Quoted from marksf123:

I went to Hollywood studios on Jan 18th and it seems very crowed to me now. I have a annual pass and went with my brother. My brother had a stroke (handicapped) but still walks the park but usually by 4pm or 5pm he is tired and ready to leave (which is fine by me). We got there a little after 9 am and most rides already were over 1hr wait. I think ROR was at 180 mins for most of the day. We walked to Mickey's RR and it said 65 mins so we decided to wait for that ride. It broke down while we were in line and after over an hour waiting we decided to leave (we didn't move very far).
At this point, I decided maybe we should try to buy the genie and give that a try. I bought the genie tickets through the app at maybe around 10:30 AM and it said that tower of terror was the 1st ride available at 12:10. So we booked that and saw that the ride with the shortest standby wait was Star Tours with around 45 mins. We went over there did that ride and then went to lunch.
After lunch we went over to Tower of Terror for our Genie pass and it was also broke down. We hung around for a while and it came back online and we did the ride with basically no wait with the Genie. Of note, at one time at least 3 rides were broken down at the same time (Mickey's, TOT & Slinky)
After that I tried to book my next Genie ride but there was nothing available till after 6pm and we would be gone by then. So we headed back to Mickey's RR and I tried to buy the pass to skip the line. Of course at that point the next available time slot was 7pm. We just waited in line at that point and after that ride we just decided to head back home as everything else was over an hour again and ROR was still 180 mins.
We ended up just doing the 3 rides. Now consider we went to Hollywood studios right before they put in the genie system and we did every ride in the park (except Slinky and the spinning ride in toy story) also did ROR (with the virtual cue) and the lightsaber build and was out of the park by 5pm.
What I have noticed is that they let so many people that use the Genie or the pay per ride than the standby line that it is so annoying and frustrating. I find it to be a terrible system.
At least I understand how the Genie works now and you have to buy it early and book your first ride at 7am.

Quoted from radium:

Don’t they always exit you out the main gate? What do you mean by herded? Sounds like a rough trip. We’re going in a couple weeks and I’m worried.

Quoted from LongJohns:

Hi all,
Ok, just seen this thread here for the first time.
That being said, we are planning Disney World for the first time in early March. Any wisdom you can share? ROTR is a must, so I assume Genie+
Also planning on hitting up Universal as well.
Generally what is the weather like the beginning of March, does it cool off much in the evenings?

Quoted from bigguybbr:

That's unfortunately too true these days. Who knows, maybe it has always been that way, and social media just makes it easier to see it. It's just crazy to see people out of control in a place where it is supposed to be fun for everyone. I think the pressure to make everything magical and perfect gets to people and they crack.
Luckily I live close by, so I make day trips into the park to spend time enjoying family and friends company. I'm not pressed to have to "make memories" every time I go, because I can always come back another day, so I can take it all in at a more relaxing pace. I'm fortunate enough to be able to fly my nephews in and bring them to the parks for 3 days in February, which I am really looking forward to. I had them pick which 3 parks they want to see (MK, AK, HS) to help get the engaged and let them see some of what there is to do. The oldest hasn't been since he was 4 (he's 13 now) and the youngest has never been (he's 9), so everything will be new to them. Since it's all new, I don't think there will be an issue if they miss a ride or two on some of the newer attractions. I think they will have a lot of fun regardless.

Quoted from beelzeboob:

I'm actually getting so pissed off about the Disney situation that I might do Knotts Berry Farm this June when I'm out in Anaheim for NAMM. Is that place any good or does it suck? And does it actually have berries? I like berries.

Quoted from xsvtoys:

I went there lots of times over the years as well as Disneyland. It used to be a fun place, but last time I went I swear I would never go back. It was overrun with lowlifes and punks running around being idiots with no policing in sight. It got really annoying when they blatantly jumped over and across the ropes and into the beginning of lines where people had been standing there waiting for long times. That was a few years back, so maybe they cleaned it up. But given the way things are these days, as discussed in some of the recent posts, I could only imagine its even worse now.
Hopefully a local who has been there recently might have more info.
You can buy the jam in a store.
I would love to go to NAMM though.

