No more Stanby line for A&E?

[snayak]

Not being snarky here... I'd really like to understand this. Can someone explain to me the difference between these "SB+" cards and legacy FP (other than the fact that they don't fit in your wallet and have to be manually handed out by a CM, that is.)?

At the moment these paper cards are being used to handle a surge in guests at a particular attraction (in this case A&E). It is similar in the sense to legacy FP that you get a slip of paper with your return time and a virtual queue, but it is currently not a permanent fixture in the park like the legacy FP machines were, as of now.

Universal is doing something similar with the popularity of the new Harry Potter attraction (though that might have more to do with the fire code/space and sheer number of people) but essentially when there is a huge surge of guests they can activate machines which spit out a ticket with a return window for later on in the day. Then you are free to explore the rest of the parks at your leisure.

 

[clsteve]

I think this is the motivation for these tests. This is a way for them to move even more slots over to FPP without the waits spiking dramatically.

Another step towards an (almost) 100% ride reservation system...

It's definitely getting that feel to it. Let's see what happens when they move to an actual ride with more capacity but over demand.

What a great Marketing/PR smokescreen, though, when implemented. Disney is the absolute best at this...

 

[clsteve]

Disney made a conscious decision to not have FP+ reservations have the same kind of paper trail in the system that the ADRs have. It's likely because of sheer volume. But they clearly made that decision despite the issues it would cause when their system glitched.

Um, we're talking bits and bytes, not paper and Disney's volume is comparatively minuscule in throughput and size - they're not even close to being in the corporate big leagues when it comes to data and volume. It's not even up for debate.

The issue is that they still have serious issues with how they're maintaining data integrity. They absolutely could give you a confirmation for your FP's. But, they've made the executive decision not to until they get things fixed - take the hit on the GR side and not clog up problem resolution. It's a common choice when a company doesn't think the lost data is mission critical. Sucks for the end user, but not uncommon.

 

[lovethattink]

Not being snarky here... I'd really like to understand this. Can someone explain to me the difference between these "SB+" cards and legacy FP (other than the fact that they don't fit in your wallet and have to be manually handed out by a CM, that is.)?

1. Goes into effect once the standby line reaches a certain point.

2. You go to a cm to pick up the card instead of a machine. Cards are handed out in order.

3. Your card has your return time window of 30 minutes instead of an hour.

4. You return to the standby queue instead of the FP+ queue.

5. Standby queue may open later in the evening for those without cards.

 

[jco_direwolf]

1. You go to a cm to pick up the card instead of a machine. 2. Your card has your return time window of 30 minutes instead of an hour. 3. You return to the standby queue instead of the FP+ queue.

Also it doesn't go into effect until the queue gets to a cert length. Under FP/FP+ you got a time regardless of the prevailing wait time. Its more like the new GAC card system.

The wait now is 2.75 hours you can come back in 3 hours And wait in a ~30 minute queue. It's fundamentally different in that it could start at say 10a and be in effect till 3 when the actual wait time dropped back below 30 minutes or 20 or what ever low water mark they pick.

 

[lovethattink]

Also it doesn't go into effect until the queue gets to a cert length. Under FP/FP+ you got a time regardless of the prevailing wait time. Its more like the new GAC card system.

The wait now is 2.75 hours you can come back in 3 hours And wait in a ~30 minute queue. It's fundamentally different in that it could start at say 10a and be in effect till 3 when the actual wait time dropped back below 30 minutes or 20 or what ever low water mark they pick.

Yes, yes, yes. How could I forget. I'll go back and edit my post.

And DAS was exactly what it reminds me of. More similar to DAS then FP+. In fact, it reminds me more of when we are at a queue that isn't accessible and they send us to an additional line to wait for loading, ie Buzz, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, etc.

 

[Planogirl]

Trying to understand, each popular attraction can only process "X" guests in a day.

But is this basically accurate from this last weekend:

"everyone" who experienced A&E waited app 10 minutes the entire day

"everyone" who experienced Gringotts waited app 200 minutes the entire day

Gringotts and A&E are clearly exceptions to the rule right now. My fear is that those rides that don't need fastpass will end up being inundated with people who no longer have to (or can) wait in line.

There goal is to get people into the stores and buying if not willing to wait in lines for the rides. And using your MB for purchasing is to easy and no way to keep checking how much your spending. It is so sad to see all this to make a reservation to ride a ride.

I agree with you that is at least part of the goal but it's short-sighted IMO. If I wanted people to do a whole lot of shopping I'd give them something interesting to buy. You can wander through the Emporium and easily see most of what there is to purchase. How long does that take?

Wait...WHAT? They're going to put this farce of a system into other rides too?? Soarin'???


You know...if they'd just build more attractions, THAT would go a long way to helping alleviate the long lines. Besides, I thought the prevalent Soarin' rumor was that a THIRD THEATER was being added with the new movie, and the other two would go down for rehab to install the new film/motions.

