RnR testing queue-less system that Dumbo's going to use

[fosse76]

Supposedly this is a test to see how they can bring interactive elements to the queue at Rock n' Roller Coaster like Soarin' and Space Mountain have. Obviously, this set up is quite different from just placing games IN the line. This is entire new what of lining up.

I'm not fond of the whole games in line concept. Particulalry group games like at Soarin'. But the games would have to be engaging without being addictive. Plus there just won't be enough games to go around.

This new system is interesting. The wait time displayed when I was there was 30 mins at the entrance gates. The screens showed 15mins or less, 30mins or less, and 45mins or less. Again, when the test was over yesterday, the wait jumped up to 50 mins. I'm not sure if it was just due to people unsure about riding during the test or what. It seems to me that not only was the line a bit shorter, but the wait time seemed more accurate than the red tag system they use to update the wait time.

If the test ended at 2:30pm, it's possible that the park's attendance was higher by then. Epcot had morning EMH that day, and I know I didn't work my way over to that area until 2:40pm. What annoyed me was that the Single-rider line took longer than the standby line. I know it was just a freak coincidence that most of the riders were doubled-up, but still. I think the attendants should have to load single riders if they've been there an equivalent amount of time as the standby riders.

Each card given to the guest can also act like one of the red tag cards given to update wait times. Then like I said before, you also have the pros of also being able to grab an ice cream and sit and listen to a live DJ while your kids play Rock Band vs. standing in line on your feet staring only what is around you as you move a few feet every few mins. Sure it is confusing, but some people are still confused on how Fast Pass works.

The problem I have with this concept is that there really is no way to ensure people will be happier not standing in line. As was mentioned by someone else (and alluded to by me in my previous post), the ones who aren't moved by the entertainment options (which obviously will be limited) will end up just sitting there waiting. In an actual line, guests feel like they are doing something, whereas just sitting there they are doing nothing. You can easily listen to music while standing in line, so a DJ is hardly a good alternative. I know that this was merely a test, but they really would need to design something like this as part of the main attraction...lest you lose part of the show aspect of the attraction.

But with all this said and done, I should note that this was all based on observation after only a small period of the test when I was there. I didn't actually go through the test, just watched for about an hour until it was over.

I personally think the concept is great, but I just don't know how it could be executed without spending money that's best spent on refurbing attractions that badly need it or pumping into new attractions.

Um... not at all. The cards are distributed in order so at the start of the day, the first people to wait in Standby will get A1 cards, then the next group will get A2, and so on. It's not a random distribution, it's still first come first serve.

That seems like an inefficient use of manpower. Not having witnessed this, I assume they call A1...how long do the give A1 to show up before calling A2?

 

[roadtripper]

It may work great, but I hope Disney realizes that the only way to make these popular rides less crowded is to build even more rides that will help to spread the guests around the park. Lights, motor, action helps to do this during shows but they need at least 2 more killer rides to draw people all over the park IMO. Especially at AK. Everest was a 3 hour wait in August in the middle of the day. That's ridiculous. Who waits that long?!

 

[sublimesting]

Talk about over analyzing...

No, it's called thinking...

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Anything that prevents line jumping is okay in my book. I can't wait to see this rolled out to other locations and hopefully implemented electronically via mobile devices.

 

[EpcotServo]

On the first day there was confusion. On the second, war began.

 

[fosse76]

It may work great, but I hope Disney realizes that the only way to make these popular rides less crowded is to build even more rides that will help to spread the guests around the park. Lights, motor, action helps to do this during shows but they need at least 2 more killer rides to draw people all over the park IMO. Especially at AK. Everest was a 3 hour wait in August in the middle of the day. That's ridiculous. Who waits that long?!

I agree. DAK and DHS desparately need a few new rides (and I mean rides) to absorb people. They can stick almost anything in the Studios, so it should be relatively easy.

 

[rct247]

For questions about the cards, I THINK (emphasis on THINK) the card numbers are changed every 5 mins. That means multiple people, families, entire groups, and complete strangers could be in your same call group. That call group is called to join the existing line and will basically be in your preshow group.

The reason I think it changes every 5 mins and not per group or even per amount of people is so that wait time is calculated correctly. Now sure, in 5 mins you could easily have 12 people join the line or 94 people join a line. The call groups are not based on how much the preshow can take. A traditional line may still form, but it limits that time spent in a traditional line.

I'm sure if let's say Toy Story Midway Mania and Rock n' Roller Coaster had this same system that people could technically line up for both, but if you miss your call time you are out of luck. It won't be good the rest of the day like FastPass. The call numbers are listed as 5 mins OR LESS and 10 mins OR LESS so it could be less that what is stated based on the numbers pouring in in each group. Going back to example above. If only 12 people were in group B6 and B7 had 94 people and B8 had 68 then the wait time for B7 would could be shorter than what is stated since 12 people will move through the line quicker than 94. (If that makes any sense.) This is where I think that the system wouldn't be needed on a slow day.

