Parks EXTREMELY busy already

[marcriss]

We just got back, 5th -15th. While things were very crowded on the weekends and overall got more crowded after the second sat/sun 12th-13th, things weren't as bad as years past. We had our traditional last day Cape May breakfast yesterday morning and the place was almost empty (usually there are tons of people and long waits). Monday we went to the MK, and it was crowded but we still managed to see quite a bit. Buzz was about 5 min (posted as 10), Small World was 15 (posted as 20). We were able to FP Pooh and there was a line for TTA, but it went quickly. Saturday at Epcot during the day was jammed and a lot of people were doing KP (so were we). But it emptied out at night as everyone went to MK. We did MVMCP on Tuesday and Thursday, both days were really good. Tuesday was lighter and CRT was half empty.

We never got on to Pan or TSM. Seriously, they've had a year to figure something out with TSM. Both days we were there the FPs were gone by 11:30. No 2 minute ride is worth an 80 minute wait. I'd rather they give out more FPs and have a 20 minute wait or spread out the FPs so that they last longer than 2 1/2 hours. Just my opinion....

 

[_Scar]

We never got on to Pan or TSM. Seriously, they've had a year to figure something out with TSM. Both days we were there the FPs were gone by 11:30. No 2 minute ride is worth an 80 minute wait. I'd rather they give out more FPs and have a 20 minute wait or spread out the FPs so that they last longer than 2 1/2 hours. Just my opinion....

If a 1 minute ride (Dumbo) is worth 40 minutes to some people... then 2 minutes for an 80 minute queue seems logical :lol:

Giving away more FPs is not the solution.

 

[fosse76]

If a 1 minute ride (Dumbo) is worth 40 minutes to some people... then 2 minutes for an 80 minute queue seems logical :lol:

Giving away more FPs is not the solution.

Personally, I think they are issuing too many FPs for TSMM and Peter Pan. The FP queue for TSMM was full both times I rode it. This is the first time I skipped Peter Pan (I wanted to be at the Studios by the listed FP return time so didn't get one and never got back to it). I think the problem is, at least for these two rides, is that the FP increases the wait time, because more people are wanting to ride. Without FP, most people would probably bypass the attractions if they saw the line was stretching into the midway. With FP, the lines while completely full, don't stick out much so people will line up. As a result, more people are riding then normally might. Unlike attractions like RnR or Expedition Everest, where odds are high that people will get in the line anyway. It's the perceived length of the line and the "prize" at the end of the wait.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

If a 1 minute ride (Dumbo) is worth 40 minutes to some people... then 2 minutes for an 80 minute queue seems logical :lol:

Giving away more FPs is not the solution.

The thing is, Pan does not even need a FP. It's a Omni. Same with Buzz.

 

[RSoxNo1]

If a 1 minute ride (Dumbo) is worth 40 minutes to some people... then 2 minutes for an 80 minute queue seems logical :lol:

Giving away more FPs is not the solution.

Giving away more fastpasses is certainly not the solution - having more fastpass attractions is the solution. The demand for Toy Story will drop once Star Tours 2 opens in 2011.

The thing is, Pan does not even need a FP. It's a Omni. Same with Buzz.

Pan isn't an Omni Mover. And I've said it many times, the ride system is irrelevant, it's the overall capacity vs. demand. I have no problem with Pan having a Fastpass, especially because it's not that far out. Space Mountain typically has a longer delay in Fastpass return time.

Fastpass is a better system the more it's in use. In every park but the Magic Kingdom, Fastpass is typically only used for 3 attractions. It works much better in the Magic Kingdom because of the number of Fastpass attractions. I would maintain that Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean could all utilize Fastpass, and I would also suggest that Ariel's Undersea Adventure utilizes it as well.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Giving away more fastpasses is certainly not the solution - having more fastpass attractions is the solution. The demand for Toy Story will drop once Star Tours 2 opens in 2011.



Pan isn't an Omni Mover. And I've said it many times, the ride system is irrelevant, it's the overall capacity vs. demand. I have no problem with Pan having a Fastpass, especially because it's not that far out. Space Mountain typically has a longer delay in Fastpass return time.

Fastpass is a better system the more it's in use. In every park but the Magic Kingdom, Fastpass is typically only used for 3 attractions. It works much better in the Magic Kingdom because of the number of Fastpass attractions. I would maintain that Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean could all utilize Fastpass, and I would also suggest that Ariel's Undersea Adventure utilizes it as well.

Shows you how long I've gone without going on it. Damn wait times.:lol: Hopefully that changes on Friday...


What kind of system is is?

