Been following this thread for a month before our trip so wanted to share my experience to help the community. I’d been very stressed about getting a boarding group (like many of you) and just want to say if you know what you’re doing and plan ahead, you will almost surely be totally fine! All my stress was very much unneeded, so while we of course got very lucky to get BG17 and BG19, try not to worry too much as you have all the info you need right here!
First time we tried was yesterday (Saturday). We were staying at GCH and left our room just a few minutes before 7am. Security to enter DTD was very easy, which was one of my big fears, and we were at gates by 710. They had 2 bag check lines going which helped immensely.
At the entry gates we first got in a huge line left of the gates thinking that was for EMH/MM but after a minute realized we were in the non-moving regular entry line, so scooted to the middle gates for the EMH/MM line. They really should have greeters or better signage. The EMH/MM line was halfway to DCA but moved quickly. We were inside by 725. We went and rode Mr Toad and Dumbo (no lines) and then at 750 posted up right next to the storybook canal boats and waited for 8am.
The night before I’d had my parents and sister download the app, login to my account, and showed them which buttons to press, so all in we had 5 phones going for 5 people (all iPhones, AT&T). Ended up being unnecessary as I “won” the race. I closed all apps, opened
Disneyland app at 758, stayed on home screen of app until 8:00:00, hit find out more, saw the join boarding group button was gray (despite all the times I’d practiced at home it being red) so I hit my status, it refreshed for 2 seconds or so, then I hit join boarding group and confirm. Got in as BG17.
Ride opened around 830, we were called at 845 while we were eating breakfast, we got into queue around 930, 20 minute queue or so and were done by 10:05. Absolutely amazing.
Next day (Sunday) we tried again, leaving GCH around 715. They were already letting people into Main Street when we got to the gates so the lines in the middle of the gates were pretty short. We were in park by 725 again - it was actually much easier on non EMH day to get in despite us staying at GCH. This would of course be different if Disney hadn’t opened the gates well before 730 (my guess is gates were open around 710 if not earlier).
We walked around the hub trying to find good cell service but couldn’t, so decided to just head back to the GCH. My mom was nervous we needed to be in the park but I assured her it didn’t matter. Found a good spot in DTD (outside Catal) with great cell service so waited there for 8am next to another couple. This time my fiancée won the race, getting BG19. She apparently got the red join boarding group button while I again got a gray button and had to hit my status, which took a few seconds to refresh, so dear fiancee beat me. The other couple nearby for BG33 so force was with that spot outside Catal in DTD.
My dad was first to announce “I got it” but actually had not hit confirm (he was on the “select members of your party” screen) so even if someone in your group claims they have it, don’t stop until you see the message that you’ve already joined a BG. And make sure you keep clicking until you seen the confirmation and droid!
Ride opened a little later on Sunday, closer to 9. BG19 got called around 920, but by the time we got there the ride was down (around 10am). We went and rode Winnie the Pooh, then Pirates, when we saw it was back up around 10:45. We went back to ride, and the line was a bit longer than the prior day, presumably due to the backlog from the downtime, but it still took no more than 30 minutes to get through the queue and to the preshow.
The ride is absolutely fantastic, a true experience. My fiancée and parents who had no idea what to expect couldn’t believe it. I’d heard some high level details but still was amazed.
Key notes:
- GCH security line was fine at 7am. Seems like they added staff vs some earlier reports.
- head toward the middle of the entry gates, less crowded than the edges. Especially true on EMH/MM days.
- be ready to hit my status button if Join Boarding Group isn’t red.
- make sure your tickets are all linked properly (try booking a maxpass). If you do that and have decent cell service you should be totally fine
- It’s worth it to keep avoiding spoilers if you haven’t ridden yet!
- try not to stress! If you know what you’re doing, you’ll be fine.
