Who wants to be a Millionaire - Ringers?

[LSUwest]

My wife and I got back last week. It was our first time seeing Millionaire at MGM. It was fun, but it seemed to us that they have some pros there.

When getting the first player, the highest scoring player was called down but he said he couldn't play - He had won 30 days ago.

The second highest player was called - His wife. She couldn't come down either. She had also won 30 days ago.

The third highest player was called. It was a 6 year old girl. Everyone clapped and then the host said that because she was young, one of her parents could come down. She chose her dad, but he stood and wanted to make sure he could because he too had won in the last 30 days. After he came down, the host asked if she had been to WDW world before. She said yes. How many times she asked? "30" the 6 year old girl replied.

The only satisfaction I got (as her dad answered all of the questions) was about 5 or 6 questions in, she immediatley said.... XXX, Final Answer (whatever XXX was) and ansered wrong while her dad tried to stop her.

At least the last player seemed to be a regular visitor.

Is it like this at all the games or just ours?

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Similar thing when I went earlier this month. The very first person called to come down already won within 30 days, so had to decline. Fortunately the second person chosen was a vacationer from Texas, and then a man from England played after her. But I also wondered how often the locals get in there!

 

[mickeymedic]

I can assure you that not all players are ringers. I found myself in the hotseat two years ago when my husband and I were celebrating our 2 year anniversary. I was the second fasted in the fasted finger round. The person who answered faster than me declined for an unknown reason. I'll admit that I did not actually know the answer to the fastest finger question - I just hit the buttons quickly and hoped for the best. It worked for me. I would bet that it has worked for many others also. So, if you want to sit in the hotseat, don't give up hope. It truely could happen to anybody.

 

[Danemom]

If you can't play because you've won in the last 30 days, I don't see what the fun would be in going to WWTBAM. I guess just to see if you could qualify again? But then I'd just be bummed that I could'nt play further.

 

[goodeats]

That was the supposed reason that Matt Ouimet took Millionaire out of California Adventure- too many local AP holders who went time after time and monopolized the game. Although, I saw plenty of tourists in the hot seat. I hope they don't take it out of WDW too!

I don't know what you mean by ringers, but there are people who LOVE WWTBAMPI! and are good at it. I'm almost always in the top 10 (unfortunatley rarely number 1), but that's because I've played it many times before. I personally would never press the buttons if I'm in my 30 day window (mainly because it wastes game time!). Actually, yes I do find it annoying when they play anyway. What are they trying to prove?!

But anyway, I just wanted to say I love Millionaire!

ETA - Also, Millionaire gets a lot repeat visits from its fans. I played probably 4 times over the course of a week. To me Millionaire and Tower are the only worthwhile things at the Studios. Some people only go to Millionaire once.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont see how someone who likes to go to WWTBAM many times and play, but declines to be in the hot seat because of the 30 day window, is considered a ringer.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I went last year, got in the hot seat, and won 64,000 points.

My son went this year, also got in the hot seat, but only won 1,000 points.

It was definitely the highlight of my vacation, but my son was disappointed that he didn't get a higher score.

We're from Canada, and don't get there very often - so that shows anyone can get in the hot seat.

Teresa

 

[wwtbamrob]

If by ringers you mean people that are very good at the game (well-versed in trivia, quick), then yes. If you mean people who pretend to be contestants, then no. I've either known or met many people who have been in the Hot Seat and they were all real people, not Cast Members pretending to be guests. In fact, Cast Members are restricted from sitting in the Hot Seat.

Any guests can get a chance to be a contestant. You just need to be smart and quick. A little luck doesn't hurt either. Some of the best shows I've seen started by someone randomly punching buttons quickly and ending up on stage.

Rob

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

LSUWest, I was there at the same show. Was the last player you mentioned a middle aged large lady? If so that was me. LOL I had a DIS pin on my shirt.

I love to play Millionaire and while I seem to manage to be able to get into the Hot Seat I have never won the cruise. I keep trying though.

My husband loves to watch me play and I enjoy playing so I was back on other days and had to regretfully decline as I did not qualify. I have to admit that I enjoy being able to do that though. I am shameless. LOL

I am jealous of those who live close enough to keep trying over and over. I met a man, Jose, who had won the cruise and he only lived about five minutes from the parks.

I will be back to try again in the Spring. I enjoy knowing that there are many in the audience who know what they are doing as it makes getting into the Hot Seat more interesting. Yes, I was the geek in school who loved tests. (grin)

Slightly Goofy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

The dad stopped the girl from saying Final Answer on that one question (if only had been able to stop me from doing the same) but then he was wrong on another question and I think he had all his life lines intact.

SG

 

[sunking]

I don't think that there is any question that many of the audience members at WWTBAM are locals that have visited the attraction several times before. I have also seen where someone has been called down but has to refuse because they were in the hot seat within the last 30 days but I don't think that is the only person that wins. The fastest fingers question is nothing more then who can push the buttons in the correct order fastest, without any consideration to the answers. After that, it is a game of knowledge as it is based on how you, the audience, answer the questions.

I have visited this attraction a couple of dozen times myself and I have yet to hear them repeat a question. I have made it to the hot seat twice (got to the 500,000 point question once).

Overall, I think that everyone in the place has the same chance of getting to the hot seat. There is no advantage to being a local "ringer".

Thoughts????

 

[littleprissboutique]

I have never done this game there... Do you actually win anything, or is it just bragging rights???? Clueless!

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

Im sure it was just coincidence because my dad got on last year and trust me, he is not a professional! lol! But he did win 64,000 points. You can be I was pretty dang proud of him!

