Why are attraction wait times so long

[JZCubed]

It’s busy

No, it's not busy.

Parking lots are mostly empty.

 

[JZCubed]

Good to know. When we were there, they were not running the normal number of vehicles per ride.

Exactly.

Disney is short-staffed everywhere.

They simply have no way of increasing ride capacity with the few employees presently working.

Add to the mix - (most) shows & meet-n-greets are closed. A Parade with a single float has nobody standing around waiting.

Frankly, Disney should be embarrassed with what they are presently offering.

 

[JZCubed]

I looked - these lines are not historically out of the ordinary for this time of year.

I looked - these lines are not historically out of the ordinary for this time of year.

That might be true for standby, but onsite hotel guests had a benefit of FP+, so we had to wait hours to enjoy just a few rides.

At the present time, there is effectively no benefit to paying a premium to stay on-site.

 

[MomOTwins]

That might be true for standby, but onsite hotel guests had a benefit of FP+, so we had to wait hours to enjoy just a few rides.

At the present time, there is effectively no benefit to paying a premium to stay on-site.

Agreed, but moreover, when there was fastpass, people would time their visit to the parks to when they had fastpass and so there were certain predictable crowd patterns that could be used to avoid long waits. For example, we've gone many times in august and typically, MK would not really get busy until 11am because people whose first FP started at noon were in no rush to get there and would have a long breakfast or a pool morning, and you could get so much done in the first two hours. Now, nobody has fastpass and so everyone arrives at rope drop. Crowds would also taper off in the evenings because with Fastpass, everyone had gotten in what they wanted to do and would leave early or camp out to watch fireworks and then go. Now everyone is staying all day long and trying to squeeze in one one last ride before the fireworks begin, or rushing to get one one last ride after the fireworks end.

So what you are seeing now that is different from fastpass times is that ride queues build quick and stay long all day.

 

[JZCubed]

Agreed, but moreover, when there was fastpass, people would time their visit to the parks to when they had fastpass and so there were certain predictable crowd patterns that could be used to avoid long waits. For example, we've gone many times in august and typically, MK would not really get busy until 11am because people whose first FP started at noon were in no rush to get there and would have a long breakfast or a pool morning, and you could get so much done in the first two hours. Now, nobody has fastpass and so everyone arrives at rope drop. Crowds would also taper off in the evenings because with Fastpass, everyone had gotten in what they wanted to do and would leave early or camp out to watch fireworks and then go. Now everyone is staying all day long and trying to squeeze in one one last ride before the fireworks begin, or rushing to get one one last ride after the fireworks end.

So what you are seeing now that is different from fastpass times is that ride queues build quick and stay long all day.

This too.

This journey - we wasted hours just trying.

We used to spend 4-hours in a Park and do what we could around FP+ times. We 'helped' keep the crowds lighter by leaving early or arriving late. This year we sat around and did nothing, frequently.

Here's the thing - I did not 'reward' Disney's bad behavior. I am leaving with zero souvenirs and we canceled dining in Disney run establishments. This most recent trip will likely make my family fans of Universal. My next Disney trip will be less than half as long, and we'll buy a VIP tour.....then stay at Universal where FP is an option.

 

[maltdizzy]

My next Disney trip will be less than half as long, and we'll buy a VIP tour

By including a $3000-$6000 VIP tour (plus tip), you not exactly "stickin' it to the man".

 

[JZCubed]

By including a $3000-$6000 VIP tour (plus tip), you not exactly "stickin' it to the man".

We spend 8-10 nights at Disney in 2-br Deluxe Resort.

When they were available, we bought the add-ons that gave additional 'access', such as the Dessert Parties, Toy Story Land breakfast, Ultimate Day of Thrills, etc..

If we exchange the cost of a private VIP tour for less hotel, food, & add-ons - we come out ahead money wise.

Moreover, we will waste zero time.....priceless.

