VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

[Granny]

I read a rumor (just a rumor) that once Toy Story Land opens at DHS that the rides in that land - Slinky Dog, Toy Story Mania and the Alien Swirling Saucers will be the Tier 1 attractions there and all others will be Tier 2 including RnR. Works for us!

I could see them doing this while the newness creates a lot of demand for Toy Story Land. But long term I can't see Slinky Dog or Alien Swirling Saucers being more popular than RnRC. And once Star Wars Land opens up, I'm sure that any of those rides will also be Tier 1.

As long as they keep ToT in the Tier 2 definition, it all works for us.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I could see them doing this while the newness creates a lot of demand for Toy Story Land. But long term I can't see Slinky Dog or Alien Swirling Saucers being more popular than RnRC. And once Star Wars Land opens up, I'm sure that any of those rides will also be Tier 1.

As long as they keep ToT in the Tier 2 definition, it all works for us.

I think that's likely how it will go. Or Star Wars land will become the new tier 1 and all the rest move into tier 2. After awhile maybe it will be no tiers like AK used to be or like MK is.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Not amused..

 

[DiznyDi]

Nice picture Ron!
We have horribly high biting winds this AM. More snow for us this afternoon
I'd really appreciate a little sunshine!

 

[rkstocke5609]

Nice picture Ron!
We have horribly high biting winds this AM. More snow for us this afternoon
I'd really appreciate a little sunshine!

It is April, right?

I hope you don’t get too much snow!

 

[DenLo]

AP’s do matter....

View attachment 313614

I understand what you are saying Ron, however during the two weeks were were at WDW only once was the AP holders line short. Sometimes we were wondering why the AP holders stayed in that line when other lines were much shorter and we got right through on those other lines.

I read a rumor (just a rumor) that once Toy Story Land opens at DHS that the rides in that land - Slinky Dog, Toy Story Mania and the Alien Swirling Saucers will be the Tier 1 attractions there and all others will be Tier 2 including RnR. Works for us!

I don't really get the advantage of having all the other rides in the same tier. Won't that mean we can only book FP for one of the other rides? So we can't get Star Tours and TOT or R'nR Coaster FPs for the same day.

 

[Granny]

I understand what you are saying Ron, however during the two weeks were were at WDW only once was the AP holders line short. Sometimes we were wondering why the AP holders stayed in that line when other lines were much shorter and we got right through on those other lines.

Denise...this was our experience during our last visit too. We also just opted for the shortest line regardless of whether it was AP or not. The only thing is that you would hope that AP holders would understand how to sail through the turnstile correctly without CM intervention required, but I'm not sure that was really the case.

I don't really get the advantage of having all the other rides in the same tier. Won't that mean we can only book FP for one of the other rides? So we can't get Star Tours and TOT or R'nR Coaster FPs for the same day.

My understanding is that you can only book one of the Tier 1 rides up front. But if you prefer, you can book all three FPs on Tier 2 rides. So yes, you could get ST, ToT and RnRC FP's for the same day in advance if RnRC moves to Tier 2. Or more importantly, you can now book Toy Story Mania and Rock n Roller Coaster for the same day which you couldn't do in the past.

 

[DenLo]

Okay that would work for those that don't want a Toy Story Land FP+. This article https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/fastpass-tiers-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios-with-toy-story-land/ is a little deceptive as it says you can only book two on Tier 2. Which is the way I thought it was limited. I need to check that out.

 

[Granny]

Just saw this on the web.

New Digital Key Feature Coming Soon to My Disney Experience App

Greg...I just saw that they are using Wilderness Lodge as their test resort.

I don't get the rationale or attraction for this.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ron, I think that picture of snow and ice is too sad.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not amused..

View attachment 313822

Awww Ron - I was thinking about your return yesterday. I left MN on Saturday - it snowed during the night just to let me know how nice it was going to be getting home to Reno and flipping the temp digits from 26 degrees to 62 degrees! I have friends back there that were in the Caymans last week. Their rational for vacation time is that it's good to go now when it's cool but spring is on it's way then it's not a big shock to return to MN like it can be during the middle of winter. I'm sure they were not amused either. Thanks for all the pictures and updates you shared while on the trip!