 

[profdsny]

When we were there earlier this month, the first guy in the seat had been there before, apparently more than 30 days ago. He was a real cocky, smug guy, who really didn't have any support in the crowd. He was trying to play it like he was real cool, but lost out on the 5th answer (an easy one many thought) to 'Ask a stranger." Next person called couldn't play, don't know if she was a CM or a 30 day player. But, 30 days out is not enough time. There are an awful lot of people who are one or two timers at WDW, and they shouldn't have to put up with someone who comes all the time just to there to try and win. Be fair to others. Make it 60-90, something like that.

 

[puffkin]

When we were there in mid-December the first contestant was a rather strange character named David. Very strange indeed. We were seated right next to the sound booth and the technician and usher both groaned when he got in the hot seat and said not again. Even the host acknowledged that he got in the hot seat frequently but had never won the cruise. I was really irritated by the whole thing and glad he got out on I believe the 8,000 point question.

We walked by Millionaire later in the day and they were letting in for the next show and there was David heading in again. He looked like a local who hung out at Millionaire all day. I kind of wish they could come up with a way of limiting that....

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

IMHO, here are my thoughts, for what they are worth.

I do not think it bad of the locals who go to Millionaire often. They also get to ride Soaring and other attractions more also. You either know the answers or you do not. Luck is more important in getting the Fastest Finger question right but after that skill and if you get the 'right' questions is what matters.

The more games you play the better your chance to get into the Hot Seat. If the audience is low or full of children you might increase your odds. I often have to play 2-3 shows before I can get into the Hot Seat. Used to be more until I got the knack of the game. If that is the attraction that I enjoy the most and I am willing to put in the time that is how it works IMO. Many people get their other family members to get them FP's for popular attractions so that they can ride them more often than those who do not have such advantages.

I take special delight in managing to get into the HS when I know that there are many people in the audience who are experts. Makes it more interesting for me. I also enjoy getting to meet them often.

I have been at the Star Wars version where people were deliberating messing up answers or refusing to get into the Hot Seat because they did not want to be out of the competition for the next 30 days. That is what I figure was happening when people could not put R2D2 in the correct order. LOL

I only get to go to WDW a couple of times a year so I do not have the home court advantage of many so I am not sure if I am being self serving or not but I do believe that what the one poster said about people not being able to compete for a longer period of time might be a good idea.

These are my opinions and everyone else is allowed to agree or disagree.

Slightly Goofy

 

[wwtbamrob]

I have been at the Star Wars version where people were deliberating messing up answers or refusing to get into the Hot Seat because they did not want to be out of the competition for the next 30 days. That is what I figure was happening when people could not put R2D2 in the correct order. LOL

I think I might have a tough time with that FF question, too. After all, how would I decide which 2 went in the second position and which went in the last position?

Now, as for putting C3PO in the correct order, that is a bit easier to handle.

Rob

 

[wwtbamrob]

I have never done this game there... Do you actually win anything, or is it just bragging rights???? Clueless!

If you get into the Hot Seat, then you play for prizes. Each question you answer correctly nets you a collectible pin with the WWTBAM-PI! logo along with a number representing the point value of the question. Like the television show, if you miss a question, you drop down to the last milestone level you passed, so you might lose a pin or two.

At the milestone levels, you win additional prizes. At 1,000 points you win a baseball cap. At 32,000 points you win a polo shirt. At 1,000,000 points you win a 3 night Disney cruise for 4 people including airfare, a varsity style jacket, and a medallion. As of earlier this month, they have had 113 "million point" winners in the time the show has been there, which is approximately 4 years and 8 months. Originally the million point prize included a trip to New York to see a taping of either WWTBAM or Regis & Kelly, but it was later changed to be the cruise.

Rob

 

[wwtbamrob]

When we were there earlier this month, the first guy in the seat had been there before, apparently more than 30 days ago. He was a real cocky, smug guy, who really didn't have any support in the crowd. He was trying to play it like he was real cool, but lost out on the 5th answer (an easy one many thought) to 'Ask a stranger." Next person called couldn't play, don't know if she was a CM or a 30 day player. But, 30 days out is not enough time. There are an awful lot of people who are one or two timers at WDW, and they shouldn't have to put up with someone who comes all the time just to there to try and win. Be fair to others. Make it 60-90, something like that.

Being that I'm not a local, I'd rather see the rules changed to be 12 times per year or something like that. Maybe with a side rule that no two times could be within 48 hours. That way, people that can't be at the parks on a regular basis would have more opportunities than they currently do with no more advantage given to locals. But, I've been very fortunate in making it to the Hot Seat and doing well, so they can leave things alone as far as I'm concerned.

Rob

 

[LSUwest]

OK,

Maybe "Ringer" was not the best choice of words. Pros is more like it. And although I wasn't thrilled by it, I have don't think there is anything wrong with it. If someone is good enough to win, they should be able to win.

BUT, it does seem to take a little away from the "regular" visitors there. I have a feeling that most people are infrequent tourists to WDW. When one after another player declined to play because they have already won recently, I just shrugged my shoulders.

I would suggest that they change the rules to allow winning less frequently. All and all, it doesn't really matter to me. Our trips to WDW are infrequent. Whatever happens will have no impact on me, so who am I so ask for it right? Our last trip was 5 years ago. Before that, our honeymoon. This trip had been our 10 year anniversary. Our next trip will be at least 5 - 10 years away.

SlightlyGoofy: I think it was a different show. If I remember right, the last winner was a teenage boy. (I think) It sounds like the shows were similar though.