what to expect from ride openings?

[Teki]

I was listening to the Disneyland Gazzette podcast to get my dose of disney news and I learned that the opening dates for both the little mermaid and the new star tours is June 3rd...the last day of my trip!...Im a little nervous because Ive never been there for a ride opening let alone two! We were trying to get the least crowded of the weeks We had available to go and it apear that it doesnt matter now cause its gonna be crowded. So I have a few questions What can I expect as far as crowds are we talking Saturday in July or will it juse be croded in Tommrowland and At the little Mermaid? Will I be able to ride both new rides with out killing my entire day in line? Any of your help and experiences will be aprciated

 

[mystic_path]

I wish I had an exact answer for you. To be completely honest...

I believe you could be wasting your entire day if you don't try and get fastpasses if the machines are working, or get to the rides first thing in the morning. I have to say though that I was there the day that the Finding Nemo Sub ride opened a few years ago and it was insane. Even first thing in the morning. People were literally running towards Tomorrowland at gate opening. We were there for a celebrity viewing of it too a day or so before it officially opened, and that was neat, but because of the celebrity viewing one day and then opening for the general public the next, there were camera crews everywhere on each day, and lines became hours long. We didn't even attempt Nemo that trip.

So with 2 very anticipated rides opening on the same day, I can assure you press of all sorts are going to be flooding the parks, and the lines will be crazy. Who knows though... Maybe you will end up at the right place at the right time and you get a decent spot or wait time for the ride. All you can do is go and have a look. I am not sure when or if they are planning a celebrity viewing (though Disney generally does this), but if they do, its normally a day or so before the opening, and you could possibly see the stars coming into the park. Have your camera ready!!!! As for crowds, we always go end of May / Early June as the crowd levels are extremely manageable, but when the ride opened we stayed clear of Tomorrowland as it was impossible to even breath in that area. Everyone was packed in like sardines. The rest of both parks were very busy, like it increased about 40% more traffic, but we just made use of fast passes, and made the best of it.

I know that Star Tours is going to be using Buzz Light year's fast pass machine, and I heard rumor they are using a fast pass machine from "A bugs land" for something, but I don't remember if they are using it for The Little Mermaid ride. I would have to check on that. But its debatable if the Fast Pass machines will be working for those rides right away.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I would say you have a very good chance of getting to ride one or both of the rides during a "soft opening". That's what I would hope.

Since it's opening the last day of your trip you have a very good chance.

Otherwise, I think it will be crowded for both rides. My suggestion would be to get to DL before opening and head right to ST as soon as the rope drops. If you get there right away the wait shouldn't be too long. If it is grab a FP if they are up and running. I know the moved the ones from Buzz to ST so they should be there.

Then head over to DCA before parking opening as well. Actually if you can try to be inside 1/2 hour before. Then head over to Ariel as soon as you are released. Hopefully some guests will be headed for TSMM and not all to Ariel. I don't know if Ariel is having FP so if they won't just get in line and wait.

The park hours aren't out for June 3rd yet but probably DL will open 8 a.m. and DCA 10.

Our school district's (just outside of Orange County) first day of summer break is June 3rd. My DD11's first day of break is actually June 2nd since she's in 6th grade and they graduate on the 1st. I'm thinking of going to DLR in the hopes that ST will be soft opening. I have always loved ST and can't wait for the newer version. As far as Ariel goes, since we have AP, I can wait awhile, if I have too.

I just checked the Anaheim Unified School District calendar and the good news (for both of us ) is that their last day of school is June 15th. Hopefully that will mean that the parks won't be at their worst until starting on Thursday, June 16th.

 

[jory29]

If there is a soft opening on a new ride, is it just suddenly open, or will cast members and or signs be letting people know?

Thanks!

 

[MAH4546]

Star Tours will have Fastpass. Little Mermaid was set to get Fastpass, but it will be installed at Toy Story instead.

 

[starry_solo]

A FP for TSMM? Yay!

I will be there on the 3rd for both as well (have an AP which expires 2 1/2 weeks later). If I don't get on the rides, oh well, I'll be getting a premiere AP in 2012.

 

[mystic_path]

Star Tours will have Fastpass. Little Mermaid was set to get Fastpass, but it will be installed at Toy Story instead.

Thanks for the clarification. I am actually glad Toy Story is getting a fast pass. This is a fun ride, but unless you go late at night, or first thing in the morning, you could have a good wait.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Glad to hear about FP at TSMM too. It's about time. I haven't ridden it much since they got rid of the Single Rider line. Just too long for me.

