TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[mom2rtk]

It sounds so simple but seems so complicated to Disney.

Well, it's a bit complicated when you have announced publicly that you aren't going to participate in an "arms race of rides".

 

[wilkeliza]

And who put those two people into their positions? Who is approving people for these high executive positions? Who wants to be surrounded by people who think just like him? Iger. I don't see much of a difference between Crofton, Staggs, and Iger.

Well a voting board actually put all of them in their place so the board is to blame for them.

Back on topic though this test is right in line with the Anna and Elsa and Soarin test. There has been some test and adjust in between all phases. I'm shocked we haven't heard of reports of fighting yet just disappointment. It really sucks it does but the company can do whatever it wants. Until people start talking with their wallets Disney will continue to follow this path like it or not. I'm not there for the tests but for me FP+ has worked so I have no gripes with any of that.

 

[lugnut33]

Well a voting board actually put all of them in their place so the board is to blame for them.

Back on topic though this test is right in line with the Anna and Elsa and Soarin test. There has been some test and adjust in between all phases. I'm shocked we haven't heard of reports of fighting yet just disappointment. It really sucks it does but the company can do whatever it wants. Until people start talking with their wallets Disney will continue to follow this path like it or not. I'm not there for the tests but for me FP+ has worked so I have no gripes with any of that.

Yeah, I'm sure they are not rubber stamping Iger's recommendations.

 

[mesaboy2]

Well a voting board actually put all of them in their place so the board is to blame for them.

Back on topic though this test is right in line with the Anna and Elsa and Soarin test. There has been some test and adjust in between all phases. I'm shocked we haven't heard of reports of fighting yet just disappointment. It really sucks it does but the company can do whatever it wants. Until people start talking with their wallets Disney will continue to follow this path like it or not. I'm not there for the tests but for me FP+ has worked so I have no gripes with any of that.

This reminds me of something on my earlier point. These two attractions and TSM are arguably the 3 biggest draws at WDW with the longest waits. I think that is related to why TSM is now getting this test and its proximity to a rumored expansion is just a coincidence. So not only am I not sold on the TSM expansion, even if that's true I'm not sold that this test has something specifically to do with that (rumored) expansion.

Lots of unbridled speculation going on by all.

 

[eliza61]

Me too he really has not idea about day to day in the parks his job is to make sure overall that money is flowing. I'd place this blame on that ridiculous excuse for an executive of Staggs instead.

Of course he should get blamed. He's the head guy. That's the joy of being the top dog. NFL commissioner, the president, CEO, military. Lots of places, when companies do well the big nuts get big paychecks when they don't, they get the heat (lol and then they get fat buyouts).
If crap hits the fan on your watch it's on you.
If my company doesn't make P.O. stockholders go after Ellen. She's the top dog, she has little idea of the daily operation

 

[mjhannaf]

I haven't read the whole thread, so please forgive me if this has been addressed: has the plug been pulled on this experiment, or are they still doing it for the entire schedule through the 9th?.

The test will run through the end of day on Thursday and be back to normal Friday morning.

 

[wilkeliza]

This reminds me of something on my earlier point. These two attractions and TSM are arguably the 3 biggest draws at WDW with the longest waits. I think that is related to why TSM is now getting this test and its proximity to a rumored expansion is just a coincidence. So not only am I not sold on the TSM expansion, even if that's true I'm not sold that this test has something specifically to do with that (rumored) expansion. Lots of unbridled speculation going on by all.

I agree I think it has nothing to do with the 3rd line. I think it has everything to do with figuring out if it is possible and worth it to make the major attractions reserve time only. This one seems to be doing the most adjusting of that idea. Instead of giving up they are holding firm. The reports of FP dropping at the top of the hour makes me believe this even more. Imagine they keep all the fp+ the same bit then day of the amount that would have been stand bye drops into the system at the top of every hour. Now everyone is on the same playing field and nobody has to wait for the top attractions and they can be out doing other things.

 

[johde]

Lots of unbridled speculation going on by all.

Isn't that what the DIS is famous for. I'll admit my guess is pure speculation based on rumor along with some counterpoint to the doom and gloomers. These SB+, FP+ only tests could be some hoops a big wig wants done before green lighting the 3rd Soarin' screen and 3rd TSMM track. They may want to see if they can find some other way before spending the money. We don't know.

 

[cakebaker]

Here is the exact quote I was thinking of.

http://108.171.164.208/showpost.php?p=52268567&postcount=194

You would be happy with very few rides. I'm not and neither are many of the other Disney guests. We go to Disney to specifically ride rides.

No, I said I could go and ride very few rides and still be happy. Currently, that is not what happens, but if it did, I could still be happy. Nowhere does that say we don't go to Disney for the rides- it just says that's not all we go for. And even if I didn't ride a ton of rides, others in my group do. So, we can lay that reasoning for me liking the new system to rest.

