. And each guest 3 and up would have gotten a perk.

Yes, maybe this costs Disney a little money. But it more than earns back goodwill and doesn't continually make the guest feel that they are getting screwed while Disney tries to figure things out.