RotR Planning & Daily Boarding Group Discussion - *CLOSED*

[shellott-hill]

well that didn't last long

Probably testing that it works.

 

[AJT607]

Nope, all was fairly simple. Went on the Uber app and put in request around 3am. Uber arrived at AKL about 15 mins later and I was on my way. Only hiccup was the parking booths were coned off and Uber was a little hesitant to go around them at first, but he ended up doing it and it all worked out. If you could get yourself up early and willing to wait, it’s worth it

Wonder why Hollywood Studios cones off their parking booths. We've done early rope drops at Animal Kingdom many times and they've either been closed (but you could drive through) or they have only had 1-2 booths staffed with cast members, creating a slightly longer wait that early in the morning. Either way at DAK is efficient and fine with me. DHS seems to be actively trying to scare people away from going into the parking lot if they put out cones.

 

[sachilles]

Boarding group size is a variable we can't see, and can alter our perception of what is happening.
I think the ride exit rate is the only way to really know what is going on.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Probably testing that it works.

Yes! Whenever you see something new initiated without any promotion, it’s a test.

 

[Hieraxx]

Some folks have been questioning early transportation. We preferred walking but in the 12 min walk from BWV two days I saw at least 2 boats during walk and skyliner certainly was running at 530. Did not see any buses dropping off. I saw multiple boats before and after so clearly they anticipated folks getting up early. All in all an enjoyable two mornings.

 

[SirBill]

Some folks have been questioning early transportation. We preferred walking but in the 12 min walk from BWV two days I saw at least 2 boats during walk and skyliner certainly was running at 530. Did not see any buses dropping off. I saw multiple boats before and after so clearly they anticipated folks getting up early. All in all an enjoyable two mornings.

In my early morning walks over I saw boats and the skyliner also - but from having stayed at a skyliner resort, even if you see the skyliner moving does not mean they are picking up people. It may be running for hours before they start to let passengers board... Also one morning even with it running, they were about ten minutes late letting people on from the declared opening time. So even though I love the skyliner if the timing is close it may not be good to rely on it very early in the morning. Great for getting back though!

I've also seen the boats doing a test run also, where they passed me on the river but did not dock with people at HS, just turned around.

 

[mechteach1]

Wonder why Hollywood Studios cones off their parking booths. We've done early rope drops at Animal Kingdom many times and they've either been closed (but you could drive through) or they have only had 1-2 booths staffed with cast members, creating a slightly longer wait that early in the morning. Either way at DAK is efficient and fine with me. DHS seems to be actively trying to scare people away from going into the parking lot if they put out cones.

We are going to be driving - what do people do if the cones are out and you need to park. Just wait for them to remove the cones eventually? Thanks for any insight!

 

[dina444444]

Some folks have been questioning early transportation. We preferred walking but in the 12 min walk from BWV two days I saw at least 2 boats during walk and skyliner certainly was running at 530. Did not see any buses dropping off. I saw multiple boats before and after so clearly they anticipated folks getting up early. All in all an enjoyable two mornings.

Did the skyliner have actual guests on it though? I’ve seen the lines running overnight when it’s not open for guests.

 

[MIChessGuy]

We are going to be driving - what do people do if the cones are out and you need to park. Just wait for them to remove the cones eventually? Thanks for any insight!

I will be finding out when I drive in from offsite on January 19. This will be the first time in almost 50 years of theme park visits that I'll be showing up at such an hour. (My idea of a holiday normally does not include any association with "5:00 a.m. ") All I know is, early early early, far right tapstile but slightly away from the right edge, and the app will need a minute to realize that I'm in the park.

 

[yulilin3]

In retrospect, opening GE in phases seems like a genius move.

Hindsight is always 20/20

 

[Opie100]

Boarding group size is a variable we can't see, and can alter our perception of what is happening.
I think the ride exit rate is the only way to really know what is going on.

Is ride exit rate is tracked online? I imagine they can alter boarding group size... but it doesn't feel there's much benefit in it unless there is something severely wrong. While there's no guarantee (since we get BG numbers and not return times), establishing a rhythm to this thing aids guests and impacts customer sat to some extent.

 

[Weedy]

So even if you get up at stupid o clock and get a boarding group, you still might not get to ride? Is that correct? It’s going to be a nightmare trying to get there with our 5,3 and 1 year old super early anyway (and we are relying on Disney buses) and we would be gutted not to get to ride. Does your BG roll over to the next day if it doesn’t get you on that day? Really dreading HS now! Thanks for any help

FYI: RotR has a height requirement of 40” and Smugglers Run 38”. BG’s are only needed for RotR

 

[NYHeel]

In some ways this is better and let's more people that show up at "rope drop" the chance vs people just getting lucky if they happen to check when they reopen the BGs at some random point in the day

Really think this is just a way for them to offer more BGs without having to compensate people if there are technical issuez

I disagree. The boarding groups are mostly working really well. The only flaw is that you have to be at the park very early (regardless of the park open time, 7:30 is very early, especially on a vacation) in order to get one. With that in mind, the backup boarding groups would be a great way to give a change to later arriving guests to get one. They can open them at an announced later time, say around 4:00 - 5:30 PM and ensure that nobody can ride twice in the same day. This would be a much better way to give out extra boarding groups than simply giving guests who missed the regular boarding groups by 5-15 minutes.

 

[saxman]

We are going to be driving - what do people do if the cones are out and you need to park. Just wait for them to remove the cones eventually? Thanks for any insight!

We've visiting on Friday and have been planning on driving in to the park. Anyone else experienced problems like the booths not being operating yet? We're planning on getting there 5:45-6:00ish.

 

[jldeahl]

I will be finding out when I drive in from offsite on January 19. This will be the first time in almost 50 years of theme park visits that I'll be showing up at such an hour. (My idea of a holiday normally does not include any association with "5:00 a.m. ") All I know is, early early early, far right tapstile but slightly away from the right edge, and the app will need a minute to realize that I'm in the park.

What’s this about ‘the far right tapstile but slightly away from the right edge’? (Apologies, I’m sure I’m asking folks to repeat what’s already in this forum but there are an intimidating number of posts to sift through!)

 

[hiroMYhero]

We've visiting on Friday and have been planning on driving in to the park. Anyone else experienced problems like the booths not being operating yet? We're planning on getting there 5:45-6:00ish.

At that arrival time you’ll be fine. There will be a good amount of cars already filling the lot.

 

[Opie100]

I disagree. The boarding groups are mostly working really well. The only flaw is that you have to be at the park very early (regardless of the park open time, 7:30 is very early, especially on a vacation) in order to get one. With that in mind, the backup boarding groups would be a great way to give a change to later arriving guests to get one. They can open them at an announced later time, say around 4:00 - 5:30 PM and ensure that nobody can ride twice in the same day. This would be a much better way to give out extra boarding groups than simply giving guests who missed the regular boarding groups by 5-15 minutes.

If today is a guide, the backup groups will fill in 30-45 mins after the regular BGs are filled. Assuming you can't concurrently hold both a regular and backup BG, few will finish the ride in time to then add the backup while there's any remaining (assuming you are allowed a backup after completing the regular BG).

 

[heapmaster]

I think they are doing less people per BG or less breaking down today, seems like it’s going faster....or maybe it’s just me.

 

[NYHeel]

If today is a guide, the backup groups will fill in 30-45 mins after the regular BGs are filled. Assuming you can't concurrently hold both a regular and backup BG, few will finish the ride in time to then add the backup while there's any remaining (assuming you are allowed a backup after completing the regular BG).

I'm saying that they should open the backup boarding groups much later in the day, in the early evening, to give later arriving guests a chance to ride.

 

[Nikki6192]

Hi, everyone, I've read through this thread-- but now the park will be opening at 6 AM during the time between Xmas and New Year's. UGH. We're planning to go on 12/30, and am wondering how this would change your plans. Will a lot of people realistically get there at 5 AM if the park is opening at 6? Would 5:30 be safe to get a boarding group? We're coming from near Tampa, so have an hour drive to the park. Any thoughts are welcome.