The Anna & Elsa Problem

[WDWPrincess]

For months there have been waits for over three hours for the Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet at EPCOT.

And just this morning I see that now that Anna & Elsa are meeting guests at Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom, the wait time posted was FOUR HOURS.

That is ridiculous.

For something this popular, Disney should take action. There's no reason they cannot put two (or three) sets of Anna & Elsa to be meeting guests simultaneously (not in the same room of course) -but something temporary could be arranged if they would think about it. With popular rides, they are stuck with the wait times because you cannot quickly duplicate the ride next to the existing ride, but for Meet & Greets, is Disney really that cheap to not have more than one pair of "Anna and Elsa" working at one time?

[disneyluva]

Was in WDW last week - prime spring break time! Got to MK at 8am when it opened, saw Elsa and Anna in 15 minutes!

However, passed Norway at 3 in the afternoon - ridiculous wait!

If you plan accordingly, you will be FINE!:mickey:

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

This happens all the time with "new" characters. I remember hours long waits for Tiana and Merida when they first started appearing too. Just crazy!

I don't know why Disney doesn't find a better way to deal with the demand for the newest characters, it becomes the "hot ticket" thing to do first thing when you get to the park. (That's how we met Tiana and Merida ... crazy dash to a character! :princess: )

[dnickels]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.

I'm planning to try it one of these days by being there at rope drop, I'll see how it goes. But even if the wait is long I don't think that means they need to shorten it for my convenience. They've got a great thing in Frozen, they don't wait to risk ruining it through oversaturation.

[BrerGnat]

I don't understand why they don't simply set up Anna/Elsa M&G locations at ALL the parks, at least for a little while. I mean, it seems like a no brainer.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.

I'm planning to try it one of these days by being there at rope drop, I'll see how it goes. But even if the wait is long I don't think that means they need to shorten it for my convenience. They've got a great thing in Frozen, they don't wait to risk ruining it through oversaturation.


Don't they do that with Little Mermaid though in the new Fantasy Land expansion.

In 2012 our first night we weren't sure if we were going to the parks after flying in, but opted to do MK of course. We ended up seeing Ariel, but because we hadn't planned it, we didn't bring the kids autograph books. Near the end of our visit, the lines weren't bad so we saw Ariel again to get her autograph, but I got confused because I was certain we went into her grotto from a different direction. Which then it dawned on me, they can have her in two places, unseen one by the other. At least that is what I assumed was a/o could happen in peak times.

[AgentC]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.



Don't they do that with Little Mermaid though in the new Fantasy Land expansion.

In 2012 our first night we weren't sure if we were going to the parks after flying in, but opted to do MK of course. We ended up seeing Ariel, but because we hadn't planned it, we didn't bring the kids autograph books. Near the end of our visit, the lines weren't bad so we saw Ariel again to get her autograph, but I got confused because I was certain we went into her grotto from a different direction. Which then it dawned on me, they can have her in two places, unseen one by the other. At least that is what I assumed was a/o could happen in peak times.

They actually already do this at several locations. Princess Fairytale Hall, Town Square Theater, Ariel's Grotto, Epcot Character Hall (not 100% sure on this one) are all reported to have multiple rooms.

That is why you wait in multiple place. You wait in the first line and are brought to a holding spot and then taken the next available room. No one can see the other room so it looks like there is only one character meeting at a time.

I have no ideas how many rooms there are but it is more than one at these locations. Another factor of course is how many cast members are trained to be Elsa and Anna.

[Disneylovescompany]

As with anything you do at WDW, planning is the key. Use the new FP+ and it works just fine. Otherwise complaining about the fact that every little girl wants to meet the new characters and WDW isnt doing anything about it rings hollow.

[SurferStitch]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.

They do it with the talking Magician Mickey in MK. There are separate rooms. They could probably pretty easily do it for Anna and Elsa.

[Eric87]

Just use your fast pass+ option and you should be in right away. Also, the Epcot character spot does not have multiple rooms as stated above. They're just sections and no duplicate characters.

[TheRustyScupper]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity . . .


The ONLY exception is having "Two Chips" in the same area.

[natedog24]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.

Spoiler alert: It's a nice myth, but not true. Sorry to burst your image of WDW, but as others have pointed out, in multiple character locations there are a few different rooms. I wouldn't be surprised if they were already doing multiple rooms in Fairytale Hall.
If getting that picture/autograph is that important to you, use a FP+ or get there at ropedrop. There's not much else WDW can do to control the amount of people that want to see Elsa & Anna. As others have said, it's a fad and will pass...

[Aurora]

They do it with the talking Magician Mickey in MK. There are separate rooms. They could probably pretty easily do it for Anna and Elsa.

