So far, and it can change, anyone with early access to the parks (breakfast reservations, EMH, EMM) still has to wait until the official opening park time to play the server lottery.
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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opening reports and using Boarding Groups at Disneyland
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
So far, and it can change, anyone with early access to the parks (breakfast reservations, EMH, EMM) still has to wait until the official opening park time to play the server lottery.
SoCalMort
Well-Known Member
But on those mornings if I don’t have early access can I get past the entrance turnstiles before opening time to be in place for the lottery?
You should. They let people in past rope droppers all the time for early morning stuff.
Nirya
Well-Known Member
Yes. Even without EMH, they open the turnstiles rather early (I want to say gen public was 40+ minutes before rope drop) and most of Main Street is open.
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
sorry Darkbeer i have to disagree
as a person that has traveled to over 60 countries around the world i can almost be sure that 99% of the people that travel to the states on vacation have a phone that works. Most countries also offer them excellent data packages when abroad.
you would be surprised how advanced many countries are when it comes to electronics, i have been to countries that have actually surprised me at how much more they have embraced technology then us. I have more problems here when it comes to phone signals and connectivity then i have had any any oher country including places like India, Africa, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and even Ushuia in the southern most town in the world.
most international phones run on GSM networks like T-Mobile and AT&T. here networks run on GSM and CDMA. Sprint and Verizon run on CDMA so that shouldn't be a problem.
Also it would be wrong to think that anyone that is traveling here to the states and spending that kind of money will not be prepared with something as simple as a phone that doesn't work here.
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RobWDW1971
Well-Known Member
Just sad we now have to spend our days on our phones at Disney parks - booking Boarding Groups, refreshing for fastpasses, etc, etc. Used to be the goal of the park was for everyone to put down their phones and spend time together and enjoy being in the moment and place.
On our last trip to WDW, compared to the Disney parks, I so enjoyed my days at the Universal parks - no need to take phone out of the pocket, no FastPasses, no timed rides and meals, just wander through the parks and enjoy a spontaneous day. It doesn’t need to be this way.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Well that clearly went easy for you if you're already done and headed home!
TP2000
Well-Known Member
For me personally, the whole thing went extremely well. I was thrilled. But it's a nerve-wracking lottery that doesn't seem sustainable long-term. I'll save my review on the ride for the other thread where it belongs, and here's my Deep Thoughts on the App/Boarding Group process in my favorite Good, Bad, and Ugly format....
International House of Pancakes Presents: TP2000 Immersed in Star Wars: Rise Before Dawn, Powered by Lyft
The Good
- It worked for me! I got Boarding Group 36. In the two days leading up to this morning I read all I could on App tricks and strategies. I made sure I had the latest App update yesterday. My phone was fully charged and I only used it for the Disneyland App from the moment I tipped my Lyft driver until I exited the ride five hours later. My iPhone was on a focused mission!
- As a not-young man on the coldest morning of the winter, I did finger stretches and warm ups beginning 10 minutes before 9am. I got myself to a quiet spot near the Main Street train depot where I had excellent AT&T coverage and could focus. And then I waited...
- I was so proud of myself because at the stroke of 9am my cold n' old fingers performed flawlessly, I poked and swiped like a pro, and within seconds I was rewarded with Boarding Group 36. (If I was any better at poking and swiping, I would have ended up with a Boarding Group and a Tinder date!)
- It was just me, with no linked tickets or any burdensome issues, so maybe that helped me shoot thru. But somehow I won the lottery.
- And yes, thousands of people on Main Street USA let out a collective cheer if they were also winners. That part was very surreal.
- Boarding Group 36 was called just after 11:30am, so no long nail-biting waits for me.
- Security screening coming from Harbor Blvd. was not good, not efficient. The place was mobbed with tourist families streaming in from all the Harbor Blvd. hotels and all buzzing about the Resistance ride and Boarding Groups. But the security guards working there acted like it was just another lazy weekday morning. You guys, you've got thousands of customers in a high stress environment trying to get into the park, so show some hustle and some compassion for their cause!! Disneyland needs to figure out how to act like Universal Studios when it comes to security screening, especially now with Boarding Groups.
- The park turnstiles weren't much better. Lines were long and slow moving, CM's had no sense of urgency or care, and if you don't give yourself at least 45 minutes for the security/turnstile process you have already lost the lottery.
- My sense of euphoria over winning Boarding Group 36 only lasted a minute or two as I walked down Main Street. Along the street there were several families with a Mom or Dad still struggling with their phones and not looking happy. One family near Coke Corner had two bawling elementary school aged children as Dad looked frantically at his phone, which I assumed was due to them losing the lottery. The initial cheer from the winners quickly devolved into frustrated scenes for all the losers. It was not fun to watch or be around. And there's nothing you can do to help them.
- This can't be how this works long-term. It's just not fair or nice to put your customers through this. The App is only in English, not Spanish, Japanese, French or German. A lottery system just leads to heartbreak and frustration for the losers. I get why they have to do it this way, but it's just not a nice way to treat people.
- The ride never opens on time. By 9:30am the ride still hadn't opened for the day. I began to worry. At 9:40am I was checking the App every minute or two and still nothing. By 9:45am it suddenly opened and began calling Boarding Groups. They had 12 hours to turn this ride around after last night, and they still can't make it. That's not acceptable when the ride operates this poorly day after day after day.
- Lyft. It obviously doesn't work for everyone, but for those of us in Orange County it is a fast and easy way to get to and from the park. No more dealing with that parking mess and the crowded and slow buses and trams!