 

[RSoxNo1]

I guess "overhead track ride" is the best classification. It's odd because the vehicles are dispatched like they would be an omnimover, but they're not connected. It's kind of a fuse between Winnie the Pooh's dispatch system and an omnimover system.

 

[Horizons19]

Saturday I was at DTD and it was crazy busy. We boated over from our resort first thing in the morning and it was already super busy at World of Disney. Art of Disney was very busy with someone signing figurines. I had to go there to get some art they only had and it took forever it seemed to purchase it. We tried to eat at Earl and it was packed like sardines out the door at 11am. so we took the boat back to the resort. Parks have been a bit busier this year I'm thinking because of the free dining, etc. I am glad to see the Pop Warner kids gone from our mod resort. They left garbage everywhere outside last week. I also saw several large Brazilian tour groups last week at the parks chanting in various locations like Splash. The weather has gone from perfect (highs in the 70's) to hot to cold to hot and now perfect again. I heard about Roy Disney while eating dinner at Tony's tonight - very sad!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I guess "overhead track ride" is the best classification. It's odd because the vehicles are dispatched like they would be an omnimover, but they're not connected. It's kind of a fuse between Winnie the Pooh's dispatch system and an omnimover system.

Ah, I think it's a Omni Hybrid, then....Like WoM and Horizons in some respects.

 

[WDW1974]

Evan, you missed a heck of a day... Drinks at seaworld with a certain Spirit (which was actually QUITE fun), followed by an evening at EPCOT, closed out by ROE and a scaled back POE tag.

It's always important to Celebrate The Spirit of the Season, I say!:xmas:

As to the original breathless post, all I'll say is MK was indeed packed on Saturday.

But beyond that, the parks (did all four Disney parks and SW) were never more than moderate and some days downright empty. Last Thursday, a beautiful cool 63-degree, gloomy day ... MK was emptier than I have seen it since the immediate post-9/11 months. When you can walk in Fantasyland ... when you can have a boat to yourself on PoC at 1 p.m. ... when there are only TWO strollers and ONE ECV parked in the massive walkway just outside JC and across from Tiki Room ... when every attraction is pretty much a walk on DESPITE both Space Mountain and BTMRR being down for parts of the day ... that is the living, breathing, reality definition of NOT AT ALL CROWDED!

BTW, have I mentioned yet that I had a magical time yet? How about that Space Mountain is cleaner and darker and has one improved tunnel, but otherwise still S-U-C-K-S?

Hmm ... have I let it slip that a Disney honcho let slip (perhaps purposely, but I very much doubt it) that February's media event will include the announcement of an AP that includes all US parks (a DVC annual is how I describe it)? Nope? Oh well, I'll have to start a thread on that at some point.

Did I mention that I didn't need to be evacuated from a monorail? ... Or that I actually enjoyed the Studios more than EPCOT because one was so much better in the holiday feel? Or that I had some interesting conversations with some execs who actually not only don't hate me, but may just like me?:xmas:

Did I mention that resort specific merchandise is still available at every resort I visited? And that the Hulk meet and greet hasn't come to EPCOT yet, but the survey markers for the F-land expansion are visible from the WDW RR?

Oh well, guess I'm gonna have to do an observation thread at some point this weekend.

Until then, this will have to do.
:xmas::xmas::xmas:

 

[WDW1974]

Oops. I left out the biggest point as to MK being packed Saturday.

That would be the 9-1 operating schedule (also this Saturday). Something unprecedented and largely due to the fact they are scheduling so many hard ticket Mickey's Christmas Extortion Parties that locals simply can't go to the park without paying extra, so this is the one 'bone' Disney has tossed in their direction.

The parks simply aren't busy at all. And parts of O-Town are scary empty right now.
I'd expect that for the next few days and then it will start building from moderate to insanely busy as we head for the two holiday weeks.

Glad I went to WDW.

Glad I am back from WDW.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Dear Disney,

You are no longer a premium product. This is hurting your attendance. Fix it.

Love,
Your fans

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Interesting stuff...:ROFLOL::lookaroun:lol:

 

[Cane27]

Went from Saturday to Tuesday after a 15 month absence. Got to MK at 2:30 Sat and left right before Wishes. I thought the park, while crowded, was still pretty manageable. The only issue we had was that we were wanting to leave from BTMR to parking but Spectromagic was going on and they shut the train down, so basically we were pinned. It was tough making our way out the conventional way after the parade. Sunday at AK wasn't bad at all, and Monday at Epcot and DS was fairly calm as well. Before we drove home Tuesday we hit MK again and it was probably half as crowded as it was Saturday and we were able to accomplish alot from 10 am to 3pm.
Wife and I are going back in early Feb for a weekend, but leaving the kids with the grandparents. Naughty, we are:fork::fork: