I was able to ride today (Saturday). It is as incredible as everyone says it is. But it was not without effort. I arrived at the park at ~8am on Friday (published park open at 9am). The sandwich board signs were already out saying all boarding passes had been distributed. I was a single rider and kept trying and got boarding group 88 on Friday just after I entered. Estimated time was evening. I verified that I could leave the park and not lose my place -- but the CM did suggest a screenshot my status just to be safe. Note you have 2 hours to join once your boarding group has been called. I was not initially optimistic as they got through ~2 boarding groups in 4 hours. But in the afternoon it seemed to pick up and when it got to 70 (I was 88) I decided to head back in.
I bided my time at Baseline Tap. From there saw the X-wing drones fly … SO cool. My boarding group was called ~6:50pm and made it through most of the "pre-show" areas only to be evacuated just before where you'd board the ride vehicles. It took them a while ~30 min to evac us. We received a paper FP in case the ride came back up that night as well as an electronic FP to our magic band for Saturday. I have an AP so I didn't ask questions but the way the CM explained it to me was that IF you didn't have a park ticket for the following day one was attached but I didn't get the impression it was something I could use further in the future or transfer to anyone else. I do see a 1-day in my
MDE though so maybe after my AP expires I could use it? Not sure.
What I saw in the part I did experience on Fri night was enough to get me to try again. I arrived in Batuu ~10:15am Sat and it was down again with no ETA. The line extended out of the land and almost back to Baseline Tap. Disappointing, but I will say there were tons of CMs out to answer questions. It's super frustrating, especially when so excited to ride, but I think the CMs may feel worse than we do. I feel for them having to deal with this stuff.
I went and watched the Star Wars stage show and browsed around and by ~11 they had called a new boarding group so it seemed like it was up and running.
The Fast Pass entrance is past the regular entrance. They were a little blasé in letting people through (they just ushered me in) but later in the queue they did collect the paper fast passes we've been given. Someone asked if you miss anything significant in the regular queue when you do FP. I don't think so. You miss some lockers with the orange flight suits (names in aurabesh on the suits and helmets), the “water suit” Finn wears in rehab, some weapon storage... but I wouldn't say anything that is a do-not-miss (though could be some easter eggs that are beyond me).
The FP line dumps you out just before the briefing area.
Thankfully all went smoothly this time and I loved every minute. I can't wait to ride again (but it will be a while - likely until can book a FP). Overall it is incredible, immersive, amazing and basically every superlative being used.
They do, however, need to figure out what is driving the downtime and fix it. I am semi-local, happened to be staying on property for a few days and had time to burn as I know I'll be back. If I'd invested a day and a half of a limited trip on this I'm not sure how I'd feel.
Happy to answer any questions. To those attempting to ride in the coming days -- may the force be with you!!