Who Wants To Be a Millionaire - Walk In and Win Week

[wwtbamrob]

Anyone have any ideas how long the taping of 2 shows takes???

It can vary, but I think it generally takes about 2 hours to tape 2 half hour shows.

Rob

 

[Texas Pooh]

Questions for those of you who have done the WIAW before ...

Do we need a ticket to the park to try? If I understand the process, we have to be in line when the parking lot opens, so presumably that is before they open? We won't have our park tickets until later that day, so I hope it is not a problem!

I see from an earlier post that last year someone was in line by 5:00 a.m. I'll follow that strategy, but where do you go, specifically? to the parking lot gates? I'll be walking over from the Boardwalk.

Last, is the picking of the 300 (or so) to be interviewed from all who show up completely random? I thought I read that no written testing is done. Any ideas on how to improve the odds?

thanks,

Another hopeful!

 

[wwtbamrob]

Questions for those of you who have done the WIAW before ...

Do we need a ticket to the park to try? If I understand the process, we have to be in line when the parking lot opens, so presumably that is before they open? We won't have our park tickets until later that day, so I hope it is not a problem!

I see from an earlier post that last year someone was in line by 5:00 a.m. I'll follow that strategy, but where do you go, specifically? to the parking lot gates? I'll be walking over from the Boardwalk.

Last, is the picking of the 300 (or so) to be interviewed from all who show up completely random? I thought I read that no written testing is done. Any ideas on how to improve the odds?

thanks,

Another hopeful!

Texas Pooh,

Some of your questions, particularly those around the times and where to go, are answered here:

http://www.millionairetv.com/info-walkinandwin.html

I haven't gone to it before, but I was on call for several people last year. As far as I know, the random selection is just that, random. If you make it past that point, then you will be interviewed by one or more people who will ultimately determine if you will be chosen for the Hot Seat. There will be no written test.

One insight that I can give you is that if you are chosen, your phone-a-friends may know way before you do. Last year I got the setup call* around 1:45 pm Eastern for one of my friends who went to WIAW. That person didn't know they had been picked until approximately 9:30 pm Eastern when they were finally called from the audience.

*The setup call is when one of the Millionaire personnel calls a potential contestant's phone-a-friends to explain to them the process of taking the contestant's call later in the day. Usually, the phone-a-friends receive another call at approximately the time that their contestant friend is headed on stage. After that, if their phone rings, they are to let it ring 3 times and then answer with "Hello". Theoretically, it will either be Meredith or a Millionaire staff person giving the all clear that their friend either called someone else or finished their Hot Seat run (possibly without using the phone-a-friend lifeline). Of course, it could always be a telemarketer.

Hope that helps.

Rob

 

[clkelley]

Do we need a ticket to the park to try? If I understand the process, we have to be in line when the parking lot opens, so presumably that is before they open? We won't have our park tickets until later that day, so I hope it is not a problem!

I see from an earlier post that last year someone was in line by 5:00 a.m. I'll follow that strategy, but where do you go, specifically? to the parking lot gates? I'll be walking over from the Boardwalk.


Another hopeful!

No you do not need a park ticket.

If you are walking from the Boardwalk, there will be a security guard at the end of the pathway before you enter the Studios parking lot. He will hold everyone there until they open the parking toll booths for the cars. The folks walking from the Boardwalk will have about a 5 minute advantage over those in cars.

Last time the person who was #1 in line did get called to be part of the 320. I don't know if this was totally random or not.

Of course once you do make it to be part of the 320, then it is no longer random. Every one of the 320 are interviewed and I'm assuming they are looking for personality, eligibility, etc.

One more hint. Bring a small flashlight or penlite of some sort. Unless they rectify this, the parking lot is still pretty dark and it is hard to fill out that form while still in the parking lot. Although you should have plenty of time once you get inside the Indiana Jones theater to fill out the form.

Also, they Definitely do the bag check when you enter, and it is more thorough than the normal bag check during park hours, so keep what you bring into the park at a minimum.

Also, wear what you plan to wear if in the hotseat when you get there. You will NOT be allowed to go back and change clothes. I was talking to this guy in shorts, sandals, and a WDW sweatshirt while we were waiting for our numbers to be called. He said he had a change of clothes in the car.

