BOG breakfast for Mine train warning! Early ride not guaranteed

[magicbob]

I'm all for tips and tricks to save a wait time. When you cut to the chase of it, isn't that why we are all here on this message board?

Some of us are here to pass judgment on others (apparently).

 

[suebedo]

Only in a specific route, but yes. We walked very slowly- stopped and had photographs taken a couple of times, took some ourselves as well. Even without the first ride, it was well worth the experience.

For the record, on the face of it, it seems pointless to hold BOG guests back until the rope drop crowd enters, but I wasn't there so I'm confused as to how that actually happened. It's not as though there is one mass of people from rope drop that you wait for, then get put at the back of the line. It will be interesting to hear more reports and see if this was a mistake on the part of the CM or if it's actually policy at this point.

The herd of people were being led to SDMT by a line of CMs. They are currently working right outside the castle so the castle walk through is closed. The huge group came to SDMT from the walkway that leads from hub towards teacups and then left tiwards pooh. We were held back by two CMs About 20 feet away from FP entrance. Our CMs said we had to wait until they RD crowd came around the bend . We saw the huge group come around the bend but they still held us until the crowd was near the entrance & then the CMS started telling us to go to back of line. Our CMs and the RD CMs both were saying that,.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

we had an 8:05 BOG reservation this AM. We were done eating & out waiting near Mine Train at 8:30. They did not let us in early. They told us we had to wait until they saw the rope droppers come around the corner, near teacups/pooh. Once the masses showed up, they held us back & made us get at the END OF THE LINE. We jumped out & went to SM. We were at the very back of the RD pack . We ran into another family that was waiting with us, outside of BOG, THE DAD WAS LIVUD. They were in the exact opposite situation earlier in the week. They were at the fron of the RD pack & the BOG people were sent in first.

I am truly sorry you had this experience. What bothers me most about it is Disney's lack of consistency on "policies" like this. Obviously, some feel it is unfair for those at BOG to get an early ride on SDMT. Others feel it is unfair NOT to get an early ride. Honestly, I don't care how Disney decides this policy, but they really need to decide it one way or the other. It really stinks when you spend weeks or months researching things like this, finding what has worked well for other people, getting up early to make reservations (or stalking ressies on MDE), take the time to make all the necessary arrangements, then get to the park and have your expectations dashed. Personally, I take on the role of tour guide for my family whenever we go, and they really count on me to be "in the know" and to be familiar with how things work at the park. I hate it when I work so hard to make plans, like you did, then feel like a lousy and incompetent leader when we get left standing at the back of the line because of inconsistencies in policies. Disney knows people plan months in advance for their vacations, and that, for some, every park minute counts. They owe it to their guests to implement and enforce policies with consistency so that guests who have expectations can make plans that effectively work for their families.

 

[suebedo]

FWIW, we went to Epcot RD today. Got to the park at 8:15 am. They opened the tapstyles at 8:30, then we had another RD at innoventions. It was 9AM exactly when about 6-8 CMS led us over to Test Track. They told people not to run but some CMS were walking faster than others. People started running and pushing.

I'm not sure when or why they gut rid of the 8:45 am staggered opening but we are back to internal RD. Crap. It creates a huge bottleneck and sometimes scary crowds pushing to get to front of line.

 

[cakebaker]

The herd of people were being led to SDMT by a line of CMs. They are currently working right outside the castle so the castle walk through is closed. The huge group came to SDMT from the walkway that leads from hub towards teacups and then left tiwards pooh. We were held back by two CMs About 20 feet away from FP entrance. Our CMs said we had to wait until they RD crowd came around the bend . We saw the huge group come around the bend but they still held us until the crowd was near the entrance & then the CMS started telling us to go to back of line. Our CMs and the RD CMs both were saying that,.

I don't doubt it happened, and I'm sorry that's how it worked out for you. It just makes no sense at all and I have to think someone just got their messages mixed up on how to do this. When we did it, they held us until the rope droppers were close to us, then directed us to the fp+ line. By the time we entered the line, the rope droppers were beginning to fill the stand by line. We only got 1 ride, which is great- but the stand by line was full and out into the walkway by the time we were getting off the ride.

Just throwing out a guess- perhaps they've decided to not allow bog folks that first ride and some over zealous CM's decided that meant back of the line. While there's really no complaint to be made about not getting the first ride, it makes no sense that they'd penalize those who had adr's early. Seems to me you should be allowed to just blend in with them at least. I haven't seen any further reports of how it went today, I would expect had it happened again, we'd be hearing about it soon.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Yep, I just want to hear from someone that went today and how it worked for them. I am thinking this was just bad luck getting a CM in a bad mood.

 

[mimi1016]

Am I the only one who thinks the 7DMT isn't worth the extra $10 from a cancelled breakfast? Arguments about moral turpitude aside, I guess I don't see what the hype is about the ride itself. The dwarf with the jewels in its eyes was cute but the ride itself was ehhh IMO.

I do think it's a bit discouraging that the CM's have different practices in regards to which group they allow on the ride first. There should be a standard across the board as to whether or not ADR guests have to wait or not. I would be upset if I was that family who was behind the BOG guests one day and then made to wait for RD guests another.

 

[mom2rtk]

Am I the only one who thinks the 7DMT isn't worth the extra $10 from a cancelled breakfast? Arguments about moral turpitude aside, I guess I don't see what the hype is about the ride itself. The dwarf with the jewels in its eyes was cute but the ride itself was ehhh IMO.

I do think it's a bit discouraging that the CM's have different practices in regards to which group they allow on the ride first. There should be a standard across the board as to whether or not ADR guests have to wait or not. I would be upset if I was that family who was behind the BOG guests one day and then made to wait for RD guests another.

It might not be worth the $10. But the question is..... if you don't know that and didn't get a FP, is it worth $10 not to wait in line for an hour or longer? To me it would be.

 

[mimi1016]

It might not be worth the $10. But the question is..... if you don't know that and didn't get a FP, is it worth $10 not to wait in line for an hour or longer? To me it would be.

Touché. I know the subject of worth is relative and I suppose if it is your first time, or for those who really enjoy the ride or have children who really enjoy it then it may be worth it if they couldn't get a fast pass. I'm sure chalking up that $10 is easier than the stress of booking the fast pass in the first place lol. I do think it's puts those who actually want to dine at the restaurant at a disservice due to the tied up reservations.

 

[GaryDis]

The herd of people were being led to SDMT by a line of CMs. They are currently working right outside the castle so the castle walk through is closed. The huge group came to SDMT from the walkway that leads from hub towards teacups and then left tiwards pooh. We were held back by two CMs About 20 feet away from FP entrance. Our CMs said we had to wait until they RD crowd came around the bend . We saw the huge group come around the bend but they still held us until the crowd was near the entrance & then the CMS started telling us to go to back of line. Our CMs and the RD CMs both were saying that,.

The fact that they were being led by CMs gives credence to the theory that they've had trouble with this group when they march peacefully and discover that they're still not first in line. Or maybe some manager told the CMs that they needed to make sure that no one got on the ride in front of the RD CMs, and the CMs didn't ask for clarification about the BOG people. I dunno.

Or maybe they've just been having too many kids throw up after going from BOG to 7D, and their staff physician said to make sure the BOG diners had a chance to digest their food first.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

The fact that they were being led by CMs gives credence to the theory that they've had trouble with this group when they march peacefully and discover that they're still not first in line. Or maybe some manager told the CMs that they needed to make sure that no one got on the ride in front of the RD CMs, and the CMs didn't ask for clarification about the BOG people. I dunno.

Or maybe they've just been having too many kids throw up after going from BOG to 7D, and their staff physician said to make sure the BOG diners had a chance to digest their food first.

I don't find this to be plausible based on our experience in June. BOG was pretty full, but only a handful of us left early to ride 7DMT. Most people were staying to eat. When the herd came around the corner, they weren't held up by our riding...trains were going out half empty. There simply aren't enough people who do this to make a difference to anyone who came in at RD. And we had a MANAGER encouraging us to re-ride "before the crowd from the gate arrives." Especially since we've had no subsequent reports of this happening, I'm sure this was just a mix-up or a rogue CM on that day.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

Am I the only one who thinks the 7DMT isn't worth the extra $10 from a cancelled breakfast? Arguments about moral turpitude aside, I guess I don't see what the hype is about the ride itself. The dwarf with the jewels in its eyes was cute but the ride itself was ehhh IMO.

I do think it's a bit discouraging that the CM's have different practices in regards to which group they allow on the ride first. There should be a standard across the board as to whether or not ADR guests have to wait or not. I would be upset if I was that family who was behind the BOG guests one day and then made to wait for RD guests another.

