World News with Horizonsfan

[Horizonsfan]

Spent the early morning at Epcot today

- Tried Kim Possible and liked it. To me, it seemed like WDI really missed an opportunity to throw in original characters to the parks. It also would of been nice if they had multiple levels of difficulty for the game. Still, overall, its a good addition
- Test Track was having some difficulty today. I did, however, manage to ride it 3 times in a row w/o it breaking down completely.
- No changes to SSE since my last visit.
- The sand sculpture has disappeared. A victim of the torrential downpours I suspect.

Click for Pics

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Spent the early morning at Epcot today

- Tried Kim Possible and liked it. To me, it seemed like WDI really missed an opportunity to throw in original characters to the parks. It also would of been nice if they had multiple levels of difficulty for the game. Still, overall, its a good addition
- Test Track was having some difficulty today. I did, however, manage to ride it 3 times in a row w/o it breaking down completely.
- No changes to SSE since my last visit.
- The sand sculpture has disappeared. A victim of the torrential downpours I suspect.

Click for Pics

Very nice, as always. When do you head for home?

 

[EpcotServo]

- Studios needs to learn how to use the single rider line effectively. My family hopped in RNRC's single line since stand-by was 1 hr. We ended up waiting just a little over an hour in the single rider. I thought the whole point of single rider was that it would reduce your wait at least a little bit. Have I missed something?:hammer:

Yes, but you see: When LOTS of people want to wait less and don't care about if they get split (Like you) well then you're going to wait awhile. Single Riders on any ride moves slow. It's a matter of how many people want to do it, just like any line. On normal days it works just fine, and more than often has gotten me in when the crowds are crazy with less than half the wait. But when it's madness, it's going to be a long wait. If you don't like it, Standby is right there too. If you don't want to wait in a long line, sometimes you just can't ride it. Unless you saw some kind of Cast Member malpractice, then there's no blame to place on except the crowds.

I've waited almost every possible wait time in RNR's singles, and there's nothing wrong with it. Fastpass is a different story though...
:lol:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Great panoramic shots! That last one of the entrance plaza... when did you take that? Theres no one in it!

 

[Horizonsfan]

Yes, but you see: When LOTS of people want to wait less and don't care about if they get split (Like you) well then you're going to wait awhile. Single Riders on any ride moves slow. It's a matter of how many people want to do it, just like any line. On normal days it works just fine, and more than often has gotten me in when the crowds are crazy with less than half the wait. But when it's madness, it's going to be a long wait. If you don't like it, Standby is right there too. If you don't want to wait in a long line, sometimes you just can't ride it. Unless you saw some kind of Cast Member malpractice, then there's no blame to place on except the crowds.

I've waited almost every possible wait time in RNR's singles, and there's nothing wrong with it. Fastpass is a different story though...
:lol:

There weren't LOTS of people in line, it was how the CMs were using the line. It was that rather than use single riders, they would go through the standby line to find groups of 1 and 2. I wasn't expecting a 10 minute wait, but it should have been at least a little quicker, and not longer, than the standby line. I won't be using RNRC's single rider line any time soon, that's for sure, leaving more room for you!

Great panoramic shots! That last one of the entrance plaza... when did you take that? Theres no one in it!

Very nice, as always. When do you head for home?

Thanks for the kind words. I usually get to the parks early and I took this shot right as I got there. I noticed, as you did, that there was nobody around yesterday and it was a prime chance for a panorama.

Today is my last day in the parks. I'll be at the MK, I'm not sure how long I'll be there. Then tomorrow, I hit the road for an oh-so-fun :lookaroun trip back to KC.

Once again, I really am glad you guys are getting enjoyment out of my updates. Thanks.

 

[Jasonflz]

Back from an evening at DHS

- Studios needs to learn how to use the single rider line effectively. My family hopped in RNRC's single line since stand-by was 1 hr. We ended up waiting just a little over an hour in the single rider. I thought the whole point of single rider was that it would reduce your wait at least a little bit. Have I missed something?:hammer:
- Parking was only using the southern side of the parking lot. Both times I've been to the studios this trip, they've had really weird/poor parking strategies
- TSMM was Insane the line never went below 50 min
- Saw AIE again. Still enjoyable but the show's "fluff" had already gotten stale by the second show. However, all of the judges and hosts have been great.
- Rain was crazy again.


