What makes a ride or attraction popular?

[jlsHouston]

Seriously, I don't understand why TSMM was so difficult to paper FP. By noon there would be no paper FP's and the wait was never less than 90 minutes. I had never ridden it for a good 5 visits, then a year ago I did ride it and I liked it too...not even sure why, but just like Soaring I leave with a smile on my face...but my arm is sore...

Soaring, ahhh, now yes just it's name makes me breathe deep and smell orange blossoms...has a total sensory immersion.

PoC...this one I think because it's a classic, and it's had some updating with the Johnny Depp movies behind it.

Peter Pan...well because we can fly...this one we ride too because of childhood memories I guess.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Well, TSMM is not only based on a wildly popular movie series and characters, but it's also one of the few rides in DHS that isn't a thrill ride and/or has a height restriction. It's video game style also makes it way fun. I know if it wasn't an over 90 minute wait, I'd jump right back on and play again XD

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Funny, but I immediately thought TSMM when I read your post title. I'm usually fine with skipping it, but I think for our kids it's the concept of being immersed inside a video game of sorts. When you couple that with the points noted by @Dragonrider1227 - it's going to see big crowds. I guess at least the wait time is usually a bit overinflated - at least from our experiences.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Yeah, if I can give one piece of advice for Disney parks, it's that getting a TSMM fastpass should be the very first thing you do the moment the park opens.

 

[mousehockey37]

This is a very open-ended question. With that in mind, here's my opinion.

If it's something tied to a current movie(s), you can expect long lines. The Toy Story franchise of Pixar has been very successful, and to be immersed in a ride where you are put in scenarios around the characters in the movies, makes it very popular to both young and old. TSMM itself, is also interactive. It's something that everyone can touch and be a part of.

As for the older rides that are still popular, it's the creativity around it. Space Mountain is a completely indoor, in the dark rollercoaster. Not too many coasters like that around.

Mostly though, I believe it to be things related to the cutting edge technology used to create it. How the Imagineers can pull you from the reality of life and immerse you in something, albeit for a short period of time.

 

[mousehockey37]

Yeah, if I can give one piece of advice for Disney parks, it's that getting a TSMM fastpass should be the very first thing you do the moment the park opens.

Not anymore. You have to now book your TSMM at least 6 months prior to your arrival at DHS. Disney is sorry, but not sorry for the inconvenience.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Not anymore. You have to now book your TSMM at least 6 months prior to your arrival at DHS. Disney is sorry, but not sorry for the inconvenience.

:O thanks for the warning. I'll have to keep that in mind.
Kinda sad we have to make reservations for the frickin' rides now ._.

 

[jlsHouston]

Yeah, if I can give one piece of advice for Disney parks, it's that getting a TSMM fastpass should be the very first thing you do the moment the park opens.

yes and once I did the ride, I started constructing all sorts of methods for obtaining multiple FP's in a day for this ride, more so than any of the other rides at any of the other parks...

 

[mousehockey37]

yes and once I did the ride, I started constructing all sorts of methods for obtaining multiple FP's in a day for this ride, more so than any of the other rides at any of the other parks...

Unfortunately, like I said to the OP, those methods are obsolete. You'll get your FP+ for it for the day, then it's the standby line from there on out for the rest of the day.

 

[mousehockey37]

:O thanks for the warning. I'll have to keep that in mind.
Kinda sad we have to make reservations for the frickin' rides now ._.

That's this new system for you. I've said this new system is a real-life version of RollerCoaster Tycoon. With the MagicBands and such, they can track you and "try" to send you in different directions and such. Now they have you booking your rides, just like your main meals.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

It's not a terrible idea, but it is weird that everything has to be planned in advanced now.

 

[Glasgow]

You have to factor in lack of other quality attractions as well per amount of people. Due to the general demise of BLT, TSMM has become uber popular. In general, it's many factors that go into a great attraction.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I think it's due to a few variables:

a) Subject matter - How popular the story is with the public

b) Thrill factor - Does it have high drops (EE & ToT), Fast or loops (RnRC & SM)

c) Shock value - Something to see (HM & KS), Unexpected Experiences (MS & Soarin)

d) Fun for the whole family - Nostalgic (PotC, PPF), Interactive (TT, TSMM)

 

[jlsHouston]

Unfortunately, like I said to the OP, those methods are obsolete. You'll get your FP+ for it for the day, then it's the standby line from there on out for the rest of the day.

yep and I am not enamored of how we now get to totally reconstruct how we do the parks thanks to MM+ and FP+

 

[mousehockey37]

yep and I am not enamored of how we now get to totally reconstruct how we do the parks thanks to MM+ and FP+

I like to wing it with a few ressies for dinner and lunch. As for parade viewing and fireworks, I'll pick my own spot. For the rides, I'll just go where people aren't and book 1 or 2 along the way, once I see what the weather is doing and where I'm going for the day.

 

[Clamman73]

Does TSMM seem like it's popular b/c of the long wait time, but is that long wait time more of a function of the somewhat slow time it takes until a vehicle comes back to load/unload and gets going again, or that my misperception. I really like it myself (love breaking the plates part), but I'm not sure of actual guests/hr on that ride vs others.

 

[jlsHouston]

Does TSMM seem like it's popular b/c of the long wait time, but is that long wait time more of a function of the somewhat slow time it takes until a vehicle comes back to load/unload and gets going again, or that my misperception. I really like it myself (love breaking the plates part), but I'm not sure of actual guests/hr on that ride vs others.

I have wondered this too, that it just wasn't constructed with enough carts to accommodate the number of riders and then the amount of time we get on the actual ride since it is so interactive...

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Does TSMM seem like it's popular b/c of the long wait time, but is that long wait time more of a function of the somewhat slow time it takes until a vehicle comes back to load/unload and gets going again, or that my misperception. I really like it myself (love breaking the plates part), but I'm not sure of actual guests/hr on that ride vs others.

Another good factor actually. I've heard the 20k ride had long lines not because of it's popularity but because it had a very slow loading system. And a not very well designed queue from what I also hear.

 

[AndyS2992]

What makes an attraction popular? FLYING quite clearly.. Peter Pan, Dumbo, Soarin etc I don't see the appeal of any of them and think people who wait hours for Pan or Soarin are just... yeah.

 

[Mike C]

Toy Story's wait is mostly caused by the slow loading, 4 per car, and about 35-50 second load time (rough timing from some queue videos on Youtube). It's popular, but the wait times don't necessarily account for popularity. Ie, if it had 6 per car it would probably move a great deal quicker, and allow for single riders. It's more the rides the majority "has to do" when you go to a park.