 

[puffkin]

I will say we just returned from a week at Disney. We are DVC, probably close to 50 trips, heavy FP users, planners, etc. We usually go early August due to work/school/sports schedules. We have really been loving Universal over the last year and their AP's and Express Pass is amazing but had to use up some DVC points so bit the bullet and did a Disney only trip (last trip was last summer right after reopening so not a good comparison). It did take us a day or two to get used to the crowds and a "new" style of touring, but honestly it turned out just fine. I had VERY LOW expectations. Yes lines were long, yes they could do a better job of putting up even temporary cover or fans or something over the outside queues, yes some areas were understaffed but honestly it wasn't terrible. I think staffing is improving literally every day, we saw so many CM's being trained. Rides appeared to be mostly at capacity. Dining (counter service) was a breeze and Mobile Ordering is much improved. Early morning and later (last 2 hours or so) lines were so short. Shorter than I ever remember with FP. We literally walked on headliners most nights. We quickly adjusted and took very long afternoon breaks. We did everything we wanted except SDD (weather closures). In fact, I think we actually got on more attractions than we normally do with FP. Those last 2 hours a night were so fun! My kids eventually got used to waiting in the lines we did wait, but we were strategic about it. Rides we normally would have run to first thing we saved for later in the day if we knew it had a better queue (ie Air conditioning) to wait in or it was a faster loading ride (ie the line keeps moving even if long). We did slower loading or outside queues first thing in the AM and tried to go opposite the crowds. We didn't rush...no sense getting all hot and gross and stressed to stand in lines anyway. MDE times were way off (FOP 135 minutes, waited 60, MMRR 90 minutes waited 50, Splash 120 minutes waited 45, etc).

It was different, but honestly wasn't that bad at all! I will say the only thing we missed out on was the little "extras" that you get when not standing in lines. The "stop and smell the roses" type stuff or the spontaneous character or CM interaction or just browsing through a shop or sitting and having a snack and people watching. But attraction to attraction perspective, we got more done with less stress. We also were not bouncing all over the park, we kind of did a section at a time which was a nice change. I was actually less tired, stressed, hot and sweaty than normal. I will say it did take me a day or two to adjust my perspective though.

 

[JZCubed]

I will say we just returned from a week at Disney. We are DVC, probably close to 50 trips, heavy FP users, planners, etc. We usually go early August due to work/school/sports schedules. We have really been loving Universal over the last year and their AP's and Express Pass is amazing but had to use up some DVC points so bit the bullet and did a Disney only trip (last trip was last summer right after reopening so not a good comparison). It did take us a day or two to get used to the crowds and a "new" style of touring, but honestly it turned out just fine. I had VERY LOW expectations. Yes lines were long, yes they could do a better job of putting up even temporary cover or fans or something over the outside queues, yes some areas were understaffed but honestly it wasn't terrible. I think staffing is improving literally every day, we saw so many CM's being trained. Rides appeared to be mostly at capacity. Dining (counter service) was a breeze and Mobile Ordering is much improved. Early morning and later (last 2 hours or so) lines were so short. Shorter than I ever remember with FP. We literally walked on headliners most nights. We quickly adjusted and took very long afternoon breaks. We did everything we wanted except SDD (weather closures). In fact, I think we actually got on more attractions than we normally do with FP. Those last 2 hours a night were so fun! My kids eventually got used to waiting in the lines we did wait, but we were strategic about it. Rides we normally would have run to first thing we saved for later in the day if we knew it had a better queue (ie Air conditioning) to wait in or it was a faster loading ride (ie the line keeps moving even if long). We did slower loading or outside queues first thing in the AM and tried to go opposite the crowds. We didn't rush...no sense getting all hot and gross and stressed to stand in lines anyway. MDE times were way off (FOP 135 minutes, waited 60, MMRR 90 minutes waited 50, Splash 120 minutes waited 45, etc).

It was different, but honestly wasn't that bad at all! I will say the only thing we missed out on was the little "extras" that you get when not standing in lines. The "stop and smell the roses" type stuff or the spontaneous character or CM interaction or just browsing through a shop or sitting and having a snack and people watching. But attraction to attraction perspective, we got more done with less stress. We also were not bouncing all over the park, we kind of did a section at a time which was a nice change. I was actually less tired, stressed, hot and sweaty than normal. I will say it did take me a day or two to adjust my perspective though.