That post was written in response to the idea that Disney needs to build more rides, specifically thrill rides. And as I said in that post, if you're going to Disney strictly for rides, I'm not sure Disney is the best choice.

People for some reason, just can't accept that there are people who like the new system, that it works better for them and that it's not because 1) they don't want to ride rides or 2) they're blinded by pixie dust or 3) that they're newbies and don't know any better.

We like it because it works....for us. I understand that others don't because it doesn't for them. Seems simple to me.

 

[clsteve]

This reminds me of something on my earlier point. These two attractions and TSM are arguably the 3 biggest draws at WDW with the longest waits. I think that is related to why TSM is now getting this test and its proximity to a rumored expansion is just a coincidence. So not only am I not sold on the TSM expansion, even if that's true I'm not sold that this test has something specifically to do with that (rumored) expansion.

Lots of unbridled speculation going on by all.

Spot on.

For those who think this is a test of "virtual queueing" or to see how many FP's don't show in order to test having 1, 2 or 3 FP+ only tracks ----- this test is garbage.

It will show nothing of the sort: since they didn't announce it.

How is any data they're collecting anything like what it would be on a regular day?

Random people showing up expecting to ride SB being told they can't.

Now, they have to manage/figure out their already reserved 3 FP+ selections, head to a kiosk, figure out how to change the rest of their already planned day, and fit in the new time that comes up.

Or, maybe just throw up their hands and say to heck with it.

No wonder cars are running empty

Garbage data

So, they are either testing something else (I hope), or they've completely skewed the test to meet their intended and desired results.

The 2nd option scares the heck out of me....

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

No, I said I could go and ride very few rides and still be happy. Currently, that is not what happens, but if it did, I could still be happy. Nowhere does that say we don't go to Disney for the rides- it just says that's not all we go for. And even if I didn't ride a ton of rides, others in my group do. So, we can lay that reasoning for me liking the new system to rest.

That post was written in response to the idea that Disney needs to build more rides, specifically thrill rides. And as I said in that post, if you're going to Disney strictly for rides, I'm not sure Disney is the best choice.

People for some reason, just can't accept that there are people who like the new system, that it works better for them and that it's not because 1) they don't want to ride rides or 2) they're blinded by pixie dust or 3) that they're newbies and don't know any better.

We like it because it works....for us. I understand that others don't because it doesn't for them. Seems simple to me.

I don't think that it is the fact that you like the new system. Many of the fp+ "haters" agree that the new system will work better for some guest. It is the fact that you seem to insist that it was a better idea for Disney to spend the amount of money they did on this new system instead of building more rides wouldn't have made a higher percentage of guest happy.

 

[Laketravis]

Lots of unbridled speculation going on by all.

Reminds me of the stock market. Both the bears and the bulls are right half the time except neither knows when. I have no idea why they are doing this test and don't think for a minute I can guess which one of the million possibilities would be correct, I just hope the inconveniences suffered by many park guests over these few days plays a large positive contribution to some future improvement.

I would, however, be much more encouraged if I saw significant construction activity in all of the parks. That to me would be more tangible evidence that WDW was making progress.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't think that it is the fact that you like the new system. Many of the fp+ "haters" agree that the new system will work better for some guest. It is the fact that you seem to insist that it was a better idea for Disney to spend the amount of money they did on this new system instead of building more rides wouldn't have made a higher percentage of guest happy.

I don't think I've ever actually voiced an opinion on that one way or the other. So I don't insist on anything regarding that.

I'm pretty sure more rides would make more people "happy" actually. A new ride is a whole lot more fun than investing in new line management. Long term, I'm not so sure that's the best strategy. New rides attract more people and pretty soon, you're right back where you were.

 

[Laketravis]

Long term, I'm not so sure that's the best strategy. New rides attract more people and pretty soon, you're right back where you were.

The truth is, that could be said for any sort of improvement, such as innovative line management techniques that reduce wait times which in turn attract more people which increases wait times.

It's not an easy dilemma for WDW, which is why it's so interesting to many of us to see how ultimately they handle it. Because perhaps the only "solution" is reduced popularity and that's certainly not what they are shooting for.

 

[faneuil]

I agree I think it has nothing to do with the 3rd line. I think it has everything to do with figuring out if it is possible and worth it to make the major attractions reserve time only.

Which leads me to wonder the following:
3-4 years ago, I can remember standing in line for Misson:Space. I waited at least an hour. This was in SB - for one reason or another. Anyway, it was a hot ticket. Now, M:S has 10 minute waits.

So...Right now, TSMM is a hot ticket. So let's say they decide to make it reservation only. How will the know it's no longer a hot ticket? Will lower FP+ reservations be enough? Would they "bring back" SB if they realized it's not a hot ticket anymore, and switch it up for a different attraction?