Well I did see him in the hotseat on TV and he was still wearing those shorts, sandals, and sweatshirt. So the clothing requirement they state on the website is not absolute, but remember what you are wearing is what you will be on TV in.

Carol

 

[wwtbamrob]

No you do not need a park ticket.

If you are walking from the Boardwalk, there will be a security guard at the end of the pathway before you enter the Studios parking lot. He will hold everyone there until they open the parking toll booths for the cars. The folks walking from the Boardwalk will have about a 5 minute advantage over those in cars.

Last time the person who was #1 in line did get called to be part of the 320. I don't know if this was totally random or not.

Of course once you do make it to be part of the 320, then it is no longer random. Every one of the 320 are interviewed and I'm assuming they are looking for personality, eligibility, etc.

One more hint. Bring a small flashlight or penlite of some sort. Unless they rectify this, the parking lot is still pretty dark and it is hard to fill out that form while still in the parking lot. Although you should have plenty of time once you get inside the Indiana Jones theater to fill out the form.

Also, they Definitely do the bag check when you enter, and it is more thorough than the normal bag check during park hours, so keep what you bring into the park at a minimum.

Also, wear what you plan to wear if in the hotseat when you get there. You will NOT be allowed to go back and change clothes. I was talking to this guy in shorts, sandals, and a WDW sweatshirt while we were waiting for our numbers to be called. He said he had a change of clothes in the car.

Well I did see him in the hotseat on TV and he was still wearing those shorts, sandals, and sweatshirt. So the clothing requirement they state on the website is not absolute, but remember what you are wearing is what you will be on TV in.

Carol

Great points Carol! I should have thought of some of these things from my one audition for Millionaire back in March 2001. Along those lines, here are some things to be sure to bring or not bring:

Bring:

Photo ID, Proof of age, Proof of residency, Proof of Social Securiy Number, List of phone-a-friends (Complete with names, numbers, addresses, and occupations - at least they used to require all this so I'm guessing they still do)

Do not bring:

Photo or video cameras, reference materials (You may be able to drop this type of stuff off at some point, but they will definitely want it gone by the time you enter the studio)


My audition and taping were separate, so the "do not bring" list is a bit of a gray area for me here. I know the day of my taping they would not allow us to bring any type of cameras, reference materials, or cellphones. We were also kept in isolation from any non-contestants. The people that I know who went to Walk In and Win last year at least took cellphones because all of them used the phones to call me to let me know whether they did or did not get chosen in the random draw.

As for eligibility, please be sure that if you go you are eligible per the rules posted on the millionaire website. If you are not, you are wasting everyone's time and they won't be making any exceptions.

Good luck to all that try out!

Rob

 

[clkelley]

I had a full change of clothes in my backpack and my camera and cell phone. They dug through my backpack very thoroughly.

They did allow us to take pictures in the Indiana Jones theater. They recommended cell phones so you could call your family members on whether you made it into the random drawing. I was planning on changing clothes and staying in the Studios for the day, but decided to go back to the room, I was so wiped.

If I were to do it again, I would only have a big bottle of water, my cell phone, a small flashlight, and my required paperwork.

Carol

 

[MillionaireAddict]

Thanks for all the great information, everyone. I'm still planning on going to WIAW. I was hoping that my mom would go with me but I'm not sure she can do the walking (recent knee replacement) through the parking lot. She does have a temporary disabled parking permit. Anyone know if they'll allow "handicap" parking?

We'll be driving from home (a little less than 2 hours away) so we'll just have to get in via the parking lot as opposed to walking from Boardwalk.

Great tips on what to bring (and not to bring), Carol. Thanks for that.

I'd still love to go to a taping. Any day would work for me If anyone has tickets they won't be using, let me know.

 

[clkelley]

I'd still love to go to a taping. Any day would work for me If anyone has tickets they won't be using, let me know.

If you are NOT chosen to be one of the 320, there will be tables set up outside for you to get tickets for Saturday or Sunday tapings.

The line for Saturday tapings was very long. I just got some tickets for two shows on Sunday. I went to one show, then gave away the tickets for the second show.

They also had standby lines for every show each day.

Carol

 

[Texas Pooh]

Thanks so much for the great hints - that is exactly the type of help I was looking for! I read the website info, but didn't see the answer for tickets, which was very important to me (my family's tickets are in a package they won't get until later).