Our experience was complete opposite.

Did less over more time in the Parks.

We always enjoyed 'anytime rides & attractions' - which now had double the waits or were closed.

Choice was having our nightly Signature meal or going back to the Park.

Typically, we have Park time, get in pool time, eat at 7pm'ish.....and get back into a Park.

This trip, we canceled dining in order to get on rides we 'missed'.....and ate bad food as a result. Can't mobile order a quality steak or fish.

That was never necessary when Parks closed later - with or with our Extra Magic Hours.

Glad it worked for your family, but our experience was more akin to Six Flags (without the FP option).

 

[puffkin]

Our experience was complete opposite.

Did less over more time in the Parks.

We always enjoyed 'anytime rides & attractions' - which now had double the waits or were closed.

Choice was having our nightly Signature meal or going back to the Park.

Typically, we have Park time, get in pool time, eat at 7pm'ish.....and get back into a Park.

This trip, we canceled dining in order to get on rides we 'missed'.....and ate bad food as a result. Can't mobile order a quality steak or fish.

That was never necessary when Parks closed later - with or with our Extra Magic Hours.

Glad it worked for your family, but our experience was more akin to Six Flags (without the FP option).

Not meaning to sound snarky, but it sounds like you are unable/unwilling to adjust your touring style. There is nothing wrong with that. BUT....it is just not that way right now. We were able to adjust our touring style and had an enjoyable but DIFFERENT experience. Some things I liked better, some things I liked less and it did take me a few days to adjust. For instance meals.....we adjusted and planned our big meal for a late lunch (1ish) and then headed back for a long afternoon break. We snacked or did counter service when we got hungry for dinner and really enjoyed the lower crowds then rather than sitting in a restaurant for a long ADR before heading back out for parades/fireworks. Different, yes, but we actually kind of enjoyed the change. But to each their own. I will say my expectations were beyond low for this trip, but we had a much better time than anticipated and I think not being scheduled to the hilt with FP's and Dining contributed to it.

And have you checked out Universal? I think your touring style would be a great fit with staying Premier there and they have some great dining options too! Plus the parks/resorts/City Walk are super convenient and close to each other. Might be a better option for you, we have been very impressed with them the last few visits compared to Disney.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I will say we just returned from a week at Disney. We are DVC, probably close to 50 trips, heavy FP users, planners, etc. We usually go early August due to work/school/sports schedules. We have really been loving Universal over the last year and their AP's and Express Pass is amazing but had to use up some DVC points so bit the bullet and did a Disney only trip (last trip was last summer right after reopening so not a good comparison). It did take us a day or two to get used to the crowds and a "new" style of touring, but honestly it turned out just fine. I had VERY LOW expectations. Yes lines were long, yes they could do a better job of putting up even temporary cover or fans or something over the outside queues, yes some areas were understaffed but honestly it wasn't terrible. I think staffing is improving literally every day, we saw so many CM's being trained. Rides appeared to be mostly at capacity. Dining (counter service) was a breeze and Mobile Ordering is much improved. Early morning and later (last 2 hours or so) lines were so short. Shorter than I ever remember with FP. We literally walked on headliners most nights. We quickly adjusted and took very long afternoon breaks. We did everything we wanted except SDD (weather closures). In fact, I think we actually got on more attractions than we normally do with FP. Those last 2 hours a night were so fun! My kids eventually got used to waiting in the lines we did wait, but we were strategic about it. Rides we normally would have run to first thing we saved for later in the day if we knew it had a better queue (ie Air conditioning) to wait in or it was a faster loading ride (ie the line keeps moving even if long). We did slower loading or outside queues first thing in the AM and tried to go opposite the crowds. We didn't rush...no sense getting all hot and gross and stressed to stand in lines anyway. MDE times were way off (FOP 135 minutes, waited 60, MMRR 90 minutes waited 50, Splash 120 minutes waited 45, etc).