We always come back to that don't we? I agree...if only.

 

[mom2rtk]

The issue is that they still have serious issues with how they're maintaining data integrity. They absolutely could give you a confirmation for your FP's. But, they've made the executive decision not to until they get things fixed - take the hit on the GR side and not clog up problem resolution. It's a common choice when a company doesn't think the lost data is mission critical. Sucks for the end user, but not uncommon.

Hard to believe this is what it's come to for the company that set the standard in customer service.

 

[lovethattink]

I agree with you that is at least part of the goal but it's short-sighted IMO. If I wanted people to do a whole lot of shopping I'd give them something interesting to buy. You can wander through the Emporium and easily see most of what there is to purchase. How long does that take?

During peak season they do try to give people incentive to shop. Buy a CS meal and get a coupon for 20% off to shop before 1pm at select stores.

 

[jade1]

Gringotts and A&E are clearly exceptions to the rule right now. My fear is that those rides that don't need fastpass will end up being inundated with people who no longer have to (or can) wait in line.

You did read the title of the thread correct?

Each attraction can handle X riders-no exception.

One has a small wait all day, one was a huge wait all day.

Yet this is not seen by many as a success for WDW?

Instead there are weak arguments like "somebody" might show up and not get on A&E, but showing up at DA later and seeing 200 or 400 minute waits won't deter anyone?

And now we find we actually want long waits, so fewer folks are in line for other attractions?

If somebody said Gringotts could drop all waits to 15 minutes it would not be an improvement?

 

[clsteve]

You did read the title of the thread correct?

Each attraction can handle X riders-no exception.

One has a small wait all day, one was a huge wait all day.

Jade it's apples and orangutans.

Beyond the fact that one is an M&G and the other a ride, and beyond the level of complexity differences and capacity differences (by a factor of ten) ------ one has FP+ and the other does not. One had FP+ and SB+, while the other - besides the one hour of EE, is a good old-fashioned, agnostic ride where I get to ride before you if I get in line before you.

You have brought and can bring so much more to the table than just the Gringott's diatribe, IMHO

 

[jade1]

Jade it's apples and orangutans.

Beyond the fact that one is an M&G and the other a ride, and beyond the level of complexity differences and capacity differences (by a factor of ten) ------ one has FP+ and the other does not. One had FP+ and SB+, while the other - besides the one hour of EE, is a good old-fashioned, agnostic ride where I get to ride before you if I get in line before you.

You have brought and can bring so much more to the table than just the Gringott's diatribe, IMHO

Exactly. The thread is about the lines at A&E which were suddenly the exception. I was pointing out how effective WDW has been with A&E and how ineffective US is with a popular attraction-until I found out that 200 minutes is better than 15.

Do you also subscribe that having longer lines at Gringotts and other attractions is better?

 

[Planogirl]

You did read the title of the thread correct?

Each attraction can handle X riders-no exception.

One has a small wait all day, one was a huge wait all day.

Yet this is not seen by many as a success for WDW?

Instead there are weak arguments like "somebody" might show up and not get on A&E, but showing up at DA later and seeing 200 or 400 minute waits won't deter anyone?

And now we find we actually want long waits, so fewer folks are in line for other attractions?

If somebody said Gringotts could drop all waits to 15 minutes it would not be an improvement?

I don't think that I was clear.

Of course a shorter wait for either ride is great. However those people who aren't standing there waiting if they use the new Standby+ will likely go ride other things thus swelling the lines for those we always rode while waiting for our fastpasses to kick in. For example if you had a fastpass for Splash Mountain in an hour then you could ride the less popular rides during that time. Now if you have a fastpass for Splash Mountain and Standby+ is in place then you and all of those who would normally be in standby might be riding those less popular rides.

It appears to just be a way to cause everything (except Stitch ) to have a long line instead of a few massive lines and several short lines. If true is one better than the other?

 

[clsteve]

Exactly. The thread is about the lines at A&E which were suddenly the exception. I was pointing out how effective WDW has been with A&E and how ineffective US is with a popular attraction-until I found out that 200 minutes is better than 15.

Do you also subscribe that having longer lines at Gringotts and other attractions is better?

The lines at A&E are the exception because it's the very first instance in the industry (correct me if I'm wrong) of a 100% reservation system. For Gringott's the wait is what is displayed - each guest can make their own decision whether to wait that long or not. To Planogirls' point, now guests may not have that choice - potentially exacerbating capacity issues at other rides (it does go back to capacity). The hint of reservation only should raise a few red flags, don't you think? I would expect as high an outcry if Uni decided to make or tested the possibility of 100% ressie only for FJ or Gringott's.....

 

[jade1]

I don't think that I was clear.