Quoted from Trekkie1978:

Are you staying on Disney?
That’s needed info for genie plus and lightening lanes.

Quoted from Methos:

If this is your first time at Disney, have fun!
There is a ton of things to know and learn, but don't worry about it. Just have a basic plan set for what you want to accomplish and do NOT get discouraged if you don't hit every attraction.
Personally, ROTR is overrated and it goes down a lot. But if you have your heart set on it - rope drop it. Meaning - get to the park as early as possible and wait for it. If you are NOT staying on site in the park - this won't work as well as they are letting resort guests in 30 min earlier.
Another way to do it is to wait til the end of the day and then get in line. Do not try it during the day, unless you don't mind waiting 2 1/2 hours for it. It was up to 3 hours this past week.
You don't need to plan for Universal. It's much easier on the wait times.

Quoted from Fizz:

Also, I think they're not lowlife, they're just... Kids. Lots of kids by themselves in these parks.
Sometimes kids, especially in groups, can act a bit differently than we might want them to.

Quoted from beelzeboob:Yeah...but the "kids" at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California are sometimes affiliated with gangs. And that's a lowlife in my book.

Quoted from Mike_J:

Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ is like that, a complete hell hole.
I think admission is free if you have a tattoo on your face.

Quoted from xsvtoys:

Well, last time I went to Six Flags in LA it was the same way. Like hoodlum city. I never went back, and that was a loooong time ago. I guess they just don’t care, or maybe, they are happy to have that for their clientele. You don’t see at Disneyland of course, and same for Universal Studios, always have a good time visiting there as well.

Quoted from Methos:

What are they supposed to do? If they take any measures they will be called racists. DL and WDW only get by for now due to the high cost.
In fact, the thug factor is rising at these parks too. I saw some pretty abusive behavior at the Rose and Crown last week.

Quoted from LongJohns:

Is this for real? We are stay at a Disney Good Neighbor hotel (or whatever they are called in Orlando).

First time World, been to Disneyland many times as and even Disneyland Paris - thought we would hit up World for the 50th - this Genie thing is all new to us though (and many I suspect) - we are familiar with Maxpass that they use to have before at Disneyland.
I know ROTR goes down a lot which is too bad, just like to try it out at least once as it might be some time before we hit up the parks again as it is getting pricey (especially since we also have to convert from the Canadian Peso). Waiting in lines, well BITD we waiting something like 3+ hours for Rocket Rods - talk about a disappointment. lol
Mostly interested in the rides that are not available in Disneyland, just too bad Tron Coaster isn't running yet.
Universal - we probably wont hit up too many rides there as we don't usually do well on the motion simulator type rides. Jurassic World would be one on the list though, was still Jurassic Park when we last went in 2016 in LA.
Hoping to beat the spring break crowds though, which we should since we will be there the first couple of weeks.

Quoted from radium:

EPCOT can get really rowdy on weekends during food and wine fest. A CM told us locals come by just to drink, and Disney loves the money.

Quoted from Apollyon:

We were lucky enough to go right before COVID. We loved it there!
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Quoted from Methos:

It was a bunch of males celebrating one of their son's 21st. They were from a certain part of the county - which I won't name, but they were bragging about it and finally were asked to leave by the Crown's Management. I don't know if they left the park or the area, but they were spending a ton of $ and giving the cast members and other patrons some abuse.

Quoted from radium:

That is messed up. If my son did that I would put him over my knee and whip his ass.

Quoted from Trekkie1978:

If you’re staying on Disney, you can start booking at 7am. Off Disney, 9am (I believe that’s what Disney had said, could’ve been 8am).
For universal, like other have said. Stay at or if their big three and you get the express pass for free. Totally worth it.

Quoted from JakePG:

Did Hollywood studios today. New star wars and slinky toy story ride were great! Was really surprised by toy story ride. It was my 5 years old son's first roller coaster and he loved it. His first day at Disney was a major success.

Quoted from mkecasey:

Did you do both Star Wars rides?

