TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[mom2rtk]

That's how theme parks (including WDW) used to operate: you had to pay admission just to get in and then you had to pay per-ride to ride.

With one small difference. You didn't pay all access pricing to walk in the gate.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Someone forgot to explain to TPTB that denying guests the ability to ride is not the solution to complaints about long lines.

"We just returned from our best Diseny vacation ever!"

"What did you ride?"

"Nothing. They wouldn't let us on any of the rides. But this is the first time we haven't had to wait in any lines. It was great!"

Haha! I love this!

 

[ghtx]

That doesn't solve the complaints, that just shifts them to complain about something else. Not being able to experience an attraction is not a solution to long lines. The only true solutions to long lines are 1.) cap park attendance much lower than what it is at or 2.) build more attractions. Option 1 is bad for both Disney and guests, option 2 is a win/win situation. I think Disney is recognizing the need for more rides, at least in Hollywood Studios, if the recent closures are, in fact, due to major expansions. Epcot though...ugh.

But your option #1 (capping attendance) involves people not being able to experience an attraction.

 

[mom2rtk]

Someone forgot to explain to TPTB that denying guests the ability to ride is not the solution to complaints about long lines.

Scene from Disney Exec's dreams:

"We just returned from our best Disney vacation ever!"

"What did you ride?"

"Nothing. They wouldn't let us on any of the rides. But this is the first time we haven't had to wait in any lines. It was great!"

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

All options are apparently on the table except adding net new attractions.

mom2rtk, you keep throwing that pesky little requirement out there! Too bad that it seems that is exactly what it seems like is being said by Disney.

 

[PEC]

My plan was always going to be FP+ TSMM and at RD instead of doing the running of the bulls to TSMM, turn the flank and do RNRC. I have always had good luck the first 1/2 hour or so of doing RNRC with little or no wait. Now I do have some concern that more individuals will FP+ RNRC and gamble that they can get one for TSMM. I too would consider this but but if I go the grandchildren that are ages 6 to 4ish, TSMM is the must do and I dont know I can take the chance of hoping I get a TSMM FP with a day of ressie. Even if I do what happens if the time is inconvinient to my plan? I am mainly writing that I am thinking in my head. Just dont want to get there and plan a short RNRC wait and find that it is 40+ minutes because of this change.

 

[ghtx]

With one small difference. You didn't pay all access pricing to walk in the gate.

Right - that's what I said - you have to pay just to enter AND you have to pay to ride each ride.

At WDW, you pay to enter and it includes admission to most attractions (though not all - e.g. BBB, and dining of course).

I doubt that WDW would go back to a system where you have to pay per ride. But I could see them moving to a system where some rides are all-prebooked-FP. (So even if you pay your park admission, you can't ride it unless you've got a FP.)

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We've now seen this standby-less option happen in 3 parks. I wonder if for whatever reason, the test is being foisted on all three parks just to confirm that the same result happens no matter the park. It makes no sense to me that they keep testing this, with the same result (i.e., disaster) over and over again. This is probably one of those "seems to work on paper" ideas that the beancounters at HQ come up with, whereas the actual parks employees are saying it's going to be a disaster. No one believes the disaster comments until they see it for themselves.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

But your option #1 (capping attendance) involves people not being able to experience an attraction.

Did you read the entire post you quoted?

Option 1 is bad for both Disney and guests

 

[cakebaker]

Lines will be longer than 15 minutes. Expect something closer to 30-45 min.



FastPass+ only. No SB+ tickets.


Also, they are releasing extra FP+ slots for guests on the day of. Article has been updated with that info

While none of it makes a lot of sense, at least this does. I would think it's better to put the fp+ within the system rather than have some poor smuck CM having to deal with handing out cards. It eliminates the made rush to the ride and redirects to the kiosks at least.

So it's not a case that the only way to ride is if you had previously scheduled a fp+.

Are they directing everyone thru the fp+ line and not using the interactive cue? That's crazy if true.

 

[mom2rtk]

mom2rtk, you keep throwing that pesky little requirement out there! Too bad that it seems that is exactly what it seems like is being said by Disney.

Merely an effort to highlight the absurdity of the approach they are taking.

I would pay good money to be a fly on the wall in some of those planning sessions. Maybe that will be the next special event ticket to go on sale?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

The way I understood they did it in the last round at A/E, anyone could go on their phone and switch one of their existing FPs to one of these, within the constraints of the system. Those getting one at a kiosk got it as a 4th FP.

Yeah they're absolutely trying to solve the problem with long lines. All options are apparently on the table except adding net new attractions.

By "within constraints of system", that means tiers would be in effect? This makes my head hurt. Time for another pot of coffee.

 

[HelenParr]

Soon to be replaced by "I hated WDW because it was too hot and all the rides were booked up in advance. Now there is just a bunch of people hanging around blocking everything waiting for their next appointment."

Agree strongly -- coupled with "it was all very confusing."

FWIW: while I believe Disney is trying to solve long-line complaints, I think they are going about it all wrong. This will only cause different complaining.

 

[mjhannaf]

Are they directing everyone thru the fp+ line and not using the interactive cue? That's crazy if true.

That I'm not 100% sure on. I don't think regular FP+ line would have capacity for the numbers they're shooting for, but I could be wrong.

 

[mom2rtk]

By "within constraints of system", that means tiers would be in effect? This makes my head hurt. Time for another pot of coffee.

Still limited to original 3 scheduled in advance. No word on tiering since it has only been tried in this form at MK (Epcot was still using return cards, not FP+). But I would be shocked to see the MDE system allow an override of the tiers with this. And I would expect the ones issued in the park to allow duplicates and not be constrained to tiers.

Still, that's just a guess on my part. I'll be anxious to hear some real intel from the field today.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Wasn't it that if you wanted the A&E FP+ as a 4th, you had to get it from a kiosk? If this sticks and you want to FP+ RnR & ride TSM, it seems like we would be back to rushing to a kiosk at RD.

 

[Mkrop]

So could this be the end of the "if you don't like FP+, just don't use it" arguments?

Or to those people who said tough toenails to those of us who wanted to ride things multiple times with FP-, will they now still say just get in the standby line

 

[PEC]

Before we completely say they are not adding new attractions, the general consensus is the reason Backlot Tours closed was to add something. What would help TSMM is whatever they planned to replace Backlot Tours with to get it complete somewhat timely (relative term I know). Will need at least an attraction for entire family and 2 would really help. If they had 3 more new attraction (Pixar and Star Wars) then they should be able to remove the tiering system at DHS.
Same with AK. We can debate rather Avatarland is the best fit, but we cannot say they are not trying to add to AK.
EPCOT? Even my girls who are big Frozen fans were disappointed it was nothing but a one for one swap with Maelstrom. Would have preferred to keep Maelstrom and add a Frozen attraction. My view is EPCOT (with at least one big empty Pavillion) still needs addressing. If done right it too could get away from the "tier" system.

 

[ChanFO]

Ugh, not this again, and during my trip! I thought they'd learned that these tests are infuriating and stupid from the Soarin mess.

 

[TygerHawks]

With so few attractions now perhaps it would be better if DHS simply became a reservations only park?

You know, I could see that with something like SWW. Full day special event, limited to x number of guests who pre-purchased tickets at a higher premium then standard park admission.