It was different, but honestly wasn't that bad at all! I will say the only thing we missed out on was the little "extras" that you get when not standing in lines. The "stop and smell the roses" type stuff or the spontaneous character or CM interaction or just browsing through a shop or sitting and having a snack and people watching. But attraction to attraction perspective, we got more done with less stress. We also were not bouncing all over the park, we kind of did a section at a time which was a nice change. I was actually less tired, stressed, hot and sweaty than normal. I will say it did take me a day or two to adjust my perspective though.

I was there about 2.5-3 weeks ago now and we had an absolutely fantastic time! As have my other 2 trips over the last year. We were able to ride everything we wanted to (just about everything at AK/HS/EP, and a good majority of MK), without any issues, with rope drop and then staying until park close each day. It was hot, as it usually is this time of year. Crowds didn't really seem any worse than my previous summer trips. Agree about MDE wait times being very off!

All of my trips the past year have been just as magical as ever. CMs have been more friendly than ever. Food was just as good as always. Can't wait to go back in Sept/Oct!

 

[wammers2003]

I've been watching the attraction wait times at all the parks and they seem extra long. Anyone have any idea why? Thanks

We were at AK, MK, E and HS 2 weeks ago on a weekend. Using the TouringPlans app, we noticed that nearly all posted ride line times were misrepresented and much shorter, e.g. Everist posted 40, actual wait 20, TestTrack posted 60, actual wait 40 and many more. That said, Runaway RR was 70 min and actual 70 min. In general, the lines were all much shorter than posted.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I will say we just returned from a week at Disney. We are DVC, probably close to 50 trips, heavy FP users, planners, etc. We usually go early August due to work/school/sports schedules. We have really been loving Universal over the last year and their AP's and Express Pass is amazing but had to use up some DVC points so bit the bullet and did a Disney only trip (last trip was last summer right after reopening so not a good comparison). It did take us a day or two to get used to the crowds and a "new" style of touring, but honestly it turned out just fine. I had VERY LOW expectations. Yes lines were long, yes they could do a better job of putting up even temporary cover or fans or something over the outside queues, yes some areas were understaffed but honestly it wasn't terrible. I think staffing is improving literally every day, we saw so many CM's being trained. Rides appeared to be mostly at capacity. Dining (counter service) was a breeze and Mobile Ordering is much improved. Early morning and later (last 2 hours or so) lines were so short. Shorter than I ever remember with FP. We literally walked on headliners most nights. We quickly adjusted and took very long afternoon breaks. We did everything we wanted except SDD (weather closures). In fact, I think we actually got on more attractions than we normally do with FP. Those last 2 hours a night were so fun! My kids eventually got used to waiting in the lines we did wait, but we were strategic about it. Rides we normally would have run to first thing we saved for later in the day if we knew it had a better queue (ie Air conditioning) to wait in or it was a faster loading ride (ie the line keeps moving even if long). We did slower loading or outside queues first thing in the AM and tried to go opposite the crowds. We didn't rush...no sense getting all hot and gross and stressed to stand in lines anyway. MDE times were way off (FOP 135 minutes, waited 60, MMRR 90 minutes waited 50, Splash 120 minutes waited 45, etc).

It was different, but honestly wasn't that bad at all! I will say the only thing we missed out on was the little "extras" that you get when not standing in lines. The "stop and smell the roses" type stuff or the spontaneous character or CM interaction or just browsing through a shop or sitting and having a snack and people watching. But attraction to attraction perspective, we got more done with less stress. We also were not bouncing all over the park, we kind of did a section at a time which was a nice change. I was actually less tired, stressed, hot and sweaty than normal. I will say it did take me a day or two to adjust my perspective though.

I wish every person stubbornly going to die on the hill of FastPass+ could read this and get as much enjoyment out of a standby-only trip as you did! As someone who didn’t know how to “hack” the system to get more than 3-4 per day and spent MANY trips on comp tickets where FP+ wasn’t an option I can honestly say I have never, ever had an UNENJOYABLE trip to Disney World. Even through heat, crowds, stormy afternoons, ride breakdowns and refurbs- it’s Disney World!

