VQ/BGs (Virtual Queues/Boarding Groups)... Yay or Nay? (Better alternatives?)

[CJR]

What about those who stay for two or three weeks? Not much incentive for longer onsite stays, is there? There aren’t enough rides to keep people at the parks if they can’t repeat an FP.

I disagree personally, the incentive is still there. There's a lot more to Disney than the newest rides. What I'm saying would apply only to the top rides in the parks FoP, Ratatouille, MMRR, RotR, MFSR, SDD, SDMT, possibly a couple others. Outside of those, there's more than enough attractions available to help a person enjoy a longer stay. EDIT: To add, you can only do one T1 attraction per day anyway.

If you want to do Space Mountain daily with FP during your 21 day trip, you would still be able to. If you wanted to do MMRR each day on your trip, you could do one FP and standby the rest of the time. The option is still there. I believe it's fair to everyone.

Keep in mind, I was just providing an example as to how they could do it if they wanted to, not that’s the model that they need to or should follow. Personally, I think what I mentioned is fair, but mileage will vary. It's Disney's job to write the rules and right now, you can book it for each day of your 21 day trip.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I disagree personally, the incentive is still there. There's a lot more to Disney than the newest rides. What I'm saying would apply only to the top rides in the parks FoP, Ratatouille, MMRR, RotR, MFSR, SDD, SDMT, possibly a couple others. Outside of those, there's more than enough attractions available to help a person enjoy a longer stay. EDIT: To add, you can only do one T1 attraction per day anyway.

If you what to do Space Mountain daily with FP during your 21 day trip, you would still be able to. If you wanted to do MMRR each day on your trip, you could do one FP and standby the rest of the time. The option is still there. I believe it's fair to everyone.

Keep in mind, I was just providing an example as to how they could do it if they wanted to, not that’s the model that they need to or should follow. Personally, I think what I mentioned is fair, but mileage will vary. It's Disney's job to write the rules and right now, you can book it for each day of your 21 day trip.

That would only serve to make FPs for the other rides more scarce. FP+ is a sucky system...there's no way around that.

 

[CJR]

That would only serve to make FPs for the other rides more scarce. FP+ is a sucky system...there's no way around that.

I'm not sure about that. Yes, for some attractions, but overall, it would balance out since those who may have not scored MMRR will be giving up their TSM or ToT FP to ride it, opening up more attractions. I mean, we're talking seven attractions out of how many total (on property) here? Even then, standby will still be available daily. [EDIT] Also, if you're on site, you'll still have that 60 day window, so even after you have used your T1 options at DHS (at least three days right there, four after Rise is added), you'd still have TSM, ToT, RnRC, Swirling Saucers, and Star Tours to choose from daily before stage shows, and ahead of any off site guests, so that's still an advantage.

Keep in mind, anyone vacationing more than seven days is not average by a long shot. So you're talking very few guests out of the thousands visiting in a single day. Also, a longer trip means that there's more time to take it all in. That's an advantage no one else gets really. Even most local AP holders are limited due to their jobs.

IMHO, the people who would be impacted most would be AP holders who take advantage of 60 day on site booking. I personally know people that go to the cheapest spots monthly and they take full advantage of that 60 day window for the attractions I mentioned.

Like I said though, I was just providing an example as to how they could do it if they wanted to, not that’s the model that they need to or should follow. It's Disney's decision on how they want to allow people to enjoy FP.

 

[lumberguy5]

I think they could easily cap all guests to just one FP (each) for the most in demand rides every 30 days. I mean, we know the rides, but to mention them, FoP, Ratatouille, MMRR, RotR, MFSR, SDD, SDMT, possibly a couple others. What I'm talking about is not a guaranteed FP to these rides, but a guarantee that you can't ride them twice within 30 days using FP (and the same magic band, since some people swap bands; a loophole). Then, if someone wanted to ride it two times or more in a 30 day period, they can do standby.

I think you are overestimating the effect of APs and long multiday resort stays vs the backlash that would ensue. I strongly suspect that most FPs are going to resort guests (one week or less) or ticketed locals who if they would hit the cooldown it would only be for a single ride. However, you would draw the ire of long-stay guests and APs who just by visiting more days are given less choice for FP+.

RotR is just incapable of dealing with its' guest demand, on crowded days the park visitors vs riders is 3-4 to 1, at Disneyland it could goes as high as 8 to 1.

 

[CJR]

However, you would draw the ire of long-stay guests and APs who just by visiting more days are given less choice for FP+.

They would have the same choice to start. After they have experienced the attraction with FP, other guests would then have a chance. Guests with longer stays are not more deserving of extra Fastpasses for these seven attractions at the expense of other guests, IMO. It's a bit selfish.

By having a longer stay, the odds of scoring a FP to one of those seven rides would go up. So that is a benefit. That's just my opinion though.

[Edit] I mentioned Rise because eventually, it will have FP. It will be in demand for years like FoP is.

 

[jt04]

They need to eliminate back-up groups for starters. Have everyone inside the gates enter a limited random lottery instead of the favoring guests who know all the tricks. This would reduce repeat riders.

Those who don't win get a generic fastpass. Or possibly the option to purchase a RotR fast pass for after BGs have been completed. You are charged only after riding. Easily implemented and fair for all.

