Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[LittleBuford]

They have to do something. There is no financial viability in billion dollar rides.

I'm not sure why they would feel the need to do something as long as attendance numbers remain high and people continue to pay for the product as it stands. But perhaps long-term developments will prove you right.

 

[wutisgood]

I am personally waiting on the discounts. I have my cheap orlando pass for universal and sea world that sunset around march, but the question is are using any of my no expire wdw passes worthwhile when disneyland is a better value for now. I am waiting to see if significant disneyland discounts come in as they try to block out locals. In 2019 I paid 240 for a 5 day one park per day pass as an out of state visitor.

 

[mikejs78]

Maybe early on…. but towards the end of MaxPass’s existence, around 50% of guests were using/purchasing it from what I’ve been told.

How much of that though was the result of the AP add-on?

 

[wutisgood]

Thank you for a very full and detailed answer. By your assessment, Disney faces a near-insurmountable task. I can’t see them doing half the things you list, except perhaps to bring in more guests should crowd levels ever fall. But I like many of your ideas and hope, one day, Disney embraces an approach that you feel addresses your concerns.

5th park and major expansions to every current park within 5 years is what they need at a minimum to deal with the actual reality.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm not sure why they would feel the need to do something as long as attendance numbers remain high and people continue to pay for the product as it stands. But perhaps long-term developments will prove you right.

They felt a need to rush in TRON and Ratatouille.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Thanks. I was under the impression that, post-pandemic, Disney will go back to accommodating the same crowds as before, with the reservation system being used solely to keep track of numbers and plan operations. It'll be interesting to see what actually ends up happening.

That is the primary goal. The secondary goal, especially at DL, is to keep Passhodlders from overwhelming the park and giving paid day ticket guests a slightly more decent guest experience so that they are apt to return - while also keeping staffing levels to a minimum.

 

[LittleBuford]

5th park and major expansions to every current park within 5 years is what they need at a minimum to deal with the actual reality.

I don't think it at all likely that that will happen.

 

[VaderTron]

You are perfectly free to tell me that my perception of a situation (crowding, capacity, etc.) is incorrect. Where I draw the line is at being told that my perception of my own enjoyment is incorrect. Yes, you and others come across as unreasonably zealous when you insist that those of us who like Disney are being duped.

For my part, I apologise for using language that upset you, but I stand by my claim that there is something perverse about criticising the way others choose to spend their dollars at Disney if you yourself continue to line the company’s pockets.

What's with all the line drawing that goes on by the oversensitive, easily-offended masses today? If I had a nickle for every line drawn in this forum I could afford VIP White Glove tours of WDW and wouldn't need to worry a thing about the relative value of G+.

 

[LittleBuford]

They felt a need to rush in TRON and Ratatouille.

They've been adding things in dribs and drabs for years anyway. What I meant is that I see no reason why they would shift gear to the much more accelerated kind of expansion that you're calling for.

 

[LittleBuford]

What's with all the line drawing that goes on by the oversensitive, easily-offended masses today? If I had a nickle for every line drawn in this forum I could afford VIP White Glove tours of WDW and wouldn't need to worry a thing about the relative value of G+.

I'm sure you too have a limit to what you find acceptable on a Disney forum. I'm not so uncouth as to test it.

 

[wutisgood]

I don't think it at all likely that that will happen.

the mouse is an and does not like reality.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

They've been adding things in dribs and drabs for years anyway. What I meant is that I see no reason why they would shift gear to the much more accelerated kind of expansion that you're calling for.

They haven't really though...they've mostly been replacing things, and more often than not, the replacements have less hourly capacity.

 

[wutisgood]

They haven't really though...they've mostly been replacing things, and more often than not, the replacements have less hourly capacity.

universal at this point is going to be like disneyland east on value. they build out attractions and have a fixed cost.

 

[LittleBuford]

They haven't really though...they've mostly been replacing things, and more often than not, the replacements have less hourly capacity.

I would say "dribs and drabs" is a fair description of things they've added over the years, even taking into account what's been taken away. Perhaps someone has an actual tally they might share.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I would say "dribs and drabs" is a fair description of things they've added over the years, even taking into account what's been taken away. Perhaps someone has an actual tally they might share.

True. It's just so frustrating that they seemingly ignore the solution even as it stares them in the face.

 

[UNCgolf]

They haven't really though...they've mostly been replacing things, and more often than not, the replacements have less hourly capacity.

I think this century they've added attraction capacity to DHS and AK, and lost it at EPCOT even with the Soarin' and Ratatouille additions -- I'm not 100% sure about that, but I think it's true due to lower capacity replacement attractions and the loss of the whole Wonders of Life pavilion (there's also been a loss of smaller things like all of the extra activities in the old Motion pavilion, Innoventions, etc.). At best it's probably a wash.

I don't think the Magic Kingdom has had an increase either. There was probably a small increase with Little Mermaid and Seven Dwarfs replacing Snow White and 20K, but there's also the loss of the Galaxy Palace Theater and the Stitch location. TRON should push them into a small increase overall, but certainly not remotely commensurate with the overall increase in attendance.

 

[hopemax]

I'm not sure why they would feel the need to do something as long as attendance numbers remain high and people continue to pay for the product as it stands. But perhaps long-term developments will prove you right.

And what would be the motivation for addressing overcrowding situations if attendance were to drop?

If you are unwilling to address overcrowding when you are overcrowded and things are getting worse in that respect, you certainly aren’t going to do it when you are less crowded. Whatever Disney were to do then would be for reasons other than fixing overcrowding.

 

[LittleBuford]

And what would be the motivation for addressing overcrowding situations if attendance were to drop?

If you are unwilling to address overcrowding when you are overcrowded and things are getting worse in that respect, you certainly aren’t going to do it when you are less crowded. Whatever Disney were to do then would be for reasons other than fixing overcrowding.

What I meant is that they would be adding things not to mitigate crowds, but for the opposite reason—to draw people in. I see that as a likelier motivator for Disney.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

What I meant is that they would be adding things not to mitigate crowds, but for the opposite reason—to draw people in. I see that as a likelier motivator for Disney.

Unfortunately, I think you're right.

 

[mikejs78]

Yes, Disney will let you ride twice IF YOU PAY. They don't want free re-rides. I'm sorry I didn't include the word free.

That.... Makes no sense. There's nothing stopping me from going on the same ride twice in a trip for "free". (I.e. no additional cost other than admission).