I don't think it's worth someone making an ADR they don't really want, but I live here and have been on many times. I have had a FP all but one time. We had friends visiting and couldn't get FP, and they had never been on it so we waited nearly an hour. I can see how someone that doesn't visit often, it's a once in a lifetime trip, or has never experienced SDMT would find it worth it if they weren't able to get a FP.

 

[Marbel]

I don't find this to be plausible based on our experience in June. BOG was pretty full, but only a handful of us left early to ride 7DMT. Most people were staying to eat. When the herd came around the corner, they weren't held up by our riding...trains were going out half empty. There simply aren't enough people who do this to make a difference to anyone who came in at RD. And we had a MANAGER encouraging us to re-ride "before the crowd from the gate arrives." Especially since we've had no subsequent reports of this happening, I'm sure this was just a mix-up or a rogue CM on that day.

This. 100%. There are not that many from BOG breakfast to make a difference to the RD folks. Those riding early are done by the time RD folks get there. Trains WERE running half empty. In fact, on one of our rides, we were the only family on the train! I think it's smart to let the BOG diners ride early, then they are gone and not taking up spots in line and can leave the FPs for others. On the two days we did this, we didn't FP mine train.

 

[anniemae]

Is anyone there today or sometime this week with a BOG adr that can let us know the procedure? I would love to know if op's experience was a fluke or if it is a new policy.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disney is not required to commit to an experience they don't officially offer. And your comment shows the reason why they often quit offering these types of things- people complain that they didn't get what they were never promised in the first place.

It's like when we let my grandson skip his nap- he thinks the next day he shouldn't have to take one.

Choosing to no longer offer early rides is one thing. Once park opening hits, though, guests should be allowed to get in line at whatever attraction they want. The park is open. There is nothing in the terms for tickets about having to wait for all RD guests to arrive at the back of the park before anyone is allowed in line.

 

[asta]

Just a thought but is it possible that the BOG people were held back from the ride because it was being ridden by VIPs or ride engineers. We have been in line at a ride when everyone was held back while a small group was escorted into the ride. This doesn't explain being sent to the back of the line but might explain the inconsistencies of being allowed early.

 

[cakebaker]

Choosing to no longer offer early rides is one thing.

Yes and that's the one thing the comment I responded to was referring to.

If Disney can change their mind on a whim to let guests on a ride or not...

 

[Ismo]

I have no problem with cast members making early ADR guests wait until the park is officially open to get in line for rides... but after the clock strikes 9, they should be free to get into whatever line they choose. Holding them back after that point would feel like being *punished* for having pre-RD ADR, so in my opinion, the OP has a perfectly legitimate complaint.

This is not a matter of someone wanting special treatment by getting more than they paid for; this is a matter of wanting to be treated like a REGULAR GUEST once the park is officially open. At the very least, they should be allowed to merge with the rope-droppers and enter the line together. That seems absolutely fair to me.

Completely agree. It is like being punished for paying more money for an early ADR.

We have an 08:05 ADR in September. I booked it because we're trying to do lots of things we haven't done before on this trip, breakfast in MK is one of them. I don't expect to get on a ride before the park opens, but if I'm done with breakfast by 08:30 and already in the park I don't think I'd be thrilled to be held back while everyone else is let in, probably even some people who just showed up at the right time. We're not trying to get on any rides early so that's not what it's about for me. But I just think that it would feel a little like you're being punished for booking an early ADR.

I booked an early ADR because I wanted to be done with breakfast before the park opened so I didn't miss any valuable time in the park. If they keep hoping early ADRs back, people will probably start walking back to the front of the park to get in line again...just seems silly.

I'm guessing that others have started complaining to CMs that they're not happy people who have early ADRs are in line before them. It's a lose/lose situation for the CMs, someone is always going to be unhappy.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes and that's the one thing the comment I responded to was referring to.

Yes, and my "choosing to no longer offer early rides is one thing" comment was the only part of my post that was in response to your comment (and it was indicating agreement. Of course Disney can choose to stop offering pre-opening rides if they want to). The rest was simply commenting on the situation the OP encountered being held back from entering the line even after RD - it was not directed at anyone specific.

 

[mom2rtk]

Completely agree. It is like being punished for paying more money for an early ADR.

And not only did they spend more, they were probably at the gates before those people being let on before them.