TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[soniam]

Same here. We're going for two weeks next month and then for another couple of weeks over Spring Break. We had planned on upgrading our 10 day park hoppers to AP's next month while there, but right now we are waiting to see how our actual experience goes. It all hinges on DS9 - if he doesn't enjoy himself this time around, we'll use the funds we would have used to upgrade to AP's to get tickets to US for Spring Break.

You can always do both. We are doing a split stay over Spring Break. Our DS will be 9 by then. He already loves HP, and we probably should have gone when we went this summer. However, he would be very sad to miss Pooh, Donald and Daisy, SDMT, Tiki Room, COP, People Mover, Soarin', and Mary Poppins, so we will do both. Have a good trip, fellow Austin area resident.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread how this bulletin board is not a representative sample of people visiting Disney. I bet Facebook is a more representative sample.

Then again, go the facebook page and scroll down to the post Disney made about tips and tricks for using fastpass plus and a better view of a "more representative sample" of what the public thinks of fp+ if the DIS boards are not a true representative sample.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It's just not true though. The more people believe things that aren't true like that the more they are going to be disappointed, especially at Disney.

This is turning into a straw man. The point of paying before you enter the park doesn't have to do with expecting certain rides, it was to combat the false equivalency of comparing FP+ to restaurant reservations. They are not the same and should not be compared. While the gate ticket may not guarantee a specific ride, it is rightfully assumed by guests that all rides, if operating, are accessible because guests have paid a premium to enter the park. Dining reservations are completely different. You check for a reservation and if one can't be made, you aren't still expected to pay a restaurant bill. It's tiring to see people continually making the same bad analogy.

 

[Laketravis]

Some of the concern people have is that this test and similar activities would lead not to less fun "theme park" things but instead make those fun "theme park" things available to resort guests more to make the resorts a better value.

I just looked over the list of "Benefits" of staying on-site on the WDW site.

It really is starting to look, well, lame.

Wifi? Dining Plans? Complimentary Resort Transportation (that even non-resort staying guests can use).....

The only substantial perks I see remaining are EMH (which are slowly being reduced) and ME (which benefits Disney as much as it does me).

I suppose there might be some point in the future where they are going to have to beef up that list of "Benefits".

 

[grimley1968]

Some of the concern people have is that this test and similar activities would lead not to less fun "theme park" things but instead make those fun "theme park" things available to resort guests more to make the resorts a better value.

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread how this bulletin board is not a representative sample of people visiting Disney. I bet Facebook is a more representative sample.

I'd take that bet.

Disboards has lovers and haters, and all kinds of people in between. The only commonality I've seen is that everyone on here loves to discuss all things Disney, whether positive or negative. I've never seen posts or threads deleted except when abusive or otherwise violating terms of normal civil discussion. Even locked threads are visible later.

You do realize FB page owners can delete posts, right? Any FB page can look pretty glowing when the owner is deleting posts that make it look too bad. That hardly seems a representative sample to me.

 

[soniam]

Then again, go the facebook page and scroll down to the post Disney made about tips and tricks for using fastpass plus and a better view of a "more representative sample" of what the public thinks of fp+ if the DIS boards are not a true representative sample.

I know a lot of decent-paid technologically savy people who don't use Facebook. I have seen a trend lately where people are deleting the FB app from there phones. I don't think FB represents everyone. They might be missing out on some of the money these type of people could spend at WDW, because they don't know who they are and what they like. I don't use FB, so it can't be representative

 

[vacationer1954]

They are not the same and should not be compared.

I'm sorry but I don't agree.

I suppose there might be some point in the future where they are going to have to beef up that list of "Benefits".

I agree, and that could have been part of what this test was about.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Right, he was all WDW from 5 until now, but he read all the Harry Potter books (except the last one) over the summer and now he wants to know when are we going to go to US? This year might be the turning point. We've been telling him not to expect his usual 14 times in a row on Space Mountain or Tower of Terror this year, and his response is as eloquent as you'd expect from a 9 year old - "That sucks".

Ha awesome, if that's what he likes he will have it made. Not for HP stuff IMO-that's kind of a one and done its so busy, but not very "thrilling" anyway. But D Challenge is and over and over and over ride for us-never seems super busy and we even usually wait for the front (although it used to be better as a head on duel) and Hulk is the same but a bit busier.

Thing is for us parents-even that doesn't hold the passion that WDW does-esp since we raised the kids there. We may not like some of things they have been doing/testing-but we just cant get away from joy that place brings.

 

[glamdring269]

Think we'll do our own test today. Hit MK this morning and our plans hit a snag since Splash/Railroad/Pirates were all down simultaneously. So we'll leave that half of the park for Saturday night. I have a FP for TSMM now set in the 1-2PM block. We'll walk over from BWV, knock it out, and see if any are available immediately after. Will need to work off our pizza from the pizza window anyway so looking forward to the walk at least.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I just looked over the list of "Benefits" of staying on-site on the WDW site.

