The World in the Eyes of Paul

Recently Disney has started testing a queue less (aka no line) system for the E-Ticket Attraction Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This concept was first widely mentioned back in September when Jay Rasulo announced the Fantasyland expansion for Walt Disney World. A popular attraction, Dumbo, would be relocated, doubled in size and feature a queue less wait system.

So how can guests not wait in line and yet still keep order for attractions? The idea is simple. When you arrive at an attraction you get a ticket/boarding pass, etc. If you have ever flown Southwest you will know exactly what I am talking about. This pass will let you know what group you are a part of. While you wait for your group to be called there are various activities for you to do in the area. In the case of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster there is a DJ along with Rock Band/Band Hero/Guitar Hero (note I am not sure which games exactly) type games for guests to play.

This system of course has some huge draw to park guests, the obvious one is not having to stand in a line which theme parks are known for. Getting rid of the line will make people happier right? Well I am not so sure about that. You are still waiting the same amount of time to board the attraction, now you have options to entertain yourself and you don't have to be standing in front of the crying kid for the 30 minutes as you snake around in the line.

However, Disney has gone to great lengths to have an entire attraction follow a storyline and this includes the queue. Disney Imangineers have put a lot of details into designing the queue while continuing the story. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is a great example and now Disney has removed the first chapters of this story they are telling. Sure, guests will still walk through the lobby of G Force Records as they make their way to the recording studio but a lot of those little details will be lost.

I don't see Disney becoming completely queue less in the future. I can see certain attractions where this system makes sense, such as with Dumbo but I believe what makes Disney stand out above all other parks is the ability to tell a story from beginning, when you step into the queue, to the end, when you step into the gift shop.

Photos from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster available at StudiosCentral.com