Rise of the Resistance BOARDING GROUPS Superthread Part 1 *No Ride Spoilers Please* *PLEASE READ POSTS 1-4*

[ironband74]

Looks like the sand people are at it again...

 

[StarGirl11]

I appreciate the good thoughts and empathy from people here. FWIW, here's my take on what went down yesterday (sorry it's so long):

We were boarding group 81 (backup group). From reading the boards here I was reasonably confident we'd get on, as 81 seemed to be the minimum number of groups they'd gone through. I was quite encouraged that they were moving through boarding groups pretty quickly, and at the rate we were going I figured we'd be able to get in line sometime before 4:00. But we also knew that the ride has had quite a bit of down time, and therefore could break down at any time. We hoped that there wouldn't be significant downtime while we were in line, but unfortunately that's exactly what happened.

They called our BG at 3:45, and it worked out that we were ready to go in right when we were called. Park wasn't super-crowded throughout the day, so we had been able to ride almost everything we wanted to ride earlier in the day. We figured we'd ride ROTR, get something to eat and see the park at dark, and call it a day.

I should probably mention that I'm a local who's lived in SoCal almost all of my life, so I've been to DL more times than I can count. We used to be passholders but they've jacked the price up so high that we haven't had them for the past few years. So while this was our first trip to DL in about 3 years, our primary goal was to ride ROTR and see the rest of GE. We were using the SoCal 3 day pass and knew that we'd probably be coming back to DL one more day (using the last day for CA Adventure). I guess I bring this up to give a little context- we're not AP's, so we wanted to make the most out of this trip, but we've been on the other rides in the park many, many times before. So while we didn't have the luxury of knowing we could come back whenever we want, we were pretty committed to riding ROTR if we got a boarding group.

As we were in line I noticed that a substantial amount of the queue is lined with benches. So it seems that Disney anticipated that this ride could go down often, and for long periods of time.

Shortly after we got in line (probably within 10-15 minutes) the ride went down. Not really a surprise, as we knew this had been happening. A few people left, but most people stayed. They announced- over and over- that the ride was down, that they didn't know when it would be up, that you could stay or leave, and that they hoped to have the ride back up "soon." I have no idea why they kept making the same announcement over the next 3 hours, as they mostly stopped taking new boarding groups after it went down (at one point they let another boarding group come in when it looked like the ride might be back up- although it was back down again within a few minutes). So this wasn't new information for anybody in line after the announcements started.

At some point a cast member came out and was chatting with a couple of people in line. They didn't really give any substantial update, which wasn't surprising (I know from past experience that you can't get a straight answer from a cast member about when a ride may be coming back up). But that was the only cast member we saw the whole time we were in line.

There was a pattern to what was happening. The line would stop moving, then the background music in the queue would stop. The announcement would be made, and people would sit down or camp out. A few people would leave. We'd sit there for a half hour or more (listening to the same announcement every 10 minutes or so), then eventually the background music would start up. People would get excited and stand up, the line would move forward a few feet... and then repeat. Line stops, music stops, announcements made, people decided whether to stay or go. This happened 3 or 4 times before they finally had it up and running and we were able to ride about 3 hours later.

Word got around the queue that they would let you leave to go to the bathroom so long as you had someone in line saving your place. They made it clear that if you left the line without having someone saving your place you were done for the day. You either stuck it out or you had to come back another day.

After being in a line like that for an hour or more you realize you can't really win. If you leave you feel stupid that you waited that long and didn't even get to experience the ride. If you continue to wait you feel like no ride can possibly redeem wasting 3 hours of a day that you've spent hundreds of dollars to experience with your family.

All things considered I think Disney's move should have been to issue FP's to the people in line after an hour or so. Others have already pointed out that if you're stuck in a line like that you're not spending money in the park, and that was definitely true for us- we were going to have dinner in the park and enjoy at least some of the evening there, but after being marooned in that queue for 3 hours we just wanted to go home. We left the park and went to Burger King as soon as we finished the ride. (Well, we stopped at the candy store on the way out- but we would have done that anyway.) And as for people flooding the line after they re-open, I don't see that being a concern. They can just wait for a while to call any more boarding groups. The worst case scenario would have been that they re-open the ride and everybody who was in line and got a Fastpass gets back in line. Nobody else can get in. That makes the line only as long as it already was.