I would think it would be A LOT harder to cast the face characters than the costumed characters, then multiply that process by several for multiple locations and the many shifts involved. There's a lot more involvement with voice and acting and interaction with guests, and you do have to get it as close as possible.

[Elias1901]

Disney's policy from all the way back to the days of Walt has been strict avoidance of situations where there are obviously multiple sets of the same characters in two different locations in close proximity / the same park at the same time. Having multiple rooms with Anna & Elsa or multiple locations in MK to meet Anna & Elsa would go against everything they've done for decades so I'd be shocked if it happened.

Another prime example of this would be at Mickey's House in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park! They have guests queue up in Mickey's Movie Barn/Screening Room and then the CM opens the door and lets a small group of guests into one of the several rooms containing a Mickey in it. However, with that one they have several different versions of Mickey in each room (Sorcerer, Steamboat Willie, Regular Tuxedo, etc.). Personally, I thought this was a really smart way of handling things! :mickey:

[cuteduck223]

Spoiler alert: It's a nice myth, but not true. Sorry to burst your image of WDW, but as others have pointed out, in multiple character locations there are a few different rooms. I wouldn't be surprised if they were already doing multiple rooms in Fairytale Hall.
If getting that picture/autograph is that important to you, use a FP+ or get there at ropedrop. There's not much else WDW can do to control the amount of people that want to see Elsa & Anna. As others have said, it's a fad and will pass...

I think the WDW idea is that you wouldn't run into the same character and ruin the illusion. having 2 rooms solves that, as most people don't realize there is a second room to be filtered into. More like...I just stood in line to meet Mickey, and then saw him walking past me. Thats a "no-no". We saw Mickey a few years ago in Town Square, and walked out as the parade was going past. my DD saw mickey and asked how he could be in the parade. a cm standing nearby saved the magic and told her she was the last kid he saw before using his magic to hop on the parade float. She was only 3, so it was an easy save. But thats the idea behind not having multiple greeting locations in the same park.

[natedog24]

I think the WDW idea is that you wouldn't run into the same character and ruin the illusion. having 2 rooms solves that, as most people don't realize there is a second room to be filtered into. More like...I just stood in line to meet Mickey, and then saw him walking past me. Thats a "no-no". We saw Mickey a few years ago in Town Square, and walked out as the parade was going past. my DD saw mickey and asked how he could be in the parade. a cm standing nearby saved the magic and told her she was the last kid he saw before using his magic to hop on the parade float. She was only 3, so it was an easy save. But thats the idea behind not having multiple greeting locations in the same park.

Agree 100%. That's why the utilidors are there. The old story of Walt seeing a Tomorrowland Cast Member walk through Frontierland is a prime example. Same thing with characters. Definitely don't want to see Mickey and his unknown twin brother/stunt double Mackey in the same place at the same time. Having them in separate rooms solves that and is something WDW does on a regular basis.

[Disneylovescompany]

I think everyone is taking a very simplistic view of the situation. There are multiple factors in play:
1. The popularity of the characters. I doubt even Disney expected the rush of popularity for these characters and have been told as much.
2. Limited resources to pull off multiple face characters at one time
3. Limited area to have these characters present and not create issues.

The result was to allow FP+. If you dont want to stand in line but the little one is insistent she see them, use a FP.

[SurferStitch]

I think everyone is taking a very simplistic view of the situation. There are multiple factors in play:
1. The popularity of the characters. I doubt even Disney expected the rush of popularity for these characters and have been told as much.
2. Limited resources to pull off multiple face characters at one time
3. Limited area to have these characters present and not create issues.

The result was to allow FP+. If you dont want to stand in line but the little one is insistent she see them, use a FP.

Simplistic, but true nonetheless. Trust me... Having a few extra Annas and Elsas isn't that hard to do. Also, the 2 room scenario already exists at WDW.

Actually, just saying "get a FP" is almost a more simplistic view... Those things are as difficult to get as a Wonka golden ticket sometimes, especially if you can only go on certain days of your trip.

[RBrooksC]

What I don't get is how people can get into a line when the time says 3, 4 or 5 hours.

There has to be a breaking point. For me, an hour wait is too long for most things. When you are getting to five hours, you are killing most of your day for that one attraction.

But I would have no problem telling my daughter, sorry, we can't see Elsa and Anna today. Yes, I may be dealing with a melt-down, but the time the melt-down lasts is small compared to a three hour plus wait.

[natedog24]

What I don't get is how people can get into a line when the time says 3, 4 or 5 hours.

There has to be a breaking point. For me, an hour wait is too long for most things. When you are getting to five hours, you are killing most of your day for that one attraction.