The rest of the hints are good to know, especially the bag check, which I hadn't even thought of!

See all of you there!

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

Is it too late to get tickets to the taping? We just found out we were going right before Christmas. I requested tickets thru their website last week but don't know if I was too late or not or how to find out.

 

[MillionaireAddict]

Sawyermaw1, I'm pretty sure the tickets to the taping are gone. The only way to get them (if you don't know someone who has them) is to go to WIAW on the 14th. From what I understand, there will be some tickets set aside for those who don't get chosen. Rob, Carol, Goofy or another 'pro' might have more to add

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I just got an e-mail saying my request had been received and I would receive my tickets in the mail 2-4 weeks prior to the taping. Guess we'll just have to wait and see if they come.

 

[wwtbamrob]

I just got an e-mail saying my request had been received and I would receive my tickets in the mail 2-4 weeks prior to the taping. Guess we'll just have to wait and see if they come.

Gotta love canned e-mail messages. Let's see, based on that, you should receive the tickets between December 15, 2005 and January 1, 2006.

All kidding aside, I do hope you receive them, and in time for the tapings. Good luck!

Rob

 

[ladysoleil]

originally posted by clkelley
If I were to do it again, I would only have a big bottle of water, my cell phone, a small flashlight, and my required paperwork.

I'm with you, though I may skip the water or make it a small one. They really don't let you go to the restroom at the NYC tapings and I don't know if that's going to change at MGM. I don't want to risk it.

I'm bringing my paperwork, a juice box and a granola bar or two for breakfast, my cellphone and camera, lipstick for a pre-audition touchup and that's it. My husband can bring some clothes for me later if I don't get the magic bracelet- he will be secretly thrilled that I won't be around to haul him out of bed at 6 AM so we can be on a line for something when the parks open.

I'm not overly worried about being too tired to hit the parks if I don't get the lucky bracelet as I'm usually obnoxiously energetic in the morning and don't get much sleep anyway. In a worst case scenario, a couple of visits to Drew Carey with the headphones off will probably take the edge off.

Honestly, I'm more concerned about being exhausted during the taping itself if I make it in, all the physical inactivity and tension from waiting is more likely to dull my brain than anything else. I've been to a couple of Millionaire tapings and find them quite interesting, but they are demanding in some ways because they want a really high level of energy from the crowd that can be tiring to keep up.

I may be able to discreetly doze off for a couple minutes during breaks, etc, but I think the waiting and tension is going to be more fatiguing than going commando on a park after being in line before dawn will. Do you think they'd confiscate a bottle of Mt. Dew if I threw one in my purse for an emergency? A little bit of that stuff goes a long long way for me.

I'll definitely be hanging around the Boardwalk by pre-dawnish, so if you see me, feel free to drop by and say hello. If I like you I may even share my granola bar. (PM me if you want more info)

 

[MillionaireMachine]

Hi folks, I'm John... kinda new here. I typed in "Millionaire's Walk in and Win" into Google and this was one of the links. Sounds like quite a bit of people are going to be there.

Here's my strategy. Wake up at 3:00am, shower and other necessary early morning duties. Leave around 4am, find a convenience store, get something small to eat and drink. I have the feeling that if I drink too much, I'll have to go quite a bit. And if what I read from past experiences is any indication, it's like Kindergarten. They'll escort groups to the bathroom on their own schedule. You'll eat, applause, laugh, and clap when they tell you. Hopefully, I'll get in a line cars by 4:30, and there should definitely be a line.

If I'm fortunate enough to be one of the 320 randomly picked out of the 1500(?), then it's time to turn on "excited-mode". I have no clue what the producers look for in a contestant. But the interview is the key to getting on the program. Remember, you're on from the moment you walk into the room. These people see everything. Don't put on a fake attitude, cause I believe they can see through it. Believe you can be a great contestant, and you might do well. They say be yourself, but at your most excited, and most enthusiastic (Hence, the "excited-mode".) I auditioned 4 times in NYC, passed the written audition test 4 times, and still got 4 rejection postcards. Depressing... So, the true test is the interview... and I guess the application / questionnaire that they give you when you wait in line.