As for the difference in handling the situation in FL vs. CA, my personal view is that it's related to the general way in which DL policy is different from FL due to the larger percentage of AP's who visit the parks. While I think both places strive to deliver a positive guest experience to everyone I think that DL occasionally takes the position of "oh well, they can come back some other day" because a lot of those people CAN come back another day. That's far less true in FL. So while it may be true that a large number of people in that line yesterday were passholders who could've left and come back today, tomorrow, this weekend, or really anytime... there were definitely people in line who were visiting the park for the first time ever, and maybe the only time in their lives. Those people spent no less than a quarter of that day waiting to see if this ride would ever get back up. I feel bad for those people. They got to ride ROTR, but probably at the expense of 3-4 other experiences they were hoping to have. And when they go back home, their story isn't going to be about their Magical Day at Disneyland- it's going to be about how they waited in line for 3 hours. Not a good look for the park.

So was it worth it? ROTR is an amazing, immersive experience, and I'm glad I got to do it. But I won't be going back until we visit DW in 2022, and after we use these 3 day SoCal passes I probably won't pass through the gates of DL for a very, very long time.

I have so many questions towards DL. I swear I felt my BP spike reading what happened. But I think what jumps out at me is this:

What the heck are they going to do when the inenvitable happens and it’s a wheelchair or an ECV that needs to leave the queue for the restroom. Because unless a mobility aid user has an issue that dictates needing the DAS they will be using the standard queue. And my god I can’t imagine the nightmare of trying to get one of those out of the queue on your own. And this in my opinion is only a matter of when not if it happens. WHEN it happens. I feel like this has to be breaking the ADA somehow by having a blanket policy that says you have to decide between riding and taking care of your medical need.

I would ask if the CM could let you into the backstage restrooms. But if your stuck for three hours with only seeing them once then that’s not even an option.

Right now this policy is not friendly to the disabled. And unless they start doing something different (ie having CMs around and communicating) this is going to blow up in their face eventually.

And before anyone asks ‘Why not send someone to talk to the CMs at the front?’ Reminder we also do the parks solo. If this happened to me theoretically (I have a DAS so it wouldn’t but bear with me) on a day where I’m by myself. Which is most days I would be twenty levels of screwed if I had to leave due to either migraine triggers, low blood sugar, or just my GI track acting up.

 

[closetmickey]

on mornings that have the extra hour (magic morning?), at what time do the gates open for regular visitors?
do they get through the gates in time to get a boarding group?

.

Yesterday, MM started at 8 with regular opening at 9. Regular lines began moving at about 8:15.

 

[fac429]

Here's the kicker to my story: just found out by watching a video of the ride that it didn't function entirely properly while we were on it. I kind of suspected something was wrong- I won't spoil anything, I'll just say that something seemed out of sync. So I went back and watched a video of the full ride to find out what was supposed to be happening, and sure enough there was a fairly significant error in the last part of the ride. So hopefully in 2 years I'll get to experience that part the way it's supposed to be...

As for contacting DL customer service, I've gone back and forth about it. While we were in line I mentioned to my wife that I might do that, but also said that it could just be more aggravating if they say "we're very sorry, but you know you could have left at any time if you wanted to." But all things considered I should probably do it in hopes that they'll change their policy for future guests.

 

[ironband74]

They just wrapped up a 2 hour plus stint of downtime. Anyone observe the queue? Was it a repeat of yesterday's situation or was it managed better today?

 

[crystal1313]

Here's the kicker to my story: just found out by watching a video of the ride that it didn't function entirely properly while we were on it. I kind of suspected something was wrong- I won't spoil anything, I'll just say that something seemed out of sync. So I went back and watched a video of the full ride to find out what was supposed to be happening, and sure enough there was a fairly significant error in the last part of the ride. So hopefully in 2 years I'll get to experience that part the way it's supposed to be...

As for contacting DL customer service, I've gone back and forth about it. While we were in line I mentioned to my wife that I might do that, but also said that it could just be more aggravating if they say "we're very sorry, but you know you could have left at any time if you wanted to." But all things considered I should probably do it in hopes that they'll change their policy for future guests.

I would contact them. Contacting them at least gets it documented. If enough people contact them, I would hope they would look into the issue for the future. Bummer that the ride wasn't functioning correctly for you as well....

 

[PairOfDice]

We planned to do the following:
Tuesday DL
Wednesday CA
Thursday CA
Friday DL

But now I'm considering switching the first two days to have a better chance at a BG after hearing Wednesdays are the best bet. What are the pros and cons of using your MM? What are the pros and cons to going to CA on a MM. Is it worth switching up what we've already planned? The only thing I'd need to change is an Oga's Cantina res.

