READ POST 1 & 2 FIRST-Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group Planning and Information-*No Spoilers*

[CaliforniaGirl09]

This does not appear to be true for today at least. The wait times in DHS are still really high and are high is the other parks as well. In fact Touring Plans has today as an 8 though tomorrow does drop to a 5. I’m going to be in Disney from 1/14-1/19 and I really hope the parks aren’t this crowded then, at least for the pre-MLK day part. I’m going to Universal for MLK day and the day after but I have express passes to help there.

I'll be there on Wednesday for Marathon weekend. Last year I remember thinking the parks were quite bearable compared to Princess, W&D and Star Wars Run Disney weekends. I hope that holds true. We'll be going for RotR on Thursday.

 

[Eastern]

This does not appear to be true for today at least. The wait times in DHS are still really high and are high is the other parks as well. In fact Touring Plans has today as an 8 though tomorrow does drop to a 5. I’m going to be in Disney from 1/14-1/19 and I really hope the parks aren’t this crowded then, at least for the pre-MLK day part. I’m going to Universal for MLK day and the day after but I have express passes to help there.

That's why I don't agree with 'off peak' terms anymore. Those of us who have gone over the years, I get it, we might be able to pick an 'off peak' time to go. Today should be 'off peak'. But if you told a new visitor they were visting at an 'off peak' time, they would look at you like you had 3 heads.

 

[quandrea]

It is definitely messing with 'rope drop" as people are sticking around and seems like standby for even ToT and RnRC are building quickly as well

Does seem like from reports that evenings can still be rather nice with reported short waits for even MFSR so it seems like that last hour before the park closes is now the time for that (assuming you don't do Fantasmic!, etc.

This is what we did. Hopped in line for MFSR ten minutes before closing. Waited 20 minutes. Again, more important than ever to have a hopper.

 

[mandis77]

This is my first time visiting in January/February. We have been severely spoiled going right after Labor Day with crowd levels at 1-3. Right now DHS is at a 4 for my day (1/31) with a park opening at 8am. Today is showing as an 8 and going down to a 5 tomorrow.

 

[t3hWheez]

Do we have any idea what Disneyland is going to be doing? Will it be boarding groups as well?

 

[yulilin3]

Just got off work, what did i miss?

 

[NYHeel]

That's why I don't agree with 'off peak' terms anymore. Those of us who have gone over the years, I get it, we might be able to pick an 'off peak' time to go. Today should be 'off peak'. But if you told a new visitor they were visting at an 'off peak' time, they would look at you like you had 3 heads.

I generally agree. But today wasn’t really supposed to be off peak, if you judge by the touring plans crowd calendar.

Next week will be our third mid to late January trip (we went in 2012 and 2016) since my kids are off from school then and not during late December. 2012 seems significantly less crowded than 2016. 2016 was fairly crowded especially for a non-peak time. It’s really amazing that Disney is able to get such great attendance even when the times should be relatively dead.

 

[ShadeDK]

Based on what I've seen so far, the current boarding group process obliterates any rope drop advantage at DHS. Until recently, it was possible to hit the rest of the park and get multiple rides in on ToT, RnRC, ST, TSM, or AS2 while most of the crowd headed to SDD or MFSR. Now nearly everything shoots up to a 60+ min wait right after opening. I haven't seen much on how to adjust park strategy (especially if you're not riding RotR), but agree that a nighttime approach might work best at DHS. I thought that the park was still busy but manageable in the evenings last week. You know it's crazy when there are CMs outside midday holding signs for 40-90 minute waits to build a droid or buy a lightsaber at Ondar's.

And while the VQ is not intended to be permanent, I do wonder how long it'll go - we still see crazy RD crowds for SDD (18 months) and FoP (2.5years) well after they opened and long lines that persist through the day. Don't see that changing anytime soon for RotR either (or expect that MMRR will balance it out all that much).

I am glad to see, however, the BG times last longer this morning and extend the opportunity to join.

 

[Harlaxton]

I'll be there on Wednesday for Marathon weekend. Last year I remember thinking the parks were quite bearable compared to Princess, W&D and Star Wars Run Disney weekends. I hope that holds true. We'll be going for RotR on Thursday.

I think you, me, and 10,000 of our closest friends are going to be making bee-lines from the 5K to DHS to get a BG for ROTR on Thursday. I may incidentally run a 5K PR for this reason only...

 

[jrsharp21]

I'll be there on Wednesday for Marathon weekend. Last year I remember thinking the parks were quite bearable compared to Princess, W&D and Star Wars Run Disney weekends. I hope that holds true. We'll be going for RotR on Thursday.

Heading down on Thrusday night for the half marathon. We are going to try our luck on Friday morning.

 

[Zia100]

Based on what I've seen so far, the current boarding group process obliterates any rope drop advantage at DHS. Until recently, it was possible to hit the rest of the park and get multiple rides in on ToT, RnRC, ST, TSM, or AS2 while most of the crowd headed to SDD or MFSR. Now nearly everything shoots up to a 60+ min wait right after opening. I haven't seen much on how to adjust park strategy (especially if you're not riding RotR), but agree that a nighttime approach might work best at DHS. I thought that the park was still busy but manageable in the evenings last week. You know it's crazy when there are CMs outside midday holding signs for 40-90 minute waits to build a droid or buy a lightsaber at Ondar's.