Click for Pics

Spent the early morning at Epcot today

- Tried Kim Possible and liked it. To me, it seemed like WDI really missed an opportunity to throw in original characters to the parks. It also would of been nice if they had multiple levels of difficulty for the game. Still, overall, its a good addition
- Test Track was having some difficulty today. I did, however, manage to ride it 3 times in a row w/o it breaking down completely.
- No changes to SSE since my last visit.
- The sand sculpture has disappeared. A victim of the torrential downpours I suspect.

Click for Pics

Great shots as always. Also, those panoramic shots are amazing. It feels like I'm really there. Pertaining to the Hollywood Studios pictures, that is one of the only times the hat will look spectacular.:lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

There weren't LOTS of people in line, it was how the CMs were using the line. It was that rather than use single riders, they would go through the standby line to find groups of 1 and 2. I wasn't expecting a 10 minute wait, but it should have been at least a little quicker, and not longer, than the standby line. I won't be using RNRC's single rider line any time soon, that's for sure, leaving more room for you!




Thanks for the kind words. I usually get to the parks early and I took this shot right as I got there. I noticed, as you did, that there was nobody around yesterday and it was a prime chance for a panorama.

Today is my last day in the parks. I'll be at the MK, I'm not sure how long I'll be there. Then tomorrow, I hit the road for an oh-so-fun :lookaroun trip back to KC.

Once again, I really am glad you guys are getting enjoyment out of my updates. Thanks.

Awww! Sorry to hear that! But looking forward to the last one.

 

[EpcotServo]

There weren't LOTS of people in line, it was how the CMs were using the line. It was that rather than use single riders, they would go through the standby line to find groups of 1 and 2. I wasn't expecting a 10 minute wait, but it should have been at least a little quicker, and not longer, than the standby line. I won't be using RNRC's single rider line any time soon, that's for sure, leaving more room for you!

Which is the rules. Because again, Queue law is that you sign up for the Single Riders line, you'll get the Single Riders experience: You're filling seats. If you don't like those odds, again, Standby will always be the best choice.

Here's a big tip for RNR, if the line is out the door at the top of the upramp, you're not going to get a "short" wait. If it's towards the back of the wall, it WILL be an hour.

See, a common mistake at the parks is to "trust the signs". In my best Professor Jones, let me tell you that Standby is never what the sign says, Fastpass isn't always fast, and X never, ever "marks the spot".

Here's my advice to all weary travelers: Look at all the lines before deciding. If it's in a building, go ahead in. Entering the queue isn't a promise, Just know that when all lines are packed, there's sometimes never a line shorter or longer than the other one...it's what I call a "Kobayashi Maru". The No-Win line. Just always remember to never, ever, Trust the sign. One of those lines will be a shorter wait most of the time, which one is all about which ride, experience, and a little gutsy assumption. It's why Cast Members will never tell you the real wait-other than a guess. Fastpass is the real key-the longer the Fastpass return line, the longer your wait no matter which Queue you are about to choose.

It's an enjoyable-and often painful game to play.
:lol: :wave:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Which is the rules. Because again, Queue law is that you sign up for the Single Riders line, you'll get the Single Riders experience: You're filling seats. If you don't like those odds, again, Standby will always be the best choice.

Here's a big tip for RNR, if the line is out the door at the top of the upramp, you're not going to get a "short" wait. If it's towards the back of the wall, it WILL be an hour.

See, a common mistake at the parks is to "trust the signs". In my best Professor Jones, let me tell you that Standby is never what the sign says, Fastpass isn't always fast, and X never, ever "marks the spot".

Here's my advice to all weary travelers: Look at all the lines before deciding. If it's in a building, go ahead in. Entering the queue isn't a promise, Just know that when all lines are packed, there's sometimes never a line shorter or longer than the other one...it's what I call a "Kobayashi Maru". The No-Win line. Just always remember to never, ever, Trust the sign. One of those lines will be a shorter wait most of the time, which one is all about which ride, experience, and a little gutsy assumption. It's why Cast Members will never tell you the real wait-other than a guess. Fastpass is the real key-the longer the Fastpass return line, the longer your wait no matter which Queue you are about to choose.

It's an enjoyable-and often painful game to play.
:lol: :wave:

Thats true about not following the times on the signs. Last trip up, wait time for ToT on the sign was 30 mins. We were done with the attraction in 20 mins total. Goes to show you that the signs aren't always your friend. Then again, we waited for TSMM when it said 50 mins, and it turned out to be a 45 min wait, so it depends on the ride I guess. :lol:

 

[Horizonsfan]

Which is the rules. Because again, Queue law is that you sign up for the Single Riders line, you'll get the Single Riders experience: You're filling seats. If you don't like those odds, again, Standby will always be the best choice.

