Mickey & Minnie Mom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2004
Last August, it took an hour for us to complete our safari tour. It was due to a vehicle issue — not anything with the animals!
When I am on a safari at 9:00 am, I don’t expect to be delayed 45+ min for an issue that really should have been identified on a pre-opening inspection. I realize a tire issue *could* have happened right then, but radio chatter (seated directly behind driver) didn’t indicate was sudden. I think it may have been a sensor indicated issue, so they had to stop vehicle.
It took a very long time to get the service vehicle out there (once secured animals). Not sure if it was towed, they had to change vehicles, or what as we weren’t close enough to see. But it was very uncomfortable sitting there that long & knowing there was no way out/off. We at least had some shade compared to those out in direct sun but nothing to enjoy or watch other than the tiny lizards on the trees.
We have been on many, many safari tours since the park opened, experienced reasonable delays for animals, but never a vehicle breakdown. I’m sure it happens but it really stood out when coupled with the other breakdowns we saw and see more of looking at the app these days.
We also had a very long delay with GotG when one side went down. While the other side kept running and moving passengers along, our side was stuck waiting and waiting. After much too long and patience was wearing thin, they finally moved those stuck on our side (ramp & queues) to ride in the opposite one. Not sure why it wasn’t done sooner as it would have gone a long way with satisfaction even during a breakdown. We rode another time that week and the pre-ride special effect wasn’t working either. Pretty disappointing with a brand new ride.
Those are the two big ones I remember but not all that were happening. I’ve been going to WDW for so many years but the type of breakdowns mentioned in this post definitely are happening and negatively impacting the magic that, in the past, the company worked to cultivate.
I think with so many entertainment options being removed (2 showings of fireworks, electric light parade, Fantasmic; live performers; more character greetings), more meals being prefix &/or $$$, removing benches/rest areas that used to exist, shorter park hours, it’s all working to create more stress on the rides to perform at peak capacity. And they are failing, too many and too often at the same times and even worse in the same park.
When I am on a safari at 9:00 am, I don’t expect to be delayed 45+ min for an issue that really should have been identified on a pre-opening inspection. I realize a tire issue *could* have happened right then, but radio chatter (seated directly behind driver) didn’t indicate was sudden. I think it may have been a sensor indicated issue, so they had to stop vehicle.
It took a very long time to get the service vehicle out there (once secured animals). Not sure if it was towed, they had to change vehicles, or what as we weren’t close enough to see. But it was very uncomfortable sitting there that long & knowing there was no way out/off. We at least had some shade compared to those out in direct sun but nothing to enjoy or watch other than the tiny lizards on the trees.
We have been on many, many safari tours since the park opened, experienced reasonable delays for animals, but never a vehicle breakdown. I’m sure it happens but it really stood out when coupled with the other breakdowns we saw and see more of looking at the app these days.
We also had a very long delay with GotG when one side went down. While the other side kept running and moving passengers along, our side was stuck waiting and waiting. After much too long and patience was wearing thin, they finally moved those stuck on our side (ramp & queues) to ride in the opposite one. Not sure why it wasn’t done sooner as it would have gone a long way with satisfaction even during a breakdown. We rode another time that week and the pre-ride special effect wasn’t working either. Pretty disappointing with a brand new ride.
Those are the two big ones I remember but not all that were happening. I’ve been going to WDW for so many years but the type of breakdowns mentioned in this post definitely are happening and negatively impacting the magic that, in the past, the company worked to cultivate.
I think with so many entertainment options being removed (2 showings of fireworks, electric light parade, Fantasmic; live performers; more character greetings), more meals being prefix &/or $$$, removing benches/rest areas that used to exist, shorter park hours, it’s all working to create more stress on the rides to perform at peak capacity. And they are failing, too many and too often at the same times and even worse in the same park.
