I'm all for the ROTR virtual queue, BUT

[Laura's Dad]

Have you used it? Did you get to ride on your first try? As someone whose first try was a fail (they didn't reach my backup BG) and had to get up early a second day,
with a spouse who had technical problems during our second try (while I was successful on same model phone 100 feet away), "fair" is not an adjective that came to mind over the past two days.
It does not mean that I hate the VQ or don't understand why it's being used. But there is a lot of randomness and luck (both good and bad) involved.

I used it twice before the new lottery after the park entrance thing that they are doing now. I think I mentioned in my post that it has changed into more of a crap shoot now. I do think, however , that it is safer than the previous system that we experienced where everyone was jammed into the area before the turnstiles trying to get everyone in to join this BG. I would agree that BGs being gone in a minute is disconcerting. I do, however, think that the VQ is much better than lines that go fit 4-5 hours. There’s just not enough time to allow everyone that wants to ride this attraction to ride it. People on the first couple of days were getting to ride twice while others were shut out. That’s not fair.

 

[yulilin3]

I think the fairness aspects comes from the fact that everyone is on the same starting level. On site, off site, if you are there before official park opening you will have the same chance to get it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think the fairness aspects comes from the fact that everyone is on the same starting level. On site, off site, if you are there before official park opening you will have the same chance to get it.

I agree in general, the only issue now if that the main BGs are going so fast now that if you have any sort of tech issue you likely won't get one. Now I guess the odds of a tech issue are the same for everyone so maybe it is still "fair" but something still feels "wrong" when someone can do everything right but then because of something beyond their control they get shut out.

Problem is, I can't think of a better system - but doesn't ease frustrations for those that get tech issues

 

[yulilin3]

I agree in general, the only issue now if that the main BGs are going so fast now that if you have any sort of tech issue you likely won't get one. Now I guess the odds of a tech issue are the same for everyone so maybe it is still "fair" but something still feels "wrong" when someone can do everything right but then because of something beyond their control they get shut out.

Problem is, I can't think of a better system - but doesn't ease frustrations for those that get tech issues

definitely wrong. It truly sucks. If only DHS didn't have the accessibility by foot that it has it would be much easier to control

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Have you used it? Did you get to ride on your first try? As someone whose first try was a fail (they didn't reach my backup BG) and had to get up early a second day,
with a spouse who had technical problems during our second try (while I was successful on same model phone 100 feet away), "fair" is not an adjective that came to mind over the past two days.
It does not mean that I hate the VQ or don't understand why it's being used. But there is a lot of randomness and luck (both good and bad) involved.

I think the current system was really good when it was taking 20-30 mins for main BGs to fill up. When that was the case basically everyone there prior to park opening got a regular BG. Maybe a number higher than they were hoping, but still.

Now that they are going so fast and any small tech issues means you likely won't get a main BG and it isn't nearly as good. Not sure what would be better but if this continues (and isn't just driven by holiday crowds combined with Passholder blsckouts being lifted) they may have to try something

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I agree in general, the only issue now if that the main BGs are going so fast now that if you have any sort of tech issue you likely won't get one. Now I guess the odds of a tech issue are the same for everyone so maybe it is still "fair" but something still feels "wrong" when someone can do everything right but then because of something beyond their control they get shut out.

Problem is, I can't think of a better system - but doesn't ease frustrations for those that get tech issues

That is my big issue as well. Being there when the VQ opens should all but guarantee a spot that day, and if it doesn’t something needs to change IMO.

If this keeps up it is a lottery, and I would rather see that lottery held outside the park so those who miss out didn’t have to drag themselves and/or their party to a park bright and early just to miss out. I would be okay with whatever restrictions they put on this to make it happen. If it’s one ride per period of time, okay. Another option (although less beneficial to certain parties who couldn’t take advantage) is allowing BG to be secured for those who are not inside the park.