 

[midnight star]

Here's the kicker to my story: just found out by watching a video of the ride that it didn't function entirely properly while we were on it. I kind of suspected something was wrong- I won't spoil anything, I'll just say that something seemed out of sync. So I went back and watched a video of the full ride to find out what was supposed to be happening, and sure enough there was a fairly significant error in the last part of the ride. So hopefully in 2 years I'll get to experience that part the way it's supposed to be...

As for contacting DL customer service, I've gone back and forth about it. While we were in line I mentioned to my wife that I might do that, but also said that it could just be more aggravating if they say "we're very sorry, but you know you could have left at any time if you wanted to." But all things considered I should probably do it in hopes that they'll change their policy for future guests.

Something similar happened at WDW too. Everything worked when we rode but the same day there were complaints of significant parts of the ride not working.

Post on the ROTR spoiler thread on what it is. Not here

 

[midnight star]

As for the difference in handling the situation in FL vs. CA, my personal view is that it's related to the general way in which DL policy is different from FL due to the larger percentage of AP's who visit the parks. While I think both places strive to deliver a positive guest experience to everyone I think that DL occasionally takes the position of "oh well, they can come back some other day" because a lot of those people CAN come back another day. That's far less true in FL. So while it may be true that a large number of people in that line yesterday were passholders who could've left and come back today, tomorrow, this weekend, or really anytime... there were definitely people in line who were visiting the park for the first time ever, and maybe the only time in their lives. Those people spent no less than a quarter of that day waiting to see if this ride would ever get back up. I feel bad for those people. They got to ride ROTR, but probably at the expense of 3-4 other experiences they were hoping to have. And when they go back home, their story isn't going to be about their Magical Day at Disneyland- it's going to be about how they waited in line for 3 hours. Not a good look for the park.

I just got back from WDW. I will say, I think the customer service seems about even with the CM's there and here in California. Where the CM's WDW do have a big edge on though, is dealing with disappointed and frantic guests. When we were at one of the guest services kiosks trying to figure out if we would need a return time for DAS with the BG, the family in front of us complained that they came all this way to see the new Star wars ride. And even though they had a BG, the boarding was delayed, and it was negatively impacting their park experience. The CM gave them multiple experience fastpasses for each of the family member's favorite ride (it was a family of 4, so that is 4 multiple passes, each!). The CM let them know that even though the ride was down, their BG would still be honored and they could do those rides in the meantime. The guests, obviously walked away happy. I personally don't think the DL CM's would have done that..and this is coming from someone who LOVES DL CM's. They make my day. But they can def improve on handling those guests who seem rude or demanding, but are really just stressed and worried about their trips going well.

 

[midnight star]

So much for Wednesdays being a good day to go to DL. That does not look fun to me. My version of one of the 7 circles of Hell.

That’s just because everyone is compacted into one spot before opening.

Once the park opens and they spread out, it’s not bad.

The fact that backups are still available indicates that Wednesday probably remains the best day!

I was at the park on Saturday. Crowds were not bad at all. I arrived at 9:30 had no lines at the structure, walked right through security, got on the tram, and was in the gates before 10am. Headliners such as Space Big Thunder, and Indy still had fastpasses at 3:30pm.

 

[ironband74]

Woof... looks like we might be done for the night. Rough afternoon...

 

[pokee99]

Can anyone recommend a plan for a 3 day hopper, where Sun, Mon & Tues are days of visit, and all 3 mornings are planned for BG lottery at DLR at rope drop, but wanting to enjoy DCA each day too?

We are probably bigger fans of a lot of the rides at DCA - so hoping to hop back over to DCA after DLR BG frenzy (by the time BG awarded or backups are done - whichever comes first). I'm hoping to do a MaxPass selection at DLR each morning while waiting inside the park for 8:AM/9:AM rope drop, then depending on BG results, head over to DCA for next MaxPass selection.

Hope this makes sense! In a nutshell, I just don't want to miss out on good DCA MaxPasses because of the morning ROTR BG situation!

 

[HydroGuy]

Can anyone recommend a plan for a 3 day hopper, where Sun, Mon & Tues are days of visit, and all 3 mornings are planned for BG lottery at DLR at rope drop, but wanting to enjoy DCA each day too?

We are probably bigger fans of a lot of the rides at DCA - so hoping to hop back over to DCA after DLR BG frenzy (by the time BG awarded or backups are done - whichever comes first). I'm hoping to do a MaxPass selection at DLR each morning while waiting inside the park for 8:AM/9:AM rope drop, then depending on BG results, head over to DCA for next MaxPass selection.

Hope this makes sense! In a nutshell, I just don't want to miss out on good DCA MaxPasses because of the morning ROTR BG situation!

