What exactly is a SOFT opening? About This Page:

[Wazzo]

Hello hello!

I've been reading a lot about EE's SOFT opening possibly in early 2006. We'll be there in Feb, so I'm interested! BUT, what exactly IS a SOFT opening???

Will you need to hunt for a way in? Do they randomly select people? How do I get in?? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Thanks! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Joy J]

A soft opening is more or less a trial run to see how the attraction goes over with guests and if there are any kinks that need to be worked out. Usually during a soft opening, the attraction will only be running on certain days and for limited hours which aren't posted. You generally have to ask a CM at the park on that day to find out whether there are any soft openings happening.

Joy

[bradk]

a soft opening is when something opens prior to its official opening. theatre has previews for example. stores have soft openings as do restaurants.

it's basically like a grace period where any kinks are ironed out, so everything is (ideally) flawless on its official opening.

in the case of disney, usually they first have cast member previews, but in terms of a soft opening, it's a safe bet that anyone will be able to ride it when the ride is operational. of course the caveat here is that the ride may not be operational all day every day either.

[Caldercup]

You'll also have to expect that the ride will go down occasionally as they work out those kinks. Since you're getting to ride it before it is "officially" open, they make no apologies if it goes down while you're waiting in line. (Well, it IS Disney, so they will apologize, they just won't give you FPs for another ride if you've been stuck waiting....)

Eileen

[DopeyGirl]

[ QUOTE ]
You'll also have to expect that the ride will go down occasionally as they work out those kinks. Since you're getting to ride it before it is "officially" open, they make no apologies if it goes down while you're waiting in line. (Well, it IS Disney, so they will apologize, they just won't give you FPs for another ride if you've been stuck waiting....)


[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yeahthat.gif[/img] We were able to see a soft opening show of Lights Motors Action! back in March and they were still working out the kinks. The show went a LOT longer than it should have and they let us all know that if we wanted to leave the show, we could. (They were giving FP's to other attractions in MGM if you did leave) Most people stuck around though!

[LuvMinnie]

I think this would be so cool! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]Many people post here when they're lucky enough to get a "sneak preview" Can't wait to see what people think of Mt.Everest! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[BabieeMelly]

I can't wait for the soft opening of Expedition Everest!

[Dave Marx]

Keep you eyes on the Tip Board, which is at the far end of Main Street (or its equivalent), soon after you enter the park. Soft openings/previews will usually be listed there, with the time of operation.

While traditionally "soft opening" has been a trial period, Disney sometimes has very extended Soft Opening periods even after all the kinks have been worked out. The "official" opening of an attraction always involves some sort of media event and ceremony (sometimes small, sometimes huge), so occasionally a ride has been fully operational for a month or more before Disney finally gets around to a convenient time to officially cut the ribbon. (In the case of Mission:SPACE the ride was fully operational in mid-August, but the official opening was deferred until October.)