TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[crazycatlady]

Perfectly fair. One is paying for a more expensive room and resort experience and the other is paying for a cheaper room and resort experience. Both have paid the same price for their park tickets and should expect the same experience in the parks.

 

[Planogirl]

At the risk of straying OT, I must disagree. Just looking on the internet (TripAdvisor and others), Disney has 4816 deluxe rooms, and Universal has 2400. So, Disney has twice as many rooms, and twice as many parks. Giving unlimited FP/FOL Pass to guests there should be the same burden on the parks.

So, I believe it would work just the same. And it is so universally loved (pardon the pun) at Universal, Disney will likely get there, just via a painful path.

Back to today's experiences...I haven't seen any reports of the guest reactions (pro and con) yet.

Two of those Disney parks have very few attractions. The lack of attractions is really what all of this comes down to IMO.

 

[Planogirl]

I cannot imagine that Disney would seriously consider a model where deluxe guests get unlimited FPs and all other guests get nothing (unless they pay). Even with some of the garbage they've pulled lately. The "free" FP concept is too deeply entrenched there.

When I come anywhere close to paying as much for deluxe at Universal as I do at Disney then I'll agree. Disney charges out the nose for everything so believe me those costs are factored in. Besides nothing they do going forward would surprise me.

Plus I've said it countless times but once again Express isn't usually necessary at the Universal parks. We've never bought it.

 

[Planogirl]

If there is no standby line at all...and especially if this were to become permanent, what happens to the extra capacity due to no-shows? We have annual passes and because of FP+, I typically have FP+ booked for popular attractions for as many weekends out as it will let me if there's even a 1% chance I might be at the parks. Usually that gets me close to a months worth of weekends. I know many other passholders who now do the same thing. Often we'll only go once in a month which leaves 7 days of unused FP+ reservations. I can't imagine they have an easy way to add these back into the system.

Anyway, whole thing no standby thing is just stupid. I pulled 5 FP+ reservation to TSMM this morning and I have to work all day...just felt like messing with their silly test. Will probably do so each day this week and perhaps recruit some help as well to make this test as unsuccessful as possible for WDW.

That is something that I would never admit...

 

[cakebaker]

.... multiple Fastpasses from my throwaway campsite with no issues at all....





Btw- no one should underestimate the effect using multiple bands that obviously are not all yours ( clear violation of policy) along with booking throwaway rooms to garner yet more fp+'s at an earlier date (also against their stated policy) has on the availability of fp+'s to those who are actually entitled to them. When you game the system you're also throwing off how it's intended to work.


Disney needs to address this and so far, they have not done a thing. Fp+'s are in short enough supply without them being drained off in this manner.

 

[cakebaker]

I cannot imagine that Disney would seriously consider a model where deluxe guests get unlimited FPs and all other guests get nothing (unless they pay). Even with some of the garbage they've pulled lately. The "free" FP concept is too deeply entrenched there.

I agree, but I can see where they might allow for even earlier booking, perhaps as was talked about earlier with more availability or even bonus fp+ with a reservation for deluxe guests.

 

[pointybubble]

We were in studios today as part of a short weekend trip. We checked out today, had a late breakfast and strolled in around noon with fp+ but no TSMM as no availability. We walked in to signs saying the ride was at capacity. I saw pictures on twitter with empty cars and mentioned it to cast members who swore to me that they "were adding fp to keep the line at 45 min". There were none available at the kiosk as expected but I made a 4th fp at star wars and after some persistance, was able to change it on my phone to TSMM at 5pm for 5:40 return time.

When we walked in there was not a single person in line. They were running empty cars and I could be wrong on this, but I think that they were only running 1 track. I took pictures which I posted to twitter. I then took my own pictures to one of the "clipboard people" and they said only that they were testing to make a better experience in the future and that this was a necessary evil. Lots of people unhappy outside the ride from getting turned away.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

That is something that I would never admit...

This is something most sane and decent human brings would never do.

 

[DebbieB]

I read this:

Inside sources are saying that Toy Story Fast Pass rumor is true but it is only because some construction will be going on in the stand by line area and will have to be closed off til it is done. They are just calling it a test, but that is all that is going on. Don't look for this to last.

 

[cakebaker]

This is something most sane and decent human brings would never do.

We need a like button around here.

 

[disneyfan'ole]

I totally agree. It's just plain evil to tie up spots for a popular ride that you know you won't use. Shame on you.

