RotR Planning & Daily Boarding Group Discussion - *CLOSED*

[DGsAtBLT]

For those of you who are feeling confident that they're going to go to a FP+ system for RotR and are equating it to FoP, well . . . I want to say a few things.

(1) I love FoP. My sister and I stay at AKL and we try to ride FoP every day we're at WDW. We often succeed in our quest, sometimes getting a 4th FP+ for FoP and riding twice. I mean, we both love this ride.

(2) We were bowled over by RotR. I think it's not comparable to FoP. Not that it's "better," but that RotR is an experience. FoP is a ride--a very detailed, well-done ride, but a ride. RotR? Not a ride, although it's partly a ride.

(3) As many fans of Avatar as there might be there are maybe a zillion times more fans of Star Wars, which has been around for a lot longer and has legions of avid fans. SWGE is a big deal to these fans and RotR is the premier attraction. Star Wars fans will want to do RotR.

(4) It's possible to get FP+ for FoP on the day of, even if you didn't book it 60+4 ahead of time. RotR? Hah. No way. Not until WDW builds something either comparable or surpassing RotR will this be a possibility. So if they do go to a FP+ system for RotR, only people staying onsite will have half a chance of getting to experience RotR and they'll have to book it at 7 a.m. EST on the dot on probably day 60+7. This would shut out all people staying off-site and anyone whose trip is less than 7 days (if 7 days would even be adequate to snag a FP+ for RotR).

If they did do this, then there'd be a standby line. If FoP has 4-hour standby lines, then I'm gonna guess that RotR would have 6- or 7-hour standby lines.

Does WDW want to do this? I can't predict what they'll do. No one can, despite the certainties of some posters here.

My point? RotR is unique. It's not SDD or 7DMT and it's not even FoP. And it has built-in Star Wars fans who will want to ride. I'll be interested to see if WDW does go to a FP+ system for RotR. And I won't be at all surprised if DAH at DHS becomes their hottest ticket, assuming it would include RotR.

I mean, I can’t imagine that they never do. They built the line with FP+ in mind and I would hope a vague idea of the popularity. Is it 2 months away, 2 years away, 10 years away? That’s the question.

Nothing is certain but I think it’s a pretty safe bet it eventually happens. Dont forget soon it will exist on both coasts as well as WDW getting a slew of new attractions that while maybe not on ROTR’s level will become musts for a lot of people as well. I do think it’s reasonable to think this eventually settles to something vaguely resembling FoP popularity. If I’m not mistaken the capacity of ROTR is higher too?

 

[Miffy]

I mean, I can’t imagine that they never do. They built the line with FP+ in mind and I would hope a vague idea of the popularity. Is it 2 months away, 2 years away, 10 years away? That’s the question.

Nothing is certain but I think it’s a pretty safe bet it eventually happens. Dont forget soon it will exist on both coasts as well as WDW getting a slew of new attractions that while maybe not on ROTR’s level will become musts for a lot of people as well. I do think it’s reasonable to think this eventually settles to something vaguely resembling FoP popularity. If I’m not mistaken the capacity of ROTR is higher too?

At some point, yes. But you're right--when is the question. I'd be surprised if it's next month. But, hey, WDW is full of surprises!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

At some point, yes. But you're right--when is the question. I'd be surprised if it's next month. But, hey, WDW is full of surprises!

I’d be surprised too! First thing is to get a handle on the breakdowns and save some money on chips, bananas, and Rey/Chewie’s pay!

 

[Spaceguy55]

FP's will come when resort room occupancy goes down...

 

[SirBill]

We don't know if it is a change to policy, yet, due to the special group in GE this morning. I'd be willing to bet the "mistaken" entries to DHS at 6:40am are pretty low. But, if they stick with starting the virtual queue at park open, there would be no benefit to being the first through the tapstiles. And using a CM hasn't been reported to be any benefit either.

True, I actually think it'll be a one-time event caused by that group that was there beforehand.

