Monsters Inc Grand Opening Report

[Roger55]

I know others have provided a review of the attraction, so I just wanted to share how my day went for the grand opening.

Got there in time for the dasshu. There was a lot of confusion as to where to go. I was looking for the ceremony but ended up in the FP line. I was told the ceremony was taking place back in the World Bazaar and I would have to go all the way around to get there. I knew it was going to be a short ceremony, so I decided not to go back. I was able to secure a FP and then get in the standby line.

When I was lining up in the standby line, the cast members were telling people it was a 5 1/2 hr wait!!! I didn't believe them and just got in line. Many other guests did believe what the cast members were saying and gave up and left. My actual wait was only 80 minutes. I was very disappointed as to the exagerrated standby times being told to the guests. I saw some very sad faces of guests who gave up insted of facing a 5 1/2 hour wait. I tried to tell those who would listen that it wouldn't be that long. But most chose to believe the cast members over me. Understandable. That is what made the whole situation so disappointing and unfortunate.

I decided to forego my FP time(keeping the FP in my collection), and went back after lunch to get in the standby line. Again, the cast memebers were telling people it was 160 minute wait. I got in line and waited only 80 minutes again. When I got to the final scene of the attraction, the animation wasn't working, and when the set of ride vehicles reached the unload area, the cast members appologized for the malfunction and offered us to go right back on the ride. We were lead to the boarding area and got on the very next vehicle.

I did hear that Jay Rasulo was present for the ceremony. Overall, the opening went very well. I am just disappointed that they were not reporting more accurate wait times for standby.

As far as the ride goes, I really enjoyed it. It is a plused up version of DCAs Monsters using much more elaborate sets and animatronics, as well as the interactive feature.

There is one special effect in the last scene where you look through Boo's door and see her entire bedroom in 3-D!!! Wow! Also, there is a hidden Mickey in the queue area in the world map on the ceiling. If you want to know where it is mouse over the next line.

Spoiler

A Mickey head shaped door knob on one of the doors that make up Africa

I'll post my pics later. Most likely after I get home.

[jedimaster7313]

Sounds like you did pretty good in wait time on the opening day- but you're right about just how many people were put off by advising of incorrect wait times.

I guess they possibly wanted to put off as many guests as possible not to have a mob scene around the attraction, but it wasn't right tacking on several hours to a wait time.

Hope you enjoyed it & am looking forward to seeing more pictures- I'll be there later this year, so hopefully the initial rush will be over by then.

[JoeInJpn]

I believe they overestimated the number of guests attending the Park that day and/or guest preferring to do standby over FastPass. Many more guests stood at the FP distribution line instead of the standby line when the Park opened.

I entered the Park at 8:00am.
I got my FP at 8:09am for a return time of 10:40am.
I got on standby line at 8:12am with a posted 150min wait.
I entered the ride at 9:15am after a 60min wait.
Rode again at 10:45am, FP's were already gone.

The earliest return time for FP that day was 9:30am.

[Roger55]

Originally Posted by JoeInJpn

I believe they overestimated the number of guests attending the Park that day and/or guest preferring to do standby over FastPass.

I wouldn't blame it on that. Yes, many more people ended up in the FP line that morning. But in the afternoon, with FP and Standby both operating, they still were overstating the standby wait.

Again today, day 2, they were overstating the wait time. My first time through today, they were stating 160 minutes and I got on in 55 minutes. The second time, they were stating 140 minutes and I got on in 40.

I understand it is always better to state a time longer than what the actual wait would take. It is just my opinion that these times were overly exaggerated.

[JoeInJpn]

Again, I "stand by" my comments, they overestimated the number of people that would get in the standby line. Usually standby times are posted with an additional 5-10 minutes, but they totally miscalculated these first two days.

[JoeInJpn]

Logistically, it was a bad performance by the folks in charge yesterday. Originally the opening ceremony was due to start at 8:45am in front of the attraction. However, it was very windy and the staging was moved to Center Street in World Bazaar with a possible 8:05am ceremony start. The attraction would not be open until after the 10-minute ceremony was completed. They ended up starting the ceremony a little after 8:30 and the standby line started moving. Perhaps the posted standby waiting time had this additional time figured in during the morning rush.

