TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[magicbob]

I never said that. I respect that you prefer the current approach but I would appreciate it if you not make things up like this to make it seem like what I prefer would be worse than it would actually be. You want things to be one way. I want them to be the other. Please respect my preference as much as I respect yours. Thanks!

I respect your preference. I just think you are overlooking the likely second and third order effects of your proposal. You insist that I'm making these things up. I maintain that these results will occur.

Again, be careful what you wish for and have a magical day.

 

[mom2rtk]

That is not true because Disney controls how many FP+ are available but doesn't control how many people join the current SB line.

Likewise, Disney does not control how people return during their FP window. Clumping is inevitable particularly around parade and show times.

 

[AmyB2006]

Sure every ride has a 15 minute wait...IF you managed to get a reservation for it. That's my fear with a FP+ only system. I don't want appointments to ride all my rides.

I agree. 3 is enough to have to pre-schedule. And I personally don't mind doing that. But if it had to be all of them? NO. That is too much.

 

[cakebaker]

I mentioned before I don't mind having a standby line as long as FP+s are available for the full capacity of the attraction and the standby line is truly a standby line, waiting to visit the attraction only if someone with a FP+ is a no-show.

And if this is why they have to do tests like this- even if it inconveniences some people. They can work it out on paper all they want, but at some point real life tests have to be done.

I like your idea....a lot. I think it's a safe assumption that should they do this, the number of fp+ available would dramatically increase and they'd absolutely have to allow more availability for same day fp+ as well as make fp+ reservations available with personal devices. I just don't see how standing in line for an hour is preferable to making a few clicks on your phone and setting up a ride in an hour. I don't believe they'd implement a plan like this without some changes to how we get fp+'s right now.

Legacy fp was appointment based riding- just same day. There's no difference under the changes I'm talking about except there's not a machine to spit out a piece of paper.

This is all assuming the test was done in order to advance a plan of going with a true standby line. If they do, I suspect it would only be for the most popular rides- which currently have a huge problem handling the number of people who want to ride- something that's been a problem long before fp+.

 

[cabanafrau]

I agree. 3 is enough to have to pre-schedule. And I personally don't mind doing that. But if it had to be all of them? NO. That is too much.

I guess there are those who would be eager to schedule everything, some who would like to schedule only their top preferences and some who don't want to be roped into scheduling anything. For us it's already moved beyond the amount of scheduling we find enjoyable on vacation and in the future it's DLR or non Disney vacations.

 

[magicbob]

This is all assuming the test was done in order to advance a plan of going with a true standby line. If they do, I suspect it would only be for the most popular rides- which currently have a huge problem handling the number of people who want to ride- something that's been a problem long before fp+.

So, to recap, the solution to 60+ minute standby lines is to only allow those with reservations to ride. Sure, they'll throw a bone to the "freedom of choice" crowd, by having a "standby" line, but the 3-4 hour wait will be enough of a deterrent so that people will just sigh and keep walking on past if they weren't able to get a reservation.

 

[cakebaker]

So, to recap, the solution to 60+ minute standby lines is to only allow those with reservations to ride. Sure, they'll throw a bone to the "freedom of choice" crowd, by having a "standby" line, but the 3-4 hour wait will be enough of a deterrent so that people will just sigh and keep walking on past if they weren't able to get a reservation.

You're assuming a 3-4 hour wait, and I'm not.

But if the standby lines were long and all you had to do was schedule a fp+ by phone, in the park, then maybe having to stand in line for a long time is the price you pay for not using the system- just like it was with the old system. Of course they can't give out enough fp+'s for everyone, but they were never able to- no difference. But they can increase them which should limit the length of standby waits.

As I said, that's what the test is for supposedly- how many fp+'s can we issue? How long would the standby line get? Questions that can't be answered until you test it.

 

[faneuil]

So, to recap, the solution to 60+ minute standby lines is to only allow those with reservations to ride. Sure, they'll throw a bone to the "freedom of choice" crowd, by having a "standby" line, but the 3-4 hour wait will be enough of a deterrent so that people will just sigh and keep walking on past if they weren't able to get a reservation.

Yup, keep on walking past, right into guest relations and then to the exit.

 

[magicbob]

You're assuming a 3-4 hour wait, and I'm not.

Not assuming... predicting. It might only be 2 hours, but the net result is pretty much the same. A few die-hards will stick it out, but for the majority of families, it will just mean that Disney didn't have to be the "bad guy" and deny them entrance to the ride. They'll make the choice for themselves. No one can deny that a "true" SB will be a longer wait than current SB. And if current SB wait times are reaching 60-120 minutes, then...

 

[AmyB2006]

Not assuming... predicting. It might only be 2 hours, but the net result is pretty much the same. A few die-hards will stick it out, but for the majority of families, it will just mean that Disney didn't have to be the "bad guy" and deny them entrance to the ride. They'll make the choice for themselves. No one can deny that a "true" SB will be a longer wait than current SB. And if current SB wait times are reaching 60-120 minutes, then...

