RotR Planning & Daily Boarding Group Discussion - *CLOSED*

[CPanther95]

Furthermore, for any of us who booked all of our fastpasses and are now committed to an EMH day (let's face it, many on-site guests figured our best chance of getting on was to rope drop on an EMH day), we're now in a less-than-optimal situation. I actually had the same thought - in a way, I wish they'd just ditch the morning EMHs for a bit, it seems like they're more of a disadvantage than an advantage at DHS right now.

I wouldn't give up hope yet that they won't change how they handle EMH days. They've been very flexible in implementing different plans based on the conditions present on each individual day. Somebody is bound to look at Sunday and think there's gotta be a better way to deal with EMH than to leave the ride idle on one of the busiest days in order to keep some BG availability for off-site guests.

It seems they held BG 1-10 for EMH guests (based on very little info we saw), but they could easily open the VQ sooner and cap it at 10 BGs to be filled at a time so that they can open the ride up during EMH hours. I'm not a programmer, but I would think they could also open up VQ with EMH and allow EMH guests to filll only odd numbered BGs, then open up the even numbered BGs when the offsite guests are allowed in.

 

[2vets]

I wouldn't give up hope yet that they won't change how they handle EMH days. They've been very flexible in implementing different plans based on the conditions present on each individual day. Somebody is bound to look at Sunday and think there's gotta be a better way to deal with EMH than to leave the ride idle on one of the busiest days in order to keep some BG availability for off-site guests.

It seems they held BG 1-10 for EMH guests (based on very little info we saw), but they could easily open the VQ sooner and cap it at 10 BGs to be filled at a time so that they can open the ride up during EMH hours. I'm not a programmer, but I would think they could also open up VQ with EMH and allow EMH guests to filll only odd numbered BGs, then open up the even numbered BGs when the offsite guests are allowed in.

I hope you’re right! I do think the VQ is a solid idea, but yesterday looked pretty ridiculous from my interweb commentary perch...

 

[Heather07438]

It seems they held BG 1-10 for EMH guests (based on very little info we saw), but they could easily open the VQ sooner and cap it at 10 BGs to be filled at a time so that they can open the ride up during EMH hours.

Good idea! I know they need to balance between the interests of on-site and off-site guests. Very hard to do because even the slightest improvement to one side wrecks the other. That looks like a workable compromise.

Even if they don't open the ride, at least EMH guests will have first access to the ride as long as they made it into HS early enough to get one of the limited 1-10 BGs. For people who are willing to go the extra mile to ensure being an early rider, this works for them.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

We were in BG43, got in line at 9:45 and we're off at 10:45. By the time we got in line they were boarding up to BG 46. BB8 wasn't working, but it looked like everything else was. Really fun experience. Can't wait til it is running at full capacity.

 

[Lorrie7249]

You can do uber xl. They fit up to six adults.

Thanks!

 

[Rich M]

Looks like they are going really quick today. Going to MK AH tonight and with the 1 AM closing I just don’t think i can do another 5 am wake up call. I would actually want a later time because we are going to HS in the mid part of the day. We might try Wednesday instead but I am grateful for riding once.

 

[2vets]

Good idea! I know they need to balance between the interests of on-site and off-site guests. Very hard to do because even the slightest improvement to one side wrecks the other. That looks like a workable compromise.

Even if they don't open the ride, at least EMH guests will have first access to the ride as long as they made it into HS early enough to get one of the limited 1-10 BGs. For people who are willing to go the extra mile to ensure being an early rider, this works for them.

Except...did you see the pictures from yesterday? Gotta wonder how many people they can stuff into a BG.

 

[rteetz]

Interested to see how high it goes today and if they do reach that cutoff early what they’ll do then.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Been following along all weekend. We’re here and our HS day is tomorrow. Looks like we won’t be riding ROTR. We bought the mid day tickets since we were keeping this trip non commando with my 78 year old mom with us and my autistic 17 year old nephew. My nephew can’t handle big crowds so even if we had regular tix no way could line up for rope drop. We were thinking with the park open until 9 that 9 hours would be plenty of time to wait Standby for those of us who were willing to wait a few hours, or get a DAS return time if they were offering them.

I understand the way WDW has handled this and think the VQ is a great idea but still disappointed that we have no chance to try it.