[Roger55]

I guess I am not understanding your point Joe. Sorry.

From my POV, I would think that any "estimates" they may make to figure out how many people will go to FP versus standby at park opening, should not be affecting the wait times being given later in the day.

Tonight at 7PM they were stating 140 when it really only took 40. I would think that FP/Standby estimates only would affect etimated wait times for a period after opening.

So I completly agree that mis-estimates in the AM about FP vs Standby can cause the initial wait time estimates early in the day to be off... but i would hope they can be more accurate by 7PM.

Please correct my thought process if I am still misunderstanding something.

Thanks!

[JoeInJpn]

I was pointing out the experience that was happening in the morning right after gates opened and a few hours after that since that's the only time I was around the attraction. As to why the posted times were way off in the afternoon, I don't know.

What else could explain the difference in time that you said was posted against what you actually waited? There must have been some miscalculation/over-estimation, right?

[Roger55]

There is definitly something going on. It appears they are almost always doubling the actual wait time. Anyone's guess is as good as mine as to why they are doing that.

I was almost tempted to volunteer for a lead to be timed. But knowing how things operate at TDR, I know I would have been refused. :P

[JoeInJpn]

Originally Posted by Roger55

There is definitly something going on. It appears they are almost always doubling the actual wait time. Anyone's guess is as good as mine as to why they are doing that.

I was almost tempted to volunteer for a lead to be timed. But knowing how things operate at TDR, I know I would have been refused. :P

I think it's a legitimate issue and question to bring up at Main Street House. Not in a claiming sort of way, but more like a curious inquiry. It would be interesting to hear what they say. If I have time during my next visit, I'll ask the CM's there about the situation. If polite and friendly enough, they'll usually divulge a little more to a familiar "gaijin" than they would to a usual guest. Hehehe.

[Roger55]

Originally Posted by JoeInJpn

I think it's a legitimate issue and question to bring up at Main Street House. Not in a claiming sort of way, but more like a curious inquiry. It would be interesting to hear what they say. If I have time during my next visit, I'll ask the CM's there about the situation. If polite and friendly enough, they'll usually divulge a little more to a familiar "gaijin" than they would to a usual guest. Hehehe.

I did that tonight before I left the park. I just told them the discrepancies I have experienced. I also told them I wasn't complaining, but would rather they be more accurate because of all the people I saw give up trying to ride. Hearing a parent tell their kids the wait is too long really is sad. I know some here might think "everyone for themselves", but I do really feel bad for those who aren't as familiar with how things go at Disney parks.

As far as the reaction I got, it started out to be the typical Japanese apology. I stopped him right away and said I was not looking for an apology, but just wanted my observations to be flowed to the leads so that more people will not be discouraged and walk away. He then changed his response to "thank you". I thanked him for listening and said good bye.

Just a footnote, I made all my comments in Japanese, so I don't think there was any misunderstanding of what I was saying. :P

[JoeInJpn]

It's cool. So they didn't really explain much right? Hehehe. I'll try it too and see what else they say. I usually use Japanese when I am there, too. And I do stop by often, usually to compliment something I have seen or give a commendation for a CM.

If it's not busy, they usually like to chat about something in English. There are two CM's working there that have spent years in London. And three have previously worked at WDW in the International Program.

[TDLFAN]

Roger, thanks for posting your report. I wish I had known you were there. (were you the cute guy gaijin in the line to my left outside the gates wearing a hat? Hmm..) Anyways.. you could have hung out with me and Joe for a while.

[DisneySea_Fan]

Yea I can't wait to ride this, I'm hoping to get over to TDL in mid march next year (Yea I know its a while, you locals are really lucky) Looks like a good attraction overall. I have a question, how is it themed to tommorow land? I saw a couple pictures and it looked like it fit.

[TDLFAN]

The look of the building is exactly as seen on the movie itself. I don't think it fits the area where it was built, only because the Star Tours building next to it and the Pan Galatic complex in front of it have a decidedly futuristic facade. Monsters Ride simply does not. But theme aside... when you look at the ride on it's own merits, it's a very good ride... and I feel the more you ride, the more enjoyable it becomes.