However there is a benefit to being first at a CM with an iPad. They are not faster than using the app in past days, but in todays circumstance they have a higher chance of being faster than using the app because they will be told just ahead of time when the BG are about to open so will be ready the second they are open, and probably have better connectivity than the average park-goer.

Being second in line to a CM would be probably worse than using the app, which is why getting there earlier is now much more important until we see this new system reverse since there are a limited number of first-to-a-CM positions possible... even just being near to see when they react to being told the BG is about to come online could be useful though n knowing exactly when to refresh the app.

One other aspect people are not considering about the thought this will stop people from getting there way before park open - even with random BG you still get the advantage of Smugglers Run and other rides with no wait as a consolation prize for getting there early even with a higher boarding group, so you still gain enough benefit that you should just try to show up early anyway.

Through the next week a 4am (or earlier) arrival could not hurt, just need to alter strategy a bit.

Probably in a month or two it will be to the point just showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening will be OK.

 

[tsabs22]

How much was the uber ride? I assume many ppl will be using uber and will prbly be limited amount of cars available.

Cost about $11 but I had a $15 credit in my account so technically it was free for me.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

True, I actually think it'll be a one-time event caused by that group that was there beforehand.

However there is a benefit to being first at a CM with an iPad. They are not faster than using the app in past days, but in todays circumstance they have a higher chance of being faster than using the app because they will be told just ahead of time when the BG are about to open so will be ready the second they are open, and probably have better connectivity than the average park-goer.

Being second in line to a CM would be probably worse than using the app, which is why getting there earlier is now much more important until we see this new system reverse since there are a limited number of first-to-a-CM positions possible... even just being near to see when they react to being told the BG is about to come online could be useful though n knowing exactly when to refresh the app.

One other aspect people are not considering about the thought this will stop people from getting there way before park open - even with random BG you still get the advantage of Smugglers Run and other rides with no wait as a consolation prize for getting there early even with a higher boarding group, so you still gain enough benefit that you should just try to show up early anyway.

Through the next week a 4am (or earlier) arrival could not hurt, just need to alter strategy a bit.

Probably in a month or two it will be to the point just showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening will be OK.

I think getting into a CM line immediately is smart, just try to get your own BG if you are not right at the front of the line and take whatever comes first. That way you’re also there and ready if something goes wrong on your phone.

 

[Miffy]

Also, I can't say this enough--so I'll say it again!--know your password for your MDX account. Mine was on and working and right after I tapped in, it went to the log-in screen. Just be prepared.

 

[Opie100]

True, I actually think it'll be a one-time event caused by that group that was there beforehand.

However there is a benefit to being first at a CM with an iPad. They are not faster than using the app in past days, but in todays circumstance they have a higher chance of being faster than using the app because they will be told just ahead of time when the BG are about to open so will be ready the second they are open, and probably have better connectivity than the average park-goer.

Being second in line to a CM would be probably worse than using the app, which is why getting there earlier is now much more important until we see this new system reverse since there are a limited number of first-to-a-CM positions possible... even just being near to see when they react to being told the BG is about to come online could be useful though n knowing exactly when to refresh the app.

One other aspect people are not considering about the thought this will stop people from getting there way before park open - even with random BG you still get the advantage of Smugglers Run and other rides with no wait as a consolation prize for getting there early even with a higher boarding group, so you still gain enough benefit that you should just try to show up early anyway.

Through the next week a 4am (or earlier) arrival could not hurt, just need to alter strategy a bit.

Probably in a month or two it will be to the point just showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening will be OK.

If: (1) the VQ opens at the time advertised and (2) the MDE app works as intended, CMs wouldn't have an advantage. It's even possible, due to a variety of technical back-end reasons, that the earlier button press ends up with a slightly later BG. So, as long as you're in the park before VQ opens with a working app, and you know the time the VQ will open, it shouldn't matter how early beyond that you actually entered the tapstiles or arrived at the park.

One thing that has been consistent -- if you enter the park within 30 mins (and often even 60 mins) after the tapstiles open, you've gotten a BG. The week between 12/25-12/31 could be different. We'll see.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Probably in a month or two it will be to the point just showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening will be OK.

