We went on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and there wasn't anyone assigning spots, except for FITH. During the this year I've been to Outlaw Run and have had the attendant and not had the attendant, so it might be more of a capacity issue than anything. Disney has been doing that assigned seating for years, so I bet it does go faster.
For example, on Wednesday the PK the station was full, but several times the train was sent out with empty seats (a lot of single riders or groups of three)....then once they sent out a full empty row because groups wanted to ride together. So I could see how the assignment would actually make the lines move better.
As for our trip, on Wednesday the park was dead. At 4:00pm you could marathon Outlaw Run, the station was completely empty....same with WF. PK had a small wait (10 min), but they only had one train going. The stores were empty, no lines anywhere. Paid parking was even 1/2 price (I'd never seen that). The park was clean, and the toy shop was 50% off pretty much everything in the store (So added a few stuffed animals to my daughter's collection).
Thursday was a different animal. The park was busy by 11:00 and the lines were only getting longer. The lines for the food were blocking pathways, and I developed a stomach virus the night before so I was ready to get to the hotel by 3:00 that day. Thank goodness for the kids they rode so many rides the day before they were happy and ready to head out too. I did pick up some great deals on some Halloween and Autumn décor (one of the main reasons I love going to SDC). They were also putting the Christmas lights on the Ice Cream Parlor....I didn't think they would do this while guest were in the park, but they had about 8 people on ladders and hanging lights around.
We stayed at Deer Run right next to the park (it was cheap and close) and on Friday we left for Showboat around 10:30 and Parking lot stop 6 was almost full and some cars were going to stop 5. While at Showboat I heard the staff there say that SDC was getting slammed...which I could believe just looking at the line of cars trying to get to the park and the number of people already there.
Showboat was a good deal with the 1/2 price SDC Season Pass tickets. It was my first time ever going and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I expected. My son is in show choir and I really think their show was better than the show that was put on by the Showboat.......but the talent on the boat is great, it's just not what I expected as a "show". Here is a link to the show choir show if you have a few minutes to spare
http://youtu.be/rE6fu8Ge-Ys We had a great three days, did SDC two days, Showboat, the outlets, landing, the track, Grand Shops, and ate at Old Chicago's and Mel's. Will head back sometime in December and then count down the days until spring break 2015.
Jay
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