 

[cseca]

I agree. We went (3 people) on the 24th and got BG 20. No issue.
We went on 29th... pouring rain with opening time 6am. And the app keeps saying we are already in a BG (without showing us the BG number we are in) but my DH (the 4th person) wasn’t. So we lined up for those blue umbrella CMs and was told that we are already in it (minus DH) on BG 84 and they added DH to our BG. I was so annoyed. After waking up at 4am, getting to the park at 5:15 and standing in the rain for 45min only to encounter an app problem.
So yeah crap shoot is totally right but unfortunately VQ is still the fairest system available without standing in line for 12hrs and a high chance to be trampled by people “running” to attractions.

 

[Miffy]

As soon as WDW opens 2 or 3 other rides that are as amazing as RotR, this problem will resolve itself. Until then? I'm not sure. I was lucky and was there on Dec 13 and 14, before the park-opening, join-a-BG system started, and getting there early was basically a guaranteed BG.

There must be a better way to handle it than what's going on right now, with the BGs filling up in 60 seconds. But somehow I don't think allowing people who aren't in the park to join BGs would alleviate this situation. I'm picturing BGs gone within 5 seconds or less if you didn't have to be there.

Also, as someone who was privileged to be able to ride twice on consecutive days, I kinda doubt that restricting people to riding only once in a 10-day period, for example, would do much to change things. It's not like there're thousands of people who did this. Of course I don't have the actual data to back up my surmise, so it's just a guess. What I'm getting at is that limiting the number of times you could ride in a period of X days would probably still not solve this problem.

This difficulty involves a ride with a lot of segments, any one of which could break down and a heckuva lot of people who're psyched to experience it. As word gets out more, even more people will want to experience it. WDW must be working on doing the best they can with this. When SWGE opened, it seemed like maybe it wasn't going to be the grand success WDW had counted on. But now? Now it seems like SWGE is a success way beyond anything they expected.

I think the Star Wars hotel is also going to be a gigantic success, despite its probably very steep price.

ETA: Stayed tuned for special ticketed SWGE events. It seems inevitable.

 

[yulilin3]

As soon as WDW opens 2 or 3 other rides that are as amazing as RotR, this problem will resolve itself. Until then? I'm not sure. I was lucky and was there on Dec 13 and 14, before the park-opening, join-a-BG system started, and getting there early was basically a guaranteed BG.

There must be a better way to handle it than what's going on right now, with the BGs filling up in 60 seconds. But somehow I don't think allowing people who aren't in the park to join BGs would alleviate this situation. I'm picturing BGs gone within 5 seconds or less if you didn't have to be there.

Also, as someone who was privileged to be able to ride twice on consecutive days, I kinda doubt that restricting people to riding only once in a 10-day period, for example, would do much to change things. It's not like there're thousands of people who did this. Of course I don't have the actual data to back up my surmise, so it's just a guess. What I'm getting at is that limiting the number of times you could ride in a period of X days would probably still not solve this problem.

This difficulty involves a ride with a lot of segments, any one of which could break down and a heckuva lot of people who're psyched to experience it. As word gets out more, even more people will want to experience it. WDW must be working on doing the best they can with this. When SWGE opened, it seemed like maybe it wasn't going to be the grand success WDW had counted on. But now? Now it seems like SWGE is a success way beyond anything they expected.

I think the Star Wars hotel is also going to be a gigantic success, despite its probably very steep price.

ETA: Stayed tuned for special ticketed SWGE events. It seems inevitable.

As for a swge paid event they would need to get RotR being as reliable as MFSR is now and by then that would solve the problem of people wanting to ride during regular time

 

[Davey Jones II]

I understand that the virtual queue is the only viable option for now, considering that the ROTR craze shows no signs of abating. But how long is showing up before RD going to be the ONLY option for riding this new E Ticket? The GE rides need to go on the fast pass system at some point (my suggestion: when Runaway Railway opens).

 

[Weedy]

The GE rides need to go on the fast pass system at some point (my suggestion: when Runaway Railway opens).

