TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[Jennasis]

Oh come on. I bet that you don't really know how to do any of this.

I don't get all of the sniping. If it's understandable that some don't like FP+ and even that some had trouble with Disney's flaky website then why try to put down those people? That doesn't somehow make FP+ look better.

I can stay fed...it's the drinking I have a problem with.

 

[Laketravis]

I don't get all of the sniping.

I'm still getting a chuckle out of the fact that I made an observation about how our many days of FP's were basically the same choices over and over and over again and a few posters took that to mean that was all we were going to do each day and ran with it......

 

[flicx]

I managed to book hotels, flights, and have figured out how to stay fed and I have problems with FP+.

Lets face it with the myriad of people on this site alone who have had or are having issues daily, unless the system is working well that day to say it is frustrating and glitchy is probably a gross understatement. Maybe Disney will go to geiko for the cave man commercials( no offense lake travis). MME so easy a caveman can do it!

 

[Laketravis]

Lets face it with the myriad of people on this site alone who have had or are having issues daily, unless the system is working well that day to say it is frustrating and glitchy is probably a gross understatement. Maybe Disney will go to geiko for the cave man commercials( no offense lake travis). MME so easy a caveman can do it!

None taken!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Im curious about what rides at Epcot and DHS you consider headliners and what you mean by repeatedly.

I admit it isn't fair to count the Year of Million Dreams when we won ultimate fastpasses lanyards at Epcot for the adults and two kids who were too short to ride AFTER we had collected our second set of Soarin paper fastpasses. But not counting that year, we still were able to ride Soarin and TT twice without great effort and three times for some with rider switch passes. I'm not sure how many times the guys rode Mission: Space since I never set foot near it.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Im curious about what rides at Epcot and DHS you consider headliners and what you mean by repeatedly. Clearly, FP+ makes it more difficult to get multiple FPs for the most popular attractions. Whether it is a direct aim of Disney (which I think it is) or just a byproduct of their effort to lock guests in, the end result is that nobody can get two FPs for any attraction, and can only get one total for the tier one attractions, until everyone has had a crack at getting one. But, I do wonder how many FPs you were ever able to get in a day for, for example, Soarin and Test Track. We have more experience with busy holiday times, but even when we were able to visit at less crowded times, it never took long (as in less than an hour) for FP return times for those attractions to be more than 2 hours out. That would mean that you could only get one FP every 2 hours for those attractions after that, so no more than about 5 or 6 from about 11 AM until closing, and even fewer than that if the FPs ran out, which would usually happen early in the afternoon at busy times. That would give you 5 rides in 10 hours and a lot of time to kill in between. With FP+ it sounds like you shouldn't expect to get more than 1 FP total for those two attractions because they are likely to be gone by the time you could get a fourth. At DHS, you might have some pretty good luck riding Star Tours and/or TOT fairly often. One Sunday night in August we entered DHS at about 6:30 PM after not using any FPs at our first park of the day (Epcot, where we did Soarin, Test Track single rider, and Mission Space Orange in the first hour). At DHS, we were able to get FPs for Star Tours with a return time about 5 minutes out and for TOT about an hour out. Not surprisingly, RNRC and TSMM were gone for the day. The only suggestion I would have is to get to the park at opening and do as much as you can as quickly as you can. There isn't much question that it will be different than what you were used to with paper FP, but it is up to each individual to decide if that difference is merely different, disappointing, or a deal breaker. Maybe for your FIL, being able to spend time with the family will soften the blow of doing a couple less rides. If you were able to ride TSMM and RNRC repeatedly with paper FP, I would like to know how you did it. Like Soarin and Test Track, it never took long for the return times for those to get more than 2 hours out and then run out completely.

Not the quoted poster, but personally we normally rode both Soarin and Test Track twice each day that we visited Epcot. We usually rode TSMM 3 times a day.. We don't go during peak times and, outside of TSMM, never had a problem with legacy FP running out that quickly. We still had a great time on this trip, but my 10 year old is all about the rides and he complained about the new FP+ rules quite a bit.

 

[cakebaker]

I'm still getting a chuckle out of the fact that I made an observation about how our many days of FP's were basically the same choices over and over and over again and a few posters took that to mean that was all we were going to do each day and ran with it......

Yeah, I think it was the part about riding 1 ride and leaving the park that led us down that path...


Silly us.

 

[Laketravis]

Yeah, I think it was the part about riding 1 ride and leaving the park that led us down that path...


