Rough start

If you saw my Facebook post, you are aware that our trip got off to a horrible start. Flight from Ohare delayed almost an hour. This resulted in missing our connection to Helsinki then Budapest. We exited the plane and were met by a lovely women that proudly told us they rebooked our flight directly to Budapest. We were thrilled at that moment. We proceeded into Heathrow mall, walked around, got a snack thinking we are off to a good start. When we were suppose to start boarding the plane, the words, "please wait" appeared. Heathrow does not have waiting areas at the gates or agents. Everyone waits in the mall and when you flight is ready, " Go to gate" is on the screen in green. You have a maximum time of 20 minutes to hustle yourself to your gate.
We started getting concerned and there was no human to ask what was going on. The over the intercom, " Attention Britush Airways flyers, please remain in the mall area until further notice".  Now the masses are questioning what is going on, all BA flights on the screen have turned to "P,ease wait".
We decided to hike the almost mile back to the BA desk where we discovered hundreds of people waiting, yelling, asking questions, etc. Total confusion. We are now at least an hour past our flight time. BA to,d everyone to go claim their luggage. Sounds simple enough. Oh no. You must go thru Passport check before you are allowed to the baggage claim area. The two of us, along with every other BA passenger was in that line. 2 hours!
While all of this is going on, I am making calls to the cruise company informing them first of our change in flights and arrival time and then to cancelling our hotel and shuttle service.
There were hundreds of people in the baggage claim area. We could hardly walk to section 7. Luggage is piled up everywhere. Some people found theirs, others are searching thru rows, and we are watching the belt as more suitcases come out. Another 2 hours. I am calling the travel company and Verizon to increase my international plan bc the amount I purchased which normally would have covered our trip was almost already gone and I had more calls to make.
" All British Airway passengers must leave the baggage area. No more luggage will be brought out due to congestion. You luggage will remain at the airport and will be sorted out. You may file a claim or misplaced luggage. By going to our website or there are paper forms available. P,ease leave the area".  ( BA had an IT glitch, there was nothing online) Now people are really getting angry, upset, frustrated. I wanted to cry.
We complete the form and Marty gets in line while I try to find us a hotel. Then you angel appeared. A women, not connected to BA was walking around organizing the leftover bags. She heard me telling another stranded passenger that I did not even know if my luggage was here because we checked it thru at O'Hare and were suppose to be on another airline. For all we knew, our luggage was in Budapest. She asked for the luggage claim ticket, made a call and our luggage was there and she told them to send it up asap. We were beyond happy.
Thanks to internet, I finally got a ticket to Budapest on Expedia( BAwill reimburse), Hotel Tonight app got us a room at the Metropolitan by Como near the park and palace and Uber got us there. 10 hours in the airport. We were so glad to leave. Our hotel was amazing. The most slick, high tech place we have ever stayed. The blinds, curtains were all remote control. Room phone has a smart screen that could control all lights, temps, tv,etc. walked around the corner to a quaint pub for a very late dinner that was perfect. Our heads hit the pillow and we were in sleep comas.
Tomorrow, off to explore the sights of London in 8 hours.