TSMM - a few questions

[94bruin]

We'll be in the park Wed - Sat. We didn't get to ride TSMM last time. It'll be a priority for us this time. I've been searching the boards for strategy about the shortest wait time, but not quite sure if I have it figured out correctly.

We'll be staying at GCH, so I can use the private entrance in the morning. What time should we line up by?

I believe we get to enter the park early (9:30?). Do we head for GRR and wait there to be walked over to TSMM? Is this the way to do it? Is there a line that forms or is it just people milling about GRR? We can also grab a Soaring FP at this time, right?

It'll be dh, dd4 & dd15mos. What's the seating like for the ride?

Will the lines be shorter mid-week vs weekend?

Thanks!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I would think lines might be shorter mid-week over the weekend. When we go, we always get to DCA about 9:15 (assuming the park opening hours are 10:00). They will let everyone in at 9:30. We always go right to Soarin' and get on the first ride. By the time we are off, it's been about 9:50. We go right to GRR and wait for the rope drop there. You could just grab a FP for Soarin' and go right to the rope drop. Or if you are entering from GC you could go get the FP and come right back.

Some people have reported that a few minutes before 10:00, a CM has taken the line over to TSMM. All the times we have lined up for the rope drop, they have not done this. There really hasn't been a line, just people in a big crowd. At 10:00 it's been everyone walking (some running ) over to TSMM. We have found that lining up at the GRR rope drop has been the quickest route to TSMM, we have barely beat the line of people coming from the rope drop on the other side of GRR every time.

The seating on TSMM is 2 to a seat, with one car having riders on either side (so 2 in front, 2 on the backside). Just in case you don't already know, the cars jerk around the corners pretty fast. Hold onto your 15 month old. I was not prepared for how jerky it was when I took my daughter on it the first time (when she was 1).

 

[PinkBudgie]

We didn't want to give up Prime Time at DL to go wait in lines at DCA in the morning. So we found the best time after that for TSMM was roughly between 2 and 6pm. When we got there later in the morning, it was crazy but seem to lessen around 2pm. This summer, WOC could change everything and I may have to rethink all our strategies.

 

[Sherry E]

As Kayla's Mom said, we have found the quickest route/best time that we got on TSMM was when we used the GCH entrance into DCA right before opening (it was sometime after 9:30 a.m. that we went through the GCH entry, probably closer to 9:40 but I am getting fuzzy on the times now because it's been a while), we lined up by GRR for a short time. We didn't wait long at all. Then, sometime before 10:00 a.m., the CM watching our line started walking us back to the TSMM queue. And we filed into the queue and right up to where the loading area was. It was great. (Of course, then the ride suddenly had a technical difficulty right after the first couple of people got on it and had to shut down for a brief time while they fixed it, but that was a fluke - if not for that technical problem, we would have been right on the ride in no time.) By the time we got off the ride, the line was so long - we actually saw it getting extremely long as we were first getting into the queue, waiting for the technical problem in the ride to be worked out. The people who came in through the front entrance piled into the line behind us, and by the time we got off the ride the line was hideous.

When we have gone on TSMM in the mid-afternoon, the line was in the 35-40 minute range, but at that point it was hot and miserable. When we went on TSMM at night, it wasn't hot and miserable but the line was still somewhere in that 30 - 40 minute range again. If not for that fluke technical difficulty that came up on our morning, we would have been on TSMM in much less than 30 minutes, and that is including whatever wait time we spent over at GRR.

So I would gladly do the GRR line-up in the morning again and get immediately on TSMM. And you don't have to get in the line right at 9:30 a.m. You can get in the line at 9:45 a.m., even. And they will most likely start walking you over to TSMM before 10:00 a.m. You'll have some people ahead of you, but still, basically, you will have little time before you get on the ride. It won't be the kind of line that you would see even one hour later for TSMM, which will be -

 

[HydroGuy]

There are two schools of thought as outlined by PinkBudgie and Sherry.

One is to get into DCA early at 9:30 and wait for TSMM and then ride TSMM when it opens at roughly 10AM. The other is to wait until late afternoon or evening.

The line pattern for TSMM is that it surges first thing in the morning to 60+ minutes and then usually throughout the day it dies down. Often by late afternoon or evening the line is at 30 minutes or even 20 minutes.

Some people like Sherry believe in the first approach to do TSMM first thing in the morning. Other people think the sacrifice is too big because it takes away from other things like morning time at DL. And if you have to wait in line for TSMM before DCA opens you have not saved much time - if any.

Sherry argues it does save time. Read her post above. I have only done the second approach which means ride TSMM late afternoon.