Each call group is given 5 mins to respond to their group being called. So if Norma Jean is in the bathroom and the rest of her group hears the group number called, they can wait on Norma Jean to come out and go ride so long as she is done in 5 mins.

Finally, if people aren't making the most of their time, that's their problem. This system would give people the option of finding ways to entertain and use their time wisely. If people don't want to participate and just wait on a bench, then they can do that. It's the same as standing in line.

Yes, it takes more money to do this stuff, but they are trying to increase the guest experience. Sure some rides could use a good rehab and some things need more attention that the money could be spent on, but if guests are happy with The Great Movie Ride being the same as it has been, but they hate waiting in line for Rock n' Roller Coaster, then why spend the money on a Movie Ride rehab if they can get by a little longer. Us fans notice, but what we want is not what the average guest wants.

 

[lebeau]

Usually, I hate the "What Would Walt Do" argument. Because from everything I've read, there are two things that people say pretty consistently.

1. He was unpredictable. No one could reliably predict what what would want.

However, the second thing I've seen said consistlently about Walt from interviews with people who worked for his was:

2. He hated naysayers.

I think a lot of people on this thread would have gotten kicked out of Walt's office if they were under his employ.

Let them finish testing this before you say it won't work!

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Walt Disney

 

[t3techcom18]

I believe that it's a neat idea on paper, but to be used SPARINGLY. Whoever thought putting RNRC as a trial run on this was probably inhaling too much pixie dust. Even I the seasoned park veteran got confused at this new layout just from the pictures. As Steve has said, SO many tiny little things could go wrong with this.

Here's my viewpoint though: Put this system for every queue line? NO. Absolutely NOT. RNRC and many other attractions just don't make sense to have that put in, as well as it makes all the logistics go downhill, plus...what's the use of having a themed queue if you're gunna zip through even MORE so than FP at this point? Sadness indeed.

Where it CAN work is where they want to implement it in the first place: stuff for the kids. For families with crazy kids that run everywhere, this is definitely a sure-fire hit. It'll keep the kids happy and busy, parents with less stress and maybe having fun themselves. It's a win-win situation, especially as I heard before they're doing the same testing for meet and greet's, which is awesome.

Bottom line: Adult/teenage attractions? Definitely not. Family attractions? Depending on the attendance of that ride. Attractions for the young ones? Most definitely.

 

[lebeau]

Bottom line: Adult/teenage attractions? Definitely not. Family attractions? Depending on the attendance of that ride. Attractions for the young ones? Most definitely.

Yeah, those teenagers sure hate playing video games! That'll never work!

 

[t3techcom18]

Yeah, those teenagers sure hate playing video games! That'll never work!

I'm not talking about that. Yeah, the video games would work. That's why I said if everyone in line was waiting in that 'Standby Area' and they were a whole family (parents, teens, little kids) then it would be fun for everyone. Same possibly for teens going out in groups and playing Guitar Hero as they waited.

With the teens, you would have teens playing over and over. As a fellow teen, I know that if I get involved in something, particularly something fun, I would forget to look at the TV's saying which group is up for entry. If anything, it would be a proven distraction and ultimately an annoyance than a helpful thing. If the game is interrupted and shows who's up after each round, then maybe, but knowing how most teens are these days they might actually forget they even have the pass for entry and not recognize their group (sadly enough I've seen something very similar happen). It would be either that, or you would have those teens who prefer to actually talk to each other and look at things than actually getting involved in anything that's to be offered, or simply not being interested and actually getting bored doing nothing but wait outside in a corner til the entry group is called.

The main issue I was looking at, however, was the fact that adults and teenagers have more patience (usually) than their kids. That they CAN wait in line and keep their behavior or make themselves occupied with anything else, be it talking or looking around while kids want something to do 24/7. Like I said, giving kids stuff to do is a win-win situation. Both kids AND parents don't have to be at each other's throats to get them to control their behavior or actions. Having stuff for everyone to do that requires multiple people (ie, mother and daughter doing a dance party, father and son doing a Guitar Hero duel) is pretty awesome.

Put that to the other age groups however, they'll be less inclined to do any of the offerings and will prefer to wait in the themed queue.

 

[_Scar]

Usually, I hate the "What Would Walt Do" argument. Because from everything I've read, there are two things that people say pretty consistently.

