Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[Purduevian]

I don’t. It was a much better system than what we now have.

If you were a super user (like many on here), it was far and away the best system. I could usually get any ride I wanted to pop up for a FP+ less than an hour away with just 10ish mins of refreshing...

I think the big issues (from Disney's perspective) were:

• All the "good" rides were booked up 60+ days in advanced. Causing those that either don't plan that far ahead or didn't know about the system to lose a ton of value. This made last minute bookings less attractive
• People like me would get 13+ FPs a day leaving very few for everyone else
• AP pass holders would jump in, use ride capacity on the most popular rides, and leave without spending a dollar
• The biggest cash cows (once in a lifetime visitors) spending the most money, would often time have the worst experience.

 

[Chi84]

If you were a super user (like many on here), it was far an away the best system. I could usually get any ride I wanted to pop up for a FP+ less than an hour away with just 10ish mins of refreshing...

I think the big issues (from Disney's perspective) were:

• All the "good" rides were booked up 60+ days in advanced. Causing those that either don't plan that far ahead or didn't know about the system to lose a ton of value. This made last minute bookings less attractive
• People like me would get 13+ FPs a day leaving very few for everyone else
• AP pass holders would jump in, use ride capacity on the most popular rides, and leave without spending a dollar
• The biggest cash cows (once in a lifetime visitors) spending the most money, would often time have the worst experience.

So you’re the one they’re talking about in the video!

 

[LittleBuford]

If you were a super user (like many on here), it was far an away the best system. I could usually get any ride I wanted to pop up for a FP+ less than an hour away with just 10ish mins of refreshing...

I think the big issues (from Disney's perspective) were:

• All the "good" rides were booked up 60+ days in advanced. Causing those that either don't plan that far ahead or didn't know about the system to lose a ton of value. This made last minute bookings less attractive
• People like me would get 13+ FPs a day leaving very few for everyone else
• AP pass holders would jump in, use ride capacity on the most popular rides, and leave without spending a dollar
• The biggest cash cows (once in a lifetime visitors) spending the most money, would often time have the worst experience.

I get all this, but I do wonder whether guest-satisfaction data supports the argument that most "ordinary" visitors disliked the old system. (Perhaps this is something the famous video addresses.)

 

[Chi84]

I get all this, but I do wonder whether guest-satisfaction data supports the argument that most "ordinary" visitors disliked the old system. (Perhaps this is something the famous video addresses.)

I would offer to watch it again but in all fairness I just don’t like you enough

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I get all this, but I do wonder whether guest-satisfaction data supports the argument that most "ordinary" visitors disliked the old system. (Perhaps this is something the famous video addresses.)

Don’t chase that “guest satisfaction” nonsense…

It sounds good…but it’s not how the ship runs anymore.

They get over 50% of all revenue from the parks…it’s the overriding priority is revenue…nothing else really matters

 

[LittleBuford]

Don’t chase that “guest satisfaction” nonsense…

It sounds good…but it’s not how the ship runs anymore.

They get 50% of all revenue from the parks…it’s the overriding prior is revenue…nothing else really matters

I'm speaking as a guest, not as one of Disney's accountants.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm speaking as a guest, not as one of Disney's accountants.

Why does the guest thought matter to current management decisions? It really hasn’t seemed like a thing for 10+ years?

It you’re talking philosophically… I get that

 

[Chi84]

Why does the guest thought matter to current management decisions? It really hasn’t seemed like a thing for 10+ years?

It you’re talking philosophically… I get that

Satisfied guests return.

 

[Purduevian]

So you’re the one they’re talking about in the video!

Yup... of note... this trip was just my wife/fiance at the time with no kids... so I wouldn't be doing this now, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that was doing this. 16 FP+ in Magic Kingdom was an insane day.

I do think the majority of people are waiting longer in lines due to fastpass... but I assure you I am not on my trips. I was in Disney actually exactly a year ago (so July 4th week) and managed to get the following fastpasses in 1 day each in the park.