- International House of Pancakes. They've got a "NO DISNEYLAND DROP OFFS!" sign now right in front, and I got the stink-eye from the hostess as my obvious Lyft (A nerdy Prius with Lyft stickers everywhere) dropped me off because she thought I was only going to Disneyland. But as I walked up to her at the door I said "Don't worry, I'm only here for the pancakes!" and we both laughed. I was rewarded for my good humor by being seated in a prime corner banquette serviced by the restaurant's most charming and efficient waitress. The Silver Dollar pancakes were the exact size of a silver dollar, the ham was the tastiest I've had since last Easter, the coffee was hot and free-flowing, and I was properly fueled for the day.
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TP2000
Well-Known Member
I just checked Thrill Data to see where I fell in this morning's frenzy. It looks exactly like what I experienced; a delayed opening at 9:45am, with several hours of a slow but steady march of Boarding Groups fueling people into about an hour long line in the queue and pre-shows.
But it looks like the ride broke down just after I left the park and it's been closed and stuck on Boarding Group 67 now for almost two hours.
But it looks like the ride broke down just after I left the park and it's been closed and stuck on Boarding Group 67 now for almost two hours.
Wait Time for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland - Thrill-Data
Learn what to ride and when with wait times at Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, Cedar Point, and more
www.thrill-data.com
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
this is true and not just for Disney parks but everywhere. its sad to see how parents now use ipads and phones as replacement for parenting.
recently a cousin came to visit and we took them to a restaurant. first thing that happened when we arrived was to move stuff from table pull out ipads and set them up. the food came and the plate was set up on the side so ipad could be front and centered. not once did the child look up as she stared at the screen with expensive earphones.
we got back in car and movie continued and child still staring at ipad. got home and ipad still on.
pictures of them in universal pictures and a disney always showed the ipad.
pretty sad
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
after reading TP2000 post i was left to wonder.
do you guys think that someone might have a better chance if its only one or two person trying to get a boarding pass?
how does the system work and what is the cut off/ quantity of people that are allowed per boarding group? does it have a built in single rider program that fills in an empty spot in a group that maybe couldn’t accommodate a group of three or more?
Or does the number of people per boarding group fluctuate depending on whether the program needs to accommodate a group that might be more than the count of the group. does it compensate the group size as more groups are handed out?
do you guys think that someone might have a better chance if its only one or two person trying to get a boarding pass?
how does the system work and what is the cut off/ quantity of people that are allowed per boarding group? does it have a built in single rider program that fills in an empty spot in a group that maybe couldn’t accommodate a group of three or more?
Or does the number of people per boarding group fluctuate depending on whether the program needs to accommodate a group that might be more than the count of the group. does it compensate the group size as more groups are handed out?
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ProjectXBlog
Well-Known Member
this is something that didn’t even occur to me and really has a high probability of making the entire day a huge bummer. as someone who would be experiencing this alone, i can imagine looking at kids or families who didn’t get their shot and feel selfish. damned if i do, damned if i don’t. i would rather just wait in a ridiculously long line to avoid all that
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Correct me if I'm wrong, but DHS you can pretty much get guaranteed entry if you are there for park opening. Even if you have app issues?
I'm sure some good person has data on how long after park opening at DHS the boarding group that was actually called was distributed?
All of which is to say that I'm sure Disneyland will also be there in a few weeks, in which case it's less a lottery for getting on and more a lottery for timing.
I'm sure some good person has data on how long after park opening at DHS the boarding group that was actually called was distributed?
All of which is to say that I'm sure Disneyland will also be there in a few weeks, in which case it's less a lottery for getting on and more a lottery for timing.
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
can you imagine how some of those people must feel when they are walking down mainstreet and you have certain youtubers shouting out congratulations. worst of all they have a spot now where they shout out names high five and congratulate their friends. meanwhile family from whichita walks by coping with not being able to ride that day.
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flynnibus
Premium Member
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Wait Times at Hollywood Studios | Thrill Data
View current and historical wait time data and Genie Plus availability for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World on Thrill Data. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a Trackless Ride and Kid Friendly.
www.thrill-data.com
flynnibus
Premium Member
You've never seen a kid crying that they can't see what's going on at the fireworks or F!?
Same thing.. different attraction.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Wait Times at Hollywood Studios | Thrill Data
View current and historical wait time data and Genie Plus availability for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World on Thrill Data. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a Trackless Ride and Kid Friendly.www.thrill-data.com
Perfect. So really as long as you get yourself to DHS these days for opening, you can get on the ride, regardless of your luck with your phone.
I'm sure Disneyland will get there. The problem with DL is that backup boarding groups also disappear in minutes and not 90min post opening.
BUT it will change.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Pretty much. There are still days when its very competitive.. and there are days the total boarding #s don't meet the expectation.. but largely it's "do your part, you generally get in"
DL just has been pathetically behind in throughput and as such the # of boarding groups has been less. And this is the park that usually runs longer hours than DHS...
The DLanders hating on this haven't seemed to acknowledge that their problem is exaggerated in DL when in reality it should be much better than in DHS. But.. hey, let's just hate on the idea of having to be at the park at opening. That's the war cry
TP2000
Well-Known Member
It was tough to see the families struggling with their phones, looking around in a mild panic, kids freaking out, etc.
It just made me feel sad because there's absolutely nothing you can do for them, you can't give them your Fastpass, you can't give them any advice because the lottery had already ended, etc. It all just happens so fast; winners decided within 30 seconds, losers figure out they are losers within 2 or 3 minutes.
It wasn't a fun thing to see happen on Main Street USA, and it made me feel a bit guilty for winning.
Good questions. I might have been at an advantage this morning because I was a single, a confirmed bachelor no less, using the App with no linked tickets and no extra baggage as it were.
Not sure we'll ever know the answers to how the App decides the winners and the losers, but for me at least it went very smoothly and very quickly. And my mother always wondered why I never married!
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