If I don't pass the interview, then it's a long day. On the Millionaire website, they say taping ends around 8pm. I read a blog in which its author went through the expereince. He said that taping didn't end until 11pm, and of course no one can leave. Sounds like a few of you have been to a NYC taping, so you know that darn Paul Mecurio warm up guy will be there to teach you how to laugh and how to completely exhaust yourself with applause.

Now, if I don't get to be one of the 320... eh, I'll stick around and watch a taping with the assurance that I won't have to be there til 11pm.

I'm not sure how other people tackle this, but who do you guys get for phone-a-friends? I've been looking, but no one wants to be at home for 12 hours on a Saturday waiting for a phone call that may never come.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We have tickets for the 3 PM taping on the 13th. My question for anyone who knows - Can we arrive at the park at about noon and what do we do when we reach the front gate? When I read the material I realized we do not need to use a day on our passes to get in. Will there be a separate gate? Do we goto guest services? Thanks for any help and good luck to those who are trying to get to the hot seat!!!

 

['Sir Hiss']

Love the MGM attraction and have played it several times - have gotten as far as the $250,000 before losing. I will happen to be down there for the WIAW tapings and was looking for any more advice. Especially on how early to get there. I will be at my In-Law's house about 45 min. from MGM.

To people who have been there before - is it worth the wait? I read the guy's BLOG who chronicled his trip and it makes me second guess my decision to do it.

Also, looking for phone-a-friends as well - same reasons as the others so any volunteers would be great - especially in the Arts area (my missed question before was on modern dance)

Well thanks for listening and for any help.

 

[gigi1313]

We have tickets for the 3 PM taping on the 13th. My question for anyone who knows - Can we arrive at the park at about noon and what do we do when we reach the front gate? When I read the material I realized we do not need to use a day on our passes to get in. Will there be a separate gate? Do we goto guest services? Thanks for any help and good luck to those who are trying to get to the hot seat!!!

i was of the impression that if you have tickets for the tapings (on the 13th or 15th) that you *do* need park admission... anyone know for sure?

 

[ladysoleil]

They'll escort groups to the bathroom on their own schedule. You'll eat, applause, laugh, and clap when they tell you.

Oh, yeah. They have ways of making you be perky!

I auditioned 4 times in NYC, passed the written audition test 4 times, and still got 4 rejection postcards. Depressing... So, the true test is the interview... and I guess the application / questionnaire that they give you when you wait in line.

I've blown the test twice already, so I've never gotten to "bond" with an AP.

Sounds like a few of you have been to a NYC taping, so you know that darn Paul Mecurio warm up guy will be there to teach you how to laugh and how to completely exhaust yourself with applause.

Oh. good grief. A day trapped in a studio is one thing, but a day trapped in a studio with Paul Mecurio. Oy. the pain!

I'm not sure how other people tackle this, but who do you guys get for phone-a-friends? I've been looking, but no one wants to be at home for 12 hours on a Saturday waiting for a phone call that may never come.

I'm having a hard time, I've managed to draft 4 of them though. It's mostly a combination of begging, pleading, grovelling, batting eyelashes and having wonderful friends, online and off. My issue is that I'm going on a group cruise and almost all of my friends will be with me in Orlando that weekend, making them out of the phone a friend loop. *sigh* Did I mention groveling?

 

[MillionaireMachine]

Originally posted by gigi1313
i was of the impression that if you have tickets for the tapings (on the 13th or 15th) that you *do* need park admission... anyone know for sure?

According to the letter that comes with the tickets, if you have a ticket, then all you need to do is show it at the parking gate. Parking will be free. Then you need to arrive at the far right ticket window for a check-in. You'll be escorted to the WWTBAM-PI attraction. After the taping, you'll be allowed to spend the rest of the day in the park for free. No admission is needed.

ladysoleil, My hands are already hurting just thinking about good old Paul. I'm also practicing on my HA! As for bonding with an AP or PA or whatever they're called now, they aren't much to bond with. They wanna hear you talk more than themselves. Enthusiasm is the key if you get to be one of the 320. I just hope I can muster enough of it.

I finally got someone who wants to be a PAF. Sounds like they'll be up to it. She's good at arts and popular culture, and her husband is good at geography and history. Plus they'll have Google available. Not a bad combination. Who says you need 5 friends when 1 will do just fine?