MK (16): Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Pan, Pooh (x2), 7 dwarfs, Meet Tiana and Rapunzel, Meet Ariel, Under the Sea, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Buzz (x2), Meet Mickey & Minnie (they were meeting together) and Meet Tinkerbell.
--We also had time to watch the parade, meet Donald and Goofy, go on jungle cruise, Aladdin, pirates, Philharmagic, Small world, COP, and watch the fireworks

EPCOT (7): Soarin, Test Track, Frozen (x2), Nemo, The Land, Spaceship Earth. Also got a late night FP for Illuminations
--This was all in about 3.5 hours as we spent the entire afternoon and evening in World Showcase

DHS (9): Slinky, TSMM (x2), RnRC, ToT, ST (x3), and F!
-We also watched Frozen, Indy, BatB, Muppets, Star Wars show, Walked through Launch Bay, Met Olaf, road Alien, and had a sit down dinner at Prime time. This was before GE and MMRR opened.

AK(8): Navi River (x2), Fop (x2), Kilimanjaro, Everest (x3)
--We also watched Nemo and FotLK, did gorilla falls and the jungle trek. We also left that day around 3 because we were driving to a beach that night.

I rode everything I wanted, saw every show I wanted, sat and relaxed for all of my meals (even sat for breakfast in the parks each day), met every character I wanted to, and never waited more than 20 minutes (small world was my longest line of the whole trip). I can guarantee with the elimination of FP+ I would NOT be able to say the same thing. Sure standby waits would drop some if FP+ was eliminated... but I almost never stand in a standby line outside of shows (which FP does NOT save you time for) and Rope Dropping (where standby lines are short anyway).

 

[Chi84]

I get all this, but I do wonder whether guest-satisfaction data supports the argument that most "ordinary" visitors disliked the old system. (Perhaps this is something the famous video addresses.)

I guess I do like you that much.

I re-watched the video. It begins by noting that long lines have been a problem since the day Disney opened its first park and the problem worsened significantly as attendance spiked. It then details Disney's attempts to address long lines: adding switchbacks, hiding queues, making them interesting and finally fast pass, FP+ and ending at the start of Genie+.

The video recognizes the variety of guests visiting the parks and concentrates on three groups: one-time/infrequent guests, regulars who visit every year or few years and AP holders/frequent guests. It uses statistical analysis to show the impact of the standby, fast pass and FP+ on each group.

Not surprisingly, FP+ favored regular visitors who stayed at Disney resorts and didn't mind planning and research. If you watch the video, we loved FP+ and are "friends of the monster." One-time/infrequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of knowledge and AP/frequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of early access to the system.

Obviously this is a very short summary specifically addressed to your question about guest satisfaction. The video is well worth watching if you have an hour and 45 minutes to spare. It is pretty even-handed and sets out the pros and cons of each line-skip system highlighting the differing impacts on each group of guests.

No solutions are presented, although legacy fast pass fares the best.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yup... of note... this trip was just my wife/fiance at the time with no kids... so I wouldn't be doing this now, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that was doing this. 16 FP+ in Magic Kingdom was an insane day.

You weren’t the only one doing it…but none of you were in the right place for it.

It was never about park pounding…you lose the design and atmosphere that way.

Where you…by chance…wearing the exclusive jolly holiday dress with matching loungelfy bag and ears that day?

I think I passed you as you ran by…I probably had Nutella smudges from sleepy hollow on my face/shoes

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Just a random question as my LL booking day is approaching. Are there any LLs that currently “sell out” at the 7 day mark? Just wondering if I should do my days in a certain order. We can be fairly flexible with times but will be there during a busy timeframe.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just a random question as my LL booking day is approaching. Are there any LLs that currently “sell out” at the 7 day mark? Just wondering if I should do my days in a certain order. We can be fairly flexible with times but will be there during a busy timeframe.

Generally speaking? No

I don’t know what jerz week does to that though?

 

[Purduevian]

You weren’t the only one doing it…but none of you were in the right place for it.

It was never about park pounding…you lose the design and atmosphere that way.

Where you…by chance…wearing the exclusive jolly holiday dress with matching loungelfy bag and ears that day?