And while the VQ is not intended to be permanent, I do wonder how long it'll go - we still see crazy RD crowds for SDD (18 months) and FoP (2.5years) well after they opened and long lines that persist through the day. Don't see that changing anytime soon for RotR either (or expect that MMRR will balance it out all that much).

I am glad to see, however, the BG times last longer this morning and extend the opportunity to join.

I agree, my plans have us going to HS 3 times in our trip - we love HS. But if the whole park is overrun with long waits, we might change our plans to another park (we just have base tickets). I'll be curious to know how the later part of the day looks in terms of wait times etc and if we manage to get RotR done on our 1st HS day, we might be good and go elsewhere. Yikes, so many factors to consider and Fastpasses would clearly be unavailable. I'm going to need a vacation after this! And of course Disney releases more discounts for later in the year - i'm a glutton for punishment!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree, my plans have us going to HS 3 times in our trip - we love HS. But if the whole park is overrun with long waits, we might change our plans to another park (we just have base tickets). I'll be curious to know how the later part of the day looks in terms of wait times etc and if we manage to get RotR done on our 1st HS day, we might be good and go elsewhere. Yikes, so many factors to consider and Fastpasses would clearly be unavailable. I'm going to need a vacation after this! And of course Disney releases more discounts for later in the year - i'm a glutton for punishment!

there are reports of shorter lines later in the day - particularly right before closing

It almost seems like a good plan going forward, assuming you have park hoppers, is to get to DHS to get your BG and then go rope drop a different park and then come back to DHS later (how much later depending on what BG # you get)

 

[wisblue]

I think you, me, and 10,000 of our closest friends are going to be making bee-lines from the 5K to DHS to get a BG for ROTR on Thursday. I may incidentally run a 5K PR for this reason only...

I’ll be there waiting for you. I’m doing the 10K Friday morning and one of my daughters and I are planning to get to DHS about 6. We were discussing how many people might try to do the 5K and get to DHS before 7. I’m sure some people will do it, but I would think you would need an early corral, a quick run, and some hustling to finish the run and get to a car, over to DHS, and through security and into the park by 7.

I may also be trying DHS first thing on Saturday because another daughter who can’t get in until Thursday might want to do it. If anyone can do the half marathon and get to DHS before 7 I will REALLY be impressed. I’m hoping that the number of people doing the half and their support groups will keep the 7AM crowd at DHS down a little on Saturday morning.

 

[NoTime42]

Currently on a stopped vehicle.
I think I missed a good part of the pre-show because we had to walk outside by portable blockade bushes.

 

[Taylormade0503]

Can someone please tell what Disney Touring Plans has for a crowd level number for HS on Friday, January 24th? I know technically this is the start of Pro Bowl weekend, but I’m wondering if it will even have any impact on crowd levels. Thanks!!!!

 

[Ljcsc]

ya, to be honest I'm not looking forward to the mass crowd with two kids but not much we can do about it. We only have one day to do DHS and this will probably be one of the last times we hit Disney for a long time. So much in the US/world to see/do. the good news, is that we do have a FP for SDD so really it is just getting a BG and in line as quick as possible for MFSR.

This is exactly my plan, too. Arrive early, hope for the best with BG, rope drop SDD and do MFSR in the evening. We also have tickets for Fantasmic dessert party at 7:00pm so who knows how it will turn out....lol! I'm gonna just roll with it....

 

[PendingPeril]

Based on what I've seen so far, the current boarding group process obliterates any rope drop advantage at DHS. Until recently, it was possible to hit the rest of the park and get multiple rides in on ToT, RnRC, ST, TSM, or AS2 while most of the crowd headed to SDD or MFSR. Now nearly everything shoots up to a 60+ min wait right after opening.

Ugh so do you have to race even to things like TSM now at rope drop? Was hoping for a relatively stress-free morning after (hopefully) snagging a BG.

 

[Opie100]

Currently on a stopped vehicle.
I think I missed a good part of the pre-show because we had to walk outside by portable blockade bushes.

The ride is having substantial problems today. We also were escorted around the first third of the ride. There was no announcement of any kind. I’m sure many had no idea that they missed anything. I started explaining what we skipped to my friends for context - many crowded around me trying to hear.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Just got off work, what did i miss?

Conditions for VQ has improved and the BG's lasted longer, however, the park is still crowded and and has long lines.
Here are the noon wait times..............

mfsr 150, sdd 140, tot 135, rnrc 95, tsm 90

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I think you, me, and 10,000 of our closest friends are going to be making bee-lines from the 5K to DHS to get a BG for ROTR on Thursday. I may incidentally run a 5K PR for this reason only...

We are only doing the half on Saturday so we are hoping to at least be inside the park before the masses descend. It may not help with a BG but I'm hoping to not have the added anxiety of making sure we get into the park before 7 am.

Heading down on Thrusday night for the half marathon. We are going to try our luck on Friday morning.

Good luck!!

I’ll be there waiting for you. I’m doing the 10K Friday morning and one of my daughters and I are planning to get to DHS about 6. We were discussing how many people might try to do the 5K and get to DHS before 7. I’m sure some people will do it, but I would think you would need an early corral, a quick run, and some hustling to finish the run and get to a car, over to DHS, and through security and into the park by 7.

This is what I'm hoping!