Here's a big tip for RNR, if the line is out the door at the top of the upramp, you're not going to get a "short" wait. If it's towards the back of the wall, it WILL be an hour.

See, a common mistake at the parks is to "trust the signs". In my best Professor Jones, let me tell you that Standby is never what the sign says, Fastpass isn't always fast, and X never, ever "marks the spot".

Here's my advice to all weary travelers: Look at all the lines before deciding. If it's in a building, go ahead in. Entering the queue isn't a promise, Just know that when all lines are packed, there's sometimes never a line shorter or longer than the other one...it's what I call a "Kobayashi Maru". The No-Win line. Just always remember to never, ever, Trust the sign. One of those lines will be a shorter wait most of the time, which one is all about which ride, experience, and a little gutsy assumption. It's why Cast Members will never tell you the real wait-other than a guess. Fastpass is the real key-the longer the Fastpass return line, the longer your wait no matter which Queue you are about to choose.

It's an enjoyable-and often painful game to play.
:lol: :wave:

You'r 100% right about the times being not the best indicator. On the expectations of the Single Rider queue, I don't think I'm explaining the situation clear enough but, whatever, let's just agree to disagree on Single Rider.

 

[Horizonsfan]

Went to MK today

- I am still impressed with how much better things (maintenance, friendly CMs, landscaping, # of refurbishments) are at the parks. It seems to be a whole world away from where it has been for the last 4 or so years. Still not where it should or needs to be but enough that it should be commended.
- Splash & BTMRR were no wait at all an hour after opening. This shocked me as I would of figured with Space being down, everyone would rush to the other two mountains. Guess I figured wrong.
- IASW exterior refurb appears to just be a simple repainting and not a "re-coloring" as some had hoped.
- El Pirata et El Perico was open yet the Noodle Station was completely boarded up.
- Buzz had hardly any wait. (Why won't they get rid of FP for Buzz?)

Click for Pics

And this is the last of my park updates until my next WDW trip. I hope you've enjoyed reading and seeing my reports.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Thanks for the updates! Its been a fun read the past few days. :wave:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Went to MK today

- I am still impressed with how much better things (maintenance, friendly CMs, landscaping, # of refurbishments) are at the parks. It seems to be a whole world away from where it has been for the last 4 or so years. Still not where it should or needs to be but enough that it should be commended.
- Splash & BTMRR were no wait at all an hour after opening. This shocked me as I would of figured with Space being down, everyone would rush to the other two mountains. Guess I figured wrong.
- IASW exterior refurb appears to just be a simple repainting and not a "re-coloring" as some had hoped.
- El Pirata et El Perico was open yet the Noodle Station was completely boarded up.
- Buzz had hardly any wait. (Why won't they get rid of FP for Buzz?)

Click for Pics

And this is the last of my park updates until my next WDW trip. I hope you've enjoyed reading and seeing my reports.

Good news! Happy about Maint and El Pirate. Two MK must haves. :lol:

Can't wait for your next trip!:lol: Your updates were a pleasure to read.

 

[Jasonflz]

Thanks for the updates.

I'm getting sad of just thinking that anyone has to leave WDW.

 

[DiPSU224]

Thank you so much for the time and great pictures you put into this week-long update! Sorry your trip ended so soon, they all feel that way!

That one panoramic shot of the the entrance tunnel in the MK gave me goosebumps for some reason. Seeing it made me think of how I feel every time I enter the MK for the first time on my trips, knowing what lies just ahead!

Thanks again! :sohappy:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Just noticed something...

Are those black lamp posts with the vertical lights new? They don't look familiar...:lookaroun

 

[Jasonflz]

Just noticed something...

Are those black lamp posts with the vertical lights new? They don't look familiar...:lookaroun

I think they are. Someone said they were the first step in re-theming the whole land.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Just noticed something...

Are those black lamp posts with the vertical lights new? They don't look familiar...:lookaroun

No, they've been there for some time I believe. :wave:

 

[EpcotServo]

Just noticed something...

Are those black lamp posts with the vertical lights new? They don't look familiar...:lookaroun

No, they aren't, but one day I was sitting in Tomorrowland and went through that thought process for like ten minutes...
:lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

^^^ Thanks guys!:wave:

No, they aren't, but one day I was sitting in Tomorrowland and went through that thought process for like ten minutes...
:lol:

:lol: Seriously...I looked at that pic for the longest time and wondered.

They look really out of place, though...And much more futuristic than the rest of TL.