Silly us.

My post was about FP's and how all the planning, anticipation, strategy, timing, and luck involved in reserving them pretty much netted the same three choices in each park each day and how in the end how utterly redundant and ridiculous the entire exercise is in return for those three said FP's.

It was not a statement indicating those three FP's constituted our entire plan for each day; it was solely in regards to the FP portion.

So had the "silly" thought process not stopped there, the possibility that we would be moving on to something else each day would have been the next logical conclusion for anyone not so anxious to form a (premature) counterpoint.

 

[cakebaker]

My post was about FP's and how all the planning, anticipation, strategy, timing, and luck involved in reserving them pretty much netted the same three choices in each park each day and how in the end how utterly redundant and ridiculous the entire exercise is in return for those three said FP's.

It was not a statement indicating those three FP's constituted our entire plan for each day; it was solely in regards to the FP portion.

So had the "silly" thought process not stopped there, the possibility that we would be moving on to something else each day would have been the next logical conclusion for anyone not so anxious to form a (premature) counterpoint.

Well, wouldn't be the first time premature counterpoints have been made in this discussion.

I'm not questioning what you meant, I'm saying it was a pretty logical conclusion to make that all you're interested in is 3 rides in some parks, then followed by a park you like 1 ride and you're leaving.

Misunderstood your intent? If you say so, you're the only one who knows your intent so I'll accept that. Silly? Not in the least.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm still getting a chuckle out of the fact that I made an observation about how our many days of FP's were basically the same choices over and over and over again and a few posters took that to mean that was all we were going to do each day and ran with it......

Yep. That was....interesting.

 

[Laketravis]

I'm saying it was a pretty logical conclusion to make that all you're interested in is 3 rides in some parks....

I don't think it's logical to conclude that because only 3 rides can be scheduled in advance, 3 rides is all someone is interested in. That might be the net effect over time if a standby line is no longer an option, but it's not currently the case.

With that, I think this thread has run its course.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't think it's logical to conclude that because only 3 rides can be scheduled in advance, 3 rides is all someone is interested in. That might be the net effect over time if a standby line is no longer an option, but it's not currently the case. With that, I think this thread has run its course.

Then you shouldn't post something that says otherwise.

 

[smidgy]

late to posting to this thread, but want to stick up for travis.

I think it is pretty clear what travis meant was that , OF COURSE there are many other things to do in a park besides the top 3 (e ticket) rides there are tons of attractions, restaurants, less poplular rides, etc.

HOWEVER: your family still (for the price of the ticket) wants to be able to ride the top 3 most popular rides in one day. as well as enjoying other attraction and entertainment in between.

and, gee, maybe a midday break at your onsite resort (since staying onsite has always been touted as the best option for taking a break during the day) just sayin .

 

[smidgy]

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.

so TRUE!!! Disney has created the false "impression" that attractions like Maelstrom,, Spaceship Earth, Nemo, etc are "e" ticket rides due to the tiered system and FP+. it is HILARIOUS!!! that Maelstrom should be a FP+ ride. Imagination????holy cow!!!

so now there is finally a wait for space ship earth. why? since eveyone HAS to book # fast passes, and you can only book TT OR soarin. you might as well. so now, the standby line for spacship earth is long.. ?? that was NEVEr long, only at peak times. crazy which makes the sand by lines even longer.

 

[smidgy]

If that was all I was interested in at WDW, I'd be questioning the value of it too!

Parades, fireworks, dining, shows...AK takes us most of the day- we wouldn't miss FOTLK or Finding Nemo on any trip- love those shows and we really enjoy the animal exhibits. It's a full day park for us.

Amazing how many different ways people tour WDW.

I hope I am wrong here, but it sounds like you are smugly trying to to point out to "newbies" all the extras available at the parks. and many of who, like you, are WDW veterans who know about all the extra fun things to do, but still would like to expereince the main attractons. hubby and I NEVER miss FOLK or the nemo show, the bird show, and many rides, and flame tree.

While you actually proved my point, I think you also missed the premise. It's not that those three things are the only things one is interested in but they certainly do require an inordinate amount of prep time for relatively little in return.

Point: There is so much to do that it's ridiculous having to spend so much time planning such a small portion of it. Time is fungible; is it better to stand in line for 20 minutes or to spend 20 minutes planning to avoid the line?

