IzzyB
V.I.P. Member
I really have not been to WDW in about four years, so I cannot comment on how it is these days. But when I did go somewhat often, I did notice that sometimes things ran more efficiently during crowed times than they did during the slow season.
But ride capacity (and staffing) did change with the seasons. Back before Space mountain had a dedicated fast pass side, only one track would run for the first few hours in the slower seasons.
If you pay attention to the load/unload at splash mountain, sometimes each queue has three lanes on each queue, others it's two...kind of neat to me how they can add/remove the railings in that area.
You can get an idea of how many boats they are running on Small World and Pirates based on how far back into the last scene or two you hit traffic waiting to get to unload.
I assume folks are saying they've been running rides that they can adjust at lower capacity...coaster can run fewer trains...and I assume you can run with a smaller staff when you reduce the ride capacity.
Anyway, I think Orlando is seeing a slow down. I noticed UNI has started offering FL a $75 dinning credit on a two night vacation package (might only be at SF). But I still think UNI is bringing more in by having more rooms this year.
Yes, late at night they shut down the second loading station for Pirates and same with BTM. But I haven't seen this type of thing going on during the day. Which late at night when Pirates is a walk on and sometimes sending half empty boats, I get not having two load areas. Universal does the same thing, in fact all parks do. But during the day when I have waited in a line or the wait time is high, I haven't seen the second loading or side closed down. Which is where I am confused about how it effects busy times capacity making lines longer.