I also think it is evil for people to pay for a throwaway room that they won't use just so they can get their 60 days and tie it up for people who legitimately want to stay in those rooms.

I think it is evil for people to pay for one burger at Peco's Bill and raid the topping bar like it is an all you can eat buffet.

Just sayin' he isn't the only evil one.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We were in studios today as part of a short weekend trip. We checked out today, had a late breakfast and strolled in around noon with fp+ but no TSMM as no availability. We walked in to signs saying the ride was at capacity. I saw pictures on twitter with empty cars and mentioned it to cast members who swore to me that they "were adding fp to keep the line at 45 min". There were none available at the kiosk as expected but I made a 4th fp at star wars and after some persistance, was able to change it on my phone to TSMM at 5pm for 5:40 return time.

When we walked in there was not a single person in line. They were running empty cars and I could be wrong on this, but I think that they were only running 1 track. I took pictures which I posted to twitter. I then took my own pictures to one of the "clipboard people" and they said only that they were testing to make a better experience in the future and that this was a necessary evil. Lots of people unhappy outside the ride from getting turned away.

I am so glad for you that you were able to work things out.

I find it appalling that Disney is turning scores of guests away from a ride while running it practically empty. The pictures of the empty cars are all over twitter. SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY!

 

[kangamangus]

Perfectly fair. One is paying for a more expensive room and resort experience and the other is paying for a cheaper room and resort experience. Both have paid the same price for their park tickets and should expect the same experience in the parks.

Totally agree with this! Tickets are the same price no matter what....resorts DO have different experiences from slides, sit down restaurants, transportation options ect....

 

[RllngRckBrw]

I am really glad this isn't during our trip. I don't foresee this going well.

 

[agavegirl1]

Just stumbled across this after work and I am flabbergasted. I need to go back and read some more of the entries but using unsuspecting guests paying park admission for a park with only 5 remaining rides as guinea pigs to test capacity and standby/fp+ ratios is INSANE.

Welcome to Disney Hollywood Studios. We have 5 rides for your enjoyment today but you may not be able to ride one of them for either time or money. Have a Magical Day!

 

[Ellwood970]

I also think it is evil for people to pay for a throwaway room that they won't use just so they can get their 60 days and tie it up for people who legitimately want to stay in those rooms. I think it is evil for people to pay for one burger at Peco's Bill and raid the topping bar like it is an all you can eat buffet. Just sayin' he isn't the only evil one.

lol this is what I do sometimes.

 

[Mkrop]

We were in studios today as part of a short weekend trip. We checked out today, had a late breakfast and strolled in around noon with fp+ but no TSMM as no availability. We walked in to signs saying the ride was at capacity. I saw pictures on twitter with empty cars and mentioned it to cast members who swore to me that they "were adding fp to keep the line at 45 min". There were none available at the kiosk as expected but I made a 4th fp at star wars and after some persistance, was able to change it on my phone to TSMM at 5pm for 5:40 return time.

When we walked in there was not a single person in line. They were running empty cars and I could be wrong on this, but I think that they were only running 1 track. I took pictures which I posted to twitter. I then took my own pictures to one of the "clipboard people" and they said only that they were testing to make a better experience in the future and that this was a necessary evil. Lots of people unhappy outside the ride from getting turned away.

"The better experience for the future" line of crap I am sure was very comforting to all those people who dropped big bucks to be there and might even be on a once in a lifetime trip.

It is offical WDW doesnt care about guests anymore if they can pull this stunt on them. I am sorry I dont know how people defend this except in the vein that it didnt affect them so who cares.

 

[Momtomouselover]

We were at DHS today. We had FP for TSMM at around 1. It was a 5 min wait and they were only using the FP line. It was really odd to see the SB line completely empty. Also, the ride went down very briefly and you could see Mngt. jump to get it online quickly. I saw a little girl around 2 crying because she couldn't get back in line and several confused families. My son was able to ride twice since my sis gave him her band but I only was able to go once. Sad about missing a second ride which we sometimes did. I am very thankful I had a FP though for it is my sons favorite ride and it is unfair to just spring this on people.

 

[BandMom1]

I just read somewhere (EasyWDW? I can't remember...) that they were also not accepting DAS cards during the testing period - can anyone confirm this?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I just read somewhere (EasyWDW? I can't remember...) that they were also not accepting DAS cards during the testing period - can anyone confirm this?

It was confirmed by a poster above, who was at DHS today and asked for a DAS return time and was told no.