I'm agree with this. At some point, don't people say, "I'm not spending literally half of my day in Walt Disney World waiting in line for a picture with a character."
At the same time, I do LOVE the fact there's a long wait. Because every single person that is line to meet these characters aren't in line for other attractions that I'd like to go on, making the lines for everything else just a tiny bit shorter... :mickey:

[LoveofEVERYTHINGDisney]

I'm agree with this. At some point, don't people say, "I'm not spending literally half of my day in Walt Disney World waiting in line for a picture with a character."
At the same time, I do LOVE the fact there's a long wait. Because every single person that is line to meet these characters aren't in line for other attractions that I'd like to go on, making the lines for everything else just a tiny bit shorter... :mickey:
My thought exactly!! Bravo!!! The more people go in droves to wait to shake the hand of Anna and/or Elsa, the shorter the lines for every other attraction! We leave in 17 days for the world and I'm secretly hoping for a 5-hour wait for Anna & Elsa! lol!

[RBrooksC]

While this is all true, I have to wonder what is going through people's minds when they get into a line with full knowledge of how long they will wait.

Yes, I know the old argument is "it's our only time here, blah, blah, blah." Even with that, you would think most people would see a four hour wait and hang their head in defeat and do something else.

As I said, for me a 15-20 minute meltdown until you find something else to distract and entertain a little child is a far cry better than spending 1/2 the day in a very slow line.

[mcjaco]

Glad this thread drifted in another direction.

Don't see how it's Disney's problem if people are willing to wait 4+ hours just to see a character. Clearly some guests have their priorities a bit mixed up.

[RBrooksC]

It is not Disney's problem.

Like another poster said, it takes guests away from other attractions. They will see it as a crowd sink and be happy people are waiting in a long line like that.

I'd be happy if I were there and saw that. It's going to be interesting to see how the crowd flow changes with the mine train opens.

If Anna/Elsa are still attracting 3 hours waits and you have this ride which I will assume won't be able to handle large amounts of guests per hour, so there will be decent waits, how will that affect historically long wait attractions in the MK.

[Aurora]

I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but if Anna and Elsa keep visits to about 2 minutes for each guest party (which seems to be an approximate average, judging from YouTube videos), that means that 30 parties can visit per hour.

Even if it's more than that, say one party per minute, that hardly puts a dent in the lines for the other attractions spread out throughout the park.

[TheVBs]

I read about the wait times on this thread before our trip and could not believe it could be true - until I witnessed it for myself! Wow! When we were picking our FPs, I either didn't notice the Anna and Elsa option, or they were already gone. In all honesty, even if I'd noticed them, I didn't know about the crazy wait times then and I wouldn't have wanted to use one of our FPs for a meet & greet. Of course, shortly before we left for our trip, the girls said that they'd really like to meet Anna and Elsa. Figures! Well, each time we swung by that area, the wait time was always 3-4 hours. We just said, "Sorry girls, we'll have to meet Anna and Elsa next time." They were fine, if a little disappointed and we moved on. I actually saw a 2 hour wait time at one point and half considered it, but decided to pass. I remember waiting a little over an hour to meet the Fairies and thinking how crazy that was! So, disappointing that we couldn't do it, but I can say that we filled those four hours with plenty of other things. :mickey:

[Ian]

The lines were crazy when we were there, but I actually think Disney prefers it that way. The frenzy around them creates buzz and buzz is nothing more than a code word for free advertising.

[azcavalier]

In our 14 years of attending WDW, we have done very, very few meet & greets. And those only when there is little to no line for our favorite characters. This is one of the main reasons why we choose the various character meals. We figure, we have to eat anyway, and this way you can knock out a bunch in one fell swoop. Plus we've had some great interactions with those characters over the years. All without waits.

Again, this obviously wouldn't work for those who are doing a "once in a lifetime" trip. But it's nice that we've met so many without having to waste any time in a line.

[Terra]

Simplistic, but true nonetheless. Trust me... Having a few extra Annas and Elsas isn't that hard to do. Also, the 2 room scenario already exists at WDW.

Actually, just saying "get a FP" is almost a more simplistic view... Those things are as difficult to get as a Wonka golden ticket sometimes, especially if you can only go on certain days of your trip.

Yes indeed! They are booked more than a month out!
I have a good friend in MK today. She got there at 9:10am and the wait then was 5 hours!

It's a little extreme. They absolutely *could* do more. But *could* has a huge variance!

[Terra]

The lines were crazy when we were there, but I actually think Disney prefers it that way. The frenzy around them creates buzz and buzz is nothing more than a code word for free advertising.

So very true! And it's working!
I love them myself. We even "waited" in a line when they were in Norway to get a peek through the curtain to take a picture. Not even kidding.

That said, personally, I wouldn't ever make my children wait in a line that long [not that my ASD son would!]

I don't have any issue with people choosing it for themselves though. It would be nice to see them at multiple parks though.