As for yesterday’s EMH, having ROTR not running when there were so many people in the park was a waste. And officially announcing 8am opening of VQ then opening it at 7:15 was really ****ty of them.

They could have said VQ would be available for a limited number of guests during EMH (as they enter) and then used VQ for just the number of EMH guests they could reasonably expect to accommodate in the 2 hours then shut it down. reopen for the day with the note that VQ would be available first come first served when the park opens to all guests and note that parks sometimes open early to accommodate crowds.

Wow I never considered the midday tickets and it’s impact on this...

 

[CPanther95]

I hope you’re right! I do think the VQ is a solid idea, but yesterday looked pretty ridiculous from my interweb commentary perch...

Yeah, just a few days in I'm sure they didn't want to beta test a major change in the VQ system. Simple solution was to just delay. Unfortunately that meant the only day where those motivated enough to ride and willing to get there early couldn't guarantee a spot was the only day where Onsite guests have an advantage.

And despite them making clear that EMH does not include RotR, I'd think they'd like to give onsite guests a little benefit. If not, they might want to just to relieve some of the crowd pressure.

 

[Heather07438]

We were in BG43, got in line at 9:45 and we're off at 10:45. By the time we got in line they were boarding up to BG 46. BB8 wasn't working, but it looked like everything else was. Really fun experience. Can't wait til it is running at full capacity.

BG 45 called before 10am is promising!!!

 

[Liljo22]

Looks like they are going really quick today. Going to MK AH tonight and with the 1 AM closing I just don’t think i can do another 5 am wake up call. I would actually want a later time because we are going to HS in the mid part of the day. We might try Wednesday instead but I am grateful for riding once.

Going to jinx it. But 60 by 11:30 is the earliest they have gotten through.

 

[CPanther95]

Except...did you see the pictures from yesterday? Gotta wonder how many people they can stuff into a BG.

First come, first served.

 

[Heather07438]

Except...did you see the pictures from yesterday? Gotta wonder how many people they can stuff into a BG.

Yes, but if they do the 6-8a EMH again, those who were in that Rope Drop line at 5am should be able to get one of the GB 1-10. One of the roughest complaints yesterday was that an onsite guest arriving at 4am had no real advantage.

This wouldn't guarantee all EMH to get a BG but would allow those who are dedicated to get that shot at being 'front of the line."

 

[Liljo22]

Except...did you see the pictures from yesterday? Gotta wonder how many people they can stuff into a BG.

The prevailing thought is around 175 per BG.

 

[Heather07438]

The prevailing thought is around 175 per BG.

With the 1-10 BG for EMH scenario, that would give the first 1500+ a front spot on the virtual line. From there out it's an even playing field for everyone when BG11+ opens with regular HS hours.

 

[2vets]

First come, first served.

If they can figure that out. It isn’t what happened yesterday, it seems.

Ehhh, it hardly matters. We (I) can whine and suggest all we want, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. And I’ll be there butt early to be sure we get on because it sounds awesome.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Yes, but if they do the 6-8a EMH again, those who were in that Rope Drop line at 5am should be able to get one of the GB 1-10. One of the roughest complaints yesterday was that an onsite guest arriving at 4am had no real advantage.

This wouldn't guarantee all EMH to get a BG but would allow those who are dedicated to get that shot at being 'front of the line."

Yeah - why not release 25 or so BGs (first come first served) as people enter for EMHs, then state that BGs are at capacity, please check back at 9am and then do a 2nd release for all park goers.

 

[CPanther95]

If they can figure that out. It isn’t what happened yesterday, it seems.

Ehhh, it hardly matters. We (I) can whine and suggest all we want, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. And I’ll be there butt early to be sure we get on because it sounds awesome.

Yeah, they didn't do that yesterday. They just left the ride idle and opened up VQ after offsite guests were let in and then it was a free for all. Guests that got there extra early got no benefit.

 

[Heather07438]

If they can figure that out. It isn’t what happened yesterday, it seems.

Ehhh, it hardly matters. We (I) can whine and suggest all we want, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. And I’ll be there butt early to be sure we get on because it sounds awesome.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. If you think you're on time, you're really an hour late.

We'll be arriving to HS 6:30a this Thursday, hoping that's good enough. We also have a back-up day or two if needed.