I think it just means scanning thru DL and then hopping to DCA. You can get your MP selection for DL or DCA even if inside DL waiting for BGs to open. Or you can get your BGs after hopping to DCA. Getting the MP for DCA will not be impacted by BGs.

 

[laugard]

Hi. Would anyone be willing to offer thoughts on trying for a BG tomorrow? I've never been to DL on a day when there's MM and EMH and still unclear how it affects the lineup crowds. (I'm assuming, however, that parking and security are busier.) Any suggestions on what time we should be at the esplanade to get in line? The park opens at 9; do you think 8 is early enough? (I had a super rotten day at work so am behind on posts; sincerest apologies if someone else has already asked a similar question.) Appreciate any advice - thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi. Would anyone be willing to offer thoughts on trying for a BG tomorrow? I've never been to DL on a day when there's MM and EMH and still unclear how it affects the lineup crowds. (I'm assuming, however, that parking and security are busier.) Any suggestions on what time we should be at the esplanade to get in line? The park opens at 9; do you think 8 is early enough? (I had a super rotten day at work so am behind on posts; sincerest apologies if someone else has already asked a similar question.) Appreciate any advice - thanks!

Sorry about your day! If you can get to the Esplande at 8AM you should be fine getting thru the DL tunrstiles for a 9AM park opening.

There will be separate turnstiles and lines for MM and EMH. Get in a regular non-MM/EMH line. DL will open those turnstiles probaby by 8:15-8:30 to let you into the park. But you will be held somewhere on Main Street or maybe as far as the hub.

Then follow advice here to find a place where your phone has good speed, make sure you have the latest DLR app downloaded, and work to get a BG at 9AM sharp.

 

[EmJ]

Hey everyone. Rough day at work, so I wasn’t able to look at ROTR until now. Looks like it had a bad day too. Bummer.

 

[salemk]

We planned to do the following:
Tuesday DL
Wednesday CA
Thursday CA
Friday DL

But now I'm considering switching the first two days to have a better chance at a BG after hearing Wednesdays are the best bet. What are the pros and cons of using your MM? What are the pros and cons to going to CA on a MM. Is it worth switching up what we've already planned? The only thing I'd need to change is an Oga's Cantina res.

Wednesday is probably best day to get a BG and get a lower one as well but I was able to get BG 41 this past Tuesday near Space Mountain and was then able to get BG 21 today near Golden Horseshoe. If you are inside park at reasonable time and have a good cell signal you should be able to get BG.

 

[PairOfDice]

Wednesday is probably best day to get a BG and get a lower one as well but I was able to get BG 41 this past Tuesday near Space Mountain and was then able to get BG 21 today near Golden Horseshoe. If you are inside park at reasonable time and have a good cell signal you should be able to get BG.

Thank you

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Can someone post the email address for Disney customer service please? I think I have calmed down enough to write an effective email. I was also waiting to see if that was just an opening weekend fluke of mishandling, and to see if they didn't do it again. However, the exact same thing happened to OP yesterday, so they have clearly not changed the way they are handling these prolonged breakdowns. I want to express my dissatisfaction with this policy directly to Disney.

You can go to the DLR website, scroll to the bottom, click on the Contact Us link. Use the email option. Be sure to include all your contact information and don't be surprised if someone actually does get back to you in a few days to a week or so, Disney Guest Experience CMs really do want to know what's going on and how it is affecting guests' experience at DLR. Be as calm and as detailed as you can be about what happened, when, where, what went wrong, how it affected your day, how it could have gone better, whether any CMs were involved (include names and/or descriptions if relevant), etc. This isn't about blaming or shaming or venting, but about trying to improve the current situation for future guests. Let Disney know that you know they can do better.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I have so many questions towards DL....

Right now this policy is not friendly to the disabled. And unless they start doing something different (ie having CMs around and communicating) this is going to blow up in their face eventually.

And before anyone asks ‘Why not send someone to talk to the CMs at the front?’ Reminder we also do the parks solo. If this happened to me theoretically (I have a DAS so it wouldn’t but bear with me) on a day where I’m by myself. Which is most days I would be twenty levels of screwed if I had to leave due to either migraine triggers, low blood sugar, or just my GI track acting up.

This is pretty much why we decided not to try to ride for a while, at least until the initial insanity dies down and Disney comes up with some less "Darwinian" options for getting on the ride. Just not worth the health risks or consequences to try to ride one (awesome) ride which we might not even get on (e.g. might not get a BG, ride might break down and we don't get on, ride breaks down and we get held hostage in line and my health won't stand however many hours of waiting, etc.). For now, I'll enjoy the vicarious adventures of others in this thread.