AK - Rider Swap and FP+

[fernoppi]

It will be me, DH, DD5, DD2.5. Unfortunately just a short trip to WDW before our DCL cruise. Our AK visit will be on Day 2 at the end of November. I'm guessing, unless it's really slow season that I won't get a FP+ for FOP. Still crossing my fingers. How should I handle this? We can do NRJ together, whether FP or not. But then for FOP we would have to use RS. So technically I would only need to score 1 FP right? And then I could use RS? Should I try to get 2 FP for FOP of staggered times? Because I'm worried if I was able to get some, having two at the same time wouldn't be ideal considering it'll take time to ride even with FP. Would getting 1 FP be a lot easier?

And what should we do the the kids while the other parent is waiting in line?

 

[housemartin71]

You should technically only need 1 FP to do rider swap. If you can get 2, I would do that. Even if they aren't staggered, you have a total of 80 minutes (five mins before and 15 mins after) to use them and you can get through FoP in about 30 minutes, so they would still work. You could both ride twice that way without having to backtrack too much.

When we were waiting, we walked around Pandora and took pictures and played with the various things they have there. Used the restroom. You can also get something to eat/drink and sit and enjoy the area. Finish it up by doing some shopping - that's where FoP empties into anyway, so it's a convenient place to meet the other person riding.

 

[Marthasor]

I would look for 1 FP+ initially. That will guarantee you a short wait for the FP+ rider and rider swap for the spouse. If you can snag 2 FP+ at staggered times, bonus! As PP said, that means you can both ride twice (if you are interested). You can wander around Pandora as you wait for the FOP rider, as PP suggested, or you could even wander some of the animal trails and walk around the tree of life, which is pretty close by. FOP, even with FP+, will take about 30 - 45 minutes to ride, so you could even head over to Dinoland and take a spin on the Triceratops or wander back to the bridge and get the books for Wilderness Explorers.

 

[TravelingTotMom]

There are a few ways you could do this. Also, is your five year old tall enough/planning on riding?

- Get one FP+ for FOP. Use rider swap, and then your spouse (and your 5 year old) could ride on the rider swap pass.

- Get 2 FP+ if available and your 5 year old wants to ride with each parent. Still use rider swap. 5 year old rides with you and then rides again with your spouse on the rider swap pass.

Even if you are able to get 2 FP+ for the adults, I would still plan on using rider swap because even with FP+ it will still take around half an hour to get through the ride.

Also remember you can't get FP+ for NRJ and FOP on the same day, so you can either ride standby together, or you can get 1 FP+ for FOP (and use rider swap) and FP+ for everyone else on NRJ (which means 1 parent doesn't get to ride, but I think FOP is definitely worth skipping NRJ).

Here's what my family did - 1 FP+ for me for FOP and 2 FP+ for my son and husband on NRJ. They walked with me to FOP to get a rider swap, and then they rode NRJ while I rode FOP. Afterwards we met up and my husband rode FOP with the rider swap while my son and I headed over to Satu'li Canteen for dinner. He met us there after.

Also, keep checking MDE... I was able to get my FOP FP+ two days out (but I was constantly checking).

 

[sweetmama17]

I also did what the PP did. My DS5 is not tall enough for FOP.

I did 1 FOP FP (DH went first) and the 2 FP for NRJ I took both kids on. Then I used my rider swap to ride FOP while DH walked around with the kids.

If DS5 had been tall enough I would have switched it as he would love it.

Basically, DH and DS ride FOP on FP and get a rider swap pass. I use 1 FP to take 2 year old of NRJ. Then I would use rider swap (and take the 5 year old back on it as well) and DH hangs out with 2 year old.