TSMM is one of the toughest rides at DLR to get on without a substantial wait of at least 30 minutes. I would expect weekdays would have shorter lines than weekends.

HTH

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

As a WDW Vet, a 30-40 minute wait seems like a 'walk on'! When we went last year TSM had up to a 4 hour wait in Hollywood Studios! We got there first thing, rode & then grabbed fastpasses. I am guessing that is the difference in DL ... no FP riders to delay the main line?

 

[Sherry E]

As a WDW Vet, a 30-40 minute wait seems like a 'walk on'! When we went last year TSM had up to a 4 hour wait in Hollywood Studios! We got there first thing, rode & then grabbed fastpasses. I am guessing that is the difference in DL ... no FP riders to delay the main line?

Probably so. I love love love TSMM, and it is probably one of my top two favorite rides at DLR, but....not sure if I could handle a 4-hour wait!! Yikes! I will still get in the line when it's 30, 40 or even 45 minutes because it moves fairly quickly (not as quickly as the POTC line moves, sadly, but fairly quickly). But if I have a way to shorten my wait time for TSMM, I will take it!

 

[HydroGuy]

As a WDW Vet, a 30-40 minute wait seems like a 'walk on'! When we went last year TSM had up to a 4 hour wait in Hollywood Studios! We got there first thing, rode & then grabbed fastpasses. I am guessing that is the difference in DL ... no FP riders to delay the main line?

TSMM is not at DL - it is at DCA. And when TSMM first came out the lines were much longer. Over the last year they have died down to 60-75 minutes on real busy days. Not sure what TSMM lines are at DHS these days. We were at DHS on opening day for TSMM - June 1, 2008, and lines were very long - but not four hours at that point - more like 80-100 minutes.

Why are lines shorter at DCA vs. DHS? I personally do not think FP has that much to do with it. At DCA TSMM is way in the back and harder to access. And DCA attendance has been less than DHS (6 million a year vs 10 million). And finally DCA offers more headliners than DHS to disburse guests. DHS really has ToT, RnR and now TSMM for headliners, while DCA has Soarin, ToT, GRR, CA Screamin and TSMM. Five headliners vs. three - with two more coming, believe it or not. Little Mermaid in 2011 and Radiator Springs Racers (sort of like Test Track) in 2012. Disney is determined to get DCA attendance up. I suspect by 2012 DCA will have attendance numbers closer to DHS.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

TSMM is not at DL - it is at DCA. And when TSMM first came out the lines were much longer. Over the last year they have died down to 60-75 minutes on real busy days. Not sure what TSMM lines are at DHS these days. We were at DHS on opening day for TSMM - June 1, 2008, and lines were very long - but not four hours at that point - more like 80-100 minutes. :

I know it is in DCA -- made the mistake of not putting DLR (like WDW) and knew it as soon as I hit send but didn't go back to correct!

We were in WDW this past Christmas week and the lines got up to 270 minutes the day we were there. DS and I went in August of 2009 and saw lines of 240 minutes. Crazy. I wouldn't get in a line like that either. But 60 minutes I think I can do because it does move fairly quickly. I assume the queue is the same?

 

[HydroGuy]

I know it is in DCA -- made the mistake of not putting DLR (like WDW) and knew it as soon as I hit send but didn't go back to correct!

We will cut you slack just this once.

We were in WDW this past Christmas week and the lines got up to 270 minutes the day we were there. DS and I went in August of 2009 and saw lines of 240 minutes. Crazy. I wouldn't get in a line like that either. But 60 minutes I think I can do because it does move fairly quickly. I assume the queue is the same?

Very different queue. Mostly outside but covered by umbrella-like tarps for the sun. They have Mr. Potato Head and he is pretty much the same. Once you are on the ride you would not know the difference.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Very different queue. Mostly outside but covered by umbrella-like tarps for the sun. They have Mr. Potato Head and he is pretty much the same. Once you are on the ride you would not know the difference.

Oh, that is upsetting! Half the fun in DHS is the queue!

 

[brenda1966]

Yeah, if my memory is correct, the DL queue is really nothing. Lots of snaking back and forth outside and then snaking back and forth at an inside section that is just white walls with posters on it. none of the toys that Orlando has.

That said, the line does move quickly and it's a great time to grab a frosty/freezy drink and consume while you stand in line. We have not done rope drop, but instead will make our way back there toward the afternoon. Now WoC may change that strategy, but for us I think the longest line we stood in was 45 minutes and that was 2 years ago when it was very new.