 

[HydroGuy]

Star Tours will have Fastpass. Little Mermaid was set to get Fastpass, but it will be installed at Toy Story instead.

First I have heard this. Do tell!

 

[sonnyjane]

Star Tours will have Fastpass. Little Mermaid was set to get Fastpass, but it will be installed at Toy Story instead.

First I have heard this Do tell!

First I had heard that rumor about TSMM as well. Any links/details?

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I learned that the opening dates for both the little mermaid and the new star tours is June 3rd...the last day of my trip!...Im a little nervous because Ive never been there for a ride opening let alone two!... So I have a few questions What can I expect as far as crowds are we talking Saturday in July or will it juse be croded in Tommrowland and At the little Mermaid? Will I be able to ride both new rides with out killing my entire day in line? Any of your help and experiences will be aprciated

I would not worry TOO much about it. 1) It's the last day of your trip 2) You know it's coming so you can plan.

If it were ME, I would decide now if you want to either not ride them or dedicate a decent portion of your last day to riding them. (Well, waiting in line to ride them. ) Then, roll with your decision. There will be lines for both. They will be long. It will happen. How you let it affect your trip is completely up to you. I'm not sure if that's the help you are looking for, but I think it's advice that will do you well for your vacation. Either plan to incorporate it - or avoid it all together.

Star Tours will have Fastpass. Little Mermaid was set to get Fastpass, but it will be installed at Toy Story instead.

Hmmm.... I have not heard this anywhere. Everything I have ever heard from official sources has indicated that FP at TSMM would actually make things worse, like at WDW. Can you please share where you heard this? Thanks!

- Dreams

 

[Piglet99645]

I just checked the Anaheim Unified School District calendar and the good news (for both of us ) is that their last day of school is June 15th. Hopefully that will mean that the parks won't be at their worst until starting on Thursday, June 16th.

Gee I hope you are right!

We made our June 8-13 plans before we knew about the new rides opening on the 3rd. All my research said early June was good... Now I think it's going to be a zoo.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Honestly, here's what I would do: Not worry about either of the new rides. They will be flooded with people beyond reason. I would use that opportunity to ride all the other rides. Just think.... you could probably get several rides in on Space, Splash, Indy, Pirates, Mansion, Thunder, ToT, Soarin, Screamin. So I personally would rather do that than wait 4 hours in line per new ride.

Same them for the following trip.

 

[Piglet99645]

Honestly, here's what I would do: Not worry about either of the new rides. They will be flooded with people beyond reason. I would use that opportunity to ride all the other rides. Just think.... you could probably get several rides in on Space, Splash, Indy, Pirates, Mansion, Thunder, ToT, Soarin, Screamin. So I personally would rather do that than wait 4 hours in line per new ride.

Same them for the following trip.

That's a great way to look at it.

Anybody have any experience with how Ridemax handles these BIG changes in the short term? If we are going to be there the following week, will they even have enough data to make a good recommendation for our touring schedule right after new rides open?

For example, it seems like all of Tomorrowland will be swamped with Star Tours reopening....

 

[Teki]

Thanks for your help everyone! the tentative decsion at the moment is yes we will be doing ariel and Star tours is tentative based on the situation. Little Mermaid was my first movie growing up and Im really excited for the ride. Im also an avid star tours fan, but can wait on it since I cant ride it with my boyfriends whose going and I cant see sacrficeing hours with out him at the park. Thanks for all your advice I hope the crowds arent to bad but well make do.

Also Id heard the bit about new fast passes for TSMM on one of the many podcasts I listen to I cant remeber which one though They though it sounded like maybe not such a good Idea also I dunno I think it could go either way.

 

[HydroGuy]

That's a great way to look at it.

Anybody have any experience with how Ridemax handles these BIG changes in the short term? If we are going to be there the following week, will they even have enough data to make a good recommendation for our touring schedule right after new rides open?

For example, it seems like all of Tomorrowland will be swamped with Star Tours reopening....

Yes, have used RM in several cases like this including right after FNSV opened at DL (two weeks after) and TSMM at WDW (opening day in 2008) and EE at WDW (2 months after).

RM uses very conservative data because there is no data. They will make it work. Usually they are there during opening week to get data so if you can re-run your scenarios after June 3 it might be better for you.