Of course a shorter wait for either ride is great. However those people who aren't standing there waiting if they use the new Standby+ will likely go ride other things thus swelling the lines for those we always rode while waiting for our fastpasses to kick in. For example if you had a fastpass for Splash Mountain in an hour then you could ride the less popular rides during that time. Now if you have a fastpass for Splash Mountain and Standby+ is in place then you and all of those who would normally be in standby might be riding those less popular rides.

It appears to just be a way to cause everything (except Stitch ) to have a long line instead of a few massive lines and several short lines. If true is one better than the other?

I still don't think you can make both arguments. If you think a shorter wait is great-then more people are in other lines. Doesn't matter if it's from FP+ or SB+ IMO, both are shorter waits which you say is good.

It has merit, but shorter is always better for headliners IMO. The result otherwise is what is being seen at Gringotts, and what was being seen at A&E EPCOT. What is being missed IMO is not waiting 3 hours on e-ticket attractions gets you through more attractions overall-and the less popular attractions may have an increase in SB-but even those you can use FP+ for if you want. If TGMR is 45 minutes-how many are really riding SB compared to FP+? Maybe it's 90% FP+ doing it in 10 minutes again. Either way-that same guest probably will be enjoying some e-ticket waits of 10 minutes.

IMO making guests wait 2 hours plus minutes SB (while most use FP+) is an unnecessary penalty/punishment this day in age. Others have a right to prefer those guest are out of the other lines I suppose.

 

[FlipHipster]

Oh the good ol' days of legacy FP. And.how much money has been spent?

Dunno but even the low end is a ton of money. Richard Branson spent <$500m and built a spaceship. Not a simulator, a real live freakin spaceship that will carry tourists into space. Just think Disney could have a fleet of spaceships launching out of Epcot every day. Mickey would be all like, "Harry who?"

I just hope they work out the FP+/not really FP-/SB+/DASy thing in less than 120 days.



spaceship!

 

[jade1]

The lines at A&E are the exception because it's the very first instance in the industry (correct me if I'm wrong) of a 100% reservation system. For Gringott's the wait is what is displayed - each guest can make their own decision whether to wait that long or not. To Planogirls' point, now guests may not have that choice - potentially exacerbating capacity issues at other rides (it does go back to capacity). The hint of reservation only should raise a few red flags, don't you think? I would expect as high an outcry if Uni decided to make or tested the possibility of 100% ressie only for FJ or Gringott's.....

But my point on A&E is that was the lines we were indeed talking about.

I cant buy the capacity argument. You make it sound like there is suddenly going to be more capacity if its SB.

Secondly-I don't really agree that it was/is 100% ride ressie, those SB+ are indeed SB choices that day-just because you want the feet of those people forced to stay in the SB que doesn't change it IMO. Plus didn't they also reopen SB at 8PM?

To me its just a blend of FP+ and UNI's QBOT ride spot reserving for the actual SB crowd, and I do expect it will be implemented to the MB eventually.

 

[clsteve]

But my point on A&E is that was the lines we were indeed talking about.

I cant buy the capacity argument. You make it sound like there is suddenly going to be more capacity if its SB.

Secondly-I don't really agree that it was/is 100% ride ressie, those SB+ are indeed SB choices that day-just because you want the feet of those people forced to stay in the SB que doesn't change it IMO. Plus didn't they also reopen SB at 8PM?

To me its just a blend of FP+ and UNI's QBOT ride spot reserving for the actual SB crowd, and I do expect it will be implemented to the MB eventually.

The point was - you can't compare the 2 for all the reasons I pointed out in post # 891.

And it is a reservation system if you can't even get in line for it without a FP+ reservation or a SB+ card with return time for the 10 busiest hours of a 14 hour day.

It is what it is (or was... or will be....)

 

[Mad Hattered]

I just have to say that we are going to ride Gringotts as much as possible by taking advantage of EE. I read recent reports of onsite guests riding it 3 times before the line grew to 180-200 minutes by taking advantage of the single rider line. We will hit it first thing every.single.day for the duration of our trip. We are playing the "early bird gets the worm" card just like we are accustomed to.

If we decide we want to stand in a 2 hour line later then so be it. I will be damned if I spent $100 on admission and was then told I couldn't wait in line if I wanted. Pfffft.

 

[wilkeliza]

I just have to say that we are going to ride Gringotts as much as possible by taking advantage of EE. I read recent reports of onsite guests riding it 3 times before the line grew to 180-200 minutes by taking advantage of the single rider line. We will hit it first thing every.single.day for the duration of our trip. We are playing the "early bird gets the worm" card just like we are accustomed to. If we decide we want to stand in a 2 hour line later then so be it. I will be damned if I spent $100 on admission and was then told I couldn't wait in line if I wanted. Pfffft.

Just make sure you are at the turnstiles at 5:30/5:45 am. So really 2 hours either way.