Fast pass will only serve a small majority of people so everyone else will need to wait in a hours long line. I feel BG’s is still the best way

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Fast pass will only serve a small majority of people so everyone else will need to wait in a hours long line. I feel BG’s is still the best way

I wonder if they would then mix the two ... meaning, add FP but then use the virtual queue/boarding pass for the standby line

 

[Weedy]

I wonder if they would then mix the two ... meaning, add FP but then use the virtual queue/boarding pass for the standby
That would make getting BG’s even worse than it is now

 

[Weedy]

I wonder if they would then mix the two ... meaning, add FP but then use the virtual queue/boarding pass for the standby line

That would make getting a BG even worse than it is now

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That would make getting a BG even worse than it is now

Agreed but better than being in a 10 hour standby line if 80% of capacity is going to FPs that at gone at 180+10 days

 

[Weedy]

My opinion is to leave it as it is. Best for everyone. Or a least everyone who can’t get a Fast Pass

 

[Davey Jones II]

All I`m saying is that getting up at the crack of dawn shouldn`t be the ONLY option forever. One reason for FP+ is that not everyone wants to get to the park for EMH or RD -- some visitors prefer to tour by getting to the parks later. Otherwise, why keep them open until 9 or 10 p.m.?

Even if this ride remains the most popular one at WDW, that doesn`t spell 10 hour standby waits day after day, year after year. Every craze abates, sooner or later. Yes, FOP remains wildly popular, but it is on the FP system, and that`s worked out okay. And the wait time is usually a couple hours, not 10.

Let`s not forget that major new attractions will be opening by the end of 2021, and they will take pressure off ROTR, because it won`t be the newest goodie anymore (even IF it`s still considered the best). Four new rides, at least two of which will be E Tickets, are opening soon.

 

[Jennasis]

All I`m saying is that getting up at the crack of dawn shouldn`t be the ONLY option forever. One reason for FP+ is that not everyone wants to get to the park for EMH or RD -- some visitors prefer to tour by getting to the parks later. Otherwise, why keep them open until 9 or 10 p.m.?

Even if this ride remains the most popular one at WDW, that doesn`t spell 10 hour standby waits day after day, year after year. Every craze abates, sooner or later. Yes, FOP remains wildly popular, but it is on the FP system, and that`s worked out okay. And the wait time is usually a couple hours, not 10.

Let`s not forget that major new attractions will be opening by the end of 2021, and they will take pressure off ROTR, because it won`t be the newest goodie anymore (even IF it`s still considered the best). Four new rides, at least two of which will be E Tickets, are opening soon.

How is it ANY different from the first several months of FoP where you literally had to be awake and on the computer at 7am sharp to get any chance of a fast pass and even then you had to try for the last day of your trip. And let's not forget we just went through the busiest 2 weeks of the year! Boarding groups will get easier to get at rope drop and beyond. Will you still be able to get one at NOON? No. Never. But if there was just a standby line or even FP you wouldn't be able to show up at noon and have a prayer of riding before the end of the day anyway or any FP left.

Eventually the fervor dies down and wait times normalize (45-60 minutes for the popular ones on quiet days) and availability opens up. But it will be a while.

 

[AngiTN]

All I`m saying is that getting up at the crack of dawn shouldn`t be the ONLY option forever. One reason for FP+ is that not everyone wants to get to the park for EMH or RD -- some visitors prefer to tour by getting to the parks later. Otherwise, why keep them open until 9 or 10 p.m.?

At least it's just 1 day out of a trip. You don't have to do it everyday. Schedule the FP for later in the day on all the other days. Anyone can manage for 1 little ole day. Even my 56 yo DH who otherwise sleeps like a 15 yo old boy, staying up till 3AM and sleeping till noon. He has never.ever out grown that. At this point, I'm resigned that he never will. Luckily, he'll be retiring before long and go revert back to his old ways

 

[Davey Jones II]

How is it ANY different from the first several months of FoP where you literally had to be awake and on the computer at 7am sharp to get any chance of a fast pass and even then you had to try for the last day of your trip. And let's not forget we just went through the busiest 2 weeks of the year! Boarding groups will get easier to get at rope drop and beyond. Will you still be able to get one at NOON? No. Never. But if there was just a standby line or even FP you wouldn't be able to show up at noon and have a prayer of riding before the end of the day anyway or any FP left.

Eventually the fervor dies down and wait times normalize (45-60 minutes for the popular ones on quiet days) and availability opens up. But it will be a while.

You have to be up that early for ALL your FPs, not just FOP. And then you can go back to bed...