Hi all, We are back at GCH for a break, so I thought I would quickly post our experience today for our first try at ROTR.
0600: left GCH, no line whatsoever at security to get into DTD
0605: arrived at gates, no lines at MM only gates to far right, but we have APs and using EMH and several CMs could not tell me if we could use the 2 lines marked MM (as opposed to the other lines which were marked MM/EMH), so we got in a line marked MM/EMH to be safe. About 13 people in front of us. Regular entry lines already past the monorail and about 1/2 between monorail and DCA.
0640: (I think, was too hyped to look at phone) opened gates. Regular lines well past DCA. Our gate had immediate problems as CM was brand new and very frazzled and angry. She could not get first family’s tickets to scan, then finally retook their photos several times; next family is told by her that they already used their MM (they were staying onsite, so also had EMH); argument ensues, lead comes over, pulls them aside, takes tickets and leaves; next family has tickets and shows their DVC keys to GCH (which look different than our regular GCH keys) and she tells them that DVC doesn’t get you EMH, argument ensues, lead comes back with first family’s tickets, tells her DVC keys are good and overrides, lets first family in since they do have EMH; OUR turn finally!! Scans my AP and says it is expired and I can’t enter. She is fuming now as all the guests are anxious and nothing working. Calls lead over, takes our APs, we step aside. Next family shows no tickets valid. Lead brings our AP back, she has to override them and we finally enter. It was stressful and unnecessary for everyone; no idea why they put a clearly brand new CM on the gates at MM/EMH for ROTR weekend. We knew we had plenty of time, so stayed calm but it was nerve racking.
0700: pin trading. Walking up Main Street, and CM’s telling all EMH guests to have room keys out to get into Tomorrowland (blocked by the red corn dog wagon Area with ropes. Rest of non-EMH guests allowed up around the Hub on Main Street. We show keys and they let us into Tomorrowland (and you had to go this way if you wanted to get to FL also). Rode SM with no wait x 2, shopped, etc.
0735: Decided at 7:35 to start looking for good signals. We had 6 phones all logged into the app as me:
iPhone 7 WiFi only
iphone 10 Wifi only
iphone 10R Verizon
iphone 10R Verizon
iphone 10 Verizon
iphone 11 AT&T
There were 4 of us, so DD14 and I each had one WiFi phone and one Verizon cell phone. DD12 had her Verizon cell and DH his ATT cell. DD14 and I stood near Buzz gift shop per @wonkakid’s advice for good WiFi (had good Wifi and cell here). DD12 and DH went to train station loading area and neither had a signal so they walked over to the entrance the Subs). We put one WiFi phone and one Verizon 10R with app already open. All other phones, we hard-closed app prior to 8. Crowds were thick but not insane at Buzz FP kiosks (there was a line of 20-30 there right at 7am and it grew) with people who had no phones or were hedging bets on an IT issue.
I used my Apple Watch to count the seconds. Right at 8, we all opened app, but those that were already opened went to Find out More and got red button immediately. I got the red button immediately on both my WiFi phone and my Verizon cell but the app had to open. DH never got the red button at all on ATT cell. I immediately got “you are already in a boarding group” on both my Wifi and Verizon phones. DD12 and DD14 are not sure which of them actually got the group, so it was either Verizon cell or WiFi, but both phones that got in the fastest ALREADY had the app open when 8am hit. I know that is counter to what people at WDW were recommending (they recommended hard-close app and open right at 8, which also worked, but was not as fast as app open for our family). Got BG 14!!!!!!
Rode Buzz, Pirates, and group called right at 845. In line at 9am, on at 933, off around 10. Line moved continuously, and no breakdowns. Loved the ride and will try tomorrow but the process will be a little different since no EMH.
Right after we got our BG, APs disappeared from phone and would not let me book MP (though I had booked MP right at going through gates at 0700, so it was working earlier). Kept telling me to purchase MP for our AP, even though we already have MP!! We didn’t want to waste time at GS, and about 9 or so, the app was showing a message that all MP was down. But then I was able to book one anyway?? It was weird. I think the whole system crashed this AM.
So grateful to all on these boards and the WDW boards, as all of your advice was valuable this AM. We also needed the Force because many people around us did not get BGs. It was very sad. Some had technical issues, some had parties that were showing as not in the park. My Advice there is that if you can, try to book a MP right after entering the park (before BGs drop). If you can do that for all in the party, then you know it recognizes you as all in the park. If not, it will error on the MP booking and you will hopefully have time to go to GS before BGs drop.
MTFBW everyone (including us!) as we try again tomorrow!!!!
I hope it works out and BGs start lasting more than a few minutes on a consistent basis. 10-15 minutes would be nice!