We are not going to go completely unscathed here - our "atmospheric river" is supposed to flow right over us starting Friday. High winds and flood warnings have gone up. Yuck

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Okay that would work for those that don't want a Toy Story Land FP+. This article https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/fastpass-tiers-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios-with-toy-story-land/ is a little deceptive as it says you can only book two on Tier 2. Which is the way I thought it was limited. I need to check that out.

You can book one Tier 1 plus two Tier 2's or else three Tier 2's so yes, it works for those that aren't looking to get the new rides done with FP's all at once. Considering DHS has been tiered I don't think there was ever a chance that any of the Toy Story land attractions would be in Tier 2 but I hadn't really thought they'd move RnR down into Tier 2. Now we can do one of the Toy Story land rides plus RnR plus ToT. Star Tours is something that can usually be gotten with a 4th FP as are most of the other tier 2's. As Granny mentioned it's likely things will change again at some point. There's Star Wars land coming plus sooner than that the Mickey's Runaway Railway to add into the tiers someplace.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Greg...I just saw that they are using Wilderness Lodge as their test resort.

I don't get the rationale or attraction for this.

Neither do I Granny. Maybe Disney is hoping people would request MB's anymore? Except they are still needed for ticket media so probably not that. It's like they are taking a step backwards in time with this.

 

[Granny]

Neither do I Granny. Maybe Disney is hoping people would request MB's anymore? Except they are still needed for ticket media so probably not that. It's like they are taking a step backwards in time with this.

The only thing I can think of is that they may be moving everything to the MDE app. Then if you don't have a smart phone, or want a Magic Band, they can start charging for it.

Or maybe it is a function of demand that people really want everything on their phones these days? But I don't think we'll give up the magic bands just yet.

 

[Dean Marino]

Not amused..

View attachment 313822

I see your stinking Winter, and raise you . April 4 - ME, in MI. 15 days to WDW...

 

[Starwind]

Nice picture Ron!
We have horribly high biting winds this AM. More snow for us this afternoon
I'd really appreciate a little sunshine!

Sympathies !!

Today we had: freezing rain, rain, ice pellets, snow pellets, snow, a nd 90 km/hr wind gusts. All in the same day !! I think Mother Nature is rather confused about what season this is. We are getting more snow this weekend.

Planning our next trip to the Lodge is always a nice escape from the pesky weather.

SW

 

[Flossbolna]

Neither do I Granny. Maybe Disney is hoping people would request MB's anymore? Except they are still needed for ticket media so probably not that. It's like they are taking a step backwards in time with this.

I think it is something that has become industry standard with a lot of the other big hotel chains going this way. It is easy to implement as it is just a change in the software of the app to create the correct signal I think.

It is something that would appeal to convention guests and they are currently expanding their convention business (aren't they building both at the Yacht Club and Coronado Springs for that purpose). My guess is that they just picked WL as the first hotel to roll it out because it is one of the smallest hotels on property? So, if there are bugs, the least amount of people are being inconvenienced.

 

[DenLo]

I think it is something that has become industry standard with a lot of the other big hotel chains going this way. It is easy to implement as it is just a change in the software of the app to create the correct signal I think.

It is something that would appeal to convention guests and they are currently expanding their convention business (aren't they building both at the Yacht Club and Coronado Springs for that purpose). My guess is that they just picked WL as the first hotel to roll it out because it is one of the smallest hotels on property? So, if there are bugs, the least amount of people are being inconvenienced.

I wonder if the two DVC resorts at Wilderness Lodge will also be using the new smartphone method?

 

[Granny]

I wonder if the two DVC resorts at Wilderness Lodge will also be using the new smartphone method?

The Disney Parks blog indicates that it will include the DVC resorts at WL:

Coming soon to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, a new feature in the My Disney Experience app will allow guests to quickly unlock their hotel room using a digital key on their mobile devices, providing them with another seamless room entry option that brings added ease and flexibility to their experience.

The complimentary feature will become available later this month at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, including the Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, and is expected to expand to other Disney Resort hotels in the coming months.​

 

[Dizny Dad]

Like a few others, I don't really see the advantage of the phone app for door opening. One more thing to pull out to get into my room.

I think it is enough that I bring DiznyDi with me to WDW to cart around a magic band to fulfill all of my needs and whims with a single wave of the wrist.

Believe me, I'll know when I get home if she has read this.