I would agree with you, IF you change the word MONTH to DECADE.
FOP is still drawing 2 hr stand by lines 2.5 years after opening. SDMT is drawing 2 hour waits 5.5 years after opening. The addition of the Star Wars hotel and other new attractions at HS, the make over to Epcot, new attractions at MK, , and the appeal to the masses of people that can ride RotR and re-rideability..., attendance at HS, and WDW is likely to only increase.
Currently, even at slow times, there is a considerable crowd of people showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening.

 

[tlmadden73]

I mean, I can’t imagine that they never do. They built the line with FP+ in mind and I would hope a vague idea of the popularity. Is it 2 months away, 2 years away, 10 years away? That’s the question.

Nothing is certain but I think it’s a pretty safe bet it eventually happens. Dont forget soon it will exist on both coasts as well as WDW getting a slew of new attractions that while maybe not on ROTR’s level will become musts for a lot of people as well. I do think it’s reasonable to think this eventually settles to something vaguely resembling FoP popularity. If I’m not mistaken the capacity of ROTR is higher too?

The fact that they haven't started up FP+ for MFSR yet shocks me .. but I am glad of it. They probably would get more frustrated guests BECAUSE of the FP+ system than simply not having it.
1) You'd get lots of guests staying 4-5 days that wouldn't get a FP slot (even at 7:00 am at 60 days)
2) You'd get lots of guests complaining about the 2-3 hour wait time as the standby line keeps getting bumped by all the FP guests.

The way that they opened these two rides .. (and the success at crowd control issues they've had because of it) probably means they will leave it as is for a LONG while until the popularity of the land drifts off. Mickey's Runaway Railway will help capacity issues at the park as a whole .. but who know if that will have FP+

Maybe Disney is shifting to a "Tier 2" type of FP+ system where only the old "tier 2" rides are Fast Passable? (So they can probably eventually CHARGE for the Tier 1 Fast Passes) ..

 

[Weedy]

My thoughts on people having problems with the Ap on their phone:
The morning before you arrive do a hard shutdown on your phone.
If you been playing on your phone waiting for the park to open make sure you close everything except the Disney Ap

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I would agree with you, IF you change the word MONTH to DECADE.
FOP is still drawing 2 hr stand by lines 2.5 years after opening. SDMT is drawing 2 hour waits 5.5 years after opening. The addition of the Star Wars hotel and other new attractions at HS, the make over to Epcot, new attractions at MK, , and the appeal to the masses of people that can ride RotR and re-rideability..., attendance at HS, and WDW is likely to only increase.
Currently, even at slow times, there is a considerable crowd of people showing up an hour or so ahead of park opening.

All those comparisons have what is it 80% I think if their capacity going to FP, leading to those longer wait times. Not apples to apples, although obviously this ride will remain popular if not the most popular for the foreseeable future.

I would argue that the PP is correct and it’s already the case, showing up an hour prior to opening, save for the few days where posted opening was 2+ hours after actual opening, does get you on the ride eventually. Remains to be seen what Christmas does.

 

[jdd]

My thoughts on people having problems with the Ap on their phone:
The morning before you arrive do a hard shutdown on your phone.

Great idea - I just did that for mine - we arrive tonight and plan on an early morning tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

 

[rad91]

wow.. I thought this thread was dying down... this new procedure woke it up, for sure!
With all this talk about "fairness", the anger is all Disney's fault. (I can see the apologists ready to type.) If they had accurately communicated yesterday about the new opening procedure, no one would have believed it because Disney kept changing their mind or lying since ROTR opened up. Disney had lost all credibility. This morning, the only thing people trusted were patterns. For over a week, we felt we understood how to plan our mornings. Tomorrow, we're still not really certain. I think most of us believe that they will repeat what they did today, but many will come early anyhow because we're still not sure. We won't be sure until they do this a few days in a row.

To be fair, we will always complain about something, but I'm fairly certain we would complain a lot less if Disney communication becomes more credible.

