1) Am I right to assume there is no point in having tix for both a 1 and 4pm on same day? you can only go through the process (for lack of better term) for one of the shows per day. That's not to say that u go for the 1pm, and if they are for some reason short people for the 4pm, they ask you to stick around.
In other words, theres no way to actually typically get into two tapings on the same day the way it is set up currently?!
If they are short for the 4pm (which happens, but I would highly doubt will happen next week), they will ask people from the 1pm to come around and fill in. These people
do get processed again, but do
not have to show a ticket. (At least, that was my experience two months ago. Your mileage may vary.) So, I would say that no, the only reason to have tickets for both tapings is if you don't want to decide which taping to go to until the very last moment.
2) ***most important in my opinion **** how are the lineups generally right now to get your order of arrival passes? I know every day is different, but has this season required people to be there at 3am? 2am, 11pm night before? ....or was that just for the Barker era finales (Nov 06 - Apr 07...)? Any general info is great, and I will plan accordingly. Is that "Best Bagel in town" guy open early.? oh I love that guy - those flashing christmas lights around his sign..... : )
Looking forward to the journey and the experience! Getting pumped here!
Mostly for the Barker finales, but MDS tapings will have bigger crowds...
especially now that everyone knows how easy it is to win the million dollars.
I showed up at 2:15am for the first MDS tapings and was something like #26 in line. I wouldn't the lines to be
quite that short...but you'll get in for sure at 3am, and probably still have decent seats.
One more trick...if you decide to go to the 4pm taping, but get in line at the same time you would anyway, you will have better seats than if you go to the 1pm taping. People going to the late taping just don't get in line as quickly.