 

[Purduevian]

They need to eliminate back-up groups for starters. Have everyone inside the gates enter a limited random lottery instead of the favoring guests who know all the tricks. This would reduce repeat riders.

Those who don't win get a generic fastpass. Or possibly the option to purchase a RotR fast pass for after BGs have been completed. You are charged only after riding. Easily implemented and fair for all.

So how many boarding groups do you give out? The ride sometimes gets through like 120 and sometimes 70ish depending on the day? Do you only give out 70? What if it's a good day then and group 70 ends at like 2pm?

 

[disneygeek90]

So how many boarding groups do you give out? The ride sometimes gets through like 120 and sometimes 70ish depending on the day? Do you only give out 70? What if it's a good day then and group 70 ends at like 2pm?

I agree. It's too unpredictable to know how many groups on a given day can be processed. Would you release more groups at 2pm if you got through everything? Maybe, but that would feel real bad for the person that just missed out in the morning and would have had group 71.

I don't like the idea of having to pay extra for one attraction.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don't like the idea of having to pay extra for one attraction.

I don’t think they can legally do that... they are advertising it as part of the park.

 

[jt04]

I don’t think they can legally do that... they are advertising it as part of the park.

It would be a voluntary system. If you don't want to pay and you didn't win the lottery that day you would still receive a generic fast pass for any ride except RotR. Unless you decide voluntarily to upgrade to a paid fast pass for rotr. I'm sure that is legal.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It would be a voluntary system. If you don't want to pay and you didn't win the lottery that day you would still receive a generic fast pass for any ride except RotR. Unless you decide voluntarily to upgrade to a paid fast pass for rotr. I'm sure that is legal.

I don’t think they can.. they are advertising the attraction as part of the park. If the only way you can ride it is pay more, they have to advertise it as such. Either way, I don’t think Disney has any desire to do something like that. The goal is to get the ride running reliably so it can operate like any other attraction.

 

[jt04]

So how many boarding groups do you give out? The ride sometimes gets through like 120 and sometimes 70ish depending on the day? Do you only give out 70? What if it's a good day then and group 70 ends at like 2pm?

They could base it on a percentage of guests who have passed through the turnstyles. Up to a number they are comfortable they could accommodate by mid-afternoon. So it could fluctuate on a day to day basis but within a predetermined parameter.

Paid upgrades for those that choose that option would be limited but likely would be enough to accommodate all early arrivals who want to upgrade.

All others receive the generic fast pass for things like big thunder, FoP etc. Or even MMRR.

This system could absorb demand day to day.

 

[jt04]

I don’t think they can.. they are advertising the attraction as part of the park. If the only way you can ride it is pay more, they have to advertise it as such. Either way, I don’t think Disney has any desire to do something like that. The goal is to get the ride running reliably so it can operate like any other attraction.

It isn't the only way. The lottery would be implemented daily.

It doesn't matter how fully operational they make it. Demand and early arrivals will always overwhelm the capacity.

 

[jt04]

I agree. It's too unpredictable to know how many groups on a given day can be processed. Would you release more groups at 2pm if you got through everything? Maybe, but that would feel real bad for the person that just missed out in the morning and would have had group 71.

I don't like the idea of having to pay extra for one attraction.

No, obviously you would not. But guests traveling every few years or from overseas likely would be very happy to have that option.

 

[disneygeek90]

No, obviously you would not. But guests traveling every few years or from overseas likely would be very happy to have that option.

What is the difference of a backup group vs a paid non guaranteed group? The result is still the same, they can only ride if guaranteed groups have all been called, but one option is included in a day ticket and the other requires you to cough up money for a chance to ride. Either way it's not guaranteed. What does the cost do besides throw some extra change Disney's way?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It doesn't matter how fully operational they make it. Demand and early arrivals will always overwhelm the capacity.

Not really. Anyone who wants to ride fop can ride it.

 

[jt04]

What is the difference of a backup group vs a paid non guaranteed group? The result is still the same, they can only ride if guaranteed groups have all been called, but one option is included in a day ticket and the other requires you to cough up money for a chance to ride. Either way it's not guaranteed. What does the cost do besides throw some extra change Disney's way?

Adding a charge helps manage demand. That helps ensure those who have never experienced the attraction and may have limited time at the resort at least have a sporting chance to ride.

And life has no guarantee for such things. Even for those in the first boarding group.

PS- if people might balk at the upcharge the mouse can always announce a percentage is "earmarked"
for charity.

 

[jt04]

Not really. Anyone who wants to ride fop can ride it.

Standby waits discourage many who would otherwise ride FoP. But RotR is at an entirely different level.

 

[MJJME]

I agree. It's too unpredictable to know how many groups on a given day can be processed. Would you release more groups at 2pm if you got through everything? Maybe, but that would feel real bad for the person that just missed out in the morning and would have had group 71.

I don't like the idea of having to pay extra for one attraction.

I don't think this person knows what a backup BG is......

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Standby waits discourage many who would otherwise ride FoP. But RotR is at an entirely different level.

Standby waits discourage me from riding slinky dog dash. And yet the people who want to ride it wait for it.

Rise is a fantastic ride. But it’s not “at an entirely different level.” I don’t think it’s popularity will be much different than fop in the long term. Meaning yes we will see 3-4 hour standby lines.