A bit more about our morning...
Done with 5k and in the runD resort buses around 6:25am. Our plan was to take a bus to the Epcot resorts (they all often share for the races) and get off at the first spot.
Buses didn’t actually leave until just after 7 as the course/bus route shared a section in the Epcot parking lot and the course needed to clear first. This was fine as it is very cold/misty rain/windy here and sitting on a warm bus vs sitting outside at DHS was fine with me, but I did sort of start to get a bit antsy since it took awhile.
First bus stop was BWI so we got off and walked over.
Short security line 4-5 people deep at 7:30am.
Tapstyles at 7:34am, just 3-5 people deep.
My last RotR attempt was 1/2 when they weren’t letting people as deep into the park as they are now. With the current setup, getting in at this time (30 mins before park opening) was pretty much like a ‘normal’ park arrival experience. Steady inflow of people but nothing crazy or chaotic. I’m sure crowds to the lands were far more stout, but on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard, it was borderline pleasant. I would dare say they ‘felt’ light.
Got coffee at the snack stand just to the right on Sunset Blvd, wait was only 8 people.
We were wet/cold from the run so opted to hide out in that inside area by the Brown Derby entrance. It had full data and Wifi bars, and we just wanted out of the wind - so seemed like as good a spot as any.
There were maybe 12 or so others in there, so we all shared some jovial chatter, stories, plans. Helped a guy next to us who was very clueless. Unfortunately he didn’t know the rest of his family needed to be in the park (but did get a BG for himself, so he was happy).
Just me and DW, no assists from friends/family. She did data, I did in park Wifi (for no particular reason other than I was just curious).
I opened the app 15 or so seconds before 8am. She kept hers open the whole time and just toggled back and forth. I could never get Join Boarding Group to turn on no matter how I refreshed (flashbacks of my experience 1/2). There were a chaotic few seconds and then DW said she got one (BG 69), at what felt like 8:00:30’ish or 40’ish, but that’s an imprecise observation.
For those keeping score, that’s DW 2, me 0. Her mockery of my continued failures is in full force.
The vibe around us was mostly cheers but also some visibly frustrated folks, pretty similar to my last attempt.
We met a lovely family a bit later while waiting for rideshare who seemed well-versed in the process. They said they failed to get one a few days ago, but wanted to give it another shot today (their last day). They got 62, so with any luck today it will be a good day for them.
Barring catastrophe, our BG 69 should get called. DW didn’t get to ride in Jan during our first attempt (got called too late in the day and opted to put DD to bed rather than stay up too late), so she’ll now hopefully get to ride.
So, a reasonable outcome all things considered.
. More waiting.