1. He was unpredictable. No one could reliably predict what what would want.

However, the second thing I've seen said consistlently about Walt from interviews with people who worked for his was:

2. He hated naysayers.

I think a lot of people on this thread would have gotten kicked out of Walt's office if they were under his employ.

Let them finish testing this before you say it won't work!

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Walt Disney

Walt Disney respected his nay sayers. If people didn't tell Walt his idea wouldn't work then we'd have a hay ride Matterhorn and Candy Mountain Casey Jr.

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

Walt Disney respected his nay sayers. If people didn't tell Walt his idea wouldn't work then we'd have a hay ride Matterhorn and Candy Mountain Casey Jr.

The Disney nerd in me thinks that it would be pretty cool to have Candy Mountain...:zipit:

 

[Tom]

I guess I'm just stumped. Why do people think this will be so difficult?

There are 2 major steps:

1) Take a number
2) Wait your turn

Definition of "your turn": when your number is called, it's your turn.

Implied Step 3) Get in line

FastPass is far more difficult for the single-cell organisms because:
A) With FP, you first have to know where to go. With this system, you go toward the usual queue and a CM intercepts you with a ticket

B) With FP, you have to be able to operate the FP machine. Again, with this system, it seems as if a CM hands you a ticket.

C) With FP, you have to remember to come back in 1-3 hours. With this system, your wait time is much shorter and you're encouraged to just "hang out".

D) With FP, all you have to rely on is your memory. With this system, they have signs and blinking lights and DJs and CMs making it more than apparent that it's your turn.

RCT247: Your description was amazing. Thank you for the report. I'm still quite optimistic about this. No, it's not for every ride or attraction....but it could work on many, indeed.

 

[_Scar]

The Disney nerd in me thinks that it would be pretty cool to have Candy Mountain...:zipit:

It might give you a stomach ache :lol:

 

[luckyeye13]

I for one love this idea.

Why, because waiting in a line for 60 minutes, is boring. Getting to go to the bathroom, or browse a shop for 60 minutes, then getting on a ride is great!

You would need to eat a really big Taco Bell meal to be going to the bathroom for 60 minutes! :lol:

 

[luckyeye13]

I would also think that Shanghai may employ this type of setup park wide as they can set up every attraction to operate this way.

Yes, it might work in Shanghai as people in mainland China seem to have not yet mastered the concept of waiting in an orderly queue. So it would have to be either this idea or every man, woman, and child for themselves. (This, of course, means that if the rumored park in India is ever built, they will have to use this for everything from entering the park to going to the restroom as people over there have managed to take the inability to queue to a whole new level.)

 

[luckyeye13]

I think this seems like waiting in line for the airport. People are going to get confused and lost. I say keep the lines they way they have always been.

From working at an airport, I can say that even waiting at a boarding gate was quite difficult for many people. The airline that I worked for would pre-board, then board passengers in First and Club World (our business class), then start boarding the rest of the plane from the last rows moving forward. Even though there would be plenty of announcements and, at one of the airports that I worked at, the row numbers being boarded were also displayed on a screen, we still needed to have one of the gate agents patrol the line and make sure that only customers in those rows that were called were standing in line. This was due to a combination of things, such as language barriers, inattention, stress, or just plain wanting to jump the line. It's true that many of the customers understood this simple concept with no issues, but it's the ones who didn't who caused the line to back up.

I also worked for another airline for a short time that used smaller planes, but they also pre-boarded, then boarded Executive Class (business), then the rest of the plane starting at the back. Sure enough, the same issue arose there.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

I popped in the Studios today to check out this new system and I thought it worked great, the DJ (named JD) was pretty funny made a good couple of jokes but found that after a little while of waiting become slightly repetitive.

The games were a hit with, even saw a couple of dads joining in the fun!

We were told that we would be waiting about 50 minutes but only ended up having to wait about 30 then striaght in to the pre show and on to the ride. Exiting the pre show was much more convenient as there was no congestion as there usaully is.

We filled in the form which was randomly being handed out asking for feedback on the new system. Not many people were bothering with these which was a shame but when we handed ours in we were given complementary fast passes for the ride so after we got off the first time we run straight back round in to the fast pass line.

All in all a good system, it is obious everything has only been set up on a temporary basis, it would be nice if they make it permanent to build the areas so they don't look like temporary tents.

I am looking forward to this being implemented within Fantasyland and hopefully other attractions.

 

[musketeer]

I guess I'm just stumped. Why do people think this will be so difficult?

I'm struggling trying to understand this as well. People were smart enough to figure out how to make the trip to the resort. Probably had to figure out how to book a trip, buy plane tickets, check luggage, get on the airplane...etc.

Yet for some reason, everyone is all of the sudden so dumb that they can't do the equivalent of taking a number at a deli counter?