FUNGIBLE. that is a GREAT word!!!! we will let those who don't know the meaning google it...

 

[cakebaker]

I hope I am wrong here, but it sounds like you are smugly trying to to point out to "newbies" all the extras available at the parks. and many of who, like you, are WDW veterans who know about all the extra fun things to do, but still would like to expereince the main attractons. hubby and I NEVER miss FOLK or the nemo show, the bird show, and many rides, and flame tree. FUNGIBLE. that is a GREAT word!!!! we will let those who don't know the meaning google it...

Well since I was responding to another WDW veteran, no- that's not what I was doing, so no, your hopes aren't dashed. How you get smug from my post, other than a desire to be critical and nothing much to go on, is beyond me.

 

[smidgy]

before I go back over allthese umpteen pages, let me say this:


It took me YEARS!! to convince my husband to FINALLY lay, back, chill out and just enjoy a trip without having to plan every single moment!!!

yes, all of us disney veterans KNOW that planning is a vryr needed part of a disney trip. once we started puchasing annual passes, not only could we park hop without payng extra, but we didn't need to worry about wasting a whole day's park ticket to ride aonly a couple rides and see fire works.

we can just chill, relax,
and then!!!!! the introductin of FP+!!!!aarrghhh!


sorry, I hate it.. we have been on 2 trips since it's inception. we hate it. I spent numerous hours at home planning beforehand, made FP+ reservations. as well as ADRS. shheesh. would you like to kn ow what time I want to swim? go to the bathroom? we didn't use half of our FP+ reservations. and, no I didn't cancel them, since I don't have a smart phone.. sorry. I am not waiting in a kiosk line to cancel aFP+ If I needed another, then I made another.
I made FP+ for rides I had NO intention of using, only because it was required. I could only book one of either test track or soarin. so I HAD to pick 2 others.
and THAT is why the lines have gotten so much longer.. both the FP lines and the stand by lines. ok one of the many reasons.

 

[smidgy]

Well since I was responding to another WDW veteran, no- that's not what I was doing, so no, your hopes aren't dashed. How you get smug from my post, other than a desire to be critical and nothing much to go on, is beyond me.

sorry, you seem to be trying to explain to people the "basic" concepts of theme park touring. as if those who want to enjoy the main "e" ticket attractions in a single day know nothing about all the other fun enteratainment and attractions available. (as if they were newbies)

a lot of people know about all the fun stuff to do... but their kids and grandkids still want to the main attracitons.

I have always told my kids, my grandkids, and all my friends:" you CANNOT do all there is do at WDW in one trip... not in 2 trips... not in a lifetime!!!!!! that's why we keep going back!!!"

HOWEVER: you CAN have a list of the main things at each park you want to do.. and, with proper planning, (and at least one week) do most of them.. and also get in a bunch of tother funs stuff!.........

SADLY, that isn't true anymore....

 

[smidgy]

Epcot days are nothing but a series of TT, Mission Space, Figment. TT, Mission Space, Figment.


Such a sneaky Mouse....

and when, in your wildest dreams(ignore any moody blues inference here...) did you EVER think you would reserve a fast pass for the lack of imaginaiton pavilion?

 

[smidgy]

ok,. before I go back to the 20 or so pages I missed, I HAVE to say this ONE thing!

whether or not it is "deemed" to be good thing to have no standby line, and have ONLY FP+ or FP line for a certain attraction:


it was TOTALLY UNFAIR to any guest in the parks that day!!!!! disney has decided you need to plan your park days out 3 months ahead of time... and then throw you a curve at the last minute??? when no more toy story mania fast passes are left?


sorry. WRONG!!!! when they first came out with this , we were only allowed 3 FP+ per day.

so.. the "mantra" was...... make your FP selection for later in the day.. and do some of the "e" ticket rides at rope drop.

then they came out with the "tiered" rides.. and people triped to adjust their plans accordingly.

THEN!!!!!!!! the NEW and IMPROVED plan came out... Oh! guess what??? we changed our minds!!!! afteryou use your FP+options (or they expire) you can makenew ones. one at a time.

so now all the onsite guest are scrambling to change all their afteroon FP+ to morning FP+ .

I have no idea what the offsite guests were doing...
ALLLRIGHTYTHEN!!!!

BUT!!! now!!! annual pass holders and other day guests are trying to adjust their plans... and figure to go to the major attactions at rope drp after all. and then!!!! this new test!!! sheesh!!