I think I passed you as you ran buy…I probably had Nutella smudges from sleepy hollow on my face/shoes

Everyone tours the parks differently. Personally I love the rides and maximize my time on them... I can also see why someone could go to MK, never ride a ride, and have a great time (but that's not me).

Regarding my attire, my amazon disney shirts, amazon backpack, and my 5+ year old goofy hat was all I needed.

I'm a firm believer this is no "right" way to do the parks... but if you are prioritizing rides there is/was an "efficient" way.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Everyone tours the parks differently. Personally I love the rides and maximize my time on them... I can also see why someone could go to MK, never ride a ride, and have a great time (but that's not me).

Regarding my attire, my amazon disney shirts, amazon backpack, and my 5+ year old goofy hat was all I needed.

I'm a firm believer this is no "right" way to do the parks... but if you are prioritizing rides there is/was an "efficient" way.

Nobody ever listens to me…so I’ll convince no one…

But I am a fan of history…and it’s no secret all the design elements were meant to integrate to take the burden OFF the rides.

I like a good whirl on a the low thrill “extreme” rides like Abrams, mine train and the broken Everest as much as the next cat…

But if the parks become 100% ride centic…which bad management is pushing it towards…they’ll suck. I am annoyingly predictive…against everyone’s best interests…on these types of things

As always…do what works for you

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Generally speaking? No

I don’t know what jerz week does to that though?

Thank you! I will be there November 16-23 with my 10 year old and (unfortunately) will be purchasing for every day.

 

[LittleBuford]

I guess I do like you that much.

I re-watched the video. It begins by noting that long lines have been a problem since the day Disney opened its first park and the problem worsened significantly as attendance spiked. It then details Disney's attempts to address long lines: adding switchbacks, hiding queues, making them interesting and finally fast pass, FP+ and ending at the start of Genie+.

The video recognizes the variety of guests visiting the parks and concentrates on three groups: one-time/infrequent guests, regulars who visit every year or few years and AP holders/frequent guests. It uses statistical analysis to show the impact of the standby, fast pass and FP+ on each group.

Not surprisingly, FP+ favored regular visitors who stayed at Disney resorts and didn't mind planning and research. If you watch the video, we loved FP+ and are "friends of the monster." One-time/infrequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of knowledge and AP/frequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of early access to the system.

Obviously this is a very short summary specifically addressed to your question about guest satisfaction. The video is well worth watching if you have an hour and 45 minutes to spare. It is pretty even-handed and sets out the pros and cons of each line-skip system highlighting the differing impacts on each group of guests.

No solutions are presented, although legacy fast pass fares the best.

Thank you!

All of this makes sense to me, and I can absolutely see how the old system favoured experienced users. I don’t think the new system is any better in that regard, though—the main difference is that you now have to pay for it.

Moreover, my question about guest satisfaction had more to do with how “ordinary” guests perceived FP+ than with how effectively it actually served them. Did significant numbers of these guests dislike the system, and/or recognise that they were getting less mileage out of it than those in the know? I never had the sense that droves of people were feeling dissatisfied or complaining to Disney about it, but I may well be wrong.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thank you! I will be there November 16-23 with my 10 year old and (unfortunately) will be purchasing for every day.

Oh ok…you should be alright…jersey week is next week and my advice is to avoid those no good vultures

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thank you!

All of this makes sense to me, and I can absolutely see how the old system favoured experienced users. I don’t think the new system is any better in that regard, though—the main difference is that you now have to pay for it.

That “difference” is a huge one…is a strong suspicion

Moreover, my question about guest satisfaction had more to do with how “ordinary” guests perceived FP+ than with how effectively it actually served them. Did significant numbers of these guests dislike the system, and/or recognise that they were getting less mileage out of it than those in the know? I never had the sense that droves of people were feeling dissatisfied or complaining to Disney about it, but I may well be wrong.

Just my opinion…none of that matters…

It’s the new blankie that fans have begun to hold on to…just like “it’s luxury now” when they Jacked the prices to account for losses of numbers…

They operate on only a “Growth no matter what” model now…which means feedback is just PR…it won’t push any management decisions

But I’m always wrong