We did the Thursday passholder/DVC preview. Any Questions?

[lovethattink]

Please!!! When were all of you people there. I don't mean to complain, but we were there right at opening and it was utter chaos!!! We had to wait 20-25 minutes for the free lanyard and then move to another line to buy AP and DVC pins. We waited in that line another 30 minutes. By the time we got close to the front CM reinforcements were coming from all parts of the park to help hand out the free lanyard and move people out of the gift shop. By 10:15 when we went the second time with our Fast Pass they had signs, but they definitely didn't have the better part of the first hour.

I was there from 9:30 until 1. Stood in stand-by at 9:30 and did fast pass at 12:45. The only place where I saw utter chaos at 9:30 was the store and the line for the LE pin. By the time I got off my ride, the line was in a nice orderly fashion along the wall inside the ropes. I saw much more chaos on Saturday during cast member preview when the CM were shouting at each other. Today I didn't hear a single one of them raise their voice, and I saw lots of smiles. They did their gift vouchers the same way, so they had practice the weekend before. Hopefully they are learning quickly from their mistakes. Saturday will be the true test! I'm looking forward to the DIS meet there on Saturday.

Quick question...My family is heading to WDW this weekend and my wife and I are planning on visiting Everest Sunday. We're DVC members but the contract is in my father's name. He wasn't planning on doing the parks this weekend but now I'm a bit worried about the photo ID requirement. I have his Member card and we have the same last name but I don't want to have to force him into the parks.

Any thoughts/predictions? All advice is welcome.

Phil

I really don't know. If no one can answer this, I will find out for you for sure when we go on Saturday. Some member of our party are DVC members. I do know that they would not let me get the lanyard for my son who was in school, even though I had his pass. He'll have to get it himself on Saturday.

 

[DVC-Don]

Rode EE twice this morning. At opening there was a bit of a crush and confusion, but it seemed to die down and be more organized within a short time. EE is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*Note to others. We were asked for photo ID and they matched the name to the AP and or DVC card.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the last AP previews were Stitch and Soarin'. no ID was needed. I think it's a good requirement.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I was at opening for EE this morning, too! I agree with PaisleyJane - it was chaos for a little while there! I got to AK right at 9:00, and lined up with everyone else outside the ride in a long queue. CM's were checking for DVC/APs and photo ID. I stood besides Santa Claus in line (I am not kidding - this man was Santa!). The queue led to Fast Pass machines. The CM stuck my ticket in, and I was suppose to get a fast pass that said something like "free gift" but mine said some strange word that I did not recognize. After passing through the machines, the line moved quickly to the loading platform.

The ride was WOW!! Short but sweet!! Sitting near the front was awesome when going backwards! But after getting off, you exit through the gift shop, and it was gridlock and chaos in there! I had no idea where to go or what line to get into! Did not see the free lanyard people, as I wound up in the line to pay for a $10 limited edition pin, but I did not have the official "little piece of paper" to say I could buy one, so I got out of that line and inched my way out of that gift shop! But when I left around 10:15, the lines were now short! I should have waited!

I watched the ride for awhile, then finally saw some lanyard/free pin people outside the gift shop, but they refused to give me one since my silly fast-pass ticket said some strange word, not "free gift". I went back to the CMs at the machines, and they tried my ticket again, and once again I got a ticket with that strange word. The CM then just handed me one that said "free gift" so then I redeemed it and got the lanyard and free pin.

Then around 1:00, I headed back to EE and now the lines were almost non-existant!!!! I rode SIX more times!! One time I even rode the front row, as there is a seperate line you can get into right on the loading platform. In the front, I rode with a red-headed gentleman who told me he already rode 21 times today!!! Also bought the $10 passholder pin - it has Mickey looked scared at the Yeti, and Goofy waving "hello" to him.

I was getting dizzy by the time I left!! I don't know if the next three days of the preview will be as quiet in the afternoon, but today sure was!!

Going up! The view from the front of EE!

 

[sunking]

Quick question...My family is heading to WDW this weekend and my wife and I are planning on visiting Everest Sunday. We're DVC members but the contract is in my father's name. He wasn't planning on doing the parks this weekend but now I'm a bit worried about the photo ID requirement. I have his Member card and we have the same last name but I don't want to have to force him into the parks.

Any thoughts/predictions? All advice is welcome.

Phil

We just got back from the parks. I'm sitting in my room right now as I type this...anyway....
We are DVC and AP holders. I only used the DVC membership to gain entrance today and I can tell you that they were matching the name on the DVC membership card with the name on the photo ID. I did see them turning people away today but I'm not sure for what reasons. I think you wil have a problem trying to get in with your fathers DVC card if your names don't match.

Have fun!!!
Sunking

 

[HugsForEeyore]

We just got back from the parks. I'm sitting in my room right now as I type this...anyway....
We are DVC and AP holders. I only used the DVC membership to gain entrance today and I can tell you that they were matching the name on the DVC membership card with the name on the photo ID. I did see them turning people away today but I'm not sure for what reasons. I think you wil have a problem trying to get in with your fathers DVC card if your names don't match.

Have fun!!!
Sunking

Hey! I am at POP too right now writing this!!!!!!!! I am so glad I did EE seven times today, since I bet this weekend the lines will be LONG!!

 

[lovethattink]

Someone told me at 11:00 they ran out of passholder LE pins. I found that hard to believe with 2000 pins. Does anyone have any facts to back that up?

 

[gshoemate]

One quick question, my kid's have AP's but are not tall enough to ride the ride. Will they still be able to get the lanyard and pin or do you have to ride in order to get them?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[twocjsmom]

All I can say is WOW! We only rode twice cause we snuck out and left the kids with the grandparents during their nap, but walked right on twice in a row at about 2:30. I actually would have preferred to be able to take a little more time in the cue areas since the theming was awesome. Incredibly detailed, right down to the price tags on the Nepalese canned food!

The view from the lift up was absolutely amazing - you could sww the Boardwalk area and beyond no problem at all, as it was incredibly crisp and clear out.

We loved the ride, cant wait to get back on our next trip. I remember telling my husband that it was like BTTR on speed. Being in the dark flying backwards was a bit disorienting, but fun. And, yes, the Yeti himself is very cool!

Did any of you have an uneasy feeling walking afterwards. Not too bad, but just enough to notice?