Animation Experience transportation question

[CJK]

Hi all! We're looking forward to trying the Animation Experience in Animal Kingdom for the first time. We've been to Conservation Station many times, but not since it reopened with the Animation Experience. Do guests with fast passes get preference for boarding the train to get to Conservation Station? If not, how early do you need to get to the train station before your fast pass time? We're going during the busy holiday season, so I just wondered about timing. TIA!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Do guests with fast passes get preference for boarding the train to get to Conservation Station?

No, they don’t. You should plan on at least 45 minutes early to catch the train.

 

[KSL]

Ooooh, this was a great question I hadn't even though of. Thanks for asking it, CJK!
Hiro, can you help me with this, then?
I have a FP+ booked and it says to arrive 1:25-1:40 and the experience will be 1:40-2:10. So, based on your advice to arrive 45 minutes early, are you thinking (1) we should get to train by 12:55 (45 minutes prior to experience starting at 1:40) rather than the suggested 1:25-1:40? Or, (2) we should get to the train by 12:40 (45 minutes prior to the beginning of the suggested arrival time of 1:25)? Sorry if this is overkill but it could be a crucial 15 minutes!
Thanks in advance!

 

[KSL]

Just thought of another question: Could we go early to look around? I know you usually can't get into a FP+ queue until the designated time (or maybe a couple minutes early), but for this one, if the train ride isn't tied to the experience, than am I correct that we don't HAVE to take the train during the "arrival period", as long as we are at the entrance to the "experience" on-time, which is where I'm guessing they will scan bands for the FP+. Yes to all this? Please correct wherever I've gone wrong on this, lol....
Thanks again!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Could we go early to look around?

Yes. There’s a petting zoo and terrariums to view. The train ride isn’t tied to the Animation Experience so just plan to arrive at RPW prior to 1:25.