 

[94bruin]

Hmm, this one will be tough for us. I've got two young ones, so afternoons will be reserved for naps. Plus, if they have any WOC soft openings this week, I'll probably want to get on in the AM. Or I'll try Wed or Thur night before they close. Decisions, decisions!

My thought is to do it Wednesday morning since Thur will be MM. I know that's primetime at DL, but it may be the only morning that all four of us are together since DH has a conference over the weekend.

Thanks for everyone's advice. At least I know what to expect, even if I can't decide!

 

[IFlossU]

We are at Disney right now and did TSMM 2x this morning in 40 minutes. Got to DCA at 9:20, let into park at 9:30, waited for rope drop at Grizzley Rapids. We walked with purpose to TSMM along with many others and it was a 10 minute wait at 10:05AM. Rode once, immediately got back in line, 25 minute wait at 10:20. Totally worth it!

It was myself, DH, and 2yr old son. DS sat on my lap with DH next to us.

With the four of you, if your daughter wants to shoot her own canon, it will be her in a car next to either you or DH, and then on the other side of the car one of you with baby on lap.

Have fun. We all loved this ride!

 

[mrswh]

I think it all depends on how crowded it is during your visit. Over spring break this year and last August (when it was insanely crowded), waiting in line near GRR was the wrong way to go. There are a whole lot of people waiting for rope drop in both locations. I'd guess that with thin crowds, the routes might take the same amount of time (or GRR might even be faster), but when it is crowded, you want to be at rope drop at Sunshine Plaza. The walkway around GRR and that side of the park is MUCH narrower and you get held up by slowpokes in front of you, as well as people entering other rides/attractions. When we waited for rope drop at GRR, it cost us about 20 minutes in line time - that line builds quickly!

That said, whichever way you decide to go, do NOT waste any time lining up for rope drop. (It kind of defeats the purpose of going to TSMM when there is no line!) If you want to ride Soarin', get to DCA right at 9:30. Head directly to Soarin' to be among the first to ride. When you get off, swing by and grab a FP for later if you want one. You can still make it to rope drop (at either location) by 10. You might not be the very first on TSMM, but you'll still have very little wait, if you are passing the drop drop area by 10:01. If you don't want to bother with Soarin', just make sure you get to rope drop by 10. Lining up any earlier, IMO, is a waste of time.

I agree with PP about the cars jerking around . . . even when my DS was 3, he'd bang his head against the back of the seat at every turn. You will have to hold on to your little one, so if you want to actually be serious about the ride (if you are a competitive person ), you might want to leave her with DH and take turns riding. I'm not sure if they have a rider switch pass for TSMM, maybe someone else knows??

The line is not quite as interesting as the DHS line . . . but I actually prefer it since it's outside. And you don't have to stand on the stairs with wriggling little ones (or worse, holding one) for a few minutes of the line, which is a bonus.

Don't ride TSMM at your last opportunity - you will almost certainly want to ride again (and again). So ride it early when you will have a chance at riding again later in your trip if you need to beat your high score.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Oh, that is upsetting! Half the fun in DHS is the queue!

I happened to see the TSMM line from WDW in a video and the first thing I thought was HEY! That line looks like FUN to stand in! Ours is so boring, it seems longer to me. Why couldn't they add a little bit of interest to it?

 

[tksbaskets]

We'll be in the park Wed - Sat. We didn't get to ride TSMM last time. It'll be a priority for us this time. I've been searching the boards for strategy about the shortest wait time, but not quite sure if I have it figured out correctly.

We'll be staying at GCH, so I can use the private entrance in the morning. What time should we line up by?

I believe we get to enter the park early (9:30?). Do we head for GRR and wait there to be walked over to TSMM? Is this the way to do it? Is there a line that forms or is it just people milling about GRR? We can also grab a Soaring FP at this time, right?

It'll be dh, dd4 & dd15mos. What's the seating like for the ride?

Will the lines be shorter mid-week vs weekend?

Thanks!

I invite you to check on my TSMM trip report (the link is in my signature the 2009 Holiday Tour and NYE at DL). Line up at the entrance by 9:30 am. Move directly into the line to the left. Read my report for more info We were all about that great ride!

Put the majority of your party in line and one ski-daddle for the Soarin' FPs. Seating is great for the ride. Very easy to have your little one on the bench or on your lap if you don't want to get a high score

If you have other questions, just ask!
TK

 

[nemofans]

Those taking infants & toddlers on this, this is what we did. DH carried DS (1 yr old) in a bjorn baby carrier on his chest. Then he would hold DS's head against his head (like a hug) each time the car switched to a new spot. It is jerky & when the car spins, it does whip you some. On our 2nd ride on TSMM, I then held DS in the baby carrier so DH could really play.