But if they do increase the capacity at TSMM and Soarin (and I don't know if there's plans for others), and they have an entire section dedicated to just standby people, and the other is for FP+, you think it will be that long?

I don't know. I would think increasing the capacity and then having a line strictly dedicated to only "stand-by" would alleviate that long standby line. Because now, it's just... a line. You're not waiting for a slew of FP+ people to cut in front of your line.

If that's even what happens. I know this is all speculation at this point.

 

[cakebaker]

But if they do increase the capacity at TSMM and Soarin (and I don't know if there's plans for others), and they have an entire section dedicated to just standby people, and the other is for FP+, you think it will be that long?

I don't know. I would think increasing the capacity and then having a line strictly dedicated to only "stand-by" would alleviate that long standby line. Because now, it's just... a line. You're not waiting for a slew of FP+ people to cut in front of your line.

If that's even what happens. I know this is all speculation at this point.

I don't think standby will be any longer than it is now given that they have to increase fp+ and especially if they are going to add another track. But if someone just loves standing in line and touring on the fly- then go for it, but a lot of people would love to just pick a time to ride and eliminate spending half their day standing and waiting.

At any rate, I give them credit for committing to address the problem of long lines- one that has existed for a long time and can't be fixed by just adding another ride.

 

[grimley1968]

At any rate, I give them credit for committing to address the problem of long lines- one that has existed for a long time and can't be fixed by just adding another ride.

These long line problems were caused by the lack of attractions in DHS, and to a lesser degree, EPCOT. In both parks, it has been YEARS since attractions have been added (not replaced - but added) to either park, and neither park ever had much to begin with, compared to MK. Adding more attractions would most definitely decrease lines at TSMM, and all other attractions in DHS. All those people would finally have other places to go. It's what people on here and elsewhere have been complaining about for years now. Disney seems to have a phobia in recent years about adding net new attractions at the WDW parks.

 

[Planogirl]

I still haven't seen much comment on where those people who ordinarily wait in long lines will go. Will they stand around the sidewalks? Jam up the stores? The pools?

If you get people out of line they have to go somewhere else. I think that other lines is likely.

 

[mom2rtk]

You're assuming a 3-4 hour wait, and I'm not.

I agree it will be much shorter. Once people figure out it's not a "when" line but an "if" line, they'll pretend it doesn't exist. Just as I will.

Deterring people from waiting does not solve the line problem. It masks it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I still haven't seen much comment on where those people who ordinarily wait in long lines will go. Will they stand around the sidewalks? Jam up the stores? The pools?

If you get people out of line they have to go somewhere else. I think that other lines is likely.

Totally agree this is overlooked, but very important to the equation. I'd like to see an answer too.

 

[AmyB2006]

These long line problems were caused by the lack of attractions in DHS, and to a lesser degree, EPCOT. In both parks, it has been YEARS since attractions have been added (not replaced - but added) to either park, and neither park ever had much to begin with, compared to MK. Adding more attractions would most definitely decrease lines at TSMM, and all other attractions in DHS. All those people would finally have other places to go. It's what people on here and elsewhere have been complaining about for years now. Disney seems to have a phobia in recent years about adding net new attractions at the WDW parks.

I agree. I believe the line problem is caused by a lack of attractions. Same for A&E. If they would just put A&E at more places, the line problem would be gone. I just don't get it.

Anyway, obviously they can't come up with new attractions overnight (hahaaa) so this is there "fix" for now. Hopefully though they will start focusing on new attractions over the next several years.

 

[AmyB2006]

I still haven't seen much comment on where those people who ordinarily wait in long lines will go. Will they stand around the sidewalks? Jam up the stores? The pools?

If you get people out of line they have to go somewhere else. I think that other lines is likely.

I'm sure this is what they're hoping. Didn't they even make reference to this in some statement earlier?

 

[grimley1968]

I still haven't seen much comment on where those people who ordinarily wait in long lines will go. Will they stand around the sidewalks? Jam up the stores? The pools?

If you get people out of line they have to go somewhere else. I think that other lines is likely.

The beach, Universal, Legoland, Dollywood, home. Sure, there will be many guests who go to some other place within WDW when told they no longer have a choice to stand in a regular line. But I think if this continues for very long or FP-only is added to more attractions more and more guests will choose to spend their money elsewhere, even if adequate notice is given to guests to make a choice.

 

[AmyB2006]

The beach, Universal, Legoland, Dollywood, home. Sure, there will be many guests who go to some other place within WDW when told they no longer have a choice to stand in a regular line. But I think if this continues for very long or FP-only is added to more attractions more and more guests will choose to spend their money elsewhere, even if adequate notice is given to guests to make a choice.

Has there been any announcement that they are definitely going to no standby lines anymore for certain rides? Or is it just more speculation? Honestly asking, cause if there has, I missed it.

 

[grimley1968]

Has there been any announcement that they are definitely going to no standby lines anymore for certain rides? Or is it just more speculation? Honestly asking, cause if there has, I missed it.

To my knowledge, just speculation. I hope that's all it remains.