theluckyrabbit
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
If the hardware and software all work, the stars align, and the person doesn't panic, then I agree that getting a BG shouldn't be too difficult. Stressful, yes. Difficult? Not overly. But... we've had reports of people "doing everything right," and still coming up against glitches that they didn't foresee, e.g. frozen apps, greyed out buttons, tickets that couldn't be deleted, etc. -- and when these things happen unexpectedly, people can panic. And that can make getting a BG very difficult when the seconds are ticking away.I do not really agree that it is as hard as you are making it out to be.
Earlier in this thread I posted an experience with a friend who was at DLR last weekend to ride ROTR with his DS13 and DW and knew nothing about BGs or really DLR. He was successful. Basically this was the minimalist advice I gave and he followed:
He got BG28 that day.
- Show up at 6:45 at security for an 8AM opening (I emphasized this)
- Before you arrive, have the latest DLR app downloaded on your phone and as many people in your family as you can manage - with everyone on your account
- Have your park tickets linked in the app beforehand
- Read/scan a strategy blog ahead of time so you know what the screen will look like for BGs beforehand (this is optional - I sent him one from DisneyTouristBlog)
- Have everyone start trying for a BG at 8AM sharp
Example: a friend and her son went last Sunday, got up at 5:30 am to be in line at the gates by 6:30 am, ready to go on Main Street by opening. Followed all your points -- and at 8 am got a pop-up saying that her ticket showed she wasn't in the park. Ugh. All that time and prep for nothing. Never occurred to her to test earlier by using MP to get FPs. So in a situation like this, getting a BG looks like a very difficult process. (If the time pressure weren't so great, I think this whole process would be much easier for people -- even having 5 minutes instead of 1 would be a help -- with a few minutes, she could have gone to a plaid and maybe gotten a Backup Group.)
Yay!
Thanks for reporting back on using the kiosk and congratulations!
WooHoo!
It does say that you have to scan into DL first. The first three posts get updated regularly, so the info can change (especially if the BG process changes) -- keep checking those first posts for the latest info! And be aware that CMs may tell you that it won't work to scan into DCA after first scanning into DL to get a BG; but they are incorrect.
Be careful about special event tickets and pre-paid parking, too -- If you've bought them, those will show up in your app and will need to be deselected!
At this point, the "best" way is the way that works best for each person. We've shown in this thread that there are "better" ways that work for Android, for iPhone, for data, for free wifi, on days with MM, on days without MM, etc. People just need to figure out what works for them and go with that.
They don't need to know EVERYTHING, only what will work for them and some basic prep.
And in the process of all this ridiculousness, I like to think that we've all made some friends here, 'embracing the madness' together! Because who wants to embrace the madness alone? You point the way... and we will follow.
I've updated the first page (FAQs) with this information. Thanks for posting! (And DCA's City Hall is Chamber of Commerce!)