Now as an adult paying for my own tickets and my deluxe accommodations I actually get more stressed trying to “compete” with the super-aggressive touring style fans than when I “didn’t know any better” and ate counter service for every meal and stood in line for 90 mins for Splash Mountain. I think sometimes we get so caught up in trying to outsmart our fellow guests and pat ourselves on the back for our superior knowledge that we close ourselves off to other ways to do it, or new experiences, that we would find equally enjoyable.

 

[JZCubed]

Not meaning to sound snarky, but it sounds like you are unable/unwilling to adjust your touring style. There is nothing wrong with that. BUT....it is just not that way right now. We were able to adjust our touring style and had an enjoyable but DIFFERENT experience. Some things I liked better, some things I liked less and it did take me a few days to adjust. For instance meals.....we adjusted and planned our big meal for a late lunch (1ish) and then headed back for a long afternoon break. We snacked or did counter service when we got hungry for dinner and really enjoyed the lower crowds then rather than sitting in a restaurant for a long ADR before heading back out for parades/fireworks. Different, yes, but we actually kind of enjoyed the change. But to each their own. I will say my expectations were beyond low for this trip, but we had a much better time than anticipated and I think not being scheduled to the hilt with FP's and Dining contributed to it.

And have you checked out Universal? I think your touring style would be a great fit with staying Premier there and they have some great dining options too! Plus the parks/resorts/City Walk are super convenient and close to each other. Might be a better option for you, we have been very impressed with them the last few visits compared to Disney.

Disney Parks were open, at best, 3/4 hours as any typical summer - not including Extra Magic Hours.

The only way to accomplish as much as was accomplished (with or without a FP) was to spend more time in the Parks - where there was less to do.

Animal Kingdom was closed hours before darkness fell - there was no way to return after dinner outside the Park. Epcot is in disrepair. The insanity of gaining admittance to Rise of the Resistance is unconscionable - we had a return time of 8pm (after initially trying at 7am); with fewer anytime attractions in the Park.

Lion King show was shortened, Nemo show was closed, Rivers of Light (thankfully) closed, Indiana Jones closed, Beauty & Beast show closed, and Fantastic show closed. Obviously, no Character meet-n-greets. No Dessert Parties. No semi-private add-ons that gained additional park time.

We pretty much never eat anything but table service & Signatures for a meal. None of our favorites in Disney Springs were open for lunch. Other than Tiffins & Brown Derby, which typically offer tickets for nighttime shows, Disney Signatures are not open for lunch. CA Grill canceled their brunch. Even Flying Fish & ESPN are still closed. Moreover, regularly eating fast food is the opposite of a vacation for my family.

We adjusted our touring style. When we planned our ADR's Disney had no fireworks. Trying to subsequently readjust times at Signatures to get back into the Parks with abbreviated hours when fireworks were announced was impossible. If we wanted to have Signature take-out, we could have stayed home in lock-down mode and saved plenty of money.

We canceled days at Disney and we check-in to (my families first trip to) Universal tomorrow - for nearly as many days as we had at Disney.

Disney decided to not open Ratatouille, Universal opened a new roller coaster.

And even after Parks close, I'm guessing the lounges in Hard Rock are open, while the one in my deluxe Disney resort is closed until further notice (and not for any refurbishment).

Despite knowingly expecting less than Disney typically offers, Disney underperformed at every turn.

 

[maltdizzy]

“The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.” ― Confucius

Both the guests who complain about the lines, waits, closures, etc. and the guests who returned from a great, fun (but different) trip all experienced the exact same parks and crowds. Some had the worst trip of their lives, others had the best. Some only had the patience for 2-3 lines, others managed to get in all the rides they wanted, often multiple times (by ignoring posted wait times). I think those that enjoyed the parks managed expectations and either had a more spontaneous style or a willingness to adapt to one and go with the flow. WDW is different now, it may be forever (some changes, like shorter park hours, predate COVID), and it cannot be all things to everyone (nor was it ever).

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.” ― Bruce Lee