 

[dieumeye]

But you're missing the key element which most others are not providing any good solution for either. Disney does not want hundreds or thousands of people lined up outside the turnstyles for safety reasons. Your "solution" just creates tremendous incentive for people to keep getting there earlier and earlier causing larger and larger crowds outside the park. We have to take it as a given that Disney does not want that to happen and will act so that it does not happen.

Disney is trying to find a way to take some control back as to when they can open the park and still crowds at safe levels at various places. While people may not like it, I don't see any other way to thin out the crowds arriving too many hours prior to opening. Like it or not - saying everyone who arrives by a certain time is on the same footing is a one version of a fair system - there are other fair systems as well - but most of those others result in operational problems or almost take DHS opening times away for Disney's discretion.

If the problem is managing the people that show up, then they should do that. Establish a more structured waiting area, hire additional security staff, etc.

Times Square has 100,000+ people show up for NYE every year, as do sporting events around the world.

It’s not impossible to manage a large group of people. So they should have the most fair system, and manage the crowds as necessary.

 

[YawningDodo]

Wow, LOTS to read through!! So, I apologize ahead of time if this has been answered but there is no way I have time to read through all of these (and keep a job and manage a family, LOL). I want to make sure I understand the "rules" so to speak to prep accordingly...

We will be there the week of MLK (1/20/20 - 1/24/20). 2nd time there as a family so doing park hoppers to hit the highlights of each park that are new (since last visit) or ones that we loved. We need to get to DHS about an hour before park opens. Have the MDE app open and ready on phone. Get through turnstile/check in (no bags better than bags correct?), log on to app and book BG ASAP. Am I understanding this correctly? Don't care when our boarding group is, just want to ride the ride. Do all family members need to have gone through check in to book a BG or could one of us get there early to do so?

Thank you in advance!! Can't wait!

You've gotten answers re: when boarding groups open, but another thing I've seen in this thread and on blogs that you might want to know is that some people have had trouble getting the app to let them join boarding groups if it's already running--it may be better to close out the app and do a fresh restart right before you try to join a boarding group.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

So my daughter and I were first at the tapstiles and surrounded by a lot of angry people when 7 was announced. It took a long time for anyone senior to come out and support the CMs. When the park opened we ended up right in front of the CMs at the hub on the MF side. The VQ opened at 7. My tech savvy daughter couldn’t get the app to work but luckily when I tried it gave us BG16. The CMs deliberately delayed starting the slow march to MF for a few minutes to allow people to get a BG rather than walk and use phones at the same time. There was a lot of pushing, shoving and attempts to barge forward and some angry shouting, I think because people were already angry about the VQ change. We didn’t experience this when we rode MF at RD in July. BG16 was called with an end time of 9.52. It looked as though the ride was only working at reduced capacity as there were lots of completely empty cars moving around.

 

[SG131]

The fact that they haven't started up FP+ for MFSR yet shocks me .. but I am glad of it. They probably would get more frustrated guests BECAUSE of the FP+ system than simply not having it.
1) You'd get lots of guests staying 4-5 days that wouldn't get a FP slot (even at 7:00 am at 60 days)
2) You'd get lots of guests complaining about the 2-3 hour wait time as the standby line keeps getting bumped by all the FP guests.

The way that they opened these two rides .. (and the success at crowd control issues they've had because of it) probably means they will leave it as is for a LONG while until the popularity of the land drifts off. Mickey's Runaway Railway will help capacity issues at the park as a whole .. but who know if that will have FP+

Maybe Disney is shifting to a "Tier 2" type of FP+ system where only the old "tier 2" rides are Fast Passable? (So they can probably eventually CHARGE for the Tier 1 Fast Passes) ..

I feel like it'll be a minimum of a year until we see FP here, though most likely not until after the 50th. What would be interesting is if they do this with MMRR (I think that's the right abbreviation) if this becomes the trend for new rides. Would you be allowed to get in the virtual queue for both at park open or would you have to get one at park open and then wait until you rode to get one for the other ride?

 

[Opie100]

I don't think it will be a year -- they will want to use FPs to drive resort business before then, as another poster suggested.