 

[Laketravis]

Which leads me to wonder the following:
3-4 years ago, I can remember standing in line for Misson:Space. I waited at least an hour. This was in SB - for one reason or another. Anyway, it was a hot ticket. Now, M:S has 10 minute waits.

So...Right now, TSMM is a hot ticket. So let's say they decide to make it reservation only. How will the know it's no longer a hot ticket? Will lower FP+ reservations be enough? Would they "bring back" SB if they realized it's not a hot ticket anymore, and switch it up for a different attraction?

Exactly. At some point the only way to reduce the issues associated with high demand without increasing supply is to reduce demand.

 

[JanaDee]

I don't think I've ever actually voiced an opinion on that one way or the other. So I don't insist on anything regarding that.

I'm pretty sure more rides would make more people "happy" actually. A new ride is a whole lot more fun than investing in new line management. Long term, I'm not so sure that's the best strategy. New rides attract more people and pretty soon, you're right back where you were.

You voiced an opinion about it in the post I quoted above.

 

[vacationer1954]

No, I said I could go and ride very few rides and still be happy. Currently, that is not what happens, but if it did, I could still be happy. Nowhere does that say we don't go to Disney for the rides- it just says that's not all we go for. And even if I didn't ride a ton of rides, others in my group do. So, we can lay that reasoning for me liking the new system to rest.

That post was written in response to the idea that Disney needs to build more rides, specifically thrill rides. And as I said in that post, if you're going to Disney strictly for rides, I'm not sure Disney is the best choice.

I agree. Disney theme parks are made up of a number of different kinds of attractions. The more popular rides, other rides, walk-throughs, character greetings, stage shows, and other live entertainment. If you are going to try to visit attractions very much out of proportion then you probably will be disappointed with Disney.

People for some reason, just can't accept that there are people who like the new system, that it works better for them and that it's not because 1) they don't want to ride rides or 2) they're blinded by pixie dust or 3) that they're newbies and don't know any better.

It's frustrating for everyone because everyone wants the way they see it understood (and disagreement doesn't feel like understanding), but in this case some folks don't like the idea that Disney may be making the right call because they don't like the call Disney is making.

We like it because it works....for us. I understand that others don't because it doesn't for them. Seems simple to me.

I can understand that others don't like it, too, in the same way I don't like how it isn't precisely the way I want it either with more reservations based attractions.

Many of the fp+ "haters" agree that the new system will work better for some guest. It is the fact that you seem to insist that it was a better idea for Disney to spend the amount of money they did on this new system instead of building more rides wouldn't have made a higher percentage of guest happy.

But none of them have access to the information that would prove that assumption and I think it is just silliness. This software improves the experience for many of us for many attractions and I see no reason to believe that the software costs anywhere close to what two new theme parks would have cost.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

No, I said I could go and ride very few rides and still be happy. Currently, that is not what happens, but if it did, I could still be happy. Nowhere does that say we don't go to Disney for the rides- it just says that's not all we go for. And even if I didn't ride a ton of rides, others in my group do. So, we can lay that reasoning for me liking the new system to rest.

That post was written in response to the idea that Disney needs to build more rides, specifically thrill rides. And as I said in that post, if you're going to Disney strictly for rides, I'm not sure Disney is the best choice.

People for some reason, just can't accept that there are people who like the new system, that it works better for them and that it's not because 1) they don't want to ride rides or 2) they're blinded by pixie dust or 3) that they're newbies and don't know any better.

We like it because it works....for us. I understand that others don't because it doesn't for them. Seems simple to me.

I think some people like the new system because 4) they like to plan ahead and have three FP+ booked when they enter the park and 5) they didn't like the old system of collecting FP. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way, although we can debate whether the majority of Disney's guests feel the same.

But when I was planning a spring 2014 trip, there were plenty of people on disboards who claimed that a major purpose of FP+ was to save the newbies from the whiny, spoiled superusers, which has been shown not to be true at all. Lots of people also very defensively pointed out back then that standby is always an option. Maybe it just wasn't for those unfortunate enough to plan their trips of a lifetime this week, or maybe this is a sign of future plans. I can't help remembering summer and fall 2013 when some scoffed at those who believed FP+ was going to replace regular FP.

 

[ArwenMarie]

So...Right now, TSMM is a hot ticket. So let's say they decide to make it reservation only. How will the know it's no longer a hot ticket? Will lower FP+ reservations be enough? Would they "bring back" SB if they realized it's not a hot ticket anymore, and switch it up for a different attraction?

I think it would still be a popular FP+ selection because DHS is so dismal on the ride front. And they will always loads of people who come to DHS because it's bundled in their ticket for the week. How many people would go to DHS if you had to buy a standalone ticket for it I wonder.