How Do Soft Openings Work?

[Raineman]

I've seen some mentions about soft openings on this forum, before a new attraction or land officially opens, but it was never clear exactly how they work. Do they do soft openings right before the official opening? How do they pick the people to participate? Are they used as a final test before official opening?
I will be at WDW with my DW, DD and niece the second week of November this year, and would love it if we could get in on any soft opening activities for SW:GE (if it hasn't opened by then).

 

[The Pho]

They’ve worked a few different ways over the years. Mission: Space required annual passes. Rockin Roller Coaster was just running normally for anybody at certain times. New Fantasyland has annual pass sign ups and time slots. Pandora did the same. Toy Story Land had its soft opening the night before its grand opening, allowing anybody in, as well as some selective guests riding at various times the days before it opened.

The expectation for Star Wars is for paid previews and selective soft openings (AP, DVC, Club 33, etc.), if they do anything prior to open. But until there is official information, it’s hard to say exactly who will get in and when. Hopefully it works out for you. The sooner they open it, the better.

 

[danlb_2000]

I've seen some mentions about soft openings on this forum, before a new attraction or land officially opens, but it was never clear exactly how they work. Do they do soft openings right before the official opening? How do they pick the people to participate? Are they used as a final test before official opening?
I will be at WDW with my DW, DD and niece the second week of November this year, and would love it if we could get in on any soft opening activities for SW:GE (if it hasn't opened by then).

True soft openings, as opposed to special invitation previews, just happen randomly before the official opening date. They will just open the land or attraction at some point in the day. It may stay open all day, it may close at any time. There is no commitment to any sort of schedule.

 

[larryz]

Most times, you'll find CMs out front inviting people to get in line. Given today's communiverse, you can bet there will be a crowd forming as soon as a CM invites the first soft-opening guest in.

 

[Driver]

All the above is true, however before they have soft openings to the public they have them for CM's first. But to the OP's concern don't expect much, your chances of being there when It happens would equivalent to hitting the lottery . It's very random

 

[jloucks]

With us, a cast member approached us and invited us to check something cool out. We were guided through a gate and got to mess around in Fairytale Garden while it was under testing. We got to see them practice with the robot bears, chat with Merida (with no lines or mobs) and shoot arrows n stuff. It was totally random, and pretty cool. We may have been specifically targeted based on our kids age, but who knows. We tried later to get 'selected' again, but it never happened.

 

[TwilightZone]

Never been to a disney soft opening, but have been to a California's Great America one. Over there they let anyone ride. It was cool to be part of one, but none of the seats worked. Maybe disney has better "show" when it comes to soft openings, but for now I will skip any future ones.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Maybe disney has better "show" when it comes to soft openings, but for now I will skip any future ones.

There's a difference between a "preview" and a "soft opening" at Disney. A "soft opening" is supposed to be show ready. A preview often comes with the caveat that they're still working out the bugs. The previews are usually limited to cast members, DVC, or other passholders.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Only "Soft Opening" I ever experienced was EE and that was on accident.

 

[thomas998]

True soft openings, as opposed to special invitation previews, just happen randomly before the official opening date. They will just open the land or attraction at some point in the day. It may stay open all day, it may close at any time. There is no commitment to any sort of schedule.

Yep they are often pretty much random, although in recent years they seem to be aimed more toward perks for AP's. I wouldn't expect to be able to get in on one and would just be happy if it happened.

 

[danlb_2000]

Yep they are often pretty much random, although in recent years they seem to be aimed more toward perks for AP's. I wouldn't expect to be able to get in on one and would just be happy if it happened.

I don't consider the invited preview to be true "soft openings".

 

[ninjaprincesst]

When the New fantasyland had a soft opening we were literally just walking by the entrance and noticed it was no longer blocked and went straight in and rode Under the Sea with no line, had LeFreu's brew at Gaston's Tavern to a nearly empty place and then about 4pm cast members outside of BOG were telling people they were now open for dining, we walked right in and were seated (the one and only time that will ever happen.)

 

[GSP Guy]

We were just walking by New Fantasyland area and a cast member asked if we'd like to go in as they were doing soft opening and we could be some of the first guest to experience the Little Mermaid ride.

 

[tampabrad]

With everything being an upcharge and with social media, the days of surprise openings are slim to none.

Galaxy's Edge will probably be invite only or paid previews in order to avoid a social media frenzy resulting in a mob.

 

[Tealeaf]

Social media spreads fast but tickets and transportation still do cost money. If word does break out online I'd imagine it might bring the passholders and locals in for the next few days, but it's unrealistic for lots of people to drop everything and go take a trip because OMG the new land is open! If we get a hard date for the opening of GE people aren't going to reschedule their trips early.
Did Toy Story Land get a soft open? I feel like it's in such an out-of-the-way part of the park that it wouldn't be hard to believe that they would wait until a set date for that. At lest New Fantasyland looks like a fairly large and well-integrated part of the MK.