Quoted from JakePG:

Yes. I was on the older one before. Rise of resistance is much better

Quoted from bigguybbr:

The older one is Star Tours, but there are actually 2 rides in Galaxy's Edge. Smugglers run (the Millenium Falcon) and Rise of the Resistance are the newer rides. There are three Star Wars themed rides in total at Hollywood Studios. Hope you didn't miss smugglers run. It's a lot of fun.

Quoted from JakePG:

I did the star tours and rise. Missed smugglers run. Can't believe we missed it.

Quoted from JakePG:

I did the star tours and rise. Missed smugglers run

Quoted from mkecasey:

This may be a controversial opinion, but I think they should remove Star Tours from Hollywood Studios and replace it with something else. I know that it is an opening year attraction for the park and they've done a lot to make it a better ride experience. But you have two very great Star Wars attractions within Galaxy's Edge, one of which is also a motion simulator. Millenium Falcon just seems like a better executed version of Star Tours. I don't think the footprint is that large for Star Tours, so it's likely you'd have to put something else semi-stationary in its place. But I wouldn't miss Star Tours if it left.

Quoted from bigguybbr:

The older one is Star Tours, but there are actually 2 rides in Galaxy's Edge. Smugglers run (the Millenium Falcon) and Rise of the Resistance are the newer rides. There are three Star Wars themed rides in total at Hollywood Studios. Hope you didn't miss smugglers run. It's a lot of fun.

Quoted from mkecasey:

This may be a controversial opinion, but I think they should remove Star Tours from Hollywood Studios and replace it with something else. I know that it is an opening year attraction for the park and they've done a lot to make it a better ride experience. But you have two very great Star Wars attractions within Galaxy's Edge, one of which is also a motion simulator. Millenium Falcon just seems like a better executed version of Star Tours. I don't think the footprint is that large for Star Tours, so it's likely you'd have to put something else semi-stationary in its place. But I wouldn't miss Star Tours if it left.

Quoted from Methos:

We enjoy Smuggler's Run much more than Rise. SR is more inactive, and when you have a talented group, it's a lot of fun.

Quoted from DaveH:

Star Tours has an hourly capacity of about 1800 guests. Those people would need something else to do, and I'm not sure increasing the lines at other rides is a good idea. Even if it isn't the greatest, they need rides, so pulling it wouldn't make sense right now.

Quoted from Elvishasleft:

I would agree there... I made the mistake of going on that and its a dated/crap ride

Quoted from bigguybbr:

The rotation of each film segment means you can repeat the ride multiple times in a day and have a different experience each time. I think that is pretty unique for a ride attraction.

Quoted from Parkshow30:

Fantastic ride and the first motion simulator I have ever been on that didn’t make me even the littlest bit nauseous.

Quoted from beelzeboob:

Somebody who is currently suspended from Pinside would like you to know that he's firmly against Star Tours shutting down and thinks it's awesome. He'll speak for himself when he gets back. (He's taking some time to polish all his marathon medals...)

Quoted from Fizz:

As it stands, Star tours is the only attraction that has any representation of the original star wars trilogy at all. So I like it just for that fact alone. It would be easy and quick to re theme it to something else, though.

Quoted from beelzeboob:

Somebody who is currently suspended from Pinside would like you to know that he's firmly against Star Tours shutting down and thinks it's awesome. He'll speak for himself when he gets back. (He's taking some time to polish all his marathon medals...)

Quoted from girloveswaffles:

The ride system was already used in an attraction in Epcot in the Wonders of Life Pavilion. It was called Body Wars. I rode in back in 1992 and thought over all it was better than the original Star tours (I haven't ridden Star Tours the Adventure Continues)
The effects and motion was much better. this video is a comlete review of the attraction including the pre-show.

Quoted from girloveswaffles:

The ride system was already used in an attraction in Epcot in the Wonders of Life Pavilion. It was called Body Wars. I rode in back in 1992 and thought over all it was better than the original Star tours (I haven't ridden Star Tours the Adventure Continues)
The effects and motion was much better. this video is a comlete review of the attraction including the pre-show.

Quoted from bigguybbr:

Fun fact, the original Star Tours was narrated by Paul Reubens , AKA PeeWee Herman