It really is starting to look, well, lame.

Wifi? Dining Plans? Complimentary Resort Transportation (that even non-resort staying guests can use).....

The only substantial perks I see remaining are EMH (which are slowly being reduced) and ME (which benefits Disney as much as it does me).

I suppose there might be some point in the future where they are going to have to beef up that list of "Benefits".

Well they could crush it with benefits if they wanted-similar to US, but the disboards go insane when it's even mentioned.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Think we'll do our own test today. Hit MK this morning and our plans hit a snag since Splash/Railroad/Pirates were all down simultaneously. So we'll leave that half of the park for Saturday night. I have a FP for TSMM now set in the 1-2PM block. We'll walk over from BWV, knock it out, and see if any are available immediately after. Will need to work off our pizza from the pizza window anyway so looking forward to the walk at least.

Yes please report back-so you will have "used" 3 FP+ by then correct so a 4th would be available?

Also meant to ask DD if the CM's are telling guests that want to "SB" to just walk over and get a FP+ at the kiosk?

She said they were available on there still at 5Pm yesterday on the kiosk, even after the long break down.

Well why would anyone want to SB when the can get a FP+ anyway? Or at least its not the worst option-better than skipping it I would think.

 

[glamdring269]

I do still feel bad for people who are having to deal with this test. Was standing in line this morning at MK waiting for park open and overheard some folks talking about it. One gentleman was talking about how a family from Scotland was at the park and the kids were basically devastated when they found out they wouldn't be able to ride. No FP+ available. No opportunity to wait in line. They of course couldn't figure out why, didn't understand, etc. Sad really.

Hopefully no one mentioned anything about empty seats to them later...

 

[glamdring269]

Yes please report back-so you will have "used" 3 FP+ by then correct so a 4th would be available?

Also meant to ask DD if the CM's are telling guests that want to "SB" to just walk over and get a FP+ at the kiosk?

She said they were available on there still at 5Pm yesterday on the kiosk, even after the long break down.

Well why would anyone want to SB when the can get a FP+ anyway? Or at least its not the worst option-better than skipping it I would think.

Should have used 3... assuming me not showing up for 2 set to earlier times at DHS will actually register as used (made sure to pick a couple of attractions that I doubt people are scrambling for). If not then it will just be a test in getting exercise and a single ride on TSMM.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I do still feel bad for people who are having to deal with this test. Was standing in line this morning at MK waiting for park open and overheard some folks talking about it. One gentleman was talking about how a family from Scotland was at the park and the kids were basically devastated when they found out they wouldn't be able to ride. No FP+ available. No opportunity to wait in line. They of course couldn't figure out why, didn't understand, etc. Sad really.

Hopefully no one mentioned anything about empty seats to them later...

See thats what I don't get-did they just go too late in the day? I mean you just got them yourself for just a couple hours away-weird.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Should have used 3... assuming me not showing up for 2 set to earlier times at DHS will actually register as used (made sure to pick a couple of attractions that I doubt people are scrambling for). If not then it will just be a test in getting exercise and a single ride on TSMM.

Yep I think elapsed time counts toward useage.

 

[mom2rtk]

See thats what I don't get-did they just go too late in the day? I mean you just got them yourself for just a couple hours away-weird.

Someone posted yesterday that they released some every hour of the day. So you could show up, be told you can't wait in line, check for a FP and come up empty, and leave the park. All without knowing you might have been able to get one 30 minutes later.

 

[faneuil]

LOL.

Was on the wdw website and got asked to do a survey. I thought, "SURE!"
Answered "None of the above" to the first question. (Which was the correct option for my situation).
Next screen, "Quota reached for this survey"

Thought it was funny given this thread. Even in virtual reality, Disney has it's limits.

 

[mbrittb00]

. . .
When you pay for admission to the park you aren't paying to ride any specific ride.

True, but this is akin to you headed over to the resort pool with your kids, then when you get to the pool, you are told that you can't use it today, because they were running a reservation only test, and all the reservatoins have been given out for the day.

 

[Suvadoo]

True, but this is akin to you headed over to the resort pool with your kids, then when you get to the pool, you are told that you can't use it today, because they were running a reservation only test, and all the reservatoins have been given out for the day.

The only time I think ride access should be denied is when there's a malfunction. If I want to stand in line forever, that's my choice.

 

[glamdring269]

See thats what I don't get-did they just go too late in the day? I mean you just got them yourself for just a couple hours away-weird.

The story was a snapshot in time. Could be they found a fp later in the day. I do know when we were there Tuesday that none were available as of 3pm but maybe they released more later.