DC Bureau of Engraving and Printing--how early to get in line?
 

DH and I want to get in line early enough to secure tickets to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. How early should we arrive?
Can you recommend a narrated DC tour with a van or min-bus? We are trying to avoid the larger group tours. Not in good enough shape to do bicycle tour, and afraid of Segway.
A big thank you to all who responded to my earlier post on our DC itinerary. We arrive in DC tomorrow night. Any last minute suggestions?

I know I recommended that you get in line for your tickets before your stated time of 8:15am. Based on what I have read recently here and on Trip Advisor, I would suggest you be in line between 7am and 7:30 am if getting BEP tickets is a priority for you. It's still the busy tourist season here and you can expect lots of people wanting BEP tickets. (You may find there aren't many people waiting from 7 - 7:30 am, but you never know. Better safe than sorry.)
I don't know of any small narrated tour buses, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out a Segway tour. You don't have to be in fabulous shape to do these tours--just be able to stand for 2+ hours. However, it may be a moot point because I wouldn't be surprised if all the Segway tours for the upcoming week are booked. It's a popular tour because they are a ton of fun!
It's not going to be as hot for the next week as it has been lately, but you still need to drink plenty of water.

Thanks, longhorn55. I think we will try to get in line no later than 7:20.

In case anyone else wants to know -- our expereince on Friday, August 5. We arrived at the line around between 7:15 and 7:30 am. The man in front of us actually counted and said there were 40 people in line ahead of us. To be safe, I would plan on arriving no later than 7:45 am.

Was it worth it to get in line this early? I've lived in DC for 17 years and never done this tour.

MikeT, that is hard to answer. To be honest, I would not have even considered the tour until DH said it was at the top of his list of "must sees." After taking the tour, I would say it is interesting to see how money is made, and the tour is not so long as to be boring. Because the tours are only given on weekdays, and we were in town for only one weekday, we had to arrange our entire schedule around getting in line early enough for tickets.